CREEPER, Certhia, a genus of birds, the type of the family certhicace; having a longish, slender, arched, and pointed bill; a long, narrow, sharp-pointed tongue, jagged near its tip; the tail rather long, and the tips of the tail-feathers firm and pointed. extending beyond the webs, The feet are rather _slender; the hinder toe about.as long as the other toes. Of this conformation of feet and tail great use is made in climbing trees, the stiff feathers of the tail being employed for support. Although the family is large, it is doubtful if the genus contains more than one true species, the COMMON C. (C. familiariO, a bird found in all temperate parts of the northern hemisphere, wherever wood abounds. It is common in Britain, but is not so well known as many other birds, in consequence of its restless habits, its rapid movements, and prompt retirement to the opposite side of a tree or branch from a spectator. It searches for insects and their larvte in the
crevices of the bark, and generally ascends from the root to near the top of a tree before it flies off to another tree or branch*. It generally builds its nest in a hole of a decayed tree. It is one of the smallest of British birds, although considerably larger than the wren. Its note is monotonous, and often repeated. Its prevalent color is reddish-brown above, different shades being beautifully intermingled, and speckled with white; the under parts white. In Scotland, it is frequently called bark-epeeler(Anglice, bark-climber). —The WALL C. (tiehodrama muraria) of the s. of Europe, frequents walls and the faces of rocks; it has a more slender bill, and the tail-feathers are not pointed.