The Tree-Creeper is a common species, but from its quiet ways and dull colour seldom noticed. It is with us the whole year, spending its time in an unceasing search for small insects on the bark of trees. In its habits and food it is not unlike the Woodpeckers, climbing up with a series of jerks, and, when observed, shifting at once to the far side of the tree. It has a short but pleasing little song, which is not often heard, and the call-note is a low and plaintive “cheep.” It is solitary in habits, and more than one are seldom seen together, except in the breeding season. The nest is placed behind a piece of loose bark and is merely an accumulation of roots, grass, and moss, with a lining of wool and feathers. The eggs are white, minutely spotted with reddish. The sexes are alike and have the feathers of the upper parts dark brown with pale centres, becoming lighter on the rump; under parts, silvery white. Flight feathers dark brown, barred with buffish white. Tail feathers stiff and pointed and dull reddish brown in colour. Length 4·75 in.; wing 2·5 in. It is common and abundant throughout our islands. THE WALL-CREEPER Tichodroma muraria (Linnæus) Very few examples of this species, whose home is in the mountainous regions of Europe, have occurred in these islands. It spends its life climbing over the bare and precipitous surfaces of rock, searching for spiders and other insects on which it feeds. The general colour is slate grey with crimson wing coverts and a black throat. The tail feathers are not stiff as in the preceding species. Length 6 in.; wing 3·9 in. THE PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla lugubris, Temminck “Chizzit, chizzit,” and looking round we see our little grey friend as he passes with his peculiar and characteristic dipping flight across the field towards the ivy-clad wall. Every year he comes with unfailing regularity to rear his brood near the same spot. It is an old red-brick wall, thickly covered with ivy, which has concealed the various nooks and crannies brought about by the winter’s frosts and the heat of the summer sun. In such a place the Pied Wagtail delights to build his nest. Although not strictly speaking a migrant, for some individuals spend the whole year with us, he nevertheless appears with unfailing regularity towards the end of April at his accustomed haunt, and probably brings his mate with him, for we seldom see more than a pair together at their breeding quarters, and thus quietly, and without any demonstration, the nest-building is begun. This is usually done in the very early hours of the morning, and the day is spent in some neighbouring field among the cattle, with occasional excursions to the side of the stream for the frequent bath which has earned for this species the name of “Polly Dishwasher.” [Illustration: PIED WAGTAIL _Motacilla lugubris_]