The BONNETED CREEPER (_Sittella pileata_), a species inhabiting
South-western Australia, is black on the top of the head, greyish brown
on the nape and back, and blackish brown on the wings; the brow, a stripe
over the eyes, the throat, breast, and centre of the belly are all white,
the two latter shaded with greyish brown toward the side; the quills are
blackish brown, with a reddish brown patch in their centre, and a greyish
brown tip. The eye is yellowish brown, the beak yellow at its base and
black at its tip; the foot is yellow. The length of this bird is four
inches and three-quarters, the wing measures three inches and a half, and
the tail one inch and a half.
Gould tells us that these Creepers exhibit great facility in climbing and
descending the branches of trees, and are usually seen frequenting their
favourite haunts in small parties. Although endowed with very considerable
powers of flight, they rarely employ their wings, except when desirous of
attaining a neighbouring tree. Their cry is a short, weak, piping note.
The small nest, which is usually placed upright on the foot of a branch,
is smoothly and artistically formed of strips of bark, fastened together
by spiders' webs. Incubation commences in September. The eggs, three in
number, are white, marked with circular green spots.
* * * * *
The WALL CREEPERS (_Tichodroma_) are recognisable by their compact body,
short neck, large head, and very long, thin, and almost rounded beak,
which is slightly curved and pointed at its tip. The feet are strong, the
toes slender, and armed with large hooked and pointed claws. The first
quill of the small, rounded wing is very short, and the fourth or fifth
longer than the rest; the short tail is formed of soft, broad feathers,
rounded at their tips. The lax, silky plumage is usually bright in hue,
but varies in its coloration at different seasons. The tongue, which
resembles that of the Woodpecker, is three-quarters of an inch long, sharp
at its extremity, and furnished with numerous bristle-like hooks.