The ALPINE or RED-WINGED WALL CREEPER (_Tichodroma muraria_) is
principally of an ash-grey tint; the region of the throat is black in
winter and white in summer; the wings and tail are mostly black; but all
the quills of the former, from the third to the fifteenth, are of a bright
red towards the base, as are the smaller shoulder-feathers, and a narrow
border on the outer web of the large wing-covers. The quills are decorated
with white or yellow spots on the inner web, and the tail-feathers are
bordered with white; the eye is brown; the beak and foot are black. This
species is six inches and one-third long, and ten inches and a half broad;
the wing measures three inches and a half, the tail two inches and a
quarter; the beak is from eighteen to twenty lines long.
This interesting bird is very commonly met with upon the Alps, Pyrenees,
Apennines, Balkan, Carpathian, and other mountains. Rüppell saw it on the
Altai and Abyssinian ranges. Jerdon tells us that it is common on the
Himalayas, and is also found in Cashmere and Afghanistan.
"This bird," writes Jerdon, "is found throughout the Himalayas, from
whence it descends in winter to the Alpine parts of the Punjab. It is
also found in Cashmere, Afghanistan, and the southern parts of Europe. I
saw it frequently near Darjeeling, but only in the winter, at a height of
from 2,500 to 5,000 feet or so. I first met with it in a tea plantation at
Kursim, hunting along some small, bare ravines that the heat of the sun
had made in the ground, and occasionally on the bank of a road. I have
also seen it on a rock by the wayside, and on perpendicular cliffs along
some of the rivers. It looks very beautiful when flitting about, the fine
red on its wings fully displayed; and, indeed, has the appearance rather
of a butterfly than a bird. Such specimens as I have examined had eaten
spiders and coleoptera." This species has no call-note. In Europe it
descends from the Alps, and is found on walls of old buildings, whence the
name given by Linnæus. It is stated to breed in clefts and holes of rocks,
and in old buildings. The eggs, we are told, are of a fine bright red.
* * * * *
The smallest of the Climbing Birds may be conveniently divided into two
groups, the TREE CREEPERS and TREE PECKERS.
* * * * *
The TRUE TREE CREEPERS (_Certhia_) are very small and slender, with
delicate, sharply-pointed beaks, more or less curved, weak feet, and long
toes, armed with large, hooked, and sharp claws. The wings, of which the
third or fourth quills exceed the rest in length, are blunt, and formed of
weak feathers; the long, narrow, conical tail is divided into two points
at its tip, and formed of strong feathers; the lax, soft plumage is of
a brownish hue above, and white beneath; the horny tongue has a sharp
margin, the tip is thread-like, and the base is furnished with tooth-like
appendages. These birds principally inhabit the Eastern Hemisphere and
North America.
[Illustration: THE ALPINE WALL CREEPER (_Tichodroma muraria_).]
* * * * *
The TREE PECKERS are more powerfully formed than the above-mentioned
birds. Their beak is comparatively long, more or less curved, and very
sharply pointed at its tip; the feet are short, the toes long, armed
with high, sharp, and much-curved claws; the wing, in which the third or
fourth quill is the longest, is pointed; the long, stiff tail usually
terminates in two points; the plumage is of a uniform tint on the back,
but variegated on the under side; the tongue is horny at its tip.
The above groups resemble each other so closely in their habits that one
description will suffice for them both; and, to avoid confusion, we shall
combine them under the general name of--
* * * * *
TREE CLIMBERS (_Scandentes_). The Tree Climbers pass their time within
the shelter of their native woods, keeping together in pairs or families;
some species, however, associate with other birds, and in their company
make short excursions within the boundaries of their forest home. Insects,
eggs, larvæ, spiders, and similar fare constitute their principal means
of support. In search of these the larger species bore the bark of trees
after the manner of the Woodpecker, while the weaker members of the group
obtain a meal by exploring holes and crannies in the trunks and branches
by the aid of their sharp beaks. The voices of all are insignificant, and
their habits generally quiet and unsocial. Almost all build a large nest
within the shelter of a tree-hole.