422 



THE WRYNECK. 



and therefore known as the cuckoo's footman. There is another name for this bird, signifying 

 "Cuckoo's knave,' 1 "Gwas-y-gog," the pronunciation of which I must leave to Welsh throats. 

 The tongiie of this bird is long, slender and capable of being projected to the distance 

 of an inch or so from the extremity of the beak, and its construction i.s almost exactly the 

 same as that of the woodpecker. As might be supposed, it is employed for the same purpose, 

 being used in capturing little insects, of which ants form its favorite diet. So fond, indeed, is 

 the Wryneck of these insects, that in some countries it is popularly known by the name of 

 Emmet-hunter. In pursuit of ants it trips nimbly about the trunks and branches of trees, 

 picking them off neatly with its tongue as they run their untiring course. It also frequents 

 ant-hills, especially when the insects are bringing out their pupae to lie in the sun, and swal- ' 

 lows ants and pupae at a great pace. When, as in damp or cold weather, the ants remain 

 within their fortress, the Wryneck pecks briskly at the hillock until it breaks its way through 

 the fragile walls of the nest, and as the warlike insects come rushing out to attack the intruder 



WETNECK. Jynx torfuUla. 



of their home and to repair damages, it makes an excellent meal of them in spite of their anger 

 and their stings. 



When ants are scarce and scantily spread over the ground, the Wryneck runs after them 

 in a very agile fashion ; but when it comes upon a well-stocked spot, it stands motionless, 

 with the exception of the head, which is darted rapidly in every direction, the neck and 

 central line of the back twisting in a manner that reminds the observer of a snake. When 

 captured or wounded, it will lie on its back, ruffle up its feathers, erect its neck, and hiss 

 so like an angry serpent that it is in some places known by the name of the snake-bird. It is 

 a bird of retiring habits, keeping itself mostly to the wooded parts of the country, and 

 especially favoring fir-woods where the ants most congregate, the dead leaves of the fir-trees 

 forming excellent material for their nests without the trouble of cutting them to a proper length. 



As the food of this bird is so dependent on the ants, it only comes north when the 

 weather is warm enough to induce the ants to leave their winter quarters ; and as soon as they 

 begin to retire into their hiding-places, it takes its departure for warmer lands. During the 

 early part of the season they are rather sociable, and may be captured by a good imitation of 

 their call-note. 



