EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 173 



extreme north of China, but does not appear to range further 

 north in Asia than lat. 62°. In its habits and mode of nidification 

 it differs very little from other Woodpeckers. 



THE WRYNECK. 



{lynx torquilla.) 

 Plate 48, Fig. 10. 



The Wryneck is a common bird in summer in the south-eastern 

 counties of England. West of the Severn and north of the Trent 

 it is much rarer, and is very locally distributed. It is a rare 

 summer visitor to most of the counties of Scotland, but in Ireland 

 it has only been obtained twice ; otherwise it has a very exten- 

 sive range, being found during the breeding-season throughout 

 the greater part of the Palsearctic region. 



The Wryneck, like the Woodpeckers, lays its eggs in holes of 

 trees. It does not, however, make its own abode, although it 

 often slightly alters the hole which it has chosen. This is often 

 selected in the most exposed situation, not unfrequently in an 

 orchard, and sometimes in a dead stump in a hedgerow. 



Sometimes the eggs may be seen from the opening, at other 

 times they are at arm's length down the aperture. They are 

 deposited on the decayed wood at the bottom with no other nest 

 whatever, and are usually laid about the middle of May. They 

 are from six to ten in number, seven or eight being an average 

 clutch, and are pure white without any markings. They are not 

 quite so smooth and polished as those of the Woodpeckers, and 

 vary in length from 09 to 0"8 inch, and in breadth from - 67 

 to 0'58 inch. They most closely approach the eggs of the Lesser 

 Spotted Woodpecker, but may generally be distinguished by their 

 larger size, and less amount of gloss. 



THE FAMILY CUCULID^J, 



OR CUCKOOS. 



The Common Cuckoo is a regular summer visitor, but the other 

 species are of accidental occurrence. 



