]]'Ry.\'ECK. 165 



and the west of England generally, as well as north of 

 the Don valley in South Yorkshire. Its breeding range (if 

 any) in Scotland is imperfectly defined, whilst to Ireland 

 the bird is only a rare straggler on abnormal flight. 



Breeding habits : The Wryneck reaches our islands 

 in spring towards the end of March, or during the first 

 half of April. Its favourite haunts are parks, the more 

 open woodlands, well-timbered fields, orchards, gardens, 

 and coppices, in which plenty of decayed trees occur. 

 It is more attached to open timbered countries than to 

 thick woods. In the Rivelin valley this bird frequents, 

 or used to do so a dozen years ago, the rough, rock-strewn 

 slopes near Hollow Meadows, studded with clumps of 

 bushes and trees, on the very borders of the moors. I 

 am of opinion that the Wryneck pairs for life, and season 

 by season may be found breeding in one particular spot. 

 It is not at all sociable in its habits, and each pair keep 

 strictly to themselves. The shrill noisy cry of this bird 

 soon proclaims its presence in a district. Shortly after 

 arrival, the birds may be seen toying with each other 

 near the old nesting-place. This is almost invariably 

 in a hole in a tree, but very exceptionally it is said to 

 be in a bank. The bird does not excavate the hole 

 itself, although it may occasionally alter it slightly for 

 the purpose. A hole in any kind of tree will be selected, 

 often in a rotten stump, and varies considerably not only 

 in depth, but in height from the ground. The eggs are 

 laid on the powdered wood at the bottom of the hole, 

 no nest of any kind being provided for them. The 

 Wryneck sits closely, usually allowing itself to be taken 

 from the eggs, and will not only hiss when disturbed, 

 but sham death in a very extraordinary way. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Wryneck are from six to ten in number. 

 They are pure white without markings, and are smooth 



