134 OUR RARER BIRDS 



after the latter reach maturity, migrating to their winter 

 quarters in Africa during the month of September. In their 

 winter home they become much more sociable, and sometimes 

 unite into little flocks which roam about in quest of food. 



One more word on the Wryneck's fecundity. Compara- 

 tively speaking this bird is not a common one; hence we 

 must conclude that its rate of mortality is high. Subsisting 

 on a somewhat precarious diet — for its chief food the ants 

 seldom occur in great quantities two seasons together — its 

 numbers must be considerably reduced during unfavourable 

 seasons whilst on our shores. Then again the dangers which 

 surround it in its winter home, and the perils of its long 

 journey to and fro in spring and autumn, must tliin its ranks. 

 As we have already seen, this bird lays a large number of 

 eggs, and is able to replace them if they are destroyed, so 

 that by this means it contrives to keep a place among existing 

 species. Its struggle for life is undoubtedly a severe one, and 

 its great fecundity most probably saves it from complete 

 extinction. 



