WRYNECK. 269 



both the North and West Ridings. West Riding names are 

 Wheel Bird and Dor Hawk. This last is said to be derived 

 from an old word signifying buzzing, but may not this be 

 merely at second hand, and the idea of the bird preying 

 upon Dor Beetles be intended ? Eve-jar, used in Rennie's 

 " Field Naturalist " in 1833, appears to be merely a pedantic 

 variant on Night-jar. Night Churr, Eve Churr, and Jar 

 Owl are names given by Swainson without any indication 

 of their place of use. Gabble-ratch, Gabriel-ratch, Gabble- 

 ratchet, Gaabr'l-ratchet, or Gabble-ratcher, said to be so 

 called because it hoots on gables (Thirsk district), but in 

 other localities the version is different and indicates a similar 

 origin to Gabriel-hounds, as discussed above in connection 

 with the folk-lore. 



WRYNECK. 



Jynx torquilla (L.). 



Summer visitant, extremely local. Is occasionally observed near 

 the coast during the spring and autumn migrations. Less frequent 

 than formerly. 



Probably the earliest published mention of this, as a 

 county bird, is contained in the writings of the celebrated 

 Marmaduke Tunstall, of Wycliffe-on-Tees, who stated : — 



" Had once a nest of young Wrynecks brought me, which 

 seemed to take food very readily, but frequently darted out 

 their long tongues ; they all died the ne.xt day. Sometimes 

 called in the north the Cuckoo's Maiden ; as they are supposed 

 to arrive here nearly at the same time and are often found 

 together, probably as agreed in the same table of food, and 

 coming in for a share." (Tunst. MS., 1784). 



Thomas Allis, 1844, wrote : — 



Ytinx torquilla. — The Wryneck — Often met with near Doncaster ; 

 very scarce near Sheffield for the last eight or ten years ; becoming 

 very rare near Halifax ; seldom met with near Hebden Bridge ; Dr. 

 Farrar has met with but one solitary specimen near Barnsley ; it is 



