YUNX. WRYNECK. 99 



long, straight, rounded, of ten broad rounded feathers, of ordi- 

 nary structure. 



The genus Torquilla has generally been associated with 

 the genus Picus, to which it undoubtedly bears a great 

 affinity. The extensibility of the tongue is the principal 

 common character, but that organ differs in being barbed in the 

 one genus and smooth in the other. The fourth toe in the 

 Picinae is directed somewhat outwards and backwards, whereas 

 in Torquilla its natural position is directly backwards, parallel 

 to the first. The bill in Torquilla, however, more closely re- 

 sembles that of the Picinae than of the Cuculinse, although it 

 is not wedge-shaped at the point. On the other hand, the 

 tail has no resemblance to that of the Woodpeckers. In truth, 

 the genus stands on the limits of the two groups, and forms 

 their connecting link. The common or European species is 

 the only one with which I am acquainted, so that the above 

 generic character has been taken from it exclusively. It ap- 

 pears that there is only another species as yet known, which is 

 a native of Southern Africa, and has been named Yunx pecto- 

 ralis by Mr Vigors. 



M. Temminck states that " the first quill is a little less long 

 than the second, which is the longest ;" Mr Selby that " the 

 first feather is a little shorter than the second, which is the 

 longest in the wing ;" and Mr Jenyns that " the first quill is ^ 

 a little shorter than the second, which is longest." The first ' 

 quill I find extremely short, being about a sixth only of the 

 length of the second, which is very slightly shorter than the third. 



