GOLDCREST AND WRYNECK 



123 



Materials Used. — Moss, leaves, fine grass, lichen, and spiders' webs, 

 lined with feathers. 



Eggs. — Six to Ten. Dirty white, marked with very light brown. 



Food. — Insects. 



Voice. — A low, continuous, sibilous note, running into a trill. 



Chief Features. — The smallest British bird. Haunts tops of fir 

 trees, and very difficult to watch. The yellow and orange crest 

 and small size at once identify it. 



Plumage. — Above olive, with a yellow tinge; ash-coloured cheeks; 

 greyish-brown wing, with two transverse white bands ; bright- 

 yellow crest in front, orange behind, bounded by two black 

 lines; yellowish-grey underneath. Female not so bright, and 

 crest lemon-colour. Length. — Three and a half inches. 



WRYNECK (lynx torquilla) 



Local Names. — Barley Bird, Cuckoo's Foal, Cuckoo's Leader, 

 Cuckoo's Maid, Cuckoo's Mate, Cuckoo's Messenger, Dinnick, 

 Emmet Hunter, Leader, Long 

 Tongue, Pay-Pay, Pea Bird, Rind- 

 ing Bird, Snake Bird, Tongue Bird, 

 Turkey Bird, Willow Bite. 



Haunt. — Woods, commons, parks, and 

 large gardens. 



Nesting Period. — May and June. 



Site of Nest. — Holes of trees, not often 

 made by the bird itself. 



Materials Used. — Chips of decayed wood. 



Eggs. — Six to Eight. Glossy white ; oval. 



Food. — Insects and larva?; also said to 

 be fond of elderberries. 



Voice. — A shrill " pee-pee-pee-pee-pee." 

 Call, "quee, quee," "quay, quay; " 

 love-note, " gui, gui, gui." 



Chief Features. — A Summer Migrant, 



arriving end of March, usually before Cuckoo. Has a long 

 tongue for licking up insects. Turns its head rapidly, and 

 hence name Wryneck. 



Plumage. — Above reddish-grey, withT irregular brown and black 

 spots and lines; from back of head to back a broad black and 

 brown band ; dull white underneath, with buff tinge, and dark- 

 brown bars with exception of breast and belly, where arrow- 

 headed markings are found; on outer web of quills rectangular, 

 alternate black and yellowish-red spots; tail-feathers barred 

 with black and zigzag bands; olive-brown beak and feet. 

 Length. — Seven inches. 



Fig. 50. Head and Tongue 

 of Wryneck. 



