"WRYNECK. 



PICARIjE. 



487 



PICID^H. 



Iynx torquilla, Linnaeus*. 

 THE WRYNECK. 



Ynnx torquilla. 



Iynx, Linnceusf. — Beak .shorter than the head, hard, straight, nearly conical, 

 sharp at the tip. Nostrils basal, linear, partly closed by a membrane. Tongue 

 capable of protrusion, the tip horny and smooth. Wings moderate ; the fii'st 

 primary very short, the third or fourth longest. Tail rather rounded, of ten 

 rectrices, with straight shafts and webs of ordinary character. Tarsi strong, 

 slightly feathered in front above ; toes two before, and two behind, the fourth, 

 which is turned backwards, about as long as the third ; claws much hooked, 

 grooved and very sharp. 



The Wryneck is a well-known spring-visitor to this 

 country, though less often seen than heard ; for, from the 

 time of its arrival, usually in the first half of April, until 

 midsummer or thereabouts, its monotonous cry, not unlike 



* Yunx (by mistake) torquilla, Linnteus, Syst. Nat. Ed 12, i. p. 172 (1766). 

 t Yunx (by mistake) loc. clt. 

 VOL. II. 3 R 



