490 PiciD^. 



their " eggs " (pupse), remarks that " it was curious to 

 observe the tongue darted forward and retracted with such 

 velocity, and with such unerring aim, that it never returned 

 without an ant or an egg adhering to it," the motion being 

 so rapid that the pupa, " which is of a light colour, and 

 more conspicuous than the tongue, has somewhat the 

 appearance of moving towards the mouth by attraction, as 

 a needle flies to a magnet." In consequence of the Wryneck 

 feeding so frequently at ant-hills, its tongue, as Knapp states, 

 collects much soil therefrom, and its stomach contains a 

 larger portion of grit than is usually met with in that of 

 other small birds ; but its food is not entirely collected in 

 this way, for it waylays ants on their journeys up and 

 down trees and bushes ; while pupae and larvae generally, 

 and especially small green caterpillars, enter into its diet. 

 According to Bechstein, it will, on its autumnal migration 

 and in dearth of insects, eat elderberries. 



The Wryneck occasionally reaches England at the begin- 

 ning of March and remains until towards the end of 

 September. Generally one of the most unobtrusive of birds, 

 it sits stiffly perched across a twig or branch, or clings 

 sideways to the bole of a tree, seldom actually climbing, 

 though quite able so to do. On the ground its gait and 

 appearance are peculiar, for it advances with short jumps, 

 and keeps its tail elevated. While feeding the body is 

 aiiotiouless, and if disturbed it rises somewhat confusedly, 

 with an undulatory flight making for the nearest shelter, 

 which it has seldom far to seek. In autumn it is said to 

 grow extremely fat, and in the south of Europe is much 

 esteemed at that season for the table. It makes no nest ; 

 but is not incommoded, as is a Woodpecker, by the bedding 

 brought by other birds into the hole it selects, to which it 

 exhibits a strong attachment, occupying it year after year. 

 The eggs, commonly laid on the bare wood, are pure Avhite, 

 glossy and translucent, hardly to be distinguished from those 

 of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, though with a rather 

 thicker shell, and on the average a little larger, measuring 

 from '87 to '77 by from •67 to -61 in. In number they 



