EARLY MAY 33 
bough in search of insect food, darting out 
his shining tongue, snake-like, into every 
chink and cranny that he finds. He will 
generally be alone, but sometimes with a 
mate. One came along and showed himself 
to us, and did not seem to take much notice 
ai our presence. they are not shy as a:rule. 
Their plumage in colour and markings re- 
sembles that of the woodcock, and 1s very like 
the bark of a dark coloured tree ; in climbing 
he holds himself close to the bough in his 
Son eierkK ye creeps, Lhe, bird, therefore, is 
more often heard than seen. He does not 
use his tail, however, as a point dappur 
like the woodpecker or the creeper. Build- 
ing, as the wryneck does, in holes in decayed 
trees, we despaired of getting a photo of the 
Rextenbhe egos, like “those :o1 most’. birds 
that build in dark places, are pure white. 
The bird makes a hissing noise when taken 
in: the hand, which, added to its general 
snake-like movements, markings and tongue, 
are very remarkable characteristics. 
Here, too, were several ‘ blue tits,’ or, as 
B.N, D 
