THE WRYNECK. 295 



respects resemble those of the Woodpecker, particularly 

 its tongue, which well deserves examination. On open- 

 ing the mouth of either of these birds, the tongue 

 appears neither larger nor longer than the usual size, but 

 if taken hold of by the tip, which in these birds is 

 almost as hard and sharp as a thorn, and drawn out, it 

 will be found to extend to the length of several inches. 

 The use of this remarkable instrument is, that by being^ 

 darted suddenly out, it may transfix, or pin through, 

 any distant insect, which is immediately swallowed by 

 the bird's having the power of as rapidly drawing it 

 back. The Wryneck, though a migratory bird, may, 

 however, be kept alive for a longer time than the Cuckoo: 

 we knew an instance of one which lived a year and a 

 half in a cage, and never appeared to show impatience 

 during its confinement; it was observed always to take 

 its food by throwing out its long tongue. 



TABLE XYI. (See page 16.) 

 ORDER 3. TRIBE 2. LEVIROSTRAL, (Light-beaked.) 



HERE we have no less than eight genera of birds, not 

 one of which inhabits our country and, with the excep- 

 tion of the Parrot and Parroquet tribe, (and we may 

 add the Toucan,) are comparatively very little known. 

 We have already noticed the Toucan and its enormous, 

 though light, beak ; indeed, were it heavy in proportion 

 to its size, the poor bird would find it a sad inconveni- 

 ence, not only preventing its flight, but actually weighing- 

 its head down to the ground. As for Parrots, we, who 

 are accustomed to prize them as valuable and scarce 

 birds, are little aware of the actual plague they are in 

 their own country. Nothing can be more beautiful, 

 certainly, in description or appearance, than a flight of 

 these brightly-feathered birds ; but the husbandman, 

 who sees them hastening through the air, with loud and 

 impatient screams, towards his crops, looks upon them 



