124 THE RIVER-SIDE NATURALIST. 



fourth edition) says : " The cry is not unlike that of the 

 kestrel, and consisting of the notes, Oue-que-que, many times 

 and very rapidly repeated." This cry is the call-note of 

 the WRY-NECK (Junx torquilla) ; family, Picidce. The bird 

 generally arrives a few days before the cuckow, hence the 

 name of Cuckow's Mate given to it by country-folks. It 

 is also known as the Snake-Bird, from the peculiar hissing 

 noise it makes if disturbed when sitting on its nest, if nest 

 it may be called ; but the eggs are generally laid on the bare 

 wood at the bottom of a hole in a tree ; they are pure white 

 and glossy. In some counties it is called the Emmet-Bird, 

 from its love for ants as food. The name " Wry-Neck " 

 arises from the peculiar habit of moving its head and stretch- 

 ing out or twisting the neck (as shown in the woodcut). 



Although for the most part of one colour a rich greyish- 

 brown it is so varied by the different shades as to form, 

 as Bewick remarks, " a picture of exquisite neatness." 



The bird is particularly fond of ants, and will settle down 

 close to an ant's nest, and appears to be regardless of 

 danger when thrusting its long tongue into the ant-heap. 

 It will allow at this time a close approach, so that it could 

 easily be killed by a blow, and we once, in early days, 

 killed one of these birds whilst feeding as described with 

 the end of our fishing-rod. 



The bird has various provincial names, as Cuckow's 

 Mate, Snake-Bird, Tongue-Bird, Dinnoch, Turkey-Bird. 

 In France it is called Torcol; in Germany, Natter Vogel. 



THE GREEN WOODPECKER. 



The GREEN WOODPECKER (Gecinus viridis) family, Picidce 

 is occasionally met with as we pass to and fro to the 

 river. We have often noticed these birds when fishing in 

 Wiltshire and Hampshire, and when not too much dis- 

 turbed will take the same round day after day, visiting the 

 same trees, beginning at their base, and working round 

 and round all up the trunk, searching for food. The bird 

 is especially fond of ants, and hops in a curious upright 



