THE WRYNECK 133 



twelve inches from the entrance ; and we find that the Wry- 

 neck is no nest-builder, and that her eggs are laid on the 

 powdered wood and dust at the bottom of the hole. We find 

 the female Wryneck upon her eggs, remaining brooding over 

 her treasure until removed by the hand, as is the case with 

 most species nesting in holes. We heard her utter warning 

 hisses as we broke the wood away, and when taken in the 

 hand she repeats this startling sound, which closely resembles 

 that made by a snake. From this peculiar note the Wry- 

 neck is known in many localities by the name of " Snake 

 Bird." She also keeps turning her head from side to side 

 with singular contortive movements, giving herself a most 

 strange appearance, well calculated to alarm the inexperienced 

 observer. I have also known her to feign death when taken 

 in the hand ; but if you relax your hold she generally takes 

 advantage of the proffered freedom and flies away. The 

 Wryneck never excavates a hole for itself in which to rear 

 its young, but always finds one ready-made, just like the 

 Titmice and Starlings do. 



The eggs of the Wryneck are from five to eight in number, 

 in rare instances you may find even nine, pure and spotless 

 white, and polished like those of the Woodpecker's, which 

 they resemble in every respect save that of size. You may 

 remove the eggs of the Wryneck, just as you may take those 

 of the Starling, and the old birds still frequent the place, and 

 others will be deposited in the same hole. Egg after egg may 

 be removed and still the female lays more, continuing to do 

 so in some cases right through the summer, and returning to 

 the old unfortunate quarters to repeat her efforts the next 

 spring. The Wryneck's fecundity is indeed amazing, and she 

 has been known to produce as many as forty-three eggs in a 

 single season. Pity that the poor birds were harassed so 

 persistently ! Only one brood is reared in the year, and the 

 old birds and their young tarry on our shores but a short time 



