THE WRYNECK. 243 



THE WEYNECK, 



{Yunx torquilla.) 

 PLATE XVI. FIGUEE II. 



ALTHOUGH the plumage of the Wryneck is neither brilliant nor rich 

 in colouring, it is so delicately marked and shaded, as to render the 

 bird one of the most beautiful and attractive of British species. The 

 upper parts are light brownish grey, marked and spocted with a deeper 

 shade. A broad stripe of dark brown runs from the top of the head 

 half way down the back. The cheeks, throat, and upper part of the 

 breast are reddish yellow, covered with fine wavy lines of black. The 

 under surface of the body is yellowish white. The wings and tail are 

 beautifully marked and mottled with various shades of reddish and 

 brownish black. 



The Wryneck is common in the sonth-eastern counties of England, 

 but decreases in numbers towards the northern and western parts. 

 Its name is derived from a curious habit it has of twisting and turning 

 its head about in various directions, sometimes only from side to side, 

 but at others quite round. These grotesque movements it accompanies 

 with a fanning of the tail, and a general bowing and dipping of the 

 whole body. In some parts of the country this twisting of the neck, 

 and a hissing noise it makes when surprised on its nest, have obtained 

 for it the name of the Snake-bird. In other places it is called the 

 Cuckoo's Mate or Messenger, because it arrives about the same time, 

 or a little earlier than the Cuckoo. 



The Wrynecks are unsocial birds, more than a pair being rarely seen 

 in company; they frequent woods, plantations, orchards, and gardens, 

 and may often be seen along the sides of ditches, or upon sunny banks 

 and ant-hills. If disturbed they do not usually fly to any great distance, 

 but hide among the nearest foliage. Their movements are awkward, 

 both on the wing and on the ground. 



The food of this bird consists chiefly of ants and their eggs, which 

 it obtains by means of its long and sharp-pointed tongue. "A quantity 



