344 THE WRYNECK AND THE CREEPER. 



The Wryneck (Goktyta, Sw. ; Yynx Torquilla, Linn.) 

 was very common with us, and also throughout the greater 

 part of Scandinavia. It is found equally in Lof-, as in Barr- 

 skogar. It is rather an early visitor, and amongst the first 

 of the migratories to leave Sweden. It is described as rather 

 scarce in Denmark. 



The generic name of the wryneck owes its origin to the 

 myth, that the daughter of Echo, the nymph Yynx, through 

 whose incantations Jupiter fell in love with Aurora, was 

 transformed into this bird by the jealous Juno. Its specific 

 name, as well as its English and German (Wendehals) , is 

 derived from a most singular habit it has of stretching its 

 neck, twisting its head round so that it lies on the back, and 

 turning up the white of its eyes. This is best observable 

 when one holds the bird in the hand. Even a well-fledged 

 young one is capable of the same action. It wriggles about 

 like a serpent ; and what with its grey colour, and the black 

 mark running along its back, it bears in reality some resem- 

 blance to that reptile. 



In Norway the peasants call this bird Sd- Gouk that is, 

 the seed-cuckoo probably because its note is heard during 

 seed time. And in the south of Sweden people on hearing 

 its cheerful gi, gi, gi, gi, predict fine weather. 



The Common Creeper fTrad-krypare, or Tree-creeper, 

 Sw. ; Certhia familiaris, Linn.) was common with us, as 

 it also is in the southern and more central portion of Scandi- 

 navia ; but it would not appear to be found very far to the 

 northward. Some of these birds migrate, but the greater 

 portion remain in the country all the year round. It is pretty 

 common in Denmark. 



The Common Wren (Giird-smyg, Sw. ; Troglodytes 



