382 INSESSORES. YUNX. WRYNECK. 



and their larvae ; and we accordingly find that, at the period 

 of its arrival, the hybernation of these remarkable insects has 

 yielded to the influence of the vernal sun, and the societies 

 are busily employed near the surface of their little mounds 

 in the various duties, so admirably described by HUB EH, 

 and the authors of the " Introduction to Entomology.'' 

 Its departure is also regulated by the same laws, as it leaves 

 us when these insects, upon the approach of autumn or cold 

 weather, again retire to the recesses of their subterraneous 

 habitations. A very interesting description of this bird is 

 given in the Ornithological Dictionary *, as the author was 

 fortunate enough to take a female alive, which he retained in 

 a cage for some days. It was fed with ants and their eggs, 

 contained in a quantity of mould ; and these were extracted 

 with singular velocity and unerring aim by its long extensile 

 tongue, not being transfixed by the horny appendage, but 

 retained by the tenaceous gluten, provided by Nature for 

 that purpose. While feeding, the body remains motionless, 

 the head alone being turned from side to side. The bill is 

 seldom used, except to remove the earth, with the view of 

 reaching the insects ; and, where the earth is hollow, the 

 tongue is thrust into the crevices, to rouse the ants. 

 Nest, &c. The Wryneck breeds in the holes of decayed trees, laying 

 its pure white eggs, to the number of nine or ten, upon the 

 bare rotten wood. When surprised upon the nest, it uses, 

 says MONTAGU, a singular action of defence, stretching itself 

 at full length, and erecting the coronal feathers, it suddenly 

 rises, making at the same time a short hissing noise. It has 

 its name from the particular manner in which it turns its head 

 alternately over the shoulders. In this motion, the black 

 streak on the dorsal mesial line of the neck gives it a curious 

 twisted appearance. 



According to TEMMINCK, it is found as far north as Swe- 

 den, is common in the southern and midland provinces of 



* Vol. ii. article Wryneck. 



