THE WRYNECK. 275 



Woodpecker, particularly its tongue, which well deserves 

 examination. On opening the mouth of either of these birds,, 

 the tongue appears neither larger nor longer than the usual 

 size ; hut if taken hold of by the tip, which in these birds is 

 almost as hard and sharp as a thorn, and drawn out, it will 

 be found to extend to the length of several inches. The use 

 of this remarkable instrument is that, by being darted sud- 

 denly out, it may transfix, or pin through, any distant insect, 

 which is immediately swallowed, by the bird's having the 

 power of as rapidly drawing it back. The Wryneck, though 

 a migratory bird, may, however, be kept alive for a longer 

 time than the Cuckoo : we knew an instance of one which 

 lived a year and a half in a cage, and never appeared to show 

 impatience during its confinement ; it was observed always 

 to take its food by throwing out its long tongue. 



TABLE XVI. (See page 16.) 

 ORDER 3. TRIBE 2. LEVIRQSTRAL (Light-beaked). 



HERE we have no less than eight genera of birds, not one of 

 which inhabits our country and, with the exception of the 

 Parrot and Parroquet tribe, (and we may add the Toucan,) 

 are comparatively very little known. We have already 

 noticed the Toucan and its enormous, though light, beak ; 

 indeed, were it heavy in proportion to its size, the poor bird 

 would find it a sad inconvenience, not only preventing its 

 flight, but actually weighing its head down to the ground. 

 As for Parrots, we, who are accustomed to prize them as 

 valuable and scarce birds, are little aware of the actual plague 

 they are in their own country. Nothing can be more beau- 

 tiful, certainly, in description or appearance, than a flight of 

 these brightly-feathered birds; but the husbandman, who 

 sees them hastening through the air, with loud and impatient 

 screams, towards his crops, looks upon them with dismay 

 . and detestation, knowing that the produce of his labour and. 

 T 2 



