THE WKYNECK. 161 



eggs are, however, its favourite food ; and during its passage, 

 when insects are not to be found, it will eat elder-berries. 



In confinement, the Wryneck is a delicate bird, and must 

 have ants' eggs mixed with the universal paste, to which it 

 will then soon become accustomed. It will live the longest 

 on Nightingale's food. It is curious to see how it thrusts its 

 long narrow tongue into all chinks and crannies in search of 

 insects ; nor is it possible to give it greater pleasure than by 

 placing ants' eggs in such situations. It takes all food if 

 not in a liquid state with its tongue, and shows great dex- 

 terity in getting possession of ants' eggs, &c., which may be 

 left near the cage. It is also fond of ants. 



Breeding. The nest, which is built of moss, wool, hair, and 

 grass stalks, is found in hollow trees. The female lays eight 

 or nine shining white eggs. The old ones can be preserved 

 only with difficulty ; but the young may be easily reared 

 on ants' eggs and the universal paste made from the crumbs of 

 wheaten bread. 



Mode of Taking, The Wryneck can in general be caught 

 only by placing limed twigs round the nest ; though, some- 

 times in the spring, they may even be taken with the hand, 

 while searching the bushes for insects. Two, which I now 

 possess, were brought to me by a boy who had taken them in 

 this manner. 



Attractive Qualities. The peculiar motions whence this 

 bird has derived its name, together with its beautiful plumage, 

 form its chief recommendation to the amateur. It is accus- 

 tomed to stretch out its neck, and so twist its head round, that 

 the beak points down the middle of the back. It generally sits 

 upright, with its tail spread out like a fan, slowly inclining 

 its body backwards and forwards, and bristling up the feathers 

 of the head and throat. If any one vexes it, or approaches 

 its food box, it leans slowly forward, erects its crest, elongates 

 and twists round its neck, turns the eyes, bows, expands the 

 tail, gobbles in the throat, and throws itself into the most 

 peculiar positions. Its general behaviour is sedate, if not sad. 

 In spring it often cries " Gui! Gui! Gui!" which is the note 

 by which it calls its mate. 



M. VON SCHAUKOTH informs me that two Wrynecks which 

 he reared, became so exceedingly tame as to hang about his 

 clothes, and to chirp whenever they either heard or saw their 



