THE WRYNECK. 



Yunx torquilla. 



LTHOUGH found in many parts 

 of England, this bird is not 

 generally known, and many 

 who have heard its note have 

 been at a loss to distinguish 

 \ the utterer; and this for the 

 great reason that the Wryneck 

 is with difficulty distinguished, 

 on account of the colour of its 

 plumage, and, again, because 

 its general haunts are wooded 

 districts. It is in parks, 

 avenues of trees, or other well- 

 protected positions where trees 

 are plentiful, that the Wryneck 

 will be most usually found, but 

 this particularly in the east and 

 south of England. It is also, 

 though rarely, found in Scot- 

 land, but seldom in Ireland. 



The name " Wryneck " is de- 

 rived from the extremely erratic 

 movement of the neck of this bird when 

 in a state of fright or ordinary pleasure. 

 At such times the neck twists and 



