139 



CHAPTER V, 



SUMMER WORKERS. 



THE WRYNECK. 

 (lynx torquilla.) 



The Wryneck is a migrant, which makes itself heard as 

 soon as it appears with its Kyen-kyen-kyen or pay, pay, 

 pay, which is as peculiar as it is pleasing. It cannot be 

 denied, that after the long silence of winter the sound is 

 a very agreeable one. The Wryneck does not tap and 

 climb like the Woodpecker, but it uses its tongue in the 

 same way. Ants cling to its sticky tongue. It drags 

 out and destroys the insects from the crevices in the bark 

 of the trees. On this account it is useful. 



It is not shy and can be observed quite close by. It 

 owes its name to its peculiar position when it stretches 

 out its neck and twists it round, raising its crest and 

 spreading out its tail. It likes trees with dense foliage, 

 and orchards. 



In England we call this bird the Cuckoo's mate or 

 leader, because it always precedes the coming of that 

 bird by a few days. This name has its equivalent in 

 several European languages. It is more common in the 

 south-east than in the west, and is rare in Wales. Some 

 northern counties it never visits, yet from time to time 

 it strays up as far as the Orkneys and the Shetlands. 

 Towards the end of September it leaves us for the south. 

 In autumn it is said to eat the berries of the elder, other- 

 wise its food consists entirely of insects, ants and their 



