422 



THE WRYNECK. 



and therefore linown as the cuckoo's footman. There is another name for this bird, signifying 

 " Cuckoo's knave," " Gwas-y-gog, " the pronunciation of whicli I must leave to Welsh throats. 

 The tongue of this bird is long, slender and capable of being projected to the distance 

 of an inch or so from the extremity of the beak, and its construction is almost exactly the 

 same as that of the woodpecker. As might be supi>o,sed, it is emi^loyed for the same purjiose, 

 being used in capturing little insects, of which ants form its favorite diet. So fond, indeed, is 

 the Wryneck of these insects, that in some countiies it is popularly known by the name of 

 Emmet-hunter. In i)ursuit of ants it trips nimlily about the trunks and l)ranches of trees, 

 picking them off neatly with its tongue as they iiin their untiring course. It also frequents 

 ant-hills, especially when the insects are bringing out their pupjB to lie in the sun, and swal- 

 lows ants and jnipje at a great pace. When, as in damj) or cold weathei', the ants remain 

 within their fortress, the Wryneck pecks briskly at the hillock until it breaks its way through 

 the fragile walls of the nest, and as the warlike insects come rushing out to attack the intruder 



'■mm \vi'/ '^ 



WltiNECK Jijnx ImqilUla. 



of their home and to repair damages, it makes an excellent meal of them in spite of their anger 

 and their stings. 



When ants are scarce and scantily spread over the ground, the Wryneck runs after them 

 in a very agile fashion ; but when it comes upon a well-stocked spot, it stands motionless, 

 with the exception of the head, which is darted rapidly in every direction, the neck and 

 central line of the l)ack twisting in a maimer that reminds the observer of a snake. When 

 captured or wounded, it will lie on its back, ruffle up its feathers, erect its neck, and hiss 

 so like an angry servient that it is in some places known by the name of the snake-bird. It is 

 a bird of retiring habits, keeiiing itself mostly to the wooded parts of the country, and 

 especially favoring fir-woods where the ants most congregate, the dead leaves of the fir-trees 

 forming excellent material for their nests without the trouble of cutting them to a proper length. 



As the food of this biixl is so dependent on the ants, it only comes north when the 

 weather is warm enough to induce the ants to leave their winter (piarters ; and as soon as they 

 begin to retire into their hiding-places, it takes its departure for warmer lands. During the 

 early part of the season they are rather sociable, and may be captured by a good imitation of 

 their call-note. 



