ORDER SCANSORES. .513 



is covered with a large black band, and the forehead with a 

 white band, which cover the fore part of the neck. The 

 nape, back, and scapulars are black, with greenish reflexions. 

 The rump and coverts of the tail are white, the quills black. 

 Crawford's Woodpecker is from an Indian drawing brought 

 to this country by Mr. Crawford, jun. The whole upper 

 part, except the crest, is deep dark brown, sprinkled with 

 grey on the sides of the neck ; across the breast is a large 

 lunule patch of slate colour, with small dark waves ; the 

 belly is yellow, with the like crescent-shaped spots, and the 

 crest is deep red. 



There is a close analogy between the Wrynecks, (Yunx,) 

 and the woodpeckers, in the extensibility of the tongue, and 

 the position of the toes ; but they diifer in the want of the 

 piercing bill. The Wryneck {Yunx Torquilld) which gives 

 its name to the genus, derives that name from a habit of 

 turning its neck, with a slow undulating motion, like that of a 

 serpent, turning its head towards the back, and closing its 

 eyes ; this movement appears to be the result of surprise, 

 terror, or astonishment at the sight of some novel object. It 

 is also an effort which the bird appears to make to disengage 

 itself when it is held ; but as it executes it equally in a state 

 of liberty, and as the young, even in the nest, have the same 

 habit, it is clear that it must be the result of a peculiar con- 

 formation. The wryneck has also another habit, not less 

 singular ; when confined in a cage, it has been observed to 

 bristle and elevate the feathers of the head, whenever any 

 one approached, — to spread forth and raise those of the tail, — 

 to advance, and then retire abruptly, striking the bottom of 

 the cage with its bill, and lowering its little crest. This it 

 perpetually continued until it was left alone. 



The wryneck is a solitary bird, which, voyages and lives 

 alone, except during the ■ season of love, in which it is seen 

 in society with its female. It arrives in these countries alone, 



VOL. VII. L I. 



