44 



cassell's book of birds. 



the entire throat is yellow, with undulating markings ; a black line passes from the crown of the head 

 to the lower part of the back, and the mantle is decorated with numerous black and brown spots of 

 various shades ; the quills are striped with reddish and blackish brown ; the tail-feathers are sprinkled 

 with black, and relieved by five narrow, curved stripes ; the eye is yellowish brown ; the beak and 

 legs greenish yellow. In the young the coloration is paler and the markings less delicate than in the 

 adults ; their eye is greyish brown. This species is seven inches long and eleven broad ; the wing 

 measures three inches and one-third, and the tail two inches and a half The actual habitat of the 

 Wry-neck appears to be the central parts of Europe and Asia. In a northerly direction it is found a-". 





THE WRY-NECK (Viaix (orqiiilld). 



far as Scandinavia, and during its migrations often wanders as far as Egypt and Eastern Soudan. 

 Jerdon tells us that it is met with tiiroughout all parts of India during the winter. 



The Wry-neck, so called from its strange manner of turning its head, so as to give its neck a 

 twisted appearance, is commonly met with in England, but is rare in Scotland, and, according to 

 Yarrell, has not been met with in Ireland. This species usually resorts to woodland districts, fields, 

 and gardens. " When found in its retreat in the hole of a tree," says the last-mentioned writer, " it 

 makes a loud hissing noise, sets up an elongated crest, and writhing its body and head towards each 

 shoulder alternately, with grotesque contortions, becomes an object of terror to a timid intruder ; and 

 the bird, taking advantage of a moment of indecision, darts with the rapidity of lightning from a 

 situation whence escape seemed impossible." Caterpillars and various insects, especially ants, 

 constitute the principal food of these 'birds. Bechstein states that they will eat elder-berries. The 

 young are easily tamed ; and in France are often taken from one tree to another, with a string fastened 

 round the leg, to search the bark for insects. 



