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Siberian travellers. Von Middendorff obtained a specimen at Udskoj-Ostrog ; Mr. Maack sbot 

 two on the Schilka on the 28th and 30th May (new style); and Von Schrenck states that he 

 believes it occurs as far north as Kamtchatka. Mr. Taczanowski says (J. f. 0. 1873, p. 96) that, 

 according to Dr. Dybowski, it is rare at Darasun in Dauria, where it is a summer visitant, 

 arriving about the middle of April, and frequenting the valleys. Temminck and Schlegel 

 obtained numbers from Japan ; Mr. Swinhoe met with it in China, between Takoo and Peking, 

 in August, and says that it occurs down the Chinese coast during winter ; and Pere David says 

 that it occurs sparingly in North China during passage. 



Though in many respects the Wryneck bears no little resemblance to the Woodpeckers, yet 

 in its habits it is much unlike those lively birds, being much quieter and less energetic in its 

 movements, even rather heavy and somewhat stupid : yet it is by no means wanting in agility ; 

 for it climbs about amongst the branches of the trees with great facility — though, unlike the 

 Woodpecker, it seldom or never moves along a perpendicular trunk of a tree searching after 

 food, probably owing to its tail being composed of soft feathers, which give it no support when 

 moving up a tree-trunk, as the stiff tail-feathers of the Woodpecker do. When sitting perched on 

 a branch, it sits across it like those birds which always perch ; and when it does perch against a 

 tree-trunk it sits with the body turned rather sideways, as if to avoid injuring its tail, and not 

 upright as a Woodpecker does. I have often seen one when suddenly disturbed fly and perch 

 against a trunk, and, after sitting a moment there, fly off without climbing along the tree at all. 

 Quiet and peaceable in its habits, it would be very little noticed were it not for its loud Hawk- 

 like cry, which may be heard at a great distance, and bears some resemblance to the call of the 

 Hobby, but is weaker and somewhat softer. Yet, excepting in the breeding-season (when this 

 clear call may be continually heard), it is rather a silent bird than otherwise. Its note may be 

 compared to the syllables hveed, hveed, hveed, uttered many times quickly in succession, some- 

 times louder and at others softer ; and as it usually arrives shortly before the Cuckoo, and this 

 latter bird may be expected almost directly after the call of the Wryneck is heard, this bird has 

 earned from the peasantry the names " Cuckoo's mate " or " Cuckoo's messenger," by which it is 

 almost everywhere known throughout our country. Another very common popular name by 

 which it is known is that of "Snake-bird," which, as well as its name "Wryneck," is derived 

 from its peculiar habit of elongating and twisting its neck in the most extraordinary way, at the 

 same time half-closing its eyes, spreading out the feathers on its head, and writhing its neck like 

 a snake. When taken in the hand it contorts its body, and makes such hideous grimaces, and 

 hisses so loudly, as to frighten any one unacquainted with the bird and its curious habits. It 

 will stretch out its neck to the fullest extent, and turn its head until the beak is now directed 

 forwards and now backwards, as if the head were placed the wrong way. 



Usually the Wryneck lives in the closest retirement in some well-wooded place, near where 

 it can obtain its food with ease, and, unless disturbed, is rarely seen flying about. Its flight is 

 somewhat heavy and laboured, and not swift. When it has only a short distance to traverse, it 

 flies in a straight line, with a whirring flight ; but when it flies to some distance its flight is a 

 succession of bow-shaped lines. It is seldom seen flying at any great altitude, but usually either 

 near the surface of the ground or from ten to twenty feet high. 



It feeds on insects, especially ants in their larval condition, which it seeks on the ground, 



4g 



