112 BRITISH BIRDS’ EGGS. 
Sus-ramMity JYNGINA:. 
WRYNECK. 
JYNX TORQUILLA, Linn. 
Pl. XVIL, fig. 4. 
Geogr. distr.—Europe generally as far as N. Scandinavia during 
the summer; eastward to Japan; migrates to Africa for the winter: 
common in England, rare in Scotland, unknown in Ireland. 
Food. — Insects. 
Nest.—A mere hole in a tree, the eggs being laid upon the decayed 
wood; has been known to lay in Sand Martins’ burrows. 
Position of nest.—In hole in apple, pear, or soft-wooded non-ever- 
green tree in orchards, gardens, or well-wooded localities ; seldom more 
than five or six feet from the ground. 
Number of eggs.—5-12; usually 9-10. 
Time of nidification.—V-VI. 
Two or three years ago, on visiting an orchard a few 
days previous to my return to town, I observed a Wryneck 
flying about a decayed old apple tree in which were several 
holes; one of these holes had been occupied the previous 
year by a Robin, and a little withered grass still remained 
in it; I called a boy and promised him a shilling if he 
would send me the whole of the eggs as soon as the hen 
ceased to lay. A little more than a week after this I 
received five eggs, which were deposited upon the remains 
of the Robin’s nest; no more eggs were laid after the fifth. 
As is the case with the Blue Tit, this bird hisses angrily 
when disturbed upon the nest, a habit which (in Kent) has 
procured it the name of the Snake Bird. Its cry is a sharp 
whistle, supposed to represent the word ‘‘jynr,” whence its 
generic name.* 
The Wryneck arrives in this country about the end of 
March, or the first or second week of April, and is most 
commonly met with in old orchards or gardens bounded by 
decayed willows or elms. It is quite fearless, but when 
taken in the hand shows much anger, hissing, erecting its 
head-feathers, and pecking fiercely, at the same time 
grasping one’s hand with its claws, but making no effort to 
escape. 
Ants form the principal food of this bird, but many 
other insects are devoured by it. 
*It has also been described as ‘‘ gut, qui, qui, qui, qui, qui, gut,” 
in rapid succession: and Seebohm says it bears some resemblance to 
the word ‘‘ vite” uttered several times in succession. 
