Birds of Britain 



it has no connection in habits or distribution with the 

 better-known species. Owing to its dull and unobtrusive 

 plumage, and more especially from its custom of inhabiting 

 gardens and woods, it is not easy to see, though to those who 

 know its note, which is a sharp " qui, qui, qui," its presence 

 will be frequently made known. It feeds chiefly on ants, which 

 it searches for on the ground or on tree-trunks. These are 

 rapidly conveyed to its mouth by a quick motion of its 

 long extensile tongue, which is coated with a sticky mucus, 

 and the rate at which this organ is shot forwards and 

 backwards is almost incredible, and reminds one rather 

 of the tongue in the chameleons and some other lizards. 

 It breeds in the hole of a tree, and the six round white 

 eggs are laid on the wood itself without any attempt 

 at a nest. If the hole be visited during incubation the 

 sitting bird will utter a peculiar hissing noise, and at the 

 same time twist her neck in a most surprising manner. 

 This habit, which is well calculated to make the observer 

 believe the hole to be tenanted by a snake, has given rise 

 to the name of " Snake-bird " as well as the better-known 

 one of Wryneck. The sexes are alike in plumage, the 

 general colour being greyish with dark streaks of brownish 

 black on the nape and scapulars. Throat, upper breast, 

 and flanks yellowish, becoming paler on the belly, with 

 narrow black bars and arrow markings. The young are 

 greyer, and have no yellow or arrow-shaped markings on 

 the under parts. Length 7 in. ; wing 3 - 4 in. 



Towards the end of September it takes its departure, 

 but some individuals frequently remain much later, and 

 probably occasionally spend the winter with us. 



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