THE WRYNECK. 243 



attention by the beauty of its plumage which, 

 although of sombre hue, is prettily variegated 

 with greys and browns of different shades, here 

 and there relieved with black. The under parts, 

 of a soft grey inclining to yellow, are trans- 

 versely bound with delicate wavy lines. Al- 

 though for the purpose of comparison, this 

 species may be likened in point of size to the 

 familiar Lark, its structure and habits fit 

 it for a very different mode of life. It is a 

 scansorial or climbing bird, like the Wood- 

 peckers, with toes directed two in front and 

 two behind ; hence the term yoke-footed, which 

 has been applied to the particular group of birds 

 in which it is included. The genus to which 

 this bird belongs has generally been associated 

 with the genus Piciis, to which it undoubtedly 

 bears some affinity. The extensibility of the 

 tongue is the chief character which they have 

 in common, but in the one the extremity is 

 barbed, in the other it is smooth. The fourth 

 toe in the Woodpecker is directed somewhat 

 outwards and backwards, whereas in the Wry- 



