THE WRYNECK. 245 



service. It is long and slender, with a horny 

 point, and is capable of being protruded for more 

 than twice the length of the head, in consequence 

 of the extreme elongation of the two branches 

 of the flexible or hyoid bone, as it is termed, 

 which supports the tongue, curling round at the 

 back of the head, dividing and passing over each 

 eye, at the forehead, where the branches reunite 

 and extend to the base of the upper mandible. 

 Two long salivary glands, situated beneath the 

 tongue, open into the mouth by two ducts, and 

 secrete a viscid fluid which covers the tongue, 

 and thus causes ants, larvae, and other small 

 insects forming the food of this species to adhere 

 •to it. Where the soil is loose the tongue is 

 thrust into all the crevices to rouse the ants, 

 and for this purpose the horny extremity is very 

 serviceable as a guide to the tongue. The 

 peculiar habit which the bird has of twisting the 

 neck with a slow undulatory movement, like 

 that of a snake, has obtained for it the name of 

 Wryneck, not only in England but throughout 

 the continent, wherever the bird is known. 



