WRryNECK. ZYGODACTYLI. YUNX. lil 
Dictionary *, as the author was fortunate enough to take a 
female alive, which he retained in a cage for some days. It 
was fed with ants and their eggs, contained in a quantity of 
mould; and these were extracted with singular velocity and 
unerring aim by its long extensile tongue, not being transfixed 
by the horny appendage, but retained by a tenaceous gluten, 
provided by Nature for that purpose. While feeding, the 
body remains motionless, the head alone being turned from 
side to side. The bill is seldom used, except to remove the 
earth, with the view of reaching the insects; and, where the 
earth is hollow, the tongue is thrust into the crevices, to rouse 
the ants. 
The Wryneck breeds in the holes of decayed trees, laying Nest, &e. 
its pure white eggs, to the number of nine or ten, upon the 
bare rotten wood. When surprised upon the nest, 1t uses, 
says Montacu, a singular action of defence, stretching itself 
at full length, and erecting the coronal feathers, it suddenly 
rises, making at the same time a short hissing noise. It has 
“its name from the particular manner in which it turns its head 
alternately over the shoulders. In this motion, the black 
streak on the dorsal mesial line of the neck gives it a curious 
twisted appearance. 
According to TEMMINCK, it is found as far north as Swe- 
den, is common in the southern and midland provinces of 
Europe, but very rare in Holland. It occurs also in Asia, 
and in Africa, where probably it takes up its winter resi- 
dence. 
Pirate 38. Fig. 4. Natural size. 
Bill yellowish-brown. Ground colour of the head, back, Generai 
wing-coverts, and rump, yellowish-grey, beautifully mot- pce 
tled with brown specks, and arrow-shaped black bars. 
A list or streak of blackish-brown runs down the upper me- 
sial line, commencing at the nape of the neck, and reach- 
* Vol. i. article Wryneck. 
