Birds. 433 



Newhaven, and the fields at some distance from the coast, gradually 

 becoming more gregarious, and more marine in their habits as the 

 winter approaches. 



Perhaps they never appear more numerous than at that period 

 which immediately precedes their departure for the north. When at 

 Brighton about the end of last March I noticed as many as thirty as- 

 sembled on the shore opposite Brunswick Terrace, and a much larger 

 flock in a neighbouring field at Hove, and in a few days afterwards 

 not a bird was to be seen. The carrion crows commence their re- 

 turn from the coast to the interior at a somewhat earlier period, and 

 as might be expected from their having sojourned in pairs during the 

 winter, their departure is not so sudden and simultaneous, but they 

 seem gradually to appear less numerous, until at last they entirely 

 desert the shores for the woods and forests of the interior. 



A. E. Knox. 



New Grove, Petworth, Sussex, 

 December, 1843. 



Notes on the Habits of the Wryneck, (Yunx Torquilla, Linn.) 

 By W. H. Thomas. 



This singular and beautifully marked bird arrives in this country 

 about the latter end of March, and is sometimes heard by the middle 

 of the month. It is commonly to be seen in most of our old cherry, 

 plum, or apple orchards, likewdse in gardens whose sides are bordered 

 with plenty of decayed elm or willow trees ; such places affording it 

 plenty of food and suitable breeding-holes. In the spring the male 

 bird is very noisy ; his song or call notes are often repeated, and may 

 be expressed by the words " qui, qui, qui, qui, qui, qui, qui," execut- 

 ed in rapid succession. A rough imitation of these notes in the breed- 

 ing season will bring the bird pretty close to you. This note is one 

 of the first heard in the early spring, and I take it to be the courting 

 or love call to the female ; it is well known to most of our country 

 folks. In Kent the wryneck is called the " snake-bird," and it is 

 found in all our southern counties. 



It is a very bold, fearless bird, and when first taken in the hand it 

 will erect its head-feathers, stretch out its head and neck to its full 

 extent, twisting it from side to side in a stiff and singular manner, 

 every now and then darting its head at you in a menacing attitude, 

 and making a noise like the spitting of a cat; this no doubt is its cry 

 of anger. Its disposition is fierce ; it will grasp your hand tightly 

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