WRYNECK. 



INSESSORES. PICIDJE. 



SCANSORES. 



PLATE CXXXVII. 



WRYNECK. 



Yunx torquilla. {Linn.) 



The Wryneck forms the link between the woodpeckers 

 and the tree-creepers in bodily construction, manners, habits, 

 and other respects. This bird is found in Europe, Asia, 

 and Africa ; and in Europe has been met with in Greece, 

 Italy, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and even 

 in Lapland, but being migratory, is only an inhabitant of 

 the colder climes during the summer months. This is the 

 only known European species, and it usually visits Britain 

 in the spring, remaining with us until August, and it has 

 been observed that the males always arrive a few days before 

 the females. It has many provincial names in England, 

 such as the Snake Bird, (from the markings on the head and 

 back, and the curious habit it has of twisting and turning 

 its head and neck, as well as from the loud hissing made 

 by it when disturbed in its retreat,) and the Cuckoo's Mate, 

 or Cuckoo's Messenger, in consequence of its generally 

 being the forerunner of the cuckoo, it being affirmed that 

 the latter is never heard before the Wryneck, nor the 

 Wryneck seldom more than a day or two before the cuckoo. 

 The locality chosen by the Wryneck is a woody country, 

 interspersed with meadows and hedge-rows, or underwood ; 



