334 WRYNECK. 



pupae, which appear to be their principal, if not their only food, 

 and with which they may be fed in a cage, and so kept for some 

 length of time. 



They are called in Sweden Gjoek-Tyta, and Seed Gjoek; in Nor- 

 way, Saa-Gouk ; in Denmark, Giogtyte ; in Welsh, Gwasy gog : all 

 these alluding to the Cuckow. So in England it goes by similar 

 names. In Kent, it is known by that of Cuckow's Man, and 

 Cuckow's Mate ; and in the Midland counties Cuckow's Maiden ; in 

 other places called Emmet Hunter, and Long Tongue, Snake-Bird, 

 See. and from the faculty of turning the head in a particular manner, 

 it has obtained the name of Twisted Neck, and Wryneck in various 

 languages. Its time of coming into this kingdom is about eight or 

 ten days before the Cuckow,* not often before the second week in 

 April, and is detected by its singular note, a kind of squeak, several 

 times repeated ; is a common bird in the Southern and Eastern Parts 

 of England ; to the West much more scarce, and rarely ever met with 

 in Cornwall. The young birds, while in the nest, will hiss like 

 snakes, insomuch, that many have been prevented plundering the 

 nest, fearing to advance their hands on this loathsome reptile. 



Authors mention this bird as an inhabitant throughout Europe. 

 Mr. White observed them at Gibraltar, in the spring, but they do not 

 make any stay, and are rarely, if ever, seen there after September or 

 October ; and he mentions, as a rare instance, one being met with in 

 December. It is found in various places between Bengal f and 

 Kamtschatka, and probable is the same which Kolben calls the 

 Long Tongue, at the Cape of Good Hope. It should also, according 

 to Seba, be found in America, if he was not mistaken in the bird ; 

 he calls it Tuite, as above referred to, though we havejio second 

 authority to support his assertion. 



* Dr. Heysham says, it frequently appears in Cumberland upwards of a month before 

 the Cuckow. 



f It is called there, and at other places on the Coromandel Coast, by the name of 

 Bontua. In the Province of Oude, Dewanie. — Ld. Mount. Draw. 



