THE WRYNECK. 49 



tail, by a series of short jumps. Flight slow and hesitating. A 

 close sitter, it resents inspection at nest by a snake -like hissing 

 and curious contortions of head and neck. 



Breeding-habits. — A local species and less common than formerly. 

 Nesting-sites variable ; sometimes in natural hole of tree, often 

 in orchard, occasionally in hole in bank or old Sand -Martin's burrow, 

 in nesting-box or hole in sleeper fixed upright as fencing material. 

 Nest. — -None. Eggs laid on floor of hole. Eggs.— Usually about 

 8, but range from 6 to 10 or 12, twice 14 in number. If eggs are 

 removed as laid the bird has been known to go on laying till 

 40 or more have been produced ; white, rather dull and opaque 

 as compared with Lesser Spotted Woodpecker's. Average of 100 

 eggs, 20.4x15.3. Max.: 22.5x15.5 and 21.5x16.5. Mm.: 17.5 

 X 14.5 and 19 X 14. Breeding -season. — From last week May 

 onward. Incubation. — By both sexes (Oswin Lee). Period : 

 variously given, but not less than two weeks and probably longer. 

 Fledging -period. — About three weeks, but last hatched young may 

 remain in nest some days after rest of brood has flown. Single 

 brooded. 



Food. — Chiefly ants of various species : Myrmica rubra, Formica 

 nigra, fusca, etc.) and their pupse . Coleoptera, lepidoptera and their 

 larvae, as well as spiders are also taken from trees. Woodlice are 

 also said to be eaten, and according to Naumann elderberries, 

 though rarely. 



Distribution. — England and Wales. — Summer-resident. Chiefly 

 south-east England, scarce south-west, rare Wales (especially in 

 north), very scarce Cheshire, north Staffs., and Derby., very local 

 Yorks. and Durham, rare vagrant Northumberland, as now in Lanes., 

 Westmorland and Cumberland, where formerly bred. Scotland. — - 

 Very scarce passage -migrant on east side and most often noted 

 in northern isles . Very rare vagrant to south-west, has not occurred 

 from Argyll, northwards or in Inner and only once (St. Kilda, 

 Sept. 6, 1910) in Outer Hebrides. Ireland. — Seven. One in May, 

 six in autumn at or near coast. 



Migrations. — Great Britain. — Early arrivals of summer-residents 

 begin fourth week March (early dates Berks. Feb. 28, 1919, 

 Surrey Mar. 12, 1911, Bucks. Mar. 13, 1911, Hants. Mar. 14, 1910, 

 Essex Mar. 16, 1906) ; main arrival begins first week April and 

 lasts to mid-May. Passage -migration probable by east coast 

 route (Channel to northern isles) second week May to early June, 

 but numbers probably small and evidence of movement not con- 

 clusive at present. Summer-residents probably begin to move 

 south early Aug. and emigration from south coast begins end of 

 month. Passage-migration east coast (northern isles to Channel), 

 small numbers in north but larger ones Humber southwards, begins 



VOL. II. E 



