BRITISH BIRDS 



by any nest-building bird, they are laid on the top of this ready-made structure. 

 In number the eggs vary from seven to ten, but if these be removed the 

 bird will continue to lay, as many as forty-two having been recorded as taken 

 from one nest by Mr. Norgate between 29th May and 13th July 1872. The 

 eggs are pure white. 



The food consists almost entirely of insects, the bird being especially fond 

 of ants and their pupae, hence the old Norfolk name of " Emmet eater." 

 The curiously long and pointed tongue is beautifully adapted for this purpose, 

 having ducts which convey a sticky secretion to the sharp and hard tip, 

 which enables the bird to capture its prey with great ease and rapidity. 



The Wryneck has a singular habit from which it takes its name, of turning 

 and twisting its head and neck if disturbed in its nesting-hole or taken in the 

 hand, and it will feign death when captured in order to effect its escape. 



This last-mentioned ruse was noticed long ago by Sir Thomas Browne, of 

 Norwich, who in his notes on birds found in Norfolk speaks of the Wryneck, 

 or "Hobby bird," as he calls it, "as maruellously subiect to the vertigo." By 

 way of repelling an intruder it will also utter a sharp hissing sound, which, 

 coming from the darkness of its retreat, often gives the impression that a snake 

 has sheltered therein. The young also make a similar noise when disturbed. 



The female resembles the male in colour, but is slightly duller. 



