THE COMMONER HIRDS OF OUR GARDENS. 



445 



Wryneck : lynx torquilla. 



This bird, often called the " Cuckoo's mate," generally arrives a day 

 or two before the cuckoo and quits the country in September. It 

 frequents orchards, and feeds on ants and their larvae, but it is a bird 

 difficult to observe. It has a peculiar way of turning its neck round and 

 bringing its head over its shoulders, whence its name " Wryneck " ; the 

 young birds hiss like snakes, whence its name of " Snake-bird." It does 

 good on old fruit trees owing to its insectivorous habits. Its feet, like 

 those of the woodpecker and cuckoo, have each toes pointing forward 

 and two behind. 



Magpie : Pica rustica. 



This bird, which in some districts has been almost exterminated by 

 game preservers from its liability to destroy the eggs of game birds, is 

 fond of cherries, and in search of them may come into the orchard or 

 garden ; it also eats peas, beans, and grain, but it is useful in destroying 

 and eating rats, mice, slugs, snails, worms and a large number of insects 

 and grubs. This shy bird of the woods is still said to be plentiful in 

 some of the midland counties ; it is generally seen in pairs, but is said to 

 be sometimes seen in flocks of as many as forty. 



The number of eggs is given as from six to eight. 



Barn Owl : Strix flammea. 



One might devote an hour to speaking of the usefulness of the various 

 owls and the many points of interest in their habits. That kindly and 

 observant naturalist Waterton has given us the benefit of his study of 

 them in his writings. The Rev. J. G. Wood says the barn owl is worth 

 his weight in gold. Lionel Adams, in examining 1,124 pellets of the 

 barn owl, found the remains of 997 field voles, 726 mice, 469 shrews, 

 205 rats, 97 sparrows, 81 other birds, 10 water voles, 9 frogs and toads, 

 5 moles, 2 rabbits, 3 beetles, 1 squirrel, so probably nine-tenths of their 

 food consist of mice of some kind. 



Kestrel Hawk : Falco tinnunculus. 



The Guide to the British Bird Department of the Natural History 

 Museum, South Kensington, says of the Kestrel hawk : — "This useful 

 friend of the agriculturist is the commonest bird of prey in the British 

 Islands, w r here it is often known as the ' Wind-hover,' from its habit of 

 hovering and hanging almost motionless in the air against the wind, 

 almost in one spot, while it searches the ground for prey." Its food 

 consists chiefly of mice, beetles, and other insects, very seldom touching 

 game unless very severely tempted. Mr. George Smith, of Boughton 

 Monchelsea, near Maidstone, wrote me : 



" What we want in this country is to get strong protection for our good 

 old friend the kestrel, now, I am sorry to say, rapidly disappearing. I have 

 observed him for sixty years, and rarely indeed has he been caught in any 

 mischief ; his food is mice and beetles, occasionally a lark or small bird. 



