On its sides (breast, cheeks, flanks, wing-coverts, etc.) are the delicate twig- 

 and vista-pictures, and on its back the near-bark marblings. The beautifully 

 banded tail serves well in either view. Indeed, the Wryneck's oblitera- 

 tive coloration involves the same principles and sorts of background pictur- 

 ing as does that of the Ruffed Grouse and other forest birds described in 

 Chapter VI. 



We have now glanced at most of the main types of coloration among tree- 

 trunk-climbing birds. In a later chapter I shall recur briefly to the subject 

 of the bolder markings of woodpeckers and nuthatches. 



S 1 



