576 WRYNECK. 



the dome and the back wall, which are not in the same circumstances. 

 In the nest in question, the requisite strength was given to this part by 

 cross bars of birch twigs, tough slender roots, and bits of straw, all of 

 which were worked into the moss in such a manner as to have their 

 ends raised, while the middle was curved downwards in a manner by no 

 means inelegant, the whole forming a sort of basket-work, in front of 

 the main wall. Some of these twigs and straws were as long or longer 

 than the little creatures who were seen carrying them from the hedge, 

 sometimes at the risk of being tumbled head over heels by the weight ; 

 and it required all their skill to bring them into the proper position in 

 the wall of the nest. I have frequently seen the leaf- cutter bee in 

 similar difficulty, when carrying a heavy piece of rose-leaf, which some- 

 times she is even compelled to drop, and cannot again recover, for she 

 has to carry it edge-wise between her legs, as she clips it off from the 

 the leaf ; and when its weight compels her to let it drop, it falls on its 

 flat surface. The Wrens, on the other hand, never abandon a twig, but 

 if it fall into the hedge, pounce after with as much eagerness as if 

 there was not another to be found.* 



WRYNECK ( Yunx torquilla, Linnaeus.) 



* Yunx torquilla, Linn.Syst. 1. p. 172.— Lath. Ind. Orn. L p. 233 Gmel. Syst. 



1. p. 423.— Eaii, Syn. p. 44. A. 8 — Will. p. 95. t. 22.— Briss. 4. p. 4. t. f. 



Flem. Br. Anim. p. 92.— Le Torcol, Buff. Ois. 7. p. 84. t. 3 lb. pi. Enl. 698. 



Torcol ordinaire, Temm. Man. d'Orn. 1. p. 403. — Die Wendehals, Bechst. 



Naturg. Deut. 2. p. 1048.— Meyer, Tasschenb. Deut. 1. p. 127 lb. Vog. 



Deut. 1. 1. Heft. 9 Wryneck, Br. Zool. 1. No. 83.— Arcl. Zool. 2. p. 267. B. 



— Will. (Angl.) p. 138. t. 22.— Lewin's Br. Birds, 2. t. 43.— Lath. Syn. 2. p. 



548. t. 24. lb. Supp. p. 103.— Mont. Orn. Diet.— Ib. Supp.— Wale. Syn. 1. 



t. 44 Pult. Cat. Dorset, p. 6 Don. Br. Birds, 4. t. 83 Bewick's Br. Birds, 



1. t. 111.— Shaw's Zool. 9. p. 143 Selby, pi. 38. fig. 4. p. 110. 



Provincial. — Long Tongue. Emmet Hunter. Snake Bird. 



Cuckoo's Mate.* 



The Wryneck seems to be the link between the woodpecker and the 

 cuckoo ; it has the tongue and feet of the former, but not the strong 

 angular bill or stiff tail ; it has also the feet, and somewhat the bill of 

 the latter ; as well as the same number of flexible feathers in the tail. 

 The weight of this beautiful bird is about ten drams ; the length 

 seven inches. The bill is three quarters of an inch long, nearly straight, 

 and sharp-pointed ; tongue cylindrical, two inches and a quarter in length ; 

 irides light hazel, inclining to yellow ; the upper part of the head and 

 neck, back, rump, and upper tail coverts, are ash-colour, marked with 

 numerous fine, dusky, transverse, undulated lines ; from the crown of 

 the head a black list runs half way down the back, disposed in four in- 

 distinct lines ; the wing coverts like the back, but inclining to rufous, 

 and spotted with grey ; the greater quills dusky, marked on their exte- 



