CHAPTER LXXI. 



The Wryneck. 



Yunx torquilla, Lin. ; Le Torcol, Buf . 



Desoeiption and Chaeactee. — The Wryneck is a very pretty 

 bird, and somewhat uncommon ; its plumage consists of 

 neutral and rather sombre colours, but these are so diversified 

 and artistically arranged as to form an admirable study to 

 anyone interested in such matters. It is a comical and 

 amusing bird, and sits on the perch in a most peculiar 

 position ; it holds itself very erect, with its body inclining 

 backwards, and wriggles its head and neck in a tortuous 

 manner, stretching out its neck to the utmost, and twisting 

 its head round until the tip of the bill extends to the centre 

 of the back, pointing downwards ; its tail is spread out like 

 an open fan, and the feathers of the head and neck elevated 

 in the manner of a game fowl about to begin an encounter; 

 the body is kept writhing and swaying backward and forward 

 without intermission so long as it is watched. This peculiarity 

 seems to arise from a too nervous and sensitive temperament. 

 When reared by hand, and fondled, these birds become tolerably 

 tame ; otherwise they are exceedingly shy, and of a retiring 

 disposition. 



The length of a mature male is 7in., of which the tail 

 measures Sin. The beak is fin. long, slender, sharp, and 

 pointed ; it is of a pale lead colour in summer, and in autumn 

 and winter dingy green. The tongue is a remarkable feature 

 in this species, and greatly resembles that of the Wood- 

 pecker, being of considerable length, round in form, and 



