This elegant fpeeies mod generally frequents woods anc| 
orchards, where it may frequently be obferved running up the 
branches of trees in fearch of infers ; thefe it fecures by means 
of its tongue, which is covered with a thick vifcid exudation, 
which completely fecures fuch infe6ls as come in contact with 
it ; ants and their eggs are eagerly fought after as a favourite 
food of this bird ; it reforts to the ant-hills, into the crevices 
of which it introduces its tongue, which eafily penetrates by 
having its tip of a harder fubftance than the other parts ; the 
infeds being thus roufed endeavour to efcape, but fuch as 
endeavour to crofs the tongue are fure to adhere and are immc- 
tiiately drawn put and devoured. 
The Wryneck makes its nefl in the hole of a tree, at the 
bottom of which, little elfe is to be found than the decayed 
parts of the tree, on thefe it lays eight or ten beautiful femi- 
tranfparent white eggs ; du^ng the time of incubation it is 
yery tenaciqus of its retreat, and if an attempt be made to 
moleft it, boldly ftrike3 at the offender with its bill ; at thi? 
time it ere^ls its creft, and utters a loud hifling noife, and 
fhould the male bird be at hand, it will frequently -flutter 
round the intruder, uttering a piercing fcream not unlike 
that of the Keftrel Hawk ; it is alfo obferved to make this 
call on its firft arrival in this country, but ufually difcontinues 
it as foon as the female begins to fit. 
The name of Wryneck has been given to this bird from its 
continual habit of writhing and twifting its neck, particularly 
when alarmed, its tongue is thruft out, and it continues thefe 
inotions fpr an hour together whilfl: difturbed. 
Notwithftanding 
