100 
the tree where it sits, with its body almost 
bent backwards; it likewise runs with 
great facility in every direction upon the 
branches, the toes of its feet being placed 
as in the woodpecker genus, admirably 
qualifies it for that purpose. It leads a 
sequestered life, and even migrates soli- 
tarily. They arrive singly early in the 
month of April, a short time before the 
cuckow, on which account it is sometimes 
called the cuckow's mate or cuckow's 
guide. They never enter into any society 
but that of the females, and even then it 
is only transitory, for the domestic union 
is dissolved, and they retire in September. 
It may be said to form the connecting 
link, between the cuckow and the wood- 
pecker; it has the tongue and feet of the 
latter, but not the strong angular beak of 
that bird; it has also the feet, and some- 
what of the beak of the former; as well as 
the same number of flexible feathers in 
the tail. 
The note of the Wryneck is similar to 
that of the kestril, a quick repeated squeak. 
T t is not uncommon in the southern and 
