Mrpcclii 
Otiiee nearly allied genera are associated with the 
AV oodpeckers, and, from the variation in the structure 
of the bill, support the necessary connection with the 
other families of the tribe. Such is the genus Pogonias ^ 
wdiich, from the deep curved form of the bill, seems to 
lead back to the PsittacidcB ; and nearly allied to it 
follows that of Biicco, or the Barhets, where the hill 
makes a nearer approach to that of the Woodpeckers. 
The AYrynecks (genus Yunx) are also properly included 
in this family, as well as that group of which the genus 
Oxyrynclios is the type.* 
The common AYryneck {Yunx torquilld), which 
appears in this country from the south, in the spring, a 
little before the cuckoo, although not possessed of the 
climbing powers of the Woodpeckers, is yet enabled to 
support itself against the trunk of a tree, its toes 
being like theirs arranged in pairs ; but the tail, unlike 
that of the Woodpecker, is soft and flexible. It feeds 
upon small insects, chiefly ants, which it collects from 
the bark of trees or from the ground ; and it is therefore 
provided with a long extensile tongue, armed at the 
tip with a sharp cartilaginous point, but without any 
barbs. The chief food of the Wryneck, Mr. Selby 
observes, consists of ants and their larvae ; and we 
accordingly And that at the period of its arrival the 
* Selby. 
B 
