WETNECKS. 
3 
whitetliroat. Some ants with their pupae were thrown 
into the cage, and it was observed that the bird uni- 
formly thrust its tongue between the grass stems of 
the whitethroat’s nest, to rout out the ants which had 
taken shelter there, and as soon as they were thus 
forced within its reach, it picked them up in the usual 
way with its beak.* 
The AV ryneck frequents warm and dry soils. Shy and 
unusually timid, Mr. Knapp observes, as if all its life 
were spent in the deepest retirement away from man, 
it remains through the day in some ditch bank, or basks 
with seeming enjoyment, in any sunny hour, on the ant- 
hills nearest to its retreat ; and these it depopulates 
for food by means of its long glutinous tongue, whicli 
with tlie insects collects much of the soil of the heaps, 
as we find a much larger portion of it in its stomach 
than is usually met with in that of other birds. 
The AVryneck breeds in the holes of decayed trees^ 
but is unable to excavate a hole itself, although it may 
be capable of enlarging or otherwise adapting one to 
its purpose. The eggs are numerous, being nine or 
ten, and are deposited upon the bare rotten wood. 
Their colour is pure white. 
* Faculties of Birds. 
