WRYNECK . — Junx touquilla. 
The curious bird, known under the popular and appropriate name of the 
Wryneck, is by some authors considered to be closely allied to the woodpeckers. 
The Wryneck is a summer visitant to this country, appearing just before the 
cuckoo, and therefore known in some parts of England as the cuckoo's footman. 
There is a Welsh name for this bird, signifying “ Cuckoo's knave,” “ Gwas-y- 
gog,” the pronunciation of which I must leave to Welsh throats. 
The tongue of this bird is long and slender, and capable of being projected to 
the distance of an inch or so from the extremity of the beak, and its construction 
is almost exactly the same as that of the woodpecker. As might be supposed, it 
is employed for the same purpose, being used in capturing little insects, of which 
ants form its favourite diet. So fond, indeed, is the Wryneck of these insects, 
that in some parts of England it is popularly known by the name of Emmet- 
hunter. 1 In pursuit of ants it trips nimbly about the trunks and branches of trees, 
picking them off neatly with its tongue as they run their untiring course. * It also 
frequents ant-hills, especially when the insects are bringing out their pupae to lie in 
the sun, and swallows ant and pupae at a great pace. v When, as in damp or cold 
weather, the ants remain within their fortress, the Wryneck pecks briskly at the 
hillock until it breaks its way through the fragile walls of the nest, and as the 
warlike insects come rushing out to attack the intruder of their home and to repair 
damages, make an excellent meal in spite of their anger and their stings. 
When ants are scarce and scantily spread over the ground, the Wryneck runs 
after them in a very agile fashion ; but when it comes upon a w^ell stocked spot, 
it stands motionless, except the head, which is darted rapidly in every direction, 
the neck and part of the back twisting about like a snake. 
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