THE WRYNECK. 
275 
Woodpecker, particularly its tongue, which well deserves 
examination. On opening the mouth of either of these birds, 
the tongue appears neither larger nor longer than the usual 
size, hut if taken hold of hy the tip, which in these birds is 
almost as hard and sharp as a thorn, and drawn out, it will 
he found to extend to the length of several inches. The use 
of this remarkable instrument is, that hy being darted sud- 
denly out, it may transfix, or pin through, any distant insect, 
which is immediately swallowed, hy the bird’s having the 
power of as rapidly drawing it hack. The Wryneck, though 
a migratory bird, may, however, he kept alive for a longer 
time than the Cuckoo : we knew an instance of one which 
lived a year and a half in a cage, and never appeared to show 
impatience during its confinement ; it was observed always 
to take its food hy throwing out its long tongue. 
Table XYI. (See page 16.) 
Order 3. Tribe 2. Levirostral, ( Light-beaked .) 
Here we have no less than eight genera of birds, not one of 
which inhabits our country — and, with the exception of the 
Parrot and Parroquet tribe, (and we may add the Toucan,) 
are comparatively very little known. We have already 
noticed the Toucan and its enormous, though light, beak ; 
indeed, were it heavy in proportion to its size, the poor bird 
would find it a sad inconvenience, not only preventing its 
flight, hut actually weighing its head down to the ground. 
As for parrots, we, who are accustomed to prize them as 
valuable and scarce birds, are little aware of the actual plague 
they are in their own country. Nothing can he more beau- 
tiful, certainly, in description or appearance, than a flight of 
these brightly-feathered birds ; but the husbandman, who 
sees them hastening through the air, with loud and impatient 
screams, towards his crops, looks upon them with dismay 
and detestation, knowing that the produce of his labour and 
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