vg THE NATURAL HISTORY 
It is a bird of paflage, but generally vifits ys 
before the Cuckoo. It has a ftrange way of turn. 
ing its head back to its fhoulders, efpecially when 
frightened, and this is the reafon why it is called 
the Wry-Neck. This motion is generally not 
fudden, but gradual, like the Caterpillars when 
they are going to fpin, and with his eyes half thut, 
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One of thefe birds was confined in a cage; heal. | 
ways turned to face thofe who came near him, 
and raifed himfelf upon his fpurs, and coming for. 
ward with his tail fpread, at the fame time raifed 
the feathers of his head ; then he withdrew haftily, 
and ftruck his beak againft the bottom of the cage, 
and this he did frequently. The young Wry. 
Necks begin to turn their heads about in the neff, 
‘The Wry-Neck builds in hollow trees, and ge. 
nerally lays nine eggs. He conftantly follows the 
Cuckoo, and gives the little birds notice when 
the Hawk is coming. He lives very much in 
hollow trees, and feeds upon the infe€&ts which he 
finds there ; though fome fay, he takes all his food 
upon the ground. ‘Though the Wry-Necks have 
two toes before and two behind, he does not run 
up the trunks. of the trees like the Woodpecker, 
He can raife the feathers of his head, and make 
a creft like a Jay. 
GENUS 

