. A dictionary of birds . genusLoxops, little birds peculiar to the Sandwich Islands, are the bonesof the mandibles affected, nor is the distortion of the ear-bones incertain OavIs (page 675) externally visible. WRYNECK (Germ. JFendelials, Dutch Draaihahen, FrenchTorcol), so called from its wonderful Avay of writhing its head andneck, especially Avhen captured, as it may easily be, on its nest ina holloAv tree. The lynx ^ torquilla of ornithology, it is a Icgularsummer-visitant to most parts of Europe, generally arriving a feAvdays before the CuCKOW, and it is in many countries known by aname
. A dictionary of birds . genusLoxops, little birds peculiar to the Sandwich Islands, are the bonesof the mandibles affected, nor is the distortion of the ear-bones incertain OavIs (page 675) externally visible. WRYNECK (Germ. JFendelials, Dutch Draaihahen, FrenchTorcol), so called from its wonderful Avay of writhing its head andneck, especially Avhen captured, as it may easily be, on its nest ina holloAv tree. The lynx ^ torquilla of ornithology, it is a Icgularsummer-visitant to most parts of Europe, generally arriving a feAvdays before the CuCKOW, and it is in many countries known by aname associating it Avith that Avell-knoAvn bird—as in England CuckoAvs leader and CuckoAvs mate —but in some places it iscalled Snake-bird, not only from the undulatory motions justmentioned, but from the violent hissing Avith AA^hich it seeks to repelan intruder from its hole.^ ^ Frequently misspelt, as by Liiiiifeus in Lis later years, Yuny. ^ The peculiarity was known to Aristotle, and possibly led to the cruel use of. IOS4 JVVP£ The very unmistakable note of the Wryneck, without havingany musical merit, is ahvays pleasant to hear as a harbinger ofspring. It is merely a repetition of what may be syllabled que, que,que, many times in succession, rapidly uttered at first, but graduallyslowing and in a continually falling key. This, however, is onlyheard during a few weeks, and for the rest of the birds stay inEurope it seems to be mute. It feeds almost exclusively on insects,especially on ants, and may often be seen on the ground, busilyengaged at their nests. Somewhat larger than a Sparrow, itsplumage is not easily described, being beautifully variegated withblack, brown, buff and grey—the last produced by minute specksof blackish-brown on a light ground—the darker markings disposedin patches, vermiculated bars, freckles, streaks or arrow-heads—andthe whole blended most harmoniously, so as to recall the colorationof a Nightjar or of a Woodcock. The Wryneck builds no ne
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1896
