Genus YUNX. Gen. Cuar. Beak short, straight, conical, produced towards the point: edges of the mandtbles smooth. Vos¢ris situate at the hase, partly closed by membrane. Toes, two before, united at their origin; hind toes two, disjoined. Second guill-feather the longest. WRYNECK. Yunx Torquilla, Lann. Le Torcol. 1 <1 S . OsELY alli ; ' eae Hee : CL all aa form to the numerous tribe of W oodpeckers, it is not a little singular that the species comprehended in the genus Yurx should be limited to two only, of which, until lately, the present bird was 2 ss a o ¢ < 0 . “4 - $ x ee. . . x . alone r ecogmised Our acquaintance with a new species from South Africa, deposited in the Museum of the Zoological Society, is due to the acumen of N. A. V igors, Esq., who has introduced it to science under the name of Yuna pectorals, from the distinguishing rufous colour of the breast. The Wryneck derives its name from its peculiar habit of elongating the neck, which at the same time it writhes from side to side with serpent-like undulations, now depressing the feathers so as to resemble the head of a snake, and again half- closing the eyes, swelling out the throat, and erecting its crest, when it presents an appearance at once sin- gular and ludicrous. Among our most interesting and attractive birds, this little harbinger of spring delights us, not by the splendour of its hues, but by the chasteness of its colouring, and by the delicate and unique dispositions of its markings, which from their intricacy and irregularity almost defy the imitative efforts of the pencil. Among our migratory birds the Wryneck is one of the earliest visitors ; arriving at the beginning of April, generally a few days before the Cuckoo (whose mate, from this circumstance, it has been called), when his shrill monotonous note, pee pee pee, rapidly reiterated may be heard in our woods and gardens. The localities of this bird appear to be very limited ; the midland counties being those to which it usually resorts in England. M. Temminck informs us that it is seldom found beyond Sweden, and is rare in Holland, occupying in preference the central portions of Europe. We are able to add to this information, by stating that it is abundant in the Himalaya Mountains, whence we have frequently received it as a common specimen of the ornithology of that range, with other birds bearing equally a British character. In manners, the Wryneck is shy and solitary ; and were it not for its loud and well-known call, we should not often be aware of its presence ; its unobtrusive habits leading it to close retirement, and its sober colour, which assimilates with the brown bark of the trees, tending also to its concealment. In confinement, however, or when wounded, this little bird manifests much boldness ; hissing like a snake, erecting its crest, and defending itself with great spirit. It breeds with us soon after its arrival, the female selecting the hole of a tree, in which she deposits her eggs, to the number of eight or nine, of an ivory white. The young soon assume the plumage of the parent birds, which exhibits scarcely any sexual differences. The food of the Wryneck, like that of the weaker-billed Woodpeckers, consists of caterpillars and other insects, especially ants and their larve, to which it is very partial. In the manner of taking its food this bird makes but little use of the bill itself; its long cylindrical tongue, capable of being protruded to a consi- derable distance, and lubricated with an adhesive mucus, for the secretion of which an extensive salivary gland is provided, being the chief instrument. This it inserts between the crevices of the bark, or among the loose and withdrawing it so rapidly, with the insect adhering, as almost to sandy earth of the ant-hill, protruding deceive the eye. Leaving England in the early p SSeS . Europe, and probably extends its journey to Asia, where it finds a genial climate, and food still abundant. ig colour of this elegant little bird consists of different shades of brown, inclining to gray on il, but of a bright chestnut on the larger wing-coverts and the primaries ; the haped markings of a deep brown, which give it a mottled appear- art of the autumn, the Wryneck passes over to the southern districts of The prevaili the head, the rump, and the ta whole beautifully variegated with delicately s ance. Breast wood-brown, penciled with sle spots ;_ bill yellowish-brown ; irides chestnut ; feet and legs flesh-coloured. and female of their natural size; the latter in the act of leaving the nder transverse tracings; abdomen dirty white, speckled with minute dark triangular The annexed Plate represents the male hole in the tree, in which we may suppose her to have formed a nest. Wo ye ee ° @ ~ a=W ae) ' ‘ § : y i a any?