The Wryneck is a migrant, which makes itself heard as soon as it appears with its _Kyen-kyen-kyen_ or _pay, pay, pay_, which is as peculiar as it is pleasing. It cannot be denied, that after the long silence of winter the sound is a very agreeable one. The Wryneck does not tap and climb like the Woodpecker, but it uses its tongue in the same way. Ants cling to its sticky tongue. It drags out and destroys the insects from the crevices in the bark of the trees. On this account it is useful. It is not shy and can be observed quite close by. it owes its name to its peculiar position when it stretches out its neck and twists it round, raising its crest and spreading out its tail. It likes trees with dense foliage, and orchards. * * * * * In England we call this bird the Cuckoo’s mate or leader, because it always precedes the coming of that bird by a few days. This name has its equivalent in several European languages. It is more common in the south-east than in the west, and is rare in Wales. Some northern counties it never visits, yet from time to time it strays up as far as the Orkneys and the Shetlands. Towards the end of September it leaves us for the south. In autumn it is said to eat the berries of the elder, otherwise its food consists entirely of insects, ants and their [Illustration: USEFUL. THE WRYNECK.] pupæ especially. It is very courageous in defence of its young and will hiss like a snake if an enemy or intruder approaches its nest. Country children in our Home Counties listen eagerly for the call of the Cuckoo’s mate, whom Eliza Cook calls “the merry pee bird.” They know then that Spring is with us, and out-door pleasures are on the way. It is only the size of a lark, and it is difficult to observe the bird well either on its nest or during its short undulating flight. * * * * * The Wryneck is seven inches in length. It has fine, loose plumage, which recalls that of the Owl or the Night-jar. The throat is clay-colour with fine dark wavy cross lines; tail a beautiful grey with delicate black speckles, and six broad pointed stripes across it; the under side is covered with brownish-white and black spots, and delicately speckled: from the nape, down the back, about the shoulders, are large black spots. The flight-feathers have rust-red cross stripes; it has two toes towards the front and two towards the back; the legs are short. It makes its nest in any cavity it can find, and in it lays, on soft chaff, its seven to twelve white eggs. The Wryneck, like the Woodpecker, has a long wormlike tongue which can be extended. [Illustration: USEFUL. THE CUCKOO.] THE CUCKOO. (_Cuculus canorus._) The Cuckoo is a most useful bird, as regards his food, which consists for the most part of very mischievous insects and caterpillars of all kinds; it is the more so as this bird is insatiable.