NESTING OF THE WATER-OUZEL. 11 



water-mill on the Colne, about two or three hundred yards above the place 

 at which that river falls into the Thames : also on the Mole, near Esher, and 

 in Essex it has been met with. Mr. Harper, of Norwich, (in The Naturalist, 

 vol. iv., p. 165,) records a specimen, shot at Lingwood ; therefore I do not con- 

 sider it strange or imiDrobable, that it should be found nesting in Norfolk ; 

 for amid that rural county, there are so many dear little village nooks, and 

 most of them Avatered by a runnel or rivulet, with beautiful attendant foliage, 

 that would be most inviting, and adapted to the specific habits of the Water- 

 Ouzel. Moreover, I am informed, that this is not the first instance of this 

 bird's nesting in Norfolk; though the first in my own experience, I readily 

 believe it is not the first in the county. A brief description of the nest may 

 be interesting. It was somewhat similar to a Blackbird's, one side being 

 higher than the other ; it was formed of more fibrous and rooty materials 

 than either Thrush or Merle employs ; its situation very low in the matted 

 grasses and weeds, at the base of a small hawthorn hedge, very close to the 

 outer brickwork of a little arch, for the beck or stream to pass under ; about 

 half-a-mile distant from Bawburgh hill. The nest was on the inner side of 

 the hedge skirting to the road, close by the water, as will at once be seen 

 from its low position. I think more green materials, as moss, and a stray 

 piece or two of lichen, adorned its exterior, than are used by the common 

 Blackbird. It was a very snug affair; the date, March 31st, 1844, which 

 strikes me as being peculiarly early. I would add, that not only was the 

 nest plundered of its solitary egg, (mentioned in my former communication,) 

 but it, itself, was utterly destroyed ; a very great regret. 



Instances of this bird building a " domed " nest are common ; and I 

 imagine the one side of this, (found by me,) being a little raised, is (luite in 

 keeping with its preponderating habit. If I thus am adding " a mite " of 

 confirmation to a hitherto-unsettled point, the nesting of the Water-Ouzel 

 in Norfolk, I shall feel I have only done what every student of nature should 

 do, — cast his share into the public treasury for general good. 



Note. — Of the Water-Ouzel, it has been Avritten : 



" Leafy vale, 

 Green bower, and hedge-row fair, and garden rich 

 With bud and blossom, delight him not." 



My discovery accords not with this ; perhaps it was the exception, as the 

 " hedge-row fair " was selected. 

 Birmingliam, Nov. lOth, 1854. 



