THE WATER OUSEL. 



He is still standing on the stone, his tail jerked up, his wings drooping, 

 and his legs bent. Presently he plunges into the water, in the most fearless 

 manner, and dives under the surface. He does not, however, dive head fore- 

 most, like the kingfisher, but takes a gentle walk into the stream, then opens 



THE WATER OUSEL. 



his wings a little, and goes beneath the surface. When under water he makes 

 the most of his time, and picks up little eels or fishes, or all he can find. And 

 he has been seen to fly under the water after his prey, waving his wings as if 

 he were in the air ; then he comes to the surface again as buoyant as a cork. 



