30 THE HUMAN SIDE OF BIRDS 



occupants have never been known to change their 

 quarters." 



The only American bird known to choose a per- 

 manently damp cave or ledge of wet rocks for its 

 home is the water ouzel, or American dipper. This 

 bird is so eccentric that it prefers its nest under a 

 continuous shower, and spends most of its time in, 

 not on top of, the water. Perhaps the very shower 

 of water through which he must pass to enter his 

 home serves to protect his young from preying ani- 

 mals and birds. The ouzel babies are reared by 

 the lullaby of the spraying waters. How fascinat- 

 ing these water babies look when they first go forth 

 into the world! They are neatly attired in slate- 

 coloured feathers, with white feet and white edg- 

 ings to some of the feathers, and a bunny-like tail to 

 match. 



Not the least attractive among these rock dwel- 

 lers is the sprightly little canon wren. One must 

 have good eyesight and exercise much patience to 

 see these tiny creatures. At a distance they look 

 like flies running on a wall. In and out among tl^e 

 rocks flits the miniature cave-dweller, gathering a 

 bit of moss here and there for her cave-mansion, 

 entirely unconcerned about the hundred feet of 

 cliffs stretching below her and the foaming stream 

 at their foot. Occasionally she zigzags her way to 



