668 



OUSEL 



from other birds that, though essentially one of the true Passeres 

 (i.e. OsciNES), it forms a distinct Family, CincUdR', which has no 

 very near allies. That some of its peculiarities (for instance, the 

 sternum in adult examples having the posterior margin generally 

 entire, and the close covering of down that clothes the Avhole body 

 — a character fully recognized by Nitzsch) are correlated Avith its 

 aquatic habit is probably not to be questioned ; but this fact 

 furnishes no argument for associating it, as has often been done, 

 with the Turdidai (Thrush), the Troglodytidm (Wren), or much less 

 with other groups to which it has undoubtedly no affinity. The 

 Dipper haunts rocky streams, into which it boldly enters, generally 

 by deliberately Avading, and then by the strenuous combined actioil 

 of its wings and feet makes its way along the bottom in quest of 

 its living prey — freshAvater mollusks, and aquatic insects in their 

 larval, pupal or mature condition. By the careless and ignorant it 

 is accused of feeding on the spaAvn of fishes, and it has been on that 

 account subjected to much persecution. Innumerable examinations 

 of the contents of its stomach have not only proved that the charge 

 is baseless, but that the bird clears off many of the Avorst enemies 

 of the precious product. Short and squat of stature, active and 

 restless in its movements, silky black above, Avith a pure Avhite 

 throat and upper part of the breast, to Avhich succeeds a broad 

 band of dark bay, it is a familiar figure to most fishermen on 

 the streams it frecjuents, Avhile the cheerful song of the cock, 

 often heard in the hardest frost, heljjs to make it a favourite with 



them in spite of the 

 obloquy under AAdiich 

 it labours. The Water- 

 Ousel's nest is a very 

 curious structure, — out- 

 Avardly resembling a 

 Wren's, but built on a 

 Avholly different prin- 

 ciple, — an ordinary cup- 

 shaped nest of grass 

 lined AAdth dead leaves, 

 placed in some con- 

 venient niche, but en- 

 cased Avith 

 to form a 



that covers it completely 

 except only a small hole 

 for the bird's passage. The eggs laid Avithin are from four to 

 six in number, and are of a pure Avhite. These remarks refer 

 to the Water -Ousel of central and Avestern Europe, including 

 the British Islands ; but, except as regards plumage, it is be- 



moss so as 

 large mass 



CiNCLUS MEXICANUS. 



