THE AMERICAN WATER OUZEL. 327 
sioned sharp passages at arms served to confirm the conclusion that the terri- 
tory had been divided, and that each bird was expected to dive and bob and 
gurgle on his own beat. Thus, twenty-seven birds were found to occupy a 
stretch of two miles. 
Here in winter quarters, the first courting songs were heard. As early as 
Christmas the birds 
began to tune up. and 
that quite irrespective 
of weather. But their 
utterances were as 
rare in time as they 
are in quality. In fact, 
it does not appear to 
be generally known 
that the Water Ouzel 
is a beautiful singer, 
and none of those who 
have been so fortun- 
ate as to hear its song, 
have heard enough to 
pass final judgment 
on it. We know, at 
least, that it is clear 
and strong and viva- 
cious, and that in its 
utterance the bird re- 
calls its affinity to 
both Thrushes and 
Thrashers. 
The Ouzel places 
its nest beside some 
brawling stream, or 
near or behind some 
small cascade. In do- 
ing so, the chief solici- 
tude seems to be that 
Taken in California. Photo by Frederick Bade. 
AF) THE LAST STATION. 
the living MOSSES, of IN ANOTHER MOMENT THE OUZEL WILL VISIT HER BROOD UNDER THE 
WATERFALL. 
which the bulky globe 
is composed, shall be kept moist by the flying spray, and so retain their 
greenness. Indeed, one observer reports that in default of ready-made 
conveniences, the bird itself turns sprinkler, not only alighting upon 
the dome of its house after returning from a trip, but visiting the water 
