38 THE RIVER-SIDE NATURALIST. 



rails and other allied species screaming and twittering for 

 minutes together. This is not an uncommon occurrence 

 with other birds when alarmed by a loud noise. 



THE WATER-OUZEL. 



The WATER-OUZEL or DIPPER (Cinclus Aquaticus), one of 

 the family Cinclidce, is scarcely ever seen on our southern 

 chalk-streams ; but in Devonshire, Dorsetshire, Somerset- 

 shire, Herefordshire, and all through the the midland and 

 northern counties, in Wales, and in Scotland the dipper 



THE WATER-OUZEL. 



is found on almost every brook or stream, flitting from 

 stone to stone, now and again pouring forth his sweet, 

 melodious song. 



Stand still and watch him for a few moments, and you 

 will see him disappear under the water : 



" In the osier-bank the ouzel, sitting, 

 Hath heard our steps, and away is flitting 

 From stone to stone as its glides along, 

 Then sinks in the stream with a broken song." 



This disappearance is not by diving, but by gradual immer- 

 sion. He is after his food, and will appear again in a 

 few moments and fly to the nearest stone, or join his mate, 

 who has made the neatest of moss nests under some 



