THE WATER-OUZEL. 43 



usually placed under a shelving rock or under the arch of 

 a bridge. We found one attached to a half-brick under 

 the arch of a conduit conveying pure water to the town 

 below. It is also fond of the side of the water-wheel of a 

 mill. Mr. Thomas Edward, the Banff naturalist, sent the 

 following to the Zoologist : 



" DIPPER'S NEST ON THE TOP OF A BOULDER. That 

 many birds build their nests in what seem to us odd places 

 is well known, and perhaps in this respect the dipper is 

 one of the most eccentric. Not to mention cases of which 

 I have heard and read, I have myself seen their nests 

 in very extraordinary nay, almost incredible places. In 

 this I think the one I have now to notice will in a measure 

 bear me out. In a river near here, and about midway in 

 the stream, there lies, amongst others, a small boulder, 

 which shows a foot or so above the usual current, and has 

 a very slight depression on the top. Here a pair of water- 

 crows commenced their nest, and by some extraordinary 

 means succeeded in rearing a home for themselves and 

 their young. When finished, although it heightened the 

 appearance of the boulder considerably, yet, from the shape 

 and colour of the materials used, the nest could scarcely be 

 distinguished from the boulder. It was discovered by the 

 merest chance by a gentleman whilst fishing. The river at 

 this spot is very bare, having no bank of any height, bush, 

 nor tree near ; yet the nest, although completely exposed 

 to every gust of wind and rain, nevertheless withstood the 

 fury of the elements for at least three months. By this 

 time a family of four had been reared, and with their 

 parents had departed elsewhere. The nest would have 

 stood longer, but was removed to be preserved as a 

 memorial of the strange place where built. The removal, 

 however, proved a much more difficult matter than was 

 anticipated. On the attempt being made the nest was 

 found to be so firmly attached, cemented on, as it were, 

 to the stone, that it took some considerable time and 

 trouble to detach it. On being minutely examined it 

 appeared from its construction to be impervious to rain." 



Mr. G. Rooper records a dipper's nest in a tree, and Mr. 



