Resident Birds of the Streams, Rivers, 

 Lakes and Marshy Districts 



DIPPER OR WATER OUZEL (Cinclus aquaticus). 



Most common in the mountainous districts of Ireland, 

 Scotland and Wales, and in the northern, central, and 

 south-western counties of England. 



Haunts. Inseparable from rushing mountain torrents. 



Plumage. Upper parts slaty grey, each feather being 

 margined with brown. Head brown. Chin, throat, and 

 breast pure white ; under parts chestnut-brown. Bill 

 blackish. Legs brown. Length 7 in. Female similar. 

 Young greyer above, with no chestnut on under parts. 



Language. Song, neither extensive nor powerful, and 

 slightly reminiscent of the Wren's. Another note often 

 uttered is " chick." 



Habits. Flight much like the Kingfisher's, i.e., 

 straight and swift. It loves to perch on a rock in mid- 

 stream, warbling and jerking its stumpy, Wren-like tail. 

 It dives into the water with facility, using both wings and 

 feet to propel itself along. 



Food. Insects and larvae, especially those kinds found 

 at the bottom of a stream ; spiders, worms, molluscs, 

 and seeds. 



Nest. April onwards. Two broods. 



Site. Among rocks, in crevices in stone bridges, in 

 holes in river bank, &c. 



Materials. Mosses and leaves felted together, lined 

 with grass, rootlets, leaves, and sometimes feathers. 

 Nest domed. 



Eggs. Four to six. Pure white, and oval in shape. 

 80 



