THE WATER OUZEL 295 



but they are American. Dixon states that the 

 male red-necked phalarope is in the habit of 

 incubating the eggs instead of the female. 



Wherever there are rocky streams the water 

 ouzel is to be seen, one of the cheeriest, happiest 

 little birds we have, and the only one of our water 

 birds which can boast of any musical talent ; like 

 the robin, he sings most when other birds are silent 

 during the autumn and winter months. He is 

 a lively, active bird, his every movement being 

 quick and sprightly ; even when standing on some 

 rock or pebbly shore, his head and tail are in 

 constant motion. To the fisherman or rambler 

 by the riverside he is a well-known and familiar 

 little friend, when suddenly alarmed on one bend 

 of the river, winging his course straight up or 

 down stream to the next, and screeching as he 

 goes, much after the manner of the blackbird, 

 save that the note of alarm is less mellow, though 

 his song, if not remarkable for any very great 

 variety, is soft and sweet and low. In length 

 the water-ouzel measures but seven inches, or 

 rather less, but his robust little body and pert 

 bearing convey the impression of greater size. 

 In shape and general demeanour, he very much 

 resembles the wren. He flies rapidly, and, 

 like the kingfisher, in a direct line, seeking 

 his food amongst the water Crustacea, w r ater 

 spiders, beetles, etc. Two varieties of this bird 

 are met with in Britain, differing but slightly in 

 plumage, and similar in size, both being dark- 



