Ring Ouzels ^P Water Ouzels 1 1 1 



here and there reflected on the surface of the pools, 

 where the trout lie hidden near mossy banks and 

 beneath the shelter of stones. 



A rough pathway leads you, now up, now down, 

 where the silvered stems of birch trees shine out 

 against the more distant green of the wooded glen. 



And above all the beautiful growth of wild wood- 

 land, overhang the beetling rocks, for which Derbyshire 

 is famous ; backed by a May-day sky. 



Every stretch of the rushing stream is claimed by a 

 pair of dippers the pretty bob-tailed water ouzel 

 with white chemisette and back of purple-brown. 

 There sits one on a moss-grown boulder in mid-stream, 

 bobbing up and down, whilst his mate is diving be- 

 neath the troubled surface of the crystal water in 

 search of caddis worms and larvae. 



Now he is off with rapid arrow-like flight, and 

 shrill but musical pipe. 



He has settled again, but is almost invisible 

 amongst that strand of shining stones and washed-up 

 sticks, so closely does his plumage resemble his 

 surroundings. 



There ! his mate has joined him. 



She is sitting close under the opposite bank, 

 where the moss hangs thickly over, shaded and cooled 

 by sycamore and beech trees, and both birds show 

 signs of anxiety. Doubtless there is a nest close by ; 

 indeed, you may be actually looking at it, mistaking 

 it for an extra bunch of moss and withered leaves, 

 and passing it by. 



I put on my wading boots, and staggering against 



