24 
ally rufous-brown, 
Fig. 22. 
BRITISH BIRDS 
more or less barred, chiefly on the 
rump, with dark brown. Bars also on 
tail and wings. White spots on the 
median coverts. Under-parts whitish to 
brownish, more or less barred with dusky 
shades on the belly and flanks. Pale 
stripe above eye. The St. Kilda wren is 
larger, greyer, and has the bars on the 
primaries white and dark grey instead 
of white and dark brown or black. The 
Shetland wren is darker, especially on 
the under-parts. 
Nest. In almost any convenient recess, 
in a wall, bank, tree-trunk, &c., or in a 
thick bush or creepers. A domed structure with hole at the 
side and usually well concealed, and matching the site, 
Material: various—bracken, moss, lichens, leaves, &c., lined 
with feathers. Unlined nests are built (as far as is known) 
by the cock and are not used for eggs unless subsequently 
lined. 
Eggs. Usually 5-8. White, more or less speckled with 
reddish-brown. Av. size, *64x°49 in. St. Kilda wren’s egg, 
‘71x -‘54in. Laying begins April-May. Broods 1-2. , 
(8) Family: Cinclide—Dippers 
39. Dipper or Water-ouzel [Cinclus cinclus britannicus 
(Tschusi); C. aguaticus Bechstein], Breeds by quickrunning rocky 
streams chiefly in N. and W. England, in Scotland, and Wales. 
Stationary except for movements to open water in time of 
Fig. 23. 
frost. The black-bellied dipper [C. cinelus 
cinclus (Linn,)] is an occasional visitor to 
the east coast. The Irish form [C. ¢. haber- 
nicus Hartert] is confined to Ireland. 
Bird. Length 7in. The British form 
is recognised by the dusky plumage con- 
trasting with the white front and by the 
short tail and wings. Below the white is 
a patch of chestnut followed by black. 
Upper-parts mostly lead-grey, but sooty- 
brown on the head. Young differ chiefly 
in having the under-parts cream colour, 
mottled grey. The Irish form differs in 
being darker on the upper-parts and less chestnut on the 
breast. The black-bellied form has little or no chestnut. 
Nest. Place: usually near running water, under a bridge, 
