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LAKES AND STREAMS 



black and chestnut below, with a white spot in the centre of the blue background ; 

 the female being distinguishable by a paler blue and blackish breast. Both sexes 

 have a dark brown tail, shading to chestnut at the tip and sides, the younger birds 

 having a white throat bordered with blackish spots, and the nestlings being buffish, 

 with black stripes. This bird is found in central and especially western Europe, 



THE WATER OUSEL. 



migrating in autumn to Africa, as far south as the Equator, returning between 

 the end of March and middle of April. It always travels at night. In central 

 Germany it is seen occasionally, but on the north German plains it is by no 

 means uncommon, especially in those parts often flooded by the larger rivers. 

 It is very shy and retiring in its habits, and generally builds only once a year 

 and then on or near the ground ; the nest, which is difficult to find, containing. 



