20 DIPPER OR WATER OUZEL. 



crown and flanks more distinctly streaked. Young, no grey on 

 head or throat, and are browner and more spotted. 



Language. Song, a cheerful little performance, uttered in 

 a rambling, hurried way. Call-note much like the Eobin's a 

 short squeak. 



Habits. Fond of creeping about the bottom of a hedgerow. 

 On the ground it both runs and hops, shuffling its wings as 

 well (hence Shufflewing). It sometimes sings at night. Flight 

 hesitating. 



Food. Insects, beetles, spiders, worms ; also seeds. 



Nest. March onwards. Often three broods. 



Site. In hawthorn hedge, furze bush, evergreens, ivy, piles 

 of faggots, &c. 



Materials. Dry grass, roots, small twigs, moss and wool, 

 lined with hair, wool and a few feathers. 



Eggs. Four to six. Uniform turquoise-blue. 



Family CINCLID^E. 



DIPPER OR WATER OUZEL (Cinclus aquaticus). 



Resident; most common in the mountainous districts of 

 Ireland, Scotland, 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 mar- 

 gined 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. 

 Also said to walk on the bed of the stream. 



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. 



