44 



the lateral tooth of the bill is not so marked as in the 

 Shrikes. 



THE EUROPEAN DIPPER. Cinclus aquaticus. The Water 

 Ousel, as this bird is otherwise called, frequents secluded 

 streams, often wild in their character, but it can accomo- 

 date itself to the advance of civilization, and seems to enjoy 

 the change. Its song is low but melodious ; heard at times 

 throughout the year, but chiefly in the spring and breeding 

 season. Early in April it commences its nest, which in its 

 structure is very similar to that of the common Wren, being 

 composed principally of the common mosses and lined with 

 dry leaves and placed generally either against the bank of 

 a river or the moss-grown surface of a rock. The eggs are 

 four or five in number, and pure-white when blown, though, 

 like very many of our white eggs, they have a beautiful 

 tinge of pink while the yolk is yet in them. (PL V. fig. 20.) 



THE MISSEL-THRUSH. Merula viscivora. This bold 

 and sprightly but somewhat quarrelsome species is the 

 largest of European song-birds, and is called provincially, 

 in this country, the Storm-cock, from its practice of singing 

 throughout the stormier months of the year. The nest, 

 composed of dried grass, moss, or lichen externally, and 

 lined with dried grass alone, is built about the middle of 



