54 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 



and claws black. This description, which is taken 

 from Yarrell, applies exactly to Mr. Haddon's bird. - 



The female differs from the male in brightness of 

 colour as well as in marking : she wants the white 

 spot on the forehead ; head, neck, back and wing- 

 coverts dark hair-brown ; greater coverts and tertials 

 edged with dull white ; tail-feathers like those of the 

 male, but less bright in colour. 



The egg is a sort of greenish blue, like those of 

 the Redstart or Hedgesparrow, for which it may 

 easily be mistaken, as it is about the same size. 



Family MERULID.E. 



Of the twelve species of Merulidse or Thrushes 

 reckoned as British I have been able to include 

 eight as belonging to Somersetshire. 



DIPPER or WATER OUZEL, Cinclus aquaticus. The 

 Water Ouzel, or " Water Colley," as it is locally 

 called, is by no means an uncommon bird about our 

 streams and rivers, where it may constantly be seen 

 perched on a branch or stone, and occasionally drop- 

 ping oif into the water for food. Many questions 

 have arisen about its powers of swimming and 

 diving: that it dives well and uses its wings in 

 paddling itself under water there seems to be now 

 no doubt, and equally little doubt that it does not 

 run on the ground under water, as has been asserted 



