134 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



THE WATER OUZEL. 



WATER CROW, DIPPER, OR WATER PIOT. 



(Cinchis AqiMtiaiSy Bechst. Cine le ploiigcur, 

 Ternm.) 



THE length of the Water Ouzel is about seven 

 inches and a half from the point of the beak to the 

 end of its tail, which is very short, and gives the 

 bird a thick and stumpy appearance. The mouth 

 is wide; the bill black, about three-quarters of an 

 inch long : the upper mandible rather hollow in the 

 middle, and bent a little downwards at the point: 

 orbits white, irides hazel. The upper parts of the 

 head and of the neck are deepish rusty brown f the 

 back, rump, scapulars, wing coverts, belly, vent, 

 and tail, are black; but each feather on these parts 

 is distinctly edged with hoary grey. The breast, 

 fore part of the neck and throat are of a snowy 

 white; and the back and white on the belly and 



