GREAT GREY SHRIKE. WATER OUSEL. 29 



of the Dublin mountains, but from its excessive wariness in 

 admitting approach, we were unable to obtain it, although 

 we fired twice unsuccessfully. Its flight was strong and buoy- 

 ant, and apparently resembled that of a wagtail in its waver- 

 ing character. 



Habitat Western Europe. 



FAMILY V MYOTHERIN^E (ANTCATCHERS). 



GENUS XV. CINCLUS (DIPPER). 

 SPECIES 27 THE WATER OUSEL. 



Cinclus aquations. Bechstein. 

 Cincle plongeur. Temm. 



Kingfisher. Dipper. Water Blackbird. River Pye. 

 THE WATER OUSEL, although a local species, is commonly 

 found in all suitable localities over the island, and perhaps in 

 few situations in the same abundance as along the Dodder 

 river, some nine miles from the city. 



Possessed of very singular habits, the most curious of which 

 is its power of progressing for a short distance along the 

 bottom of the stream or river, a habit we have many times 

 observed when watching them by the margin of the streams 

 flowing from the Dublin and Wicklow mountains. 



Perching upon some water-worn stone, it at once attracts 

 attention by its compact appearance and the snowy white- 

 ness of the breast ; introducing itself to our notice by a pecu- 

 liar ducking and jerking of the body, we see it suddenly 

 glide from its perch and disappear under the water opposed 

 to the current ; in a moment after, we observe it at some dis- 

 tance above, again perched, ducking and bowing as if ren- 

 dering thanks for having received our observation during the 

 performance. A fact which occurred to our own notice may 

 not be devoid of interest, illustrating, as it does, the admira- 

 ble provision which nature has provided to enable the plumage 

 of this species to resist the water so effectually. 



Having, at one time, obtained specimens of the common 

 blackbird and water ousel, for the purpose of investigating some 

 anatomical differences, by some oversight both were forgot- 

 ten, and rendered useless for the purpose. Upon both birds 

 being plucked, a curious difference was exhibited for, whilst 

 the blackbird was devoid of a single plumelet, the entire body 



