62 BIRDS' NESTS. 



those of the hen-harrier. The nest and eggs 

 of the Circus cineraceus are smaller than those 

 of the last, but very similar. The eggs of all 

 three species may readily be distinguished 

 from other white eggs, by a fine greenish blue 

 tint on the inside, which is most evident when 

 the egg is held up to the light. 



WATER OUZEL. Cinclus aqiiaticm. 



I HAVE never had the pleasure of seeing the 

 nest of this bird, which is said to be very 

 beautiful. Neither nest nor bird is likely to 

 be confounded with any other. The latter, a 

 bright, active, cheerful warbler, I have many 

 a time watched with admiration alight on a 

 mossy island of stone, round which the spark- 

 ling waters of a mountain streamlet have 

 dashed in some wild ravine, far away from the 

 haunts of men. Glad should I have been to 

 follow him to his mossy home ; but no, off he 

 flies, dashes into the clear water, and is gone 

 where nothing but a bird can follow him. 



