294 THE ZOOLOGISY. 
stated, unless there is some movement, these birds do not eat anything they 
find. In diving, the Dipper uses its wings as though it was flying under 
water, and has to exert considerable force to remain under long enough to 
capture its food; it is so buoyant that it floats to the surface like a cork. 
The song of the Water Ouzel is said to be louder, but in other respects much 
resembles that of the Wren. Our young birds already give indications of 
their vocal music. I can find no very correct description of the movements of 
the Dipper; I take, therefore, this opportunity of stating that the bird runs 
about rapidly after the fashion of a Starling. It jumps or hops a con- 
siderable distance; it flies well, and swims like a duck.”—J. E. Harrine. 
Nesting Hapirs oF THE StonrcHatT, WHEATEAR AND WHINGHAT.— 
There are, perhaps, no three nests more difficult to find than those of the 
above-named birds, from the situations chosen, and from the wariness of 
the owners on the approach of danger. Stonechats frequent commons, 
heaths, waste places, and the lower sides of hills and mountains where 
there is furze, brambles, and plenty of undergrowth. Several pairs may 
generally be seen in the same neighbourhood. I have seen them in 
numbers in the New Forest, and also on the hills, and by the coast in North 
Wales. They may be seen sitting on the tops of the bushes and furze, as 
also on telegraph wires, and are restless and active in their habits. Their 
song is sweet, and their call-note, which they utter incessantly ou being 
approached, resembles the words, “ wee-chat chat; chat chat chat.” The 
nest is placed on or near the ground in a furze-bush, or bank, amongst long 
grass or undergrowth, and the entrance to it is generally enlarged, probably 
from the bird’s passing in and out to the nest, which is placed some little 
way in. It is built of moss, and lined with quantities of hair and feathers. 
I found three nests in Wales this year early in June, one just built, 
another with five fresh eggs, the third with five eggs nearly chipping. The 
eggs were all very similar in appearance, of a greenish ground, very like 
the Blackbird’s, and faint brown spots especially towards the larger end. 
I have one in my possession, on which the brown spots form a ring round 
the larger end of the egg, but the other specimens are spotted more or less 
all over. They are about the size of Hedgesparrow’s eggs. On the 
approach of any one to the vicinity of the nest, the male bird, a handsome 
fellow with a black head and a good deal of white about the neck, imme- 
diately gives the ery of alarm, and the female quietly leaves the nest and 
joins him. They flit about from bush to bush with their “ chat chat chat,” 
leading one everywhere but to the nest, and taking care that the coast is 
quite clear before they return. If the nest be approached suddenly, the 
female will sit very closely. ‘This bird is said to breed twice in the season, 
but I never saw any young ones either in May or early June. In their - 
habits of getting insects, on which they principally feed, they resemble the 
