THE SINGING BIRDS. 



j:>5 



within the limits of its district. Those who have been at the pains to observe the movements and 

 habits of this interesting species, cannot fail to have been delighted by the antics it performs while 

 carrying on its bathing operations ; not merely does it run over the stony bed of the river with the 

 utmost agility, and wade even up to its eyes in the rippling stream, but continues its course under 

 the water, or even beneath the ice, to a considerable depth, not, as has been stated, for a minute 

 at a time, but certainly during the space of from fifteen to twenty seconds. Strange as this 

 performance by so small a bird may appear to our readers, wading is the least extraordinary part of its 

 proceedings ; into the swift eddying rapid, into the bed of the roaring, rushing waterfall, it boldly 

 plunges, steering its way, if need be, with the aid of its short wings, through the whirling masses of 



THE WATER OUZEI , OR DIITER (ChlclltS aqltaticus). 



water, and flying, or rather, we should say, swimming, by the help of its pinions, across more tranquil 

 spots with an ease that will bear comparison with the movements of almost any species of waterfowl. 

 Nuttall says, in speaking of these birds, " When the water becomes deep enough for them to plunge, 

 they open and drop their wings with an agitated motion, and, with the head stretched out as in the 

 ordinary act of flying in the air, descend to the bottom, and there, as if on the ground, course up and 

 down in quest of food. While under the water, to which their peculiar plumage is impermeable, thev 

 appear as though silvered over with rapidly escaping bubbles of air." A writer in the "Annals of 

 Sporting," gives the following interesting account of a party of these birds, to whose movements he 

 was an eye-witness :— 



"About four years ago, when on a shooting' excursion, I embraced the opportunity — as every- 

 body else who has it ought to do — of visiting the deservedly celebrated Falls of the Clyde, and 

 vol. ti. — 63 



