116 MERULIDtE. 



THE WATER OUZEL. 



Water blackbird. Dipper. 

 Cinclus aquaticus, Bechst. 

 Sturnus cinclus, Linn. 



Inhabits suitable localities throughout the island. 



Where such prevail, it is as common in Ireland as in Scotland, 

 Wales, and England.* This species might well be designated 

 the bird of the water-fall, so constantly is it to be seen in con- 

 nection with this fine feature of natural scenery. Once only 

 did this bird come under my notice, on the Rhine from 

 Cologne to Schaffhausen, and then it was at the great fall near the 

 latter city. It is always attendant on the torrents rushing through 

 the sublhne alpine defiles of Switzerland, and though Acerbi tells 

 us that the species is not found in Italy, I at one view observed 

 three or four individuals at the surpassingly beautiful cascade of 

 Velino, the admirable description of which occupies four stanzas 

 of Childe Harold's Pilgrimage. But, — to return homewards, — it 

 may be seen about the humble water-falls in the glens and 

 ravines of the Belfast mountains every day throughout the year. 

 Such, however, are not its only haunts, for with the romantic and 

 picturesque in scenery, we may, as a general rule, associate this 

 species. When the stream descends to the lowlands, and 



" Drags its slow length along," 



with a placid surface, unbroken by rock or stone, the water ouzel 



ceases to accompany it, and returns towards its upland source. 



It is remarked by Mr. Selby, that these birds are seen "always 



on the margin of the stream, or perched in their particular 



attitude on some projecting stone in the middle of the water." 



Thus are they characteristically represented in his splendid 



Illustrations of British Ornithology, as well as by Bewick, whose 



vignette more especially exhibits the species in its " rightful place " 



in connection with the scenery depicted. About the ponds at 



Wolf-hill, an elevated situation near Belfast, where these birds 



* Mr. Selby having remarked that the water ouzel is " probably " met with in 

 Derbyshire, it may be stated, that I never saw the species more plentiful any where 

 than in that comity, especially about the romantic Dove, and the river at Matlock. 



