THE WATER OUZEL. 117 



have chiefly come under my observation, the willows that fringe 

 the bank, are, however, — owing to the absence of stones, — their 

 constant perch. Contiguous to these ponds are rocky mountain 

 streams, by which they are supplied. 



The water ouzel is described by Montagu and Selby, merely as 

 a very early songster. In the north of Ireland, its song is 

 occasionally heard at all seasons ; and more especially when other 

 birds are silent, as in the autumnal, and still more frequently, in 

 the winter months. The bright mornings and forenoons that 

 occur during the most severe frost and snow, have always seemed 

 to me its favourite time for song, which it pours forth when 

 quickly flying at a great height, as well as when perched just 

 above the water. 



The first nest of this bird that came under my observation, was 

 placed in a hole in the clayey bank of a pond, where, owing to 

 the shelter afforded, there was no occasion for the display of the 

 ordinary domed architecture, and it was consequently dispensed 

 with. This nest contained four eggs, from which three young 

 were produced. So soon as these were fledged, they were to be 

 seen accompanied by their parents, early every morning about 

 the same pond, some singing, others diving into the water from 

 the rail on which they were perched, none of them being for 

 one moment at rest. When neither, diving nor singing, they went 

 through the most grotesque and amusing evolutions ; and were a 

 highly interesting group, presenting quite a picture of social hap- 

 piness. I have frequently witnessed similar playfulness of manner ; 

 though from the fact of these birds being generally seen singly, 

 the species is regarded as unsocial In autumn, at a favourite haunt, 

 I was once much amused by observing a water ouzel singing 

 and perking about its head most ludicrously as it sat on the 

 top of a huge stone, around the base of which a second individual 

 at the same time was skipping in a comical manner. 



The following note by an accurate observer, also illustrates the 

 same trait : " On the 26th of Sept.,* a pair of water ouzels, at 



* The date is mentioned, to show that they are not any of the captivating arts 

 preceding the nuptial season. 



