74 AMERICAN DIPPER. 
it was so directed in its growth as not to obstruct the entrance, which was situated 
on one side, near the bottom of the nest. The operation of sprinkling the nest was 
repeated daily. An examination of the nest, which is in the museum of the Smithsonian 
Institution, together with the preceding facts, would induce one to believe that the 
performances of this little bird were for the purpose of keeping the outer lining of its 
nest green and growing, that it might keep its miniature dwelling in repair, while rear- 
ing its family, without the aid of a bricklayer, plasterer, or carpenter, showing that 
among the feathered tribe there are mechanics, as well as musicians.” 
Dr. C. H. Merriam’s report (‘United States Geological Survey of the Territories,” 
1872—1873) contains an account of another nest, which was discovered by Mr. W. 
H. Holmes about a half a mile from Mystic Lake, Montana. ‘The bird was observed 
to fly directly through the falling water, disappearing from view. Suspecting that 
a nest must be there, we returned the following day, when, with the assistance of 
Mr. Holmes, I secured the nest, containing three young. The nest was made of moss, 
measuring nearly a foot in diameter and six inches in depth. It was built upon the 
edge of a narrow shelf of rock, and so near the fall that the outside was constantly 
wet with spray, while the interior was dry and warm. The birds entered it by a small 
lateral opening in the lower half of the nest, the top being built up against a projecting 
rock.’’— The eggs, three to four in number, are pure white in color. 
I will conclude the life-history of this characteristic bird of our western mountains 
with an interesting account from the pen of Prof. J. A. Allen, one of our leading orni- 
thologists. He writes: ‘The American Ouzel is doubtless a frequent inhabitant of nearly 
all the mountain streams of Colorado. We met with it near Colorado City, on the 
Fontaine-qui-bout, even fairly out on the plains, and in the mountains up to the re- 
motest sources of the South Platte, within a few hundred feet of the timber-line. Re- 
markable alike for the melody of its song and its singular habits, it is one of the most 
interesting members of the avian fauna of our continent. It prefers the swiftest mountain 
torrents, above the roar of which its melodious notes can at times be scarcely heard. 
At such localities, as is well known, it seeks its food at the bottom of the stream, easily 
withstanding the swiftest current. Along Ogden River, Utah, a powerful mountain 
torrent, we found it more common in September and October than we had seen it at 
any other point.”’ 
NAMES: American Dipper, Water Ouzel, American Ouzel.— Wasseramscl, Wasserstar (German). 
SCIENTIFIC NAMES: Cinclus pallasi Bp. (1826). CINCLUS MEXICANUS Sw., Philos. Mag. (1827), 
A. 0. U. “Code and Check List’ (1886). C. americanus S. & R., F. B. A. II, (1831), Nuttall, Audu- 
bon, elec. Hydrobata mexicana Brd., B. N. A. (1858). 
DESCRIPTION: ‘Male and female, adult, in summer: Slaty-plumheous, paler below, inclining on the head in 
sooty-brown. Quills and tail-feathers fuscuous. Eyclids usually white. Bill black; feet yellowish. — 
Length 6 to 7 inches; wing 3.50 to 4, tail about 2.25 inches.’ (Coues.) 
