PERCHING BIRDS. 



151 



must not be confounded ; the European bird belongs to 

 a diflerent family, the Warblers ; it is smaller, and has 

 greater compass and variety of song. The American 

 Robin, however, can be educated to imitate various 

 birds, and even to sing tunes, and it is amusing to hear 

 it pipe out so solemn a strain as that of Old Hundred. 

 The European bird is much more familiar than our Robin, 

 sometimes, in winter, tapping at the window, or even 

 entering the house in search of crumbs. 



250. One of the most singular of the Thrushes is the 

 Dipper, or Water Ousel, Fig. 123. This is found in En- 



Fig. 123.— The Water Onsel. 



gland, and also on the Continent of Europe, chiefly in 

 hilly places where there are clear and rapid streams. It 

 is a great diver, and has the habit of dipping and rising 

 many times in succession, which gives it its name. There 

 is an American Dipper, almost the counterpart of the 

 European one; it is found in the western part of North 

 America. It is very fully described by Nuttal, who says 

 that it flits about our streams with gravelly beds, occa- 

 sionally diving for its prey, and that " in the very depths 

 of winter and in early spring it contributes to cheer its 

 wild and dreary haunts by its simple, clear, and sweetly- 

 warbled notes, somewhat resembling those of the young 

 Song-thrush." 



251. There are many birds of this family that it would 

 G2 



