112 Ring Ouzels ^ Water Ouzels 



the strength of the current, with a feeling that I 

 shall either suddenly plunge into a deep hole or be 

 carried off my weighted legs, search diligently along 

 the bank and amongst the river stones where sticks 

 and leaves have accumulated, but in vain. 



No nest is more cunningly built than a dipper's. 

 We saw one — a nest of the previous year probably — 

 which was suspended about a foot above the stream, 

 amongst some overhanging branches, and which, 

 with its entrance out of our sight, exactly resembled 

 a bunch of withered grass and leaves caught by the 

 winter's floods, and left there ; more especially as such 

 accumulations were collected on several branches in 

 close proximity. 



A clear case of an intuitive power of imitation on 

 the part of the water ouzels. 



Wading out, I found the entrance of the domed 

 nest — much like a giant wren's — where a thick thatch 

 overhung it, so that only when one put one's fingers 

 in, was it discernible. 



Inside this negligie exterior all was neat and com- 

 pact ; so much so, that I began to doubt its having yet 

 been used. 



There is a peculiar fascination in the birds that are 

 only found where mountain torrents whirl impetuously 

 amongst grey boulders, where nature is more left to 

 her own devices, and beauty unadorned. 



It is there that you find the nest of the grey 

 wagtail, the dipper, and perhaps the pretty pied fly- 

 catcher. 



All about Dovedale the wily carrion crow builds 



