THE WATER OU2EL. 135 



Interesting remarks. 



bridge in Caermarthenshire, were found to have 

 a nest early in May : this was taken, but it con- 

 tained no eggs, although the bird flew out of it at 

 the time. In a fortnight after, they had com- 

 pleted another nest in the same place, inclosing 

 five eggs, which was taken : and in a month af- 

 ter this, a third nest, under the same bridge, was 

 taken, that had in it four eggs ; undoubtedly the 

 work of the same birds, as no others were seen 

 about that part. At the time the last nest was 

 taken, the female was sitting ; and the instant he 

 quitted it she plunged into the water, and disap- 

 peared for a considerable time, till at last she 

 emerged at a great distance down the stream. 

 At another time, a nest of the water-ouzel was* 

 found in a steep projecting bank (over a rivulet) 

 clothed with moss. The nest was so well adapted 

 to the surrounding materials, that nothing but 

 one of the old birds flying in with a fish in its 

 bill could have led to the discovery. The young 

 were nearly feathered, but incapable of flight ; 

 and the moment the nest was disturbed, they flut- 

 tered out and dropped into the water, and, to the 

 astonishment of the persons present, instantly 

 vanished, but in a little time re-appeared at some 

 distance down the stream ; and it was with diffi- 

 culty that two out of the five were taken. 



This bird will sometimes pick up insects at the 

 edge of the water. When disturbed, it usuallr 

 flirts up its tail, and makes a chirping noise. Its 



