than that element ; that it will remain beneath the water 
for five, ten, or fifteen minutes, we have repeatedly wit- 
nessed ; but to do this seems to require no small degree of 
exertion, as while it is immersed, its wings are in continued 
motion, similar to those of a duck when in the act of 
diving; this motion continues during the whole time it is 
beneath the water, whether walking or stationary; but 
if it wishes to rise to the surface, the wings are closed, 
when it instantly becomes buoyant, it floats on the surface 
of the water at pleasure, but does not appear to use any 
exertion to swim ; when alarmed it instantly plunges to the 
bottom, ajid thus escapes notice. In Westmoreland these 
birds remain throughout the year; they frequent the moun- 
tain rivulets for most part of the summer, but descend to 
the larger streams in the valleys about the end of autumn^ 
perhaps in pursuit of the spawn of trout and salmon, in 
search of which, and of aquatic insects they are constantly 
wading or diving, and will turn over heavy pebbles to get 
at the larva which lodge under them. 
The nest of the Water Ouzel is a large shapeless 
mass of dry grass, leaves, and moss, lined with softer 
materials, as feathers, wool, &c. ; it is usually fitted to 
some hole or nitch in a bank, and the whole fabric will 
sometimes measure nearly a foot across; the entrance is 
generally on one side. Eggs white, and the shells so 
exceedingly transparent, that when perfect they have a 
reddish tinge from the yolk being partly visible ; but when 
the yolk is removed, the shell appears of a blueish white. 
It usually lays four or five eggs. 
