THE WATER OUZEL. 
117 
have chiefly come under my observation, the willows that fringe 
the bank, are, however, — owing to the absence of stones, — their 
constant perch. Contiguous to these ponds are rocky mountain 
streams, by which they are supplied. 
The water ouzel is described by Montagu and Selby, merely as 
a very early songster. In the north of Ireland, its song is 
occasionally heard at all seasons ; and more especially when other 
birds are silent, as in the autumnal, and still more frequently, in 
the winter months. The bright mornings and forenoons that 
occur during the most severe frost and snow, have always seemed 
to me its favourite time for song, which it pours forth when 
quickly flying at a great height, as well as when perched just 
above the water. 
The first nest of this bird that came under my observation, was 
placed in a hole in the clayey bank of a pond, where, owing to 
the shelter afforded, there was no occasion for the display of the 
ordinary domed architecture, and it was consequently dispensed 
with. This nest contained four eggs, from which three young 
were produced. So soon as these were fledged, they were to be 
seen accompanied by their parents, early every morning about 
the same pond, some singing, others diving into the water from 
the rail on which they were perched, none of them being for 
one moment at rest. When neither diving nor singing, they went 
through the most grotesque and amusing evolutions ; and were a 
highly interesting group, presenting quite a picture of social hap- 
piness. I have frequently witnessed similar playfulness of manner ; 
though from the fact of these birds being generally seen singly, 
the species is regarded as unsocial,, In autumn, at a favourite haunt, 
I was once much amused by observing a water ouzel singing 
and perking about its head most ludicrously as it sat on the 
top of a huge stone, around the base of which a second individual 
at the same time was skipping in a comical manner. 
The following note by an accurate observer, also illustrates the 
same trait : “ On the 26 th of Sept.,* a pair of water ouzels, at 
* The date is mentioned, to show that they are not any of the captivating arts 
preceding the nuptial season. 
