THE TV ATE.R-OU ZEL. 
just as the hawk shot past the spot on which it had been 
sitting/’ 
Towards the autumn the ring-ouzels assemble in large flocks, 
and prepare for their departure to northern climes. At this 
time the orchards and gardens suffer considerably from then- 
depredations. The total length of a full-grown ring-ouzel is 
about eleven inches. It derives its name from the broad white 
band that partially surrounds its throat, and, with this excep- 
tion, the general colour and plumage of the bird greatly 
resemble that of the blackbird. It lays from three to five 
eggs, which are of a bright blue colour, variegated with dark- 
brown spots and dashes. 
The Water- Ouzel, oh Dipper. — A somewhat domesticated 
member of the thrush group is exhibited in the water-ouzel, 
or dipper. This tiny bird is neither remarkable for gay 
plumage nor elegant shape; still it is one of the most 
amusing little creatures when its habits can be observed in 
its native home. It is extremely fond of diving in the water, 
from which habit it derives its name. In the “ Annals of 
Sporting” a capital account of the habits of these birds is 
given. The writer says : — “ About four years ago, when 
on a shooting excursion in the Highlands, I embraced the 
opportunity (as anybody else who has it ought to do) 
of visiting the deservedly celebrated falls of the Clyde, 
and here it was, while nearing the fall of Bonnington, 
that, happening to cast my eye down below, a little beyond 
the foot of the cascade, where the bed of the river is broken 
with stones and fragments of rocks, I espied, standing near 
each other on a large stone, no less than five water-ouzels. 
Thus favourably stationed as I was for a view, myself unseen, 
I had a fair opportunity of overlooking then- manoeuvres. I 
observed, accordingly, that they flitted up their tails, and flew 
from one stone to another, till at length they mustered again 
upon the identical one on which I had first espied them. They 
next entered the water, and disappeared ; but they did not all 
-do this at the same time, neither did they do it in the same 
manner. Three of them plunged over head instantaneously, 
but the remaining tvfo walked gradually into the water, and, 
having displayed their wings, spread them upon the surface, 
and by this means appeared entirely to support them- 
selves. In this position they continued for some time, at one 
moment quickly spinning themselves, as it were, two or three 
times round, at another desisting, and remaining perfectly 
