BIRDS. 179 
THE WATER OUZEL, OR DIPPER 
(Turdus cinclus,) 
Is nearly as big as the common blackbird. It is an 
English bird, and is found in most counties of the island. 
It feeds upon aquatic insects, and small fish, such as sand 
eels and minnows. The head and upper side of the neck 
are of a kind of umber colour, and sometimes black with 
a shade of red ; the back and coverings of the wings are 
a mixture of black and ash colour, the throat and breast 
perfectly white. 
The Dipper is said to walk along the bottom of a lake 
or river, as easily as on land ; but this is far from being 
the case, as though it readily plunges into the water, it 
appears to tumble about in a very extraordinary manner, 
with its head downward?. Even on land the bird walks 
awkwardly, as its feet are best adapted for the slippery 
stones on which it passes the greater part of its life, watch- 
ing for the insects which it picks up on the edge of the 
water. When disturbed, it usually flirts up its tail, and 
makes a chirping noise. Its song in spring is said to be 
very pretty. In some places this bird is supposed to be 
migratory. 
