Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 2 (1878).djvu/318

294 stated, unless there is some movement, these birds do not eat anything they find. In diving, the Dipper uses its wings as though it was flying under water, and has to exert considerable force to remain under long enough to capture its food; it is so buoyant that it floats to the surface like a cork. The song of the Water Ouzel is said to be louder, but in other respects much resembles that of the Wren. Our young birds already give indications of their vocal music. I can find no very correct description of the movements of the Dipper; I take, therefore, this opportunity of stating that the bird runs about rapidly after the fashion of a Starling. It jumps or hops a con- siderable distance; it flies well, and swims like a duck." —

— There are, perhaps, no three nests more difficult to find than those of the above-named birds, from the situations chosen, and from the wariness of the owners on the approach of danger. Stonechats frequent commons, heaths, waste places, and the lower sides of hills and mountains where there is furze, brambles, and plenty of undergrowth. Several pairs may generally be seen in the same neighbourhood. I have seen them in numbers in the New Forest, and also on the hills, and by the coast in North Wales. They may be seen sitting on the tops of the bushes and furze, as also on telegraph wires, and are restless and active in their habits. Their song is sweet, and their call-note, which they utter incessantly on being approached, resembles the words, " wee-chat chat ; chat chat chat." The nest is placed on or near the ground in a furze-bush, or bank, amongst long grass or undergrowth, and the entrance to it is generally enlarged, probably from the bird's passing in and out to the nest, which is placed some little way in. It is built of moss, and lined with quantities of hair and feathers. I found three nests in Wales this year early in June, one just built, another with five fresh eggs, the third with five eggs nearly chipping. The eggs were all very similar in appearance, of a greenish ground, very like the Blackbird's, and faint brown spots especially towards the larger end. I have one in my possession, on which the brown spots form a ring round the larger end of the egg, but the other specimens are spotted more or less all over. They are about the size of Hedgesparrow's eggs. On the approach of any one to the vicinity of the nest, the male bird, a handsome fellow with a black head and a good deal of white about the neck, imme- diately gives the cry of alarm, and the female quietly leaves the nest and joins him. They flit about from bush to bush with their "chat chat chat," leading one everywhere but to the nest, and taking care that the coast is quite clear before they return. If the nest be approached suddenly, the female will sit very closely. This bird is said to breed twice in the season, but I never saw any young ones either in May or early June. In their habits of getting insects, on which they principally feed, they resemble the