. The birds of Washington : a complete, scientific and popular account of the 372 species of birds found in the state . if possible, how many bird-squatters had laid out claims along its tur-linlent course. In places wdiere there was an unusually long succession ofrapids, it was not alwavs possible to decide l^etween the conflicting interestsof rival claimants, for they flitted tip and down overlapping by short flightseach others domains: but the very fact that these (^verla])pings often occa- THE AMERICAN WATER OUZEL. 327 sioned sharp passages at arms ser\ed to conhrni the conchision that the
. The birds of Washington : a complete, scientific and popular account of the 372 species of birds found in the state . if possible, how many bird-squatters had laid out claims along its tur-linlent course. In places wdiere there was an unusually long succession ofrapids, it was not alwavs possible to decide l^etween the conflicting interestsof rival claimants, for they flitted tip and down overlapping by short flightseach others domains: but the very fact that these (^verla])pings often occa- THE AMERICAN WATER OUZEL. 327 sioned sharp passages at arms ser\ed to conhrni the conchision that the terri-tory had been diAided, and that each bird was expected to dive and bob andgurgle on his own beat. Tims, twenty-seven lairds were found to occupy astretch of two miles. Here in winter quarters, the first courting songs were heard. As early asChristmas the birds began to tune up. andthat cjuite irrespectiveof weather. But theirutterances were asrare in time as theyare in quality. In fact,it does not appear tobe generally knownthat the ^^ater Ouzelis a beautiful singer,and none of those whohave been so fortun-. ate as to hear its song,have heard enough topass final judgmenton it. We know, atleast, that it is clearand strong and viva-cious, and that in itsutterance the bird re-calls its affinity toboth Thrushes andTlirasliers. The Ouzel placesits nest beside somebrawling stream, ornear or behind somesmall cascade. In do-ing so, the chief solici-tude seems to be thatthe living mosses, ofwhich the bulky globeis composed, shall be kept moist by the Hying spray, and so retain tlieirgreenness. Indeed, one observer reports that in default of ready-madeconveniences, the bird itself turns sprinkler, not only alighting uponthe dome of its house after returning from a trip, but visiting the water Taken in Calif ornia. p;,<./..i by Fr.;ir THE L.^ST STATION. IN ANOTHER MOMENT THE OUZEL WILL VISIT HER BROOD UNDER THEWATERFALL. 328 THE AMERICAN WATER OUZEL. repeatedly for the sole purp
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