and certain Localities of the Dipper. 315 



that in Scotland, in the shires of Inverness and Sutherland, 

 and probably, therefore, elsewhere, the dippers are commonly 

 known by the name of kingfishers, and so much per head is 

 given for the destruction of them, as they are there supposed 

 to destroy the salmon spawn [but unjustly supposed, a cor- 

 respondent has opined, see VII. 541.]. 



Their habit of walking underneath the water is too well 

 known and authenticated, to need any additional confirmation 

 from me. I have seen them dart sidewise a few yards from 

 their station in the middle of the brook, and dash into and 

 under the water in pursuit of their prey. They will remain 

 for a long time quietly fixed on their rock, attentively watch- 

 ing the brook, or often engaged in preening their feathers, or 

 oiling* them? They generally choose a rock which slants 

 gradually into the water, a few inches from the surface of 

 which they take their post. They are usually found in rocky 

 or mountain streams, their presence at which may be easily 

 augured (" perfacile est signis") ; and if the sportsman is, as 

 he may be, thereby directed to their haunts, the old adage, 

 " turdus malum sibi cacat," would be fulfilled, allowing them 

 for the moment to retain their old position among the ouzels, 

 and taking one of the other significations of the word " malum." 

 They appear to choose, in general, a rather low stone or rock 

 in the middle of the brook, though they are, of course, often 

 seen in other situations. Where they are found, they are, I 

 think, tolerably common, and on some of the mountain streams 

 of Scotland abound very much. I have seen them in tolerable 

 numbers on the Axe, the border stream between Somerset- 

 shire and Devonshire ; and also on the Goit, the border stream 

 between Derbyshire and Cheshire; also in some parts of 

 Yorkshire they are not rare. 



The note of the dipper, as far as I am acquainted with it, 

 is harsh, unmusical, and monotonous ; and it is heard, more 

 usually, on its first taking flight from its rock, when disturbed 

 by the approach of any intruder, 



" Arcens sede sua quot accessere profani, 

 Quotque movent intra fana vetusta pedem." 



Its name of dipper is commonly supposed, I believe, to 

 have been assigned to it from its ambulo -diving properties; 



* Mr. Waterton will not, I believe, allow that birds ever oil their 

 feathers ; but I would wish to ask of him how he accounts for the fact that, 

 while the feathers of a thrush or robin, if they have only fallen into the 

 water for a few minutes, become totally spoiled, as far as the purposes of 

 stuffing are concerned, those of the dipper may remain half an hour or 

 more in the water without receiving any damage ? 



