BRITISH BIRDS. IS 



The female is a tiifle smaller, lighter in colour than the 

 male, and the white of her neck and breast has a grey tinge. 



The nest is very compactly built of moss and leaves and 

 stems of aquatic plants, is large, and varies a good deal in 

 shape according to circumstances. Thus, if placed in the 

 open, it is domed ; but if a convenient site can be found 

 under a projecting ledge of rock, the upper portion is dis- 

 pensed with, and the interval only between the two stones 

 is filled up. The eggs are four or six in number, of an oval 

 shape, and white ; and the young leave the nest before they 

 are able to fl}^. 



Not only does the dipper walk into the water, and along 

 the bottom of the stream or pond in search of its food, but 

 it uses its wings, when submerged, like the penguins, and 

 actually flies through the water. The argument against its 

 being able to do so being that, to the reasoning powers of 

 the objector, it does not seem possible, is not of sufficient 

 force to call for further attention. Its feet are constructed 

 so as to afford a very firm hold of the surface over which it 

 walks, so that no effort on its part is required to enable it 

 to keep its place below the surface ; and, as might be ex- 

 pected, it walks badly on dry land, seldom availing itself 

 of that mode of progression. 



In the north of Scotland the dipper is known as the 

 kingfisher, and a price is put upon its head, which has led 

 to its almost complete extinction there, which is a pity, for 

 it is by no means proved that it eats the fiy of trout and 

 salmon, while the spawn is generally about when more 

 favourite food is abundant. Unless more protection is 

 afforded to it, the dipper will soon be extinct in Britain. 

 The song is agreeable and flute-like, and the bird can be 

 readily domesticated and preserved for a number of years 

 in an out-door aviary, where the conditions that obtain in 

 its native haunts are imitated for its benefit. The young 



