CINCLIDyE — THE DIPPERS. 57 



Specimens, of any age. I'roiii the coast of Oregon and the Cascade Mountains, have the 

 head more deeply lirownish than those from otlier regions. 



Hab. Found through the mountainous region of the central and western pari of Xorth 

 America, from Fort Halkett south into Mexico and Guatemala. Orizaba (Alpine region) 

 ScMicu. None received from the coast region of California. Abundant on the N. W. 

 coast, Laramie Peak and Deer Creek, Neb. 



This specie.s lias a wide range along the mountainous region of North and 

 Middle America. Mexican specimens are darker. 



Habits. This interesting bird inhaljits exclusively the mountainous por- 

 tions of North America west of the Mississippi from Alaska south to (luate- 

 niala. It does not appear to have been obtained on the coast of California, 

 nor in the valley of the I\Iississip])i. In the British Possessions specimens 

 have been procured on Eraser's Eiver, at Fort Halkett, and at Colville. At 

 the latter place iMr. J. K. Lord states that a few remain and pass the winter. 

 They are found among the mountain streams of Veiu Cruz, and probably 

 througliout Mexico, and no doubt may be met with in all the highlands 

 between these extreme points. Dr. Newberry met with it iu the rapid 

 streams of the Cascade Mountains. He describes it as flitting along in the 

 bed of the stream, from time to time plunging into the water and disappear- 

 ing, to appear again at a distant point, up or down the stream, skipping 

 about from stone to stone, constantly in motion, jerking its tail and moving 

 its body somewhat iu the manner of a wren. 



Dr. Cooper observed tliis species both on the Columbia and its tributaries, 

 and also annjug the mountain streams of the Coast Kange west of Santa 

 Clara. At the latter place he tbund a pair mated as early as March 16th. 

 At sunset he heard the male singing very melodiously, as it sat on one 

 of its favorite rocks in the middle of the foaming rajjids, making its delight- 

 ful melody heard tVir (piite a long distance above the sound of the roaring 

 waters. 



" This bird," adds Dr. (_'ooper, " combines the form of a sandpiper, the song 

 of a canary, and the a(ptatic habits of a duck. Its food consists almost 

 entirely of aquatic insects, and these it pursues under water, walking and 

 flying with perfect ease beneath a depth of se\'eriil feet of water." He also 

 states that they do not swim on the surface, lutt di\e, and sometimes fly 

 across streams beneath the surface ; that their fligiit is rapid and direct, like 

 that of a sandpiper ; also that they jerk their tails in a similar manner, and 

 generally alight on a rock or log. 



Dr. Coo])er on the oth of July found a nest of this bird at a saw-mill on 

 the Chehalis River, built under the shehing roots of an enormous arbor-vita; 

 that had floated over, and rested in a slanting position against the dam. The 

 floor was of small twigs, the sides and roof arched over it like au oven, and 

 formed of moss, projecting so as to protect and shelter the opening, which 

 was large enough to admit the hand. Within this nest was a brood of half- 

 fledged young. The parents were laniiliar and fearless, and had become 



