CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. IO5 



10 the Dipper's nest before breakfast, and seeing 

 how things were after the storm ; this he very kindly 

 did. What do you think, reader, was his report 

 when he came back ? I don't think you'll guess — 

 owing to the rapid rise of this mountain torrent 

 and to our interference with nature in trying to dam 

 up the natural outlet, the increased volume of water — 

 when undue pressure was brought to bear at that spot 

 — being unable to make its way, had forced itself 

 round at the back of the rock, and so displaced the 

 nest. I was greatly disappointed, as no one could 

 have divined all that subsequently took place in 

 connection with this nest. Its easy enough to be 

 wise after an event. However, although no old 

 birds or young were visible after the disaster 

 occurred, I firmly believe that the young were in a 

 sufficiently forward state, with the help of their 

 parents, to make good their escape, and conse- 

 quently that no harm happened to them. 



In conclusion, I was never able to make out 

 where their second nest was, for presumably they 

 had one, as I used often to see them up and down 

 the stream. 



In the following October I followed the Church 

 Stream one fine cold sunny day almost to the base 

 of the mountain. During my ramble I came across 

 the two specimens you see about half a mile apart 

 from one another, which I honestly believe are the 

 pair I watched so closely in the nesting-season. 



The nest in the case, — which required a lot of 

 mending, — is the identical one that I took from the 



