CHAPTER X 



BIRDS OF THE GRAVEL MARGINS 

 (Dipper and Sandpiper) 



THE dipper is a favourite among all those who are 

 familiar with its habitat and its habits. Best known 

 to the angler, beloved of all who find relaxation by 

 the water's edge, the dipper arrests the attention by its 

 rapid flight and shrill, metaUic note as it darts from one 

 end to the other of its home reach. It is characteristic of 

 this bird that it seldom leaves the water and flies over- 

 land unless attacked by another dipper. Each bird or 

 pair of birds has its own stretch of water, and any other 

 dipper, passing over that stretch, is at once attacked by 

 the rightful owners. To avoid actual conflict the assailed 

 generally swerves upwards in its flight, and thereby 

 manages to dodge its aggressor, but should the latter prove 

 equal to the ruse the assailed mounts still higher and 

 makes for the bank. Immediately it is over the land, 

 it is evidently on common property, and is allowed to 

 pursue its way unmolested. Like the water voles that 

 share their habitat, dippers are very conservative and 

 very much of a stay-at-home disposition. It is, of course, 

 hard to identify individuals, but the following are my 

 impressions as regards the home life of this bird. 



A pair take up their quarters and build their nest. 

 They breed early, and for a matter of fifty yards or so 

 above and below their nest they regard the stream strictly 

 as their own, savagely pursuing any other dipper that 

 trespasses thereon. If a neighbour insists on tres- 



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