EUROPEAN DIPPER. 53 



I'j ; Btjcuuu luc j-g, its claw ^% ; third toe \%^, its claw ^^ ; 

 fourth toe /j, its claw j%. 



Variations, — Adult individuals vary chiefly with respect to 

 the tints of the breast, that part having more or less of the red 

 or chestnut colour, and sometimes a white band down the centre. 

 The changes that take place in the plumage as it becomes old 

 and worn, are not very remarkable. The tail-feathers and 

 primary quills are those which suffer most from rubbing. 



Habits. — The Dipper is, in many respects, one of the most 

 interesting of our native birds. Residing chiefly in the wild 

 glens of the mountainous districts, it noAv and then presents 

 itself to the wandering naturalist as it flits along the streams, 

 or is seen perched on a stone in the midst of the water, the 

 white patch on its breast rendering it conspicuous at a great 

 distance. Even the mere collector of plants, who, of all men, 

 seems to be the least capable of comprehending the harmonies 

 of nature, pauses to gaze upon it, as it shoots past him in its 

 rapid and even flight ; the solitary shepherd, wending his way 

 to the mountain corry, meets it with delight ; and the patient 

 and contemplative angler, as he guides his tackle over the deep 

 pool, smiles upon the tiny fisher, whose frequent becks have 

 attracted his notice. The singular circumstance of its obtain- 

 ing its food under the surface of the water, although in form 

 and structure it is allied to the Thrushes and other land birds, 

 has especially drawn the attention of ornithologists to it ; and 

 the explanation of its mode of progression in that element has 

 exercised their ingenuity, although very few have based their 

 conjectures on actual observation. Lastly, the land-proprietor 

 or his factor, too much occupied with other pursuits to inquire 

 for themselves, and trusting to the reports of prejudiced per- 

 sons, direct their gamekeepers and shei^herds to destroy the 

 lively and harmless creature whenever an opportunity occurs, 

 because it has been supposed to devour the eggs and fry of the 

 salmon and trout. 



This bird having, in a particular manner, attracted my at- 

 tention in the course of my rambles, I have been enabled 



