54 CINCLUS EUROPiEUS. 



to trace its history in a satisfactory degree, so that the account 

 here presented of it I consider as among the most accurate of 

 those which I have written. 



It frequents the sides of our largest rivers as well as streams 

 of inferior magnitude, especially such as are clear and rapid, 

 with pebbly or rocky margins. I have met with it in every 

 part of Scotland, as well as in the hilly parts of Cumberland 

 and Westmoreland ; and it is said by Montagu to occur in 

 Wales and Devonshire. In Scotland it is not peculiar to the 

 mountainous regions, being found in the lowest parts of the 

 Lothians, as well as on the Alpine rills of the Grampians, and 

 other elevated tracts ; but it is generally more abundant in 

 hilly ground, and, although never common in any district, is 

 nowhere more plentiful than on the Tweed, the Tay, the Dee, 

 the Spey, and their tributaries. It is also a well-known bird in 

 all the larger Hebrides. It is not only a permanent resident, but 

 seldom shifts its station to any great extent, excepting during 

 continued frosts, when it descends along the streams, and is 

 seen flitting about by the rapids and falls. INIill dams are also 

 favourite resorts, especially in winter and spring. On lakes 

 having a muddy or peaty bottom I have never observed it ; 

 but it may sometimes be seen on those which are shallow and 

 pebbly at the margins, as on St. Mary's Loch in Yarrow, 

 where I have shot it. 



The flight of the Dipper is steady, direct, and rapid, like 

 that of the Kingfisher, being effected by regularly timed and 

 quick beats of the wings, without intermissions or sailings. 

 It perches on stones or projecting crags by the sides of streams, 

 or in the water, where it may be seen frequently inclining the 

 breast downwards, and jerking up the tail, much in the man- 

 ner of the Wheatear and Stonechat, and still more of the Wren ; 

 its legs bent, its neck retracted, and its wings slightly drooping. 

 It plunges into the water, not dreading the force of the cur- 

 rent, dives and makes its way beneath the surface, generally 

 moving against the stream, and often with surprising speed. 

 It does not, however, immerse itself head foremost from on 

 high like the Kingfisher, the Tern, or the Gannet, but either 

 walks out into the water, or alights upon its surface, and then 



