EUROPEAN DIPPER. 59 



that " these birds will sometimes pick up insects at the edge 

 of the water." M. Temminck alleges that its food consists of 

 " insectes d'eau, demoiselles et leurs larves ; souvent du frai 

 de truite." Mr Selby judiciouslj combines these statements, 

 informing us that " water insects, and the fry and spawn of 

 fish form its food." Mr Jenjns, more wary, confines it to 

 " aquatic insects." It would answer no good purpose to bring 

 forward the notions of other compilers. There is nothing in- 

 credible in all these statements, although it is to be remarked 

 that no one states that he has actually observed fishes, or their 

 eggs, in the stomach of this bird. I have opened a great num- 

 ber of individuals, at all seasons of the year, but have never 

 found any other substances in the stomach than Lymneae, An- 

 cyli, Coleoptera, and grains of gravel. As to the ova and fry 

 of the salmon, there is no evidence whatever that the Dipper 

 ever swallows them ; and, therefore, the persecution to which 

 this bird has been subjected in consequence of the mere sus- 

 picion, ought to cease until the fact be proved. That the mol- 

 lusca above mentioned form a principal part of its food, was 

 never suspected, and therefore I was much pleased with mak- 

 ing the discovery, which satisfactorily accounted to me for all 

 the subaqueous excursions of the species. 



The Dipper is generally seen in pairs, sometimes singly, and, 

 for a short period, at the breeding season, in families, but never 

 in flocks. In some favourite places, such as a waterfall, or 

 series of rapids, one may in winter find so many as four or five 

 individuals, but always scattered. Its song is short, but lively, 

 and continued at intervals. It bears no resemblance to the 

 full song of the Thrushes, but closely resembles the subdued 

 winter warble of the Redwing and Starling, or the first notes 

 of a young Song Thrush. This gentle warble is not confined 

 to any period of the year, but may be heard during sunny 

 weather at all seasons. Its common note, which it frequently 

 utters while perched on a stone, or while flying along the stream, 

 resembles the syllable chit. 



About the middle of spring it begins to form its nest, so that 

 its first brood is abroad at the same time with that of the Black- 

 bird. The nest, which is placed among the moss on the bank 



