EUROPEAN DIPPER. 63 



moment the nest was disturbed, they fluttered out and dropt 

 into the water, and to our astonishment instantly vanished, 

 but in a little time made their appearance at some distance 

 down the stream ; and it was with difficulty two out of five 

 were taken, as they dived on being approached."" 



Young. — The general colour of the upper parts of the young 

 bird, when fully fledged, is dull grey, lighter than that of the 

 adult ; the head and hind-neck are of the same colour as the 

 back, all the feathers being margined with brownish-black. 

 The wings are brownish-black, the quills, alula, and larger 

 coverts margined with grey, the latter slightly tipped with 

 greyish-white. The throat, fore-neck, and breast, are of a 

 delicate pale bufl" or cream colour, intermixed with blackish, 

 the margins of all the feathers being of the latter colour. The 

 upper and hind part of the sides, the abdomen, and lower tail- 

 coverts, are dull grey, mixed with cream colour, and the proximal 

 tail-coverts are chiefly of the latter. The tail is like the wings, 

 but tipped with brownish-white. The bill and eyes are as in 

 the adult, but the feet are paler anteriorly, as are the toes, and 

 the claws are hair-brown, margined with whitish. 



Progress toward Maturity. — At the first autumnal moult, 

 which takes place in September, the young assume nearly the 

 appearance of the adults : the fore-neck becomes white, the 

 breast dusky with more or less red, and the head brown ; but 

 it is not until the second change that the colouring is com- 

 pleted. 



Remarks. — The genus Clnclus may be considered as placed 

 on the limits of the families of TurdlncB and Myrmotherince^ 

 being in fact more allied to Turdus than to Pitta, although 

 through Chamceza perhaps more obviously related to the latter. 

 The digestive organs of the Dipper are entirely analogous to 

 those of the Thrushes and allied genera, but bear no resem- 

 blance to those of the Piscivorous birds, the oesophagus being 

 narrow, and the stomach a true gizzard. The bird, being des- 

 tined to feed upon aquatic insects and mollusca, which adhere 

 to the stones under the water, is fitted for making its way to 



