CINCLID.*. 



97 



/ .'\K 



THE DIPPER. 

 CiNCLUs AQUATicus, Beclisteiii. 



It may fairly be said that the Dipper, Water-Ouzel or " Water- 

 Crow " is found in the British Islands wherever there are rapidly 

 running rivers, or brooks rippling over rocks and stones, while, as a 

 wanderer, it occurs on the margins of more sluggish streams ; the 

 mouths of tidal rivers, and the sea-shore being favourite resorts in 

 winter. Eocalities suitable to its habits present themselves in Corn- 

 wall, Devon and Somerset (where the bird is known as the ' Water- 

 Colly ' i.e., Water-Blackbird), Wales and the bordering counties, and, 

 northwards, to Scotland, where every river or burn of any consequence 

 is frequented by several pairs ; the range extending to the Outer 

 Hebrides, and occasionally to the Orkneys. In Ireland the species is 

 resident in the mountainous districts and some of the lower valleys. 



Our Dipper is naturally of rare occurrence in the flat eastern 

 counties of England ; but these are sometimes visited in winter by 

 the Black-bellied Dipper, Cindus 7?ielanogasfer, Brehm ; a form 

 which some naturalists consider entitled to specific rank. This 

 has little or no chestnut colour in the breast-band, and is found 

 in Scandinavia, and Northern Russia ; visiting Denmark, Heligo- 

 land, Northern Germany, and Holland. After examining a 

 considerable number of Dippers, including the fine series in the 



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