Tl6 



THE MUSEUM. 



dark on the low-lying islands along the 

 Galveston Bay coast, where they 

 could rest partly concealed by the dense 

 growth of flags and wild cane, but be- 

 fore Old Sol appeared in the East, all 

 would be far out on the Bay, at a safe 

 distance from the hunter. Old fisher- 

 men told me they often catch them on 

 their night lines set for the Sea Cat. 

 I once saw a large bird captured by a 

 man on the prairie. It was in a heavy 

 fog, and the bird had settled to the 

 ground close to a wire fence. I soon 

 frightened it and as the large fellow 

 rose he apparently did not see the wires 

 ahead, and in an instant he turned a 

 double somersault across the road. A 

 man (being close at hand) immediately 

 gave chase and before the bird could 

 regain his feet he was captured and 

 carried home. Of course this was a 

 very unusual occurrence and seldom if 

 ever repeated. The adult birds entire 

 plumage is snowy white. They can be 

 invariably identified by the yellow spot 

 on the bill in front of the eye. Many 

 specimens I examined, this blotch was 

 entirely wanting, but these were with- 

 out doubt, young, that had not yet 

 obtained their plumage. These also 

 had the wash of brown on the head and 

 neck, often extending nearly to the 

 body. All specimens examined tally 

 very closely (both in measurements 

 and plumage) to the description given 

 in Dr. Coues excellent work on the 

 birds of North America. 



Nathan L. Davis, 

 Feb. '95. Brockport, N. Y. 



Ritzville, Wiish., Jan 1, 1895. 

 WfiltcrF. Welti). Alhioii, N. Y. 



Dear Sir:— Saiiiplo copies, No.s. 1 and 2 of 

 The Musku.m leccived. Thanks, I am well 

 pleased with it and wish you sueeess and a 

 Happy New Year. Euelosed liiul money oider 

 for one dollar for my subseripiion for IH<,)."). 



Yuuis Truly, 

 Frank Stuakt. 



American Dipper. 



L i iiciiis nnxicanus. 



This bird is found along the moun- 

 tain ranges of the Pacific coast, gener- 

 ally well back in the foot hills and 

 mountains proper. Hack in the dark, 

 and deep recesses of small mountain 

 streams you will find this lively and 

 melodious songster. 



The entire bird is of a grayish slate 

 color and measures six inches in length. 

 Length of tail one and one half inches, 

 .vhich is generally elevated at an angle 

 of 45^' when the bird is standing. 

 Length of wing, three inches. Bill \. 

 Iris brown in color. Feet nearly 

 black. 



The American dipper is found in all 

 the wild mountain streams of the Cas- 

 cade range. Where swift waters 

 splash and tumble against the innu- 

 merable rocks and are dashed into 

 spray. Here is where it loves to roam, 

 and can be seen, standing upon a rock 

 bobbing up and down similar to a Sand- 

 piper. 



It seems to be at home in the water 

 as well as out. and although not web- 

 footed it is an expert swimmer and I 

 have often seen it dive beneath the 

 surface of the water, coming up at a 

 distance of several yards. 



I well remember a circumstance of 

 this character ni my efforts to secure 

 a specimen. 



It was on the Santiam river near 

 Sweet Home. Just below the town, 

 a deep gorge where the river flows be- 

 tween perpendicular rocks, sixty feet 

 high, I saw a dipper, and firing, I look- 

 ed for my bird but none was to be 

 seen. Looking on the opposite bank 

 just then I saw my bird. Firing again 

 I then watched my bird and saw him 



