138 The Dipper. 



The Dipper is also found on the barest of mountain-torrents, places where not 

 a tree or shrub is found, where the waters roll and tumble in wildest mood across 

 the heathery moors and down the bare mountain sides. 



The Dipper seeks much of its food under water, in which it dives and swims 

 with ease. Lord Lilford, after confirming the statement of other observers — that 

 this species, unlike the Kingfisher and other diving birds, does not take a header, 

 observes : — " The Dipper sinks, if I may say so, horizontally, and, as ma}- be 

 supposed, seems to have a good deal of trouble to keep below. These birds will 

 go down in the most rapid streams and boiling pools below a waterfall, and, 

 emerging with a jerk, fl}- off to a big stone, set up a short but ver}- sweet song, 

 and resume their subaqueous explorations. All their movements are sudden and 

 rapid ; thej' seem to be alwaj's in a hurry, and are eminently in keeping with the 

 character of the streams which the}- frequent, and to which the\- add a great 

 attraction." 



"The song of the Dipper, though not very powerful, is very pleasing, and is 

 associated in my mind with many delightful reminiscences of wild mountain and 

 river scenery in our island and abroad. The male bird sits jerking his tail, and 

 warbling often amidst a whirl and roar of rushing waters, and, in manner, reminds 

 one a great deal of the Common Wren ; the song is continued throughout the 

 winter months." 



The nest of the Dipper, or " Water Ouzel," as it is sometimes called, is 

 a domed structure ; a hollow ball of moss, sometimes interwoven with grass and 

 with an entrance-hole in front and low down ; the inner lining is firmly compacted 

 of twigs, dry grass, rootlets, and dead leaves. The site chosen for the nest is in 

 a mossy bank, a hole in a rock, wall or bridge, or among the mossy roots of trees 

 overhanging water, not infrequently on a rocky ledge behind a waterfall. The 

 building commences early in April, and at least two broods are reared in the year. 

 The same nest is sometimes used twice in a season. The eggs, four to five in 

 number, are pure white, beautifully oval, slightly less glossy than Thrush eggs, 

 but too smooth to be chalky in appearance (like unspotted eggs of the Wren) ; in 

 size they agree pretty nearly with eggs laid by the Song-Thrush in its first season ; 

 but they are more perfect ovals, the smaller end being decidedly more pointed. 



The food of the Dipper consists largely of insects and their larvae ; manj^ of 

 which, such as caddis-worms, the voracious larvjE of dragon-flies and water-beetles, 

 it seeks at the bottom of the water ; thus proving itself the greatest friend of the 

 pisciculturist, by devouring the insects which prey upon fish-spawn and young 

 fry ; it also eats spiders, small mollusca, worms, and seeds of grasses. In pursuit 

 of its subaqueous prey it is said both to paddle and use its wings. 



