PERCHING BIRDS. P 51 
and a boy who sometimes brought me eggs, described a 
bird which he had seen in the stream, which (as I never 
expected to meet with the dipper) I tried in vain to 
make out, and felt sure he must be mistaken. Further 
research, however, cleared up my difficulties, and the 
sight one summer’s evening of a veritable dipper dis- 
porting itself in the water settled the matter, much to 
my satisfaction. I must add that I have never been 
fortunate enough to meet with it again, though they 
have been seen once or twice by others. I have in vain 
sought for the nest, and from what I have read of its 
usual haunts we have few suitable spots for its erection ; 
but the stretch of stream in which it was seen is very 
solitary, the channel being confined on one side with 
high sandstone banks covered with furze, while numerous 
plantations and ash-holts border the other, the whole 
bearing the name of New England. 
Quiet inoffensive bird as the dipper is, yet it has been 
lately accused of feeding on the eggs of the salmon and 
trout. I believe this charge, like some which are 
brought against others of our feathered friends, cannot 
be substantiated, but is nothing more than a hasty con- 
clusion. The dipper doubtless frequents the streams 
where salmon and trout spawn, but it is to feed upon 
one of the worst enemies of salmon ova—the larva of 
the Mayfly, as well as water-beetles and molluscs. Let 
those who believe in the poor little dipper’s crime, open 
the stomach of the next they kill, and I am much 
mistaken if they will not coincide with me in a verdict 
of “ not guilty.” 
The Missel Thrush (Zurdus viscivorus) is very 
common, and in the winter frequents the forest and 
parks in large flocks, During this season they fly ina 
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