58 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



accustomed to the society of the millers. They had previously raised an- 

 other brood that season. 



The same observant naturalist, some time afterwards, in May, found the 

 nest of another pair, a few miles north of Santa Clara. This was built near 

 the foot of a mill-dam, resting on a slight ledge under an overhanging rock, 

 from which water was continually dropping. It was, in shape, like an oven, 

 with a small doorway, and it was built externally of green moss, which, being 

 still living, prevented the easy discovery of the nest. It was lined with soft 

 grass, and contained young. 



These birds are found singly or in pairs, and never more than two together. 

 They are never found near still water, and frequent only wild mountain- 

 streams, cascades, eddies, and swift currents. 



According to Mr. Dall's observations in Alaska, the species is essentially 

 solitary. He obtained several specimens in January^ February, and March, 

 always near some open, unfrozen spots in the Nulato Ei^er. It was only 

 found in the most retired spots, and almost invariably alone. When dis- 

 turbed, it would dive into the water, even in midwinter. 



Mr. Eidgway describes the Dipper as remarkably quick, as well as odd, in 

 its movements, — whether walking in the shallow bed of the stream, or 

 standing on a stone along the edge, continually tilting up and down, now 

 chattering as it flies rapidly along the stream, again aligliting into the water, 

 in wliich it wades with the greatest facility. Its flight is remarkably swift 

 and well sustained, and in manner is very unusual, the bird propelling itself 

 by a rapid buzzing of the wings, following in its flight every undulation in 

 the course of the stream into which it drops suddenly. Its song is described 

 as remarkably sweet and lively, in modulation resembling somewhat that of 

 the Harporhynchus rufus, but less powerful, though sweeter in eflect. 



Dr. E. Baldamus, of Halle, who possesses specimens of the eggs of this 

 species, describes them as pure white in color, oval in shape, and hardly 

 distinguishable from those of the European C. aquaticus. 



A nest of this bird obtained by Mr. J. Stevenson, of Hayden's Expedition, 

 in Berthoud's Pass, Colorado, is a hemisphere of very uniform contour built 

 on a rock, on the edge of a stream. Externally it was composed of green 

 moss, in a living state ; within is a strong, compactly built apartment, 

 arched over, and supported by twigs, with a cup-like depression at the bot- 

 tom, hemispherical and composed of roots and twigs firmly bound together. 

 The structure is 7 inches in height externally, and has a diameter of lOi 

 inches at the base. Within, the cavity has a depth of 6 inches ; the 

 entrance, which is on one side, is 3|- in breadth by 'Ih in height. The eggs 

 were three in number, uniform, dull white, and unspotted. They measure 

 1.04 inches by .70. They have an elongated oval shape, and are much 

 pointed at one end. 



