36 JVBSTS AND EGGS OF BIRDS. 



lateral opening in the lower half of the nest. Mr. Jumes 

 Stevenson gives some entertaining particulars concerning a clip- 

 per's home he visited in Berthoud Pass, Colorado : 



One of the first things that attracted my attention was its manner 

 of diving down into the water and then darting back and perching 

 itself on the summit of its mound-like dwelling, where it would shake the 

 water from its feathers and distribute it over the nest, apparently for 

 the purpose of keeping the moss moist and in a growing condition, 

 thereby increasing its strength and dimensions. The entrance to its 

 little house was also carefully arranged ; the archway was quite perfect, 

 and the moss around it was so directed in its growth as not to obstruct 

 the entrance, which was situated on one side near the bottom of the nest. 

 The operation of sprinkling the nest was repeated daily. An examina- 

 tion of the nest, which is in the museum of the Smithsonian Institution, 

 together with the preceding facts, would induce one to believe that the 

 performances of tliis little bird wei'e for the purpose of keeping the out- 

 er lining of its nest green and growing, that it might keep its miniature 

 dwelling in repair, while rearing its family, without the aid of a brick- 

 layer, plasterer or carpenter, showing that among the feathered tribes 

 there are mechanics as well as musicians. 



But the most complete, and at the same time most beauti- 

 fully-written account we have of the breeding habits of the 

 dipper is byMuir, in his richly illustrated essay entitled "The 

 Humming-bird of the California Water-falls," printed in 

 Scribngr's Monthly for February, 1878. After a charming 

 picture of the nest, Mr. Muir continues : 



No harsh lines are presented by any portion of the nest as seen in 

 situ ; but, when removed from its shelf, the back and bottom and some- 

 times a portion of the top, are found quite sharply angular, because it is 

 made to conform to the surface of the rock, upon which and against 

 which it is built; the little architect always taking advantage of slight 

 crevices and protuberances that may chance to offer, to render his struct- 

 ure stable, by means of a kind of grappling and dovetailing. 



In choosing a building spot, concealment does not seem to be taken 

 into consideration at all; yet notwithstanding the nest is so large, 

 and so guilelessly exposed to view, it is far from being easily detected, 

 chiefly because it swells forward like any other bulging moss-cushion 

 growing naturally in such situations. This is more especially the case 

 where the nest is kept fresh by being well sprinkled. Sometimes these 

 romantic little huts have their beauty enhanced by tasteful decorations 

 of rock-ferns and grasses, that spring up around the walls or in front 

 of the door-sill, all dripping with crystal beads. P'urthermore, at certain 



