174 MERULID.E. 



Considerable interest is attached to tlie natural history 

 of the Dipper, or Water Ouzel, from the diversity of opi- 

 nions that exist even to the present time, in reference not 

 only to its power of diving, which is believed by some to be 

 accomplished without any perceivable muscular effort, but 

 that it can also walk at the bottom when under water with 

 the same ease that other birds walk on dry land. 



Never having seen this bird alive, I must be indebted to 

 the recorded observations of those who have ; and one of the 

 most complete and perfect accounts that I am acquainted 

 with is that by ISIr. JSIacgillivray, published in the first 

 volume of the Naturalist, page 105. 



The Dipper frequents clear, rocky mountain streams, and 

 although allied to the Thrush or the Blackbird in its internal 

 organization, and in many of its actions on land, it has also 

 the habits and powers of the Moorhen ; living constantly by 

 the sides of rivers, swimming and diving with great facility, 

 and feeding principally upon the various aquatic insects with 

 which the bottoms of streams abound. 



I am indebted to the kindness of my friend John Morgan, 

 Esq. for the only opportunity that has occurred to me of dis- 

 secting a specimen of this bird, which came from Wales. 

 The muscles and other parts of the organs of voice are simi- 

 lar to those of the Thrush ; but I found nothing in the 

 structm-e of this bird internally that could induce me to be- 

 lieve that it possessed the powers which have been so fre- 

 quently attributed to it, of diving and remaining on the 

 ground at the bottom of the water, without making any visi- 

 ble muscular effort. Its short wings are Avell adapted for 

 diving ; but, clothed with its feathers, the specific gravity of 

 the Dipper must be considerably less than that of an Otter or 

 a Beaver, — and we know that diving and remaining under 

 water is not accomplished by these animals Avithout using 

 great and continued exertions. Accordingly Mr. Macgilli- 



