INSESSORES. 27 



instance of this rare bird here : a nest with three 

 eggs was taken in the Grove about the year 1886, 

 and the eggs are still preserved." 



Family Merulid.e. 



The Dipper, Ciiiclus aquaticus. This bird, as 

 Mr. Yarrell observes, " may be said to be local 

 rather than rare, and is seldom found in the counties 

 around London." "The nearest spot," he continues, 

 " in which I have heard of a Dipper being seen, was 

 at a Watermill tail at Wyrardisbury, on the Colne, 

 about two or three hundred yards above the place 

 at which it falls into the Thames, just below Bell 

 Weir." 



Mr. Bond once saw a Dipper in a bird-stuffer's 

 shop in London that had recently been shot at the 

 stream which runs through Wembley Park. It had 

 been sent to London for preservation, the sender, 

 however, being ignorant of the species. 



In the spring of 1862 a solitary Dipper was ob- 

 served at the brook near Colin Deep Lane, Hendon. 

 It was so accurately described, both as to appearance 

 and habits, by the man who saw it, as to leave no 

 doubt, apparently, of the species. On hearing it 

 described as a dark brown bird with a white breast, 

 I suggested that it was a Eing Ouzel, for that bird 

 is often to be found here in spring and autumn ; but 

 he knew the Eing Ouzel, and said the bird in 



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