By Uphmd Streams. 21 



and risino- aoain some distance away just to take 

 breath and then a^ain to disappear, is never without 

 a certain element of surprise, accustomed as we are 

 to the habits of this bird. We can recall a northern 

 stream— situated in the Rivelin valley close to Hol- 

 low Meadows— specially favourable for watching the 

 actions of the Dipper. In some parts it was confined 

 by lofty banks, upon which we could lie concealed 

 and look right down into the clear water, and here, 

 when the pair of Dippers that frequented the spot 

 were on the feed, we might watch their every move- 

 ment whilst they were under the surface. This 

 stream is used as a conduit to convey the water from 

 one large reservoir to another, and was consequently 

 often in flood. We have often remarked that the 

 Dippers were exceptionally busy in searching for 

 food on these occasions, doubdess because insects 

 and larVc-E were disturbed by the unusual flow of 

 water. Such times, however, were not favourable 

 for observation. We liked best to watch the ways 

 of these charming birds when the stream flowed 

 slower, when the water was clearer, and certam 

 reaches were almost undisturbed by the current. 

 The Kingfisher, as most readers may know, has but 

 one method of feeding, by plunging into the water 

 and returning to the air almost at once. The Dipper, 

 on the other hand, in his quest for sustenance, is as 

 much aciuatic as a Grebe or a Moorhen. He is quite 



