HOME IN THE OLD STONE BRIDGE 149 



I could see all his movements. He faced 

 the stream, walked along with the greatest 

 ease against the running water, and with 

 his beak he turned over the smaller stones. 

 I could see him picking up the insects, 

 and it was really wonderful with what 

 quickness he snapped these up before 

 the running water carried them away. 

 Then up he came, mounted a stone, shook 

 his feathers, preened his wings, hopped 

 to another stone, and under he went 

 again. Over the pebbles he ran with the 

 water running over him, and when he 

 had found another beakful of food he 

 hopped out, and down to the bridge he 

 went with a gift for his sitting mate. 

 Again I saw him in another part of the 

 river, where the water ran still more 

 swiftly, and he dived in like a Kingfisher, 

 making a great splash, and brought out 

 something which he carried to his mate. 

 The Dipper is a strange bird. He has 

 the note of the Kingfisher, and a similar 



