140 BIRDS OF LOCH AND MOUNTAIN 



A very favourite nesting site is in the niches 

 of a rock behind a small waterfall, the bird entering 

 at the side, where the rush of water is almost absent ; 

 sometimes, however, the parent bird has to fly 

 right through the fall. Often, the nest is con- 

 structed under the arch of a bridge where a stone 

 has fallen out, and sometimes on a stone in mid- 

 stream. In one of Mr. Kearton's charming books 

 is a photograph of a nest in a tree about 10 feet 

 above the level of the stream. 



The nest is a large domed structure, with a 

 small entrance hole near the bottom, and this hole 

 is usually so small that it is almost impossible to 

 feel the eggs inside without enlarging it somewhat. 



The usual nesting materials are moss and leaves, 

 and these are put together with such marvellous skill 

 that, although the water is often dripping continu- 

 ously on the nest, the inside is always perfectly dry. 



The Dipper has often been accused wrongly 

 so, I think of feeding on the spawn of trout and 

 salmon in the bed of the stream. Although it is 

 true the Water Ousel spends most of his time in 

 feeding below the surface of the water, still I think 

 his food consists chiefly of the insects which have 

 their home in the bed of the stream. It is also said 

 that fish bones are found round the nest, but that 

 has never been the case in my experience. 



When the frost is intense and the stream on 

 each side is frozen over, the centre only remaining 

 open, it is very interesting to watch the Dipper 

 feeding. Standing on the ice's edge, he constantly 

 dives into the stream, reappearing each time a yard 

 or so further down, and when his hunger has been 

 satisfied he preens his feathers contentedly in the 

 frosty sun. 



