FOR CAGES AND A VI ARIES. 35 



a garden aviary where the conditions under which it 

 exists in a state of nature are imitated as closely as may 

 be, and a miniature stream is caused to trickle over a 

 pebbly bed by the side of an artificially formed bank, 

 studded with stones and planted with ferns and the 

 shrubs usually found growing in the situation imitated. 



The natural food of the Dipper consists of aquatic 

 insects of various kinds, molluscs, worms, and, it is said, 

 small fish : it is also reported to be peculiarly destructive 

 to spawn, and is credited with destroying that of the trout 

 and even of the salmon, for which reason it finds but 

 scant favour in the eyes of the disciples of Izaak Walton, 

 that "quaint old cruel coxcomb," as Byron called him, 

 who love to do their own killing. 



It is doubtful, however, if the accusation can be sub- 

 stantiated, at least to any extent, and yet in one locality 

 in Scotland upwards of five hundred of these curious 

 birds, "Kingfishers" they call them there, are reported 

 to have been killed in three years. 



It is with difficulty accustomed to the use of artificial 

 food, but will after a time take crushed dog-biscuit and 

 crissel, and thrive, more or less, upon the unusual diet, 

 but does better if allowed plenty of ants' eggs, mealworms, 

 and other insects in addition. 



The nest is large, built mostly under an overhanging ledge 

 of stone, or some other projection, the entrance to it 

 being through a comparatively small hole ; but where it is 

 placed in a more open situation it is domed. 



The eggs, four or five in number, are white, and the 

 mother is so devoted to her charge, that she has some- 

 times suffered herself to be taken with them, and has 

 finished incubating them in captivity, rearing the brood 

 single-handed, so to speak. As the young soon quit the 

 nest they should, if wanted for the aviary, be taken early, 

 when it is not difficult to rear them on ants' eggs, meal- 

 worms and other insects, with the addition of a little 

 raw meat. 



The song of the Dipper has some resemblance to that 

 of the Thrush, and his sonorous strains are heard at a 

 great distance, especially as he sings during the night. 



