DIPPER. 4 1 



although the water fell upon part of the dome, the 

 compactness with which it was put together rendered 

 it impenetrable. 



Another was similarly placed in a hole of a wall 

 close to a waterfall, which even sometimes passed over 

 it, but the birds nevertheless flew in and out with the 

 greatest ease. Again, another placed for several years 

 in succession on the rafter of a salmon fish-loch is 

 recorded by Mr. Hewitson. Others have been known 

 built within the passage of a mill-race. In such cases 

 the mother bird will often dash two or three times 

 through the rushing waters, as if in the enjoyment of 

 pastime, before resuming her place on the eggs. The 

 young soon quit the nest, and are at home almost 

 from the first in the water. 



The birds are strongly attached to their accustomed 

 building-place, and one pair, or at least a pair, have 

 been known to occupy the same haunt for thirty-one 

 years, rearing three broods in the year, and four young 

 ones to each brood. 



The eggs, from four to six in number, are white, 

 and of a regular oval form. 



VOL. II. 



