68 THE EUROPEAN DIPPER. 



erected, it accommodates itself to the event, loses 

 its secluded habits, and seems to enjoy the bustle. 

 It may often be seen perched on the inner spokes 

 of the mill-wheel, singing its low melody ; and 

 we have known it to breed within the passage of 

 the torrent which drove it. In such places they 

 Jive in pairs, each having as it were a locality or 

 limit within which they range, and select an 

 appropriate situation for the nest. They sport 

 about the banks of the stream, flying short dis- 

 tances, and during flight utter their single mono- 

 tonous alarm or call note. When about to alight, 

 they drop or splash into the pools or stream, and 

 almost never at once settle on the stones or 

 rocks. They are one of our most pleasing song 

 sters, though from the lowness of the note it is 

 not often observed ; but to the angler, who plies 

 his rod at all hours, and in the most sequestered 

 scenes, it is a well-known and welcome strain. 

 It may be at times heard during the whole year ; 

 but spring and the breeding season are the 

 periods when it may be most easily and constantly 

 enjoyed. The birds being early breeders, this 

 sign of the coming year is often heard in Feb- 

 ruary, while the streams are still bound up in ice ; 

 and a clear and shining morning, at this early 

 time, will be sure to display some of those clean 

 songsters perched on a prominent stone or stick, 

 or on the edge of a frozen pool, warbling their 

 notes just audible above the murmurs of the 

 stream. Their breeding places are chosen near 

 to the brook or river, and often in curious situa- 



