THE EUROPEAN DIPPER. 71 



tance observed they appeared to be minnows, 

 and were brought up held cross-ways in the bill. 

 The ova of any kind of fish we have never 

 detected in their stomach or intestines, nor do 

 we think they habitually, at the proper season, 

 frequent the places where spawn would be 

 deposited ; and if they did, we would deem it 

 almost impossible that they could reach it after 

 it was impregnated and covered in the spawning 

 bed, which it is before the parent fish leaves the 

 place of deposition. Neither have we any know- 

 ledge of the ova being sought after about the period 

 when they begin to acquire vitality, and when 

 they might become a much more easy prey. 

 This, in fact, is the only time when any destruc- 

 tion could be accomplished. In the north of 

 Scotland this little bird is persecuted for its 

 supposed depredations ;. and we were astonished, 

 before learning the reason, to find such suitable 

 localities totally uninhabited by them. Here the 

 provincial name of King-fisher is given to them, 

 a reward of sixpence is put upon their head, and 

 in one Highland district we have the factor's 

 authenticated report of five hundred and forty- 

 eight having been destroyed during three years ! 

 The European Dipper, so far as we know, is 

 entitled to its specific name, and has not been 

 found out of the European Continent. We have 

 no record of its passing the Asiatic frontier ; and 

 we have reason to think that its range ceases 

 even long before it reaches that boundary. In 

 Britain, Scotland may be said to be its strong- 



