/jS north AMERICAN 13IRD.S. 



arcustonuHl to the society of the millers. Tliey had jnxniously raised Jin- 

 other lnuod that season. 



The same ohservaiit naturalist, some time afterwanls, in ^lay, found the 

 nest of another pair, a few miles north of Santa ( 'Lira. Tiiis was built near 

 the foot of a mill-dam, resting on a sliirht ledge under an overhanging rock, 

 from whicli water was continually dropping. It was, in shape, like an oven, 

 with a small doorway, and it was built externally of green moss, which, being 

 still living, prevented the easy il'scovery of the nest. It was lined with soft 

 grass, and contained young. 



These birds are found singly or in pairs, and never more than two together. 

 They are never found near still water, and Impient only wild mountain- 

 streams, cascades, eddies, and swift currents. 



According to ^Ir. Dall's observations in Alaska, the species is essentially 

 solitary. He obtained several specimens in January, February, and iVIarch, 

 always nt.nir some open, unfrozen spots in the Xulato IJiTer. It was only 

 found in the most retired spots, and almost invariably alone. When dis- 

 turbed, it would dive into the water, even in midwinter. 



Mr. liidgway descnbes the Dipper as remarkably (piick, as well as odd, in 

 its movements, — whether v\alking in the shallow luid of the stream, or 

 standing on a stone along the edge, continually tilting up and down, now 

 chattering as it flies ra])idly ah>ng the stream, again alighting into the water, 

 in which it wades with the greatest facility. Its tliglit is remarkably swift 

 and well sustained, and in manner is very unusual, the bird propelling itself 

 by a rapid l)uzzing of the wings, following in its Hight every undulation in 

 the course of the stream into which it dro])s suddenlv. Its soni^ is described 

 as remarkablv sweet and livelv. in modulation resembling somewhat that of 

 the Hfrrporhynchus r/ffcs, but less powerful, though sweeter in effect. 



Dr. E. Baldamus, of Halle, who possesses specimens of the eggs of this 

 species, describes them as pure white in color, oval in shape, and hardly 

 distinguishable from those of the European C. (iquaticiis. 



A nest of this bird obtained b\ Mr. J. Stevenson, of Hayden's Expedition, 

 in Berthoud's Pass, Colorado, is a hemisphere of very utiiform contour bnilt 

 on a rock, on the edge of a : tream. Externally it was composed of green 

 moss, in a living state ; within is a strong, compactly built apartment, 

 arched over, and sup])orted by twigs, with a cup-like depression at the bot- 

 tom, hemisj Clerical and comj)osed of roots and twigs firmly VK)und together. 

 The structure is 7 inches in height externally, and has a diameter of \i)\ 

 inches at the base. Within, the cavity has a depth of 6 inches ; th3 

 entmnce, which is on one side, is 3.V in breadth bv '11 in height. The ejijxs 

 were three in number, uniform, dull white, and uns[)otted. They measure 

 1.04 inches by .70. They have an elongated oval shape, and are much 

 pointed at one end. 



