THE DIPPER. 217 



is compared by Meyer to the words "starling, star, or stoar." The 

 flesh of the Starling is said to be very good eating, somewhat similar 

 to that of the Thrash, but rather tougher, and a trifle bitter. 



THE DIPPER, 



(Cincltts aguaficus.) 

 PLATE XIV. PIQUEB IH. 



THIS species, which is particularly interesting on account of its peculiar 

 habits, is a native of Russia, Siberia, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, 

 Germany, and Spain. It is also common in Central Asia, Palestine, 

 and North-western Africa. In Great Britain it is to be met with in 

 the mountainous districts, frequenting the streams which there take 

 their rise, and following the numerous cascades and waterfalls that 

 make them so beautiful and attractive until they reach the lowlands. 

 Nowhere is this bird more abundant than upon the banks of the 

 picturesque Derbyshire rivers, the Dove and Derwent. 



In general appearance the Dipper is not unlike the "Wren, which it 

 also somewhat resembles in its motions and attitudes. The adult male 

 is about seven inches and three quarters in length, and has the bill 

 bluish black, and the irides pale brown. His plumage is simply but 

 strikingly coloured. The head and nape are dark brown, and the rest 

 of the upper parts slate grey. The chin and throat are pure white, 

 and the breast and under part of the body brownish red. The female 

 is a little smaller, and of a slightly paler colour than the male. 



This singular bird passes a large portion of its time in the water; 

 it plunges boldly into the bed of the foaming, roaring waterfall, and 

 remains below the surface in a most surprising manner, either propelling 

 itself by means of its wings, or grasping the stones with its claws, 

 and thus moving about at the bottom. The latter fact, however, we 

 must inform our readers is disputed by some eminent naturalists, 

 although very many excellent observers have borne witness in its 

 favour. At any rate the bird does not usually traverse much space below 

 the surface, but appears in a short time somewhere near the same 

 spot at which it entered the water, very frequently returning again 



2 r 



