60 RURAL BIRD LIFE. 



abundant food, and the rocks around furnish nesting-sites 

 in abundance. 



The song of the Dipper is first heard early in April, 

 sometimes, but rarely, in March, and a short and pleasing 

 performance it is, fully harmonising with the wild 

 grandeur of the scene around. He warbles his lay from 

 the banks of the stream, or not unfrequently when 

 crouching low on the rocks in the midst of its roaring 

 waters. There, with the milk-white foam dancing on 

 the crests of the waves, and the spray falling like mist 

 around him, he chants his love song. When in such a 

 situation we cannot hear his whole performance, for the 

 noise of the stream prevents it ; but in the lulls of the 

 strife we catch parts of his melody, sounding low and 

 sweet, as though the Naiads of the fall were singing its 

 praises in mellow cadence. 



It might be thought that the Dipper lives in 

 company with his mate for life, but such is not the case ; 

 and when the young are independent of their parents' 

 aid, the old birds separate for ever. The nest of the 

 Dipper is usually found amongst the rocks, never in a 

 tree or bush, although occasionally amongst their 

 gnarled and moss-grown roots. The nest is not unfre- 

 quently found within a few inches of the water, and oc- 

 casionally in the rocks over which the water rushes in 

 mad career, passing directly before the nest, and keeping 

 it in an incessant state of moisture by the spray continu- 

 ally beating against it. The nest of the Dipper in point 

 of outward beauty yields the palm to, few, if any, of our 

 British nests. True, the Chaffinch and the Long-tailed 

 Titmouse may build a nest the paragon of beauty, but 

 the materials used die and wither ; but with the Dipper 

 the case is far different, as will be seen by what follows. 

 The site chosen, the materials have not far to be sought. 



