THE DIPPER. 63 



joyfulness. The sandy islets in the stream and places 

 where drift-wood and other matters congregate are 

 favourite places ; so too below the weirs and about the 

 water-wheels he is also seen. When alarmed, the 

 Dipper instantly takes wing. I have never yet known 

 a Dipper take to the water when threatened by danger, 

 nor do I consider that such is the case unless the 

 bird be injured. His flight puts you in mind of the 

 Kingfisher, rapid and straightforward ; sometimes he 

 flies just above the surface of the water, sometimes a 

 few feet above it, and invariably following the course of 

 the stream. He often utters a low and complaining 

 chirp when taking wing, and he will also call when 

 sitting on the rocks and banks. Summer and winter 

 alike he explores the waters, and at all times draws his 

 largest sustenance from the bed of the stream. The 

 Kingfisher's plunge is but a momentary immersion, but 

 with the Dipper it is far different. He will not un- 

 frequently remain in the water for a quarter of an hour 

 or more without once quitting it. The food of the 

 Dipper is composed of the various forms of insect life 

 inhabiting the waters, and their larvae. Young fish he 

 will also devour, and worms and grubs found on the 

 banks of the stream. 



A word as to this singular bird's place in our classi- 

 fication. Were you to examine the Dipper you would 

 find his plumage similar to the plumage of water birds 

 in general, yet his feet are not webbed, and do not 

 resemble the feet of water birds, nor does his beak and 

 general appearance proclaim him as one whose haunt is 

 the waters. Notwithstanding, the bird, however, has, I 

 think, far more claim to be ranked amongst the water 

 birds than those frequenting the land ; he is, in fact, what 



