312 ALLEN'S NATURALIST'S LIBRARY. 



Habits. The Dipper, or "Water-Ouzel," as it is called in 

 England, the "Water-Crow" of Scotland, is a bird of the 

 mountain streams in the southern part of its range, and of 

 burns and rivers in the north. It is everywhere a shy and 

 watchful bird, and. except in the breeding season, appears to 

 be solitary ; at least, it is somewhat rare to see two birds in 

 company. By hiding behind a rock near the Dipper's haunts, 

 however, it is possible to observe the bird, and none are more 

 interesting in their ways of life. They may be seen scudding 

 over the surface of the water with a rapid flight and a vigorous 

 beating of the winj;s, something like that of a Kingfisher, until 

 they alight on a rock or large stone in the middle of the stream. 

 The white breast of the bird stands out in bold relief, and, 

 after pausing for a moment, it commences to edge to the side 

 of the rock, and either walks deliberately into the water or 

 disappears suddenly beneath the surface, seeking its food at 

 the bottom of the stream. There the bird finds its insect 

 food, consisting of larvae, caddis-worms, water-beetles, and 

 small molluscs. The accusation brought against the Dipper 

 of devouring the ova of trout has been upheld by some and 

 denied by other naturalists. That the Germans believe in its 

 truth has been proved during the last few years by the war 

 which has been waged against the birds in the Rhine Pro- 

 vinces, where hundreds have been slaughtered. 



Nest. A bulky structure of moss, like an overgrown Wren's 

 nest, tucked into an opening in the rocks or under the roots of 

 a tree, overhanging the water. Notwithstanding the size of the 

 nest, it is exceedingly difficult to discover, owing to the way in 

 which it assimilates to the surroundings. The entrance is very 

 low down, and can generally only be seen from below. Mr. 

 Seebohm says that the real nest is placed inside this dome of 

 moss, and one which he pulled to pieces was constructed of 

 ''dry grass, the roots of heather, and slender birch-twigs, and 

 lined with a profusion of leaves, layer after layer of birch- and 

 beech-leaves, and, as a final lining, a mass of oak-leaves, 

 laid on one another, like leaves in a book. The outside dome 

 was so closely woven together of moss, with here and there a 

 little dry grass, as not to be torn to pieces without considerable 

 force ; and the inner nest was so tightly compacted that, when 



