370 



THE DIPPER. 



The Dipper [Hydrobates cinclus). 



racter, and \n the various specimens which have been examined consists 

 of insects in their different stages, small Crustacea, and the spawn and 

 fry of various fishes. Its fish-eating propensities have been questioned 

 by some writers, but the matter has been set entirely at rest by the dis- 

 covery of fish-bones and half-digested fish in the stomachs of Dippers 

 that had been shot. Generally, however, the food consists of water- 

 beetles, particularly of the genus known by the name of Hydrophilus, 



a flat, oval -shaped insect with 

 hard wing-cases and oar-like 

 hind legs. The bird has also 

 been known to pick up the 

 caddis-worms, taking them on 

 shore, pulling and knocking 

 to pieces the tough case in 

 Nvhich the fat white grub is 

 enveloped, and swallowing the 

 contents. 



The song of the Dipper is a 

 lively and cheerful perform- 

 ance, and is uttered most frequently in the bright frosty mornings. 

 Sometimes it will stand upon a stone when singing, and accompany 

 its song with the oddest imaginable gestures, hopping and skipping 

 about, twisting its head in all directions, and acting as if it were 

 performing for the amusement of the spectator. 



The nest is not unlike that of the wren, being composed chiefly of 

 mosses built into a dome-like shape with a single aperture in the side. 

 It is generally placed near the water, and always under some sort of 

 cover, usually a hole in the bank. 



The nest is not, however, always so close to the water, for I found 

 one near Swindon in the side of an old disused pit, at some little dis- 

 tance from the great Swindon reservoir. It was discovered more by 

 accident than by intention, the touch having given the first intimation 

 of its presence. The moss always remains in a green state, as it is placed 

 in a damp locality, so that it can with great difficulty be distinguished 

 from the vegetation of the spot whereon it is situated. 



The eggs are pure white, and rather long in proportion to their 

 breadth. Their full number is five, and the young remain with 

 their parents for a considerable period, forming little companies of 

 five or six of these curious birds. 



The general color of this bird is brown on the upper surface of the 

 body; the throat and upper parts of the chest are white, and the ab- 

 domen is rusty red. The young birds possess a rather variegated 

 plumage of black, brown, ash-color, and white. The total length 

 of the adult bird is about seven inches. 



