162 DIPPEK. 



against the stream: now it emerges, and presently, with erected 

 tail, crouching body, head drawn back, and wings slightly 

 drooped, is prepared for another dip. It does not traverse 

 much space below the surface, but is soon up again, returning 

 to its former or some other neighbouring place of temporary 

 rest, which it regains either by swimming or wading; and 

 after several of these forays, performed with quiet activity, 

 it wings its way to some neighbouring rapid. The young 

 are able to dive even before they are fully fledged. 



Its flight is rather rapid, strong and even, effected by 

 regular pulsations of the wings. 



Various water insects, and beetles, and the larvae of these, 

 are its food. 



The song of this interesting bird is melodious and lively, 

 though short. It is to be heard in sunny weather at all 

 seasons of the year a sweet accompaniment to the murmuring 

 music of the rippling trout-stream, which soothes the ear and 

 the heart of the solitary fly-fisher, as he quietly wends his 

 way along, at peace with all the world. Its common note 

 is a mere 'chit/ which it utters both when perched on some 

 stone and when flying along the stream. 



Nidification begins about the middle of April. 



The nest, which is cleverly concealed, and large, measuring 

 ten or twelve inches in diameter, and seven or eight in depth, 

 being domed, is well compacted of moss and grass, and well 

 lined with leaves. It is placed in some cavity in a rock, or 

 under the protection of some overhanging stone in the 

 immediate neighbourhood of the rippling , stream or murmuring 

 waterfall, its favourite haunt. Different specimens however 

 vary in size as well as shape, adapted doubtless to the 

 circumstances of the spot they are placed in, some bein^ a 

 couple of inches less than the size just spoken of. The 

 aperture is in front, from three to four inches in width, and 

 about one and a half in height. Mr. Macgillivray mentions 

 one, described to him by Thomas Durham Weir, Esq., which 

 was built in an angle between two fragments of rocks under 

 a small cascade, and although the water fell upon part of 

 the dome, the compactness with which it was put together 

 rendered ifc impenetrable. 



The birds are strongly attached to their accustomed building- 

 place, and one pair, or at least a pair, have been known to 

 occupy the same haunt for thirty-one years, rearing three 

 broods in the year, and four young ones to each brood. 



