THE WATER OUZEL. 41 



i^olden wings to hover over the pool, forms a meal 

 to tlie dipper. The caddis worm, which moves 

 alonp^ at the bottom of tlie pool, in its case of 

 woody fragments, and which, if left unharmed, 

 will float over the stream as the light ^lay-tly, 

 supplies our hird with many a feast; and iu his 

 diving he seizes the tiny and beautiful stickleback, 

 from the shoals which float in our lakes and 

 streams, and which country people call barn- 

 stickles because of their prickly spines ; while the 

 little minnows find no escape from his skilful 

 wing and quick-seeing eye. 



Mr. ^lacgillivray has told us by what means the 

 di])])er moves under the water, and says, that in 

 reality it flies, extending its wing precisely as it 

 would do were the air the element in which it was 

 moving. Its body usually slants downwards, 

 and the bird evidently has to use considerable ex- 

 ertion t<i keep itself at the bottom of the water. 

 He remarks that in some instances, when he has 

 clearly seen its motions there, it appeared to 

 tumble about in a singular manner, its head in- 

 clining downwards, as if it were pecking at some- 

 thing, while both legs and wings were actively 

 employed. It was at this time, apparently, iu the 



