692 The Sparrow-like Birds 



The Dippers are comprised in a single genus (Cinclus), and upward of 

 thirty species and subspecies or distinguishable geographic races; their long 

 isolation in many widely separated parts of the world having resulted, as might 

 be expected, in the production of more or less well marked forms. The Old 

 World is much the richer, being the home of nearly four fifths of the forms, 

 and it is probable that when exploration is more complete the number of rec- 

 ognizable races will be still further augmented. On the basis of the coloration 

 of the young they are separable into two groups, in all of the Old World forms 

 this plumage being more or less squamate or spotted; while in the New World 

 forms the young are not spotted, but are more or less like the adults. The Old 

 World forms are further separated into two groups, in the first of which the 

 adults are nearly uniform fuscous, while in the second they are more or less white 



beneath. It is easy, also, to divide the New 

 World species into two groups, the forms 

 inhabiting North America being practically 

 a uniform grayish, while those in South 

 America have the coloration in vari-colored 

 patches, with a conspicuous white patch on 

 the under side of the wings. Of those 

 inhabiting North and Central America, the 

 original form appears to be the Mexican 

 Dipper (C. mexicanus\ which has the upper 

 parts slate-color and the under parts slate- 

 gray, while the head and neck are deep sepia- 



FIG. i 9 s. -English Water Ousel, cn- brown ; it is confined to the mountains of 

 dus britannicus. Mexico and Guatemala. Hardly to be dis- 



tinguished from this is the common Ameri- 

 can Dipper (C. m. unicolor), which differs in being slightly paler and with 

 the head and neck grayish brown; this form ranges from northern Mexico 

 to Alaska. The Costa Rican Dipper (C. ardesiacus) of the highlands of 

 Costa Rica and Chiriqui is similar to the Mexican species, but is smaller, 

 with the general color a lighter, clear gray and the head less brown. 



The American Dipper is present in suitable situations throughout the Rocky 

 Mountains, where I have often met with them along the cold, mshing mountain 

 streams in and about the Yellowstone National Park and in the high mountains 

 of Colorado and Montana. They are never sociable birds, and it is rare to find 

 more than two together, unless it be a family party of young with their parents. 

 But they are universally energetic and hardy birds, as much at home amongst 

 the floating ice and snow as when the breath of flowers is in the air. They are 

 practically resident where found, though perforce, if the stream become en- 

 tirely covered with ice, they may be forced to lower altitudes. The ordinary 

 note is a rapid chatter, uttered mostly when suddenly surprised or alarmed, but 

 in addition it has a very beautiful song, which Mr. Trippe says, "it utters very 

 rarely. It selects the wildest, darkest ravines, and is very timid while singing. 

 Its song is clear, sweet, and varied, more Wren-like than any other bird's song, 



