128 Meruiidce. 



of Switzerland and Tyrol, and, above all, in Norway. It is a 

 compact, stout little bird, and as it stands on a boulder, in the 

 midst of a torrent, will flirt its tail up and down, at other times 

 carrying it erect, like that of the wren, which in some other 

 respects it resembles, notably in the large dome-shaped nest it 

 forms, and which is not infrequently placed in some crevice of a 

 rock behind a cascade, in such a position that the water shoots 

 over it, effectually protecting it from molestation. Its flight is 

 quick and straightforward, much resembling that of the King- 

 fisher. As to the vexed question whether or no it has the power, 

 denied to other birds, of deliberately walking off the stone on 

 which it is perched into the water, and there running about and 

 feeding as if on dry ground, searching for and picking out any 

 small insects it can dislodge, as St. John and several other excel- 

 lent naturalists assert, and others, with Montagu and Yarrell, as 

 strenuously deny, I will not enter upon it here. I can only say 

 that I never saw it practise any such feat, though I have watched 

 it for hours on many occasions. It has also been the subject of 

 much controversy as to whether it devours the eggs of the salmon 

 and other fish spawn ; and as it is not the habit of keepers and 

 others to give the feathered race the benefit of a doubt till the 

 accusation is proved, or to hold them innocent till they are 

 proved guilty, the poor Dipper has been unrelentingly persecuted 

 in consequence; but I believe the charge is wholly without 

 foundation. 



32. MISSEL THRUSH (Turdus viscivorus). 



This is the largest of the whole family, and very handsome 

 withal. It derives its name from its excessive partiality to the 

 berries of the mistletoe. In winter these birds will congregate in 

 large flocks of forty or more, when they are often mistaken for 

 fieldfares. It is one of the earliest breeders, placing its nest in the 

 fork of some tree, often in the most conspicuous position, and at 

 this season it is as distinguished for its courage as at other times 

 it is for its shy, retired habits. If any other bird approaches its 

 nest, it vociferates in the loudest and harshest screams. Its song, 



