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AMERICAN DIPPER. 
CINCLUS AMERICANUS, SWAINSON. 
PLATE CCCLXX. Mate anp FEMALE. 
The specimens from which the figures here given have been taken, 
were procured on the Rocky Mountains, on the 15th of June, when 
they were supposed to be breeding, so that they were probably adults 
in full plumage. Having little taste for critical discussions, I shall 
refrain from inflicting on the reader a long and elaborate review of all 
that has been said on the subject of this interesting but little-known 
bird, which was figured by the Prince of Musicnano from a specimen 
obtained near the sources of the Athabasca River, under the name of 
Cinclus Pallasii ; and has been described by Mr Swarnsony, first as 
C. Meaxicanus, and again, in the Fauna Boreali-Americana, as C. Ame- 
ricanus. The latter name I prefer to that of C. unicolor, which is in fact 
incorrect, the bird not being of one single colour. Unfortunately very 
little is known respecting the habits of the American Dipper, which 
however, being in form and size so very similar to that of Europe, pro- 
bably resembles it in its mode of life. I therefore cannot do better 
than endeavour to supply the deficiency by presenting you with the 
history of the latter species, as given in detail by my friend Wittiam 
Maceitiivray, who, among the wild hills of his native country, has 
studied its habits with a zeal and acuteness certainly not exceeded by 
those of any ornithologist. His account, which first appeared in a pe- 
riodical named “ The Naturalist,” and which he has revised and 
amended for insertion here, is in truth a model of histories of this kind. 
** The Dipper is in many respects one of the most interesting of 
our native birds. Residing chiefly in the wild glens of the mountain- 
ous districts, it now and then presents itself to the wandering natu- 
ralist as it flits along the streams, or is seen perched on a stone in the 
midst of the water, the white patch on its breast rendering it conspi- 
cuous at a great distance. Even the mere collector of plants, who, of 
all men, seems to be the least capable of comprehending the harmo- 
nies of nature, pauses to gaze upon it, as it shoots past him in its ra- 
pid and even flight; the solitary shepherd, wending his way to the 
