62 A CATALOGUE OF THE BIRDS 



This is a very doubtful species, as varieties occur which seem 

 to unite it with M. alia, of which it is probably a mere race. 



59. Grey "Wagtail. M. sulphtirea, Bechstein. 



Motacilla loamla, Bewick, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 1847, I., 184. 

 „ „ Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 2, I., 407. 



A resident species. ITot uncommon. The greater number 

 migrate in winter. 



Family. HYDEOBATA, Beglahd. 

 59. HYDROBATA, Vieilht. 



60. Dipper. H. cii^^cltjs, {Lmncsus). 



Cinchis aquaticus, Bewick, Hisi;. Brit. Birds, Ed. 1847, 1., 134. 

 „ „ Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 2, I., 181. 



This interesting bird is a constant resident, delighting in our 

 rocky burns that abound in little cascades and have lively running- 

 streams. In such sequestered situations they are sure to be found 

 nesting, but sparingly, never more than a pair being found toge- 

 ther : it is a solitary, retiring species. 



I found, many years ago, a nest of the Dipper in the roof of a 

 tunnel at Tanfield Dene ; and I have observed it the last three 

 years in Jcsmond Dene, on one occasion during summer, but it 

 has never been known to breed there. 



This harmless frequenter of our brooks has of late been accused 

 of devouring salmon spawn, and in some quarters has been doomed 

 to the fate of all " vermin." A few years ago I examined speci- 

 mens that were killed, because they were feeding on the spawn- 

 ing ground of the salmon in North Tyne, and found that their 

 crops contained nothing but aquatic insects and their larvae ; 

 no trace whatever of spawn could be detected. In fact, the in- 

 sects upon which our poor doomed friend had been feeding were 

 niuch more likely to destroy lish spawn than it was. 



