94 BRITISH BIRDS’ EGGS. 
Famiry TURDIDA. 
Sus-ramity CINCLINZE. 
COMMON DIPPER (or WATER OUZEL). 
CINcLUS aquaticus, Bechst. 
Pl. VI., fig. 12. 
Geogr. distr.—Found in Asia Minor, Palestine, Persia, Yarkand, 
Dauria, Sikkim, and Algeria, throughout Central Europe, and in Great 
Britain ; but local, owing to its affecting mountain streams. 
Food.—Water insects, larve and pupe of Neuropterous insects, 
such as caddis- and dragon-flies, fresh-water Mollusca, small fish, &e. 
Nest.—Large, constructed of moss felted together and lined with 
grass stalks and dried oak or beech leaves; entrance in front. 
Position of nest.—Carefully concealed in a hollow, under shelter of 
some overhanging rock or bank, frequently behind a water-fall. 
Number of eggs.— Usually 4; rarely 5-6. 
Time of nidification.—IV-V. 
This species begins to build about the middle of April ; 
it is said never to be seen in flocks, and rarely at any great 
distance from water; its song is a continuous subdued 
warbling, and it commences to sing as early as January ; 
in its actions the dipper is quick and graceful, as it is 
beautiful in form and colouring ; though I have only seen 
it in shallow streams, in which it ran about in search of 
insects, it is often found where the water is deep, and, 
when suddenly disturbed, is said to dive, using its wings 
to keep it below the surface. 
The nest of the Dipper is described as like that of the 
Wren; to my mind this is rather vague, as two Wren’s 
nests are rarely alike, and frequently totally dissimilar; a 
nest of the Great Tit in my collection, though a little 
smaller than that of the Water Ouzel, seems to me to be 
far more like it than most Wren’s nests both in form 
and substance. 
The Dipper has a smooth even flight, somewhat re- 
sembling that of the Kingfisher. Mr. More states that 
it breeds occasionally in Cornwall and Dorset, but regu- 
larly in Devon, Somerset, probably throughout Wales, 
Monmouthshire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, 
Cheshire, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Scotland 
er ilar and the Hebrides; also suitable localities in 
reland. 
