NATURE'S CAROL SINGERS. 



down that the overhanging roof forms 

 a kind of portico which cunningly pre- 

 vents any stray splash of water from 

 finding its way inside. 



The eggs, numbering from four to six, 

 are pure white, and quite unspotted. 



Young Dippers, instead of having 

 white, conspicuous breasts like their 

 parents, have the feathers edged with 

 dusky black, which greatly aids conceal- 

 ment when they are sitting at rest. 



This species breeds in the North and 

 West of England, Wales, Scotland, and 

 Ireland wherever there are tumbling, 

 foaming brooks suitable to its habits. 



A spring or two ago I spent several 

 days inside a hollow, artificial rock, photo- 

 graphing the bird represented in our 

 illustration, and was delighted with its 

 interesting ways. The cock fed the hen, 

 sitting inside the nest keeping their tiny 

 chicks warm during some particularly 

 cold weather for the season, and per- 

 formed his task with great diligence and 

 dispatch. 



One day he heard the shutter of my 

 camera click, and grew inquisitive. As 

 soon as he had delivered his catch of 

 larvae, he hopped from stone to stone, 

 until he finally stood upon one which 



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