214 CURIOUS HOMES AND THEIR TENANTS. 



mill on the Cliehalis Eiver. The floor was of small 

 twigs, the sides and roof, arched over it like an oven 

 and formed of moss, projecting so as to protect and 

 shelter the opening, which was large enough to admit 

 the hand. Within this nest was a brood of half- 

 fledged young. The parents were familiar and fear- 

 less, and accustomed to the society of the millers. 



Another nest described by the naturalist was built 

 at the foot of a milldam, resting on a slight ledge 

 under an overhanging rock, from which water was 

 continually falling. It was shaped like an oven with 

 a small doorway, and was built of moss green and 

 growing, so that it was no easy matter to discover the 

 nest. It was lined with soft grass and contained 

 young. 



A number of nests have been found built upon 

 rocks behind cascades, where they were kept contin- 

 ually wet by spray from the falling water, showing 

 this to be a favorite locality for the birds in building 

 their homes. In leaving and returning to their young 

 it was necessary to dash through a sheet of falhng 

 water. The dipper is the only aquatic song bird, and 

 its song is very sweet and musical. 



