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however, is observed only when it is engaged in a strong current ; and its appearance is greatly 

 magnified by the unequal refraction caused by the varying inequalities of the surface of the 

 water. When searching for food, it does not proceed to great distances under water; but, 

 alighting on some spot, sinks, and soon reappears in the immediate neighbourhood, when it 

 either dives again, or rises on wing to drop somewhere else on the stream or settle on a stone. 

 Often from a shelving crag, or large stone, it may be seen making short incursions into the 

 water, running out with quiet activity, and presently bobbing up to the surface, and regaining 

 its perch by swimming or wading. The assertion of its walking in the water on the bottom, 

 which some persons have ventured, is not made good by observation, nor countenanced by 

 reason and the nature of things. The Dipper is by no means a walking bird ; even on land I 

 have never seen it move more than a few steps, which it accomplished by a kind of leaping 

 motion. Its short legs and curved claws are very ill adapted for running, but admirably calcu- 

 lated for securing a steady footing on slippery stones, whether above or beneath the surface of 

 the water. Like the Kingfisher it often remains a long time perched on a stone ; but in most 

 other respects its habits are very dissimilar. 



" The first opportunity which I had of observing this bird advancing under Avater occurred 

 in Braemar in 1819, when, from the bank of the stream which passes by Castleton, I noticed one 

 ' tumbling about' in the rapid current. In September 1832 I watched a Dipper for some time 

 on a part of the Tweed, where the current was very strong. It flew off from the shore and 

 alighted in the middle of the stream, when it immediately dived. Reappearing a little way 

 further up the river, it floated for a few seconds, dived, emerged, and flew to the opposite bank, 

 on reaching which it again disappeared under water for a short time, and thus continued its 

 exertions. When perched on a stone near the shore, especially if the water be not much 

 agitated around, it usually makes short incursions into it, apparently for the purpose of pro- 

 curing food, and returns to its station. On these occasions it is not difficult to approach it, 

 provided due precaution be used ; but in general it is shy and easily alarmed. I have several 

 times shot an individual which observed me as I was quietly walking up to it; but it is not often 

 that one remains until you come within shot. A method which I have often successfully 

 practised was to mark the position of the bird at a distance, taking note of an object on the 

 bank opposite to it, then make a circuit, and suddenly come upon the spot. When one has 

 been pursued either up or down a stream for a quarter of a mile or so, it usually turns to regain 

 its ordinary station, when it may be shot as it shoots past. 



"In August 1834, while ascending White Coom, the highest mountain in Dumfriesshire, 

 accompanied by my son, I observed a Dipper retreating beneath a large stone, over which the 

 water fell, in the midst of a streamlet that flowed along the bottom of a narrow scar or rut. 

 Imagining that its nest or young might be concealed there, we went up to the place, and, on 

 perceiving the bird behind the little waterfall, endeavoured to catch it, on which it sallied forth, 

 plunged into the pool and attempted to escape down the stream, but without success ; for we met 

 it at every turn, and it was obliged to betake itself again to its retreat. We now turned off the 

 water from the stone, when it again plunged into the pool, and, after some turnings, at length 

 effected its escape. On emerging at some distance it flew off; and I considered it strange that it 

 had not used its wings at first, as it certainly could more easily have escaped through the air 



