180 



and Schleswig ; and Mr. Boiling observed it near Fredricksborg. Mr. Kjserbolling further records 

 it from Aarstrup, Moen, near Copenhagen, Thyrsbsek, Greena, Viborg, Apenrade, Veile, and 

 Helsingoer. Nozemann (op. tit.) records it from Holland. Canon Tristram (Ibis, 1867, p. 467) 

 states that it occurs in the Pyrenees ; but, having examined the specimens referred to, I cannot 

 confirm this, and look on them merely as rather dark varieties of C. albicollis, having but little 

 rufous on the breast. How far to the south-east of Europe this species occurs I cannot tell ; but 

 Messrs. Dickson and Ross (P. Z. S. 1839, p. 120) met with it in December at Erzeroom ; and 

 Mr. Keith Abbott records the occurrence of a Dipper at Trebizond (P. Z. S. 1834, p. 51), which 

 I believe to be the present species. I also infer that the Dipper recorded by Menetries (Cat. 

 Pais. p. 29) as occurring in the Caucasus is the present species. 



In its habits, note, and mode of nidification the present species does not differ from Cinclus 

 aquaticus ; and what is said on that head respecting that species is equally applicable to the 

 present bird. I had ample opportunities of watching it when in Sweden, and could detect no 

 difference in habits or note from our bird. I never found its nest; but judging from the infor- 

 mation received from Scandinavian naturalists, its mode of nidification is likewise similar to that 

 of C. aquaticus. It is a very hardy bird ; and I have often observed it diving in open parts of the 

 waterfalls during the most intense cold. Mr. E. R. Alston sends me the following curious 

 information respecting its habits when, during the intense cold, it is unable to obtain its food in 

 the usual way, owing to all the streams being icebound : — " In Norway Mr. Harvie Brown and I 

 met with the Black-breasted Dipper on the Fillefjeld, at an altitude of 2500 feet and upwards, 

 in May and June 1871. At that season the brooks and streams were still icebound or buried 

 under snow-wreaths, and the Dippers were consequently driven to seek for food on land; one 

 which we dissected had been feeding on flies and ground-beetles (Diptera and Carabidce)." 



In the same work where Brehm described the present species he also describes, a couple of 

 pages earlier, a Dipper under the name of C. septentrionalis, which, he states, is found in Norway 

 in summer and in Germany in winter. As he does not appear to have examined a specimen 

 from the former locality, I am doubtful if the bird referred to really is the present species or 

 ( '. aquaticus, and have therefore considered it most expedient to retain the name of C. melano- 

 gaster, by which this form is generally known, and to put C. septentrionalis amongst the 

 synonyms, with a query. 



The specimen figured, on the same Plate with Cinclus albicollis, and described, is in my 

 own collection. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser. 



a. Ireland [H. Blake-Knox). b, 6 . Wermdo, Sweden, January 12th, 1871. c, 8 . Stockholm, December 28th, 

 1871. d, d. Stockholm, March 1st, 1872. e. Wermland, winter 1870. /, d. Mudjuga, forty miles 

 north of Archangel, September 12th, 1873 (Piottuch). 



E Mus. Lord Walden. 

 a. Erzeroom, Asia Minor, May 1866 (Robson). 



