134 



DIPPER. 



intermixed with a little of the piping- of the woodlark. At the time it 

 was singing 1 the day was bright, but freezing in the shade : the sun had 

 considerably passed the meridian, and was obscured from the bird by 

 the lofty surrounding hills. The Dipper devours a considerable quan- 

 tity of fishes' spawn, especially the large ova of the salmon. 



* According to Acerbi, it is not found in Italy ; but in his travels 

 through Sweden, he noticed it near Yervenkyle, in Finland, where he 

 observed that during the winter it flies near the cataract. * 



The aquatic habits of this bird have not escaped the notice of orni- 

 thologists, some of whom speak of their flying under water. If, indeed, 

 the wings being in motion can be called flying, it certainly does ; but 

 this is no more than is common to all diving birds, which, in pursuit 

 of fish, or to escape danger, always use their wings to accelerate their 

 motion. In this case, however, the wings are not extended, for that 

 would retard their progress ; but it is effected by short jerks from the 

 shoulder joint. 



We have seen it walk into the water, and, as it were, sink beneath 

 the surface, as if its specific gravity was actually greater than that of the 

 element ; but doubtless some exertion must be used to keep itself at the 

 bottom besides that of simple walking, or it would instantly rise and 

 float on the surface ; for, like all other birds, its specific gravity is 

 greatly inferior to that of water. In one or two instances where we 

 have been able to perceive it under water, it appeared to tumble about 

 in a very extraordinary manner, with its head downwards, as if picking 

 something ; and at the same time great exertion was used both by the 

 wings and legs. The idea of any bird being capable of walking be- 

 neath a fluid so infinitely more dense than itself, does not require any 

 depth of philosophical reasoning to refute. Birds, of all animals, have 

 the least specific gravity, and consequently require great exertion to 

 keep themselves under water. The Dipper has been seen to float on 

 the surface, and from thence to dive. 



*" They are generally seen," says Selby, " in single pairs, and that 

 always on the margin of a stream, perched in their particular attitude, 

 on some projecting stone in the middle of the water. From such 

 situations I have repeatedly seen them dive below the surface, and re- 

 main submerged for a considerable time, occupied in pursuing the fry, 

 (or young fish,) or in search of the larvce of aquatic insects. At other 

 times they walk slowly into the water from the shallow part of a pool, 

 till it becomes of sufficient depth for diving ; but I have not been able, 

 even from close observation, to certify the fact repeated by some 

 naturalists, of their walking with apparent ease at the bottom ; and 

 which error of opinion might arise from the manner of their occa- 



