DIPPER. 
2 
North Sea. Whether these were the hlack-bellied form, Cinclus melanogaster (the variety most commonly 
procured in the county), I had no means of ascertaining, as the birds invariably rose out of shot and were 
not seen again. 
Prom the Bridge of Balgie, which spans the Lyon a short distance east of Meggernie Castle, and looks 
down on a noted grilse-pool, as well as from many other overhanging spots, I have often carefully watched 
the actions of the Dipper. Though repeatedly unsuccessful in my attempts, I was determined, if possible, to 
learn whether there was any foundation for the report that this species is endowed with the power of walking 
on the bottom while in search of food. The view obtained of the birds while beneath the surface was usually 
indistinct, owing to the ripple on the flowing water ; in every instance, however, where their movements 
could be discerned they appeared to seize their prey while swimming, or rather hovering on wing among the 
stones and rocks that formed the bed of the pool. Their mode of progression much resembled that of the 
Common Guillemot when viewed diving in the tanks of an aquarium : frequent strokes were made with 
the wings, enabling the birds to retain their position and seek out the insects on which they subsist. On 
regaining the surface they would not unfrequently swim a short distance to some neighbouring rock or stone; 
under such circumstances I remarked the wings were almost invariably used to assist in stemming the current. 
Their actions while partially swimming and flapping forcibly reminded me of the endeavours of a crippled 
fowl, when hotly pursued, to evade capture *. On numberless occasions I have seen Dippers disappear below 
the surface ; but the ripple on the water prevented all chance of detecting the object of their search. 
The note of Cinclus aquations is more shrill than melodious ; possibly its sweetness may be somewhat 
drowned by the constant murmur of the water in the rapid streams, along which the song is most frequently 
heard. 
The nest is a warm and cosy structure of long and coarse grasses, coated externally with green moss 
collected from the adjacent burn-sides and swamps. I detected a nest in the spring of 187G snugly concealed 
among some roots and twining plants under a slab of rock, over which a hill-stream dashed down the 
mountain-side from the Crossfell in Cumberland. The bird, on being disturbed, made its escape through the 
sheet of falling water. Owing to the constant spray, the nest was exceedingly damp and of no little weight. 
The eggs are five or six in number, white when fresh laid, but for the most part presenting a stained and 
dirty appearance before hatching. 
* I have carefully perused the account given by that accurate observer, Macgillivray, of the subaqueous manoeuvres of the Dipper. Though 
thoroughly agreeing with all his remarks concerning the actions of the bird itself, I should scarcely be inclined to describe its movements below 
the surface as similar to those of the Merganser or, more especially, the Cormorant. As far as I have been able to judge, the Dipper depends 
almost entirely on the aid of its wings to capture its prey, and it is a question if these are the tactics of the species with which it is compared. 
