134 
DIPPEK. 
intermixed with a little t)f the piping- of the woodlark. At the time it 
was singing- 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 Hies 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 ail 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- 
