THE EUROPEAN DIPPER. 71 
tance observed they appeared to be minnows, 
and were brought up held cross-ways in the bill. 
The ova of any kind of fish we have never 
detected in their stomach or intestines, nor do 
we think they habitually, at the proper season, 
frequent the places where spawn would be 
deposited ; and if they did, we would deem it 
almost impossible that they could reach it after 
it was impregnated and covered in the spawning 
bed, which it is before the parent fish leaves the 
place of deposition. Neither have we any know- 
ledge of the ova being sought after about the period 
when they begin to acquire vitality, and when 
they might become a much more easy prey. 
This, in fact, is the only time when any destruc- 
tion could be accomplished. In the north of 
Scotland this little bird is persecuted for its 
supposed depredations ; and we were astonished, 
before learning the reason, to find such suitable 
localities totally uninhabited by them. Here the 
provincial name of King-fisher is given to them, 
a reward of sixpence is put upon their head, and 
in one Highland district we have the factor’s 
authenticated report of five hundred and forty- 
eight having been destroyed during three years ! 
The European Dipper, so far as we know, is 
entitled to its specific name, and has not been 
found out of the European Continent. We have 
no record of its passing the Asiatic frontier ; and 
we have reason to think that its range ceases 
even long before it reaches that boundary. In 
Britain, Scotland may be said to be its strong- 
