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allen’s naturalist’s library. 
Habits. The Dipper, or “Water-Ouzel,” as it is called in 
England, the “Water-Crow” of Scotland, is a bird of the 
mountain streams in the southern part of its range, and of 
burns and rivers in the north. It is everywhere a shy and 
watchful bird, and, except in the breeding season, appears to 
be solitary : at least, it is somewhat rare to see two birds in 
company. By hiding behind a rock near the Dipper’s haunts, 
how ever, it is possible to observe the bird, and none are more 
interesting in their ways of life. They may be seen scudding 
over the surface of the water with a rapid flight and a vigorous 
beating of the wings, something like that of a Kingfisher, until 
they alight on a rock or large stone in the middle of the stream. 
1 he white breast of the bird stands out in bold relief, and, 
after pausing for a moment, it commences to edge to the side 
of the rock, and either walks deliberately into" the water or 
disappears suddenly beneath the surface, seeking its food at 
the bottom of the stream. There the bird finds its insect 
food, consisting of larvae, caddis-worms, water-beetles, and 
small molluscs. The accusation brought against the Dipper 
of devouring the ova of trout has been upheld by some and 
denied by other naturalists. That the Germans believe in its 
truth has been proved during the last few years by the war 
which has been waged against the birds in the Rhine Pro- 
vinces, where hundreds have been slaughtered. 
Nest. — A bulky structure of moss, like an overgrown Wren’s 
nest, tucked into an opening in the rocks or under the roots of 
a tree, overhanging the water. Notwithstanding the size of the 
nest, it is exceedingly difficult to discover, owing to the way in 
which it assimilates to the surroundings. The entrance is very 
low down, and can generally only be seen from below. Mr. 
Seebohm says that the real nest is placed inside this dome of 
moss, and one which he pulled to pieces was constructed of 
. dry grass, the loots of heather, and slender birch-twigs, and 
lined with a profusion of leaves, layer after layer of birch- and 
beech-leaves, and, as a final lining, a mass of oak-leaves, 
laid on one another, like leaves in a book. The outside dome 
was so closely woven together of moss, with here and there a 
little dry grass, as not to be torn to pieces without considerable 
force ; and the inner nest was so tightly compacted that, when 
