PALLAS’ DIPPER. 
455 
dropped, and agitated somewhat convulsively, and, with the 
head stretched horizontally, as if flying, they descend to the 
bottom, where they course up and down in search of food. As 
long as the eye can follow them, they appear, while in the 
water, covered with bubbles of air, rapidly emanating from 
their bodies, as is observed in some coleopterous insects. 
The dippers run very fast : their flight is direct, and swift 
as an arrow, just skimming the surface, precisely in the man- 
ner of the kingfisher. They often plunge under at once, 
without alighting, reappearing at a distance. When on their 
favourite rocks, these birds are constantly dipping in the water, 
at the same time flirting their erected tail. While on the wing, 
they utter a feeble cry, their voice being weak and shrill, but 
somewhat varied ; and they sing from their perch, not loud, but 
sweetly, even in the depth of winter. Early in the spring, 
they begin to utter clear and distinct notes, and are among the 
first to cheer the lonely and romantic haunts which they fre- 
quent, with their simple melody. 
These birds, like others that live about the water, pair early, 
and have two broods in the season. The young can leave their 
nest before being full fledged ; and, at the approach of dan- 
ger, drop from the height w’here it is generally placed, into 
the water. In order that this may be done, they build in some 
place overhanging the water, the ledge of a rock, or the steep 
bank of a rivulet ; or, sometimes, in inhabited countries, take 
advantage of mills, bridges, or other works of man. The nest 
is large, composed of moss, and vaulted above ; the eggs are 
from four to six, and of a milky white. Though very carefully 
hid, it may be easily discovered by the incessant chirping of 
the young. 
Having seen nothing but the dried skin of the American 
dipper, and being utterly unacquainted with its habits, we 
have been describing as common to the genus, those of the 
European species, which are well known, and which we have 
stopped to watch and admire among the precipices of the Alps 
and Apennines, where it struggles with the steepest and most 
