78 
MERULIDiE. 
My friend Mr. Benjamin .Johnson has known of a nest 
of this bird for many years in succession, which was built 
upon the rafters in one of the salmon fish-lochs upon the 
river Tyne. It has been repeatedly known to build its 
nest under the arch formed by a natural waterfall or mill- 
dam, and within reach of the passing spray. The eggs 
are four or five in number, white when blown, but of a 
delicate pink when the yolk is yet in them. 
Once, when in company with Mr. George Selby, in 
the beautiful grounds of Twizell, we came suddenly upon 
a nest full of young dippers, which, though scarcely able 
to fly, instantly scrambled into the water, down the stream 
of which they were hurried with such rapidity that I sup¬ 
posed it impossible that any of them could have escaped ' 
destruction; they did so, however, and landed safely far 
below. 
