162 
DIPPED. 
against the stream: now it emerges, and presently, with erected 
tail, crouching body, head drawn back, and wings slightly 
drooped, is prepared for another dip. It does not traverse 
much space below the surface, but is soon up again, returning 
to its former or some other neighbouring place of temporary 
rest, which it regains either by swimming or wading; and 
after several of these forays, performed with quiet activity, 
it wings its way to some neighbouring rapid. The young 
are able to dive even before they are fully fledged. 
Its flight is rather rapid, strong and even, effected by- 
regular pulsations of the wings. 
Various water insects, and beetles, and the larvae of these, 
are its food. 
The song of this interesting bird is melodious and lively, 
though short. It is to be heard in sunny weather at all 
seasons of the year—a sweet accompaniment to the murmuring 
music of the rippling trout-stream, which soothes the ear and 
the heart of the solitary fly-fisher, as he quietly wends his 
way along, at peace with all the world. Its common note 
is a mere ‘chit,’ which it utters both when perched on some 
stone and when flying along the stream. 
Nidification begins about the middle of April. 
The nest, which is cleverly concealed, and large, measuring 
ten or twelve inches in diameter, and seven or eight in depth, 
being domed, is well compacted of moss and grass, and well 
lined with leaves. It is placed in some cavity in a rock, or 
under the protection of some overhanging stone in the 
immediate neighbourhood of the rippling stream or murmuring 
waterfall, its favourite haunt. Different specimens however 
vary in size as well as shape, adapted doubtless to the 
circumstances of the spot they are placed in, some being a 
couple of inches less than the size just spoken of. The 
aperture is in front, from three to four inches in width, and 
about one and a half in height. Mr. Macgillivray mentions 
one, described to him by Thomas Durham Weir, Esq., which 
was built in an angle between two fragments of rocks under 
a small cascade, and although the water fell upon part of 
the dome, the compactness with which it was put together 
rendered it impenetrable. 
The birds are strongly attached to their accustomed building- 
place, and one pair, or at least a pair, have been known o 
occupy the same haunt for thirty-one years, rearing three 
broods in the year, and four young ones to each brood. 
