48 DIPPER.

under a smal] wooden bridge in Caermarthenshire, we
found had made a nest early in May: it was taken,
but had no eggs, although the bird flew out of it at
the time. In a fortnight after, they had completed
another nest in the same place, containing five eggs, which
was taken; and in a month after, we took a third nest
under the same bridge, with four eggs; undoubtedly the
work of the same birds, us no others were seen about
that part. At the time the last nest was taken the
female was sitting, and the instant she quitted her nest
she plunged into the water, and disappeared for a
length of time; at last she emerged at a considerable
distance down the stream. At another time we found
a nest of this bird in a steep projecting bank, over a
rivulet clothed with moss: the nest was so well adapted
to the surrounding materials, that nothing but the old
bird flying in with a fish in its bill, would have led to
a discovery. The young were nearly full-feathered, but
incapable of flight; and the moment the nest was dis-
turbed, they fluttered out and dropped into the water, and
to our astonishment instantly vanished, but in a little
time made their appearance at some distance down the
stream; and it was with difficulty two out of five were
taken, as they dived on being approached.”