S I
D I P P E R .
MWYALCHEN Y DWFR, OF THE ANCIENT BRITISH.
COMMON DIPPER. EUROPEAN DIPPER. WATER OUZEL. WATER OROW.
Cindus aqualiius, FLEMING. SKLBY.
Tunlus a'nrfiis, PENNANT.
Stumus cindtts, MONTAGU.
Cindui—A bird that has the habit of moving its tail. Aguaticus—Pertaining
to water.
As you wade down the peerless Wharfe, the Queen of Yorkshire
rivers—Bolton Abbey stands upon its bank, and the waters that have
flowed past Kilnsca Crag, and next pent in by the memorable ' Strid,'
now lave the foundations of the beautiful ruin, rising up, the very
triumph of art, in a spot of surpassing natural beauty, excelled in
loveliness by not one of the many charming nooks of Old England
—as you wade clown the 'Lordly Wharfe' in the month of October,
fly-fishing for grayling, and watch the Dipper fronting you with
its snow-white breast, now dipping up and down on some little
island stone, now walking into and disappearing under the water, now
emerging and crossing to the land, and now, like a Kingfisher as
he is, flying straight past you up the stream; as you rise a fish, or
perhaps two at once, and again pass on, and look around you on
Arncliffe or Coniston, Nethcrside or Barden Tower, Arthington Hall
or Harewood Castle, the bright sun shining above you, aud the clear
autumnal breeze invigorating your whole frame, you will say, if you
have a mind for true enjoyment,
'Fluuiina amem sylvasque inglorius.'
Seldom, however, is it that, except as a very rare relaxation, 1 can
now myself follow this and the like pursuits; I have not forgotten,
and have to remember ' F r om henceforth thou shall catch men.*