Dipper
dipper Cinclus cinclus. Also known as the Water-craw and the Ess-cock [waterfall-cock], the dipper is found in southern Europe, Scandinavia and parts of Asia, but is absent from the south of England. It is, however, a common sight in Scotland, working its way up burns [streams] and perching on rocks with its distinctive bobbing motion. This provides a vivid simile for James Hogg in Dramatic Tales (1817):
The factor's naig wantit a fore-fit shoe, an' was beckin [nodding] like a water-craw.
It also gives the bird an alternative name in south-west Scotland, Burnbecker.
The colouring of the dipper is described in the next two quotations:
See the jolly water-craw,
A happy bird is he,
Wi' a collar roond his neck
As white as white can be
(THOMAS EDWARDS Strathearn Lyrics 1889)
Water-craw, Water-craw, Coat o black and vest like snaw.
(J. K. ANNAND Sing it Aince for Pleisure 1965)