Mary Wilson, age 12, of Nogales, Ariz., for her question:

HOW MANY EGGS WILL A DIPPER LAY?

Dipper is the common name for a frisky bird found in much of the western world. The American dipper can be found living all the way from Alaska down to Southern California and New Mexico. The bird lays between four and seven white eggs.

Sometimes called the water ouzel, the dipper is about the size of a robin and lives in canyons or gorges of streams where water rushes and tumbles. The faster the water, the happier the dipper seems to be.

The dipper bobs up and down on rocks, dives into waterfalls, walks along the bottoms of streams and even swims under water. When swimming, it uses its wings as though it were flying. The dipper can also swim on top of the water like a duck, although its feet aren't webbed.

The bird's nest is most interesting. Made of coarse material such moss and pine needles, it is lined with soft material inside. The nest has a roof and entry is made through a side opening.