CHAPTER XIII 



THE RING-OUZEL AS A SONGSTER 



A species unknown to most — A blackbird that is not a blackbird 

 — First sight of the ring-ouzel — Its song — Blackbird and 

 ring-ouzel compared — Nesting ring-ouzels — Thrush-calls of 

 ring-ouzel — A suggested comparative study of thrush- 

 languages. 



FROM the Peak northwards the ring-ouzel is 

 not an uncommon species in mountainous 

 districts, but in the greater part of England it 

 is unknown, or known only by name like the merlin, 

 crested tit, and phalarope. Indeed to most of us a 

 first sight of it comes as a surprise. The sight of a new 

 species will always produce a shock of pleasure in 

 those who are interested in birds: in the case of the 

 ring-ouzel there is another element in the feeling — 

 something of a mixture of incredulity and even 

 resentment. And all because we find in this until 

 now unknown species a veritable blackbird — black 

 of hue (and comely) with orange-tawny bill; also 

 possessing the chuckle and all the manners and 

 gestures of that familiar being; yet not the real 

 blackbird, not our blackbird, the old favourite of 

 wood and orchard and garden. For this real black- 

 bird, the "garden-ouzel," as our ancients of the 

 seventeenth century called it, is to us so unlike all 

 other feathered beings in figure, colouring, flight, 

 gestures, voice; withal so distinguished among birds, 



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