THE RING OUZEL 127 



made in April or early May, is either made upon the 

 ground amongst the heath, often at the edge of a 

 sloping bank, or in some low bush or tree. It is 

 very similar in form and materials to that of the 

 Blackbird ; indeed no ornithologist is sufficiently 

 expert to distinguish between them. It is made 

 outwardly of dry grass, dead leaves and a few twigs, 

 then lined first with mud and finally with fine dry 

 grass. The eggs are four or five in number, and so 

 closely resemble those of the preceding species in 

 colour and in size that repetition is needless. It is 

 not an easy matter, however, to confuse the nests of 

 these species, for the Ring Ouzel is exceptionally 

 aggressive and bold in defending it from danger, 

 sweeping past the intruder's face with angry cries 

 and fluttering up and down full of anger. The birds 

 will even evince much of this anxiety for an un- 

 finished nest. But one brood is reared in the 

 season. 



The food of the Ring Ouzel consists largely of 

 worms, snails, and insects, and larvae of various kinds. 

 In the later summer months it embraces many sorts 

 of soft berries and fruits which are then abundant in 

 the bird's upland haunts. Gardens are also visited 

 by the King Ouzel, often at some considerable 

 distance from its usual haunt, for the sake of the 

 smaller fruits ; and during its migration south- 

 wards in autumn it frequents the vineyards for the 

 grapes. Shortly before the return migration this 



