1 6 RING-OUZEL. 



and Belgium ; and undoubtedly does so in the elevated districts 

 of France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Southern Russia, 

 frequenting the rhododendron-region of the Caucasus nearly up 

 to the snow-line, and, according to Radde, remaining even in 

 winter at a low'er elevation in that chain ; also in Asia Minor. It 

 likewise nests in the Pyrenees, where, from the date of its spring 

 arrival, it is known as the ' Pie de Mars ' ; and in the Sierra Nevada 

 in the south of Spain. On migration it is found in varying numbers 

 over almost the whole of Europe and in Northern Africa ; visiting 

 Lower Egypt, Syria, and Persia. Birds which breed in the mountains 

 of Central and Southern Europe have more white on both upper and 

 under wing, and have been segregated as T. al^estris (C. L. Brehm). 



On our moors the Ring-Ouzel begins to breed in the latter part of 

 April, making a nest similar to that of a Blackbird, in the tall ling 

 and heather, on the ledges of rocks, or in broken banks ; sometimes 

 at a moderate distance underneath fallen rocks ; the sides of 

 a stream or watercourse being a favourite locality ; occasionally 

 stunted bushes are selected. The eggs, 4, seldom 5, are greenish- 

 blue, flecked and spotted with reddish-brown ; bolder and hand- 

 somer as a rule than those of the Blackbird, and more like those of 

 the Fieldfare: average measurements I'l by '85 in. Not unfre- 

 quently a second brood is produced in July. Few birds are bolder 

 when their young are approached, the parents flying round the 

 intruder, uttering their sharp alarm-note oi tac-iac-tac\ tac-tac-tac ; but 

 the song is somewhat monotonous and derives its principal charm 

 from the scenery in which it is heard. The food consists of worms, 

 slugs, and insects ; the bird being also partial to moorland berries 

 and those of the rowan or mountain-ash. It frequently descends to 

 gardens in the vicinity of its haunts, and is extremely bold in its 

 attacks upon the fruit ; while in the vine countries it feeds largely 

 on grapes. 



Adult male : upper parts brownish-black, the outer margins of 

 the wing-feathers grey ; under parts also blackish, except a broad 

 white gorget ; under wing-coverts and axillaries mottled with grey 

 and white ; bill black at the tip, the rest yellowish ; legs and feet 

 brownish-black. Length about 11 in. ; wing 5*5 in. Adult female: 

 lighter and browner, with a narrower and duller gorget, scarcely per- 

 ceptible in young females. A cock, little more than a nestling, in 

 the British Museum, shot in Nairnshire on ist September, is blacker 

 than any adult. In autumn both sexes have the feathers conspicu- 

 ously margined with gre}-. 



