RING-OUZEL. 289 



that season either in the south of Europe or north of Africa. 

 It occurs, however, in Algeria and has been noticed in 

 Morocco. In Portugal Mr. A. C. Smith reports it to he only 

 rarely seen. It breeds in the mountainous parts of Southern 

 Spain, according to Mr. Saunders, and there, as elsewhere, 

 descends in flocks to the lowlands towards autumn. Through- 

 out the greater part of France it is a bird of double passage, 

 but some remain to breed in the mountainous districts. The 

 same may probably be said of it with respect to Italy. It 

 has not been noticed in Sardinia, and in Sicily it is of rare 

 occurrence. Mr. Wright says it appears almost every year in 

 Malta with the other Thrushes, but is one of the rarest of 

 them. As to the rest of Europe, it would seem to occur not at 

 all unfrequently at the seasons of transit, and in nearly every 

 mountain district some remain to breed, while others may, 

 as in England, occasionally stop for the same purpose in 

 spots of a different character but yet sufficiently suitable. 



In its appearance the Ring- Ouzel resembles the Blackbird ; 

 but, as already stated, it frequents wild and hilly uncultivated 

 tracts of country, rather than those which are enclosed and 

 inhabited. It is strong of wing, shy and difficult of ap- 

 proach, unless near the nest, when it becomes bold and 

 clamorous. Sir William Jardine, in his ' Birds of Great 

 Britain and Ireland,' observes that, while the hen is sitting, 

 the cock maybe heard from some *' elevated rock singing his 

 plaintive melody, consisting of a few notes uttered in a clear 

 and warbling whistle. In these situations he may be fre- 

 quently heard long before the eye can catch his form, for, 

 perched on high, the colours of his plumage assimilate 

 with the grey rocks, and some motion often first discovers 

 him to the sight. When the young are hatched, the 

 parents fly around with anxious cries, and will venture to 

 attack either a dog or other animal." Thompson says 

 that walking one summer's evening near Belfast with his dog 

 in advance, it was amusing to see two Ring-Ouzels pursu- 

 ing him, and striking the air violently within a few inches 

 of his head, uttering at the same time their loudest cries. 

 " Many an earnest and expressive look the dog gave towards 



VOL. I. p p 



