ROCK THRUSH. 33 
to Bosley and eastward to the Derbyshire border. In 
the month of May, the wild, clear song of half a dozen 
birds may be heard at one time in some parts of these 
districts. Like other members of the family, the Ring 
Ousel is a mimic, and we have heard the tlui of the 
Golden Plover admirably reproduced in its song, which, 
by the way, is often continued until after dark. 
The nest, which we have never known to contain 
more than four eggs, is generally built in a bunch of 
ling or on a ledge of rock, but not infrequently against 
the bare, steep bank of a moorland stream. When 
the nest is approached the hen bird loses her habitual 
shyness, and dashes close to the head of the intruder, 
uttering a sharp tac-tac-tac of alarm. The cock, though 
equally clamorous, keeps as a rule at a more respectful 
distance. 
In the late summer the Ring Ousel varies its insect 
diet with the bilberries which grow in profusion on the 
hills, and in September flocks with other Thrushes to 
the mountain-ash trees. 
ROCK THRUSH. 
MonrTICOLA SAXATILIS (Linnzeus). 
[On April 4th, 1890, Mr. Alfred Fryer, jun., saw a bird 
on the Overton Hills, near Frodsham, which he believed 
to be a male Rock Thrush His description of the 
plumage, however, would apply to the Wheatear; and 
as the bird was not obtained, its identity cannot be 
considered established. In the absence of stronger 
evidence we do not feel justified in including this 
species in the Cheshire list.] 
1 Zoologist, ser. 111. vol. xiv. p. 187. 
Cc 
