48 THE BIRDS OF SUSSEX. 



bird before it was skinned, to exhibit it at a meeting of the 

 Zoological Society, on the 14th of January (Proc. Zool. Soc. 

 1869, p. 4)." 



BLACKBIRD. 



Turdus merula. 



The Blackbird is the most common of the Thrush family, 

 abounding on our lawns and in our shrubberies, among 

 which it is one of the earliest to build its nest, and where it 

 frequently brings up several broods in a season. It feeds 

 greatly on various fruits, and devours large quantities of 

 worms and snails. After the breeding-season, it resorts a 

 good deal to the copses, and narrow strips of underwood and 

 timber, which so commonly divide the fields in the Weald of 

 Sussex, and are known as '' Shaws." 



But, although it is the hardiest of all our Thrushes, it 

 betakes itself to the sea-shore on the approach of very severe 

 frost, returning again to its inland haunts as soon as the 

 weather moderates. It does not associate in large flocks, 

 but is said to receive, in the autumn, considerable additions 

 from other parts. 



RING OUSEL. 



Turdus torquatus. 



The first notices I have of the Ring Ousel in Sussex are, 

 that a male was shot at Chestham, Henfield, in September 

 1839, and a female caught at Portslade, in Mr. J. Borrer's 

 greenhouse ; it seems to be very fond of grapes. On the 



