144 BIRDS OF LOCH AND MOUNTAIN 



greater wildness in its long-drawn, plaintive notes, 

 as the bird pours it forth from the higher 

 branches of some hardy larch or mountain ash far 

 up on the lonely hillside. Does it not seem strange 

 that, although our Blackbirds remain with us the 

 whole year through, and never or at least 

 rarely venture on the drear moorland wastes 

 where the Ring Ousels nest, the latter, while 

 scorning civilisation so long as they are with 

 us, are unable to face the winter and migrate 

 to summer climes ? 



When April, with its soft winds from the south- 

 west, has at length dispelled the winter's snows 

 from off the moorlands, and the birches of the 

 upland glens have begun to put forth their leaves, 

 diffusing a sweet aroma all round, then the 

 Mountain Blackbirds commence to arrive at the 

 nesting sites they love so well, and where probably 

 they themselves first saw the light, while the moor- 

 lands seem all the more joyous for their presence. 



Sometimes, however, they reach the uplands 

 before winter is really over, and on one occasion 

 were everywhere to be seen on the mountains 

 on April 3rd, a day of summer warmth and sun- 

 shine ; while two days afterwards all nature was 

 covered by half-a-foot of snow. Although some 

 of the less robust birds probably perish during 

 storms such as these, still the majority somehow 

 manage to hold out until spring once more asserts 

 itself. 



The Ring Ousels are the first of our 

 summer visitors to begin nesting operations, the 

 nest being commenced during the latter part of 

 April ; full clutches of eggs are generally found 

 by the first week in May. The number of eggs is 



