98 RING OUSEL. 



through the structure of the feathers and a very 

 slight variation of tint. 



RING OUSEL, MERULA TORQUATA. Turdus 

 torquatus, Linn. Le Merle a plastron blone, 

 Merle a plastron, Buff. Temm. Ring Ousel 

 of British authors. This Thrush, not so com- 

 monly known as any of those we have already 

 noticed from its not being so generally distri- 

 buted, and only frequenting particular localities, 

 is a migratory species in every part of Britain, 

 residing with us during the summer and season 

 of incubation, and leaving us on the approach of 

 winter. Jt frequents mountainous situations, 

 extending also to such as bear an alpine cha- 

 racter. We have noticed it on the Cumber- 

 land and Westmoreland ranges, and on all the 

 mountain district in the south of Scotland ; 

 it is tolerably common on the Pentland range, 

 and we have seen it amidst the scenery where the 

 tale of the Gentle Shepherd is laid ; we have 

 seen it also in many parts of the Highlands as 

 far north as the Benmore range in Sutherland- 

 shire, Mr Selby mentions its occurrence on the 

 Cheviots, and we have records of its presence in 

 the more alpine parts of Yorkshire, Derbyshire, 

 and Wales. In Ireland Mr Thompson mentions 

 its occurrence on the mountains in the north-west 

 of Donegal, at Ochil Head, the Mourne moun- 

 tains, and the Belfast range, &c.* Though by 

 no means a rare bird in these and similar locali- 

 * Mag. of Zool. & Bot. II. p. 439. 



