The Blackbird with the White Necklet 



THE ousel is larger than a blackbird, and feeds on haws ; but last 

 autumn (when there were no haws) it fed on yew-berries : in the 

 spring it feeds on ivy-berries, which ripen only at that season, in 

 March and April 



On the i3th of April I went to the sheep-down, where the ring- 

 ousels have been observed to make their appearance at spring and 

 fall, in their way, perhaps, to the north or south ; and was much 

 pleased to see three birds about the usual spot. 



It is remarkable that they make but a few days' stay in their 

 spring visit, but rest near a fortnight at Michaelmas. These birds, 

 from the observations of three springs and two autumns, are most 

 punctual in their return ; and exhibit a new migration unnoticed by 

 the writers, who supposed they never were to be seen in any of the 

 southern counties. 



It is remarkable that they are very tame, and seem to have no 

 manner of apprehensions of danger from a person with a gun. 



G. W. 



RING-OUSELS whose migrations were first recorded 

 by Gilbert White are very like blackbirds in their 

 habits, and in appearance suggest blackbirds with 

 beautiful white necklets. They arrive in spring in 

 flocks, and may be seen for a short time in southern 

 home counties before they pair and seek nesting- 

 places, in a few lonely places in the south, and in 

 the north, on mountain-sides. The nest is often 

 on the ground, amongst heather, and is a very black- 

 bird's and the eggs are like a blackbird's, with 

 larger markings. In autumn we sometimes catch a 

 glimpse of the travellers, in such places as the South 

 Downs, as they make their leisurely way to the south 

 of Europe for the winter. 



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