THE RING OUZEL. 159 



that of the Bhickbird, being composed of coarse dry grass 

 and stalks, plastered on the inside with mud, and lined with 

 finer grasses and stalks; it is placed sometimes on the 

 ground and sometimes on the face of a bank, but nearly 

 always either under a bush, or close to the slielter of some 

 tuft or fragment of stone or rock. 



The eggs vary in number from four to six : they are 

 oval in shape, of a pale bluish-green colour, speckled with 

 pale reddish-brown, the larger end having the spots much 

 longer, and frequently running into one another. 



In its general appearance the Ring Ouzel strongly 

 resembles the Blackbird, especially in the making a chat- 

 tering cry when alarmed, although the note is difl'erent. 

 It is cautious, shy, and vigilant; the flight is strong and 

 rapid. When disturbed, the bird will endeavour to conceal 

 itself amongst the bushes, but if forced to take wing it 

 commonly flies off at once to some considerable distance, 

 repeating a loud clear note, which sounds like the syllable 

 ^'tak" or '' ixxkr The flight of the Hing Ouzel is usually 

 at the height of about twenty feet from the ground ; it 

 rises from the heart or top of a tree or bush, and continues 

 its movements at the same elevation. They do not visit 

 low bushes and shrubs like Blackbirds. 



The song consists oF a few clear plaintive notes, de- 

 scribed by Morris as being '^ desultory, but sweet"; the 

 bird is said to sing all the year round, except during 

 moulting. 



Tlie Ring Ouzel measures about ten and a half incheu 

 in length, the tail being nearly four inches long; the 

 beak is black, with a variable amount of yellow at the 

 base; the irides dark brown; the head, neck, back, uppti- 

 tail-coverts, wings, and tails are all of a brownish-black 



