io 4 OUTDOOR LIFE IN ENGLAND 



the ring-ouzel. Although during its residence in 

 this country it is more especially an inhabitant of 

 the mountain moorlands, as the time for its depar- 

 ture for a sunnier and warmer climate approaches, 

 it ventures into the valleys, and may during the 

 autumn months be frequently observed in the out- 

 lying copses in such localities, and, indeed, is not 

 above visiting the fruit-orchards during the 

 summer months. In size the ring-ouzel is rather 

 larger than the blackbird, and very similar in 

 shape. Its plumage is of a brownish-black, but 

 with a conspicuous white crescent on the chest. 

 It is by no means uncommon, and may be met 

 with in nearly every county, except in those of 

 the Midlands, which are, as a rule, too densely 

 populated and low-lying. Neither in shape, size, 

 nor in habits does it resemble the water-ouzel, 

 or dipper, the latter being but seven inches in 

 length, whereas the ring-ouzel measures eleven. 

 There is, however, a similarity in plumage, both 

 birds being dark-brown in colour, the water-ouzel 

 having the throat and chest white. The nest, 

 and also the eggs, of the ring-ouzel are some- 

 what like those of the blackbird ; but the eggs 

 are rather larger, the black spots on those 

 of the blackbird being represented by reddish- 

 brown. 



A great similarity exists between the linnet and 

 the common, or lesser, redpole. The prevailing 

 colour of both is also somewhat similar, viz., 

 brown, the head and breast in both birds 



