50 



BRITISH BIRDS 



Ring-Ouzel. 

 Turdus torquatus. 



FIG. 21. KING-OUZEL. natural size. 



Black, the feathers edged with greyish white ; a large crescent - 

 shaped, pure white spot on the throat. Length, eleven inches. 

 Female : plumage greyer ; the white mark narrower and less 

 pure. 



The ring-ouzel is sometimes called the ' mountain blackbird,' on 

 account of his likeness to the common species. He is more a ground 

 bird and less skulking in habit than the garden blackbird, but in 

 appearance and motions strongly resembles him. On alighting he 

 throws up and fans his tail in the same way, and is very clamorous 

 when going to roost in the evening. His manner of feeding is much 

 the same : hopping along the ground, frequently pausing to look up, 

 and anon plunging his beak into the soil to draw out a grub or 

 earthworm. He breaks the snail-shells in the same way, and is 

 equally fond of fruits and berries, both wild and cultivated. 



