CHAPTER XIII 

 THE RING-OUZEL AS A SONGSTER 



FROM the Peak northwards the ring-ouzel is not an 

 uncommon species in mountainous districts, but in 

 the greater part of England it is unknown, or known 

 only by name like the merlin, crested tit, and phalarope. 

 Indeed to most of us a first sight of it comes as a sur- 

 prise. The sight of a new species will always produce 

 a shock of pleasure in those who are interested in birds : 

 in the case of the ring-ouzel there is another element 

 in the feeling something of a mixture of incredulity 

 and even resentment. And all because we find in 

 this until now unknown species a veritable blackbird 

 black of hue (and comely) with orange-tawny bill ; 

 also possessing the chuckle and all the manners and 

 gestures of that familiar being ; yet not the real black- 

 bird, not our blackbird, the old favourite of wood 

 and orchard and garden. For this real blackbird, the 

 " garden ouzel," as our ancients of the seventeenth 

 century called it, is to us so unlike all other feathered 

 beings in figure, colouring, flight, gestures, voice ; 

 withal so distinguished among birds, that we have 

 come to look on it as the one and only blackbird in 

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