INSUSSOKKS. MKIUJLA. IGi) 



RING-OUZEL. 



MERULA TORQ.UATA. 

 PLATE XLIV. FIG. 2. 



Turdus torquatus, Linn. Syst. 1. p. 296. 23 Gmel. Syst. 1. p. 832. Lath. 



Ind. Ornith. v. 1. p. 343. 56. 



Merula torquata, Briss. 2. p. 225. 12 Rail Syn. p. 65. A. 2. 

 Le Merle a Plastron blanc, Buff. Ois. v. 3. p. 340. t. 31 __ Id. PL EnL 516. 



male. 



Merle a Plastron, Temm. Man. d'Ornith. v. 1. p. 166. 

 Ring-Drossel, Bechst. Naturg. Deut. v. 3. p. 369. t. 4 Meyer, Tasschenb. 



Deut. v. 1. p. 198 __ Frisch. t. 30. 

 lling-Ouzel, Br. ZooL 1. No. 110. t 46 __ Arct. ZooL 2. p. 344. H __ 



Will. AngL p. 194 __ LewitfsRr. Birds, 2. p. 62 __ Lath. Syn. 3. p. 46. 49. 



Id. Sup. p. 141 __ Mont. Ornith. Diet. Id. Sup __ Bewick's Br. Birds, 



v. 1. t. p. 96 __ Shaw's ZooL 10. 227. t. 21. bad figure from Button. 



PROVINCIAL Rock Ouzel, Tor Ouzel, Michaelmas Blackbird. 



THE periodical visits of this bird to our coasts are con- periodical 

 trary to others of its genus that migrate, viz. the Fieldfare, vlsitant - 

 Redwing, and Common Thrush, as it arrives in the spring, 

 and immediately resorts to the mountainous districts of 

 England and Scotland, preferring those of the most stony 

 and barren nature. In these situations it breeds, and rears 

 its young. The nest is usually placed on some steep bank, Nest, &c. 

 supported by a projecting stunted bush, or a tuft of grass or 

 heath ; sometimes also in the cleft, or in the shelf of a rock. 

 In form and texture it resembles that of the Blackbird, and 

 the eggs are very similar to those of the same bird, both in 

 size and colour. Its song, which it utters perched on the 

 top of some stone or the summit of a rock, is confined to a 

 few clear and powerful notes, not unlike those of the Missel- 

 Thrush. Like most of its tribe, it is of a shy disposition, 

 and does not readily admit of a near approach, except during 

 the period when its nest contains unfledged young ; at which 

 time it most strenuously endeavours to divert the attention 

 of the intruder by loud cries and feigned gestures. As 



