MERULID^E. 49 



THE RING OUSEL. Merula torquata. In some districts, 

 especially in the northern parts of the British Islands, this is 

 not a rare bird, but it is by no means universal, nor perhaps 

 general, in its distribution. It is with us a summer visitor, 

 resorting to wild and rocky mountain moorlands, and is a bird 

 of wild and shy habits, haunting secluded glens, and ravines 

 of rock, and making its nest, which in form and materials 

 much resembles that of the Blackbird, on the ground, often 

 under the shelter of some precipitous bank near a stream, 

 amidst moss and coarse herbage. The eggs, four or five in 

 number, much resemble those of the Blackbird. When 

 the nest of these birds is approached, they utter loud cries, 

 and fly around the intruder, like the Lapwing, endeavouring 

 by every artifice to lead him from the spot. (PL VI. fig. 30.) 



THE' GOLD-VENTED THEUSH. Turdus aurig aster. In 

 January 1838, a specimen of this rare African Thrush was 

 shot near Waterford, and was purchased by Dr. Eobert 

 Burkitt of that place, who skinned and preserved it. Of 

 the nidification of this species we can say nothing. 



THE EOCK THRUSH. Turdus saxatilis. The Kock Thrush, 

 seldom seen in this country, inhabits the wild, rocky, and 

 mountainous districts of Europe ; it is exceedingly shy, but 

 the male bird is reputed to be an excellent songster. The 



