THE OUZEL. 139 



first four lines, lines 7, 13, and 14, and the last five lines in 

 particular, approach remarkably close in sound to the 

 original ; and this is rendered the more apparent if we 

 endeavour to pronounce the words by whistling. 



Intimately associated with the thrush is its congener 

 the Blackbird (Turdus merula). Both visitors to our lawns 

 and shrubberies, they remind us of their presence, when 

 we do not see them, by their sweet, clear notes, and when 

 the cold of winter has made them silent, we are still 

 charmed with their sprightly actions, and the beauty of 

 their plumage. 



The attractive appearance of the blackbird was not 

 overlooked by Shakespeare, who has mentioned him in 

 one of his songs : 



" The ouzel-cock, so black of hue, 

 With orange-tawny bill." 



Midsummer Nighfs Dream, Act iii. Sc. i. 



When Justice Shallow inquires of Justice Silence, 

 "And how doth my cousin ?" he is answered 



" Alas, a black ouzel, Cousin Shallow." 



King Henry IV. Part II. Act iii. Sc. 2 ; 



an expression which was probably equivalent to the 

 modern phrase, a " black sheep." 



Amongst the songsters of less note mentioned by 

 Shakespeare, are the Robin-redbreast (Erythaca rnbeaila} 



