RING OUZEL. 79 



summit of the island. I remember one very hot day in July, hear- 

 ing a Blackbird sing in a cave there; it had penetrated to the inmost 

 recesses of this dark abode, which must have been a familiar haunt, 

 as on going in to ascertain its extent, I found the bird was able 

 to steer directly out of it, without flitting by side jerks until it 

 regained the entrance. 



In some districts of Scotland Blackbirds have of late years 

 multiplied to a great extent; the island of Arran, for example, 

 since the destruction of birds of prey there, has been completely 

 overrun with them. 



After the breeding season is over, these birds, in Ayrshire, 

 repair in great numbers to the sea-coast between Girvan and Bal- 

 lantrae, seeking shelter in hot days under blocks of stone and large 

 flat rocks lying on the beach. On one occasion I turned out 

 eighteen Blackbirds from under a flat rock, resting on broken 

 stones, by poking them with a walking-stick. I have seen sparrow- 

 hawks and merlins apparently aware of this habit hunting 

 these rocks in vain at mid-day, where the Blackbirds were all con- 

 cealed, but pertinaciously beating about in the neighbourhood, 

 knowing their quarry to be there, although unable in the mean- 

 time to dislodge it. 



THE KING OUZEL. 



TURDUS TORQUATUS. 

 Dubh chraige. 



IN many parts of Ayrshire and Argyleshire, especially wild moor- 

 lands where there is a mixture of heath and lichen-covered rocks, 

 the Ring Ouzel is very plentiful in the breeding season. On its 

 arrival in April, it may be seen high up on the mountain sides, 

 perched on some grey boulder, and shifting mysteriously from 

 rock to rock, somewhat in the manner of a wheatear, facing the 

 intruder, and remaining motionless a few seconds, till a nearer 

 approach drives it away. After occupying these haunts about ten 

 days, the male begins his call-notes, which at first are not at all 

 musical ; the cry, in fact, is more like the yelping note of a whim- 

 brel, and appears to be exerted only when the bird's haunts are 

 invaded. After the nest is formed, the note of the Ring Ouzel 



