THE RING OUZEL. 37 



considers that flocks from tlie eastern counties 

 probably cross to Germany. It differs from other 

 thrushes in this peculiarity, that it is as fat in 

 the spring as in the autumn, while they, as "well 

 as most snuiU birds, arc very lean in the early 

 season. 



The male ring ouzel is a very spirited bird, and 

 Mr. Thorn j)son relates an anecdote which j)roves 

 it to be ready to attack, even when there would 

 seem no excuse for its pugnacity. This gentleman 

 was walking in Crow-glen, near Belfast, with a 

 pointer dog in advance, when two male ring ouzels 

 rushed wildly screaming around the dog, at a few 

 inches from his head. The dog seemed perplexed 

 as to what he should do, and gave nuiny an earnest 

 and pleading look at his master, as if for advice in 

 the dirtieulty. Finding this useless, he at lengtli 

 ran up to him; but the fearless birds, no way dis- 

 couraged by the presence of the narrator and his 

 two companions, followed, and flew so near that 

 they might have struck them with their hands. 

 "At the beginning of the onset," says this writer, 

 *' a female bird appeared as if inciting the males 

 forward, and remained so long as they were attain- 

 ing the highest pitch of violence, and then, like 



