BRITISH BIRDS. 



THE RING OUZEL. 

 (Turdus torquatttSy Linn. Merle a plastron, Tcrnvi.] 



THIS bird very much resembles the Blackbird; 

 its general colour is dull black; each feather mar- 

 gined with ash-grey: the bill is dusky; corners of 

 the mouth and inside yellow ; eyes hazel ; the 

 breast is distinguished by a crescent of pure 

 white, which almost surrounds the neck, and from 

 which it derives its name : the legs are dusky 

 brown. The female differs in having the crescent 

 on the breast much less conspicuous, and, in 

 some birds, wholly wanting, which has caused 

 some authors to consider it as a different species, 

 under the name of the Rock Ouzel. 

 '* Ring Ouzels are found in various parts of this 

 kingdom, chiefly in the wilder and more moun- 

 tainous districts; with this exception, their habits 

 are similar to those of the Blackbird; the female 



