6 BRITISH BIRDS. 



A common resident. Song is frequently commenced 

 during last week of January, while (like that of song-thrush) 

 it is usually heard again during autumn. The song is 

 simpler than latter bird's, yet more mellow and rich in 

 tone ; one would think it scarcely so loud, yet it may be 

 heard at a great distance in the still morning air. A sad 

 destroyer of fruit ; I have known two or three to strip a 

 cherry-tree before breakfast-time. Usually, however, a 

 ground-feeder, subsisting upon worms, insects, snails, etc. ; 

 in winter gregarious, in company with other thrushes, and 

 feeding largely on berries. When disturbed, very 

 energetic alarm-note is a screaming kit, kit, kit, kit, 

 continued until well on the wing. Nest : like that of Song- 

 Thrush but more bulky and lined with grasses ; placed at 

 no great height in hedge-rows and bushes ; sometimes in a 

 steep bank. Eggs : 4 to 6 ; pale greenish-blue spotted^with 

 reddish-brown, but markings are subject to variation ; 

 size n6 by '85. Two or three broods are produced, first 

 eggs being laid about end of March. 



8. Turdus torquatus, Linn. RING-OUZEL. 



Hab. Europe^ from Ireland to Ural Mountains in 

 north, and southward to most of mountain ranges. In 

 winter south to North Africa. 



Male : feathers of upper parts blackish-brown, mar- 

 gined with grey on wings ; under parts similar but with a 

 broad crescentic gorget of pure white, . under wing-coverts 

 also being mottled with white ; bill brownish-yellow, 

 dusky at tip ; iris hazel ; tarsi dusky. Length 10*50. 

 Female : browner, and with a narrow and less distinct 

 gorget. 



Arrives in April, majority departing in October ; occa- 

 sionally, however, remains through winter in south-west 

 of England, and also in Ireland. Breeds from Derbyshire 



