RiNG-OuzKL. INSESSORES. MERULA. 169 



RING-OUZEL. 



3Ierula torquata. 

 PLATE XLIV. Fig. 2. 



Turdus torquatus, Linn. Svst. 1. p. 296. 23 Gmel. Syst. 1. p. 832 Lath. 



Ind. Ornith. v. 1. p. 343. 56. 



' Merula torquata, Briss. 2. p. 225. 12 Raii Sjn. p. 65. A. 2. 



Le Merle a Plastron blanc, Buff. Ois. v. 3. p. 340. t. 31 Jd. PI. Enl. 516. 



male. 

 Merle a Plastron, Temm. Man. d'Ornith. v. 1. p. 166. 

 Ring-Drossel, Bechst. Naturg. Deut. v. 3. p. 369. t. 4 Meyer, Tasschenb. 



Deut. V. 1. p. 198 Frisch. t. 30. 



Ring-Ouzel, Br. Zool. 1. No. 110. t. 46 Arct. Zool. 2. p. 344. H 



Will. Angl. p. 194 Lewin'sBv. Birds, 2. p. 62 Lath. Syn. 3. p. 46. 49. 



— Id. Sup. p. 141 Mont. Ornirh. Diet Id. Sup Beivick^s Br. Birds, 



V. 1. t. p. 96 Shaiv's Zool. 10. 227. t. 21. bad figure from Buftbn. 



Provincial — Rock Ouzel, Tor Ouzel, Michaelmas Blackbird. 



The periodical visits of this bird to our coasts are con- Periodical 

 trary to others of its genus that migrate, viz. the Fieldfare, ^^^it^nt. 

 Redwing, and Common Thrush, as it arrives in the spring, 

 and immediately resorts to the mountainous districts of 

 England and Scotland, preferring those of the most stony 

 and barren nature. In these situations it breeds, and rears 

 its young. — The nest is usually placed on some steep bank. Nest, &c. 

 supported by a projecting stunted bush, or a tuft of grass or 

 heath ; sometimes also in the cleft, or in the shelf of a rock. 

 In form and texture it resembles that of the Blackbird, and 

 the eggs are very similar to those of the same bird, both in 

 size and colour. — Its song, which it utters perched on the 

 top of some stone or the summit of a rock, is confined to a 

 few clear and powerful notes, not unlike those of the Missel- 

 Thrush. Like most of its tribe, it is of a shy disposition, 

 and does not readily admit of a near approach, except during 

 the period when its nest contains vmfledged young ; at which 

 time it most strenuously endeavours to divert the attention 

 of the intruder by loud cries and feigned gestures. As 



