TURDINA. 15 
THE RING-OUZEL. 
TurpDus TorquAtus, Linnzus. 
The Ring-Ouzel is the only one of our breeding Thrushes which 
is absent as a rule from our islands during the winter. It is true that 
individuals have been known to remain till after Christmas in 
England, Scotland, and Ireland, but the majority leave, in September 
and October, the wilder and more elevated districts in which they 
have passed the summer ; and, after a comparatively short stay in 
the lowlands to feed upon the autumnal berries, they depart for the 
south. In April the Ring-Ouzel returns, and pairs are said to have 
nested occasionally in Hampshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Warwickshire, 
and similar counties, but as a rule its breeding-places are in the wild 
and hilly districts of Cornwall, Devon, Somersetshire, the Pennine 
backbone of England and its spurs; in Wales; and in the greater part 
of Scotland, including the Orkneys, and most of those islands which 
present suitable features; to the Shetlands it is comparatively a 
rare visitor. In Ireland it frequents the mountainous districts in 
varying numbers during the summer. 
There are two races of Ring-Ouzel. Our rather dark form also 
breeds in Scandinavia from about 58° to 70° N. lat.,and thence east- 
ward in suitable localities as far as portions of the Ural Mountains, 
beyond which the steppes appear to act as a barrier ; and it is said to 
