THE OUZEL. 139 
first four lines, lines 7, 13, and 14, and the last five lines in 
particular, approach remarkably close in sound to the 
original; and this is rendered the more apparent if we 
endeavour to pronounce the words by whistling. 
Intimately associated with the thrush is its congener 
the Blackbird (Zardus merula). Both visitors to our lawns 
and shrubberies, they remind us of their presence, when 
we do not see them, by their sweet, clear notes, and when 
the cold of winter has made them silent, we are still 
charmed with their sprightly actions, and the beauty of 
their plumage. 
The attractive appearance of the blackbird was not 
overlooked by Shakespeare, who has mentioned him in 
one of his songs :— 
“The ouzel-cock, so black of hue, 
With orange-tawny bill.” 
Midsummer Night's Dream, Act iii. Sc. 1. 
When Justice Shallow inquires of Justice Silence, 
“ And how doth my cousin?” he is answered— 
« Alas, a black ouzel, Cousin Shallow.” 
King Henry IV. Part II. Act iii. Sc. 2; 
an expression which was probably equivalent to the 
modern phrase, a ‘‘ black sheep.” 
Amongst the songsters of less note mentioned by 
Shakespeare, are the Robin-redbreast (Evythaca rubecula) 
