MERULA ORIENTALIS, Seebohm. 
CAUCASIAN RING-OUZEL. 
Turdus torquatus (nec Linn.), Radde, Orn. Cauc. p. 270 (1884). 
Merula torquata orientalis, Seebohm, Ibis, 1888, p. 311. 
М. similis M. torquato, et gastreei plumis minim’ medialiter albis, sed alâ conspicue albo notatá, marginibus 
tectricum albis latissimis: subcaudalibus nigris, anguste albido medialiter striolatis. 
THE Ring-Ouzel of the Caucasus was separated by the late Mr. Seebohm on account of the greater 
amount of white оп the wing, and the two typical specimens in his collection from Kislovodsk show 
this character to be extremely well marked. 
According to Professor Gustav Radde the species is found in the region of Rhododendron 
caucasicum up to 10,000 feet and in the pine-woods. It is a partial migrant, descending to the 
valleys in winter and returning to the uplands in March. It is usually seen in pairs and is not 
common. 
It is doubtless this Ring-Ouzel which also occurs on the mountains of Persia, where Dr. W. T. 
Blanford met with it at a considerable height on the Elburz Mountains, and where he thinks it must 
breed in considerable numbers (Zool. East. Persia, ii. p. 158). 
In habits the Caucasian Ring-Ouzel resembles the true M. torquata ; it does not nest in trees, 
but on the ground and under rhododendron bushes. Prof. Radde also states that he found a nest in 
the cleft of a rock. 
Adult male. Similar to М. torquata, and not having white centres to the feathers as in 
M. alpestris, but having much more white on the wing. Not only are the margins of the wing- 
coverts purer white and broader, but they extend up the whole margin of the greater coverts and 
constitute a broad border instead of a narrow fringe near the ends of the coverts. The feathers of 
the under surface are narrowly edged with white, and the under tail-coverts show a distinct white 
shaft-stripe. Total length 10°5 inches, culmen 0:9, wing 5:5, tail 4:0, tarsus 1:3. 
The description is taken from the typical specimen in the British Museum. [R. В. 5. 
VOL. II. F 
