RING OUSEL. 
29 
INSESSORES. 
DENTIROSTRES. MERULIDM. 
PLATE LII. 
RING OUSEL. 
Merula torquata. 
The Ring Ousel, or Mountain Blackbird, is a native 
of rocky and mountainous districts, and although it appears 
to be more common, during summer, in the north than in the 
south of Europe, we cannot agree with Bechstein that it 
breeds only in the north. According to the observations 
of naturalists visiting the north of Europe, it does not pene¬ 
trate so far as the song thrush. Norway appears to be the 
limit of its summer residence; and in that country it is 
seen in great numbers among the barren rocks bordering 
on the sea-coast. In Sweden it is also found, but in less 
considerable numbers. In Germany, the Ring Ousel is a 
common bird in summer, upon the mountainous parts ; and 
it breeds also in Switzerland among the rocks in many 
elevated districts. 
The geographical distribution of this bird appears there¬ 
fore very extensive during the summer, as it is found to 
breed throughout Europe from north to south, where the 
nature of the country is sufficiently mountainous, barren, 
and wild. The elevation of the district appears to be the 
source of attraction more than the mere temperature that 
results from latitude; otherwise, these birds would be found 
in Denmark, Holland, and Prussia, which is not the case ; 
VOL. II. 
D 
