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ORD. I. GEN. I. OUZEL. 
| SPE. 1V. BLACK OUZEL 
Pl. 60. 
Turdus merula. Lin. Sy/t. I. p. 295- 
Le merle. Bri/. Orn. Ill. p. 227- 
This bird is above ten inches in length, approaching the foregoing {pecies in 
fize. The bill, infide of the mouth, and eyelids are of a fine yellow: eyes ha- 
zel: the feathers of an uniform black: legs black. 
The female is for the moft part brown, or of a rufty black, particularly on 
the breaft and belly: the bill of a dufky black: and the legs brown. The 
young males at firft greatly refemble the females. 
This fpecies is fuppofed to be as common in England as any where; is a 
reftlefs folitary bird; and frequents the neighbourhood of gardens in the fum- 
mer feafon, building fomewhere near them, in a hawthorn, or other thick buth. 
The neft is made of ftraw, mofs, and dry grafs, lined with clay, and on this isa 
layer of fine hay, or fome fuch material. Its natural note is very agreeable, 
but loud, and therefore moft pleafing at a diftance. It is often kept in cages, 
and may be taught to fpeak many words like the human voice. 
The egg is reprefented at Fig. 2, Pl. XIV. 

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