228 



RING THRUSH. 



with broad grey margins ; legs dusky brown/* The 

 female differs in having the white on the breast 

 less conspicuous, and in some it is almost wanting, 

 which most probably marks the young state : there 

 are several varieties of this bird ; some quite white, 

 others spotted wdth white, and another spotted 

 with white, but without the crescent on the breast. 



This species of Thrush is migratory, and is 

 found throughout the greatest part of Europe, 

 Asia, and Africa ; in this country it is very abun- 

 dant in the isle of Portland every spring and au- 

 tumn, upon their arrival and departure, although 

 they cannot be said to be common : they breed 

 in Wales, and other mountainous parts of Britain 

 and Ireland, on Dartmore in Devonshire, and 

 near the Land*s-end in Cornwall: its nest is ge- 

 nerally placed on the ground, under some small 

 bush; it is formed like that of a Blackbird^ and 

 the eggs in number, size, and colour, are very 

 like that bird^s : during the breeding season it 

 is a rare occurrence to observe a second pair 

 in the neighbourhood : they are very clamorous 

 if they be disturbed, when they have young : their 

 food consists of snails, insects, and berries, parti- 

 cularly those of the juniper : when fat they are said 

 to be excellent food. The young has been called 

 the Rock Ouzel. 



