120 CAGE A^D Sl^'Gll\a birbs. Ij 
be allowed plenty of water: if properly treated, it will lire 'j 
long in confinement — Beclistein says, from twelve to sixteen 
years. The female of this species differs considerably in ; 
colour from the male; instead of the beautiful glossy black, } 
her plumage is more of a brown, but with gray margins to | 
most of the feathers ; until after the first moult the young | 
birds most nearly resemble the female. Several so-called | 
varieties of this species are spoken of, such as gray, varie- -M 
gated, white headed, and even white blackbirds, strange as 
the term may sound; we would rather avoid the misnomer, : 
and say white ouzels ; all these, however, may come from ; 
the same nest, and have nothing distinctive about them, ex- 
cept the accidental change of plumage. 
THE RING OUZEL 
Is a summer visitant only in Britain ; it is somewhat larger 
than the blackbird, which it closely resembles in general 
conformation and manners. The plumage is generally blaclv, 
with a crescent-shaped mark of white across the upper part of 
the breast, which, viewed in front, looks like a broad ring 
encircling the neck — hence the common name of the bird. ' 
It is a shy wild species, inhabiting chiefly rocky glens and 
ravines ; it builds a nest much like that of the blackbird, and 
places it on the ground, commonly under the shelter of some 
precipitous bank, hidden by rank herbage, and near to a 
stream. Its eggs are like those of its jetty-plumed congener, 
and its mode of treatment in a coniSned state may be the 
same as is recommended for that bird. Its voice is described 
by Bechstein as hoarse, hollow, and so weak, that a redbreast 
can overpower it ; yet it is, he says, not disagreeable. We 
are not aware that any attempts have ever been made to cul- 
tivate its musical powers, but we see no reason why such 
should not be successful ; it is a handsome bird, and axjcord- 
ing to Hewitson, sings sweetly when wild ; Selby says, 
clearly and powerfully, although the notes are few, and this 
is as much as could be said of the untaught song of the 
blackbird. It sings in confinement all through the year, 
except when moulting, and will live six or seven years. 
THE V^^\TER OUZEL, 
Or dipper, as it is oft-en calkd^ is a very interesting species. 
