BIRDS. 
101 
known in the interior, and not distinguished by name by 
the natives from the ring-ouzeh Common at Tongne. 
This species, Mr. Osborne remarks, has increased much of late 
years in consequence of the destruction of birds of prey by 
game-preservers, as has also the Thrush and other species. 
Mr. Osborne also remarks that the numbers of native-bred 
birds are much increased by arrivals in the autumn of vast 
flocks from ISTorthern Europe. In October 1865 a strong 
easterly gale brought over enormous numbers of these birds, 
and Mr. Osborne, in a note to the Field (December 5th of 
that year), says : " In traversing a wide tract of moorland 
country some eight or ten miles from Wick, and lying along 
the east coast, blackbirds rose at almost every step, and as 
on their first being observed they were supposed to be ring- 
ouzels a few were shot. They proved to be all blackbirds, 
however, and the most careful observation throughout the 
day failed to detect the admixture of any allied species. 
Hens and young birds greatly predominated in this flock " 
(0. MSS., 1868). 
Common in 1885, and seen by us abundantly, amongst 
other places at Latheronwheel and Dunbeath, and perhaps 
almost as commonly at Thurso and at Barrogill Castle. 
Turdus torquatus, i. Ring-Ouzel. 
A summer visitant, and spread throughout the whole of the 
wilder districts of the east, where there is a mixture of 
rocky hill-sides and burns, amongst which this species 
delights to nestle. Early in April it gives notice of its 
arrival by its pleasant whistle (it can scarcely be called a 
song) being heard in all its accustomed haunts ; in late 
summer it will occasionally enter the gardens with the 
blackbirds after fruit. Abundant in the west, especially 
amongst the limestone rocks of Assynt, and along the 
burns which rush headlong from Ben More. We have 
taken three " clutches " of eggs in one short afternoon. 
