THE THRUSH. 
79 
The Ring Ouzel in size rather exceeds the black-bird. 
It- appears of a dull black, and on the breast is a patch of 
■white passing a little backwards like a collar. They genc- 
I’ally build near streams, and are birds of passage in all the 
southern parts of Europe. 
Nearly allied to this last is the Water Ouzel. It is rather 
'ess than a black-bird. The upper parts of the body have 
'Wore of a brownish cast than in the former bird. It does not 
go in flocks like the ring ouzel, but lives chiefly in the neigh- 
bourhood of streams, and particularly such as take their 
°ourse among rocks. It dives after small fishes, and even 
r "ns after them at the bottom of the stream as on land. 
The Rose-coloured Ouzel , is the size of the starling. 
* he feathers of its head are long, and form a crest. The 
"pper parts of the body are black, with glosses of blue, 
Purple, and green ; the lower parts of the body are of a 
pale rose-colour. This bird is common in many parts of 
Europe and Asia, but is very scarce in England. 
fhe Blue and Solitary Thrushes form two species nearly 
>e sembling in habits and in manners. Their plumage is in 
general bine, though the latter has a cast of brown. It is 
Wot uncommon in France and Italy, where it chooses the most 
wightful precipices for its residence, whence it probably re- 
aves its name. As it is rarely caught, it is in high estima- 
b°n even in the countries where it breeds, but still more va* 
wiable when carried from home. It not only whistles in the 
Wiost delightful manner, but speaks with an articulate dis- 
trict voice. It is so docile, and observes all things with 
j. Uc h diligence, that, though waked at midnight by any of the 
"wjly, it will speak and whistle at the word of command. 
. . i ° this tribe might be added an immense list of foreign 
‘Wrds of the thrush kind, and living like them upon fruit and 
® tries. Words could not afford variety enough to describe 
a ‘ beautiful tints that adorn some of them. The brilliant 
S^een of the emerald, the (laming red of the ruby, the purple 
T 'be amethyst, or the bright blue of the sapphire, could not 
°y 'he most artful combination shew any thing so truly lively 
” r delightful to the sight as the feathers of the chilcoqui or 
|. le tautotol. Passing, therefore, over these beautiful, but 
idle known, birds, we shall only mention the American 
y'mic-thrush, or Mock-bird. It is but a plain bird to the 
' 3 e, abom the size of a thrush, of a uniform grey colour, and 
‘ 'eddish bill. It is possessed not only of its own natural 
which are musical and solemn, but it can assume the 
° n e of every other animal in the wood, from the wolf to 
*e l aven. It seems even to sport itself in leading them astray. 
VV 'H at one time allure the lesser birds with the cull of 
