98 
RING OUSEL. 
through the structure of the feathers and a very 
slight variation of tint. 
Ring Ousel, Merula torquata. — Turdus 
torquatus, Linn. — Le Merle a plastron blone , 
Merle d plastron, Buff. Temm. — Ring Ousel 
of British authors. — This Thrush, not so com- 
monly known as any of those we have already 
noticed from its not being so generally distri- 
buted, and only frequenting particular localities, 
is a migratory species in every part of Britain, 
residing with us during the summer and season 
of incubation, and leaving us on the approach of 
winter. It frequents mountainous situations, 
extending also to such as bear an alpine cha- 
racter. We have noticed it on the Cumber- 
land and Westmoreland ranges, and on all the 
mountain district in the south of Scotland ; 
it is tolerably common on the Pentland range, 
and we have seen it amidst the scenery where the 
tale of the Gentle Shepherd is laid ; we have 
seen it also in many parts of the Highlands as 
far north as the Benmore range in Sutherland- 
shire. Mr Selby mentions its occurrence on the 
Cheviots, and we have records of its presence in 
the more alpine parts of Yorkshire, Derbyshire, 
and Wales. In Ireland Mr Thompson mentions 
its occurrence on the mountains in the north-west 
of Donegal, at Ochil Head, the Mourne moun- 
tains, and the Belfast range, &c.* Though by 
no means a rare bird in these and similar locali- 
* Mag. of Zool. & Bot. II. p. 439. 
