The RING OUZEL, or RING THRUSH (_Turdus torquatus_), is ten inches long
and sixteen broad, the wing measures five and a half, and the tail more
than four inches. The plumage of the male, with the exception of a
broad, crescent-shaped, white spot upon the breast, is of a pure black,
marked with faint crescent-shaped spots, formed by the light edges of
the feathers; the quills and wing-covers are shaded with grey, and
bordered with brownish grey; the tail is of an uniform brownish black,
with the exception of its two exterior feathers, which are surrounded by
a delicate line of greyish white. The female is greyer than her mate;
all the borders to the feathers are broader; moreover, the crescent
on her breast is only slightly indicated, and of a dull grey hue. The
feathers upon the back of the young bird are dark, with a light edge, and
partially streaked with light reddish yellow on the shafts; the throat is
pale reddish yellow, spotted with a deeper shade; the breast, which is of
a reddish hue, is marked with round spots, whilst those upon the greyish
yellow belly are crescent-shaped. The eye is brown, the base of the lower
mandible reddish yellow, the rest of the beak black; the foot is blackish
brown. The Ring Thrush principally frequents the highest mountain ranges
of Europe, but it is met with throughout the highland countries during
its migrations, and often wanders as far as the Atlas Mountains. This
species has been classed by some ornithologists as the representative
of a separate group, under the name of _Thoracocinela_, but, in our
own opinion, it can only be regarded as a connecting link between the
Thrushes and Blackbirds. (The egg of the Ring Ouzel is represented in
Fig. 15, Coloured Plate XVI.)
This species arrives in Great Britain about April, and is not common.
Mr. Mudie informs us that cold moors, stony places, where a good deal
of water falls, and where there are springs and lakes, are the nesting
ground of the Ring Ouzel. When startled by anyone coming suddenly upon
them, they utter the same alarm-note as the Blackbird. Their short
sweet song resembles that of the Missel Thrush, and is given forth from
some low rock, or elevated stone. The nest varies a little with the
situation. A plant or bush, especially if against a bank, usually has
the preference; but a tuft of grass or heath, or even the projecting
part of a massy stone, is often employed. The nest is formed of moss and
lichen, plastered with mud, and lined with dry soft grass. The eggs are
four, rarely six in number, about the size of those of the Blackbird, but
rather greener in tint, and the spots more decidedly marked.