Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 4 (1900).djvu/30

6 disappeared, and quietly stalking up to it, and then quickly searching the heather, and seizing the bird. For instance, I have a note, "Caught four young Ring-Ouzels" on June 22nd, 1887. Years ago I kept many for weeks in my aviary, but unfortunately I have no notes respecting them. As to the old birds, I must repeat that, according to my experience, they always fly to some point of vantage, just as a Missel-Thrush flies to a tree. Sometimes in rough country they are out of sight for a few minutes behind a hillock, and before or after the nesting season they often fly off to a distance; but I have never known one skulk. I have, moreover, questioned Mr. Peat very particularly on this point, and his experience is exactly similar to mine.

When they have eggs or nestlings they are often very bold. I have known them dash past my face, nearly touching it. I have also witnessed a pair driving a Kestrel from their neighbourhood. I have, however, never known them "reel and tumble on the ground to decoy you away," as Seebohm states ('British Birds,' vol. i. p. 248). This can hardly be a common habit. Many brooding birds fly low and feebly when first leaving the nest, as if stiff with long sitting; but I have never noticed even this in the Ring-Ouzel.

Song.—Perhaps its song is inspiring rather on account of what it suggests than because of its intrinsic beauty. It is not very varied, but its few rich notes ring out on the silent moor, or echo from rock to rock in the deserted dales. It is perfectly easy to distinguish it from the song of any other bird. And this is true also of its call. How the loud "tac tac tac" of the Ring-Ouzel can be mistaken by a naturalist for the metallic cry of the Blackbird, I cannot conceive. I once (April 11th, 1895) heard a Ring-Ouzel make a low sound like the scolding of a Whitethroat; but this is unusual. Also on one occasion only have I known it sing when flying.

Date of Nesting.—On April 29th, 1895, I found a Ring-Ouzel's nest containing two eggs, but that was ten days or a fortnight earlier than I usually see them. June 28th (1888) is the latest date on which I have found them. These were at an advanced stage of incubation, and I have not known of young birds in the nest at a later date. But I must confess that I do not look much for eggs after June, so that it might be possible to