Turdus torquatus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 296 (1766) ; Naumann, ii. p.  318, Taf. 70 ; Hewitson,i. p. 93, pi. xxv. figs. 3, 4 ; (Gould.) B. of E.  ii. pi. 73 ; id. B. of Gt. Brit. ii. pi. 38 ; Dresser, ii. p. 113, pi. 14 ; (Seebohm), Cat. B. Br. Mus. v. p. 246 ; Newton, i. p. 287 ; Saunders, p. 15 ; Lilford, iii. p. 94, pi. 47.

Merle a plastron, French ; Melro de peito franco, Portug. ;
Churlo, Span. ; Merlo col petto bianco, Ital. ; Ring-Amsel, German ;
Domine Dutch : Ring-Drossel, Dan. ; Ringtrost, Norweg. ; Ring- Trast, Swed. ; Cappis-rastas, Lapp. ; Sepel-rastas, Finn. ; Drozd- bielozoltyi, Russ.

ad. (Scotland). Entire plumage brownish black except a white gorget extending across the lower throat ; axillaries and under wing- coverts deep brown margined with white ; bill orange ; legs horn -brown ; iris dark brown. Culmen 1*0, wing 5 ‘7, tail 4’4, tarsus, 1-3 inch. Female dull brown, the gorget brownish white. In winter the feathers on the under parts are margined with white, and on the upper parts with brownish.
Hob. Europe, north to the North Cape, east to the Ural, south in winter to the Mediterranean and North Africa.
Frequents moors and especially highlands, but in the winter, and on passage is often seen in cultivated fields and gardens, and is as a rule very shy and wary. Its call-note is a sharp teck, tock, tock, and its song is monotonous and not of a high order. Its food is similar to that of its allies, and is obtained chiefly on the ground. It breeds in April or May, sometimes in June, its nest which resembles that of T. merula, being placed in a low bush, in rocks, banks, or on the ground, and the eggs 4 to 5 in number are pale green or watery blue, blotched and spotted with dark red and in size vary from 1*05 by 0*82 to 1*20 by 0-88.