72 British Birds An illustrated monthly journal Editors Stanley Cramp I J Ferguson-Lees P F Bonham M A Ogilvie D I M Wallace Photographs Eric Hosking Volume 65 x972 H F & G Witherby List of photographs COLOUR PLATES PAGE I Male Red-spotted Bluethroat buscinia s. svecica, and male Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus at nest, Finland (J. B. and S. Bot- tomley) facing 137 II Mediterranean Gull barns melatiocephalas, and immature Sabine’s Gull L. sabini, Hampshire (G. H. Fisher) facing 185 III Lesser Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica, Cornwall (J. B. and S. Bottomley); Baird’s Sandpiper Calidris bairdii, Flintshire (D. L. Clugston) facing 3 1 7 IV Male Kestrel Fa/co tinnunculus and two young in nest on 16th floor window-box, London; Barn Owl Tyto alba and young, Essex (A. C. Parker) facing 497 BLACK-AND-WHITE PLATES 1-3 Juvenile White Storks Ciconia ciconia with Danish rings, perched and flying, and mobbed by Herring Gull bants argentatus and Rook Corvus frugilegus, Cornwall (J. B. and S. Bottomley) facing 22 4-8 Male and female Ptarmigan bagopus mutus, showing plumages and behaviour, Scotland (Alex Tewnion, and Adam Watson) facing 23 9 Veeries Catbarus fascescens, at ground nest. New York (Eric Hos- king); immature trapped, first record in Europe, Cornwall (K. Allsopp) facing 68 10-16 Flight identification of European raptors: Golden Eagles Aqnila chrysaetos (Karl-Erik Fridzen, R. F. Porter, and Arne Jensen); Spotted Eagle A. clanga (Soren Breiting); Lesser Spotted Eagles A. pomarina (Claus F. Pedersen, R. F. Porter, and P. Van Groenen- dael and W. Suetens); Imperial Eagles A. beliaca (M. J. Helps, and R. F. Porter); Steppe Eagles A. nipalensis (S. Christensen and Bent Pors Nielsen); White-tailed Eagles Haliaeetus albicilla (Bobby Tulloch, Gunnar Lid, Eric Hosking, and P. Van Groenendael and W. Suetens) facing 69 17-22 Cream-coloured Coursers Cursorius cursor, adults, chicks, eggs, and habitat, Kenya (J. F. Reynolds), and juvenile with adult, Morocco (David Harris) facing 114 23-24 Caspian Plovers Charadrius asia/icus, immatures and habitat, Tan- zania (J. F. Reynolds) facing 1 13 25-31 Birds in Finland: Hawk Owl Surma ulula ; Broad-billed Sandpipers bimicola falcinellus; female Hazel Hen Tetrastes bonasia ; female Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus ; Reeve Philomachus pttgnax; Spotted Redshanks Tringa ery/bropus ; Whooper Swan Cygntts cygnus; female Red-necked Phalarope Pbalaroptts lobatus\ and adult Long-tailed Skuas Stercorarius longicaudus (J. B. and S. Bottomley) facing 160 ritish Birds itorial: Changes in the editorial board t nish White Storks in south-west England B. Bottomley .so recommended by the Royal Society for me Protection of Birds, is both compact rnd light, and therefore particularly suitable 3or the younger ornithologist and indeed for myone to whom weight is of primary im- portance. Even smaller and lighter are two eew Frank-Nipole models — the 10x40 ££16.80) and the 12x50 (£18.90); considering their high power and light trans- | mission, they are remarkably light, compact rnd easy to handle. The dedicated orni- mologist, however, undeterred by a little xxtra size and weight, is inclined to remain jyyal to our standard 10x50 model ££16.50). All these glasses are supplied complete with case and straps. there are now also three really large models available — the 9x63 (£30), the 12x65 (£32) and the 20x70 (£36); case, if required, £7 extra. The 9x63 rnd 12x65 can be hand-held but the 20x70 requires to be tripod-supported; j suitable tripod can be supplied for about £5. jin invitation is extended to all readers of British Birds to apply for our free cata- \igue and a complimentary copy of Tell me, Mr Frank', a booklet which tells you werything you want to know about binoculars. FREE TEST We extend an invitation to readers of 'British Birds' to test any of the Frank-Nipole bi- noculars under field conditions without any obligation whatso- ever. We accept your old binoculars in part exchange and extend credit facilities CORRECT ALIGNMENT A binocular NOT in correct alignment can cause head- aches and eyestrain. It is safer to purchase from a specialist — we test and guarantee every binocular we sell. CHARLES FRANK LTD Binocular specialists and telescope makers for three generations I 45 QUEEN STREET GLASGOW Cl 041.2T2i'66( i ‘Barton Angler’ Hotel, Irstead, Norfolk This charming old country house, once a Rectory dating from the XV century, is situated in unspoilt seclusion. Taking one of the Hotel boats, you can be exploring Barton Broad and its prolific natural life and beauty in three minutes TV Lounge H&C all bedrooms, central heating Residents Bar Mr & Mrs J. Pell Tel: Horning 256 Zoological Record Section Aves 1968 (vol. 105) This indispensable biblio- graphy compiled by the staff of the Zoological Society of Lon- don is an annual list of orni- thological literature in all parts of the world. Full references are given with authors and titles and they are indexed under species, subjects and countries. The latest issue covers 4,950 articles and books published mainly in 1968 and is obtain- able at a cost of £3 (postage extra), from The Zoological Society of London REGENT'S PARK LONDON NWI Irish Naturalists' Journal A quarterly magazine de- voted exclusively to the botany, geology and zoology of Ireland, and publishing bird records as a regular feature Edited by Miss M. P. H. Kertland Science Library Q.U.B. Lennoxvale Belfast BT9 5EQ Annual subscription £l post paid BIG GAME & BIRDS SAFARIS - 21 DAYS £448 VISITING THESE NATIONAL PARKS Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls. Nairobi. Tsavo, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro. Ser- engeti and Mara, in Uganda. Kenya and Tanzania DEPARTURES 1. 8 March; 28 June; 1 9 July : 9. 30 Aug ; 20 Sept ; 1 1 Oct; 1 Nov GUEST LECTURERS accompany each Safari and their expert and personal knowledge of East Africa and its animals and birds, its history, peoples and customs, highlights your enjoyment 1 2 -page full -colour brochure available from SWANS SPECIALISED SAFARIS 237 '238 (S5) Tottenham Court Road, London W1 P OAL. Tel 01-636 8070 II Volume 65 Number 1 January 1972 British Birds Editorial Changes in the editorial board For the greater part of its 6 5 -year history British Birds has been singu- larly fortunate in the continuity of its editorial direction. Its founder, H. F. Witherby, headed the editorial team with unrivalled distinction for more than 36 years, and two editors who joined soon after its inception, F. C. R. Jourdain and N. F. Ticehurst, served for 31 and 5 1 years respectively. The tragic exception was the early death of B. W. Tucker in 1950, only seven years after he successfully took on the difficult role as H. F. Witherby’s successor. This heavy blow faced the journal with a major crisis, and the very real possibility of collapse was averted only by the willingness of E. M. Nicholson, already burdened with heavy responsibilities in a Government post, to take over as senior editor, while P. A. D. Hollom and W. B. Alexander then joined the existing team of A. W. Boyd, N. F. Ticehurst and J. D. Wood. Now, twenty years later, both E. M. Nicholson and P. A. D. Hollom have indicated their wish to resign, not only because of the pressure of other commitments but because they feel strongly that new and younger editors will aid fuller contacts with modern trends in ornithology and lessen any risk of another abrupt break in continuity. E. M. Nicholson and P. A. D. Hollom have both won international renown in different spheres of ornithology and conservation. This is neither the time nor the place to summarise their careers, but their signal services to this journal must be noted. E. M. Nicholson served as senior editor from 1951 to i960, not only steering British Birds through the initial crisis, but over the ten years doing much to harmon- ise the standards and traditions of H. F. Witherby with the vigorous new forces in post-war ornithology. Some of these achievements were summarised by him in an earlier editorial (Brit. Birds, 53: 1-4), including the two ecological studies of the Camargue and the Coto 1 2 Editorial Donana (which had a major impact on their subsequent conservation), the enlistment of other distinguished Continental contributors, the battle against jargon and unnecessary technicalities, the develop- ment of the photographic features under G. K. Yeates, the appointment of I. J. Ferguson-Lees as the first full-time executive editor, the prominence given to the early work of bird observatories and a number of steps to rationalise the handling of sight records, including liaison with the British Ornithologists’ Union and county editors and the setting up in 1959 of the Rarity Records Committee. In this last field P. A. D. Hollom, who is widely-travelled and whose skilled and careful approach played a key part in the post-war development of field identification on the foundations largely laid by B. W. Tucker, was a moving force and he has served as chairman of the Rarities Committee, as it is now called, since its inception. He also took over as senior editor from 1960 to 1963, when in turn he handed over to Stanley Cramp, who had joined the editorial board in 1960. At the pressing request of their colleagues both E. M. Nicholson and P. A. D. Hollom continued as editors until 1971, completing 21 years of distinguished service. Their remaining colleagues feel not only the loss of their wisdom and wide knowledge but, remembering many pleasant and stimulating editorial meetings, a personal regret at the ending of this long association. It has clearly been a difficult task to find their successors, but we are pleased to announce that M. A. Ogilvie and D. I. M. Wallace have accepted the unanimous invitation of the editorial board to fill the vacancies. M. A. Ogilvie is well-known as a member of the research staff of the Wildfowl Trust since i960, engaged on migration and ringing studies of wildfowl in general and population research on geese and swans in particular. Since 1968 he has, with Professor G. V. T. Matthews, been co-editor of the annual publication Wildfowl and, as an indication of his interests outside his professional studies, co-editor of the Gloucestershire Bird Keport since 1969. By contrast D. I. M. Wallace is one of our most active amateur ornithologists, combining his field work successively with Army service in Kenya, studies for a B.A. degree in law and economics at Cambridge and a strenuous business career both here and in West Africa, as well as occasional visits to North America. Always keenly interested in field identification, he has used his extensive travels and quick artist’s eye to advance still further an expertise which ever progresses to new accuracies and refinements. Moreover, he has placed his knowledge at the disposal of others with a series of important papers and by service on the Rarities Committee (whose first ten years’ progress he later examined with critical insight in Brit. Birds , 63: 1 13-129). He has now rejoined the Rarities Committee and will replace P. A. D. Hollom as chairman. Editorial 3 We confidently hope that this new editorial team, its average age lowered by more than ten years, will prove alert and vigorous enough to meet the challenge of the 1970’s. Two years ago we announced a new editorial policy based on the recommendations of a working group which had considered a wide range of suggestions from an invited ; 1 cross-section of readers. This envisaged a monthly publication for all who take a serious and continuing interest in the field study of the birds of Britain and the western Palearctic, bearing in mind that most will have had no training in the sciences involved. To meet this, a inumber of specific aims were outlined and now is an appropriate time to assess how far they have been met. On some the record is encourag- 1 ing. There have been fewer long specialised papers and more dealing | with conservation, general habits, reviews of British species, and identification (notably the current series on birds of prey). We have 1 done less well so far with two other categories — ecological surveys of key areas and general review papers, although several are commis- | sioned or projected, and are delayed only because of the research j .involved and the many commitments facing authors of the required ! ..calibre. With the help of our photographic editor, Eric Husking, \we have made progress towards the aim of more photographs of dynamic subjects (echoing here the appeal H. F. Witherby made 6j \years ago for photographs of ‘birds in activities such as flying, feeding, ! 1 courting, hiding, nest-building or otherwise engaged’) and we have started what we hope will be a regular series of colour photographs. \We have published too few papers on migration — where the gap left by the cessation of Bird Migration , so ably edited by K. Williamson during 1958-61, remains largely unfilled — despite the keen interest I of so many modern field workers, which, unfortunately, seems rarely tto extend to writing up their results. There remain two major and linked aims, on which our progress in other spheres largely depends — regular publication and increased ■readership. Although hampered in 1971 by a postal strike and printing .difficulties, the enlarged team at Bedford has recently begun to make real progress and there is good reason to hope that early in 1972 the long-sought goal of regular and timely issues will be achieved. If we j ccan reap a proportionate benefit from the continuing and striking l .growth in amateur interest in ornithology and conservation, it will moth help further improvements and provide some hedge against the . ill too likely possibility of continuing inflation. The new editorial tceam will welcome comment and criticism (not necessarily for publica- riion) on how best we can meet the undoubted need for a monthly publication which will appeal to the growing numbers of amateurs vho take ‘a serious and continuing interest in the field study of birds of [Britain and the western Palearctic’. S.C., I.J.F.-L. and P.F.B. Danish White Storks in south-west England J. B. Bottomley Plates i- 3 On hearing that two White Storks Ciconia ciconia had been seen at Newlyn, Cornwall, my wife and I went there on the morning of 17th September 1971 to try to photograph them. The day was sunny, warm and calm and we found the storks— immatures, showing blackish tips to their bills and pale pinkish legs— standing on the chimney stack of a house near the harbour. We were able to watch them for about two hours and take a series of photographs (plates 1-3); they only occa- sionally left their vantage point, and their visits to other chimneys and roofs were very brief. They did, however, make two long and appar- ently aimless soaring flights in a north-easterly direction towards Penzance, during which they rose to an estimated 200 metres or more. Once they were mobbed persistently by a Rook Corvus frugilegus (plate 2b), and as they took off and landed hundreds of Herring Gulls Laras argentatus feeding and resting in the harbour erupted into the air in apparent alarm. In addition, we twice watched an adult Herring Gull ‘dive-bomb’ the storks as they stood on the chimney stack (plate 1). During these attacks the gull called repeatedly and the storks retaliated by jabbing somewhat half-heartedly at the attacker with their bills. Each stork carried a ring on its right leg, and through a telescope we and others among the many observers who had come to see the birds were able to read the name of the ringing authority (Zoological Museum, Copenhagen, Denmark) and the ring numbers (1351 and 1352). Subsequent enquiries revealed that they had been ringed, with one other (number 1 3 5 3), as a late brood at Frostrup, North Jutland, where they fledged at 11.00 hours on 6th September 1971. On 9th September three White Storks were observed at Combe Down, Bath, Somerset. On the same day they moved to Downside School, some 1 5 km to the south-west, where one of them fell down a large chim- ney and was taken into captivity: this was the one number ringed 1353. The other two moved on, being seen nearby at Nettlebridge, and then on the afternoon of 10th what were obviously the same two reached Bude, Cornwall, 150 km WSW, where the figures 3 5 2 were seen on one of the rings. Two White Storks appeared briefly at St Issey some 42 km away near the Camel estuary from 07.30 to 08.00 hours on 1 ith, and these were presumably the same birds, but otherwise they apparently remained continuously at Bude until 09.30 hours on 12th and during their stay were subjected to some harassment by Herring Gulls. Next 4 5 Danish White Storks in south-west lingland there is a record on 12th and 13th of two ringed White Storks another 160 km to the south-west on St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly, followed at 15.45 hours on 15th by a further sighting of two, again ringed, in the Hayle estuary, Cornwall (if this was the same couple, as was almost certainly the case, they had now turned back eastwards). Still on 1 5th, in the evening, two White Storks were noted on a tall modern office block in Penzance, 9 km south-west of the Hayle estuary, and on the following day they moved to Newlyn, 2 km further on in the same direction. It was there, on 17th, that my wife and I made the obser- vations described earlier. The birds left Newlyn at about 11.00 hours on 18th (another fine warm day), soaring off in a south-westerly direction. There is a further record of their being seen again briefly on St Mary’s about an hour later. Finally, the stork carrying ring number 1352 was later found ‘in a bad condition’ in Madeira, about 2,000 km SSW of the Isles of Scilly, this information being given in a telegram from Funchal datelined 21st September. An interesting footnote has been supplied by Robert Hudson of the British Trust for Ornithology concerning the history in Denmark of the parents of these three White Storks. The female was found some years ago with a broken wing and has never been able to fly since. The farmer who found her provided an artificial nest-site in the form of a cartwheel on a pole and added a ladder for the handicapped bird’s use. Then about four years ago she was joined by a male and they have remained paired ever since. The female obviously cannot migrate and the male has remained with her, the two spending each winter in a barn provided by the farmer who occasionally liberates the male for exercise; the latter always returns to his mate in the barn. They have nested every year since pairing, the female using the ladder provided. In 1970 the young were stolen from the nest and then killed in an attempt to destroy the evidence; the thieves were subsequently con- victed and the event created a nationwide scandal in Denmark at the time. It was reported that when the three fledglings left on migradon in September 1971 the direction they took was approximately 90° to the west of that normally followed by Danish White Storks, which head south-east to the Bosphorus. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It would not have been possible to document the remarkable travels of these young White Storks without information provided by a number of individuals, in particular R. W. Bullock, R. M. Curber, Robert Hudson, David Hunt, J. H. Johns, Bernard King, Mrs F. E. Lott, N. J. Phillips, N. O. Preuss (of the Copenhagen Museum), R. Singer and F. R. Smith, and this valuable help I gratefully acknowledge. J. B. Bottvmlej, I \ellesveor "Place, St Ires, Cornwall The behaviour of the Ptarmigan Adam Watson Plates 4-8 INTRODUCTION This paper is an exploratory descriptive account which classifies observations of the behaviour of the Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus, especially postures and calls. A compendium of facts like this is a necessary first step with any species as a basis for more quantitative studies and experiments on behaviour, and for generalisations based on comparing different species. Most observations were of Scottish Ptarmigan L. m. millaisi , but some were of other races in Scandinavia ( mutus ), Iceland ( islandorum ), Alaska ( townsendi and possibly rupestris ) and Baffin Island (also rupestris). No racial differences were noted in postures and calls. All observations refer to wild Ptarmigan and to Scotland, unless captive Scottish birds or other countries are specifically men- tioned. Many comparisons are made with an earlier paper (Watson and Jenkins 1964) on Red Grouse L. lagopus scoticus, as the postures and some other aspects of behaviour in Ptarmigan and Red Grouse are remarkably similar. The present paper also brings the earlier one up to date by including additional new observations on Red Grouse. Some comparisons are also made with the behaviour of Willow Grouse L. lagopus , from my observations in Newfoundland ( alien i) and Scandinavia ( lagopus ) and from observations by R. Moss in Alaska ( alascensis ) (Moss in press and in littl). This paper is deliberately modelled in its style and classification on Watson and Jenkins (1964), to make comparisons between the two species easier, though a few of the headings have been altered where it seemed appropriate or desirable to do so. Such comparisons are already being used in current experimental work on aggressive behaviour in relation to population regulation of Red Grouse and Ptarmigan (H. H. Kolb and R. Moss in preparation). BEHAVIOUR OF ADULTS AT NEST The nest is usually within 50 metres of the cock’s main lookout, but the distance varies from ten to 150 metres. He starts making scrapes two weeks before the hen lays, and one captive cock started three weeks before (Smith 1910). One cock made 15 scrapes in an hour at noon, sitting in some for a few seconds while scratching with his feet, but at others digging typical nest hollows where he sat for up to three minutes. The hen usually looked ahead, keeping abreast of him and moving on or stopping when he did, but did not sit in any of the 6 7 Behaviour of the Ptarmigan scrapes. Both fed at times and the cock occasionally gave ground songs. The hen laid six days later. Nearer egg-laying time, hens make scrapes and sit in them for several minutes at a time with the cock alongside. 1 do not know which of the pair chooses the actual nest. The nest is a natural hollow or one scraped in the ground, lined scantily w-ith vegetation and a few feathers moulted from the sitting hen. The hollow may enlarge and deepen during the egg-laying and incubation periods (MacDonald 1970). Nests are usually in the open, partly sheltered by a large stone. Some have no boulders nearby, but most of these are still sheltered in a slight depression or near a tiny mound or solifluction terrace. One nest was exposed on a patch 1 of moss on a nose of bedrock. Two were completely overhung by rocks: one under an overhanging rock shelf and the other in a hole between boulders. One nest, at an altitude of 760 metres, was com- pletely overhung and sheltered all round by a patch of heather Calltma I vulgaris about half a metre across and 25 cm high. Yet another was in a blaeberry bush Vaccinium wyrtillus, without any scrape and with a lining of living moss and blaeberry stems underneath. Couturier (1964) stated that nests in the Alps do not face north-west, north or north-east, but nests in Scotland face any direction. Eggs and egg laying MacDonald (1970) described egg colours. An individual hen, wild or captive, lays a clutch of eggs of consistently similar size, shape and colour pattern which differ markedly between individuals. I have seen on different hills two dwarf eggs about the size of those of a Blackbird Turdus rnerula. A single egg is occasionally found well away from any nest. All fresh dropped eggs I have seen were found before any hens had started incubating and in years when chicks survived poorly: seven were on the snow after fresh snowfalls, and four on bare ground during mild weather. After laying, the hen covers her eggs partly or completely with loose grass, lichen, moss or other vegetation: for details of how she does this see MacDonald (1970). Smith (1910) watched a captive cock pulling grass and helping the hen to make a covering 2| cm thick. Wild birds usually cover the eggs only partly but sometimes with a complete layer up to 1 cm thick, and at one nest the eggs were covered with a layer 2 cm thick of the lichen Cetraria islandica. I have not seen a hen sitting on her uncompleted clutch, even on nights with ground frost down to — 5°C. A hen about to lay flies to within ten metres of her nest and then walks the rest of the way: MacDonald (1970) gave more details of this. While laying, captive hens sometimes call (see under the heading voice and associated behaviour of adults in the second part of this paper) and their mates call occasionally. C. and D. Nethersole- 8 behaviour of the Ptarmigan Thompson wrote (in Bannerman 1963) that some eggs are laid on consecutive days and others on alternate days. Captive hens occasionally lay two eggs in a day. Eggs may be laid in the morning, afternoon or evening. Wild Red Grouse and Ptarmigan in Scotland lay at an average rate of 1.5 eggs per day, but this varies from hen to hen. I have seen hens lay four eggs in four days and then skip a day before their fifth egg, and at the other extreme take eight days to lay four eggs and ten to lay five eggs. Re nesting Renesting with smaller clutches was done by each of four hens whose clutches had been removed when fresh, by six out of eight whose eggs had been removed in the first week of incubation, by five out of eight in the second week, and by three out of eleven in the last week. D. Nethersole-Thompson found that most hens which lose their eggs before the 15th or 16th day of incubation lay again, starting six to eight days after clutch loss. Incubation Only hens incubate eggs, and nobody has recorded a cock brooding chicks, as wild cock Red Grouse rarely do (Watson and Jenkins 1964). A captive cock Red Grouse even sat on eggs in 1971. At four out of five nests where I took the clutch in the second and last weeks, and at one robbed in the last week by a Red Fox Vulpes vulpes, the hen returned in 10-30 minutes to warm the empty nest for minimum periods of 20 minutes in one case to five and six hours in two others. Savile (1951) found an incubation period of 20 days at a nest in Canada. Five periods in Scotland, recorded by D. Nethersole- Thompson, were 22, 23, 24, 24 and 26 days, and one I measured was about 2i|- days from the last egg laid to the last hatched. Couturier (1964) gave 22-23 days in the Alps. The typical period for eggs from captive Scottish birds hatched under bantams and under captive hen Ptarmigan is again about 22-23 days (R. Moss in lift.). During incuba- tion, the eggs are usually arranged with their pointed ends facing partly downwards and towards the centre of the nest, except in clutches of less than four eggs where different arrangements occur. The eggs are not covered with vegetation while the hen is off feeding. C. and D. Nethersole-Thompson (in Bannerman 1963) found that in good weather the incubating hen leaves three to four times a day for periods of 25-45 minutes, that the cock sometimes approaches the nest and calls to her, and that in heavy fresh snow she may sit for 36 hours without leaving. In Iceland A. Gardarsson (in litt.) noticed that hens come off four to six times a day for periods of 7-25 minutes (but usually about 10-15 minutes) and totalling about i-i£ hours a day. When a hen leaves, she walks 5-10 metres awav and 9 behaviour of the Ptarmigan then flies, often accompanied by the cock which may come near the nest just before she leaves. After landing she drinks, feeds rapidly and preens. If the cock is with her he keeps watch nearby, remaining alert till she moves back to the nest, and sometimes going with her part of the way there. He may court her when she comes off and when she returns. The hen defaecates a large ‘docker’ dropping often near or in the drinking place, and rarely close to the nest except within two days of hatching when she may deposit the dropping just outside the nest, and occasionally in it. (A docker is an incubating hen.) When they are disturbed and leave the nest in a hurry, hen Red Grouse and Ptarmigan may knock one or two eggs up to io cm out of the nest, and eggs being incubated under the bird’s wings are sometimes carried out for 20-30 cm. A him of a hen Ptarmigan leaving the nest when disturbed shows that all the eggs moved up about 2 cm and fell back again into the nest, something too quick to see by ordinary observation. I once watched a hen Ptarmigan return and roll an egg from 10 cm back into the nest. When Dementiev and Gladkov (1951-54) placed up to seven eggs per clutch at distances of 5-20 cm from the nests of Willow Grouse, the birds rolled them back, even when some eggs were lightly covered with grass. At one Scottish nest where an egg was cracked by being thrown out, the hen Fig. 1 . Hen Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus : (a) incubating eggs ; (b) brooding young io Behaviour of the Ptarmigan Ptarmigan ate egg and shell on her return. At two nests with a cracked egg in the nest, both eggs disappeared later, possibly having been eaten. Captive Ptarmigan and Red Grouse usually eat cracked eggs. The hen leaves hatched eggs in the nest, often tucking one half of each shell inside the other. One hen, which had knocked a shell out of the nest when disturbed from her newly hatched young, returned to the nest to brood and then pulled the shell into the nest with her bill (D. Nethersole-Thompson in litt.). I once watched a hen swallow pieces of eggshell while she brooded her newly hatched young. The shells of Ptarmigan and Red Grouse eggs hatched in the wild are much less intact than those of eggs hatched by a fowl or in an incubator, possibly due to the wild birds eating the shells, or to more trampling. At eight Scottish nests where all the eggs hatched, the last chick hatched within six hours of the first at six nests, and within twelve hours at two others. Most hens finally leave the nest with their chicks about a day after the first egg has cracked, but rarely two days after. Hens leave only briefly to deposit docker droppings at the edge of the nest or within io cm, and sometimes in the nest. At nests where the eggs do not hatch, docker droppings accumulate round the edge and to a depth of 2-3 cm in the bottom. BEHAVIOUR OF YOUNG The first young may leave the hen within three hours of hatching, moving out to stand touching her or walking a few centimetres and returning to be brooded (fig. ib). At five or six hours, when they are more active, they occasionally move out for up to a minute to peck at objects around the nest, and sometimes they jump on to the hen’s back. The young all left with the hen six hours after the first had hatched and as soon as they were dry at two nests, 12-24 hours after the first chick had hatched at five nests, and 30 hours after at one nest. Hen and chicks do not again return to the nest. On their first day out they are usually within 50 metres of it, but one brood moved 120 metres in three hours. After detailed study, Kolb (1971) considered that frequent mutual pecking by very young Red Grouse chicks is a part of general explora- tory pecking, and that some behaviour interpreted as aggressive in the preliminary observations of Watson and Jenkins (1964, pages 1 39-140 and 155), was probably anti-predator behaviour or fear. Three-day-old Ptarmigan chicks can occasionally clear the ground by running, and make short flights of two or three metres when seven to ten days old. I have seen them blown by gales against rocks or rolling like balls down a 50° slope, without injury. Gordon (1951) watched two-week-old chicks swimming well when they flew on to a lake after being disturbed, and Savile (195 1) found that young chicks behaviour of the Ptarmigan 1 1 in Canada occasionally scattered into water when disturbed, and swam easily. When a brood is disturbed by a man, dog or eagle, the young crouch till the hen calls them, whereupon they run towards her. This happens even with day-old dry chicks that are disturbed while being brooded in the nest. Day-old chicks from eggs taken in the wild and hatched in incubators or under bantams do not crouch when a man appears, so crouching wild chicks are presumably responding to their mother. Disturbed chicks up to three weeks old scatter quickly before crouching, into hollows, under vegetation or down holes under boulders. For example, one group of six day-old chicks being brooded in the nest scattered up to three metres within two or three seconds of the hen flying off. Chicks usually go down holes if there are any, even when only a day old, and often whole broods disappear down holes and do not come out till the hen calls them. No hen called out her chicks within 15 minutes while I stayed nearby, and usually she waited till I had walked 200 metres away and crouched almost out of sight. Two hens did not call out their two- to three-day- old chicks even when I was hiding behind a boulder 250 metres away, and presumably they waited till I was right out of sight. Day-old chicks will crouch for at least six minutes and two- and three-day-olds 20 minutes. When the young are over three weeks old, they may scatter up to 400 metres when disturbed, and seven-week-old young up to 600 metres. When three- to seven-week-old young scatter, the hen often flies with one or more of them, and the cock occasionally goes with another out of the hen’s sight. The hen readily finds them all again even if they have flown out of her sight. The young cheep loudly and persistently while away from the hen and out of immediate danger, and she gathers them by moving towards the calling young and by calling them, whereupon they fly towards her. The cock occasionally helps with this. Scattering three- to seven-week old young tend to fly towards thick cover if any is available (for example, tall ferns, scrub, trees) and then run if the ground is open underneath. They also run if they have landed on open short grass or tracks, but hide in holes if they have come down in the vegetation, or under stones if in thick heath or stone fields. Older young of eight to twelve weeks increasingly stay together as one group if disturbed, both when they fly and when they land. This paragraph applies wholly to Red and Willow Grouse also, except that cock Red and Willow Grouse stay with the family and help gather the young much more often than do cock Scottish Ptarmigan. The young look fully grown at about twelve weeks, though still not weighing as much as adults. They are recognisable by their pointed tails, traces of downy plumage on the belly, dark inner coverts and cheeping calls. 12 Behaviour of the Ptarmigan REACTIONS TO PREDATORS Man When a man approaches Ptarmigan crouch with lowered heads and stay still, blending well with their surroundings. Nearer they become alert, standing erect with head and neck stretched high, and nearer still they show flight intention (see under agonistic behaviour in the second part of this paper) or run away. In flight intention they are tense; if the intruder moves slightly back they relax by becoming alert or walking slowly away (plate 4a), and if forwards they suddenly % (fig- 3a). Both cock and hen are bold when their nest or young are disturbed. Incubating hens sit tightly and often allow a man to touch them or their eggs, and rarely even to lift them off, especially late in incubation. A few hens that flew off when I was within about five metres were Fig. 2. Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus : (a) crouching when a man near (same posture when a more dominant bird near) ; (b) hen threatening a man when disturbed from day-old chicks, showing wing edges prominently and raising neck feathers and combs (from photo by N. Picozzi) J3 Behaviour of the Ptarmigan nearly all at the egg-laying stage or in the first week of incubation, but occasionally one sat lightly even in the last week. At two nests in Canada, hens flew in a man’s face three days before hatching (Savile 1951), and cocks have flown at a man’s head in Iceland (Millais 1909) and Greenland (Nicholson 1930). MacDonald (1970) had incubating hens in Canada hissing and pecking his hand. Hens with small chicks usually show distraction behaviour, but D. Nethersole-Thompson and I were once attacked by a hen whose five-day-old chicks had run out of sight. She jumped twice to the level of our necks, touching us with her wings, then fell back vertically and ran around our feet hissing loudly, with her neck feathers raised (fig. 2b). Other mammals Ptarmigan were often seen reacting to Red Foxes, and in the same way to pointers, setters and small terriers, and in Baffin Island to huskies and Arctic Foxes Alopex lagopus. The birds become alert and give a sharp call which alerts others nearby. They usually fly when the fox or dog comes within 30 metres, but hens with eggs or young crouch till dogs are within a third to half a metre. I once watched a Red Fox approach several Ptarmigan in deep soft snow from behind a snow-bank at noon, and jump unsuccessfully from two metres. When Ptarmigan are roosting in snow holes, the slightest crackling of snow caused by the feet of a dog or a man alerts them and they fly, even on fairly dark nights with cloud. On three occasions when a Stoat Mustela erminea or Weasel M. nivalis came within ten metres of a Ptarmigan it became alert, and at two metres lowered its head and hissed; in each case the predator then moved away. A captive cock did this when a Brown Rat R attus norvegicus ran under his cage. Golden Eagles Ptarmigan usually fly well ahead of an approaching Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos, but will sometimes crouch, often turning their heads to look up with one eye (fig. 3b), if they are on their territories and the eagle is more than 150 metres up. If it comes within 100 metres they fly, except towards the egg-laying stage or when they have eggs or small young. With this same exception, Ptarmigan and Red Grouse always pack together when a Golden Eagle comes near. Even in late April, it may take a quarter of an hour before any cocks return to their territories and up to half an hour before all birds are back. Ptarmigan usually fly 500 metres from an eagle, generally along or round the same hill, but sometimes 1 km from one hill to another across valleys, and once 4 km. Ptarmigan fly fast and easily outstrip an eagle at the same altitude, but an eagle stooping from above can gain on them. When pursued within 100 metres, Ptarmigan 14 behaviour of the Ptarmigan fly near the ground, swerving rapidly among boulders and shooting up and down cliffs and screes where the more clumsy eagle cannot follow quickly. Golden Eagles sail along hillsides or fly back and forth over the edges of steep slopes or corries, and then quickly pounce on or near the ground at any birds which fly. I have seen three Ptarmigan being killed along hillsides and two near steep edges, one on the ground and two within a few metres of it. M. Marquiss (in litt.) saw another being killed on the ground on a hillside. I have not seen a Ptarmigan killed in full flight, but have watched two near misses, when an eagle dived at a Ptarmigan flying level at 30-40 metres above the ground. Ptarmigan and Red Grouse take flight at greater distances from an eagle than from a man, even where they are often shot. Six times I b Fig. 3. Reactions of Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus to predators: (a) flying; (b) turning head to look up with one eye at high-flying Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos behaviour of the Ptarmigan have seen an eagle clear scores of Ptarmigan or Red Grouse from a hillside where one would have thought no birds were present: on four occasions (one with Ptarmigan) an area had just been covered by a party of 20 beaters and four to six dogs trying to drive all the birds towards shooters, and on two (one with Ptarmigan) by a party walking forward in line with dogs and shooting frequently. Ptarmigan indulg- ing in territorial fighting and courtship sometimes allow a man or dog within 10-20 metres, while feeding birds on the same day may fly at 30-40 metres. An eagle at 200 metres and sometimes even at twice that distance, however, will interrupt all these activities and the Ptarmigan will then crouch or show flight intention. Millais (1909) recorded that a covey of Red Grouse chased by a Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus came into a shooter’s butt while shooting was going on, and did not leave. 1 have seen two incidents in which a Ptarmigan being chased by an eagle flew towards people. In both, a Golden Eagle had stooped at a Ptarmigan flying level 30-40 metres up: as it dived with a loud rush of wings, the Ptarmigan partly closed its wings, dropped in a near-vertical twisting dive to within a few metres of the ground, and then ran to crouch among boulders only ten metres from me and my companions. On the first occasion the eagle flew away after the Ptarmigan dropped. On the second it followed the falling Ptarmigan with a great rush of wings, pulling up when only 20 metres above our heads, and then rapidly flew 1 km out of sight, leaving the grounded Ptarmigan which stayed for three minutes before crawling slowly away to a scree 20 metres distant. Ptarmigan usually become alert on seeing a fox or dog 30-50 metres away and occasionally at up to 200 metres, but rarely fly until it is within 30 metres; comparable distances for an eagle are about 200 and 100 metres respectively. Other birds of prey and crows Ptarmigan fly as wildly before Rough-legged Buzzards Buteo lagopus and Hen Harriers Circus cyaneus as before eagles, and also tend to pack. They usually fly in front of a flying Raven Corvus corax but occasionally not; although reacting similarly to birds of similar wing shape, they can sometimes tell predators from harmless species. Ptarmigan crouch below flying Peregrines Fa/co peregrinus and Merlins F. columbarius in a posture illustrated by George E. Lodge in Bannerman (1963). They sometimes crouch below a Kestrel F. tinnunculus but often not, especially if it is hovering high up. They become alert when a Short- eared Owl Asio flammeus appears, and fly if it comes within ten metres. The reactions of Ptarmigan and Willow Grouse in Alaska to other birds of prey were described by White and Weeden (1966). Icelandic Ptarmigan often fly to sit alongside fences when Gyr Falcons F. rusticoius are near (A. Gardarsson in litt.). Scottish Ptarmigan either 1 6 Behaviour of the Ptarmigan pay no attention to high-flying aeroplanes and various species of high-flying birds, or else become alert briefly, turning their heads to look up with one eye. When a low-flying supersonic jet plane passes silently, they crouch as if below a Peregrine. When a Carrion Crow Corvus corone flies near a hen Ptarmigan with small chicks, she stands up and pecks towards it, and sometimes attacks by flying up nearly to touch it, then quickly down to the chicks, then up again in quick bounding flights. The cock may also do this, or fly directly at the crow as if towards a cock Ptarmigan intruding on the territory. Once when two crows attacked, I saw one fly from the side and take a chick. In August 1967 I saw an adult cock Ptarmigan ward off a female Hen Harrier. The harrier stooped from five metres at the Ptarmigan, which raised his combs, showed ‘threatening approach’ (see under sexual behaviour in the second part), croaked loudly and jumped into the air with head stretched towards the harrier, which immediately flew sideways and away. I had earlier seen a territorial Red Grouse do this (Watson and Jenkins 1964, page 142). This may partly explain the fact (Jenkins et at. 1963) that territorial Red Grouse are seldom killed by harriers, which are the main grouse-killing raptors on grouse moors. DISTRACTION BEHAVIOUR I have seen in Ptarmigan and Scandinavian Willow Grouse all postures recorded by Watson and Jenkins (1964) in Red Grouse. The following account describes additional details and differences in timing or intensity of the displays in Ptarmigan. Walking in a circle When a hen Ptarmigan is brooding eggs or young, the cock often diverts a man or dog by walking or running in a circular path, and both cock and hen do this when the hen has been disturbed from eggs or young. Outside the breeding season, Ptarmigan cocks often divert attention from their hens in this way in late April and early May, occasionally in March and even in January and February, but not in autumn. All details of posture and distance for Ptarmigan are as in Red Grouse (Watson and Jenkins 1964, page 144). Fig. 4 {opposite). Distraction behaviour of hen Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus : (a) crouched run near chicks with bill open and tending towards slight injury flight (from photo by R. Snodgrass in Hohn 1969); (b) standing less than a metre from a man and showing wings conspicuously, especially leading edges, between bouts of injury flight; (c) injury flight near day-old chicks, with bill open and wings flapping on ground; (d) near young, alert and with part of wing showing behaviour of the Ptarmigan i i8 behaviour of the Ptarmigan Crouched run and heavj flight Hens show these, as occasionally do cocks when their mates have eggs or small young. Injury flight The postures, duration, distance, and responses to dogs and man described for Red Grouse (Watson and Jenkins 1964, pages 144-146) have all been observed in Ptarmigan. In addition both species keep their bodies close to the ground, and often hold their spread wings momentarily on the ground. The sudden flash of white wings is con- spicuous in Ptarmigan and Willow Grouse. While running without flapping the wings. Ptarmigan and Red Grouse often flick their wings quickly, left and right alternately. Young untrained dogs are easily diverted by injury feigning and I have often seen trained old pointers and setters so diverted by Ptarmigan flapping around them in a circle within one or two metres that they lay down and would not search for the chicks. One hen fluttered so close to a terrier that it caught and killed her, and hens occasionally flap up to a man’s feet. Gordon (1951) wondered if a fox would be deceived, but I once saw one in the Cairngorms follow a fluttering and running Ptarmigan for 350 metres before giving up. Hen Ptarmigan perform injury flight rarely while laying eggs, seldom till the second week of incubation, but almost invariably in the last week of incubation and in the first two weeks after hatching, often continuing for one to two minutes after all young have flown. They do it less as the chicks grow, and rarely when they are five to ten weeks old. Cock Scottish Ptarmigan often show it when there are small chicks, and occasionally when their mates are on eggs, especially in the last week of incubation. Bouncing and crouching These might possibly be regarded as aggressive behaviour by parents defending eggs or young, rather than as distraction behaviour. D. Nethersole-Thompson once watched a hen Ptarmigan with large young jump into the air and fall as if shot, like the bouncing when a hen with chicks attacks a man. Some hen Ptarmigan and Red Grouse with eggs or small chicks crouch close to a man, occasionally hissing, with bill open and head lowered and stretched. One hen Ptarmigan with fully spread tail and lowered head tilted her back towards Nethersole-Thompson as though standing on her head for a short time, before again drooping her wings and starting injury flight (described in Witherby et at. 1938-41). The performance of individuals varies. The hen may run, or fly heavily a few metres and then run, or show injury flight for a few behaviour of the Ptarmigan 1 9 seconds and then crouched run, or injury flight for up to a minute at a time. Sometimes she flies five to ten metres from eggs or chicks and then shows crouched run or less often flies straight on. When a hen Ptarmigan or Red Grouse has been showing distraction display but eventually stops, the distress cheeping of a chick (or a human imitation of it) often brings her close again, up to half a metre from a dog or a man, to show more distraction behaviour. If she is showing crouched run or heavy flight, the chicks’ cheeping often brings her closer to show injury flight. In both species, a hen sometimes leaves her own undisturbed brood to show distraction behaviour along with another up to 100 metres away whose brood was disturbed. The stimulus for this appears to be either the loud cheeping of a chick or the distraction calls of the other hen. Occasionally a hen will fly round to show distrac- tion behaviour beside a second hen’s disturbed chicks even when the latter herself has shown no distraction. In 1971 one unusual back- tabbed hen Red Grouse did this repeatedly, on different days. Hen Ptarmigan with small chicks rarely fly straight away out of sight, unlike Red Grouse. Cock or hen Red Grouse with chicks less than three weeks old often do not show injury flight (Jenkins et al. 1963), but such inattention is rare in Ptarmigan, especially in females. Ptarmigan usually display longer than Red Grouse, come nearer the intruder, spend longer near the intruder, and show more injury flight and less crouched run or heavy flight. After the chicks have hatched, cock Ptarmigan in Scotland usually desert the family, whereas Red Grouse usually stay. Cock Scottish Ptarmigan that do stay then show much less distraction behaviour than do Red Grouse. In Iceland (A. Gardarsson in lift.) and in most high arctic areas (see references in MacDonald 1970, pages 233-234), cock Ptarmigan almost invariably desert the family after the chicks have hatched. REACTIONS TO N ON- P R E D A TO R S Cocks on their territories occasionally threaten and give ground songs towards approaching sheep or Red Deer Cervus elaphus, but usually walk out of the way of a big herd or fly from a running herd. In autumn when Ptarmigan often feed on blaeberries and crowberries JE mpetrum her maphrodi turn, I have several times seen disputes between them and Redwings Turdus iliacus , Blackbirds, Fieldfares T. pilaris and Ring Ouzels T. torquatus which were also feeding on berries (see under agonistic behaviour). Ptarmigan and Red Grouse occasionally feed close in deep snow, but usually stay in separate packs. Sometimes they mix temporarily on the ground, while feeding or walking: they may then fly in one pack when disturbed, and separate only later. Occasionally the two species interact in brief disputes in which one bird avoids another or drives it from a patch of snow-free vegetation. Cock Red Grouse and Ptarmigan sometimes interact where both have 20 Behaviour of the Ptarmigan territories on the same area, with ground songs, flight songs directed towards a cock of the other species, and occasionally prolonged ‘walking-in-line’ encounters, facing and fighting (see again under agonistic behaviour in the second part of this paper). FEEDING, COMFORT MOVEMENTS AND RESTING Feeding Ptarmigan snip off small pieces of vegetation and stretch up to reach grass seeds. In winter they often scratch with their feet through up to 6 cm of powder snow to expose the plants below (see plate 4b), and in Iceland Gardarsson and Moss (1970) recorded them digging through 30 cm of snow to feed. In summer they occasionally run after and catch flying insects, and from late winter to summer sometimes pick insects and other invertebrates off thawing snow. R. Moss {in lift.) estimated that one hen in Alaska in spring ate about 440 small spiders off the snow in 35 minutes of feeding that also involved eating vegetation. Ptarmigan often eat grit. Judging from observations of individuals for several hours at a time, they probably drink every day from streams and pools, hollows in boulders and dew drops on vegetation. In winter they often eat snow, or hoar frost on vegetation, but even when there is unlimited powder snow they also take water if there is any. When they get up from their roosts in the morning, they some- times walk or fly to the nearest water and drink. In periods of prolonged deep snow, droppings and footprints are concentrated at the few places where water still runs. Defaecation Ptarmigan often defaecate throughout the day and a large pile gathers overnight where a bird roosts. There is a cylindrical, hard, fibrous, intestinal kind, usually containing thick woody fibres and often with some white uric acid at one end, and a soft, shapeless, yellowish- brown caecal kind. Both kinds vary in colour and shape according to the food eaten, green-tinged in spring when the birds eat new plant growth, and purple-tinged in autumn when they eat berries. At Hrisey in Iceland in May 1965, Ptarmigan feeding mainly on Rumex, Taraxacum and other fresh-growing plants in arable fields had intestinal droppings like those of Pheasants Phasianus colchicus or poultry: not cylindrical but curled up, thicker at one end, black and tipped with much white uric acid. Droppings of Ptarmigan living mainly on the nearby moor at the same time were typical: brown, fibrous and cylindrical. Night droppings are fibrous, but sometimes a few caecal droppings are deposited on top of the others in the early morning. At snow roosts, where the footprints show where the birds go when they get 21 Behaviour of the Ptarmigan up, there are usually no caecal droppings in the roosting pile but up to six in the first two to three metres’ walk from the roost. During winter in Alaska, R. Moss usually found caecal droppings on top of the roosting pile. Possibly this varies with how long the birds spend in the roosting hole. Moss and I, in Alaska and Scotland respectively, have also seen Ptarmigan defaecating caecal droppings around noon and early afternoon. Preening , feather movements and body stretching All details recorded for Red Grouse by Watson and Jenkins (1964, pages 146-148) have also been observed in Scottish Ptarmigan. Fig. 5a illustrates feather shaking (Watson and Jenkins, page 147). Kolb (1971) has re-classified these activities in more detail for Red Grouse. On hot days Ptarmigan often pant in the shade of large boulders, and lie on wet sand along streams and in the running water. Bathing Ptarmigan often bathe in dust and snow and occasionally in water, wriggling from side to side, shaking out and fluffing their feathers, scratching with feet and wings, and lying on one side with the wing stretched out (fig. 5 c). Dust soon blows away on the Scottish hills, but they make hollows in heath-covered ground or on paths by churning up dry soil with their feet, bills and wings. In Baffin Island, cocks in late May and June spent much of the day bathing and scratch- ing in abundant glacial dust. Ptarmigan bathe in snow during all months, moving wings, head and feet so that snow falls on their backs and works into their plumage. On steep snow they go head-first with wings flapping or spread out. A. Tewnion (in l itt .) saw a Ptarmigan walk into his footstep on a snow patch in July, and let wet snow trickle on its back. Ptarmigan often sunbathe, lying with feathers ruffled, eyes closed and wings partly spread, and often on one side with the opposite leg stretched out. In winter they usually bask where the sun is warm out of the wind, but sometimes in below-freezing winds up to Beaufort force 4. Resting and roosting Ptarmigan rest sitting or standing, head drawn in and feathers slightly- puffed out, often closing the eyes momentarily and sometimes tucking head under wing. They rest on the ground, boulders, cliffs, fence posts, fence railings and buildings. During the day they rest especially around noon and early afternoon. Plates 5 and 6 show resting birds of both sexes in winter and spring. They roost on boulders (in spring and summer only), on the ground, on cliff ledges and in snow. In spring the cock usually roosts near his favourite lookout and occasionally on it. The hen roosts beside him 22 Behaviour of the Ptarmigan at least from March to early May, often in successive pairs of hollows on the same snow drift on different nights. Single birds sometimes roost alone even in winter, especially in good weather, but most Ptarmigan roost in packs from September to March or April. I have Fig. 5 . Comfort movements of Ptarmigan L agopus mutus (all from photos by R. Snod- grass in Hohn 1969): (a) feather shaking; (b) wing stretching; (c) dust bathing Pl \tk i. Two juvenile White Storks Ciconia ciconia on chimney stack being mobbed j by Herring Gull Icarus argentatus, Cornwall, September 1971. During these attacks the gull called repeatedly and the storks retaliated by jabbing towards it some- what half-heartedly with their bills (pages 4-5) {photo: J. B. and V. Bottomley) Plates 2 and 3. The same White Storks Ciconia ciconia flying (and mobbed by Rook Corvus frugilegus ), perched and preening. Each carried a ring (visible in these flight shots): the numbers, read through telescopes, showed that they had left a nest in Denmark only a few days before (page 4) ( photos : J. B. and S. Bottomley) Plate 4. Female Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus in winter plumage, walking off with neck erect, tail cocked and combs raised in mild threat, Scotland, March 1967. Below, young male in remnants of autumn plumage, his bill covered in snow after feeding upon recently buried vegetation, January 1967 (pages 6-26) ( photos : AlexTewnion) Plate 5. The same female as on plate 4a, taken a few moments earlier as she was resting in the stunted heather with her feathers puffed out like a ball against the cold. Below, small group of Ptarmigan at rest, males at left and right, and two females between them, Scotland, January 1967 (page 21) ( photos : Mix reunion) Plate 7 (opposite). Upper, male strutting with combs fully erect, back horizontal, breast puffed out and tail cocked, and female with a more rolling walk, Scotland, April 1970 (photo: Alex Tenmion). Lower, tracks left in snow by a male’s feet and dragging primaries in waltzing posture of courtship to female (photo: Ada/// Watson (plates 7 and 8 will be referred to in part 2 of the paper on Ptarmigan behaviour) Plate 6. Pair of Ptarmigan Tagopus nuitus resting, the male in the more prominent place and more watchful as his mate drowses, Scotland, May 1969. Though his combs are partly raised, probably in slight threat at the photographer, his wing edges are folded beneath the flank feathers (so no alarm). Note cryptic coloration, and close individual distance of a pair in late spring (page 21) (photo: Alex Tenmion) l * v Plate8. Ptarmigan Lagopus rnutus in summer plumage, Scotland, May 1969. Above, courting male with combs erect, bill open, tail fanned and feet stamping; female in half-crouching posture that elicits courtship and mating attempts. Below, alert female with her crest raised and wing edges partly showing ( photos : Alex Temiion) behaviour of the Ptarmigan z 3 -seen up to 150 holes used by one group in one night in March. Family parties roost close together (nearly touching each other) until the young are almost fully grown, but individuals in packs rarely roost 1 nearer than 30 cm, and usually over 50 cm. By contrast, pairs in I spring roost only 20-30 cm apart. i Snow holes The usual winter roost is a hollow in snow, and even on nights when the ground is almost free of snow Ptarmigan concentrate on the few patches available. They sometimes roost on snow patches in May iand June when most of the ground in Scotland is clear of snow, and in August and September sometimes on tiny semi-permanent snow patches. A deep hole gives shelter and insulation in winter. In summer they make shallow hollows and sit almost out in the open, sometimes during the day, when their dark plumage makes them more conspicuous. Possibly the snow patches offer a good view of approaching foxes and stoats, or may cool the birds on hot days. Ptarmigan often choose I rroosts on snow remnants on cornices or cliffs in winter. For example, | on one morning there were about 120 freshly-used shallow hollows in a snow slope with an inclination of 40-50'3 at the top of the 200- | metre cliff of Lochnagar, Aberdeenshire (see fig. 6a overleaf). No ground predator could have reached them, since the snow was icy, I vwith an overhanging cornice above and ice-glazed rocks all round. I (On the same morning, many much larger snow fields in better shelter on other slopes had only eight fresh roosting hollows. In hard snow that bears a man’s weight, hollows are 2-3 cm deep. In granular ‘spring’ snow or slightly frozen snow, they are 5-7 cm and occasionally up to 20 cm deep, and in powder snow 20 or even 30 cm (fig. 6b and c); in Alaska R. Moss saw many so cm holes. If there is I any fresh powder snow or hard-packed powder that has not thawed, the birds always choose it for roosting even if the fresh snow consists only of occasional minute drifts lying on vast expanses of hard snow. Powder snow on snow-free ground usually collects into tiny drifts on the lee side of stones, which are common roosting sites (fig. 7); a I drift remains on the lee side of the stone even if the wind changes direction, when the drift moves round accordingly. The hole is dug I with a wall 9-20 cm high at the windward side next to the stone, tapering round to a low wall 5-10 cm high at the lee side. Where there I are large deep snowfields of powder, or large boulders providing shelter, the hole is the same depth all round. Ptarmigan roost in large sheltered areas such as big hollows only on calm nights. On windy nights they roost in tiny sheltered sites within exposed areas — where most of the snow drifts past but does not accumulate — and not in sheltered places where it would pile up. During a blizzard, I have 24 'behaviour of the Ptarmigan Fig. 6. Snow roosting holes of Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus : (a) safe sites in steep icy snow at top of the cliff of Lochnagar, Aberdeenshire b (b) part of flock roost in powder snow; (c) holes of paired cock and hen, closer than those of flock: caecal droppings stain snow above behaviour of the Ptarmigan z 5 reveral times seen Ptarmigan move out of shelter towards dusk and y to exposed ridges higher up. On these ridges a man could barely tand, yet the birds settled down to roost, scattering so that each had a tole in snow behind a stone. In deep powder snow they sometimes dig straight down for 20 cm 1 nd then sideways for up to 30 cm, or else sideways for 20-30 cm traight into a vertical drift. When a bird in such a hole is disturbed, •t may fly straight up to break the snow surface rather than out of the ntrance. Deep burrows are far fewer than open hollows, and arc tsed only on calm nights; they would fill with drifted snow in less han a minute on a windy night. In Alaska, R. Moss found that 5tarmigan sometimes spend part of the night at the bottom of a ioIc and then dig a tunnel up to 90 cm along and finish the night there. When there is not heavy drifting, Ptarmigan sometimes dig deep ioles during the day and rest inside or near the entrance, and may do his during a blizzard in the side of drifts that are not accumulating. •1. Moss (in litt.) noticed that Alaskan Lagopus of all three species VWillow Grouse, Ptarmigan and White-tailed Ptarmigan L. teucurus) )ften burrow immediately into the snow again when landing after oeing flushed. DRItTING SNOlAT TIME 1 TIME 2 1 WIND 1 WIND DRIFTING SNOW 1 1 j^5TONt^^ DRIFTING SNOW S' \ O — /snow hole \ * V 1 \ —SNOW DRIFT ' 1 \: * * ^ / ~ " 9 " N t Fig. 7. Common positions of snow hole roost of Ptarmigan Lagopus m ulus behind stone during night of severe drifting . 26 behaviour of the Ptarmigan The bird deposits a pile of faeces, which sink a few centimetres into the snow by melting except in very cold weather. To judge from bill marks on the wall and positions of faeces and footprints, the bird faces the tall end of the hole towards the wind, with its head 2-3 cm down from the snow surface and its tail sticking out towards the short end of the hole, and it keeps a roughly similar position all night, touching a 5 cm wide area of snow with its bill and leaving four to twelve marks. Each bird uses one hole per night, but in rock-hard snow holes are used for two or occasionally three nights, with many faeces piling up. Sometimes the bird partly or wholly scratches a hollow and then walks or flies to dig another where it spends the night. It usually begins scraping with its bill, but scratches out the snow mainly with its feet though also using its bill, especially in hard snow. Ptarmigan walk both to and from the roost. Red Grouse use snow roosts in the same way, except that unlike Ptarmigan they rarely choose tiny sheltered sites within exposed areas. Black Grouse Lyrnrus tetrix in Scotland occasionally roost in holes up to 50 cm deep in powder snow. Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus commonly use snow holes in Northern Russia (Semenov-Tian-Shanski 1959) but I have seen only one in Scotland, and that was on an excep- tionally cold night when the snow was 70 cm deep, the sky clear and starry, and the air temperature —ifC. (, to be concluded ) Regular daylight hunting by Barn Owls D. S. Bunn Many books mention that Barn Owls Tyto alba sometimes hunt in day- light. I had thought until two years ago that this behaviour was con- fined to periods when they were short of food, as when feeding young and during unfavourable winter weather. In September 1969, however, I began to make observations which subsequently changed my view, at least with regard to the population of Barn Owls which I am studying. My study area is a young coniferous forest in the West Riding of Yorkshire where the staple diet of the Barn Owls is the Short-tailed Vole Microtus agrestis; this rodent accounted for 84% of the 139 prey items in one pellet sample analysed by D. E. Glue. Where the trees are very small (under ten feet tall), the owls hunt everywhere over 27 daylight bunting by Barn Owls ne plantations; where they are large and impenetrable, the owls fly dw along the rides which separate the plots. This part of the forest ontains a wide valley in which there is a large open area of very mall trees. By selecting a suitable vantage point, 1 could scan large •arts of the territories of six resident Barn Owls (two pairs, a single , • lale and a female) and smaller parts of the territories of a further hree (a pair and a female). Virtually the whole territory of one pair i ould be overlooked and it was impossible for these two birds to >e actively hunting in daylight without my seeing them. In June, ulv and August 1969, I frequently noticed this particular pair hun- ing for food for their brood in the early evenings, well before dusk ! s is normally the case at that stage in the breeding cycle. When, towever, the owlets had finally become independent and had left the -arental territory, I was surprised to find that the female — B in table (see over) — continued to emerge one hour or more before sunset. )n the other hand, her mate (who was not noted during the dawn watches summarised in table 1) was seldom seen then. These observa- 10ns encouraged me to study the hunting patterns of these owls and hereafter I spent many hours watching from this vantage point. It soon became apparent that this female was not the only owl regularly hunting in daylight outside the breeding season. An unusually j white bird (C) almost invariably began to hunt over a young plantation ! on the opposite side of the valley well before sunset. Two other owls ID and E) whose territories were partly in view were frequently noted i nd, taking into account some previous observations, there was little loubt that when I could not see them they were hunting elsewhere. Another owl (A), whose territory was less well overlooked, was occasionally seen. Barn Owls tend not to hunt enthusiastically for more than about 45 ninutes in normal circumstances. After this time, even if they have .ailed to make a capture, they lapse into comparative inactivity. 5erhaps they are simply tired. The significant point is that by dusk hey have usually already begun to sit about or have returned to the oost. By December it had occurred to me that, if the birds really were making a practice of hunting in daylight, they should also emerge after daybreak. I therefore undertook three dawn watches, the results if which are given in table 1. The owls were recognised individually 1 n four ways : (1) The shade of the plumage of the upperparts, extremes of which could give an owl an all-white or all-brown appearance when viewed from a high vantage point. (2) The type of wing-beat — slow, fast, deep, shallow, generally light or heavy, and so on. (Most showed characteristic and recognisable differences.) 28 Daylight hunting by Barn Owls (3) Method of hunting — some tended to fly continuously while others watched the ground from fence posts and walls, spending a minute or so at each perch. (All used this latter method to some degree, but some, for example C, were specialists.) (4) The territories they frequented. The weather on all three occasions was fine, with little wind and good visibility. On 6th and 25 th December temperatures were around freezing point on my arrival, and on 26th well below until raised by the warmth of the sun. It should be noted that in fine weather it is Table 1. Activities of five Barn Owls Tyto alba during three dawn watches in a young coniferous forest in the West Riding of Yorkshire, December 1969 The owls are identified in the text on page 27 Minutes from Date Time sunrise Observations 08.35 —37 Took up station; sky clear, and light enough for me to be fairly certain there were no owls hunting 08.50 — 22 A appeared and began hunting 08.58 —14 B appeared in the window of her barn 09.04 —8 B began hunting 09.14 + 2 B flew back into the barn 09.25 + 13 A resting on wall, having finished hunting 09.50 + 38 Left vantage point 09.00 -27 Took up station; C hunting already 09.15 12 D now hunting (soon disappeared from view) 09.25 2 A now hunting 09.37 + 10 B now hunting 09.50 +23 B returned to her roost 10.30 + 63 Left vantage point; C and A still present 08.20 —68 Took up station; weather very clear and ideal for sighting the owls, but none could be seen 09.10 —18 A and B now hunting 09.30 + 2 C seen briefly 09.40 + 12 B finished hunting and returned to her barn; A had just disappeared, presumably having finished hunting 09.54 + 26 D appeared, hunting below his barn TO. 24 + 56 D no longer visible IO.3O + 62 B emerged again and appeared to make two captures I I.05 + 97 B returned to her barn 1 1.25 + 117 C now hunting purposefully u.35 + 127 E appeared, diving into the grass quite near me n.47 + 1 39 E still present, having been rather inactive, now resting on a post; A reappeared as I left 29 i cay light hunting by Barn Owls asonably light at least 30 minutes before sunrise. I continued my afternoon watches from the vantage point for the mainder of the winter and then began again in October 1970. I soon I uund that the situation was very much the same as before, with B, | iand D still frequently in evidence. A was less often seen, however, 1 d E had disappeared. In November an unexpected thing happened: B, who had hunted so ^gularly in the late afternoons, suddenly ceased to emerge in daylight , d was not observed at all between 22nd November and 21st February. ;r the end of January I was so certain this bird had succumbed that \ vdsited her barn, but to my amazement she was present, dozing on c perch I had provided for her. She persisted with this changed i haviour for the remainder of the winter, emerging in the daytime only ; *ce or twice, while C and D continued to hunt regularly in daylight. lOnly one dawn watch was undertaken during the winter of 1970, 71, 1 26th December. This time, unfortunately, the weather was bad, with in and sleet at first, the sun not breaking through until later in ice morning. Only C was seen, emerging at 09.30 (two minutes after I I nrise) and hunting for 30 minutes before beginning to doze on a nee post. 1ISC U SSI ON is evident that some of the Barn Owls in my study area hunt fre- lently in daylight at all times of the year. They begin to emerge ortly before sunrise to engage in an early morning hunting foray id reappear in the late afternoon, well before sunset, to complete Mother foray before darkness. Nevertheless, there are Barn Owls in ite area which seldom hunt before dusk (for example, B’s mate). To implicate the matter further, abrupt changes of behaviour can occur r no apparent reason, as in the case of B in November 1970. Despite statements (for example, in Hosking and Newberry 1945) ' at the Barn Owl can foresee bad weather and will hunt (if necessary in uylight) before its arrival, my records do not support this. The : mes of emergence in the afternoon varied and I could never correlate icese either with the weather conditions at the time or with any sub- quent weather changes. Probably the exact time the birds emerged in .e late afternoon depended simply on how hungry they were. The only eather which kept them from hunting was continuous rain. According to Davis (1933), the Short-tailed Vole has a two- to four- )ur rhythm of feeding and a longer 24-hour rhythm with peaks follow- g sunset and sunrise and a higher average of activity at night, his would certainly explain the Barn Owls’ burst of activity at dav- -eak, but does nothing to account for their second diurnal emergence >me one to two hours before sunset. The only other conceivable reason at might explain so much daylight hunting, bearing in mind the fact 30 Daylight hunting by Barn Owls that Barn Owls are quite nocturnal in other respects (territorial de- fence and courtship), seems likely to be their apparently inefficient eyesight. I have more than ample evidence of this from my own studies : suffice it to say that, provided one does not move and is not too conspicuously placed, Barn Owls can usually be watched at close quar- ters without a hide. The eyes of this species are small compared with those of other primarily nocturnal owls and, though in experimental conditions it is capable of catching mice using the sense of hearing alone (Payne 1961), its poorer eyesight may be a significant factor when it is searching for quarry in its natural habitat, with the distractions of other noises. This suggestion was supported by the poor hunting success, in the winter of 1970/71, of an owl which was blind in one eye. It seldom caught prey, despite hunting most persis- tently throughout many of my vigils. Assuming that its hearing was not affected, the loss of one eye was sufficient to make it hunt over the entire valley in all the Barn Owl territories and for much longer periods than is normal, apparently in a desperate attempt to satisfy its hunger. I suspect that sensitivity to light has been increased at the expense of visual acuity, so it may be that the Barn Owl can see better in the daytime than at night. I have noticed no such visual defects in the sight of the Tawny Owl Strix aluco, which, of course, has much larger eyes. As experience outside my study area suggests that Barn Owls are quite nocturnal most of the time, I would welcome any reports of regular diurnal hunting, and indeed of any other interesting observa- tions that may help me in a monograph on this species that I am preparing. REFERENCES Davis, D. H. S. 1933. ‘Rhythmic activity in the Short-tailed Vole, Micro/us’. J. Anim. EcoJ., 2: 232-238. Hosking, E. J., and Newberry, C. W. 1943. Birds of the Night. London. Payne, R. 1961. ‘Acoustic orientation of prey by the Barn Owl, Tyto alba’. Technical Report No. 1. Quartermaster Research and Engineering Command, U.S. Army, Division of Applied Physics, Harvard University. D. A. Bunn, 40 Brant fell Road, Blackburn, Lancashire Notes Woodcock nesting away from trees With reference to J. Russell’s note on a deserted nest of a Woodcock Sco/opax rusticola in a hole in a sandbank {Brit. Birds , 64: 76), I might mention that on 28th May 1937, inGlenTrool, Kirkcudbrightshire, I examined a Woodcock’s nest with four eggs on a hillock covered with heather, rushes and Notes 31 ; ichens and surrounded by boggy ground. It was on the fringe of a noor and about 50 yards from the nearest covert. This nest was subsequently deserted. Hubert E. Pounds .?7 Orchard Close , Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 ilp Dr Bruce Campbell has commented: ‘I do not think Mr Pounds’s site •was all that unusual. In my book Finding Nests (1952) I mentioned )pen ground of various kinds as less common breeding habitats . . . ; 1 >nly last year I was shown a deserted Woodcock’s nest with one egg 1 under brambles in a very wide ride in woodland, nearly 50 yards from ':he trees.’ We have also heard from Grahame des Forges, who has had l considerable experience of this species in Sussex, similarly criticising t :hc statement in The Handbook that it nests usually close to the foot of a tree. Eds IFood of Great Grey Owls in the Lapland Reserve, U.S.S.R. 'Since the publication of the paper by Dr Seppo Sulkava and myself on • he food of Great Grey Owls S/rix nebulosa in Fenno-Scandia (Brit. Birds , 63: 23-27), I have received some information from Dr Oleg 'Semenov-Tian-Shanski, director of the Soviet Lapland Reserve, near Monchegorsk (Murmansk), U.S.S.R. In 1964 one nest of Great Grey Owls was found in the reserve. On mth June it contained four eggs, and on 24th three nestlings and one e;gg; on 24th July all four young left the nest. Dr Semenov-Tian- SShanski examined 41 pellets and three carcasses left by the owls: among them he found remains of 1 30 prey animals (table 1). There were pprobably very few Alicrotus voles in the reserve, since Grey-sided Voles Table 1. Food of Great Grey Owls S/rix nebulosa near Monchegorsk (Murmansk), U.S.S.R., during the breeding season of 1964 Total Per cent Shrew Sorex sp I 0.8% total shrews (Soricidae) I 0.8% Short-tailed Vole Micro/us agrestis 2 i-5% Bank Vole Clethrionomys glareolus I 0.8% Grey-sided Vole Clethrionomys rufocanus 122 93-8% total voles (Microtidae) 125 96. 1 % Weasel Slus/ela nivalis I 0.8% total martens (Mustelidae) I O O " OO d Beetle (Coleoptera) I 0.8% Terrestrial snails (Gastropoda) 2 *.j% GRAND TOTAL 130 100.0% Notes Cletbrionomjs rufocanus provided the great majority of the food. In the material that Dr Sulkava and I studied, Short-tailed Voles M. agrestis predominated at every site in both Sweden and Finland, accounting for 66.7% of the total; Cletbrionomjs voles formed together only 17.7% in Sweden and 12.4% in Finland. This is a good example of how the food of some predators can vary from one locality to another, depend- ing mostly on the prey species available. Heimo Mikkola Department of Zoology , University of Oulu, SF-90100 Oulu 10, Finland Swift clinging to another which was perched on edge of roof gutter In the early evening of 15th July 1969 P. Sims and I were watching a small ‘screaming party’ of Swifts Apus apus from my garden at Saltford, Somerset. Before they quietened to a period of aerial feeding, one of them uttered a churring scream on a different pitch from the calls of the rest; as it did so it broke away from the flock and alighted on the edge of a roof gutter on my neighbour’s house. It rested there with its head turned towards the birds in flight, still calling in this curious way. Soon a second Swift flew to the gutter, giving the same call, and settled, on the back of the first bird. (Robin J. Prytherch’s fine drawing, made under my guidance, shows this very well.) They immediately stopped calling, and remained quietly in this position for nearly three minutes, during which momen- tary movements resembling copulation occurred. Eventually they separated and rejoined the feeding flock. 33 >/es I forwarded this record to Dr David Lack, author of several papers 1 a monograph on this species (1956, Swifts in a Tower), and he died that, as far as he was aware, it was unique. Bernard King j // Cry , y Park Road, Newlyn, Cornwall \ \W. Mary Bannerman recorded (in D. A. Bannerman, 1955, T be Birds j the British Isles, 4: 8) a remarkable case of some 50 to 60 Swifts | : aging to each other on the inside wall of a tower during a severe I i.mderstorm. Eds dldcrcsts feeding young with Oak Bush Crickets On 30th July I -71, at the reserve of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Ynys-hir, Cardiganshire, I noticed a Goldcrest Regulus regulus I .dng food to a nest about 20 feet up in some ivy Hedera helix which I i s growing on a larch Larix decidua. On one occasion the female I ■ ived at the nest, which contained well-grown young, with two 1 k Bush Crickets Meconen/a thalassium in her bill. She dropped one them, but managed to swallow the other with some difficulty. The Handbook made no mention of Goldcrests feeding on Orthoptcra, I watched the nest for a total of three hours — two hours on 31st ly and one on 3rd August — recording the number of times an adult ■ nt to the nest both with and without Oak Bush Crickets. Standing yards away and using 10 x binoculars, I was able to keep an accurate 1 ::ord of both the sex of the bird and whether or not it was carrying I rese insects. Each time one came to the nest it would alight on a j aad branch on one side of the tree, giving me ample time to make rr observations. The male made 38 visits in all, carrying Oak Bush ickets on 16 of these; the corresponding figures for the female :cre 29 and 15. Thus these crickets were taken to the nest on 46% all visits (3 1 out of 67), suggesting that they were a common food ; this pair of Goldcrests. S. C. H. Smith The Fairway, Oadby, Leicester lez 2hn rrey Wagtail singing in early July At 16.45 hours on 1st July 1971, ar Borough Green, Kent, I watched an adult male Grey Wagtail 1 otaci/la cinerea singing for six minutes from a perch about 60 feet up an oak. The Handbook (1 : xxxix) showed the song as ‘irregular’ i >m the end of March to the beginning of May and ‘exceptional’ i rough May into early June and again from late September to mid- nuary. I was unable to visit the area regularly to discover whether 1 ihs was just an isolated burst of song, but no song was heard during : shorter visit on the following day. The male was paired and both reds frequented suitable breeding habitat, though I could find no idence of breeding having occurred. A. T. M. Ruck ns of the Hight of the Hawfinch, however, I have no reason to lieve that the modifications of the tips of the inner primaries and uare-ended secondaries are likely to produce the distinctive noise i : lich the species makes in flight. I think that this is caused by the fast ■tee of wing-beat which arises from the high wing-loading. This can t explained more simply by comparing the Hawfinch with the riaflinch Fringilla coelebs-. for the Hawfinch to be aerodynamically l-nilar, it would need 40% more wing area or 40% less weight. I ic 1 lawfinch overcomes the handicap of its large weight by more pid wing-flapping. The reason for the Hawfinch’s flight being so fferent from that of other finches lies in the greatly enlarged head and :ad muscles which require it to flap harder and faster to keep up. ! lis harder flapping has led to an increase in flight muscle and so to ore weight. The increase in weight without a corresponding increase wing area explains the difference in flight action. The noise of the mg-beat is similar to that of the smaller hummingbirds (Trochilidae) hich have relatively small wings beating at a rate of up to 80 times second.’ Eds Reviews !he Bird Gardener’s Book. By Rupert Barrington. Wolfe, London, | >>71. 125 pages. £1.50. nthusiastic field ornithologists, by and large, do not make good i urdeners and the latter often have a certain lack of sympathy for I irrds. But between the two extremes there are many thousands of reople who like to have a decent garden and are prepared to tolerate ,e occasional depredations of Bullfinches and sparrows in return for uch good done in less obvious ways and much pleasure at all times, his book attempts to show them why they should tolerate garden rds and how they can help to maintain a reasonable species diversity an urban or suburban area. About two-thirds of it deals with the provision of nest sites, natural id artificial, which are very neatly illustrated by the author. The formation seems exhaustive — indeed, it stretches the imagination > visualise the householder breaking holes in his cavity walls to t the tits in. Food supply would surely become critical if a high nesting population were contrived in a suburban area. The author gives ime space to the bird-table side of the business and provides in- ’ ructions for the establishment of an intensive mealworm farm, but atural foods get scant attention. Trees and shrubs are judged primarily n their merits as nest sites and there is no discussion of the relative Reviews 36 virtues of native and exotic plants as food sources. Nor is there any- warning against the possible hazards of making unsuitable food available when young are being reared. The information given on roosting sites is useful and often for- gotten. The last main section deals with enemies of birds, including two pages each on Foxes and Magpies, one page on the general dangers of pollution and a quarter of a page on Grey Squirrels, with a strange disregard for the relative importance of the various hazards and, incidentally, for the natural functions of predators. There is no information on the use of garden pesticides or on the alternative methods of pest control. Despite its failings, a book such as this would probably still do more good than harm in the average person’s hands had the author not forgotten that few gardeners want to give all their efforts to birds. Those not so enthusiastic should surely be persuaded with less of a technician’s approach and rather more emphasis on the simple fact that birds are nice to have in one’s garden. John Andrews Letters Do some Wallcreepers migrate ? Recent letters by David Elias, H. G. Alexander and Guy Mountfort on the movements of the Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria referred respectively to observations in Cyprus (Brit. Birds, 6y. 393-394) and the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent (Brit. Birds, 64: 236-237, 378). It seems worth pointing out that there are also two records for North Africa and a recent one for Gibraltar. H. Vaucher reported one or more in the Rif Mountains, near Tetouan, Morocco, in May 1892, and he thought they were resident there, but this has never been fully accepted (D. A. Bannerman, 1953, The Birds of the British Isles, 2). P. A. D. Hollom (1944, Ibis, 86: 549) saw one at Constantine, Algeria, on 16th December 1943, and Sir Gerald Lathbury (1970, Ibis, 1 12: 25-43) recorded one on the Rock of Gibraltar in November 1966. Unless Wallcreepers breed in North Africa, which is possible, the nearest likely source of origin of the Gibraltar and Constantine birds seems to be the Pyrenees, since they have not been seen in the Sierra Nevada, in southern Spain, for many years (R. Vaughan, 195 5, Ibis, 97: 159). Guy Mountfort (see above ) considered that the 300-mile movements in the Indo-Pakistan area could best be described as altitudinal migration, but such could hardly have accounted for the Wallcreepers at Gibraltar and Tetouan which were 600 miles from the Pyrenees (though the latter could have come from the Sierra Nevada), while the one at Constantine must presumably have crossed 400 miles of sea. There are innumerable localities in the Rif and Atlas Mountains in Morocco, and doubtless beyond to the east, where otters 37 nail numbers of Wallcreepers could breed or winter annually without eing detected, but if they only winter there they would at least merit : ie status of partial migrants rather than vagrants. K. D. Smith | Purn Lane, Bleadon Hill, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset i sjearctic vagrants in Britain and Ireland In part 5 of his paper m ‘Scarce migrants in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67 ’ (Brit. I 'iirds, 64: 93-113), Dr J. T. R. Sharrock concluded (page 99) that Most Nearctic waders occurring in early autumn — before 3rd | i.eptember — have crossed the Atlantic during a previous season and re undertaking a north-south migration from northern Europe. would suggest that an equally likely explanation of these early , agrants is that they are individuals which, for one reason or another, j i.ave not bred during the current year and have dispersed from their ummering area during a period when their innate navigational jiculties are inert or nearly so. They might be described as ‘true agrants’ as opposed to ‘storm vagrants’ which would appear to apply :o most later birds. Dr Sharrock has stated (in litt.) that virtually no I information is available on whether any of the records of Nearctic leaders involve adults or immatures. Doubtless most, if not all, early individuals would prove to be adults as, for instance, was the Lesser ft 'ellowlegs Tringa flavipes in Sussex on 3rd and 4th August 1970 (Brit. I irds, 64: 351). It is relevant to note that there are many records each jeear in summer and early autumn of vagrants to Britain from the east, t bviously involving non-breeding adults. M. J. Rogers III ? ardlands Cottage, 19 Lower Berwick, Po legate, Sussex ’Photographs wanted of European raptors in flight Although traders have responded admirably to our previous request (Brit. Birds, K3: 307) for photographs to illustrate the current series on ‘Flight identification of European raptors’ by Steen Christensen, Bent Pors I Nielsen, R. F. Porter and Ian Willis, we still need good flight photo- graphs of Saker Falco cberrug, Lanner F. biarmicus, Eleonora’s ialcon F. eleonorae. Merlin F. columbarius. Black-winged Kite LI anus ..leruleus and Goshawk Accipiter gentilis. Flight photographs of these, nd indeed any, falcons and hawks suitable for publication will be : ratefully received. Black-and-white prints are preferred, but repro- : uctions can sometimes be made from colour transparencies ; all prints ,md transparencies will be acknowledged and then returned when i nished with. We should also like to remind our readers that these papers should e regarded as a working series and we are anxious for any comments nd constructive criticism which it is our intention to publish at the ■nd of the series. R. F. Porter i loyal Society for the Protection of Birds, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire Letters 38 A bibliographical curiosity British ornithologists may be amused by the following passage from The Pleasures of Publishing, a periodical of the Columbia University Press (issue of 30th June 1947, but only recently brought to my notice): ‘In the bibliography of a manuscript there appeared this item: “Landsborous, A., and Thompson, H. F. G. Problems of Bird Migration.” In the line of duty, the editor queried the spelling of Landsborous, but it was returned by the author without change or comment. Not satisfied, she searched in various bibliographies and in two library catalogues for the name. She could find neither it nor the title of the book. Then she began to look for “Thompson, H. F. G.”, but without success. Under the subject “Birds — Migration” she was referred to “Aves — Migration”. There she found that an A. L. Thomson (without the “p”) had written Bird-Migration (2nd ed.). Further research in the subject index of the British Museum Catalogue revealed that the first edition had indeed been entitled Problems of Bird-Migration. The proper entry then proved to be: “Thomson, Arthur Landsborough. Problems of Bird-Migration”. The initials following the name “Thompson” in the original version continued to puzzle the editor until someone suggested that they might indicate an honorary fellowship in geography.’ Apart from the false assumption that one work was the second edition of another, the original errors were successfully resolved except for one— but the unexplained initials will be no mystery to anyone aware of the fame of H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd as publishers of books on birds. A. Landsborough Thomson 42 Girdwood Road, South fields, London SWiS News and comment Robert Hudson B.T.O. wader studies To co-ordinate a growing interest in waders in Britain, especially among ringers, the British Trust for Ornithology has set up a Wader Study Group, membership of which is available to all interested in these species. The Group produces a bulletin three times a year to keep members informed of ex- peditions, ringing recoveries and other news, and also to publish notes on various aspects of wader research. The Group is engaged in analyses of migration and mor- tality, moult and measurements, and on a guide to the ageing of waders. Much has still to be learned about the origin and distribution of waders and the patterns of their movements within Britain and Ireland: for example, it has only recently been realised that the Sanderling tends to follow different routes on its autumn and spring passages through Britain, being much more of a west coast species at the latter season. The Wader Study Group’s results will inevitably be of great assis- tance in interpreting counts obtained in the course of the B.T.O./R.S.P.B. Birds of Estuaries Enquiry. Foulness fight continues The regrettable Government decision to site the third London airport at Foulness, despite concerted opposition from naturalists and the recommendations of the Roskill Commission, may have been accepted as final by the country at large, but not by many Essex people. A new organisation, the Defenders of Essex, has been formed to co-ordinate opposition to any airport/seaport complex on the Thames estuary, and to fight for the environmental preservation of Essex. :ws and comment 39 i s new body will become effective only when it has attracted a sufficiently large [ rtbership for it to claim to be representative of an important segment of public | union. New members are being solicited (annual subscription £i) by its Honorary j retary: T. N. Hunter, 8 Connaught Gardens, Shoeburyness, Essex. i me recent publications To the recent spate of books and booklets on local orni- i . logy has now been added The Birds of Exmoor by N. V. Allen, published by the n noor Press, Dul verton, Somerset. This 64-page account contains 1 3 pages of general I : :ter, a systematic list of 35 pages, black-and-white photographs and an end- ccr map. The treatment is very brief but informative, and visitors to Exmoor are I : ly to find this inexpensive booklet (price 5 3p) more suitable for their limited i uuirements than the substantial volumes of The Birds of Somerset (1968) and The is of Devon (1969). ! “’or National Nature Week in May 1963, the County Libraries Group of the Library >;ociation (Park Lane, Newtown, Montgomeryshire) published a small booklet list- what it considered to be the key British publications for all major branches natural history; a third (revised) edition has just appeared. Though specialists j . 1 particular branch may question certain inclusions and omissions, few, 1 think, uld deny that this list is a useful starting point for finding out which recent nks are available in an unfamiliar field. The booklet is published as Readers’ t ide no. 12): Natural History and costs 25 p. The third publication I want to mention will be little read in this country, cce it is written in Turkish. Nevertheless, the appearance of Gocmen Kuslar | igrating Birds] by Belkis Acar is noteworthy, for it is probably the first popu- ] Ivy oriented natural history publication to appear in Turkey. There has long :n a need for books to stilmulate interest in natural history in that country, 1 1 we hope this seed falls on fertile ground. Gocmen Kuslar is an attractive 32- | ^e booklet containing a wealth of coloured photographs, but for obvious reasons m unable to review the text. It is published by the Redhouse Press, P.K. 142, anbul (price not stated). I erw warden for Lundy Lundy Bird Observatory, oft the Devon coast, is being revi- issed after several years in the doldrums. Following the purchase of the island t year by the Landmark Trust, funds are again available for the appointment of 1 lull-time bird observatory warden. The post has gone to J. N. Dymond, who ves up residence at the observatory, in the Old Lighthouse, this month. Nick I ’mond has worked for the British Trust for Ornithology for several years, and has . d particular responsibility for liaison between the Trust and the bird observatory • iwork. Our good wishes go to him and to the observatory. ! ueasant conservation Fifteen species of pheasants in south-east Asia are listed t . endangered species in the Red Data Book. There are slight grounds for optimism ! the fact that these gamebirds are readily bred in captivity, and in this connection c: work of the Pheasant Trust at Great Witchingham, Norfolk, is important, ic Trust has built up small stocks of several rare species, and in some instances ! ss shipped captive-bred birds back to reserves in their original homelands. During Dvcmber, 24 of the rare Cheer Pheasants Catreus wallicbii reared at Great Witch- I .'ham were flown out to New Delhi; they are to be released in a sanctuary near rula, India, where the species formerly occurred. The cost of air freight (over 00) was paid by the British Section of the International Council for Bird Pre- rrvation. Cheer Pheasants formerly occurred quite commonly over much of the estern Himalayas, but their range has been greatly restricted through man’s tivities in hunting and habitat destruction. unions expressed in this feature are not necessarily those of the editors of British Birds Recent reports P. F. Bonham These are largely unchecked reports, not authenticated records This covers October 1971, to which all dates refer unless otherwise stated. Despite the passage across the Atlantic of as many as nine low pressure systems during the month, it was predominantly sunny, mild and dry, highs over continental Europe deflecting the depressions north-east towards northern Scandinavia. October could be divided into three periods: ist-9th (fine and warm with light SE to SW winds), ioth-2 3rd (cooler, unsettled, rather cloudy, wet and windy, SW to NW but NE on 13th and 14th) and 24th onwards (anticyclonic, cool, E to SSW). SHEARWATERS, AUKS AND OTHER MARINE SPECIES A total of 168 Sooty Shearwaters Puffinus griseus flew south off Cape Cornwall in almost as many minutes on 3rd, and 140 went north off the Butt of Lewis (Outer Hebrides) in five hours on 5 th; 39 were noted at Cape Clear Island (Co. Cork) on 1st, 37 at Spurn (Yorkshire) on 13th and 109 at Cap Gris Nez in northern France on 2 1st. Not unexpectedly the largest passages of Great Shearwaters P. gravis and Cory’s Shearwaters Calonectris diomedea were recorded off Co. Cork — 250 Cory’s on 5th-6th in flocks of up to 70, and 520 Great on 15 th — but a Cory’s off St Ives (Cornwall) on 19th, a Great Shearwater off Hilbre (Cheshire) on 31st — the first 2 1 st were notable records for British waters. Still more remarkable was a Cory’s Shearwater picked up alive at Cannock Reservoir (Staffordshire) on 2nd and later released on the sea at Swansea : this was the first record inland in Britain and Ireland and we understand that it was of the North Atlantic race C. d. borealis (the only other Cory’s subspecifically identified, in Norfolk in January 1966, was also of this form). Another unusual inland record involved an immature Puffin Fratercula arctica on a small pool in Swithland Wood (Leicestershire) on 3rd; in Norfolk about 18th a juvenile Gannet Sula bassana was seen eight miles from the coast and a Razorbill Alca torda was found in a forest ride near Thetford. Lastly, single Little Auks Plautus a lie off Seaton Sluice (Northumberland) on 16th, 17 th and 31st were the forerunners of many more in November. HERONS TO CRAKES A Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia on the Swale (Kent) from 2nd to 14th might possibly have been associated with the records in Kent and Sussex in September ( Brit . Birds, 64: 556); another was later reported at Sidlesham (Sussex). A Night Heron Nycti- corax nycticorax occurred at Meols, Hoylake (Cheshire) on 4th and an adult Purple Heron Ardea purpurea at Sewardstone (Essex) on 16th. Three Long-tailed Ducks Clangula hyemalis off St Ives on 1st were early, as were Smews Mergus albellus at Ely (Cambridgeshire) on 20th, at Lydd (Kent) on 26th and at Aldholme, Doncaster (Yorkshire) on 30th. Reports of large numbers of geese county record — -and 20 Greats between the Wolf Rock and the Isles of Scilly on included 1,500 Greyleg Geese Anser anser at Loch Leven (Kinross) by 31st, 282 White-fronted Geese A. albifrons at Slimbridge (Gloucestershire) by 23rd and 1,500 Brent Geese Branta bernicla south at Minsmere (Suffolk on 26th. At Caer- laverock (Dumfriesshire) Barnacle Geese B. leucopsis numbered 1,150 by 25th Sep- tember and increased to 3,100 by 16th October. Two Brents on the Sussex coast on 15th September, twelve White-fronts at Minsmere five days later and 28 on the Colne (Essex) on 1st October were all rather early, while a Bean Goose A. fabalis at Slimbridge from 7th and eight Brents heading south-west over Walton Heath (Surrey) on 29th were also unusual. At Loch Leven Whoopcr Swans Cygtius cygnus steadily increased from 25 on 1st to a peak of 380 on 16th, and at Castle Caldwell (Co. Fermanagh) 423 passed through during October; 52 (12.3%) of the latter were juveniles. Minsmere had the first Bewick’s Swans C. bewickJi — five on 15th— and 40 4i I ; ecent reports ie next was an immature at Hillhouses (Derbyshire) on 19th; these were followed aring 2}rd-3tst by a build-up to 73 at Slimbridge and at least 80 others scattered \ .'cr 1 3 counties. It was another poor autumn for Rough-legged Buzzards Buteo lagopus, October : ports coming only from Salthouse Heath and Heacham (both Norfolk) and Walbers- ; ick (Suffolk). Ospreys Pandion baliaetus remained from September in Staffordshire, sscx and Kent, and Red Kites Alilvus milvus were seen in Cornwall near St Buryan ; 1 1 8th, at Marazion next day and in the Isles of Scilly during 22nd-24th; also in lose islands a Honey Buzzard Perm's apivorus was identified on St Mary’s on 14th id a Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni on St Agnes on 28th, while another report of | jc latter came from Porthgwarra (Cornwall) in late October (see also Brit. Birds, **: 55<>). A bevy of seven Quail Cotumix coturnix was seen at Badby (Northamptonshire) on h, and a Crane Grus grus at Blithfield Reservoir (Staffordshire) on 1st. Reports ■f crakes in the Isles of Scilly involved up to four Corncrakes Crex crex during id-7th and three Spotted Crakes Porgana porgana during 4th-i6th; Spotted Crakes ere also seen on the Ouse Washes (Cambridgcshirc/Norfolk) from 1st to 3rd and at !ircc other places during 23rd-z4th. IEARTIC WADERS, GULLS AND LANDBIRDS 'here were no really marked influxes of American birds, though new arrivals ccurrcd during 2nd-5th, 8th-i2th and i6th-26th. Three Lesser Golden Plovers Pluvialis dominica were seen in the Trevorian/St Just area (Cornwall) — one from 5 th o 2 tst and two others on 23rd-24th, one staying to 29th (though these latter were hought by some observers to be of the predominantly Asiatic form P. d. fulva). I ’wo dowitchers lJmnodromus sp stayed at Lady’s Island Lake (Co. W exford) from i 1 rd to 8th, as well as one at Clonakilty (Co. Cork) from September through into : November (not mentioned in the last summary), and a Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa 1 davipes at Ballycotton (Co. Cork) from 4th to 8th. A Spotted Sandpiper T. macularia occurred on St Agnes on 10th and 1 ith, and a Baird’s Sandpiper Calidris bairdii at j 'oint of Air (Flintshire) from 22nd to 6rh November. Single Buff-breasted Sand- ' tipers Tryngites subruficollis on St Agnes on 3rd and near St Just on 5 th had probably I rrived in September (Brit. Birds, 64: 537). A late Wilson’s Phalarope Pikihiropus ■'icotor appeared at Lydd (Kent) on 12th. Pectoral Sandpipers C. melanotos were eported on St Agnes from 2nd to 3th (adult) and on toth (immature), at Eye Brook I Reservoir (Lcicestershire/Rutland) on 2nd, at Farlington (Hampshire) from 2nd to I oth, at Stithians Reservoir (Cornwall) from 4th to t 7th, at Freckleton (Lancashire) | >n 10th, at Cheddar Reservoir (Somerset) from 16th to 24th and at Funton (Kent) I 1 nd Dunstable sewage farm (Bedfordshire) on 17th. Thus there were at least 40 ’ectoral Sandpipers in autumn 1971, compared with nearly 70 in 1970, and the other American waders taken together were also scarcer (35 in autumn 1971, 70 in 1970). | I The most marked drop, however, was in the number of Sabine’s Gulls I .arus sabini, he seven reported in October — on St Agnes on 4th, in the Alt estuary (Lancashire) j >n 9th, at Gibralter Point (Lincolnshire) on 10th (adult) and 25th (immature), at 1 Iley on 14th and at St Ives during I7th-i9th (two birds) — bringing the year’s otal so far to 18 compared with 43 in 1970. By far the rarest gull reported j i vas a Kumlien’s Gull L. glaucotdes kumlteni (the race of the Iceland Gull which I trecds on Baffin Island in arctic Canada) at Ballycotton on 8th. There were five American landbirds in October but, strangely*, only one was a [ lasserine. The first was a Nighthawk Chordciles minor on St Agnes during 1 2th- 1 3th ; I i inly three had previously been recorded in Britain (none in Ireland), all in Scilly, 1 he first on Tresco on 17th September 1927 and the other two together on St Agnes luring 28th September-4th October 1933, but less than a week after this fourth British record another Nighthawk was seen, well inland in the English Midlands it Bulcote (Nottinghamshire) on 18th and 21st. Also on 1 8th a Yellow-billed 42 decent reports Cuckoo Coccysyis americanus was picked up at Reydon (Suffolk), dying next day, and on 20th a Grey-cheeked Thrush Catharus minimus was found freshly dead on Bardsey (Caernarvonshire), the eighth British record. Lastly, a second Yellow-billed Cuckoo was seen on Castle Hill, St Mawes (Cornwall) from 26th until 7th November. All these arrival dates except the last were compatible with rapid down-wind drift across the Atlantic in the circulations of depressions; the second of the cuckoos, however, probably came in on or shortly before 23rd. PALEARCTIC WADERS TO TERNS It continued to be a very poor autumn for Palearctic waders. Little Stints Calidris rnimta and Curlew Sandpipers C. ferruginea hardly reached double figures and late passage of Wood Sandpipers Tringa glareola was virtually nil. Single Dotterel Eudromias morinellus were seen in Pembrokeshire and Dorset and there were up to four in the Trevorian area from 21st, however, and Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus exceeded ten at Cannock Reservoir (17 on 17th) and Leighton Moss (Lancashire) (15 on 28th). We heard of 17 Grey Phalaropes Phalaropus fulicarius, all coastal and mainly in the south-west and north-east, and one Red-necked Phalarope P. lobatus, at Leigh (Lancashire) from 6th to 8th. Stone Curlews Btirhinus oedicnemus at Frodsham (Cheshire) on 3rd and at Beddington (Surrey) on 16th were well away from their breeding areas. Two Pratincoles Glareola pratincola were reported at Portland (Dorset) on 9th. Movements of skuas included 36 Arctic Skuas Stercorarius parasiticus and 32 Great Skuas L. skua at Donna Nook (Lincolnshire) on x 3 th, and 31 Arctic, 50 Great and eight Pomarine Skuas S . pomarinus at St Ives on 19th. A Long-tailed Skua S. longicaudus was seen between Penzance and Scilly on 5 th and an Arctic appeared inland on the Ouse Washes on 15 th. Inland reports of gulls seen mainly on the coast included an adult Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus in Windsor Great Park (Berkshire/ Surrey) on 17th and 29th, an adult Mediterranean Gull L. melanocepbalus at Sdthians Reservoir on 10th, and several Little Gulls L. minutus and Kittiwakes R issa tridactyla. On the coast 90 or more Little Gulls were counted on a number of dates at Sheringham (Norfolk) and Spurn, as well as at Cap Gris Nez. A White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus was reported at Pennington marshes (Hamp- shire) in mid-October, and also rather late were at least 20 Black Terns C. niger in 14 localities, a Little Tern Sterna albifrons at Radley gravel pits (Berkshire) on 27th and two Roseate Terns V. dougallii at Whitley Bay (Northumberland) on 30th. RARE AND SCARCE LANDBIRDS There were some unusual records of Continental passerines normally thought of as sedentary or nearly so: these included a Short-toed Treecreeper Certbia brachy- dactyla at Hengistbury Head (Hampshire) from 18th September to at least the end of November, and a Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti trapped at Thatcham (Berkshire) on 31st October; Dartford Warblers Sylvia undata on Skomer (Pembrokeshire) on 14th September, at Hengistbury Head on 3rd October and at Dungeness (Kent) on 3oth-3ist might also have come from the Continent. (The Short-toed Treecreeper has not yet been admitted to the British and Irish list, but there have been other reports of this species back to 1969, and possibly as long ago as 1957 , and it is hoped to publish a full statement in due course.) Southern or south-eastern species included a Bee-cater Alerops apiaster at Kenil- worth (Warwickshire) on 2nd ; Hoopoes Upupa epops at Sherbourne (also Warwick- shire) on 4th and in the Alt estuary on 9th; three ‘eastern’ Short-toed Larks Calandrella cinerea on Fair Isle (Shetland) on 3rd-4th; one or two Black-eared Wheatears Oenanthe hispanica at Porthgwarra (Cornwall) during 2nd-yth and another on the Calf of Man from 7th to nth; a Desert Wheatear O. deserti at Rinscy Head (Cornwall) on 25th; Aquatic Warblers Acrocephalus paludicola at Hay ling Island (Hampshire) on 3rd and on Tresco on 13th; six Melodious Warblers Hippolais 43 u cent reports vglotta in the Isles of Scilly during 2nd-6th; a Bonelli’s Warbler Pkytloscopus : velli on St Agnes from 4th to 24th (trapped on 8th); and a Serin Set inns serinus on Agnes from 23rd to 27th. Six more Tawny Pipits An thus campestris were reported : .nr in Comwall/Scilly up to 10th, one on the Calf of Man on 6th and one at Benacre •ss (Suffolk) on 28th. On 22nd a Scops Owl O /us scops was identified near Ashford . ent) and a Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor in Epping Forest (Essex). , 'Migrants probably from Fenno-Scandia or Asia included three rather late jnynecks Jynx torquilh (on 1st, 3rd and 24th), 13 Barred Warblers Sylvia nisoria | ales and south-west England, the Wash area, Yorkshire, Orkney and Shetland, j during 3rd-8th, five during I2th-i6th and two 23rd-26th), and about a dozen I low-browed Warblers Phylloscopus inornatus (similarly distributed in place but It in time, all but two being found during I3th-i7th). Eleven Red-breasted -.catchers Eicedula pare a were confined to the south coast counties and the Channel 1 nds, except for one trapped at Meols on 3rd, the first Cheshire record; nine | rurred during ist-9th and the other two on 29th or 30th. About 35 Richard’s I [oits Antbus novaeseelatuliae made a poor total compared with 1967-70: reports came j r n Pembrokeshire, south-west England, Fair Isle and a broad band extending im Spurn and north Norfolk to Bardscy; 22 occurred during ist-6th, but the dates I I he rest were well scattered. There were six Bluethroats / uucinia svecica at various ilitics in Sussex, Somerset, Cheshire and Orkney during 2nd-6th, but the weather ndng that period and the coincidence of dates with those of the Melodious urblers in Scilly indicates that these Bluethroats were probably of the more I them White-spotted form L. s. cyanecula , and similarly two Ortolan Buntings vberipa hortulana , in Yorkshire on 2nd and Scilly on 3rd, might also have come II n the south-east. i Parities from the east or north-cast reached a peak during the week 24th-30th. ,glc Nutcrackers Ntuifraga caryocatactes were reported at Lowestoft (Suffolk) I I at four places in Norfolk during 27th-29th. A Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger wurus was identified on St Agnes on 15th and 16th, and a Siberian Lesser White- 1 )at Sylvia curruca blythi was present at Spurn from 28th to 30th. Arctic Warblers lloscopus borealis appeared at Meols on 3rd — the same date as the Rcd-brcastcd ^catcher and another first county record — and on St Agnes on 8th-9th and 30th, I I a Radde’s Warbler P. sebsvar^i on that island on 24th-25th; Pallas’s Warblers I fOroregulus occurred in the Banquette Valley, Sark, on 25 th (if accepted, the t Channel Islands record), at Spurn on 26th, Portland on 28th and Norwich nrfolk) on 30th. A Brown Flycatcher A l us ci capo latirostris was reported on II -oeland (Co. Down) on 26th; this species is not currently on the British and Irish , following the rejection of the 1909 record in Kent with the Hastings Rarities 1 the discarding of those seen in Northumberland in 1956 and Co. Wexford in -7 because the descriptions did not rule out two extremely similar Asiatic species, the one on Copeland was trapped and examined in the hand. A Red-throated 1 it Antbus cervinus was seen on St Agnes from 26th to 28th. A Citrine Wagtail ! acilla citreola appeared on Fair Isle on 6th (and was found dead on 16th) and a rlet Rosefinch Carpodacus erytbrinus was present there from 2nd to 6th; another -let Rosefinch was trapped on North Ronaldsay (Orkney) on 5 th. On Fair Isle, , there was a Little Bunting Ember -~a pus ilia on 31st and earlier one had been 1 on St Agnes on 15 th and 16th. Lastly, a Redpoll showing the characters of the ; cnland race Acantbis flammea rostrata was identified on St Agnes on 25th. '•■iTF.R VISITORS AND MISCELLANEOUS SPECIES largest flock of Shore Larks Eremopbila alpestris appears to have been 133 1 : ited on the south side of Tccsmouth (Yorkshire) on 25 th, and the next largest 1 >c tween Clev and Salthouse on 31st, but these were exceptional and elsewhere 1 ies of up to 15 were seen at 20 or more localities as far south as Kent from 4th ards, most arriving during i6th-25th. Inland reports came from Derbyshire 44 decent reports (three together), Lincolnshire and Bedfordshire (singles). There were large arrivals of Fieldfares Turdus pilaris and Redwings T. iliacus during I3th-i6th and 23rd- 26th. More than 55 Great Grey Shrikes Lanius excubitor were reported; two Waxwings Bombycilla garrulus at Weybourne (Norfolk) on 25 th preceded a large arrival in November. A count of 206 Twites Acantbis flavirostris at Minsmere on 20th seems largely to have involved a transient flock, since no more than 50 were recorded there on any other dates and this species was rather scarce on the east coast in October, especially during the first half of the month. Only about 40 Lapland Buntings Calcarius lapponicus were reported, and Snow' Buntings Plectro- phenax nivalis were thin on the ground with a maximum in England of 60 at Cley and Salthouse on 31st; inland two appeared at Wingates (Northumberland) on 23rd and one at Hoveringham (Nottinghamshire) on 31st. Lastly, migrant Long-eared Owls Asio otus were seen at South Gare (Yorkshire) on 26th and at Hartlepool (Co. Durham) on 27th. Counts of 50 Ring Ouzels Turdus torquatus on St Agnes and 20 on Hampstead Heath (Middlesex) on 14th were outstanding; two weeks later 14 Black Redstarts Phoeuicurus ochruros were present on St Agnes and on the following day 25 Firecrests Regulus ignicapillus were estimated at Dungeness (there was also a very large influx of Goldcrests R. regulus then, at least in East Anglia and the south-east). Sixteen Water Pipits Antbus s. spinoletta at Beddington from 24th was another high total. Finally, autumn 1971 saw a very large eruption of Bearded Tits Panurus biar/uicus, probably the largest since 1965. At Minsmere 714 were ringed during the year and movements were noted throughout October, though there were no major ones after 24th. After the first report of a migrant at Chew Valley Lake (Somerset) on 12th September, we heard of one at Reculver (Kent) on 1st October and five there on 3rd, one at Stanford Reservoir on 8th, a flock of 30 at Easington (Yorkshire) on 9th and three at Donna Nook on nth. Then, between 16th and 31st, small groups were seen in about 20 counties north-west as far as Flintshire and Lancashire, nearly 200 birds being reported altogether (though, since many of these were coasting, some duplication was possible). The West Wales Naturalists’ Trust Ltd (formerly the West Wales Field Society) Membership of the Trust is open to all who are interested in the study and conservation of wild life in Wales. The annual subscription of £2 entitles members to: (a) free issues of Nature in Wales, which appears half-yearly and quarterly Trust Bulletin. 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Wild Life and Nature Tours 1972 Birds Place Maltese Islands Cyprus Portugal— Faro Morocco Greece USSR— Caucasus Majorca Camargue Texel Island and Holland Spain — Estartit Ireland— Wexford Slobs Norway — Lofoten Islands Bulgaria Iceland Finland Yugoslavia Romania — Danube Delta Angus Fair Isle Sardinia Flowers Gargellen Isles of Scilly Corsica Channel Islands Val d'Aosta High Pyrenees Austria— Heiligenblut Ireland — The Burren Cacti Days Departure 15 April 1 15 April 29 15 April 28 15 April 21 15 April 17 15 May 20 15 April 29 15 September 30 12 May 8 8 May 27 15 May 6 Nov/Feb 15 May 13 15 May 19 15 May 30 14 June 1 1 15 June 18 15 May 27 15 September 9 7 Mar/Oct 8/15 Apr/Sept 15 May 6 18 June 18 7 June 10 15 April 20 8 May 21 15 July 24 15 July 18 15 July 29 15 May/Jui Leader Glyn Davies Arthur Stagg Eric Pilcher Donald Parr James Jobling I J Ferguson- Lees John D Magee Donald Kilgour Frank King Ron Kettle Roger Norman Independent parties Brian Hawkes J D Rae Vernon Auspices Iceland Tourist Board John Collins D G Harris John Collins George Crichton Weekly departures Terry James Norman Woodhead Edward Lousley Edward Lousley Ronald Williams Dr C T Prime David Paton Edward Lousley Independent Mexico 20 November 25 Preliminary announcement for 1 973 member or IONEXX TOURIST BOflD Birds of Israel — March 1 5, 1 973 in association with the Israel Council of Nature Full details of all these tours are given in our V^/Hd Life Sr Nature Tours Brochure, available NOW For your free copy, apply to BB172 Academy Travel Ltd TEN BLOOMSBURY WAY LONDON WC1 A 2SJ TELEPHONES: 01-242 0071 AND 01-405 2417 Printed in England by Compton Press Ltd, Compton Chamberlayne, Salisbury Published by H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd, 1 5 Nicholas Lane, London BC4N 7BR ritish Birds >y in Cornwall: a species new to Britain and Ireland II. P. Allsopp tnrsal of normal moult sequence in the Spotted Flycatcher K nieth Williamson F nt identification of European raptors F 3 Aquila and White-tailed Eagles S ni Christensen, Bent Pors Nielsen, R. F. Porter and Ian Willis * * Reviews Letters Hfa and comment Recent reports ume 65 Number 2 February 1972 35p British Birds Editorial Address 10 Merton Road, Bedford Telephone 02)4 6yjj8 Volume 65 Number 2 February 1972 45 Veery in Cornwall: a species new to Britain and Ireland Mrs E. A 1. P. Allsopp Plate 9 50 Reversal of normal moult sequence in the Spotted Flycatcher Kenneth Williamson 5 2 Flight identification of European raptors Part 3 Aquila and White-tailed Eagles Steen Christensen, Bent Pors Nielsen, R. F. Porter and Ian Willis Plates 10- 1 6 NOTES 79 Laughing Gull in the Isles of Scilly D. I. M. Wallace 81 Franklin’s Gull in Sussex M. J. Rogers 82 Blackbird taking flatworms from the undersides of water-lily leaves Mrs Audrey Thomas 82 Dead Whitethroat in nest occupied by young Garden Warblers R. W. Robson 82 Starlings grounded by drenched plumage in cold weather H. Brackbill 85 Tree Sparrow nesting in Sand Martin colony R. W. Robson REVIEWS 84 A Guide to the Birds of South America by Rodolphe Meyer de Schauensee Sir Hugh F. I. Elliott, Bt LETTERS 85 Feather wear in Guillemots and gulls R. E. Scott, P. J. Grant , and R. J. Kennedy 87 News and comment Robert Hudson 89 Recent reports P. F. Bonham D. I. M. Wallace drew the Cetti’s Warbler on page 92 Editors Stanley Cramp, I. J. Ferguson-Lees, P. F. Bonham, M. A. Ogilvie and D. I. M. Wallace Photographic Editor Eric Hosking News and Comment Robert Hudson, B.T.O., Beech Grove, Tring, Hertfordshire Rarities Committee F. R. Smith, 117 Hill Barton Road, Exeter, Devon exi $pp Year’s subscription for 12 issues £4.50 post paid (overseas rate £4.80) from H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd, 1 5 Nicholas Lane, London EC4N 7BR Copyright (§) the authors and H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd. All rights reserved: reproduction or use without permission of the whole or any part of the contents, including text illustrations, is prohibited olume 65 Number 2 February 1972 British Birds Weery in Cornwall: a species new | (0 Britain and Ireland [3. M. P. Allsopp )late 9 The village of Porthgwarra lies in a small secluded valley at the south- westerly tip of Cornwall. At 09.30 hours on 6th October 1970 G. E. I Ounmore was watching a Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inor- in the sallows in the lower part of the valley when a bird flew kcross his field of view and landed low down in the bushes about six metres away. Seen from the side, it gave him the impression of a I blump thrush about the size of a Robin Erithacus rubecula, but when tt turned to face him he saw streaking on the upper breast sharply | demarcated from uniform whitish below. It was obviously something .unusual and he drew it to the attention of H. P. Medhurst who, from |i. side view of the upperparts, gained the immediate impression of a l .large Thrush Nightingale Euscinia luscinia. Both observers then had I reasonable views for two minutes while it was low in shadow under the mshes. It was a dumpy bird noticeably smaller than a Song Thrush . 7 Urdus philomelos , but larger than a Robin, with rich warm brown upperparts and rather long, thin legs for its size, but with no super- : ilium or distinct orbital ring. G.E.D. thought it might possibly be 1 .n Olive-backed Thrush Catbarus ustulatus or a Grey-cheeked Thrush [ [7. minimus , as these were the only small American thrushes previously I r.ecorded in Britain and Ireland, though neither name-character was I : evident. The bird was left to settle for 1 5 minutes while D. Barker, P. Pearce, KC. Pellow and L. P. Williams were informed of its presence. It was r ediscovered on the edge of a large elderberry bush, where it was watched for a further 15 minutes in good light at ranges down to ten 45 46 V eery in Cornwall metres. At this point K. Allsopp and I arrived, but the bird promptly disappeared from view. G.E.D. and H.P.M. then consulted Peterson (1947, 1961) and Robbins et al. (1966): from the very warm brown coloration of the back, sparseness of spots on the breast and lack of eyestripe or orbital ring, they concluded that it was a Veery C. fuscescens. H.P.M. held up a copy of Robbins et al. open at page 233 (the Catharus thrushes) with the names covered up; looking at it through binoculars from about five metres, D.B., K.P., P.P. and L.P.W. all independently selected the Veery. About two hours later K.A. found the bird again among the bushes and all eight of us watched it for half an hour. During that period it moved slowly about the vegetation with long pauses between each move, occasionally feeding on elderberries, but at other times enter- ing tamarisks and dead bushes. Although skulking and generally inactive, apart from a characteristic lowering of its head into its collar, the bird sometimes flicked its wings and tail. It allowed fairly close approach, once down to two metres. When it was felt that no more details could be obtained in the field, it was trapped and photo- graphed by K.A. in colour Plates 9b-c are monochrome reproductions of two of the transparencies. It was in very good condition, with no detectable weakness and with none of the plumage spoiled. In the hand it was strong and aggressive, its excreta indicating a diet of elderberries, and it flew off strongly into the large elderberry bush when released. The bushes were then left undisturbed so that it could feed, and it was not seen subsequently. Descriptions were taken both in the field and in the hand, and these are summarised below. Together they clearly establish the identification as a Veery, the first to be recorded in Europe. DESCRIPTION IN THE FIELD 'Plumage: Crown and nape rich warm brown; mantle, scapulars, rump and uppertail- coverts also warm brown but less rich. Loral region grey-brown, with indistinct orbital ring; ear-coverts warm brown, paler than upperparts, shading into brown sides of neck. Chin and upper throat noticeably white, clearly bordered on each side by a thick brown moustachial streak and merging with colour of lower throat, this and upper breast being rich buff-brown (tinged golden in sunlight), paler in centre, with darker blotches forming ill-defined spots; sharp contrast with lower breast, belly, vent and undertail-coverts which were off-white with faint grey wash in subdued light and faint huffish wash in sunlight; centres of tips of lower breast feathers faint grey. Sides of breast and flanks uniformly white washed grey, with slight buffish tinge in good light. Uppertail brown, a shade darker than mantle, slightly warm brown in good sunlight; undertail darker. Primaries and secondaries brown; on closed wing inner primaries appeared slightly paler, tips darker; outer primaries darker. Bastard wing long, brown, paler in bright sunlight. Upperwing- coverts as mantle, with buff tips to central greater coverts giving impression of slight wing-bar. Underwing grey-white. Soft parts: Bill thrush-like but relatively fine; upper mandible grey-brown, lower pale except for terminal quarter. Legs pale brown, tinged pinkish or purplish. Iris black-brown. 47 ' eery in Cornwall E3SCRIPTION IN THE HAND cartage: Crown, nape, mantle and scapulars warm brown (very warm brown in nlight); rump and uppertail-coverts also warm brown. Lores grey, some rictal sties; ear-coverts brown edged buff, with whitish centres. Sides of neck brown, in and upper throat white washed buff, with dark moustachial stripes; lower i oat and upper breast white, each feather tipped centrally with broad grey wedge rdered orange-buff; feathers of middle breast white edged brown-grey; lower c :ast, belly and vent white; undertail-co verts white, outer ones with faint grey- ff tinge. Sides of breast and flanks white suffused brown, terminal halves of i i there washed grey. Tail colder brown than rest of upperparts, but outer webs .ged warm brown except on outermost feather. Outer web of second primary i be buff, of others warm brown; inner webs grey-brown; secondaries dull brown, stard wing pale brown-buff on outer web, dark brown on inner. Primary and ::ater coverts warm brown on outer webs, dark brown on inner, jth-7th greater j verts each with buff wedge at tip; median and lesser coverts warm brown, j iderwing-coverts white, terminal halves washed grev-buff; basal centimetre of i dersides of remiges whitish (forming bar across underwing), rest grey-buff. 7 parts: Upper mandible very dark brown-black; lower mandible with flange s Lged yellow, basal half pale horn with violet tinge, tip plain horn; gape bright 1 low. Legs horn-white at back, tinged purplish at front. Iris black-brown. Wing- i mula: 3rd primary longest, 2nd — 3.0 mm, 4th — 1.5 mm, 5th —9.0 mm; 3rd and n clearly emarginated on outer webs, 3th slightly. Measurements: Wing 106 mm; 1 (from feathers) 13 mm; tarsus 33 mm. DMPARISON WITH SKINS ni a visit to the Bird Room at the British Museum (Natural History') 1 . 24th November, I consulted two trays of the nominate subspecies the Veery and one of the western form C. f. salicicola , and trays other American wood thrushes. These clearly confirmed that the ; red at Porthgwarra had been a Veery, but I found that the rather i oad grey wedges, bordered orange-buff, at the tips of the breast aithers occurred in only a few skins of salicicola. Those of nominate srcescens, as a rule, had narrow red-brown arrow-shaped markings at c; tips, and no general colour suffusion. Unfortunately all the skins this species in the British Museum were of adults collected during say. Assuming that the pale tips to some of the greater coverts indicated I 1 first-year bird, as in Turdus, I consulted Bent (1949) only to find r; statement that the tips of the greater coverts in juveniles, which | r; not moulted in their first winter, are dark. According to Ridgway 907), however, the markings were quite correct for a first-year bird, le wing and tarsus measurements were both 1 mm over the maxima ven by Ridgway, but his were all taken from skins. Neither book I us very helpful on racial differences, Bent giving a Newfoundland j ice (juliginosus ) as well. While salicicola is generally darker above sin nominate fuscescens, and the Porthgwarra individual tended wards the former, I found the skins too variable for this to be a sitive indication. 48 1 Veery in Cornwall NOTES ON THE GENUS (I am grateful to P. F. Bonham for providing this section and the following one.) The eleven small American thrushes of the genus Catharus have no real counterpart in Europe. Four of these, the Hermit Thrush C. guttatus. Olive-backed (or Swainson’s) Thrush, Grey-cheeked Thrush and Veery, are all common summer visitors to large areas of North America. The Grey-cheeked breeds farthest north in subarctic coniferous forests and dwarf willow and alder clumps, and some even cross the Bering Sea to nest in extreme north-east Siberia west to the Kolyma. The Olive-backed also prefers evergreen forests, but has a wider range south to the Appalachians, the Great Lakes and the western United States. The Hermit Thrush breeds in dry coniferous and mixed woods largely in the southern parts of the range of the Olive-backed, and the Veery is found in mixed or deciduous forests and wooded swamps in the west-central and north-eastern United States and southern Canada. The name ‘Veery’ comes from the downward-slurred fluty notes of the bird’s song, all these thrushes being very fine singers more often heard than seen. They build cup-shaped nests of twigs, grasses and leaves (but without mud) on or near the forest floor (Veery and Hermit Thrush) or a few feet up in shrubbery or branches. The three to five pale greenish-blue eggs are incubated entirely by the female for 10-13 days and the young fledge in a similar period. Insects and spiders form half to two-thirds of the summer diet, wild berries and fruits making up the rest, but in winter these thrushes are much more dependent on fruits. The Hermit Thrush winters from Guatemala north to the east, south and extreme west of the U.S.A., but the other three migrate farther south to Central and South America — Grey- cheeked at least to the equator, Veery south to the Mato Grosso and Olive-backed as far as Paraguay and north-west Argentina. (Data from Bent 1949, Vaurie 1959, Austin 1962, Robbins et al. 1966, Brown 1970 and Meyer de Schauensee 1971.) It is surprising that the Veery has not previously been known to have reached Europe, since there are seven British and Irish records of the Grey-cheeked Thrush and three of the Olive-backed Thrush, all since 1953 and all but two in October. In Europe as a whole, Grey-cheeked Thrushes have been recorded in Iceland (at least one), Scotland (four), north Wales (two), northern England (one) and Germany (at least one); Olive-backed have been found in Iceland (two), south Wales (one), France, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Italy, a much more southerly distribution. This matches the latitudinal ranges of the two in North America and therefore possibly militates against the suggestion of ship-assisted crossings for these species. The Hermit Thrush has been recorded in Germany and Iceland, despite the fact that it is a relatively short-distance migrant in America. r. eery in Cornwall 49 | SSOCIATED RECORDS AND WEATHER CONDITIONS Bn 4th October a Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyyus americanus and a irlet Tanager Piranga olivacea were found on St Mary’s, Isles of :illy. (Neither was mentioned in the last ‘Report on rare birds’, but oth have since been accepted by the Rarities Committee and an ccount of the Scarlet Tanager, now established as the first British id Irish record, is to be published very shortly.) The weather maps dow show how low ‘U’ moved from Newfoundland to the Faroes in last two days, and it seems likely that all three vagrants crossed the ^ tlantic in the strong following wind on its southern flank, the Veery tmaining undetected for a day or two after landfall. V •JOON OCT 2nd -\0l4' W[ bo*1' vQ <2 EFERENCES I .ustin, O. L. 1962. Birds of the World. London. ent, A. C. 1949. Life Histories of North American Thrushes , Kinglets , and Their Allies. U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull., no. 196. Washington, D.C. [> rown, R. G. B. 1970. ‘Veery’ and ‘Hermit Thrush’. Birds of the World: 2022-2025. Ieyer de Schauensee, R. 1971. A Guide to the Birds of South America. Edinburgh. terson, R. T. 1947. A Field Guide to the Birds. Boston, Mass. 1961. A Field Guide to Western Birds. Boston, Mass. Second edition. 1 .idgway, R. 1907. The Birds of North and Middle America. U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull., no. 50, Washington, D.C. vol 4. : :obbins, C. S., Bruun, B., and Zim, H. S. 1966. Birds of North America. New York. ’aurie, C. 1959. The Birds of the Palearctic Fauna: Passeriformes. London. Ars E. M. P. Allsopp, 81 Uplands Road, Oadby, Leicester LE2 4NT Reversal of normal moult sequence in the Spotted Flycatcher Kenneth Williamson In a short paper introducing the British Trust for Ornithology’s Moult Enquiry (Williamson i960) I referred to the curiously aberrant wing-moult of the Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata , in which the sequence of change of the primary feathers is ascendant (working from the outermost inwards), not descendant as in all other Palearctic passerines. I pointed out that in other flycatchers (the genera Ficedula , Xanthopygia, Fmpidornis , Bradornis and Dioptrorais have been examined), including the closely related M. gambagae of Africa which has often been placed as a subspecies of striata , wing-moult follows the orthodox passerine sequence: this begins with the innermost primary (which I shall call pi, numbering the primaries descendantly) and works outwards to p9 and the minute pio, and also progresses inwards from the outermost secondary (si) to s6, the three tertials (often called SS7-9) moulting as a separate group after the start of the primary moult. Diesselhorst (1961) also drew attention to this reversal of the normal sequence in M. striata , adding that the moult of secondaries and tail-feathers is also abnormal. The latter, on the material available to him, showed a centripetal moult (progressing from the outermost feathers inwards to the central pair), while the secondaries and tertials appeared to be renewed from a single moult centre at s6. A fuller study, based on 83 skins, was made by Stresemann (1963). She dissented from Diesselhorst on the moult of the secondaries, showing that the change begins with the inner group of three feathers usually called the tertials, SS6-4 then following descendantly and ssi-3 ascendantly. She wrote: ‘This means a reversal of the order found in all other Muscicapinae, where three secondaries (9 to 7) [the tertials] are moulted in descending and six secondaries (1 to 6) in ascending sequence. The total reversal of moult-progression may originally have been caused by a single mutation. That mutation may have affected some central regulator which determines the sequence in the replacement of primaries as well as of secondaries and rectrices’ (English summary, pagein). Study of specimens in the collection of the British Museum (Natural History) suggests that this may be an oversimplification. The moult is a good deal more irregular in the Spotted Flycatcher than in most passerines studied, and this is especially true of the secondaries, as shown below. It would be tedious to list the exact stage of each 50 'Moult in Spotted Flycatcher 5 1 of the British Museum birds examined, but the results can be summar- ised as follows : (1) Moult of the primary coverts does not appear to be linked with the corresponding remiges as it is in other passerines. (2) Although the three outermost long primaries (PP7-9) are the first to moult, ascendantly, the short outermost pio often seems to moult later, as indeed it would in a normal sequence. (3) The alula or bastard wing is in moult from the beginning of December. It is moulting concurrently with pp7~io in most of the skins, this being the stage at which it would normally begin in a descending moult. (4) As stated by Diesselhorst, the tail-moult is centripetal and the usual pattern is for all the feathers to be moulting with the growth most advanced towards the outermost. Tail-moult does not appear to be in phase with any particular stage of wing-moult. (5) The tertials precede the secondaries as in other passerines. Six skins from south and east Africa with pp7-io and s6 growing have new tertials. (6) The moult of secondaries often begins descendantly from s6, as in other passerines, but perhaps as frequently it begins ascendantly from si. The progression seems to be from both ends of the series irrespective of whether si or s6 started first, so that S3 or S4 is the last to finish. Thus there does not appear to be a ‘single centre’ of moult at s6 .as in Diesselhorst), or a simple reversal of the normal passerine sequence (as in Stresemann), but an irregularity in the replacement if the true secondary feathers (ssi-6) which obscures any fixed pattern, hough if such exists it is in all likelihood a nearly simultaneous tart at either end of the series. I UEFERENCES Diesselhorst, G. 1961. ‘Ascendente Handschwingen-Mauser bei Muscicapa striata . J. Orn., 102: 360-366. tresemann, V. 1963. ‘Zur Richtungsumkchr der Schwingen- und Schwanzmauser von Muscicapa striata' . J. Orn., 104: ioi-m. Williamson, K. i960. ‘Moult as a study in field-taxonomy’. Bird Migration, 1: 171-175. ienneth Williamson, British Trust for Ornithology, Beech Grove, Tring, lertfordshire Flight identification of European raptors Steen Christensen, Bent Pors Nielsen, R. F. Porter and lan Willis PART 3. AQUILA AND WHITE-TAILED EAGLES In this part we deal with the two remaining genera of eagles, Aquila (five species) and Haliaeetus (one). All are found mostly in north, east and south-east Europe and, excepting the two spotted eagles, are large or very large. The Aquila eagles may be divided into three groups. First, the mountain group, with just the Golden A. cbrysaetos , a very large species characterised by raised wings when soaring and, to a lesser extent, when gliding (see definitions at foot of page 5 3). Second, the open country group, with the Imperial A. heliaca and the Steppe A. nipalensis, two large species which usually soar and glide with wings flat. Third, the woodland group, with the Spotted A. clanga and the Lesser Spotted A. pomarina , two smaller species which hold their wings down-curved in gliding and less obviously in soaring. The White-tailed Haliaeetus albicilla is the biggest and heaviest of all the European eagles, its size almost that of a Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus (appearing in part 5); a breeding bird of lakes and coasts, it is rarely found far from water and, like the Imperial and the Steppe in the second Aquila group, it soars and glides on flat wings. As emphasised previously, wing positions may alter in relation to wind and weather, but the normal head-on profiles of the three groups are shown in fig. 24. B Fig. 24. Head-on profiles of eagles: (a) soaring Golden Aquila cbrysaetos-, (b) soar- ing/gliding Imperial A. beliaca. Steppe A. nipalensis and White-tailed Haliaeetus albicilla-, and (c) soaring/gliding Spotted A. clanga and Lesser Spotted A. pomarina (but see text for details) 52 53 1 ^ light identification of European raptors Figs. 25 and 26 on pages 54 and 56 use mainly immature plumages 0 illustrate the shapes and some of the distinctive characters of the ix species from below, while the facing texts on pages 55 and 57 draw attention to particular points, indicate the broad differences , \>etween immatures and adults, and give brief outlines of the areas of , iurope, the Middle East and north Africa in which each species may >e seen. Figs. 27-34 on pages 59-78 then illustrate the under- and ppersides of the six in various plumages and with different wing I ositions, while plates 10-16 emphasise some aspects in photographic orm. A study of the plumage sequences further justifies the division f Aquila into the three groups already referred to. All these eagles show great variation in plumage, but, unlike the I uzzards Buteo and Perm's (part 1), this is related primarily to age, ivhich can often be determined approximately in the field. Unlike the ^lute-tailed and, indeed, most other birds of prey, Aquila eagles are ' i lore contrasted and more easily identified in juvenile and other i nmature plumages, all becoming more or less uniform brown as cidults. On the other hand, the only visible difference between the tmxes is the slightly larger size of the female and, except possibly in the i ^ase of some Golden Eagles, this is not reliable as a field character. Unless otherwise stated, descriptions in this series refer to the European races, though the problems of subspecies are not usually edevant to field identification. Two taxonomic matters must be men- i i oned here, however. First, the Imperial Eagle has two races in iurope, nominate heliaca in the south-east and adalberti in Spain, i nd these are separable in the field. Second, the Steppe Eagle is often tonsidered conspecific with the Tawny Eagle of Africa and India, uut it is in fact rather different and we prefer to treat it as a full : pecies. Finally, we remind readers yet again that this is essentially a working 1 tries for use and correction in the field. We welcome comments and 1 ^instructive criticisms, and it is our intention to publish a summary :f these at the end. We are also anxious to obtain more good flight dictographs of the species to be covered in the remaining five instal- ments of the series (see list in Brit. Birds, 64: 247), particularly of aker Falco cherrug, Lanner F. biarmicus , Eleonora’s Falcon F. eleonorae, ferlin F. columbarius , Black- winged Kite Elanus caeruleus and Goshawk iccipiter gentilis (see also Brit. Birds, 65: 37). All correspondence mould be addressed to R. F. Porter, The Royal Society for the rotection of Birds, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, England 1E1-INITIONS 1 and Wing between carpal joint and tip (primaries) ■{rm W'ing between body and carpal joint (wing coverts and secondaries) taring Circling flight often in a thermal of warm air tiding Flight on a straight course without or between wing beats 54 Flight identification of European raptors Fig. 25. Typical undersides of Golden (immature). Spotted (immature) and Lesser Spotted Eagles ight identification of European raptors 55 Golden Eagle Aquila cbrysaetos (pages 58-60, plates 10-11). immature shown. rge size and long, broad wings with bulging secondaries and narrower hand; rrly long, full, rounded tail; head and neck protrude fairly noticeably, but not as ich as Imperial. Immature dark blackish-brown with white patches on both : faces of wings and tail ; full adult entirely dark brown except for golden crown 1 nape, but younger adults often show immature markings which take many t rs to disappear. Only eagle that soars with wings invariably in shallow V (24A). :rgely resident in mountain regions of Scotland, Fenno-Scandia and Baltic States ’ oss Russia to Urals, and of south and central Europe from Iberia to Carpathians 1 Balkans, thence to Turkey, Caucasus and Middle East, also larger Mediterranean i nds and north-west Africa; some dispersal in eastern Europe and Middle East in winter spotted Eagle Aquila clanga (pages 61-64, plate 12a). immature shown. Smaller un Golden, this and Lesser Spotted being the smallest of the group; nevertheless, ky with broad, rather square-cut wings and general shape not unlike small, >rt-neckcd, immature White-tailed; short tail and small head not protruding yfar. Immature with conspicuous rows of spots forming white bars on upper- .lg-coverts and often with white flash on carpal joint below (recalling Great Skua r'corarius skua); but adult entirely dark brown. Wings invariably held bowed »vn when soaring and gliding (24c). Summer visitor (but generally rare) to damp 1 ods often adjacent to marshland in eastern Europe from south Finland south to [•mania and east across Russia; short-distance migrant, but very few on passage Bosphorus and other traditional migration places; more often seen in winter : t still very scarce) in marshy areas of Turkey and Middle East, also Greece and south France ILesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina (pages 65-67, plates I2b-i4). adult iwn. Slightly smaller and better proportioned than Spotted; wings narrower h more parallel edges (also six emarginated primaries whereas Spotted has en, but impossible to count with certainty in field); tail longer, narrower at .e and more rounded at end (not so wedge-shaped as Spotted); head protrudes htly farther. Immature warm buff-brown on body and underwing-coverts, trasting in good light with darker flight-feathers and tail, while above it has 1 .’s of white spots on upperwing-covcrts, white patch at base of primaries and itc crescent on uppertail-coverts ; adult grey-brown where immature buff-brown ! may still retain pale patch at base of primaries and indistinct light U on upper- coverts. Soars and glides on slightly bowed wings (less so than Spotted), nmer visitor (far commoner than Spotted) to forest areas in east Europe from th Germany and Baltic States south to Balkans and east across Turkey to icasus; passage south-east Europe, Turkey and Middle East, April and end August to late October, but mainly second half September 56 Flight identification of European raptors Fig. 26. Typical undersides of immature Imperial, Steppe and White-tailed Eagles i i light identification of European raptors 5 7 1 . Imperial Eagle Aquila beliaca (pages 68-71, plates 15a, b). immature shown. .arge size similar to Golden and general shape not unlike extra big Lesser Spotted; ings broad and long; tail fairly long, almost width of wings, and usually slightly junded at end; head protruding well. Immature below has streaked yellowish- 1 town body and underwing-coverts, and dark flight-feathers and tail with ill- efined but noticeable pale patch on primaries and faint white trailing edge to wings r id tail, while above it is streaked yellowish-brown, paler on lower back, with dark ! 1 ght-fcathers, pale patch at base of primaries and yellowish bar along edge of Treater wing-coverts; adult dark brown with creamy- white crown, white ‘braces’ : id paler basal two-thirds of tail, while Spanish race adalberti also has white leading . Jge to upperwing-coverts. Soars and glides on flattish wings (24B). Spanish race ery rare) largely resident in south Spain and northernmost Morocco; nominate i ce resident and summer visitor to plains of south-east Europe and Asia Minor • om Hungary to Jugoslavia through Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, south Russia 1 id Turkey; passage at Bosphorus (small numbers) chiefly second half September rad first half October, and a few winter on plains and marshes in extreme south-east Europe and Turkey . Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis (pages 72 75, plates 15c, d, e). immature shown. I s ze and proportions similar to Imperial. Immature bright version of immature npcrial with upperparts, underparts and most wing-coverts unstreaked pale ay-brown, lower back and rump creamy-white, greater upperwing-coverts black : ith broad white bar along tips, flight-feathers blackish-brown with white band i ong rear edge and large whitish patch on inner primaries, undersides of flight- i. athcrs also dark with white bands along centre of wing and trailing edge and hite patch on inner primaries, and tail dark with white tip; adult dark brown with mail yellowish-brown patch on nape and slightly paler basal halves of flight- ■ athers. Soars and glides on flat or nearly flat wings (24B), but characteristically j uuggish, more often perched on ground, roadside hummock or telegraph pole an other Aquila. Some resident on steppes of Ukraine and other parts of south I ussia, and odd pairs may still breed in Romania; others move south in autumn rough Caucasus to Turkey, Middle East and beyond; occasionally seen in winter 1 south-east Europe; closely related Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax resident in north Africa White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla (pages 76-78, plate 16). immature shown. . irgest of the group, with very broad, rather square-ended wings; tail very short id wedge-shaped; head and neck protruding well beyond wings and powerful i 11 can be seen at some distance. Immature entirely dark brown but for white r ' yellowish-brown variegations on breast; transitional plumages may be rather ottled; adult dark brown with white tail and creamy-white head and neck. Soars id glides on flat wings (24B) ; will sit motionless for hours on ground near water’s 1 Igc. Largely resident by rocky coasts or inland lakes in Iceland, Fenno-Scandia, iltic States, Poland and Germany south to Balkans and Turkey; some birds ander in winter in eastern half of Europe west to Netherlands and occasionally farther west 5 8 European raptors: Golden Eagle Golden Eagle Aquila cbrysaetos (pages 58-60, plates 10-11) Silhouette Large eagle (compare 25 A with other drawings on pages 54 and 56), though often looking surprisingly lightly proportioned. Head noticeably protruding, but not so far as that of Imperial Eagle. Wings long and with edges not quite parallel, hand being a little narrower than arm so that trailing edge has distinct S-curve; when soaring, they look oval with bulging secondaries between narrower hand and pinched effect by the body. Tail longer and more ample than those of other Aquila eagles, length almost corresponding to width of wing. In head-on profile when soaring or, to a lesser extent, when gliding, wings raised in shallow V (24A on page 52). Flight Soaring and gliding are most frequent modes of flight. In soaring, wings are raised and pressed slightly forward. In gliding, wings are less noticeably raised. In active flight, wing beats are deep and powerful. This is the most elegant flier of the large eagles and it has perfect control even in a very strong wind. Identification Adult (27B, 28b) may be confused with adult Imperial (pages 68-71) or adult Steppe (pages 72-75) if the proportions are not seen well, but generally they are both heavier-looking and much less agile fliers (see discussions under those two species). Juvenile (27A, 28A) is unlikely to be confused with any other raptor, except perhaps Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus (part 1) in poor conditions because of its similar tail pattern. In fact, this is an easy eagle to identify, even in the rather featureless adult plumage, owing to its distinctive proportions with long and powerful wings and long and ample tail. It must be stressed, however, that a Golden Eagle often appears smaller than it really is and the observer can frequently be confused by its size unless another species is near for comparison. 59 hi trope an raptors: Golden hag/e Fig. 27. Juvenile and adult Golden Eagles Aepdla chrysaetos from below. The juvenile (27A) is very distinctive, the underparts being dark blackish-brown with conspicuous white patches on the inner primaries and outer secondaries and on the basal half of the tail. Though these features are visible from both below and above, the wing-patches are usually less extensive on the upperside, whereas on the underside they may almost reach the body as a white point. Individual variation is fairly considerable, as is indicated by the photographs (plates 10, 11a, d). The immature gradually loses the white patches as it progresses towards adult plumage (27B), which is attained after about six years. In both sub-adult and adult plumages the bases of the flight-feathers are often paler brown than the rest of the wings (plate 1 1 b) ; the same applies to the tail-feathers, where the basal halves are often grey-brown and the terminal halves dark brown. Otherwise the adult is entirely dark brown below Fig. 28. Juvenile and adult Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos from above. The juvenile (28A) is dark brown with white patches on the inner primaries and on the basal half of the tail corresponding to those on the undersides, though the wing- patches are usually smaller above and rarely extend to the secondaries; again, however, individual variation is considerable (cf. plate 10a). Often the patches on the upperside are more oval than is suggested here, extending well back towards the rear edge of the wings. At close range the yellowish-gold of the crown and nape is visible and this remains through all ages. In the adult (28B) the body-feathers and wing-coverts become more reddish-brown and the latter have pale edges, giving the whole forewing a scaly appearance at close range. In adult and sub- adult plumages, as on the underparts, the basal halves of the flight-feathers and tail are slightly paler than the rest iuropean raptors: Spotted Ragle 61 [potted Eagle Aquila clanga (pages 61-64, plate 12a) lilhouette Bulky eagle looking not unlike miniature White-tailed, ut still noticeably smaller than Golden (compare 25 A and 25 b on .age 54). Mead comparatively small and not protruding very far. K Zings moderately long and very broad, the latter effect accentuated y long secondaries which sometimes form a bulge on the trailing ige. Tail very short, often no longer than half width of wing, and spearing slightly wedge-shaped (but less so than that of White- ..iled). In head-on profile when gliding, wings clearly bowed with rooping hands; when soaring, wings less obviously bowed. light In soaring, wings are only slightly curved down, with the ands drooping below the level arms, and in a strong thermal they may v/en be held flat. In gliding, however, wings are distinctly bowed, ith the primaries sometimes drooping even more than shown in 24c n page 52, and head-on there may even be a resemblance to a Heron 1 rdea cinerea. In active flight, wing beats are heavier than those of ther Aquila. On the whole, this is a very squat and rather clumsy- »oking eagle in the air. lentification Confusion most likely with Lesser Spotted (pages 65-67), uut Spotted is more compact with smaller head and broader wings xompare 25 b and 25c on page 54) and distinctly shorter tail which is tften also slightly wedge-shaped (while that of Lesser Spotted is ssually evenly rounded); its wing beats are deeper and stiffer, and s wings are more conspicuously bowed when gliding; at close range, is darker and the juvenile looks almost black except for the often ronspicuous white markings on its upperparts (29A). In view of its ulky shape (see also plate 12a), Spotted might possibly be confused ith juvenile White-tailed (pages 76-78), but latter is much larger with 1 anspicuously protruding head and more distinctly wedge-shaped nil. Confusion with adult Imperial (pages 68-71) should be prevented y that species’ larger size, well-proportioned shape and colour atterns of tail, crown and nape, as well as its white ‘braces’. European raptors: Spotted Eagle European raptors: Spotted Eagle 63 Fig. 29 ( pages 62-64). Juvenile, adult, variant adult and immature Spotted Eagles Aquila clanga from above and, overleaf, the first three from below. The juvenile (29A, 29E) is very dark blackish-brown with a purple gloss which, however, is rarely visible in the field. Above (29A), it is fairly heavily marked: prominent are whitish tips to the secondaries and greater coverts, which combine into lines along the trailing edge and centre of the wings; the median and lesser coverts are also tipped with whitish to a variable extent and these spots form fairly distinct, but often broken, whitish lines which are sometimes likened to ‘rows of pearls’; the white uppertail-coverts show as a clearly defined U. The juvenile underneath (29E) is rather uniform, but there is invariably a paler area on the undertail-coverts, and the greater coverts are tipped with whitish which forms a narrow and uneven line along each wing and often a more conspicuous white crescent around the carpal joint (this is particularly noticeable in 25B on page 54). All these white patterns gradually disappear as the bird progresses through the immature stages and the light tips to the secondaries are frequently obscured through abrasion. An example of an intermediate immature from above (29D) shows more uniform upperwing-coverts (but still the retention of the whitish tips to the greater coverts), the loss of the light tips to the secondaries, and a narrower white U on the upper- tail-coverts. Apart from lighter areas on the tail-coverts both above and below, the adult (29B, 29F) is almost uniformly brown and, though this is actually slighdy paler than the ground colour of the juvenile, it always looks extremely dark, often black, at a distance. The so-called Juhescens ' variety (29c, 29G) probably accounts for only a very small percentage of the entire population. Typical individuals of this rare colour phase have all the body-feathers and wing-coverts on both upper- and under- surfaces creamy-white, contrasting sharply with the flight-feathers and tail which [continued on page 64] [continued from page 63] are the normal dark brown. The resulting pattern is much like that of an adult Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus (part 5), but the Spotted Eagle is easily distinguished by its much more compact silhouette. Forms intermediate between the normal and Julvescens’ are extremely rare: they could possibly be confused with juvenile Imperial or Steppe Eagles, but they never have the characteristic upperwing-patterns of those two species (see 31D on page 71, 32D on page 75) and the shapes are very different European raptors: Lesser Spotted Eag/e 65 Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina (pages 65-67 , plates 12b- 14) Silhouette Noticeably smaller than Golden, of similar size to Spotted but better proportioned (compare 25c with 25 a and 25 b on page 54); proportions recall those of larger Imperial. Head not protruding very conspicuously, but appears larger than that of Spotted. Wings not so broad as those of Spotted and with the edges more nearly parallel. Tail slightly but noticeably longer than that of Spotted and evenly rounded at tip. In head-on profile when gliding, wings bowed with hands drooping; when soaring, wings level or only very slightly downcurved. Flight In soaring, wings are held flat or with the hands very slightly drooped. In gliding, wings are more clearly bowed, but not nearly so strikingly as those of Spotted (and thus not so Heron-like). In active flight, wing beats are shallower and lighter than those of Spotted. Identification Confusion most likely with Spotted (pages 61-64), but Lesser Spotted is better proportioned with larger head, narrower wings with more nearly parallel edges, and slightly longer and more evenly rounded tail. Lesser Spotted is also paler: head and upper- and underwing-coverts of adult (30E, job) are much lighter grey-brown, contrasting in good light with darker flight-feathers; wing-coverts of juvenile (300, 30A) are warm buff and brown, similarly contrasting with darker primaries and secondaries, and though juvenile Spotted is much richer in white markings above, juvenile Lesser Spotted has more conspicuous white patches at the bases of the primaries on the upperside. From above, confusion is also possible with dark Short- toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus (part 2), but latter has longer wings which are held flat or slightly raised when gliding and usually shows greater contrast between wing-coverts and flight-feathers. Juvenile Lesser Spotted may in some circumstances be confused, particularly on colour of upperparts, with immature or adult Steppe Eagle (pages 72-75), but latter is considerably larger with more protruding head, longer wings and longer and more ample tail. 66 European raptors : Lesser Spotted Lagle Fig. 30 ( pages 66-67). Juvenile and two adult Lesser Spotted Eagles Aquila pomarina from below and, opposite, juvenile and adult from above. The juvenile (30A, 30D) has characteristic warm-brown wing-coverts and body. Below (30A), other features are pale whitish undertail-coverts, yellowish-white tips to the secondaries forming a very narrow and hardly nodceable pale line along the rear edge of the wings, and whitish tips to the greater coverts producing a thin and often inconspicuous line along the centre of the wings; the tail and flight-feathers European raptors: Lesser Spotted Lagle 67 I are darker grey-brown than the coverts, but the contrast may not be great. Above I (300), the pale line at the dps of the greater coverts is more prominent and a crescent- I shaped patch is formed by white shafts at the bases of the primaries; the light I trailing edge to the wings is rarely distinct, but a yellowish-white U on the tail- I I coverts is often conspicuous. After four to five years the bird attains adult plumage I (30B, 30E), which is much more greyish-brown. The whidsh markings on the I under- and uppersides almost disappear except for a small patch on the upper I surface of the primaries and a trace of the white U on the uppertail-coverts. Above I (30E), head, neck, mantle and lesser coverts become rather pale greyish-brown, most obvious on the crown and lesser coverts, contrasting with darker brown lower back, flight-feathers and tail. Below (30B), the head and lesser coverts may not appear at all lighter or, at best, less obviously so. A pale variety (30c) is extremely rare, but we know of two specimens whose colour falls between those of a normal adult Lesser Spotted and the ‘ fulresetns ’ phase of the Spotted (29c, 29G) 68 European raptors: Imperial Eagle Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca (pages 68-71, plates 15 a, b) Silhouette Large and heavy eagle, near Golden in size (compare 25 a and 26A on pages 54 and 56). Head probably protrudes more than that of any other Aquila. Wings rather long and broad; some individuals, probably mainly juveniles, have longer secondaries producing an S-curve to the trailing edge and these often appear broader-winged than adults which have the front and rear edges practically parallel. Tail typically slightly rounded and fairly long, corresponding almost to width of wing, but through moult and wear it may appear fairly short and even square-ended, rounded or slightly wedge-shaped. In head-on profile when soaring, wings held flat; when gliding, wings usually level, but sometimes hands slightly lowered. Flight In soaring, wings are held level and at right angles to body. In gliding, wings are usually level and, when moving slowly, at right angles to body or, when moving fast, angled with carpal joints pressed forward and hands pointing backward; in some conditions, however, hands may be held slightly below horizontal, recalling wing position of Lesser Spotted. In active flight, seems heavy and somewhat clumsy with rather floppy wing beats interspersed with glides; adults often appear less heavy and more agile than juveniles, this possibly being due to differences in breadth of wing (see above). Identification Can often be confused with Steppe (pages 72-75), parti- cularly on silhouette or in immature plumages. But juvenile (compare 31A and 3 id with 32A and 3 2D on pages 73 and 75) lacks or has much reduced the juvenile Steppe’s two broad white bands along centre and trailing edge of both surfaces of wings and end of tail, and less [continued on page 70] Fig. 31 ( pages 69, after plates, and /i). Juvenile, immature and adult Imperial Eagles Aquila heliaca from below and, on page 71, from above. The juvenile (31A, 31D) is pale yellowish-brown on the head, nape, neck, back, upper- and underwing- coverts, and underbody; in the nominate race, dark feather edgings form streaks on the nape, sides of neck and underbody, the last normally extending to the tibial feathers though sometimes they may be confined to the breast in an indistinct pectoral band (the Spanish race adalberti has no such streaking and, as a whole, has a paler, more rusty appearance). The lower back and rump are pale creamy-white forming a patch of variable shape and size. The tail is dark greyish-brown with a narrow yellow-ochre tip in fresh plumage, which is soon lost through wear. The yellowish-brown upperwing-coverts are speckled with brown and a yellowish band is visible at the tips of the greater coverts, while the flight-feathers are earth-brown with a whitish patch at the base of the primaries (3 id). On the underwing (31 a) the mostly earth-brown flight-feathers are broken by paler greyish-brown inner primaries which contrast with the dark secondaries and merge into the dark outer primaries; as on the tail, a narrow yellow-ochre line may be visible on the tips of the [continued on page 70) Plate 9. Vccry Catharus fusctscens at typical ground nest, New York, June 1962 (photo: Uric Hosking). Below, first record in Europe, October 1970 (pages 45-49) (photos: K. A/lsopp). This species is distinguished from the other small American thrushes by its uniformly warm brown upperparts and reduced and indistinct spots Plate io. Young Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos, Sweden, January (photos: Karl-Erik Pridgen). Note the prominent white wing-patches and, above, that these are much larger on the underwing than the upperwing; just visible too are the white basal part of the tail, the scaly upperwing-coverts, and the golden nape (pages 58-60) xi. Golden Eagles Aquila cbrysae/os. left, immature, Turkey, May {photo: I Porter ) with smaller wing-patches ae bird in plate io. Above centre, 1,1 il , Scandinavia, December {photo: If ensen), lacking white wing-patches, i» h paler bases to the primaries anil xrics forming a lighter area that ii( rts with the darker coverts. Above ig idult, Sweden {photo: Arne Jensen), g all-dark plumage, large tail, and Braised and pressed slightly forward dng. Right, the same immature as in plate io being mobbed by Hooded Corvus corone comix , Sweden, January Karl -Erik F ridden), giving further on of the white on wings and tail; s«o that the broad wings are rather eer at the hands and show a pinched 3 i there they join the body, and that is long and ample (pages 58-60) 'i. \fc il lit vil til ■hr H Plate 12. Above, Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga in all-dark plumage, Sweden, October {photo: Soren Breiting) : very broad wings and short, wedge-shaped tail give shape like miniature White-tailed Eagle, but head is much smaller (pages 61-64). Below, Lesser Spotted Eagles A. pomarina (see also caption to plate 13): left, distinc- tive immature plumage, Lebanon, September {photo: Claus F . Pedersen ); centre and right, gliding and soaring, Turkey, September {photos: R. F. Porter ) (pages 65-67) Plate 1 5. Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina soaring (photo: P. Van Groenemtael ami IT. Sue/ens). This and the three opposite (plates 12b, c d) show the narrower wings longer and more rounded tail and larger head than Spotted (plate 12a). In gliding the wings arc bowed and hands drooped, less so in soaring (pages 65-67) Plate 14. Four different Lesser Spotted Eagles Aquila pomarina, Lebanon, Septem- ber ( photos : Claus F. Pedersen ) : below right, gliding on bowed wings with hands drooping; remainder, soaring on nearly level wings. Again, these photos show the better-proportioned wings, longer and more rounded tail, and somewhat larger and broader head than Spotted (plate 12a); Lesser also has only six emarginated pri- maries to Spotted’s seven, but this is of dubious use in the field (pages 65-67) Plate Above, Imperial Eagle* Aquih bdiaca, Turkey, September, May (pfe-Wj Af / Helps R. F. Pc/7a February \pbotos: S. Christensen and Ben, Pars Me, sen): white hands along nacWk and rear of wings and end of tail; lower left, creamy mantle and unstreaked ,mg- coverts, and patch at base of primaries merging into trailing edge (pages 72-75) . . ! ■IHHi Plate 16. White- tailed Eagles Haliaeetus albicilla. Above left, immature, Fair Isle {photo: Bobby Tulloch) with whitish centres to dark tail feathers. Remainder, adults, Norway, May-June {photos: above right , Gunnar Lid; below left , Elrir Hosking; right , P. Van Groenendael and IV. Suetens) : note broad wings and large head almost as long as short white tail, which underlaps wings when fully spread (pages 76-78) European raptors: Imperial Eagle 70 [continued from page 68] white on inner primaries; also generally has less blackish-brown flight-feathers and more mottled appearance, particularly on the upperwing-coverts, while at close range streaks on underbody are additional feature of nominate race. Immature in dark transitional plumage may be difficult to distinguish from corresponding stage of Steppe (compare 31B and 31E with 32B and 32E on pages 73 and 75), particularly as it often shows yellowish band along greater underwing- coverts (which, however, is white in immature Steppe), but pale rear crown and nape provide important field mark, while upperwing- coverts are generally far more mottled than those of any Steppe. Later, sub-adult loses or almost loses band on underwing, leaving pale nape and first white shoulder feathers as main characters. Adult (31c, 3 if) shows these even more prominently and two-colour tail can then also be useful feature. Otherwise, Imperial easily separated from White-tailed (pages 76-78) by less protruding head, longer and more square-cut tail and slightly smaller size; and from Golden (pages 58-60) by generally more rectangular wings with parallel edges, as well as by soaring and gliding on level wings which are also usually not pressed forward. Differs from Spotted (pages 61-64) in longer and narrower wings, longer tail and much more protruding head, while its wings are rarely as bowed in gliding and wing beats not so deep and heavy. Proportions of outline similar to Lesser Spotted (pages 65-67), particularly in length and shape of wings and length of tail, but rather larger with more protruding head and generally squarer- ended tail. Juvenile can also be distinguished from juvenile Spotted and Lesser Spotted by plumage, being pale yellowish-brown, but \fulvescens' variety of Spotted (29c and 29G on pages 62 and 64) must be considered and separated mainly on outline. [continued from page 68] secondaries, but this is likewise soon lost through wear. The immature plumage (31B, jie) is reached after about three years: dark brown feathering appears, probably first on the throat, breast, upper- and underwing-coverts and mantle, while the belly, tibial feathers and undertail-coverts arc still yellowish-brown and the lower back and rump pale ; the wing-coverts become mottled with dark brown, but the greater coverts continue to show a yellowish line above and a broad, diffuse, yellowish-brown band below, while the inner primaries may still be paler under- neath; the rear crown and nape remain yellow-brown. The greater wing-coverts, rump and undertail-coverts still have pale tips in the sub-adult stage, which is otherwise dark brown with pale rear crown and nape, and white feathers beginning to show on the shoulders. The bird becomes fully adult (31c, 311-) after about six years: it is now blackish-brown with conspicuous yellow crown and nape, white on the scapulars and pale undertail-coverts (the Spanish race arlalberti has conspicuous white lesser upperwing-covcrts and more prominent white ‘braces’); the tail is pale greyish-brown or silvery-grey on the basal two-thirds, contrasting with the blackish-brown terminal third, a pattern most evident on the upperside F 72 European raptors: Steppe Eagle Steppe Eagle Aquila mpalensis (pages 72-75, plates 15c, d, e) Silhouette Large and heavy eagle, almost as big as Imperial (compare 26A and 26B on page 56); indeed, the nominate race from farther east in Asia, which is larger than the European subspecies orientals, has a wing span corresponding to that of Imperial. Head protrudes almost as much as Imperial’s. Wings fairly long and broad, with distinct S-curve to trailing edge: shorter primaries than secondaries give a pinched appearance where these feathers meet. Tail rounded and relatively long, typically almost corresponding to width of wing, though it may become particularly worn in this ground-perching species just before the moult. In head-on profile when soaring, wings held flat; when gliding, hands slightly lowered and arms either level or fractionally raised to give arched effect. Flight When soaring, wings are held level and almost at right angles to body, though hands are often flexed. When gliding fast, wings are kinked with arms level and hands slightly lowered; when gliding slowly, as on migration, wings are slightly arched in position recalling Red Kite Milvus milvus (part 2). Active flight resembles that of Imperial in being heavy and rather clumsy, but it is a little less stiff-winged. Identification Most easily confused with Imperial (pages 68-71), especially in immature plumages, and separation on silhouette is certainly difficult, though typical Steppe’s wings have distinct S-curve to trailing edge and are more arched like Red Kite when gliding slowly; its wing beats are also more elastic. Juvenile Steppe is separable [continued on page 74] Fig. 32 ( pages 7}, 7/). Juvenile, immature and adult Steppe Eagles Aquila nipaknsis from below and, on page 75, from above. The juvenile (32A, 32D) is pale clay-brown on the head, nape, neck, back and upper- and underwing-coverts, and on the under- body, which is unstreaked. The tail is blackish-brown with a broad white terminal band. On the upperwing (32D), the greater coverts are black with broad white tips which form a prominent white band running the whole length of the wing on to the primary coverts; the secondaries are blackish-brown with broad white tips forming a conspicuous white band along the trailing edge of the wing and widening on the tips of the inner primaries; the primaries are also blackish-brown with a blurred whitish patch at the base of the hand, which merges into the white on the tips of the inner primaries. On the underwing (32A), both white bands are again present, but the one along the tips of the greater coverts is somewhat broader, especially on the primary coverts; the bases of the greater coverts are not black as on the upperwing and the inner primaries are paler, more whitish, than above; in certain lights the patch at the base of the upperside of the hand becomes translucent and [continued on page 74I European raptors: Steppe Eagle 74 [continued from page 72] from corresponding plumage of Imperial (compare 32A and 32D with 31A and 3 id on pages 69 and 71) by its two broad white bands along the centre and trailing edge of both surfaces of the wings, which contrast well with the blackish flight-feathers, and by its whiter inner primaries and whiter-tipped tail; it also lacks the other’s prominent dark streaking and speckling on nape and sides of neck, mantle, upperwing-coverts and underbody. Immatures may be difficult to separate (compare 32B and 32E with 31B and 31E on pages 69 and 71), but immature Steppe often shows traces of the white band along the middle of the underwing (though immature Imperial frequently has pale yellowish-brown line on underwing and this may lead to misidentification); immature Steppe also lacks mottling on the under- wing-coverts and streaking on the underbody and, if these areas have moulted into the later uniform dark brown plumage and there are no traces of the white band on the underwing, identification is best based on colour of crown and nape, which are yellow-brown in Imperial by that stage. Adult Steppe (32c and 32F) differs more distinctly in plumage from adult Imperial by its dark crown and more diffuse yellowish nape, and lack of white ‘braces’, while Spanish Imperial ( adalberti ) also has white forewings. Indeed, adult Steppe is almost uniformly dark brown and so more resembles adult Spotted (pages 61-64), from which it differs mainly in silhouette and in flight: more protruding head, usually longer tail, and longer and narrower wings which are held more level in gliding flight. Well-marked juvenile Lesser Spotted (pages 65-67) superficially resemble juvenile Steppe. For distinctions from Golden (pages 58-60), see that species. [continued from page 72] it appears as if the underwing has this too (as shown here). As the bird moults into transitional plumage, it gradually becomes darker brown and the white markings on the wings, rump and tail are reduced: the immature (32B, 32E) is then left with the band down the middle of each surface of the wing, but the one on the upperwing is little more than a line and only the one below is still broad. The sub-adult (not illustrated) lacks the line on the upperwing, but may show traces of the white band on the underwing and remains of white on the uppertail-coverts ; all the wing-coverts are now dark brown and the basal parts of the flight-feathers are a little paler than the rest, as in the adult. Otherwise the adult (32c, 32F) lacks all traces of white on the wings; some individuals, possibly the majority, show yellow- ish on the nape (not illustrated), which may be more or less well-defined as a small patch or spread into a diffuse 5'ellowish-brown area merging into the dark neck and mantle. At all ages Steppe Eagles show a very prominent yellow corner to the mouth, which extends farther back towards the ear-coverts than in any other Aquila 4 tj • ; '( Q 5 i k 5 * ! 1 : i 76 European raptors: White-tailed Eagle White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla (pages 76-78, plate 16) Silhouette Large and heavy eagle, size as Golden or bigger (compare 25 a and 26c on pages 54 and 56). Very large head and neck protrude as much in front of wings as tail does behind. Wings long, broad and with almost parallel edges. Tail short (a little longer in juvenile) and wedge-shaped (especially noticeable in adult), but appearing rounded when fully spread in soaring. In head-on profile when soaring or gliding, wings level and flat. Flight In soaring and gliding, wings are held flat and almost at right angles to the body, though when soaring in thermals they may become very slightly raised, but never so much that confusion could arise with Golden Eagle. In active flight, large size and broad wings may give heavy and clumsy appearance, but wing beats are often fairly rapid and shallow, and interrupted by long periods of soaring or gliding. When flying purposefully from one point to another, however, periods of gliding are often reduced in length and frequency. Identification Size alone rules out other species apart from largest eagles and vultures, and adult with white tail (33B, 34B) cannot be confused. Juveniles and other immatures can conceivably cause problems, but White-tailed is only European raptor with head protrud- ing as much in front of wings as tail does behind (33A, 34A). Golden (pages 58-60), Imperial (pages 68-71) and Steppe (pages 72-75) also have rather protruding heads, but not so much (compare 2 5 a, 26A, 26B and 26c on pages 54 and 56). Only European vultures with which confusion is possible are Griffon Gyps fulvus and Black Aegypius monachus (part 5), but these have far less protruding heads. Wedge shape of tail (3 3 a, 34A) is usually a good field character, though it must be borne in mind that all Aquila eagles may have slightly wedge- shaped tails in worn plumage. Correspondingly, tail of White-tailed may become rounded or even square-ended through wear. Whitish centres to spread tail-feathers of second-year bird (33A) are character- istic. White-tailed appears heavier flier than Aquila eagles and, although in normal flight the wing beats are rather quick and shallow, they can be fairly deep and somewhat leisurely. Spotted Eagle (pages 61-64) often seems rather heavy in flight and in many ways has similar shape, but is much smaller with far less protruding head. iropean raptors: White-tailed Eagle I 33. Second-year and adult White-tailed Eagles Haliaeetus albicilla from below. 1 juvenile is blackish-brown underneath with a few pale rusty-yellowish feathers ' t:he breast; the undertail-coverts often also appear yellowish-brown. From the l nd year (3 3 a), and sometimes even earlier, the spread tail-feathers show whitish 1 res from below (also plate 16a); these immatures are somewhat variegated the underwing-coverts and, with the breast still flecked with rusty-yellow, i hsitional plumages often have a rather mottled appearance (particularly notice- l, , too, on the upperparts). The tail becomes gradually whiter and by the sub- i>t stage is white with only a greyish-brown wash on the outer feathers. The 1 adult otherwise resembles the adult (33B) which has all dark underwings body apart from pale brownish to yellowish-brown upper breast becoming :er on the neck and head; the adult’s tail is completely white and in old birds the head may be almost pure creamy-white 78 European raptors: White-tailed Eagle Fig. 34. Juvenile and adult White-tailed Eagles Haliaeetus albicilla from above. The juvenile (34A) has entirely blackish-brown upperparts. This plumage becomes rather variegated by the second year, particularly on the uppervving-coverts and back which may include some yellowish-brown or even whitish feathers; thus transitional stages often have a slightly mottled appearance. The adult (34B) is dark brown above, apart from its white tail and a pale yellowish-brown to creamy- white head (old birds having the palest heads) i v4otes j ; 7hen the Rarities Committee was set up, our editorial of August 1959 ated that we proposed also to print descriptions of all observations t'f species recorded in Britain and Ireland not more than ten times; ( ut the number of these records steadily grew and we fell farther and 1 1 rther behind until lately we have tended to give full treatment nly to additions to the British and Irish list (such as the Veery on .ages 45-49). This is not a satisfactory situation, however, and we I rcopose now to make every effort to publish notes on all records up to j id including the fifth one (unless they are appearing in Scottish ,:rds). In addition, we want short notes on any other records that ) -ring out new identification features: rarity descriptions contain : iuch of value that has hitherto simply been filed away. Even so, uere is a backlog of about 60 ‘five and under’ records since 1958, I id clearing these and selecting other notes on significant identifica- I on features will obviously be a major task, but we appeal to all | mcerned for their co-operation. Meanwhile, we begin now with : re following two notes on the fourth Laughing Gull and the second I ranklin’s Gull. Eds ..aughing Gull in the Isles of Scilly On 31st October 1967, follow- I lag a really savage night of north-westerly gales and rain, R. E. Emmett 1 nid I noticed Fulmars Fulmar us glacialis and Kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla 1 mating through the sound between St Agnes and St Mary’s, Isles tf Scilly. Since this signified an unusual seabird displacement into (.dlly waters, we went straight to Horse Point at the southern tip of I tt Agnes and from 10.00 to 1 1.30 hours carried out a seawatch. About cd seabirds passed west or WSW: the commonest were Kittiwakes 1 hich, with other gulls, were coming out of the gale into the lee of I we archipelago. At about 11.15 hours I spotted a gull approaching | : om due south. About half a mile away and in the sun’s glare, it was a ! uere silhouette, but its flight action did not suggest any of the common 1 oecies which were passing. I directed R.E.E.’s attention to it and I igether we watched it fly in and past us into Annet Sound, coming as ! i ose as a quarter of a mile. I was using 9x35 glasses and R.E.E. 30 x telescope. The gull was in sunlight continually, silhouetted I t: first but gradually better lit until fully displayed against blue-green i ater. As it came in, we became more and more puzzled: it did not i f^call any common European gull. Its flight was direct, not erratic j id floating like that of the Kittiwakes passing simultaneously, and s character was new to us both. Following its disappearance, sketches and notes were made and in j le early afternoon these were checked against the available reference 8o Notes material at the bird observatory. Two of Peterson’s guides (1947, 1961) suggested strongly that we had seen an immature Laughing Gull L. atricilla, but his illustrations showed a dark tail-band and we had noted specifically that our bird’s tail was wholly white. At this point we suffered some disappointment and agreed to note only a strong suspicion in our log. On 2nd November, however, we discovered in Robbins et al. (1966) that the Laughing Gull in its second winter does not have a black tail band, a point recently clarified by Grant (1967). We then re-examined our notes and concluded that the bird we had watched two days before could only have been a Laughing Gull in incomplete second- winter plumage. Our description ran as follows: General appearance and si^e: A small to medium-sized gull, with dark upperparts, dusky blotched underparts, noticeable white trailing edges to wings, and white rump and tail; clearly longer-winged than immature Kittiwake and, though precise size difficult to establish due to plumage differences, definitely much smaller than Herring Gull A. argentatus and larger than Black-headed L. ridi- bundus. Plumage and soft parts: Head dusky with noticeable patch near eye, paler on nape and throat and altogether paler than mantle ; upperparts generally dark, uniform across wings and mantle and looking duskier than grey of Kittiwake, relieved by black on wing-tips, leading edges of primaries and primary coverts, narrow but distinct white trailing edges to secondaries and inner primaries (not diffuse as in Kittiwake) and white rump and tail. Wing pattern made up of three contrasting elements: (1) dusky coverts, secondaries and inner pri- maries; (2) black outer primaries, sometimes standing out as the darkest part of the plumage; and (3) white trailing edges. Underparts generally dusky to white, relieved by blackish marks in wing-pits, dark chest, dusky vent (and apparently undertail) and dusky underwings (cleanest on secondary coverts). Bill probably dark; legs not seen. Certain species common on the mainland are rare on St Agnes in late autumn, so while at St Ives, Cornwall, on 5 th November we took the opportunity to look at gulls of all ages. The only bird recalling the strange gull in any way was a sub-adult Common Gull L. canus, but its larger size, generally pale coloration (particularly the totally white underparts) and different character clearly separated it from our bird. After due pause for further investigation and reference, notably to Albrektsson and Lindberg (1967) and Buck and Taylor (1967), we were convinced that our identification was correct; it was later accepted as the fourth British and seventh European record. Perhaps associated with it was the presence at Newlyn, Cornwall, from 23 rd to 25 th October of a Bonaparte’s Gull L. Philadelphia (Brit. Birds, 61: 344) and the arrival between 26th October and 3rd November of a variety of ocean waifs, notably a Little Auk Plautus alle, an Iceland Gull L. glaucoides, hundreds of large shearwaters (including at least two Cory’s Calonectris diomedea) and two Long-tailed Ducks Clangula hjemalis in Scilly and seven or more Sabine’s Gulls L. sabini in west Cornwall. D. I. M. Wallace 7 } Donee l Court, Forest View, London E4 7 aw 8i Jo/es EFERENCES lbrektsson, T., and Lindberg, P. 1967. ‘Field-characters of the immature Laughing Gull’. Brit. Birds, 60: 159-160. uck, W. F. A., and Taylor, D. W. 1967. ‘Laughing Gull in Kent: a species new to Britain and Ireland’. Brit. Birds, 60: 157-159. 'Rant, P. J. 1967. ‘The European records of Laughing Gulls in 1964-66’. Brit. Birds, 60: 489-490. eterson, R. T. 1 947. A Yield Guide to the Birds. Boston, Mass. 1961. A Yield Guide to Western Birds. Boston, Mass. Second edition. obbins, C. S., Bruun, B., and Zim, H. S. 1966. Birds of North America. New York. Franklin’s Gull in Sussex At 11.45 hours on 4th July 1970 I was rossing the site of the new Arlington Reservoir, Sussex, when I . ! oticed an unusual gull among a small party of Black-headed Gulls , .arus ridibundus which were settling on a stretch of dry mud. I was ble to approach to within about 100 yards and observe it through a telescope for some 20 minutes; throughout this time it stayed close to n adult Black-headed Gull in summer plumage. The strange gull was rmaller than its companion, but not by any means as small as a Little I lull L. minutus. Its head was black, or smoky black, lightly flecked i/ith white on the face, crown and nape. On the nape the boundary I .etween the black hood and the white collar of the neck was rather lurred. The whole of the remainder of the upperparts was a medium late-grey, much darker than and lacking the bluish tinge of a Common dull L. cantts. The tips of the secondaries were broadly banded with white, contrasting with the black of the folded primaries on which lull whitish tips or spots could be discerned. The primaries projected well beyond the white tail to give an impression of very long wings, n effect heightened by the hunched attitude of the gull throughout he period of observation, whether it was standing still or walking 'bout. The entire underparts were white. The bill was shorter and lenderer than that of the Black-headed Gull and was blood-red rather han vermilion. The legs were proportionately shorter and appeared co be black with a trace of red. An outstanding feature was the white- ness of the upper and lower eyelids which were as conspicuous as ’hose of an adult Mediterranean Gull L. melanocephalus in summer ■ >lumage. Having realised that I was probably looking at an adult Franklin’s jull L. pipixcan, I moved away to fetch other observers, but the gulls 00k wing. In flight, the bird I had been watching presented a striking 1 ppearance, its broad, rounded wings giving it the build of a large Jttle Gull. The black wing-tips were reminiscent of a Kittiwake Ossa tridactyla, but there any resemblance ended since the black was nore extensive and was separated from the grey of the rest of the ipperwing by a conspicuous white band which turned to extend the ull length of the trailing edge. Nothing was seen of the underwing. 82 Notes The bird flew off with the other gulls into the light south-westerly wind, its flight action not particularly distinctive, and eventually it was lost from view. Unfortunately, subsequent searches of this and surrounding areas proved fruitless. Later, I was interested to learn from those who had seen the Franklin’s Gull at Farlington, Hampshire, earlier in 1970 that it too was usually found in a hunched attitude, but it was not until the full details of this addition to the British and Irish list were published (Brit. Birds , 64: 310-3 1 3, plates 50-5 1) that I knew of the conspicuously damaged tip to its bill. I am told by R. A. Richardson, who has much experience of birds in captivity, that such damage never mends, and there was certainly no sign of any injury to the bill of the gull at Arlington. There seems to be no doubt, therefore, that this second record for Britain and Europe involved a different individual from the one in Hampshire. M. J. Rogers 19 / Vicarage Road, Sunbury-on-Thames twi6 7TP Blackbird taking flatworms from the undersides of water-lily leaves In my garden at Compton, Surrey, there is a very small pond in which grows a water-lily. On several occasions during late July and August 1971 I watched a female Blackbird Turdus nierula pull one of the water-lily leaves partly out of the pond, turning it over in the process. She then pecked off and ate the flatworms or planarians (Turbellaria) that thickly covered the underside. The leaves were about three to six inches across and not particularly curled at the edges. The flatworms were later identified at the British Museum as Polycelis nigra. Audrey Thomas Willow Croft, Withies Lane, Compton, Guildford, Surrey Dead Whitethroat in nest occupied by young Garden Warblers On 5 th June 1971, in a nest of Garden Warblers Sylvia borin near Appleby, Westmorland, I found a dead and partially mummified Whitethroat S. communis below the five eight-day-old nestlings when I removed them for ringing. I had known this nest, which was in a bramble thicket, from the egg-laying period, and had seen Whitethroats in close proximity at that time. From the flattened and weightless condition of the corpse, it appeared to have been there for at least two weeks. R. W. Robson New Hall, Appleby, Westmorland Starlings grounded by drenched plumage in cold weather I would like to suggest that the Starlings Sturnus vulgaris which R. A. Frost found grounded ‘evidently after bathing’ (Brit. Birds, 64: 321) were, instead, stricken by ‘icing’ or its equivalent. In an outlying part of Baltimore, Maryland, in 1940 there was tes 85 rushy, wooded hollow in which a brook flowed through a small I rsh. On 20th January, between 16.00 and 16.30 EST, when the cial downtown temperature was 22°F, the highest of the day, and | relative humidity 47%, about 100 Starlings gathered there before I ng to roosts in the city centre. They flew in normally at altitudes perhaps 75 to 125 feet and glided smoothly down into the hollow, t as soon as they had alighted, chiefly in bushes, saplings and vines, y became helpless. Many were infirm on their perches, and while •ving about on branches almost all kept their feet only by beating ir wings. Those on the ground scrambled and fluttered awkwardly .sr or around obstacles. Most repeatedly ruffled their wings and I . as if after a bath — there was a continuous rattle of wings and of ad leaves struck by wings — and when they flew short distances :ir flight was noisy and heavy. All were for long incapable of reended flight; many escaped capture only by going into inaccessible i igles. One that I did catch was wet to the skin; its feathers stuck igether in tufts and my hand became damp from holding it. Ten days later, at 16.25, the temperature in Baltimore was 3 5°F M the humidity about 55%. I found several score Starlings in the I me plight beside a small, partly frozen stream flowing between two ! Is. These birds, too, flew in normally at about 75 feet and were icken immediately upon alighting low in trees or on the snow- vered ground. They behaved exactly like the others and again one ait I caught was wet to the skin. J. R. Weeks, the Baltimore meteorologist at the time, commented at at those two places the humidity would have been immensely igher than his figures indicated. He felt certain that the birds had en affected by icing, having come down from cold, dry air into jckets of warm air, the great moisture in which had thereupon ndensed and perhaps frozen upon them. Chilling, from their wetness : d then from the evaporation of the moisture, had perhaps helped disable them. There was no ice on the birds I caught, but there as certainly condensation. H. Brackbill '20 Poplar Drive, Baltimore, Md 21 20y, U.S.A. rree Sparrow nesting in Sand Martin colony At dusk on 2nd dy 1971, while using cardboard tubes in which to trap Sand Martins ■ iparia riparia in a colony near Appleby, Westmorland, I was surprised catch an adult Tree Sorrow Passer mon farms. It had a nest only four : ches in from the entrance, and this contained well-fledged young, he colony was situated at the top of a 2 5 -foot sand cliff above a viftly flowing stream on the edge of open moorland bordered by isture land. No other Tree Sparrows were observed in the Sand flartin colony. R. W. Robson Jew Hall, Appleby, Westmorland 84 Notes J. Walpole-Bond (1938, A History of Sussex Birds, 1: 122) included disused Sand Martins’ burrows among the rarer sites used by Tree Sparrows. Eds Reviews A Guide to the Birds of South America. By Rodolphe Meyer de Schauensee. Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh, 1971. xiv -f 470 pages; 31 colour plates, 19 black-and-white plates; 22 line-drawings and 4 end-paper maps. £7.00. To fit into a handy volume (6"X 9") descriptions and details of the 2,926 species of birds reasonably accredited with a place on the ‘South American list’, together with illustrations of 680 of them, is an astonishing feat. It has been achieved by masterly compression, assisted, as the author himself stresses, by the fact that compared with the avifauna of other continents a rather large proportion of species remains little known. The introduction is clear and concise and is followed by the tally of species, each described and numbered within their 93 families (another two families, represented by the introduced House Sparrow and Common Waxbill respectively, are relegated to an appendix). The preface to each family summarises world status, general appearance and habitat preferences, with additional comments on aberrant genera and fewer on migratory families, such as those of seabirds and waders and the wood warblers, which are well covered in North American literature. Some remarks are usually made on gait, food, nesting habits or voice. For families with more than a few species, there is an ‘aid to iden- tification’, which does not purport to be a key but only a guide to help the reader in narrowing down his search on the basis of characters detectable in the field. Lastly, for each species, details are given of size in inches, coloration (including that of females and non-breeders, where different, and of the more distinct subspecies, with an ingenious system of cross-referencing to their locality), altitudinal distribution, range and, usually, habitat. If the species is pictured, the reference is given. Appendices deal with additions up to 1969, species of doubtful status and a list of South American bird books. There is a single index covering both the scientific names of every species and more than 250 English group-names. The value of this wealth of material for identification purposes is somewhat marred by layout and printing defects. Thus, although there is some grouping in the illustrations, their arrangement and contents tend to be haphazard: related species are often separated, making them difficult to find and compare. Again, though some of the colour work is excellent, two or three plates are smudged and colour ! views 8 5 >roduction in others probably does poor justice to the originals 1 certainly to the birds themselves. Seven of the plates show only i ids and necks, or heads and shoulders. There are a few slips in the t, such as the omission of Chile from the range of the Many- oured Rush Tyrant (the brilliant equivalent of our drab Acrocephalus rblers) and the attribution of ‘pinkish’ legs to the Spotted Sandpiper, tt on the whole exemplary use has been made of existing published l unpublished sources. These defects, some of which were no doubt inevitable when so ; ich had to be squeezed into so small a compass and costs kept wn, do not detract from the value of the book as, in essence, a ishly annotated check-list, far superior to those on which intensive nithology was successfully built up in, for example, Africa and iistralia. Its avowed purpose of exciting interest in the marvellous dlife of South America and encouraging many more people to end our knowledge of it should certainly be fulfilled. Hugh F. I. Elliott ■ttters uather wear in Guillemots and gulls Recent notes by R. J. nnedy {Brit. Birds , 63 : 34-36, plate 6b) and by the same author with Melville {Brit. Birds, 64: 229-230, plate 35) referred to extensive ther wear in Guillemots Uria aalge\ the second of these also men- med some moulted white contour feathers of gulls Karusspp showing filar wear. These raise the question of the frequency of such abrasion :the distal barbs of worn feathers. Depending on a number of :tors (species, bird’s age, feather tract, and so on), wear will vary ■:atly from feather to feather. On 29th June 1971, in an attempt establish whether such extensive wear is unusual in gulls, I arranged a random sample of moulted feathers to be collected from a resting :: regularly used by all five of the commoner gulls of the genus ■•■us at Dungeness, Kent. To obtain this random sample, I took eight-year-old son there, gave him a carrier bag and asked him to k up about 100 white feathers. The resulting collection consisted :i2o contour feathers, of which some 23 (about 20%) showed wear nparable with that illustrated on plate 35 a, taking the condition of left-hand feather as a minimum criterion (although the lack of le made this somewhat difficult). On the most worn feathers, the tral shaft extended eight to nine millimetres beyond the barbs, hough these findings involve only one sample from one locality, ippears that extensive wear to contour feathers of gulls of the ius Larus is not unusual. R. E. Scott •igeness Bird Observatory, Romney Marsh, Kent 86 Letters It seems to me that undue consideration has been given by R. J. Kennedy and D. Melville to the not very surprising fact that old feathers become very worn prior to being moulted, a perfectly normal feature in many species. The restriction of wear to the exposed parts of the closed wing and to the tail of the Guillemot shown on plate 35b strongly suggests that this bleaching and abrasion is entirely due to exposure to the elements, and is thus perfectly normal. As for the Guillemots found on the Northumberland coast, the suggestion that wear may have been caused by contact with a corrosive substance seems unlikely, since only some feather tracts were affected. It would seem more probable that their waterlogged condition was caused by detergents used to clean off oil in an earlier attempt at rehabilitation rather than by their worn plumage. The passing of blood as described is typical of some oiled birds for which rehabilitation has been attempted at Dungeness, Kent (R. E. Scott verbally). The fact that they did not have foot lesions as a result of infective arthritis, cited by Mr Kennedy as a reason for doubting that they had been kept in captivity, only suggests that they had not been looked after for a long period. Clearly, before correspondence continues on this subject, it will be necessary to establish firmly the extent of normal wear in old feathers approaching moult in Guillemots and other species, and whether Guillemots usually retain certain feather tracts, for example on the rump and wing-coverts, longer than others. In his recent letter (Brit. Birds, 64: 236), Dr W. R. P. Bourne indicated that this wear is fairly frequent in specimens of moulting Guillemots, and from my own observations, admittedly of other species, I would be surprised if it were anything other than normal. P. J. Grant 120 Edward Street, London SE14 6dx May I comment on two of the points raised by Mr Grant? He suspects that extensive wear is normal : this had already been suggested by Dr Bourne and myself. He doubts whether contact with some corrosive is likely to have been the cause in the case of the Northumberland Guillemots because of the restriction of wear to particular tracts : I would agree, but the suggestion was actually made by Mrs M. Mee who examined most of the birds and I felt, therefore, that the possibility was worth recording at the time. To return to Mr Grant’s opening sentence, I do not think that almost any amount of consideration to this very largely neglected subject can be ‘undue’. Without wear, the need for mouldng is much reduced. Moulting places a serious stress on a bird and many adapta- tions in timing and sequence of moult, and in physiology, have been evolved to reduce this stress. This can mean only that the need for maintenance of the plumage in good condition is great. The tendency for feathers to wear is therefore a subject of considerable evolutionary tiers 87 portance not to be dismissed as unworthy of study, and thus I nk that any factual information would be of value. What I find rticularly striking is that most moulted feathers seem so little worn, uch suggests that they may have deteriorated in other, less con- ldcuous ways; birds would surely not drop such feathers unless they . d to. Several problems seem worth tackling: the comparison of old d fresh plumages microscopically, and determination of their ■ ative insulative, water-repellent and physical properties ; the study of :: extent of wear in old plumage, and interspecific differences; and the : .uses of wear, both environmental and inbuilt in the feather. When I 1 ginally recorded this type of wear as ‘abnormal’ I was probably ong, as Mr Scott’s data suggest, but normality does not make the oject any less interesting. At least we know a little more about I now. [Finally, it may be noted that R. M. Lockley and D. Surrey Dane ’■it. Birds , 47: 23-24) described congenital abnormalities in a Gannet I L'a bassana , which included bare remiges and rectrices due to very | [»rt or missing barbs. R. J. Kennedy Deepfield Road, Liverpool 1 j tews and comment Robert Hudson av German national park It is reported in the I.U.C.N. bulletin (vol. 2, no. 21) i an area of about 1,400 square km of the Waddensee, around the North Frisian nds of Schleswig-Holstein, is to be set aside as the second national park in ! sit Germany (the first, in Bavaria, was created in 1970). The North Frisian ) 1 Jdenscc National Park, as it will be known, is centred on the island of Hooge, 1 cere a field study centre or laboratory, or both, may be built at some future date. :: establishment of this park will prevent the area being misused as a military lag range, and will restrict development by the tourist industry. The conservation uch an important wetland is to be welcomed, and the situation in West Germany i - be contrasted with the miserable picture in Britain where, despite the lip-service Department for the Environment pays to conservation, most of our major 1 caries are under some sort of threat, and where one of the most important even by western Palearctic standards of Project MAR — Foulness and the Maplin Sands — ns condemned to disappear underneath the concrete of an international airport no better reason than that politicians dared not site it inland. ^'A'.F. aid for Camargue The World Wildlife Fund has provided a million French cs (about £75,000) to help preserve the wilderness of the Camargue in the Rhone a in Mediterranean France. The Camargue is one of the most famous wildlife i s in southern Europe, a 750-square-km triangle of lagoons, reed beds, salt pes, dunes and beaches. In 1928 part of it was set aside as a nature reserve land leased from a salt-mining company. The company retained the mineral ts, however, and recently indicated a wish to expand its salt pans into the reserve. 88 News and comment Relief came when the French Government decided to create a national park in the Camargue, taking in the reserve and surrounding areas. To compensate the salt company, it provided alternative government-owned land and also made cash compensation, towards which the World Wildlife Fund’s grant was a contribution. The intermediary was Dr Luc Hoffman, currently executive vice-president of the W.W.F. and long connected with the Camargue since he founded the Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat, near Le Sambuc. Recent honours Our congratulations go to the recipients of several honours announced towards the close of 1971. World Wildlife Fund Gold Medals for Conservation were awarded to Miss Phyllis Barclay-Smith, currently honorary secretary of the International Council for Bird Preservation and mainstay of its British Section; and to Dr J. A. Valverde, who has played a leading part in the Spanish conservation movement, in particular in the establishment of the Coto Donana National Park. The 1971 Arthur A. Allen Medal of the Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology was awarded to Peter Scott, director of the Wildfowl Trust, for his manifold achievements in the fields of ornithology and conservation. Although this is only the fifth year of the Allen Medal, it is the second time it has come to Britain; on the first occasion it was given to the late James Fisher. Similarly, the South African Ornithological Society has awarded its 1971 Gill Memorial Medal to Mrs B. P. Hall for her outstanding contributions to African ornithology; her study of francolins is a taxonomic classic, while her recent book An Atlas of Specia- tion in African Passerine Birds (in which she was assisted by the late R. E. Moreau) is truly a magnum opus. Pat Hall was an associate worker at the British Museum (Natural Flistory) for many years, a connection severed only by the recent removal of the Bird Room to Tring. National Cagebird Exhibition (I am grateful to Dr C. J. O. Harrison for the following comments.) The annual National Cagebird Show, held at Alexandra Palace, London, in early December, showed the usual range of native and foreign species in addition to the great mass of Budgerigars and Canaries. Most of the native birds were finches and a few buntings, exhibited in the tiny showcages which seem grossly cramped accommodation for a three-day exhibition, being in most cases barely twice as long as the bird they contained and shorter from front to back than its length. Insectivorous species seemed fewer than on previous occasions, and the more exceptional now tend to appear at local shows which offer cash prizes. Wagtails were to the fore, with five Grey, a Yellow and a Pied. Males of Pied Wagtail, Whinchat and Redstart appeared to be in full spring plumage. There were a few Jays, only one Waxwing, and some abnormally coloured Blackbirds and Song Thrushes. The cages on the dealers’ stands looked a little cleaner than in previous years but still rather overcrowded. Variety seemed more limited; and the only birds that might, if they escaped, confuse the British birdwatcher were a cageful of Goldfinches of one of the pale eastern races. R.S.P.B. excursion to the Highlands The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has announced a novel excursion to the Scottish Highlands: a special bird- watchers’ train to be run on a one-day circular tour from Carlisle to Aviemore and back on Saturday, 24th June 1972. The train will leave Carlisle at 07.00 hours, returning at midnight. From Aviemore station, special coaches will take passengers to Loch Garten and to the Cairngorm National Nature Reserve, under the supervision of local ornithologists. Smaller parties (each limited to 40) will, alternatively, be able to visit Loch Leven, Kinross, or the Black Isle, Easter Ross. The return fare is £2.25 (£1.25 for children), and the R.S.P.B. asks for bookings to be sent to N. Hammond at 39 Outgang Road, Aspatria, Carlisle, Cumberland, by 31st March. The idea has originality, and perhaps deserves commending for that reason alone, t vs and comment 89 gh personally I feel that Highland birds are seen best with due regard for the ’s company . . .’ philosophy. rarctic wildlife recording To the constantly expanding range of commercial s i on aspects of wildlife sound recording is now added one on Antarctica. After ntroduction by Sir Vivian Fuchs, director of the British Antarctic Survey, lisc gives the calls of various high-latitude seals, penguins, petrels, cormorants, , s and terns, as well as the sounds of some antarctic phenomena, such as ice- . ements and a blizzard. The record (price £f) is accompanied by an illustrated riptive booklet; it is listed as ‘sdx 219 Antarctica’ by Saydisc Specialized irdings Ltd, The Barton, Inglestone Common, Badminton, Gloucestershire mx. Royalties on the sale of this album will go to the World W ildlife Fund. : ions expressed in this feature are not necessarily those of the editors of British Birds :ccent reports P. F. Bonham >se are largely unchecked reports, not authenticated records ( deals with November 1971, to which all dates refer unless otherwise stated. ARWATERS TO SPOONBILLS 4th three Balearic Shearwaters Puffinus puffinus mauretanicus , 150 Gannets Sula ; 'na, a Great Skua S tercorarius sfoui, 27 Little Gulls Larus minutus and 750 i iwakes Rissa tridactyla were all apparently feeding on some kind of fish ‘wreck’ Tarras Head, Tintagel (Cornwall). Next day two Sooty Shearwaters P. griseus west past that headland, and a dozen others were reported during the month ■ 1 widely scattered localities round the coast, as were odd Storm Petrels Hydro- pelagicus and Leach’s Petrels Qceanodroma lencorhoa; a Leach’s Petrel was seen inland at King George V Reservoir (Essex/Middlesex) about 8th. An n- chest (bust). Note. Nomad jackets are self-lined throughout. They have seven roomy pockets (six zipped for security). Generous length. Double proofing. If you do not wish to cut out coupon, please write giving all following details: Please send me jacket Name Address BB3 0 ju Size (chest/bust) Colour I enclose cheque/postal order/cash for price including post and^packing. BERTRAM DUDLEY & SON LTD., Brook St., Cleckheaton, Yorks. BIG GAME & BIRDS — - 21 DAYS £448 SAFARIS VISITING THESE NATIONAL PARKS Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Nairobi. Tsavo. Lake Manyara. Ngorongoro, Ser- engeti and Mara, in Uganda. Kenya and Tanzania DEPARTURES 1972 June 28; July 19; Aug 9, 30; Sept 20; Oct 11 ; Nov 1 DEPARTURES 1973 Jan 17, 24, 31 ; Feb 7, 14, 21, 28; Mar 7; June 27; July 18; Aug 8, 29; Sept 19; Oct 10, 31 GUEST LECTURERS accompany each Safari and their expert and personal knowledge of East Africa and its animals and birds, its history, peoples and customs, highlights your enjoyment brochure available from SWANS SPECIALISED SAFARIS 237/238 (S5) Tottenham Court Road, London W1 P OAL. Tel : 01 -636 8070 ii /olumc 65 Number 3 March 1972 British Birds The behaviour of the Ptarmigan Adam Watson Concluded from page 26) i/OICE AND ASSOCIATED BEHAVIOUR OF ADULTS IThis section attempts phonetic renderings of the calls of adults and I describes postures and other behaviour associated with them. A detailed analysis of the calls, compared with the closely related calls of 1 Riled Grouse, using sound spectrograms and melograms, will be published elsewhere. All calls are given by both sexes. The hen’s t rails are high-pitched, cooing sounds sometimes resembling a barking : ouppy or a mewing cat, whereas the same calls by the cock sound aoarse, rattling and low-pitched. '1) Song in flight The bird — usually a cock — flies off and before alighting rises steeply with beating wings, sails momentarily with wings and tail outspread and steady, and then quickly flutters as it drops steeply with fanned rail and outstretched head and neck. MacDonald (1970) gave drawings -nade from a film in Canada, and also described the aerodynamics of rhe positions. In higher flights the bird sails longer without beating its wings, and it does not sail in short upward flights. Sailing may last rhree to five seconds if the cock has flown from a high rock pillar and rails while passing down a cliff. This difference in sailing was not noticed with earlier observations of Red Grouse (Watson and Jenkins 1964), but it has often been noticed since then. A cock Ptarmigan alights with fanned tail and outstretched wings. When landing in soft snow, he often pitches head and wings into it, leaving prints from wings, breast, head and feet. After alighting, he stands erect, with drooping wings and puffed-out breast, bobbing his body slightly and fanning his cocked tail open and shut, and then 93 1 94 Behaviour of the Ptarmigan Fig. 8 (a) Cock Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus taking off on song flight, calling with bill open (from photo by A. Tewnion); (b) tracks and marks of tail feathers left by Ptarmigan landing in deep snow and then walking away ; (c, opposite) tracks and marks of primaries left by Ptarmigan walking in deep snow and taking off Behaviour of the Ptarmigan 95 often struts a few paces. His combs are erect throughout. During descent the cock sings a loud belching ‘aa-ka-ka’ or ‘aak-ak- .ah’, with emphasis on the first note which he gives while he sails at the start of the descent. This often leads to a cackling ‘ka-ka-ka-ka’ as he flies the last metre, as he alights, and just after. Sometimes the cackling calls last longer, like the sound of a fishing reel or a finger running over a comb. After alighting he calls a slower, softer, hollow ‘kwa-kwa-kwa’, like a speeded-up and softer version of the ‘kowa- kowa-kowa’ at the end of a Red Grouse’s song in flight. In both species, the bird moves its tail up and down in synchrony with each ‘kwa’ or ‘kowa’. Cocks sometimes rise in mid-air for a second or third ascending flight, but only in spring. A cock dropping 30-50 metres down a cliff or steep hillside sometimes gives two or more songs without brief ascending flights, and also very long cackling calls. Non-territorial cocks usually rise only one or two metres, compared with 10-15 metres (occasionally 30 metres offlevel ground) by territory- 96 behaviour of the Ptarmigan owners, and hens little if at all. Cocks without territories often sing without a song-flight in March and April, and unmated cocks in late May and June. From late June to autumn and during bad winter weather, territorial cocks often rise only one or two metres, or give the song without any upward flight. (2) Flushing song When a cock Ptarmigan flies off spontaneously or is put to flight by another cock or a man, he calls ‘aar-aa-ka-ka’ or ‘aar-ak-ak-ah’ with the emphasis on the first note, sometimes followed by the prolonged, cackling ‘ka-ka-ka-ka’. This is obviously the same as the belching ‘er-ook-oor-a’ described in Witherby et al. (1938-41) as the song in song-flight. It is not given after the ascending flight, however and is a variant heard only on flushing, except that it is occasionally given on the ground. Hens rarely give it and non-territorial cocks seldom. Captive cocks give song in flight and flushing song in small cages, either during a small flight jump for half a metre or while stationary on a perch or the cage floor. (3) Ground song and attack intention ( type x) Details of posture in (3), (4), (5), (6c) and (7) are given under agonistic behaviour below. The ground song is a snoring ‘oh-waaak’ or ‘koh-waaa’, emphasising the second note, sometimes leading to the cackling ‘ka-ka-ka-ka-ka’ and given only on the ground. The first part is often followed by notes like flight song (‘oh-waaak-aak-ak-ah’, with emphasis on the ‘waaak’). When there is a lot of interaction, cocks sometimes give a longer ‘oh-waaak-waaak’ or ‘oh-waaak-oh-waak-aak-ak-ah’. Cocks give this call while threatening other cocks or a man. In a weak threat, a cock occasionally stretches his head and gives a barely audible low clicking, which may be the first part of this call repeated over and over. Ptarmigan have no display homologous with the Red Grouse’s song on the ground (Watson and Jenkins 1964), where the cock raises his head and body while giving a staccato burst of calls. Instead, in situations where Red Grouse do this — spontaneous territorial calling on the ground by a lone cock, or threatening a man or another cock coming into his territory — the Ptarmigan’s analogous but different ground song and its associated posture are used. This posture looks identical to the attack intention posture of Red Grouse, and Ptarmigan also use it during territorial boundary disputes and other situations of attack intention. The three kinds of song are most frequent and loudest from February to May. The final cackling is seldom heard from midsummer till 97 behaviour of the Ptarmigan midwinter; hens give it rarely and only in spring. Territorial cocks omit it or utter a very short cackle in summer and autumn and in >ad winter weather. Non-territorial cocks seldom give it even in good . veather in spring. Sometimes it is given without preceding notes jy cocks and hens Hying after a man has disturbed them, and occasion- ally during sexual chases and agonistic encounters. The loudness and frequency of the songs vary with the bird’s ■ .ocial status. Territorial cocks can be heard at up to i km in late spring, und occasionally at z km, but in September (or in the case of non- . crritorial cocks in late spring) at not more than 800 metres and often it only 150 metres. Unmated cock Ptarmigan usually sing less often han mated ones, but infrequently they sing more when challenging mated cocks in spring. Hens seldom sing, except the ground song, und they sing in flight far less often than hen Red Grouse. Some ;ongs are spontaneous, but cock Ptarmigan are often silent until r heir territories are intruded by another Ptarmigan or a man. A cock ringing out of sight, a human imitation of the song, a gunshot, an aeroplane engine, a thunderclap, and a snow avalanche will also stimulate cocks to sing after no activity. At such times the singing 1 )f one cock is often followed by others singing, more agonistic and -sexual activity, and territorial boundary encounters and fighting. '4) Attach An attacking bird gives a sharp, rapid ‘kwa-kwa-kwa’ when chasing mother and about to strike it, similar to the call uttered on alighting lifter a song in flight. 1 "5) Attack intention ( type 2) or threat This call is a fairly high-pitched ‘ko-wa-o’, common variants being ko-wa-ee-ak’ and ‘ko-wa-ka’, all emphasising the second note, lit is given mostly by cocks in territorial disputes, but sometimes by either sex when threatening a man, and by hens alighting after a uexual aerial chase or after threatening other hens. The call sounds -slightly more hollow but otherwise resembles the ‘kohway’ and kohwayo’ calls of Red Grouse. 6) Social contact and lateral stance [Ptarmigan giving this call stand alert with upright head and neck, ind in social contact they turn their heads to gaze in different direc- tions. The hen gives a sharp ‘kee-ah’, the lirst part higher-pitched :han the second. The cock’s version is a hoarse, low-pitched, rattling krrrr’, probably the same as the ‘orr, orr’ noted by Salomonsen (1951) n Greenland. The hen’s version is like the similar call of hen Red 1 Grouse, but the cock’s sounds less like that of cock Red Grouse, (t is given in three different situations, as described overleaf. 98 Behaviour of the Ptarmigan (a) Social contact between cock and hen. A hen looking for a mate gives this call often from January to April and occasionally in autumn and early winter. A cock responds by flying to her, and a hen flying about in search of a cock usually stops giving this call when one appears and displays. If cock and hen are together, she sometimes moves away to give the call, whereupon he usually comes after her and courts her. If he pays her no attention, however, she may call more frequently and may then fly to another territory. The call appears to be a solicitation by a hen seeking a cock, and a means of keeping the pair together. Similarly, if the two are separated after disturbance, the cock flies to the hen when she gives this call. She commonly gives it when he has temporarily left her while he takes part in territorial disputes or chases with other cocks, and when he courts other hens near her. (b) Social contact within the family. The hen continually gives this call when her young are more than a few metres away, and occasionally when closer. If a brood scatters after disturbance, both hen and young give this call; the hen flies to a calling chick and the others walk or fly towards her. Cocks occasionally give it when calling a scattered brood: in this form it is a hoarse, low-pitched ‘krrr’ or ‘arrr’, like his threat call but perhaps softer and less rattling. (c) Lateral stance. Cock Ptarmigan often give this call while threaten- ing other cocks in boundary disputes and in flocks, and occasionally while threatening a man or during sexual activity while standing near the hen. Hens occasionally give it while threatening other hens. The posture adopted, more puffed out than the usual alert posture, is described below under sexual behaviour and agonistic behaviour. (7) Flight intention Ptarmigan about to fly call a rapid, hollow ‘kuk-kuk-kuk’ or ‘kwa- kwa-kwa’, sharper than the attack ‘kwa’. (8) Chase Hens being chased by cocks in the air or on the ground give a sharp, popping, high-pitched ‘kowa-kowa-kowa’, the second part of each note higher-pitched and more emphasised. Cocks sometimes utter their lower-pitched version when chasing hens, but a hen being chased gives it much more than her pursuer. It is also heard occasionally when one hen chases another, or one cock another, especially from the chased bird. The call seems slightly higher-pitched than the sexual chase call of Red and Willow Grouse. (9) Warning call against fox or dog When a fox or dog comes near, a Ptarmigan stands alert and gives a single low, rolling ‘kwuk’ or ‘kwa’ every few seconds. This is a 99 ehaviour of the Ptarmigan ^uder, sharper call than the rapid flight intention ‘kwa-kwa-kwa’. )ther Ptarmigan become alert and in turn give the call. When cocks ive it in summer, hens and young crouch, but when a hen unac- ompanied by a cock gives it, she stays alert and only the young rouch. I no) Sexual 'loth sexes make a soft, rapid, chattering call ‘koo-koo-koo’ or ‘koah- . oan-koah’, with emphasis on the first syllable, while sitting or lying i own during head-wagging and crouching in sexual activity, while i joking for and digging nest hollows, and while bathing in dust or now. Captive hens give it while laying eggs. 1 1) Hissing len Ptarmigan with eggs or chicks sometimes hiss with bill open ■ /hen disturbed by a man or dog, and both sexes hiss in distraction display. In doing so they occasionally raise the feathers on each side >f their lower neck. A captive cock hissed when a Brown Rat ran under his cage, and wild birds hissed at an approaching Weasel and itt Stoats. Captive birds occasionally hiss when a man approaches heir cage, and both wild and captive birds sometimes do so when uandled. Captive hens sometimes hiss at each other, with combs raised, when threatening one another in small groups (R. Moss n litt.). Hissing is similar in Red and Willow Grouse, Black Grouse i .nd Ptarmigan. 12) Distraction Adults in distraction display utter a ‘kee-ah’ call, sharper than the contact ‘kee-ah’. Chicks crouch while the hen gives it, but run to ler when she gives the softer contact ‘kee-ah’. Cocks rarely give it, jut as with the contact ‘kee-ah’ the male version sounds different — u rattling ‘krrr’. 13) Brooding call Chicks crouched in hiding move to the hen when she gives a soft, 'jurring call, and then get brooded. If they call in distress, she gives it • more frequently. All the adults’ calls are given also by captive birds hatched and •reared in the absence of wild or captive adults from previous generations. 1 It her calls, possibly variants Hens in distraction sometimes give a high-pitched, sharp ‘kik’, oossibly a variant of the distraction ‘kee-ah’. Those with chicks up IOO Behaviour of the Ptarmigan to a week old give a very soft cluck barely audible even at 50 metres when a man or dog approaches. The chicks then scatter up to ten metres and hide by crouching, and the adults move away several metres. Red Grouse also call softly (not mentioned by Watson and Jenkins 1964) when a man or dog is near, and the chicks then scatter. In Red Grouse it may be the warning call when birds of prey are near, which also makes the young crouch, or it may be a soft variant of the fox warning call: I have not heard it loudly enough to know. Comparison of voice with Red Grouse The calls and associated postures of Ptarmigan and Willow (or Red) Grouse in distraction behaviour, resting, sexual and agonistic activity appear very similar and in some cases identical. As Willow Grouse and Ptarmigan are both white-plumaged in winter and early spring, and as both live in the same habitat at times, the question how individuals of one species avoid being mistaken for the other arises (see Moss in press for cases in Alaska where mistakes were made). Differences in voice may be involved. Calls given when predators are near or in defence of eggs or young (unimportant for recognition of other grouse) sound rather similar in both species: the fox call, hissing, and the hen’s distraction call. Calls of sexual behaviour (social contact, sexual chase) seem less similar, and those of agonistic behaviour sound very different, but calls of flight intention, attack and attack intention (type 2) sound more similar than song in flight and song on the ground. As wandering unmated hens often fly towards singing cocks that are out of sight, and as these songs are much louder than any other calls, the songs probably do help to bring the sexes together. Hence they may be important in the first stages of pair-formation, when mistakes between species are most likely. VOICE AND ASSOCIATED BEHAVIOUR OF CHICKS A chick cheeps loudly when picked up by a man or dog, whereupon the others scatter even when only a day old. They then run down holes or into long vegetation, or crouch motionless on the ground or in short vegetation with heads touching the ground. These habits probably reduce mortality from predators, and certainly reduce the number found by a trained dog. In Ptarmigan and Red Grouse, when the hen gives her brooding call, chicks of all ages from one day up to at least six weeks run to her. I took a Ptarmigan chick being brooded in the nest, and two hours later gave it to a captive hen Red Grouse that had hatched her own brood of day-old young. The Ptarmigan chick cheeped and immediately ran under the hen grouse when she gave her brooding call; it was raised successfully by her. Small Ptarmigan chicks have two cheeps like Red Grouse: a soft IOI j r baviour of the Ptarmigan pid cheep and a shrill single cheep repeated at a rate of up to one . ;r second. As in Red Grouse (Watson and Jenkins 1964), Scandinavian | Allow Grouse and poultry, chicks give the soft cheep when they id attractive food or go under the hen to be brooded. The second is distress call given when they are cold or are picked up or are separated I om their fellows. When a wild chick cheeps loudly, others in the 1 : ‘ood which may have been crouching motionless run or fly away and ue hen comes running. 1 : 5XUAL BEHAVIOUR have seen sexual behaviour of Scottish Ptarmigan in every month, .equently from October to May, and especially from January to rpril. Although most common in the early morning, especially rtfore January, I have often seen it at any time of day later in the inter, and in April sometimes as commonly in afternoons as in : ornings. When Ptarmigan, Red Grouse and Willow Grouse in Newfoundland \e showing sexual activity, the cock usually struts, but the hen has a naoother, rolling walk (plate 7a). In agonistic activity between ocks (see below), the dominant bird struts and the submissive me walks. When a dominant cock is not showing sexual or agonistic •tivity, he also has a rolling walk. An important feature in sexual and agonistic behaviour is the comb, this loose, highly vascular, erectile skin above each eye measures .2^ cm in length and about 1 cm in height when fully raised in ':>ring in cocks, and is about two-thirds this size in hens. In spring c comb reddens and increases in area and thickness, the comb-like rrations on the upper border are longer, and small wrinkled papillae ! row on the upper part. The comb being erectile, in sexual and monistic activity it swells and rises upright, extending like miniature 1 orns above the head. In late summer and early autumn it is smaller . :ad becomes a paler yellowish-red. Descriptions of the comb, by bacDonald (1970) for Ptarmigan in Canada, and by Watson and 1 ■ nkins (1964) and Kolb (1971) for Red Grouse, apply to both species, eluding Willow Grouse in Alaska (R. Moss in lift.) and Newfoundland. I acDonald noticed that cocks in arctic Canada exposed their combs •fly briefly or incompletely during encounters in cold weather, :’fore the season for courting, and suggested that this protects the •mbs from the cold. This explanation does not hold in Scotland, here combs are often only partly raised in warm weather in May, it can be fully exposed during cold weather in February. The con- tions for combs being partly covered, which can account for all 1 nervations so far made, are a submissive bird in sexual and agonistic 1 ^counters, a dominant individual feeding, resting or preening, or rds in low-level interaction. 102 Behaviour of the Ptarmigan B Much sexual behaviour consists of agonistic interactions between cock and hen, and courtship (that is, behaviour not shown in encounters between cocks or between hens) is much less common. Courtship and sexual chases of Ptarmigan and Red Grouse often start after human disturbance. If the hen runs away, the cock often follows her in courtship, and a sexual chase occurs if she flies away from the observer. , Descriptions of threatening approach and those courtship postures j listed previously for Red Grouse (Watson and Jenkins 1964, pages 1 5 5-160) all apply also to Ptarmigan, apart from differences in plumage and calls. The following account gives additional information. Threatening approach A cock Red Grouse, Ptarmigan or Willow Grouse sometimes approaches his own hen, and usually approaches a new hen that has landed in his territory, by strutting towards her, puffing out his breast and throat, raising his head, cocking his tail, stretching his neck, and erecting his combs. He usually does this while walking towards her (fig. 9a) but also while standing still beside her (fig. 9b). He may show it towards a man coming into the territory, and usually towards another cock before he chases it away. Watson and Jenkins (1964, page 156) described how a cock Red Grouse showing threaten- ing approach to his own hen has a stiffer, slower walk, with more dilated combs, and other differences from his threatening approach to a cock or a new hen. This applies also to Ptarmigan. An additional observation for both species, including Willow Grouse, is that a cock’s threatening approach to his own hen, even if he has been paired with her for some weeks, is like that towards another cock when the pair are involved in sexual chases and territorial interaction, especially off their territory (showing a steadier, faster approach, with few or none of the short hesitant runs seen on the cock’s own territory). Courtship displays This subsection describes five kinds of behaviour which are not shown when two cocks or two hens are having an agonistic encounter, and which can therefore be defined as courtship. (1) Tail-fanning. While showing threatening approach near the hen, the cock fans his tail feathers, contrasting the black rectrices with white coverts (see figs. 17 and 18 in MacDonald 1970). The cock often moves away in front, showing the underside of his tail which is fanned and raised upwards (fig. 9c), and drooping and spreading the white undersides of his wings. In Ptarmigan and Red Grouse the tail is often raised and lowered alternately, and sometimes the spread primaries, tail and breast scrape the ground, leaving patterns in the snow. In both species, tail-fanning is like a prolonged version of the I ig. 9. Sexual behaviour of cock Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus (a) threatening approach j ith wings tucked in; (b) threatening stance from lookout; (c) tail-fanning beside a hen 1 ock’s posture when he struts for a few seconds with fanned tail and 1 rooping wings after alighting from a song-flight, whether a hen is : iere or not. Similarly, tail-fanning after a song-flight is a more rolonged elaboration in a stationary bird of the brief tail-fanning nd wing-drooping shown by one bird attacking another (see pages ' 07 and 1 10). 1 04 behaviour of the Ptarmigan (2) Waltzing. A cock within half a metre of a hen circles her, droops the wing next to her more than the other wing, and twists his body and fanned tail sideways so that the fan tilts towards her. This leaves characteristic tracks in snow (plate 7b). I once saw a cock waltz to a hen with chicks. She had just moved off her day-old chicks and was showing distraction postures near my feet, including crouch- ing. When she gave distraction calls, the cock flew to land singing four metres from me and showed a threatening approach directed towards me, with fanned tail. When he saw the hen crouching, how- ever, he went to her at once and continually showed waltzing, tail- fanning, bowing, and attempts at mounting. He did not try to lead me away, as would be usual in such a case, and perhaps courtship was released by seeing her crouching. (3) Rapid-stamping. A cock occasionally approaches a hen in a short rush for usually one to two metres but sometimes up to six metres, with quick steps, body near the ground, head and neck held forward and slightly arched, tail partly or wholly fanned and held slightly upward, and sometimes with bill open (plate 8a). This posture is less common in Ptarmigan than in Red Grouse. (4) Bowing. While the cock shows lateral stance close to the hen (see below), he bows his head slowly up and down, with neck slightly arched. (5) Head-wagging. Both cock and hen show this, occasionally alternately and not both together. Either may begin. One crouches with head and neck forward, raises its combs, and wags its head rapidly from side to side, with corresponding wags of the tail. It should not be confused with jumping (see page in under agonistic behaviour), but occasionally it is not easy to distinguish them. For example, captive Red Grouse and Ptarmigan, both as chicks and as adults, and both singly and in groups, often crouch and wag their heads when a man suddenly appears beside their cage, and occasionally when another bird of the same or different sex comes near. The head-wagging is very brief, like the wagging sometimes done momen- tarily before jumping. In such cases it is sometimes uncertain whether it is courtship or agonistic behaviour. Continual calling of crouching captive hens, using the sexual call (page 99), is also stimulated by the sudden appearance of a man and more so by one who does not regularly look after them. Lateral stance Between other courtship postures, the cock stands with head and neck upright, combs erect, and breast and neck puffed out, usually lateral to the hen, and giving occasional ‘krrrr’ calls (see pages 97- 98 and no). ioj ehaviour of the Ptarmigan exual chases Descriptions previously given for Red Grouse (Watson and Jenkins 964, pages 160-161) all apply in Ptarmigan. Since then, I have seen r:xual chases by both species in every month. These usually begin n the ground when a hen walks or runs quickly away from a threaten- Mg or courting cock. He then walks or runs close after her and she lay then fly and be chased in the air. He dives at her in mid-air from Afferent directions clearly aimed at getting her to change course and return to his territory. During the chase he keeps his combs erect and uns his tail feathers at times. In an aerial chase of a hen, her mate is often joined by another cock, 1 usually unmated, and rather seldom by a third cock. Both cocks may ive simultaneously at her in flight and frequently rise up to touch ne another. If she lands on another cock’s territory, her own mate 1 ften attacks her and puts her to flight again, and is very likely to do 1 3 if the resident cock appears. Postures and flight patterns in sexual 1 cerial chases are similar to those where one cock chases another, ■ uccept that in sexual chases the cock manoeuvres to try and get his cen back to his own territory, whereas he tries to force an intruding ock out of his territory and the area around it. This difference is ' bvious from the directions in which the pursuing cock dives at the i ther bird. .Population "he description by Watson and Jenkins for Red Grouse (1964, .sages 159-160) applies also to Scottish Ptarmigan. MacDonald (1970) iave a more detailed description for Ptarmigan in arctic Canada, 'le described the cock pecking towards the hen’s nape but not actually rasping it during copulation. In the only copulation that A. Gardarsson n /itt.) saw in Iceland, the cock did not grasp the hen, though cocks t id in unsuccessful attempts. In a copulation of a captive pair of ' cottish Ptarmigan, W. Glennie {in lift.) saw the cock grasping the i.en’s nape and I saw this in three cases in the wild. It also happened n a copulation of Willow Grouse in Alaska (R. Moss in /itt.), and in •iany copulations of captive Red Grouse seen by R. Moss and in several of wild ones seen by me. Copulations of Ptarmigan in Scotland ccur at the end of April and in May. '.on/ par iso n of postures in different species 'ill the postures in sexual behaviour appear identical in Ptarmigan, Led Grouse and Willow Grouse. Similarities are less with less closely- dated species. For instance, poultry cocks kick outwards with one ;g during waltzing, but Ptarmigan and Red Grouse do not. Lagopus pecies droop the wing next to the hen during waltzing, whereas the ock Chukar A/ectoris cbukar (Stokes 1961) droops the other wing. J 106 Behaviour of the Ptarmigan Pair formation and interaction with other Ptarmigan All details for Red Grouse (Watson and Jenkins 1964, pages 161-163) apply in Ptarmigan, apart from obvious differences in voice and case histories about individual Red Grouse, and other distinctions now to be discussed. One difference is that hen Ptarmigan give flight songs and ground songs much less often than was described (page 162) for Red Grouse. Another is that unmated cock Ptarmigan are much more likely to transgress territorial boundaries than Red Grouse, while approaching near a hen. Often an unmated cock Ptarmigan will leave his own territory and fly right into the centre of the territory of a mated pair, and go within five to ten metres of the hen before being attacked and driven off by her mate. This is rare in Red Grouse. Also, when a pair of Ptarmigan fly out of their territory during a sexual chase or after disturbance, unmated cocks elsewhere often join the chase and dive at the hen; in Red Grouse this seldom happens unless such an unmated cock was previously in territorial interaction with the mated cock. In both species in Scotland, cocks paired with two hens spend more time and show more courtship with one of them, and this one dominates the other. MacDonald (1970) also noticed this in Ptarmigan in Canada, and I confirm his observation that the favourite hen is further on in summer moult. DISPLACEMENT ACTIVITIES When Ptarmigan are alert and in flight intention after being disturbed by a man or dog, or another Ptarmigan, both sexes often perform acts that might be interpreted as displacement feeding or redirected attack, displacement preening, and displacement scratching or groom- ing with the foot. Often one moves its bill towards the vegetation or its feathers, or its foot towards its head, but does not actually eat or preen or scratch. Occasionally it may complete the act, however, and even incomplete action often grades later into completed acts as the bird moves away from disturbance. I have occasionally seen wild Ptarmigan close their eyes for a second, when disturbed suddenly by a man, and sometimes perform head-wagging. AGONISTIC BEHAVIOUR Alert posture An alert Ptarmigan has an upright head and neck, thin neck, tight plumage, and tail tucked in (fig. 10a). The combs are almost if not wholly invisible, with the one exception that alert birds keep them erect while close together during territorial encounters. Ptarmigan often show this posture as a reaction to predators, and when other Ptarmigan approach on foot, or fly over, or call out of sight. If the behaviour of the Ptarmigan 107 others approach nearer, the bird shows postures of threat or attack, 1 or else flees. Ptarmigan and Red Grouse often become alert very 1 briefly for a second or less at a time, intermittently while feeding or resting. Possibly they are on the lookout for predators, but possibly for other Ptarmigan and Red Grouse too. They also show prolonged alert postures lasting more than a second and often lasting several | minutes even when no Red Grouse, Ptarmigan or predators are 1 approaching, but only when they are sitting or standing on prominent lookouts on their territories, or when they are separated from mates or young. They do this particularly when there is much territorial I .activity on fine spring mornings, but also at times when territorial 1 neighbours seldom meet. Sometimes all the territorial cocks can be seen standing alert on their lookouts, and occasionally calling there, but not flying around in song-flights or meeting their neighbours. Ptarmigan and Red Grouse are often alert during sexual behaviour, but this is difficult to separate from agonistic behaviour. Individual distance ! Ptarmigan seldom let other cocks come nearer than 50-60 cm. This is I (enforced by one bird threatening and attacking and the other avoiding, and often by one moving straight towards the other which then runs; but frequently they show neither attack nor flight. Occasionally, 1 neither gives way and both then show other postures described below. This individual distance can also be seen in the snow holes and piles of roosting droppings where flocks have spent the night (figs. 6a and b). It does not occur in families of Red Grouse and Ptarmigan, where the young touch one another while roosting by night or while i 1 resting by day under the hen, when up to about six weeks old, and where they occasionally do so in groups at up to seven weeks. A paired 1 cock and hen frequently come nearer one another by day, and often roost at night as near as 20-30 cm (fig. 6c). When dust bathing or sun basking, Ptarmigan and Red Grouse come nearer than 50-60 cm and sometimes almost touch. Captive birds often come within 10 cm ' without interaction, but this is an artefact of limited space. Individual distance increases with age in captive Red Grouse chicks and avoidance is important in determining their movements (Kolb 1971). Interaction over food often cannot be distinguished from individual distance, as postures and calls are the same, but it is clearly involved when one bird is displaced from food that is then taken by the supplanting bird. Attack posture An attacking Ptarmigan gives the ‘kwa’ attack call (page 97), raises its combs and runs towards the other bird, with head and neck held forward horizontally, bill sometimes open, tail partly or fully fanned io8 Behaviour of the Ptarmigan I0' ,A?onlstic behaviour postures of cock (b) attack intention, giving call 3 (from photo Ptarmigan I^agopus rnutus (a) alert; by R. Snodgrass in Hohn 1969); Behaviour of the Ptarmigan 109 (c) left bird submissive, right one in lateral threat; (d) submission, after attack; (e) flight intention (but bird still staying); (f) escape, after attack I IO Behaviour of the Ptarmigan wings partly out and drooping slightly, neck and breast puffed out, and body near the ground. This is like a greatly speeded-up version of the tail-fanning in sexual activity, and the attacker may even swerve quickly round the second bird like a fast version of a cock waltzing round a hen. The attacking bird tucks in its wings and tail immediately before it strikes, and it may strike if the other bird stands still or runs away. The attacker may give it a blow on the head, nape or body with its bill, may dislodge feathers, or may strike with its wings. Often it grasps its adversary by the nape or back and shakes or pecks it repeatedly as the two run about. In captive Red Grouse, a dominant attacking cock will occasionally try to copulate with a subordinate cock (R. Moss in lift.). In encounters over food or individual distance, the attacker may only partly raise its combs and show less exaggerated and briefer tail- fanning; the entire encounter is extremely brief by comparison, usually lasting not more than two seconds, and consists of a peck directed at another bird, accompanied by a brief raising of the combs. Kolb (1971) gave further details of observations in captive Red Grouse. In Alaska, R. Moss (in litti) saw cock Willow Grouse and Ptarmigan fly off and land right on top of another cock on the ground, to attack it. I have not seen this with Red Grouse or Ptarmigan in Scotland, though it does occur in aerial chases. Attack intention The Ptarmigan shows a similar posture to attack, except that it stays sitting in one place (fig. 10b). It stretches its head and neck forward and upward, vibrating and raising them while giving the attack inten- tion (type 1) call (page 96). The body is fairly near the ground, and is raised slightly during the call, so that the bird is more upright than when uttering ground song. It bobs its tail slightly and partly fans it quickly in and out while calling. Pater at stance A Ptarmigan stands sideways on to another, with head and neck upright, combs erect, tail tucked in, and body, breast and neck puffed out, though much less than in threatening approach. The posture (fig. 10c) seems intermediate between threatening approach and the alert posture, or between attack and flight intention. Plight intention and escape Lateral threat grades in one direction towards frontal threatening approach or attack intention, and in the other towards alert posture and further towards flight intention or escape behaviour. In flight intention (fig. ioe), the bird stands with flexed legs or runs, with tight plumage, head and neck stretched high, bobbing its head and the front of its body up and down with a forward motion, flicking its 1 1 1 Behaviour of the Ptarmigan wings and tail, and giving the flight intention call (page 98). The combs are invisible, except during territorial encounters when they : remain fully erect. An escaping bird runs away in the same posture. If one Ptarmigan in an agonistic encounter shows flight intention, this usually ends further attack by more dominant ones. When Ptarmigan are disturbed by the close approach of a man, and | show flight intention, the hen often raises her crown feathers in a I crest (plate 8b), and occasionally the cock does also. This is illustrated in a Siberian Willow Grouse in Haviland (191 5), and in cock Ptarmigan in MacDonald (1970) and in fig. xof. It is common in hen Willow 1 ^ Grouse disturbed with chicks, having been recorded in Lapland, i 'Newfoundland and Alaska, and also in Red Grouse in those circum- stances. It is also common, however, in Ptarmigan, Willow and Red Grouse not disturbed by a man, where they are submissive 1 and show flight intention or escape during agonistic and sexual behaviour, for example when cocks are being chased by a more dominant cock. Raised crest, elongated neck, invisible comb and v other features of submissive behaviour make a cock look like a hen, and so may reduce further attacks. They are associated with attempted homosexual copulation in captive Red Grouse. MacDonald (1970) sstated that crest raising of cock Ptarmigan in arctic Canada was a high-intensity reaction to a male trespassing on his territory’; his i 1 case-history descriptions and photograph (his fig. 23) of two cocks : n an encounter both indicate that crest raising is a sign of a submissive | 1 jr fearful bird. Agonistic encounters I Chix kinds of encounters seen in Ptarmigan have already been described : or Red Grouse (Watson and Jenkins 1964): brief encounters (see mder Individual distance above), jumping, prolonged chases, facing, 1 tghting, and walking-in-line. I have noticed no differences in the 1 aostures of the two species, and the descriptions for Red Grouse herefore fit Ptarmigan. The following account gives new observations 1 md differences in timing between the two species. urnping n Red Grouse and Ptarmigan, a common variant on the usual 1 orm of jumping (Watson and Jenkins 1964, page 166) is seen when >ne bird hops with both feet together towards another, or takes hort flights of a few metres. Jumping resembles the ‘frolicking’ ; lights in flocks of bantam poultry, where several suddenly flutter and umporhop in an apparently unco-ordinated way, changing direction s they do so. Recently, Kolb (1971) has closely studied jumping in aptive young Red Grouse. He has discussed its function and has ! e-classified and described it and other associated violent activities in I 12 behaviour of the Ptarmigan more detail. Jumping is commonest in autumn from September to November, when Ptarmigan and Red Grouse are often in packs, but is fairly frequent in winter and is one of the commonest encounters when families are breaking up. I have seen it in every month except May, in both species. Prolonged chases A dominant grouse may chase an intruder on the ground occasionally for up to six minutes, but usually the chased bird flies quickly away within a few seconds of being attacked. Prolonged chases occur only during territorial behaviour, when an intruder (almost invariably non-territorial) has invaded another cock’s territory. The chased bird often swerves just before landing and then crouches, so that its pursuer lands a few metres away, and occasionally this ends the chase if the intruding bird escapes detection. Usually the chasing bird returns to his own territory after one flight, having driven the intruder out, and a second or third chase is done by the second or third owners on whose territory the intruder appears. Occasionally a prolonged chase is carried on bout after bout by the same two birds. Sometimes this happens because the intruder keeps coming back to the same territory, but on other occasions an intruder may be chased out of the original territory for up to five territories distant in a straight line. In every prolonged aerial chase of two cocks, the chased bird shows his combs while in mid-air and often on the ground, and the chase generally ends when he shows escape postures, even though he might then have landed much nearer the other cock’s territory than he had done at many places during the chase. Wild cock Red Grouse and Ptarmigan occasionally chase others that are showing submissive postures, but rarely strike them. I have, however, seen striking by both wild and captive Red Grouse and Ptarmigan, even where the attacked bird was showing submissive postures (fig. iod) and no combs. Perhaps a dominant grouse may become temporarily more aggressive by experience, or the human observer might miss slight signs of aggression in the submissive bird, which the dominant bird is aware of, or an important feature of submission may simply be retreat. The converse probably happens also, where a Ptarmigan or Red Grouse becomes less aggressive by experience. When dominant captive cocks are closely approached by a man, their initial attacks usually change to attack intention, then lateral stance, and in turn escape intention and panicky fluttering into the wires away from the observer, if he does not go away for several minutes or if he comes close enough to touch the bird. If some aggressive captive cocks are handled, they become easily frightened and submissive thereafter, and may take several days before they regain their previous aggressive Behaviour of the Ptarmigan 1 1 3 behaviour towards man. Others continue to be just as aggressive as soon as they are released. Since the account in Watson and Jenkins (1964), I have seen wound- ing, but not killing, of one wild cock Ptarmigan by another and of one wild cock Red Grouse. The Ptarmigan was badly wounded on its head, could not fly more than a few metres, spent at least two hours resting in long vegetation, and was found dead on my next visit three days later. In both chases the more dominant bird pecked the head, jumped on the back, and took feathers and skin from crown and nape. Bleeding was extensive, the bare skull exposed, and the comb and muscles around the top of the eye partly dislodged. Captive cock Red Grouse and Ptarmigan in Scotland sometimes wound the hens they are paired with in a pen, removing feathers and skin from the crown, nape, back and rump, but rarely killing them when good escape cover is provided. A dominant cock will also wound, and rarely kill, other cocks he is penned with, and hens will sometimes do this to other hens. Ptarmigan and Red Grouse have been seen making more and longer chases than the 16 pursuits in 15 minutes of Watson and Jenkins (1964). In May 1971 I watched a cock Ptarmigan chase a non-territorial intruder 30 times for two hours in all, and Moss (in press ) also saw this behaviour persist for two hours in two cock Willow Grouse in Alaska. In April 1970 C. K. Mylne and I recorded a cock Red Grouse chasing an intruding non-territorial cock for over five hours: the intruder kept returning to the original territory he had invaded, and had his combs partly visible throughout the periods when we watched him with binoculars. In both cases, the two protagonists were obviously both tired. As time went on, the dominant cock became slower to attack as soon as the submissive one landed, he stopped raising his combs to full size, and occasionally he stopped ground-chasing to feed or rest briefly. Facing This is as described in Watson and Jenkins (1964, page 167). Fighting The description in Watson and Jenkins (1964, page 167) for Red Grouse also applies to Willow Grouse and Ptarmigan, except that the longest continuous bout seen in Scottish Ptarmigan lasted 45 seconds, and in Alaskan Ptarmigan over two minutes (R. Moss in litt.), and that fights between Ptarmigan are often more severe and fast-moving, the birds keeping less on their feet. When Ptarmigan cocks fight on steep ground, they often roll over and over, frequently up to 20 metres and rarely up to 50 metres, down steep hillsides and rocks. Fighting is mostly between cocks during territorial behaviour, j j ^ 'Behaviour of the Ptarmigan and seldom between hens on the territories. A. Tewnion tells me that he once watched two hens fighting over their young. Two broods of different ages— six young of eight to nine days and seven of two weeks — were each accompanied by a hen. One hen, with beating wings, attacked the other, which fought back similarly. The dominant hen continually rounded up the second hen’s brood, trying to keep them together, for 30 minutes until eventually she had all 1 3 young : none of them tried to leave her and go to the other parent. When Tewnion flushed the group, the two broods separated, each hen claiming her own. The dominant hen again began to pursue the other, however, and tried to round up the second brood once more. The appearance of the combs is a portent of the outcome of a fight. If an intruder does not show erect combs after being threatened by the territory owner, it is likely to fly without fighting. During a fight the less dominant bird often has its combs partly visible or invisible below the feathers, a sign of submission. If both show erect combs before or after a fight, more fighting goes on, with intervals of ground song and threat postures. If one bird shows no combs during and after fighting, the more dominant one soon becomes less aggressive and usually stops fighting. The disappearance of the comb may therefore reduce damage to the weaker bird. Walking-in-line The account in Watson and Jenkins (1964, pages 167-169) applies exactly to Ptarmigan, except for differences in voice between the two species and in the places where encounters occur. Walking-in-line encounters of Ptarmigan are usually on the ground or on snow, but occasionally on large boulders, cliff turrets, buttresses, snow fences and buildings. Also, I have since seen such encounters with another cock last up to 60 minutes in both species. Hen Ptarmigan occasionally threaten other hens by walking-in-line anywhere in the territory, very seldom on the cock’s boundary; usually they do not walk more than a few metres. Walking-in-line also occurs when a territorial cock threatens a non-territorial intruder, and this too may sometimes take place anywhere in the territory, not always on the boundary. In both Ptarmigan and Red Grouse, the commonest postures during walking-in-line are attack intention and flight intention or escape intention, followed by lateral stance. Usually each bird shows all the postures sideways on to the other, this being quite different from what one sees of these postures in situations other than walking- in-line. For instance, a bird in ordinary flight intention usually points its head and body away from the threatening bird or man, and is thus ready to flee. A bird in ordinary attack intention usually snakes Pi \ ri- 17. Adult Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor standing by nest, Kenya, July 1970, in the typical upright posture adopted when not feeding. The generally sandy-buff coloration of this desert and steppe bird makes it hard to spot until it runs or flics; its long legs are white (pages 120-124) {photo: J. I . Reynolds) Plate 18. Breeding habitat of Cream-coloured Coursers Cursorius cursor, Kenya, July 1970 (page 121): annual rainfall is under 50 cm; the thin grass is closely cropped by gazelles and zebras. Below, usual clutch of two in scrape in ring of droppings of Grant’s Gazelle Ga^ella granti (page 122) ( photos : J. F. Reynolds) Plate 19. Adult returning to hour-old chicks with orthopteran insect and, below, as it was too large for them to swallow, pounding it on the hard ground: insects arc the main food (page 123). Note how conspicuous is the adult's black-bordcrcd white band running from the eye to the nape (page 120) {photos: J. I . Reynolds) Plates 20 and 21. Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor squatting on its tarsi over chicks, with its body well off the ground and its legs visible, Kenya July ruffled ab°HVe’m fa,r y CO° CTdltl°nS; °PP°site> whcn hotter, its back feathers ffled and wings more opened to aid cooling (pages 122) {photos: J. F. Reynolds) V Plate 22. Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor shading eggs without touching them, Kenya, July 1970: in still hotter conditions than in plate 21, the crown feathers are raised and the bird is panting (page 122) {photo: J. F. Reynolds). Below, juvenile with adult, Morocco, July 1968 (page 120) {photo: David Harris ) Plate 23. Autumn habitat of first-winter Caspian Plovers Charadrius asiaticus , Tanzania, August 1968: a dry flood plain with nearly all the grass grazed away. Below, one perched on termite mound, its plumage umher-brown with whitish fore- head, supercilia, checks and underparts (pages 124-125) ( photos : J. F. Reynolds) Plate 24. More immature Caspian Plovers Cbaradrius asiaticus, Tanzania, August 1968: note indistinct breast band, scalloping of pale feather edges, and lack of conspicuous wing marks. Their food is insects associated with mammal droppings; above, the white marks on the bill are salt (page 125) ( photos : J. F. Reynolds) behaviour of the Ptarmigan 1 1 5 its head and neck forward towards the threatened object. A new observation in Red Grouse and Ptarmigan, since Watson and Jenkins (1964), is that one cock often runs while the other is stationary, and vice versa. Another is that the more submissive bird not only shows more escape postures, with their accompanying calls, and fewer attack postures and calls, but also has its combs less erect, its neck thinner, and its head turned away from the other bird. In both species the speed of walking or running and the whole tempo of the encounter often vary with the timing of territorial behaviour. If territories have been stable for some weeks or months, the birds walk slowly, parallel to one another, and seldom come closer. If territories have been formed only in the previous week or two, the birds often run quickly, show the postures at greater distances, and come within 50 cm of one another more frequently than at other times. Also, the line they walk on is more sinuous, indicating that the bound- ary has not been fixed yet. Walking-in-line is often less hurried, with the birds walking rather than running, in Red Grouse than in Ptarmigan. In Scotland this difference might be accounted for partly by the fact that Red Grouse tend to be on their territories for a longer period in the winter and so are more used to their neighbours. In Alaska, however, where Ptarmigan and Willow Grouse both arrive together in spring on the breeding grounds, R. Moss (in litt.) noticed that walking-in-line appeared more formal and less hurried in Willow Grouse than in Ptarmigan. Avoidance In Ptarmigan and Red Grouse, individuals often avoid moving birds by running out of their way. This cannot always be distinguished from a spontaneous voluntary movement that may have nothing to do with dominance relations. Nevertheless, when a flock containing an individually recognisable cock is on his territory, one sees many such movements by the other birds and hardly any by the dominant cock. The same happens where captive Ptarmigan or Red Grouse are kept in cages, when there is a peck order in each cage and subor- dinate birds show many avoiding movements (see Kolb 1971 for more details of avoidance in captive Red Grouse). When territories are being established for the first time and bound- aries are not fixed, avoidance is common in the cock’s song flights. The cock turns at the top of his flight in such a way that he lands behind the point vertically below the apex, whereas later he usually lands slightly forward of the point below the top of his flight. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I thank A. Gardarsson, R. Moss, D. Nethersole-Thompson and A. Tewnion for giving me unpublished notes, and R. Moss and D. Jenkins for useful comments on the manuscript. I am also grateful to Robert Gillmor for his fine drawings. behaviour of the Ptarmigan 1 16 SUMMARY An exploratory description is given of the postures and calls of Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus, as a basis for more detailed and quantitative studies. Ptarmigan behaviour is compared with that of Red and Willow Grouse L. lagopus, and the paper also gives additional new descriptions of facets of Red Grouse behaviour and references to new and more detailed quantitative work on Red Grouse. The postures of the two species are remarkably alike, often apparently identical. The first part of the paper describes nesting and incubation behaviour, and the behaviour of chicks as they grow up. Reactions to men, foxes or dogs, stoats, birds of prey, crows and aeroplanes are also described. The reaction of the Ptarmigan varies from a hen with small chicks attacking a man, in an extreme case, to flying away at long range before a Golden Eagle Aquila cbrysaetos. Cock and hen show several kinds of distraction or diversionary behaviour when they have eggs or young. The cock also diverts the attention of a man or dog away from the hen he is paired with, outside the breeding season. Cock Ptarmigan in Scotland show much less distraction behaviour after the chicks have hatched than do Red Grouse, and more often desert their families. In the arctic, cock Ptarmigan desert the hens after hatching much more than in Scotland. Feeding, preening, other comfort movements and resting are described, as is the habit of Ptarmigan of roosting inside burrows or hollows that they dig in the snow. The second part describes twelve distinct calls and others which may be variants. Voice is different in the two species, particularly calls given when the sexes meet, but certain calls uttered when predators are near are fairly similar in both species. Much sexual behaviour involves agonistic interaction between cock and hen, which is similar to agonistic behaviour between cocks or between hens. Cocks also show several types of courtship postures and sexual chases to hens but not to cocks. The hen also shows one of these (head-wagging). The comb is an important feature of sexual and agonistic behaviour; it can be dilated and raised above the head or depressed completely out of sight under the feathers. The extent of comb shown is a portent of the outcome of encounters. Pair formation and agonistic interaction stimulated by sexual behaviour are described, as are individual distance and several types of agonistic encounter between birds of the same sex, or different sexes, varying from avoidance to fighting and aerial chase. Much of this agonistic behaviour takes place during territorial activity, but some occurs in Ptarmigan in family groups or in flocks; one type (jumping) is usually shown in a communal situation. Ptarmigan are more loosely territorial than Red and Willow Grouse, in the sense that unmated cocks more often go far into other birds’ territories to approach hens. They are also more aerial in their behaviour, performing more and longer flights during agonistic and sexual chases, and more fighting (which involves flapping, buffeting and striking one another in the air near the ground). REFERENCES Bannerman, D. A. 1963. The Birds of the British Isles. Edinburgh and London, vol 12. Couturier, M. 1964. Be Gibier des Montagues Franfaises. Paris and Grenoble. Dementiev, G. P., and Gladkov, N. A. 1951-54. Ptitsy Sovetskogo Soyuya [Birds of the Soviet Union]. Moscow, vol 4. Gardarsson, A., and Moss, R. 1970. ‘Selection of food by Icelandic Ptarmigan in relation to its availability and nutritive value’ in Animal Populations in Relation to their Food Resources edited by A. Watson, pp. 47-71. Oxford and Edinburgh. Gordon, S. 1951. Highlands of Scotland. London. LIaviland, M. D. 1915. ‘Notes on the breeding habits of the Willow Grouse ( Fagopus lagopus ) at the mouth of the Yenesei River, Siberia’. Zoologist, 1915: 241-244. Hohn, E. O. 1969. Die Schneehiihner. Wittenberg Lutherstadt. Behaviour of the Ptarmigan 1 1 7 Jenkins, D., Watson, A., and Miller, G. R. 1963. 'Population studies on Red Grouse, Lagopus lagopus scoticus (Lath.) in north-east Scotland’. J. Anim. Fxol., 32: 317-376. Kolb, H. H. 1971. ‘Development and aggressive behaviour of Red Grouse (JL. lagopus scoticus , Lath.) in captivity’. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, University of Aberdeen. MacDonald, S. D. 1970. ‘The breeding behavior of the Rock Ptarmigan’. Living Bird , 9: 193-238. Millais, J. G. 1909. The Natural History of British Game Birds. London. Moss, R. in press. ‘Social organization of Willow Ptarmigan on their breeding grounds in interior Alaska’. Condor. Nicholson, E. M. 1930. ‘Field-notes on Greenland birds’. Ibis (12), 6: 395-428. Salomonsen, F. 1931. Grenlands Fugle. Copenhagen. Savile, D. B. O. 1951. ‘Bird observations at Chesterfield Inlet, Keewatin, in 1930’. Canad. Field Nat., 63 : 145-13 7. Semenov-Tian-Shanski, O. 1959. Fkologiya Teterevinii Ptits [On Ecology of Tctraonids]. Moscow. Smith, C. B. 1910. ‘Further notes on Rock Ptarmigan l Mgo pus rupestris' . Avic. Mag. (3). 1: 349-353- Stokes, A. W. 1961. ‘Voice and social behavior of the Chukar Partridge’. Condor, 63: 111-127. Watson, A., and Jenkins, D. 1964. ‘Notes on the behaviour of the Red Grouse’. Brit. Birds, 57: 13 7- 170. White, C. M., and Weeden, R. B. 1966. ‘Hunting methods of Gyrfalcons and behavior of their prey (Ptarmigan)’. Condor, 68: 517-519. Witherby, H. F., et al. 1938-41. The Handbook of British Birds. London, vol 5. Dr Adam Watson, Nature Conservancy , blackball, Banchory, Kincardineshire Further evidence of the ‘portlandica’ plumage phase of terns F. Haverschmidt Grant et al. (1971) recently showed that several terns of the genus Sterna and at least one of the group of marsh terns of the genus Chli- donias have plumage phases equivalent to the ‘ portlandica ’ phase of the Arctic Tern S. paradisaea. They further remarked that other terns might also have ‘portlandica plumage phases yet to be described. The present paper shows that this plumage phase is equally normal not only in the Common Tern S. hirundo but also in the Little Tern S. alhifrons, the Royal Tern J. maxima and the neotropical form of the Sandwich Tern S. sandricensis eurygnatha (known as the Cayenne Tern), the evidence being derived from specimens I collected on the coast of Surinam at about 5°5'N, 56°i'W in north-eastern South America. Many immature terns spend the northern summer on this coast, 1 1 8 ‘ P or tlandic a ’ plumage phase of term assembling in great flocks on sandbanks at high tide, but none has yet been found breeding there. In my earlier paper (Haverschmidt 1957), quoted by Grant et al ., I described the plumages of five Common Terns, including a two-year- old bird ringed as a nestling in 1951 and collected by me on 22nd July 1953, that were clearly in the ‘ portlandica plumage phase. On 7th July 1966 I collected another specimen in the same plumage. Furthermore, I recently examined in the Leiden Museum a Common Tern washed ashore on the coast of Surinam on 28th June 1970 which had been ringed as a nestling on Gull Island, New York, on 29th June 1969. This one-year-old bird has a white forehead, a white collar, a prominent dark carpal bar and a wholly black bill; the outer primary is old and abraded, its outer web dark brown instead of silvery grey. In fact its plumage is altogether identical with that of the two- year-old bird described in my earlier paper. Once more I wish to emphasise that the bills of all these summering immature terns are entirely black without a trace of red or orange at the base. Four Little Terns taken at the same locality, on 26th May 1966, 1 8th June 1954, 13th July 1953 and 12th September 1947, are all in similar plumage, with the crown white, the rear part being brown mixed with white, a white collar, a prominent dark carpal bar and a wholly black bill. There are no traces of the brown markings of juvenile plumage on the upperparts. In those taken on 18th June and 1 2th September, the two outer primaries are old and abraded, their outer webs being brown instead of silvery grey. Little Terns are practically always present on the coast of Surinam in flocks of the much more numerous Yellow-billed Terns S. superciliaris , which are strikingly similar but differ in their wholly yellow bills. The black bill of the Little Tern (at least in this plumage) is therefore a good field mark. On 5th May 1953 I collected three specimens of the Royal Tern, all in similar plumage. In each the whole crown is white, the nape black mixed with white, the bill orange-red. In one specimen the primaries are new; in the others two and three outer primaries respectively are old and worn, their outer webs being dark brown. Quite interesting in more than one respect is the Cayenne Tern, which closely resembles the Sandwich Tern but has a yellow bill. At least in part of its range, however, the bill has a very variable amount of black, and some individuals have an almost wholly black bill tipped with yellow like that of the Sandwich Tern. The Cayenne Tern has been found breeding on Curagao and Bonaire in the Netherlands Antilles, on Los Roques and Isla de Aves in the Caribbean, off Trinidad and off the coast of Brazil (Junge and Voous 1955, Voous 1968). Junge and Voous considered it conspecific with the Sandwich Tern, being the neotropical representative of that species, but Bond (1971) and Meyer de Schauensee (1966, 1970) still treated ‘ Portlandica' plumage phase of terns 1 1 9 it as a different species S. eurygnatha , mainly because yellow-billed and black-billed birds breed together in the same colony on Curagao. In fact, the gap between ‘pure’ sandvicensis , which has its southernmost colony off Cuba, and eurygnatha, which has its northernmost colony on Cura$ao, is about 1,000 miles (Voous 1968). The breeding season of the Cayenne Tern is in the period May-July throughout its breeding range. On the coast of Surinam it is present all year; 1 have collected three specimens out of a flock in the northern winter, on 12th February 1954, and six from flocks in summer, on 4th May, 13th July and 22nd July 1953. All are in non-breeding plumage, their bills varying from almost wholly yellow to black with a 3’ellow tip. The crown of each bird is white and the nape black mixed with white; their innermost secondaries have dark greyish centres. The tail feathers, particularly the outer ones, are dark greyish and moulting; where not replaced by new ones, the outer feathers are abraded. In the single specimen taken on 4th May the outer primary is old and worn. None shows a trace of the brownish spots of juvenile plumage. Hence these individuals are clear examples of the ''portlandica' plumage phase. Junge and Voous (1953) considered birds such as these to be subadults in aberrant plumage, but it now seems likely that this plumage is normal in immature terns in their winter, or non-breeding, quarters. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I am indebted to P. J. Grant for his comments on a draft of this paper. SUMMARY O11 the coast of Surinam, in north-eastern South America, four species of terns, Common Sterna hrrundo, Little S. albifrons , Royal S. maxima and Cayenne S. sand- vicensis eurygnatha, spend their period of immaturity during the northern summer. The 'portlandica' plumage phase of these terns is described. The evidence strongly suggests that this is the normal plumage of immatures. REFERENCES Bond, J. 1971. Birds of the West Indies. London. Grant, P. J., Scott, R. E., and Wallace, D. I. M. 1971. ‘Further notes on the “portlandica” plumage phase of terns’. Brit. Birds, 64: 19-22. Haverschmidt, F. 1957. ‘The bill colour of summering immature Common Terns’. Ardea, 45 : 176-17S. Junge, G. C. A., and Voous, K. H. 1935. 'The distribution and the relationship of Sterna eurygnatha Saunders’. Ardea, 43 : 226-247. Meyer de Schauensee, R. 1966. The Species of Birds of South America and their Distribution. Narberth, Pa. \ 1970. -A Guide to the Birds of South America. Wvnnewood, Pa. Voous, K. H. 1968. ‘Geographical variation in the Cayenne Tern’. Ardea, 56: 184-187. F. Haverschmidt, 16 Wolfskuilstraat, Qmrnett , Netherlands Studies of less familiar birds 168 Cream-coloured Courser Stanley Cramp and J. F. Reynolds 'Photographs by J. F. Reynolds and David Harris Plates 17-22 The Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor is the most northerly representative of a family of specialised wading birds adapted to semi-desert and desert conditions and found mainly in Africa, but also occurring in southern Asia as far east as India. All are, as the name indicates, excellent runners; their feet lack a hind toe, while the long middle toe has a wide claw, serrated on its inner edge. The Cream-coloured Courser, not much larger than a Starling Sturnus vulgaris , is one of the most elegant birds of arid areas : a predominantly sandy, plover-like species with long milky-white legs, very hard to see in its normal habitats unless it runs. If a close approach is possible, it can be seen that the sandy-buff colour is relieved by a pale grey nape, a noticeable broad white band bordered with black running from the eye to the nape (plate 19b), black primaries and a most unplover-like, curved, tapering bill. It flies reluctantly, normally escaping by running fast to a safe distance and then turning to peer at the intruder with outstretched neck (plate 17). When it does take to the air, it utters a short double alarm note, particularly if it has eggs or young. This is a whistling or piping sound which is presumably that variously described as ‘a sharp piping, twice repeated’ (Bannerman 1962) and ‘a short whistle like word “whip” ’ (Witherby et al. 1940). It oftens keeps low and soon planes down to land, but if seriously alarmed it flies fast with regular wing-beats, often turning sharply and able to gain height rapidly. A single individual flying high may sometimes utter a ‘praak-praak’ call which is probably a long-range contact note (I. J. Ferguson-Lees and D. I. M. Wallace in litt.). In flight this cryptically coloured bird changes dramatically — it looks much larger, with its long wings, slightly rounded at the tips, showing black ends from above and wholly black below; the short tail has a blackish subterminal band with white tips to the feathers, conspicuous at the sides. The plumage of adult males and females is identical, but the juveniles have dark wavy markings on the back and a light buff supercilium (plate 22b) and the immatures are almost entirely sandy-buff with only a suggestion of the adults’ facial pattern (see Brit. Birds , 63 : plate 49b). 1 20 Cream-coloured Courser studies 1 2 1 The Cream-coloured Courser is always found in rather arid areas, from sandy and stony deserts with some vegetation to semi-deserts and steppes, and even on sandy land once cultivated or lying fallow. It avoids wholly sterile desert areas where insect food is lacking and, though seen in the central Sahara, breeding there has not been proved (Heim de Balsac and Mayaud 1962). The range of the nominate race extends over a wide area from some of the Canary Islands (there is a separate, more reddish subspecies C. c. exsul on the Cape Verde Islands) across the Sahara east to Egypt and south to Air, Lake Chad and the northern Sudan, and thence across the Syrian and Arabian deserts to Iraq. A third subspecies, C. c. bogolubovi, is found in south Transcaspia and south to eastern Iran, Afghanistan and Baluchistan, and there are two other forms in east Africa, C. c. somalensis in eastern Ethiopia and adjoining Somalia, and the rather smaller and darker C. c. littoralis which extends from Somalia to the northern frontier districts of Kenya, where the photographs on plates 17-223 were taken. This last form inhabits sandy wastes with scattered bushes and trees, mainly Acacia and Commiphora (plate 18a). Some authors (for example, White 1965) have also regarded BurchelPs Courser C. rufus of southern Africa as conspecific. Cream-coloured Coursers are often thinly distributed even in suitable habitats, being seen singly or in pairs, though, especially when not nesting, small groups or flocks occur. T. von Heuglin (in Witherby et al. 1940) described a concealing attitude with the head flat on the ground, but this seems unusual and indeed hardly necessary in view of their excellent camouflage when at rest. Pairs are well-scattered and wary, so it is scarcely surprising that as yet there appears to be no adequate description of any courtship display, though the sexually excited female has been recorded as uttering a note ‘rererer’ (F. Favier in Witherby et all). The breeding season is very variable. Some eggs are laid as early as February in the Canary Islands, although most are found there between March and early April (Bannerman 1963). In north-west Africa the breeding season normally extends from mid- February to mid-June, although young chicks were once seen on 29th August (Heim de Balsac and Mayaud 1962). In the Cape Verde Islands R. de Naurois gave the nesting period as February to May (Bannerman and Bannerman 1968). In Egypt laying starts in April, in Syria from mid-April, in northern Arabia in May and in central Arabia towards the end of May (Meinertzhagen 1930, 1954). In Jordan, near Azraq, nests with eggs were found on 16th and 19th April 1963, but at a similar period in 1965 most birds were in trios and quartets although one pair had small young on 15th April (I. J. Ferguson-Lees in lift.). In Turkmenia, though information is limited, egg-laying starts around the first two-thirds of May (Dementiev and Gladkov 1931). The reasons for these extended breeding seasons are not 122 Cream-coloured Courser studies clear. It has been suggested that the species is double-brooded and this may well be the case, although it will be very hard to prove. Again the late eggs may simply be replacement clutches or those of first-year birds breeding late. Equally, as the species lives in arid areas with intermittent or variable rainfall affecting vegetation and food, its nesting season may well vary in different areas or years or even, as possibly in Jordan, in the same area in different years. Over much of its range the Cream-coloured Courser makes no nest, using a depression in the ground or scratching a few stones away to make a bare patch, but in northern Kenya it regularly lays its eggs among the droppings of mammals such as gazelles or antelopes (plate 1 8b). The eggs, almost invariably two throughout the range, vary in ground colour from stone-buff to light brown, closely spotted and streaked with brown. The incubation and fledging periods are apparently unknown. Similarly, little appears to have been recorded on the role of the sexes in incubation (although one shot on the nest proved to be a female) until J.F.R.’s observations in 1970 at a nest in Buffalo Springs, northern Kenya, illustrated here. He saw no change-overs prior to hatching at two nests, which were unattended until about 10.00 hours, then left again after about 16.30 hours; since the off-duty bird was not even near the nest, it seems that one of the pair may be on duty for six hours or so. In dull weather the nest may be unat- tended for long periods, but when it is hot and sunny the sitting bird is most reluctant to leave the eggs, usually returning within less than five minutes, having run off only a few metres. In such heat it crouches over the eggs with legs exposed, and as it becomes hotter it starts panting and then spreads its wings slightly and ruffles the feathers of its crown and back (plates 20, 21 and 22a). These body adjustments allow heat to be lost by radiation and conduction from the legs and the skin of the upper and under surfaces of the wing. Panting allows evaporative cooling, but raises problems of water balance, while the muscular movements involved produce extra heat. If a bird on the nest sights a predator, it freezes, crouching close to the ground, rising unobtrusively and running off when a human intruder is a hundred metres or so away. Small, harmless intruders, such as finch-larks Eremopterix, are ignored unless they come within about 60 cm, when the sitting bird will rush at them with head down and wings slightly spread. A more intense threat display, with wings and tail fully spread, is made to gazelles, moving vehicles and occasionally human beings. On 5th July the nest shown in the photographs contained one dry chick and one newly emerged when J.F.R. entered the hide at 09.10 hours. One adult returned at 09.15, removed a piece of eggshell and then came back with an insect for the older chick at 09.20. The mate Cream-coloured Courser studies i*3 brought food at 09.46, 10.00 and 10. 10, after which the brooding adult frequently left the chicks for short intervals, so that it was not possible to tell which of the pair was involved in further feeding visits, at intervals of 45, 25, 10 and 20 minutes (plate 19). During a second spell in the hide a change-over was seen at 14.15, the relieved bird standing near the hide with partly drooping wings. There were further change-overs at 14.50 and 15.15, and at the latter the relieving adult brought an insect and stayed until 15.30. Its mate brought food at 15.35, and at 15.45 the parents started to call the chicks away from the nest. The downy young are most attractive: plover-like, with the down sandy-rufous and white on the crown and upperparts, the nape buffish-white, the breast pale isabelline and the remaining underparts, chin and throat white (Witherby et al. 1940). They are fed by both parents for some time and remain with them at least until they are fledged (J. F. R.). Adults with young sometimes call ‘qua qua’, which appears to be a ground contact note (D. I. M. Wallace in lift.). Cream-coloured Coursers are basically insect eaters, feeding on a wide variety from beetles and grasshoppers to ants and flies, as well as caterpillars and other larvae, but they will also take small lizards and land-snails. An adult male shot in Cumberland in October 1947 had insects (especially weevils and ants), spiders and molluscs among the 89 creatures in its stomach (Blezard 1948). The movements of Cream-coloured Coursers are puzzling and unlikely to be fully understood until large-scale ringing becomes possible. In the Canary and Cape Verde Islands they appear to be largely sedentary and are often present throughout the year in other southerly parts of their range. In the north, in Turkmenia, they are migratory and birds from this area, together with some from Iran, Afghanistan and Baluchistan, winter in southern Iran, Makran and north-west India (Vaurie 1965, Dementiev and Gladkov 1951). In Egypt and Sinai they leave in autumn with the first cold spell when lizards and insects become torpid, yet in Arabia, though there are considerable winter movements, some are present throughout the year (Meinertzhagen 1930, 1954). In the Sahara they leave the northern areas and move south in August, returning in February and March (Heim de Balsac and Mayaud 1962), while in the western Sahara, farther south, Valverde (1957) wrote of irregular displacements caused by vegetational changes. They are numerous outside the breeding season from October until May in parts of the Sudan (Bannerman 1962), but in northern Kenya they are largely sedentary, although some are thought to move 300-500 km south from the deserts around Mount Masarbit as the dry season progresses, creating suitable habitat in the less arid parts of the range (D. A. Turner in litti). It is curious that a species which is often apparently sedentary 124 Cream-coloured Courser studies or a local wanderer over considerable areas of its range, though migratory in the northern parts, should occur so widely (albiet erratically) well to the north and west outside the breeding season. Cream-coloured Coursers, usually singly, have reached not only Cyprus, Malta, Sicily, Italy and southern France, but also Hungary, Belgium, the Netherlands, northern France, Germany, Denmark, and even Norway and Sweden. In Britain some 27 were recorded up to 1945, but there have been only six, plus one in Ireland, since then. The more recent ones were all found in the period 9th-2jrd October, although as many as ten were seen together on 12th September 1969 in Limburg, in the Netherlands (Smith et al. 1970). REFERENCES Bannerman, D. A. 1962. The Birds of the British Isles. Edinburgh and London, vol 11. 1963. Birds of the Atlantic Islands. Edinburgh and London, vol 1. and Bannerman, W. M. 1968. History of the Birds of the Cape Verde Islands. Edinburgh and London. Blezard, E. 1948. ‘Cream-coloured Courser in Cumberland’. Brit. Birds, 41 : 92. Dementiev, G. P., and Gladkov, N. A. 1951. Ptitsy Sovetskogo Soyu^a [Birds of the Soviet Union]. English translation, Washington, 1969. vol 3. Heim de Balsac, H., and Mayaud, N. 1962. Les Oiseaux du Nord-Ouest de I’Afrique. Paris. Meinertzhagen, R. 1930. Nicoll’s Birds of Egypt. London. 1954- Birds of Arabia. Edinburgh and London. Smith, F. R., et al. 1970. ‘Report on rare birds in Great Britain in 1969’. Brit. Birds, 63: 267-293. Valverde, J. A. 1957. Aves del Sahara Espanol. Madrid. Vaurie, C. 1965. The Birds of the Palearctic Fauna: Non-Passeriformes. London. White, C. M. N. 1965. A Revised Check List of African Non-passerine Birds. Lusaka. Witherby, H. F., et al. 1940. The Handbook of British Birds. London, vol 4. Stanley Cramp , 32 Queen Court, Condon wcin 3BB J. F. Reynolds, P.O. Box 40184, Nairobi, Kenya Photographs of immature Caspian Plovers J. F. Reynolds Plates 23-24 The photographs of Caspian Plovers Charadrius asiaticus and their habitat on plates 23-24 were taken in early August 1968 in the flood plain of the Great Ruaha River about no km from Iringa, Tanzania. All the Caspian Plovers I saw there were in first-winter plumage. These immatures lack any particularly distinctive features, especially on the wings or rump. Apart from their whitish forehead, supercilia. 125 Immature Caspian Plovers cheeks and underparts, they are a uniform umber-brown with the scalloped markings characteristic of juvenile plovers; the breast band (plate 24b) is indistinct. The bill is black, the irides brown; the legs of those I photographed were a rather dingy yellowish-brown, though descriptions in the literature vary from ‘dusky olive’ to ‘greyish-green’. As stated in The Handbook , Caspian Plovers are clearly larger than Ringed Plovers C. hiaticula ( cj the 1954 and 1966 editions of the Field Guide), but they are somewhat smaller than Golden Plovers Pluvialis apricaria which they rather resemble in general shape and jizz. There are no resident species in East Africa with which they can be confused. The habitat is usually described in books on African birds as areas of short grass, such as airfields. With the exception of the Serengeti Plains in northern Tanzania, however, all the places where I have seen Caspian Plovers have been dry flood plains with nearly all the grass removed through heavy grazing by domestic or wild ungulates, leaving large expanses of coarse sand. During the rainy season (Novem- ber to late April) these are often partially flooded to a depth of 1 5 cm or more, becoming quite verdant. Once the rains cease, the sandy soil soon dries out and the grass withers away and is quickly eaten by cattle and goats. The first plovers arrive at the beginning of August. By then the flood plains are in a semi-desert condition as a result of overgrazing and 2^-3 months’ drought (plate 23a); the ground is liberally scattered with dried animal droppings. Although the earliest arrival date 1 recorded was 4th August, the main influx of Caspian Plovers is probably during September and October when flocks of 50 or so are encountered; they leave the flood plains in November, probably concentrating in dry areas such as Serengeti where I have seen many in December and January. The plovers feed on insects (such as beetles) associated with the mammal droppings and on termites which utilise the scanty plant remains. Some frequently rest on stones or the droppings of Elephants Loxodonta africana, and plate 23b shows one standing on a small termite mound. The October flocks are fairly wary, flying away when one drives a Land Rover to within 50 metres or so, and those in the photographs were excep- tionally approachable. I have never seen Caspian Plovers flying to water holes; the white marks around the nostrils of the bird on plate 24a are deposits of salt from the nasal glands which are generally well developed in species of arid environments. /. F. Reynolds, P.0. Box 40584, Nairobi, Kenya Notes House Martins settling and roosting in reed beds During July, August and September 1970, S. and R. Millington and I regularly observed numbers of House Martins Delichon urbica settling in beds of Phragmites reeds at Fleet Pond, Hampshire. On four occasions parties settled on the reeds in the daytime, leaving in a southerly direction a few hours later. Inspection of these reed beds showed them to be infested with small beetles (Coleoptera). Most of the 30-70 birds involved were juveniles and many appeared to be exhausted, spending the first part of their stay feeding and preening. In this same period, we saw House Martins fairly regularly in a night roost of some 3,000-4,000 hirundines (mostly Sand Martins Riparia riparia but including some Swallows Hirundo rustica) in these reed beds. It was impossible to give accurate figures for the number of House Martins in the roost, but estimates varied from 20 to 100. According to The Handbook (2: 236), this species ‘does not ordinarily, if ever, roost in reed- or osier-beds’, and the only recorded instance of this behaviour that I have been able to trace occurred on Jersey in the Channel Islands. N. E. G. Elms 19 Medonte Close , Fleet, Hampshire We showed this note to C. J. Mead, who commented that in some 50 to 100 nights of watching a hirundine roost at Chichester, Sussex, always mainly of Sand Martins but with some Swallows, he and other members of the ringing group there did not come across a single case of undoubted roosting by House Martins in the reeds, though they were present in numbers in the evenings. This subject was discussed in 1936 by F. Tischler and H. Ringleben in Orn. Monatsber. (44: 117, 159-160) as a result of a statement by F. Tantow (1936, Das Hogelleben der Niederelbe, page 152) that House Martins and Swallows, from the middle of July, regularly roost over- night in reeds. Despite extensive observations of hirundine roosts, they had not recorded a single case of this behaviour by House Martins, nor could they find any definite references to it elsewhere in the available literature. Eds Redwings roosting in reed beds On 7th and 9th March 1970, at Corsham Lake, Wiltshire, I was watching Redwings Turdus iliacus coming into roost in a hawthorn clump when I noticed that a small number were flying from the clump down into the adjoining beds of Phragmites reeds, while others were flying directly into the reeds in a manner similar to that of Starlings Sturnus vulgaris. In all, about 80 Redwings roosted in the reeds and a lesser number in the hawthorns. Notes 127 Again on 24th February and 13th March 1971 I recorded similar occurrences at Corsham Lake. Julian C. Rolls The Limes, The Ridge, Corsham, Wiltshire C. J. Mead comments: ‘I am sure that Redwings would, in the circumstances described, take advantage of the reeds under their bushes. I have seen them doing this sort of thing near Cambridge, but feel sure that they would normally only do it where reeds and roosting bushes were close together.’ Eds Lesser Whitethroat attempting to copulate with stone in autumn On 1 2th September 1971, at Dungeness, Kent, R. E. Turley, A. J. Greenland and I watched a Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca apparently trying to copulate with a stone. The bird, some twelve yards away, was perched on the wire roof of a Heligoland trap on which was lying a stone approximating to its own size and of the same grey coloration. It fluttered across the wire and mounted the stone, apparently going through the motions of copulation, pecking at what would have been the female’s neck, with its wings extended and fluttering, its tail spread and regular body movements. It persisted with this behaviour for some 40 seconds before leaving the stone and preening briefly. It then hopped round to the opposite side of the stone and repeated the process, but this time for a shorter period. Following this second performance, the bird fluffed out its plumage and ran its bill down the outer primary of one wing before flying into cover after another Lesser Whitethroat. K. Redshaw Dungeness Bird Observatory, Romney Marsh, Kent Spotted Flycatchers feeding fledged young for 22 days For most of July 1970, outside my office window at Bath, Somerset, a family party of two adult and three full-winged young Spotted Flycatchers Muscicapa striata used a high fence as a perch from which to obtain winged insects. I could recognise them as always the same party by the blotchy, pale buff-white breast of one of the young. I first noticed the parents frequently feeding their young on 8th July, when the latter were very ‘trembly’ and looked somewhat fluffy — I felt fairly sure they had only recently fledged but did not know where the nest was. Parental feeding lessened as the days went by, the young also seeking food themselves. Nevertheless, I last saw the adults feeding them on 29th July, at least 22 days after they had fledged. Dr David Lack (1965, The Life of the Robin, 4th ed., p. 103) wrote of Robins Erithacus rubecula : *. . . fledging [takes] fourteen days, and the young become independent in another twenty-one days’. I have been unable to trace any reference to the period of post-fledging parental feeding in the Spotted Flycatcher. Bernard King Gull Cry, 9 Park Road, Newlyn, Cornwall Letters Submission of records Peter Conder (Brit. Birds, 64: 551-552) takes a surprising attitude towards your recent editorial on ‘The collection and analysis of records’ (Brit. Birds, 64: 337-338). He admits to watch- ing birds without lifting a finger to record them. If more important duties take up his time, there is little else he could do, so he is fully justified in refuting any suggestion of laziness in his particular case. This would apply equally to others genuinely in the same position, although one might hope that they would find time to pass on at least the occasional highlights of their observations. Bearing in mind, however, the constant requests from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds for factual evidence to support conservation moves or special enquiries, it would seem more appropriate for him to encourage well-intentioned efforts to improve the recording network, rather than advertise his views against them. As it is, his letter encourages the view that there is no need to send in records if one does not feel like it, and even gives the impression, hopefully unintentional, of being a little scornful of those who do. Fortunately the vast majority of serious birdwatchers do not share Mr Conder’s views. What a sorry state his society and the other national and local ones would be in if they did! P. J. Grant 120 Edward Street, Eondon SE14 6dx Perhaps the deadliest sin that Peter Conder has committed is to infer, during his wanderings among bardic fantasies, that the bird- watcher has no duty at all to record what he sees — let alone the rarities. I can see no earthly reason why birdwatching should not remain entirely enjoyable, whether directed (or misdirected) at rarities or at commoner, and to my mind more important, species. There is every reason why he should record what he sees, otherwise (perhaps a little unkindly) how would more ardent conservationists know which white elephant to protect next, and how would those of us concerned that a reasonable environment shall be available for our grand- children produce the factual evidence to ensure this ? Conservation is just as dependent on facts as it is on fences erected out of subjectivity or nostalgia: surely we birdwatchers should be encouraged to help provide these facts, not directed towards Xanadu. The outstanding success of the British Trust for Ornithology’s Atlas project is evidence enough that such encouragement is welcomed by birdwatchers themselves. ‘Look thy last on all things lovely’, said Walter de la Mare — perhaps Mr Conder should broaden the scope of his reading. Jim Flegg British Trust for Ornithology, Beech Grove, Tring, Hertfordshire 128 Letters 12 9 To most readers of British Birds, Peter Conder’s outburst at your editorial must have come as a surprise, since many of us may have hitherto regarded him as a member of the scientific elite of ornitho- logy. If his letter is to be taken as a sincere expression of opinion it should be dismissed as both facetious and blasphemous. The editors certainly aired some vexing problems and I am sure I am not alone in entirely supporting their views. Mr Conder confines his comments to the reporting of ‘rare’ birds, which was not what the editorial was about. I know a number of birdwatchers who rarely make any field-notes, others who never count the wildfowl, migrants and other birds which surround them and yet others who are so lazy they merely guess at the numbers or cadge them from the workers. There are still others who actually do the dedicated fieldwork, but never pass the results to the appropriate county recorders through that sheer conceited antagonism described in your editorial. Truly there is nothing worse than intellectual arrogance and it is an unfor- tunate feature of ornithology, which is almost entirely supported by dedicated amateurs gifted with a grinding, methodical approach to the science, that there are scattered individuals who, out of sheer temperament, will not adhere to the scientific principles which they paradoxically seek to emulate. If Mr Conder wishes to be a birdwatching poet or a poetical bird- watcher, so be it. Meanwhile, let’s get on with the work and, in every way possible, record the fortunes and misfortunes of our beloved birds. M. J. Rogers 19 j Vicarage Road, S unbury -on-T ' homes twi6 7TP Peter Conder, in expressing his contempt for the painstaking task of subnutting records, appears to have missed the point of your excellent editorial. What is more surprising is that he chooses to ignore the usefulness of published records, facts and figures, in further- ing the cause of conservation in the corridors of power and, for that matter, in monitoring the need of revisions to the bird protection laws. Surely the science of ornithology, through its discipline of collecting information, does much to safeguard the spiritual recreation of watching birds, a pastime which we all enjoy and share with him? Ken Osborne 33 Campden Road, South Croydon, Surrey CR2 7ER Your editorial on ‘The collection and analysis of records’ and Peter Conder’s reply seem to have created some stir, and one can only hope that the important issues that underlie the debate will not get lost among the acrimony. As an exhortation your editorial is both sound and sensible. It encourages the humble and chastises the proud. But to attack the i3° Letters lazy as selfish is unfair, both to your readers and to the people con- cerned. Taken as an introduction to the report of the Rarities Com- mittee for 1970, it is a straightforward attack on all birdwatchers who like to see a rare bird from time to time and in particular on those who like to see rare birds all of the time. Mr Conder is quite right in emphasising that birdwatching is a hobby and that one does exactly what one pleases with the results of its pursuit. The ‘debt’ that we owe our ornithological forebears is a complete myth — doubtless they were just as selfish as ourselves and ‘did their own thing’ for their own satisfaction. What is sur- prising is not that you should be condemned for labelling some bird- watchers as selfish and lazy, but that it should be Mr Conder who does so. As Director of our national bird protection body he must, of course, represent the thousands of R.S.P.B. members who do little but feed the birds for their own pleasure and to the benefit of the birds themselves, but your editorial specifically excluded this group. One would expect the R.S.P.B. to give its full backing to the Atlas project along with all the other activities of the B.T.O., the Seabird Group and the other societies that perform so much of the donkey- work on which bird protection is based. In fact I am sure that Mr Conder does give wholehearted support to most scientific enquiries in this country, and one can only presume that the status of unusual birds is just not important enough to qualify. While I would dispute this, it would be irrelevant to do so here. If you had simply exhorted co-operation no one could have ob- jected, but your comments are being widely interpreted as an attack on tick-hunters. Most of the twitchers that I have met have exhibited quite remarkable field skills, in part due, no doubt, to their almost professional preoccupation with identification. They are dedicated and long-suffering in their pursuit of rarities, and I have always found it very difficult to understand the abuse and condemnation that has been levelled at a group of such highly skilled and dedicated people. I do not in any way want to underrate the value of the work performed by the Rarities Committee, but it, and any other body that seeks to judge records, will never receive the full confidence of the twitchers as long as it contains members who are not so expert as the twitchers themselves. What is the point of some of the finest field men in the world submitting notes on a bird to a group which includes some members who are not qualified to judge them? Unfortunately I cannot suggest a better method of appointing members than the present one. Among ornithological bodies it shines as being almost democratic. As long as twitchers remain unorganised they will not be able to claim representation; if they do organise they will lose the freedom from societies and committees that currently keeps them together. Never- theless, at the present time their expertise is not utilised as it could be. letters 131 I do not wish to champion the twitchers’ cause, but I feel that critical interference and condemnation of an individual’s approach to his hobby is totally unjustified. John Gooders ‘ World of Birds', 6-7 Queens tborpe Mews, Sydenham, London SE26 I was surprised to see the letter from Peter Conder expressing such immature views on the submission of bird records. No doubt he has tongue in cheek. I hope the members of his society are not as casual in their attitude to paying subscriptions, reporting breaches of the Protection of Birds Acts, or supplying records for the interesting section on news from the R.S.P.B. reserves which appears in his society’s magazine. J. Lord Orduna, /// Tam worth Road, Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire We thank also Dr W. R. P. Bourne, P. A. Gouldsbury, B. D. Harding and R. A. Hume who have written to us on this subject. Eds The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Britain and Ireland The British Trust for Ornithology’s five-year Atlas Project which started in 1968 comes to an end after the 1972 breeding season. This summer is, therefore, the last chance to achieve thorough coverage in those 10-kilometre squares which are still inadequately surveyed, fill in species gaps and upgrade evidence from possible or probable to con- firmed breeding for the difficult species. In most of the 3,860 squares in Britain and Ireland over 90% of the expected species have been found after only four years, and with a final effort in 1972 there is a real prospect of achieving 100% coverage — a result beyond the wildest dreams of even the optimists when the project started. A copy of the 1972 Atlas Instructions is inserted with this issue. As well as full details of the project, this includes a list of all the poorly covered squares which need special attention in this final year. Certain species are under-recorded so far, and we ask for all 1968-72 breeding season records of Scaup Aythya marila. Common Scoter Melanitta nigra. Merlin Falco columharius. Quail Coturnix coturnix , Water Rail Rallus aquations , Spotted Crake P organa por^ana. Barn Owl Tyto alba. Long-eared Owl Asio otus. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor. Red-backed Shrike Lanins collurio and Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes to be sent to the relevant Regional Atlas Organisers (addresses in the Atlas Instructions enclosed). The book The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Britain and Ireland will include a full-page distribution map and, on average, a page of interpretative text for each species, together with maps of past distributions where there have been earlier surveys and maps of factors which may be relevant (such as locations of reed-beds or urban areas, height of land, and so on). The distribution maps will be drawn mechanically by a * 1 32 Letters Breeding distribution of Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major in Britain and Ireland during 1968-71 showing records obtained in the first four years of the five-year Atlas survey modified electric typewriter and will probably be printed in two colours, with the coastline a different colour from the dots, but an : impression of the final product of these five years of fieldwork is given by the hand-drawn one-colour map of Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major shown here. (The final published maps wiU, however, be two or three times as large as this.) The smallest dot indicates possible breeding, the next size probable and the largest confirmed breeding. J. T. R. Sharrock Curlew Crescent , Bedford News and comment Robert Hudson Conservation on the offensive ? Considerable national interest was shown in a manifesto published in The Ecologist on 13th January. It was entitled ‘Blueprint for Survival’, supported in principle by 33 eminent names from the fields of medicine, economics, biology, and physical and natural sciences. Among them were Sir Frank Fraser Darling, Professor G. M. Dunnet, Sir Julian Huxley, Dr David Lack, Viww and com went 133 Vter Scott, Professor C. H. Waddington, Dr Adam Watson and Professor V. C. i i^ynne-Edwards. This distinguished group hopes to focus attention on the non- ustainability of the present industrial way of life, with its overpopulation and its . onstant striving for expansion and improved standards of living, resulting in major > .ollution problems and depletion of finite natural resources. The ‘Blueprint’ stresses hat, if current trends continue, the breakdown of society and the irreversible [disruption of this planet’s life-support systems will occur, possibly by the end if the century. Constructive suggestions are made, such as a tax structure that penalises heavy use of raw materials while rewarding the manufacturer of long-life rticles, and limiting of national populations to levels self-supporting in terms «f food production. In their public utterances, governments are either refusing 1 o face facts or trying to play down their seriousness; this political timidity jas meant that little has been done in the way of corrective measures. There > i, the ‘Blueprint’ states, a need for a national conservation movement to induce [government, industrialists and trade-unionists alike to face realities; this move- : nent should, if necessary, assume political status and contest the next general lection. I have personal doubts on the likely effectiveness of the latter: though ■ ninority groups achieve some temporary successes at by-elections, at general clec- ’ ions national opinion invariably polarises around the two major parties, and 1 .annot see a conservation platform winning scats. Nevertheless, though one might (uestion certain points of emphasis in ‘Blueprint for Survival’, few thinking people ivould deny the need for some effective pressure group; unhappily there are some > ficawber-type exceptions, and the editor of Nature did his credibility no good in hasty, ill-considered attack on the ‘Blueprint’ for alleged naivety, unreflcctive- aess and speculation, instead professing a bland faith that by the year 2000 all our problems will be solved because the pattern of population will be economically nore productive than at present. But the creed of doing best by doing nothing is 1 . dangerous one. !The Rothschild cloud Much has been written in the scientific press and less-read newspapers about Lord Rothschild’s Green Paper report to the Government on scientific research and its financing in Britain. One of the chief recommendations of his report is that research should be organised on a ‘customer-contractor’ basis. »f course, the various Government departments (and ultimately the Treasury) u’ould \>e the chief customers. This carries the risk that the customer may not commission research into politically embarrassing subjects; if the report is accepted, conscr- 'ationists will need to remain on their toes to ensure that no aspects of the growing pollution field are quietly swept under the proverbial carpet. Other Rothschild recommendations concern reorganisation among Government research bodies, and n this connection there must be concern for the future of the Nature Conservancy. Urcady the Conservancy has suffered at the hands of Whitehall administrative man- darins, having lost its independence in 1965 when it was stripped of its Royal charter and given a subordinate position within the Natural Environment Research Council; a fascinating account of the present unhappy situation was given by Jon Tinker in the New Scientist of 1 }th January. It is by no means impossible that, in the )ost-Rothschild reshuffle, the Conservancy could completely disappear, its research unctions redistributed among other Government bodies such as the Department of he Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, its reserves handed over to county :ouncils. Heaven forbid this should happen, but anything is possible in our admin- stration-oriented Civil Service. Another worrying matter concerns the fate of re- search and monitoring by independent organisations subsidised by grants or contracts rom the Nature Conservancy. Linder the Rothschild philosophy, would these be erminated, renewed or transferred ? In the bird world, this is particularly important :o the Wildfowl Trust and the British Trust for Ornithology, whose budgets are aeavily dependent on Conservancy contract funds. Outside bodies involved in the 134 News and cotnment fields of natural history, ecology and conservation must be prepared to make unified and vociferous protest if there are any Government moves to emasculate further the Nature Conservancy. Seeing double in Cyprus The purpose of this note, written in conjunction with Dr W. R. P. Bourne, is to draw attention to a matter which may cause consternation to bibliographers and librarians in the future. The tranquillity of the ornithological scene in the notoriously peaceful island of Cyprus has recently been disturbed by a schism in the Cyprus Ornithological Society. Originally founded in 1957 by British forces personnel, the Society was strengthened during the 1960’s by a growth in Cypriot membership : currently the president, secretary and treasurer are Cypriot nationals. Its 17th Annual Report, for 1970, was issued recently in foolscap duplicated form like its predecessors. The proverbial millpond was ruffled in 1970, however, when a group of Greek Cypriot and younger British members became impatient with the possibly over-paternal attitude of the established management associated with the British bases, and withdrew to start their own society. This new body has made notable progress in directing local attention to conservation problems (shooting and liming of migrant birds, habitat threats), and has secured important local support, including the patronage of Archbishop Makarios. The only cause for concern over this welcome sign of local initiative is that, with prestige at stake, the new organisation has adopted the same name as the older body ; its first report, also for 1970 and issued quite recently, is a handsome printed publication in large octavo, distributed under the auspices of the Forest Department. Inevitably there will be a good deal of duplication between these two reports, and those for 1970 have almost identical systematic lists. It is regrettable that the new body should have felt it necessary to adopt the name of the elder society, for this is bound to cause a great deal of confusion among those unfamiliar with the local situation, r In order to prevent duplication of effort, the British Trust for Ornithology has terminated the long-established use of its rings in the island, at least for the time being, and it is to be hoped that a formula can be found to end the confusion of two societies producing the same report. It seems arguable that, now Cypriots have shown a desire to assume management of their own ornithological affairs, it would be magnanimous of people associated with the British presence in the island to L concede priority to the younger body, and to take advantage of the latter’s readi- ness to produce a much handsomer, printed version of the Cyprus Bird Report (obtainable from the Cyprus Council for Nature Conservation, Forest Department, Nicosia). B.T.O. conferences The British Trust for Ornithology’s two biggest conferences • were again held at Swanwick in Derbyshire during the winter : the Annual Conference in December, the Ringing and Migration Conference in January. Both remain very | popular and were overbooked: as a result, over 130 applicants were unable to attend the December one and several disappointed people booked a year ahead for the 1972 equivalent. What makes these B.T.O. get-togethers so very popular? I feel sure that a major attraction is the informality, the between-lecture chats with birdwatchers from other regions, the renewing of contacts. The B.T.O. also < has the knack of finding speakers worth listening to. The Annual Conference heard E. M. Nicholson give the Fourth Witherby Memorial Lecture on birds in their habi- tats, Dr Gerhardt Zink talk on ornithology in Germany, Bryan Sage on Alaska, 1 Stanley Cramp on pollution and wildlife. Dr Derek Ratcliffe on Peregrine numbers 1 and Dr Jim Flegg on the catastrophic decline in the Puffin population of St Kilda. s The generally younger and more earnest sea of faces at the Ringing and Migration Conference listened raptly to dissertations on such diverse subjects as seabirds at sea (Dr W. R. P. Bourne), auk recoveries (C. J. Mead,) avian physiology and I anatomy (Dr C. M. Perrins), computer processing of Sanderling data (Tony 1 \rews and comment 135 1 Williams), mortality causes as revealed by ringing recoveries (Dr Jim Flegg), and luch more besides. These B.T.O. conferences invariably give one a good idea of urrent trends in British ornithology. 1 ‘pinions expressed in ibis feature are not necessarily those of the editors of British Birds decent reports P. F. Bonham r'hese are largely unchecked reports, not authenticated records 'his summary covers December 1971, to which all dates refer unless otherwise iated. It was a mild month with no real cold-weather movements and no large in- uxes of winter species. The only notable seabird reports were two very late Sooty hhearwaters Pujfinus griseus flying north off Hauxley (Northumberland) on 31st and Leach’s Petrel Oceanodron/a lencorhoa picked up alive at West Bay, Bridport 'Dorset) on 20th. Single Spoonbills Platalea lencorodia wintered at Ballymacoda Zo. Cork) and Poole Harbour (Dorset). Four southern herons which remained from Jovcmbcr were mentioned in the last summary (Brit. Birds, 65 : 89). Rare wildfowl included a drake Blue-winged Teal Anas discors at Hardlev larshcs, Loddon (Norfolk) from 1 3 th and a drake King Eider Somateria spectabilis in ■vine Bay (Ayrshire) from 22nd, both staying well into the New Year. A Ring- ecked Duck Aythya collaris which arrived at Marlow gravel pits (Buckinghamshire) 1 November (Brit. Birds, 65 : 90) was still present at the end of February 1972. Smews 1 lergus a/bel/ns were scarce, no more than six being reported from any locality and the otal barely reaching 30. Numbers of geese and swans were generally low; apparently o Bean Geese Anser fabalis could be found in Kirkcudbright or Northumberland, vo regular wintering areas, though the cast Norfolk flock numbered about 50 by the id of the month. The mid-December wildfowl count revealed 11,952 Dark-bellied rent Geese Branta b. bernicla on the Essex coast (5,490 at Foulness), 500 Light- ellied Brents B. b. brota and 403 Whooper Swans Cygnus cygnus in the area of the arne Islands (Northumberland), and 489 and 320 Bewick’s Swans C. benickii on ae Ouse Washes (Cambridgcshire/Norfolk) and at Slimbridge (Gloucestershire). Two overwintering Rough-legged Buzzards Buteo lagopus, and also four luzzards B. buteo, frequented the Sandringham/Roydon area (Norfolk), and a Red iite Milvus milvus was seen on both sides of the Cheshire/Derbyshire border. An nmaturc male Goshawk Accipiter gentilis which appeared on Fair Isle (Shetland) n 24th November was trapped on 3rd. Two remarkably late sightings of Hobby a/co subbuteo, at Dungcness and Wittersham (both Kent, twelve miles apart) on 15 th, lust surely have involved the same individual. Reports of a Crane Crus grus near Sandy (Bedfordshire) on 22nd and of single ' potted Crakes Porgana porgana at Wanlip gravel pits (Leicestershire) and in the ' ilt estuary (Lancashire) were a little unseasonal, but much more so were three * [''himbrels Numenius phaeopus — one at Holme (Norfolk) and two in Cornwall. There 'as a scattering of some 20 Common Sandpipers Pringa bypoleucos. Greenshanks T. If 1 ‘bul aria regularly winter in the south-west, and 20 were reported in the River .ynher area (Cornwall) and 27 in the Exe estuary (Devon) as well as singles in x localities in eastern and northern Britain. Little Stints Calidris minuta lingered in issex, Somerset and Cornwall (all singles) and we heard of Grey Phalaropes 'balaropus fulicarius in Norfolk (two) and Cornwall (four). Mediterranean Gulls Larus melanocepbalus are normally few in winter, so a total f nine in December was notable; these included two inland — a first-winter bird at urrey Docks (London) on 15 th and an adult at Osrerlev Park (Middlesex) on 26th. 136 Recent reports An adult Iceland Gull L. glaucoides appeared at New Brighton (Cheshire) for the sixteenth successive winter. Kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla were recorded inland at Blithfield Reservoir (Staffordshire) and Landbeach (Cambridgeshire). During 9th- 1 2th at least eleven Little Auks Plautus alle flew north at Whitburn (Co. Durham) and one occurred at Barras Head, Tintagel (Cornwall); on 19th one flew south at Seaton Sluice (Northumberland); and during 26th-3ist one was seen at Newlyn (Cornwall), one at Slapton and 26 off Dawlish Warren (both Devon), two more at Whitburn and seven more at Seaton Sluice. Rare passerines, not unexpectedly, were very few: the most interesting was a Nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes at Lydd(Kent)on 9th. Two Rose-coloured Star- lings Sturnus roseus, one at Blean (Kent) during the first week and the other at Guisborough (Yorkshire) from Christmas, were the ninth and tenth reported since May, though this species is not uncommonly kept in captivity and wild vagrants are most likely to arrive during late summer, not in midwinter. An American Robin Turdus migratorius was reported at Bromborough (Cheshire) on 4th, and a very late Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina at Thurlestone (Devon) from 16th to 22nd. A Hoopoe Upupa epops at Wellington (Shropshire) on 12th was also unusually late. Commoner out-of-season migrants included Swallows Hirundo rustica in Devon (three), Norfolk (two), Suffolk and Warwickshire; two House Martins Delicbon urbica at Salcombe (Devon) on 27th; a male Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus at Newington (Kent) on 19th; a Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trocbilus singing at Barnwell (Northamptonshire) on 21st and 22nd; a Yellow Wagtail Alotacilla flava at Pitsford Reservoir (Northamptonshire) until 5 th; and a White Wagtail M. a. alba by the east Swale (Kent) on 23rd. Up to 70 Shore Larks Eremopbila alpestri and 250 Snow Buntings Plectropbenax nivalis occurred at Gibraltar Point (Lincolnshire), the maxima reported elsewhere on the east coast being much lower. In the north-west, four Shore Larks and 1 5 Snow Buntings at Ainsdale (Lancashire) on 1st were rather unusual; inland a Shore Lark was seen at Wraysbury Reservoir (Middlesex) on 22nd and 30th and Snow Buntings in at least five localities during the month. Only three Lapland Buntings Calcarius lapponicus were reported, all on 5th, at Holy Island (Northumberland), Dungeness and Langley (Kent). Twites Acantbis flavirostris were in rather mediocre numbers and the only really large concentration reported of Bramblings Fringilla monti- fringilla comprised 1,500 newly arrived at Netherfield (Nottinghamshire) on 23rd. Several hundred Waxwings Bomby cilia garrulus were distributed west to Wester Ross (eleven at Plockton on 7th) and Co. Dublin (four at Glenageary on 10th), but the majority, and the only sizable flocks, seem to have been confined to Northumberland and Co. Durham. Finally, an appeal. During the last two years, ‘Recent reports’ has been compiled from about 1,000 records of rare species (those dealt with by the Rarities Committee) and several times that number of lesser rarities and migrants. My sources of information, all of which are essential, are regular bulletins and monthly reports of local societies, observatories and reserves ; letters from individual birdwatchers ; and lists of the records being circulated to the Rarities Committee. Inevitably, however, many interesting observations are not included, either because they never reach me or because they arrive too late. In 1971, for example, at least 44 records of 30 Rarities Committee species, and 60 other records of significant interest, had to be omitted simply because they were too late for inclusion. I could have listed them periodically as ‘belated reports’, but that would have made the monthly summaries rather scrappy and the purpose of the feature is to present as complete and up-to-date a picture as possible. May I therefore appeal to all birdwatchers, particularly those who specialise in rarities, migration studies and sea-watching, to send me the highlights of their observations at the end of each month? The best guide to the species required at different times of the year is, of course, ‘Recent reports’ itself. =RANK-NIPOLE BINOCULARS , /e stock all the better makes of binoculars, id we allow liberal discounts on them, ut the ornithologist who insists on a good ^uality instrument at a reasonable cost will o well to consider any of the binoculars in ie Frank-Nipole range. We have sufficient ( confidence in these fine instruments to .uarantee them for a period of seven years, nd the following pointers may be useful. he 8 x 30 model (priced at £12.50), which i approved by the Game Conservancy and •iso recommended by the Royal Society for le Protection of Birds, is both compact nd light, and therefore particularly suitable or the younger ornithologist and indeed for nyone to whom weight is of primary im- portance. Even smaller and lighter are two s>ew Frank-Nipole models — the 10x40 ££16.80) and the 12x50 (£18.90); onsidering their high power and light trans- mission, they are remarkably light, compact nd easy to handle. The dedicated orni- hiologist, however, undeterred by a little xtra size and weight, is inclined to remain ;oyal to our standard 10x50 model ££16.50). All these glasses are supplied complete with case and straps. here are now also three really large models available — the 9x63 (£30), the .'2x65 (£32) and the 20x70 (£36); case, if required, £7 extra. The 9x63 nd 12x65 can be hand-held but the 20x70 requires to be tripod-supported; i suitable tripod can be supplied for about £5. ' >n invitation is extended to all readers of British Birds to apply for our free cata- jgue and a complimentary copy of 'Tell me, Mr Frank', a booklet which tells you verything you want to know about binoculars. FREE TEST I We extend an invitation to readers of 'British Birds' to test any of the Frank-Nipole bi- noculars under field conditions without any obligation whatso- ever. CORRECT ALIGNMENT A binocular NOT in correct alignment can cause head- aches and eyestrain. It is safer to purchase from a specialist — we test and guarantee every binocular we sell. We accept your old binoculars in part exchange and extend credit facilities CHARLES FRANK LTD Binocular specialists and telescope makers for three generations 1145 QUEEN STREET GLASGOW Cl wi^Teeee 111 Small Advertisements woks ON sim Catalogue on request WHELDON & WESLEY LTD Lytton Lodge Codicote, Hitchin, Herts Zoological Record Section Aves 1968 (vol. 105) This indispensable biblio- graphy compiled by the staff of the Zoological Society of Lon- don is an annual list of orni- thological literature in all parts of the world. Full references are given with authors and titles and they are indexed under species, subjects and countries. The latest issue covers 4,950 articles and books published mainly in 1968 and is obtain- able at a cost of £3 (postage extra) from The Zoological Society of London REGENT'S PARK LONDON NWI iv 80 p for 3 lines (minimum); 25 p for each whole or part extra line. For the use of a box number there is an extra charge of 5p Cyprus Ornithological Society (founded I 1970). 1970 Bird Report available from 3 P. Neophytou, Kanaris Street No. 4, f Strovolos-105, Cyprus. £1 including p&p. a British Postal Orders accepted. I Pentax thread 600mm f5.6 Enna Telen- I nalyt lens and case. Absolute mint, good 2 reason for sale, £85. 3 Maple Grove, I Grimsargh, Preston, PR2 5I.P. Bed and breakfast, evening meals optional u Centrally situated for the best bird local- I ities Walberswick to Havergate. C.H., | home cooking and every comfort. Box H MH2211. Swans Big Game and Bird Safaris to East fl Africa. See page ii. Anglesey. Cemlyn Bird Observatory, open b all year. Luxury caravan, accommodation I up to 6; chalet ready by spring. Observ- | atory stands in beauty spot overlooking U Cemlyn Bird Reserve, lake and bay. ll Restful and relaxing; good for spring and ■ autumn passage, breeding species, coastal I and country walks. Bird-ringers and both X experienced and inexperienced birdwatchers § welcome. Become Friend of Observatory a for 75p and receive free pen on joining; 7 k newsletters a year; badge 40p. Check-list I out soon, price 20p to non-members. Send jj sae for details to D. H. Coggins, Swn-y- I Mor, Cemlyn Bay, nr Amlwch. Tel: 9 Cemaes Bay 244. British Birds, volume 61 required. Please | write, stating price, to Box MFU12. British Birds, 1960-68 inclusive, excellent condition, complete but unbound. What offers? Box MH192. Isles of Scilly. Bed and breakfast, evening meal; bird-watchers welcome. Mrs Wain- Smith, St Agnes. Notice to contributors British Birds publishes material dealing with original observations on the birds of Britain and Europe or, where appropriate, on the species of this area as observed in other parts of their range. Except for records of rarities, papers and notes are normally accepted only on condition that the material is not being offered in whole or in part to any other journal. Photographs (glossy prints showing good contrast) and sketches are welcomed. Proofs of all contributions are sent to authors before publication. After publication, 25 separates arc sent free to authors of papers (two authors of one paper receive ij each and three authors ten each); additional copies, for which a charge is made, can be provided if ordered when the proofs are returned. Reprints of notes and other short items have to be specially ordered and are charged for. Papers should be typewritten with double spacing and wide margins, and on one side of the sheet only. Shorter contributions, if not typed, must be clearly written and well spaced. Notes should be worded as concisely as possible, and drawn up in the form in which they will be printed, with signature in block capitals and the author’s address clearly given in one line at the foot. If more than one note is submitted, each should be on a separate sheet, with signature and address repeated. Certain conventions of style and layout are essential to preserve the uniformity of any publication. Authors of papers in particular, especially of those containing systematic lists, reference lists, tables, etc., should consult the ones in this issue as a guide to general presentation. English names of species should have capita! initials for each word, except after a hyphen (e.g. Willow Warbler, Black-tailed Godwit), but group terms should not (e.g. warblers, godwits). English names are generally those used in A Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe (revised edition, 1966). The scientific name of each species should be underlined (but not put in brackets) immediately after the first mention of the English name. Sub- specific names should not be used except where they are relevant to the discussion. It is sometimes more convenient to list scientific names in an appendix. Dates should take the form ‘1st January 1972’ and no other, except in tables where they may be abbreviated to ‘ist Jan’, ‘Jan 1st’, or even ‘Jan 1’, whichever most suits the layout of the table concerned. It is particularly requested that authors should pay attention to reference lists, which otherwise cause much unnecessary work. These should take the following form: Bannerman, D. A. 1954. The Birds of the British Isles. Edinburgh and London, vol 3: 223-228. Lack, D. i960. ‘Autumn “drift-migration” on the English east coast’. Brit. Birds, JV 3*5-352, 379-397. Various other conventions concerning references, including their use in the text, should be noted by consulting examples in this issue. Tables should be numbered with arabic numerals, and the title typed above in the style used in this issue. They must either fit into the width of a page, or be designed to fit a whole page lengthways. All tables should be self-explanatory. Figures should be numbered with arabic numerals, and the captions typed on a separate sheet. All line-drawings should be in indian ink on good quality drawing paper (not of an absorbent nature) or, where necessary, on graph paper, but this must be light blue or very pale grey. It is always most important to consider how each drawing will fit into the page. Any lettering or numbering that is an integral part of a text-figure should be inserted lightly in pencil. Handbook of the Birds of Cyprus & Migrants of the Middle East David A. and W. Mary Bannerman This handbook concentrates on some 285 species, which are readily seen and described. Points of identification, normal dates of arrival and departure, nesting habits and environments are described for the common species: the rarer species are listed in the Appendix with special notes concerning them. The entire work accomplished by the Cyprus Ornithological Society over the last twelve years was placed at Dr Bannerman’s disposal and has been incorporated in the Handbook bringing it right up to date. A feature of the book is the wealth of colour plates by two bird artists of inter- nation reputation, Chloe Talbot-Kelly and David Reid-Henry. In all, one hundred and eighty-four birds are illustrated in full colour. t>P> PPP PPP 240 pages illustrated £3.00 For a complete list of our ornithology books please contact Olivet h Boyd 14 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1YL Printed in England by Compton Press Ltd, Compton Chamberlaync, Salisbury Published by H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd. 15 Nicholas Lane, London EC4N 7BR British Birds Editorial : European co-operation in ornithology 1 hollared Doves in Britain and Ireland during 1965-70 Robert Hudson 'Scarlet Tanager in the Isles of Scilly: : i species new to Britain and Ireland 3. D. Harding I Two photographers in Finland LB. Bottomley Obituary : Janies Maurice Harrison, dsc, mrcs, lrcp h Votes Reviews Letters (1892-1971) h Vews and comment Recent reports Volume 65 Number 4 April 1972 35p British Birds Editorial Address io Merton Road, Bedford Telephone 02)4 Syjj8 Volume 65 Number 4 April 1972 137 Editorial: European co-operation in ornithology 139 Collared Doves in Britain and Ireland during 1965-70 Robert Hudson 155 Scarlet Tanager in the Isles of Scilly: a species new to Britain and Ireland B. D. Harding 158 Two photographers in Finland J.B.Bottomley Plates I and 25-31 164 Obituary: James Maurice Harrison, dsc, mrcs, lrcp (1892-1971) Plate 32 NOTES 166 Shags laying two clutches I. R. Deans 167 Grey Heron squatting and being attacked by Carrion Crow A. P. D. Cramb 167 Goldeneyes breeding in nestbox in Scotland R. H. Dennis 168 Herring Gull colony in unusual habitat J. H. Taverner 170 Blue Tits nesting in House Martins’ nest R. A. Frost 170 Flight call of Continental Song Thrush /. N. Hol/yer 170 Booted Warbler in the Isles of Scilly D. I. M. Wallace 172 Spotted Flycatchers nesting in sea cliff Malcolm Wright 172 Southern occurrences of Greenland Redpolls in Britain D. I. M. Wallace REVIEWS 173 African Birds of Prey by Leslie Brown Dr C. M. Perrins 174 The Birds of Zambia by C. W. Benson, R. K. Brooke, R. J. Dowsett and M. P. S. Irwin D. I. M. Wallace 175 Woodland Birds by Eric Simms Dr Geoffrey Beven \11 Grtmdriss der Vogel^ugskunde by Ernst Schiiz Dr H. G. W allraff LETTERS 178 Woodcock and thrushes breeding in open and Snipe among trees Dr W. R. P. Bourne 178 Emargination of the primaries of Cetti’s Warbler R. E. Scott and Ears Svensson 179 Bill-licking by birds G. M. Collis 1 80 News and comment Robert Hudson 183 Recent reports P.F. Bonham Robert Gillmor drew the Collared Dove (page 154) and King Eider (page 184): the former is taken from The Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland (1971) by permission of the British Ornithologists’ Union and Blackwell Scientific Publications Editors Stanley Cramp, I. J. Fergmson-Lees, P. F. Bonham, M. A. Ogilvie and D. I. M. Wallace Photographic Editor Eric Hosking News and Comment Robert Hudson, B.T.O., Beech Grove, Tring, Hertfordshire Rarities Committee F. R. Smith, 117 Hill Barton Road, Exeter, Devon exi 3PP Year’s subscription for 12 issues £4.50 post paid (overseas rate £4.80) from H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd, 1 5 Nicholas Lane, London EC4N 7BR Copyright © the authors and H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd. All rights reserved: reproduction or use without permission of the whole or any part of the contents, including text illustrations, is prohibited Plate I. Male Red-spotted Bluethroat Luscitiia s . svecica, Finland, June 1971: the blue gorget with chestnut spot is separated from whitish underparts by black and chestnut bands. Below, male Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus at nest, Finland, July 1970: note the cryptic effect of black head, white zigzag down side of neck, chestnut nape and black-streaked mantle and wings ( photos : J. B. and S. Bottomley ) «r- ^ Volume 6j Number 4 April 1972 1 # MAY 1972 ) British Birds Editorial European co-operation in ornithology Until the early 1950’$ ornithology in Europe was largely national rather than international. Many reference books, most journals and almost all organisations dealt with the birds of a single country. The Handbook of British Birds detailed species and subspecies which had been recorded here as accidentals, yet ignored those common on the other side of the English Channel or North Sea which had not; the title of this journal implied that it dealt solely with the birds of Britain. One exception was the formation in 1947, under the aegis of the International Council for Bird Preservation, of the International Wildfowl Research Institute (now Bureau). Then in 1954 came the publication of A Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe, while the post-war boom in tourism gave more and more people the opportunity to study birds in other countries. European journals began to publish more material relating to birds outside their national limits, and British Birds has played its part in this with ecological sketches of the Coto Dohana, Camargue, Barvcz Valley and Danube Delta, with a widened scope of ‘Studies of less familiar birds’ and with such papers as ‘Opportunities for co-operation with French ornithologists’ (i960). The next step forward came in 1963 with the inauguration of EU RING — the European Committee for Bird- Ringing — followed in 1968 by the International Bird Census Committee to co-ordinate habitat census work; the British Trust for Ornithology has taken a major share in both these first European ventures, and Robert Spencer and Kenneth Williamson are secretary-general and sec- retary respectively of the two committees. Meanwhile, in 1966, the I.W.R.B. had been extended to cover waders as well as waterfowl. In December 1971 new ground was broken by a European Working Conference arranged jointly by the B.T.O. and the Max-Planck-Institut of Germany, and held at Tring, Hertfordshire, under the chairmanship 137 Editorial 138 of I. J. Ferguson-Lees. Its aim was to explore methods of encouraging, standardising and co-ordinating amateur network research in Europe, and improving analysis. Twenty-six delegates representing twelve countries, from Ireland, France and Italy east to Finland, Poland and Bulgaria, attended by invitation, together with observers from South Africa and the United States and a number of British ornithologists. Eight sessions of ij to 2 hours covered single species censuses, nest records, migration data, seabirds, atlases, estuaries, moult, and biometrical data forms. Small working parties were set up for six of these topics and the results of group discussion were then presented at a final session. Almost complete agreement was reached on record- ing methods, format of cards, techniques of analysis (especially punch coding), and publication of results. The proceedings will appear in English in the German journal Auspicium, and this is being arranged by Dr J. J. M. Flegg (B.T.O.) and Dr G. Zink (Vogelwarte Radolfzell) who were responsible for much of the planning of the conference. A committee of Dr P. Busse (Poland), Dr S. Frugis (Italy), Dr E. Haukioja (Finland) and L. Yeatman (France), together with Drs Flegg and Zink, is to maintain contact with individual countries. Two proposals are of immediate and wide interest. First, while there have long been national censuses of particular species, such as the Grey Heron Ardea cinerea in Britain and the White Stork Ciconia ciconia in Germany, we need, in this age of pollution and pesticides, to understand the fluctuations of suitable indicator birds on a European scale. In view of its restricted habitat and position at the head of a freshwater food-chain, the Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus was chosen for the first such European census, probably in 1973. Second, and of even wider interest, it is proposed to extend the national atlas schemes now in progress in Britain and Ireland, Denmark, France, Sweden and Switzerland (and planned for other countries) into a European atlas on a 50 km grid. It is likely that the first sample maps will be produced within the next five years and that fieldwork for a co-ordinated European atlas will start in 1985 under the auspices of the European Ornithological Atlas Committee, the present joint convenors of which are T. Dybbro (Denmark) and Dr J. T. R. Sharrock. The B.T.O. and the Max-Planck-Institut are to be congratulated on their initiative in encouraging such co-operation. With the develop- ment of such international reference books as the already current Handbuch der Vogel Mitteleuropas and the projected Birds of the Western Palearctic, the situation augurs well for Europe to take a lead in worldwide studies. Dare we hope that taxonomists will follow this example by giving the fullest support to Professor Dr K. H. Voous’s attempts to produce a List of Holarctic Birds with an accepted sequence and agreed nomenclature? Collared Doves in Britain and Ireland during 1965-70 Robert Hudson INTRODUCTION The Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto was first found nesting in these islands in 1955, and a summary of the subsequent spread over Britain and Ireland up to the end of 1964 has appeared previously (Hudson 1965). The present paper continues the story up to the end of 1970. Though the Collared Dove has, in the space of a very few years, become so widespread and locally numerous as to be taken for granted by British and Irish birdwatchers, it is salutary to remember that at the time The Handbook appeared in 1958-41 the species was breeding no nearer than Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Austria. Yet by 1949 it had reached the North Sea (the Netherlands) and Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden); and by 1959 it was resident in all European countries except Iceland, Finland, Spain and Portugal. Detailed summaries of the European spread were given by Fisher (1953), Stresemann and Nowak (1958) and Nowak (1965). I am not aware of any Collared Dove records as yet from Spain or Portugal; but there are indications of a continuing north and north- westward spread. A few pairs are now nesting in south Finland (Ojala and Sjoberg 1968). Several birds were present at Torshavn in the Faeroe Islands during summer 1970, though nesting was not proved ( per K. Williamson). One came ashore from a fishing boat at Lodmundarfjord, eastern Iceland, in August 1964 (Langseth 1965), and two pairs nested in southern Iceland in 1971 ( per Dr B. Campbell). The rapidity of the species’ spread across an entire continent is almost without precedent; the only comparable case in historical times concerns the colonisation of the New World by the Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis. THE SPREAD IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND IN 1965-70 Collared Doves began nesting in England in 1955 (Norfolk), Scotland in 1957 (Morayshire), Ireland in 1959 (Dublin, Galway), Wales in 1961 (Cardiganshire, Pembrokeshire), and the Isle of Man in 1964. By 1964 the species was resident in 34 counties in England, eight in Wales, 20 in Scotland and twelve in Ireland, and was therefore widely dis- tributed over these islands, including western parts. Since then it has essentially been infilling between established centres (especially by spreading into less favoured rural habitats), and this it is doing fairly thoroughly. The only major ‘first’ during 1965-70 was the colonisation T39 140 Collared Doves in Britain and Ireland 1961-70 Table 1. Number of counties in Britain and Ireland in which Collared Doves Streptopelia decaocto had been (a) recorded and (b) proved breeding by the end of 1970 Total Species Breeding counties recorded proved England 39 39 39 Wales 13 *3 13 Isle of Man I I I Scotland 33 33 29 Ireland 32 31 Z1 TOTALS 118 1 17 IO9 of Shetland, where it has bred on Mainland since 1965, while in 1970 a pair nested on Unst, the most northerly British island. Mention must also be made of recent nesting on various other outlying islands, such as the Isles of Scilly, additional ones in the Outer Hebridean chain, and the Aran Islands off Co. Galway. The general situation in Britain and Ireland at the end of 1970 is shown in table 1. The only British or Irish county in which the Collared Dove has not yet been recorded at all is Co. Cavan. There are a further eight in which breeding has yet to be established: Buteshire, Nairnshire, Peeblesshire, Roxburghshire, Co. Leitrim, Co. Leix, Co. Longford and Co. Roscommon. Nesting may, however, be occurring in these eight counties, since the Atlas project of the British Trust for Ornithology has revealed breeding season occurrences in all of them (but see page 145 for a cautionary note). Kent continues to have the biggest breeding concentrations, includ- ing one of 1,000-1,500 pairs in the Isle of Thanet. There are also very large numbers in the adjacent county of Sussex, notably at least 400 pairs in the eight square miles of the borough of Bexhill (see below). These major south-eastern centres are now rivalled in size by one in Lancashire, where the species has become locally abundant in the near-coastal region between Liverpool and Southport — a very large feeding concentration in a pheasant covert at Formby during cold weather in February 1970 was said by the gamekeeper to have numbered 2,000-3,000 individuals; local birdwatchers were unable to confirm this, being denied access to the covert, but were impressed by the large numbers of Collared Doves flighting back and forth. Special mention must also be made of one Irish district — the Tralee area of Co. Kerry — where there are increasingly large numbers and a flock of 500 has been reported, the highest Irish concentration. One cannot fail to be impressed by the continuing concentrations of breeding numbers in coastal and near-coastal areas, such as are clear Collared Doves in Britain and Ireland 1961-70 14 1 from fig. 1 and the county summaries below. In virtually all maritime counties the largest numbers of Collared Doves occur within five miles of the shore, so that it has proved necessary for the purposes of this paper to define ‘inland’ as over five miles from tidal water. The causes of this trend towards high coastal and near-coastal densities are Fig. 1. Breeding distribution of the Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto in Britain and Ireland in 1970 (prepared by Dr J. T. R. Sharrock from preliminary data gathered for the Atlas project of the British Trust for Ornithology). Each dot denotes presence in a xo km X 10 km square of the National Grid. The largest dots represent confirmed breeding records, the middle-sized dots denote probable breeding, and the smallest dots represent breeding season records of uncertain status (see page 145). Note the concentration in coastal and near-coastal districts, and the scarcity in or absence from upland areas 142 Collared Doves in Britain and Ireland 196? -yo a matter for speculation. Perhaps the initial dispersal pattern was responsible, at least in part: coasting movements (including those by immigrant birds from the Continent) would lead to first county breeding records in coastal districts, to be followed by patterns of local expansion prior to inland spread. Another likely factor is the Collared Dove’s preference for lowlands: if fig. 1 on page 141 is compared with a relief map of Britain and Ireland, it will be seen that the majority of breeding areas are below the 500-foot contour, and very few are above 1,000 feet. Away from East Anglia, the Fens and the east Midlands of England, most counties have extensive inland areas of downland, moorland or mountain from which Collared Doves are absent or (at best) which they treat as marginal habitat, whereas most near-coastal land is relatively low-lying with considerable human populations (with which the doves are commensal) and is therefore optimum habitat. Though the species is spreading into rural areas, it remains thinly distributed in such situations, with a few local exceptions (for example, at granaries, makings, chicken farms and game-rearing establishments, where grain is accessible to the doves). Consistently, the largest numbers of breeding Collared Doves are present in suburban and, to a lesser extent, urban areas, and a quantified example may be quoted. In 1968 J. A. Hicks made a sample-count survey of the species in the borough of Bexhill, Sussex, and produced the results shown in table 2. The densities there are high by national standards, but there is no reason to think that the proportions in each type of habitat are unrepresentative. The general indication is that the number of breeding doves near the centre of a town is inversely correlated to the size of its built-up area, so that normally the birds are absent from the hearts of major British towns and cities. There are a few exceptions: they are present in Edinburgh (a spacious, non-industrial city), in Liverpool (where Table 2. Broad habitat preferences of Collared Doves Streptopelia decaocto in the borough of Bexhill, Sussex, in 1968 Habitat type Area in square miles Estimated num- ber of pairs Pairs per square mile Urban: built-up areas, small or no gardens 4 60 40 Suburban: small to medium-sized gardens 2 128 64 Suburban: larger gardens 2 176 88 Peripheral farmland and woodland 4 40 l6 TOTAL 8 404 M3 Collared Doves in Britain and Ireland 196 j-yo they feed at a grain-store behind Exchange Station), and in Hull. But despite being common in the suburbs of so many other cities (Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Birmingham, for example) they do not breed in the central districts, while there is no obvious reason for their failure to colonise the spacious Royal Parks of Inner London. This contrasts with the situation elsewhere in the European range, where Collared Doves are often present in city centre open spaces. POPULATION TRENDS AND THE FUTURE The Collared Dove population of Britain and Ireland increased geometrically from 195 5 , totalling at least 19,000 birds by the autumn of 1964, in which year the number of breeding pairs was probably about 3,000. This virtual doubling of the population year by year led me to predict (Hudson 1965) that, in view of the barrier to further expansion imposed by the Atlantic Ocean, there would be a very big build-up in Britain and Ireland since the birds would be unable to disperse any farther westwards. Time has proved this prediction wrong. It is unfortunate, though doubtless inevitable, that the degree to which Collared Doves are now taken for granted by most birdwatchers means that it is no longer possible to treat quantitative aspects of their distribution in the exact manner used in my previous paper: the basic numerical information has not been forthcoming in sufficient detail. I tried to produce rough estimates of breeding numbers in each county with the incomplete information available to me, but was forced to conclude that such separate estimates were not sufficiently accurate to merit publication, though on the basis of them I make the subjective guess that in 1970 the British and Irish breeding population was probably between 15,000 and 25,000 pairs. I emphasise that these figures are opinion, not census. There is no doubt that the Collared Dove did increase significantly between 1965 and 1970, mainly in inland areas where (with few exceptions) it was still irregularly distributed up to 1964; yet it is also clear that the rate of expansion slowed considerably. Numbers about doubled each year up to 1964 when (as stated above) there were very approximately 3,000 pairs; it is a simple piece of arithmetic to ascertain that, had the species continued to increase at that speed, there should have been some 190,000 pairs by 1970. Despite the caution with which my guess of 15,000-25,000 pairs must be regarded, there is more than sufficient disparity to state with confidence that the rate of increase has dropped remarkably, certainly to less than half, and possibly to only a quarter, of what it was in the early 1960*5. The same general pattern has been observed in other countries too, the Netherlands providing a good example. From data presented by Leys (1964, 1967) it is apparent that in the first eight years (1949 to 1956) of the species’ breeding in 144 Collared Doves in Britain and Ireland 196 j -70 that country the rate of increase was around 100% per annum, but by 1964 it had dropped to about 30%; Leys projected his figures into the future, and hazarded the guess (hedged with commendable caution) that stability might be reached in the Netherlands between 1970 and ^975- No species can continue to increase ad infinitum , for after an optimum population level for a district is reached, density-dependent factors begin to operate. This is surely the case now in east Kent, where the 1970 estimate for the Isle of Thanet (1,000-1,500 pairs) is of the same order as the 1964 estimate for that area, and where there has actually been a decrease on Romney Marsh; while in the last year or two there have been signs that the large populations of south-west Lancashire and of the Hartlepools, Co. Durham, may have reached optimum levels. Sooner, rather than later, a similar levelling-off of numbers may be expected at other major centres; since it seems unlikely that numbers in rural areas will normally rise to suburban levels, it would appear that for British and Irish Collared Doves the years of spectacular increase are over. Since the Collared Dove is not a true migrant, and apparently has no normal reverse counterpart to the westerly-oriented dispersal pattern, one must question whether, in fact, the Atlantic Ocean can act as an effective barrier to onward flights. Logically, continental birds flying west over the North Sea (as numbers are still doing) cannot know that Britain exists until they make landfall; so it may be that Collared Doves are flying out westwards from Atlantic coasts, mostly destined to perish at sea. This would explain the recent colonisation of Iceland, and also why the species reaches isolated St Kilda so frequently. There have, in fact, been a few sightings of Collared Doves flying off west- wards from the Outer Hebrides and from western Ireland, and one individual ringed at Bristol landed on a boat in the east Atlantic at 4902o'N, ii°o6,W. The Collared Dove is a granivorous species and easy to care for, which raises the thought that it might one day obtain a ship-assisted passage to the New World. PRESENT DISTRIBUTION In the following pages are listed the counties of Britain and Ireland, each with a brief summary of the 1970 situation. The year in which breeding was first recorded, where applicable, is shown in brackets; due to the need for compression, only breeding season records are given. I was very fortunate in being granted access to the preliminary Collared Dove data gathered for the Atlas project of the British Trust for Ornithology, for without this wealth of information this paper would be much less complete. Dependence on Atlas data, particularly for Ireland, means that dates of first breeding are not always known 145 I Zollared Doves in Britain and Ireland ip6j-yo :xactly; but this is a relatively small point. The Atlas records are not .quantitative, but are based on presence or absence in io km X :o km squares and classified in one of three ways: (a) proved breeding, b) probably breeding, (c) present and possibly breeding. Of necessity, have used this classification, usually referring to (c) as ‘seen in summer status?)’. This last category must be treated with some reserve: I have ■previously shown that this species’ principal dispersal period is between April and June, while its main breeding season is between \pril and August (though nests have been found in all months of the 'ear). The considerable overlap means that isolated sightings of hollared Doves (for example, by Atlas workers on single visits to .infamiliar areas) could, depending on dates, refer to itinerant birds. It is emphasised again that in the following summaries the term inland’ is defined as over five miles from tidal water, lesser distances oeing designated ‘coastal’ and ‘near-coastal’. ENGLAND Bedfordshire (1964) Moderate numbers established around Bedford, Dunstable, ^uton and Sandy. Also breeding at various other villages and small towns; now . videly distributed. Berkshire (1963) Still virtually confined to Thames and Kennet valleys where now ocally numerous. Biggest numbers around Reading, Cookham, Hungcrford, Maidenhead and Windsor. Buckinghamshire (1961) Widely distributed between Chiltern escarpment and liver Thames, being particularly numerous around Bcaconsfield, Marlow, High * Vycombe and Amersham. Very local north of Chilterns: well-established around iylesbury and a few pairs each at Wolverton and Linslade. Cambridgeshire (1961) Generally distributed, breeding not only in towns and 'illages, but often at isolated or wooded sites. Largest concentrations (over 100 >airs at both) around Cambridge and Wisbech; also big numbers at Littleport, Ely, March and Manea. Cheshire (1961) Largest numbers in Wirral peninsula, especially between Ellesmere ’ort and Wallasey. Moderate numbers in Mersey valley between Frodsham and Manchester boundary. Surprisingly scarce in south and centre, but now breeding at Sorstage, Malpas and Crewe. Cornwall (1961) Widespread in western half, largest numbers being in coastal and lear-coastal parts. Fewer in east: present in various coastal localities (especially lude, Tintagel, Lostwithiel, Par and Fowey) but absent from the large moorland reas. In Isles of Scilly, many pairs now resident on St Mary’s and Tresco, and 1 few on Bryher, St Martin’s and St Agnes. Cumberland (1959) Most in evidence near coast where still rather patchy (absent rom Egremont/St Bees/Whitehaven area). Largest numbers in Anthom/ ikinburness/Silloth area and around Carlisle. Continues to penetrate up valleys and low resident in Keswick. Derbyshire (1963) Still local and generally rather scarce; absent from the exten- i ive moorlands. Apparently largest numbers in Chestcrfield/Clowne area, with others I t Glossop, between Alfreton and Derby, at Ashbourne, and in Trent valley. Further ummer records from several other places, but status uncertain. Devon (i960) Widespread and locally numerous; biggest concentrations along I outh coast between Devonport and Seaton, and up to eight miles inland. Resident 146 Collared Doves in Britain and Ireland 196 j-yo along north coast from Combe Martin to Bideford and at Hartland. Still scarce in mid-Devon (absent from moorland), but breeding at Cullompton, Holsworthy, Crediton, Okehampton and Tiverton. Not yet breeding on Lundy. Dorset (1961) Now widespread and common. Breeding in most coastal and near- coastal towns and villages from Lyme Regis to Branksea. Slow to colonise inland areas, but small numbers now resident in scattered localities throughout. Durham (1961) Major concentration around the Hartlepools (over 150 pairs at West Hartlepool), whence has spread west to Stockton-on-Tees, Darlington and Bishop Auckland. Also resident at Sunderland, South Shields and Gateshead. Thus away from the low-lying south-east it has not penetrated inland. Essex (i960) Extremely common in most coastal localities, especially in Tendring Hundred. Now penetrating up river valleys and becoming locally numerous inland. Slowly spreading over Metropolitan Essex and into villages (though few confirmed rural breeding records as yet). Gloucestershire (1961) Fairly widely distributed, though scarce or absent in Forest of Dean and Cotswolds. Major concentrations around Bristol and Slimbridge, and good numbers around Gloucester, Lydney, Chipping Campden and Bourton-on-the-W'ater. Hampshire (1961) Generally distributed in south (especially within ten miles of coast), and extending up Itchen and Test valleys. Otherwise still very scarce, but present in several areas north to Basingstoke. Numerous around Isle of Wight coasts; still rather local inland there but becoming generally distributed. Herefordshire (1966) Widely (though still thinly) distributed in north, very local elsewhere; breeding confirmed at Eardisland, Leominster, Leintwardine, Kingstone, Lulham, Moreton and Hereford. Hertfordshire (1958) Generally distributed, breeding in many towns, suburbs and villages, and likely to be found anywhere. Largest numbers in south and east, chiefly south-east of line between Bishop’s Stortford and Watford. Huntingdonshire (1963) Especially numerous in Soke of Peterborough. Elsewhere breeding confirmed at Godmanchester, Huntingdon, Hemingford, St Ives, Hilton, Warboys and Ramsey; but probably now present in most towns and large villages. Kent (1957) Still has more than any other county, including huge concentration of 1,000-1,500 pairs in Isle of Thanet. Now numerous in all coastal districts, in- cluding higher reaches of Thames. Becoming widespread inland and breeding as far west as Metropolitan Kent, though still rather scarce in most parts; main concen- trations around Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks. Lancashire (1961) Very large numbers now, mostly between Southport and Liverpool. Also numerous around Manchester, extending out to Oldham; currently infilling between Manchester and Liverpool. Surprisingly local elsewhere: moderate numbers in various coastal areas from Lytham north to Furness district, but still absent from much of central and east Lancashire. Leicestershire (1965) Well-established around Loughborough, Ashby de la Zouch, Fenny Drayton, Earl Shilton and Leicester. Has been encountered in other localities and presence now suspected in most parts of county. Lincolnshire (1957) Now widespread. Established in numbers around Holbeach, Spalding, Boston, Sleaford and Louth, and along Humberside. Numerous in Wainfleet/Skegness/Burgh-le-Marsh, Cleethorpes/ Grimsby/ Immingham, and Scunthorpe/Brigg/Gainsborough areas. Still rather local in centre and south-west, but increasing around Lincoln and spreading to other areas. Middlesex, including Inner London (1962) Now widely (though generally thinly) distributed in towns and suburbs, individual breeding localities being too numerous to list. Not yet nesting in Inner London, where an annual visitor to parks and open spaces. 147 Collared Doves in Britain and Ireland 196 j-70 Norfolk (19$$) Not uncommon in all coastal areas; major concentrations around Hunstanton and in King’s Lynn/Downham Market, Blakeney/Morston, Cromer/ Sheringham and Great Yarmouth areas. Increasing inland though still rather local there, occurring in towns rather than villages. Despite this being the first British county colonised, total numbers have not risen to the levels now in Kent, Sussex and Lancashire. Northamptonshire, excluding Soke of Peterborough (1963) Now infilling between major centres of Oundle and Northampton, and fast becoming generally distributed since nesting is also occurring at Brigstock, Desborough, Kettering, Wellingborough and Brackley, while birds occur in summer elsewhere. Northumberland (1958) From the original centres at Ponteland and Newcastle upon Tyne, has spread east-west to Tynemouth and Stocksfield-on-Tyne and inland (locally) to Morpeth and Wooler; and northwards along coast to Berwick-upon- Tweed and thence inland to Norham. The scarcity inland can be only partly explained by avoidance of uplands. Nottinghamshire (1959) Widely (and becoming generally) distributed. Substantial numbers in Nottingham and suburbs, and has spread along Trent valley to meet pop- ulation of Newark area. Other important concentrations around Worksop/The Dukeries, Mansfield, East Retford, Egmanton/Ollerton, Southwell, and Misterton/ Walkcringham/Beckingham areas. Oxfordshire (1963) Becoming more or less generally distributed. From original sites around Oxford, has spread outwards as far as Witney, Shipton-under- Wychwood, Bicester, Banbury, Chipping Norton and Thame; probably now in many intervening districts but has been slow to penetrate higher up Thames and Windrush valleys (equally scarce in Gloucestershire Cotswolds). Rutland (1969) Bred at Ketton in 1969 and now numerous there; also often seen recently (nesting not yet confirmed) around Oakham and Uppingham. Shropshire (1961) From established centres at Atcham, Shrewsbury, Wellington and Ludlow, has spread over eastern and central parts; but apparently still thinly distributed. Somerset (1963) Most numerous around Bristol (see Gloucestershire) and thence south along Bristol Channel to Highbridge; other notable concentrations around Bridgwater and Williton and in Porlock/Minehead area. Much smaller numbers breed inland, but becoming widely (if thinly) distributed. Staffordshire (1963) Well-established around Stafford, Rugeley, Burton upon Trent, Lichfield, Tamworth, Cannock, Wcdnesfield, Walsall and Wolverhampton, and in the rural Brewood/Weston-under-Lizard area. Likely soon to become gener- ally distributed over southern parts. Yen’ scarce in northern half, but breeding near Ashley and probably in the Potteries. Suffolk (1959) Present in most near-coastal towns and villages, with major con- centrations around Lowestoft, Southwold, Aldeburgh, Felixstowe and Ipswich. Well-established also in north-west and throughout Stour valley west to Haverhill. Increasing at Stowmarket, but surprisingly few other breeding records fromcentral and north Suffolk. Surrey (i960) Most in evidence in Metropolitan area, with proved or suspected breeding reported from most towns and suburbs. Elsewhere, established in the original Shamley Green/Guildford area, at Famham, in Cranleigh/Ewhurst area, and probably in other villages. Just as local as in adjacent parts of Hampshire and Sussex. Sussex (i960) In total numbers, second only to Kent. Numerous in most coastal and near-coastal districts; at least 400 breeding pairs in the eight square miles of Bexhill borough alone. Slow to spread inland, where still local, though now common in Groombridge/Frant area (near Tunbridge Wells, Kent), and around Lewes, Pulborough, Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Midhurst. 1 48 Collared Doves in Britain and Ireland 1965-70 Warwickshire (1963) Resident in Birmingham suburbs, Sutton Coldfield, Solihull, Nuneaton, Coventry /Brandon area and Leamington Spa, and around Stratford-upon- Avon. Nesting not yet reported from intervening areas, despite many breeding season sightings. Westmorland (1966) Began nesting at Arnside. Now moderately widespread in lowland parts, chiefly in Kent valley up to Kendal. Following recent spread up valleys, now breeding at Windermere, Appleby and Kirkby Thore. Wiltshire (1962) Apparently commonest around Salisbury (from Coombe Bissett to Amesbury). Also resident around Marlborough, Ramsbury, Chippenham, Malmesbury, Warminster, Swindon, Pewsey and Landford (near Hampshire boundary). Thus now widely (but not generally) distributed. Worcestershire (1961) Now an established resident around Stourbridge, Kidderminster, Worcester, Spetchley, Stourport, Evesham, Pershore, Droitwich and Malvern; has begun spreading into intervening villages. Yorkshire (1959) Now widespread except on moorland and hills, and therefore absent from large areas in north and west. V.C.61 (east): becoming generally dis- tributed over Holderness, most numerous around Hull. V.C.62 (north-east): present in numbers on Teesside, at Whitby and Scarborough, and in Melton/Pickering/ Helmsley area; breeding (but still scarce) in York and perhaps now at Easingwold and Northallerton. V.C.63 (south-west): well-established around towns and cities except (apparently) Dewsbury /Huddersfield /Halifax triangle; spreading only slowly into intervening villages. V.C.64 (mid-west): well-established in Leeds and suburbs, extending out to Wharfedale and Airedale; also resident in Selby, Harrogate, Knaresborough and Tadcaster. V.C.65 (north-west): only one breeding record, from Sedbergh in 1970. WALES Anglesey (1962) Now a very common resident in and around human settlements throughout, with concentrations in Valley area and around Dwyran. Breconshire (1969) One pair at Llangattock in 1969, and in 1970 nesting occurred at Crickhowell and Brecon. Caernarvonshire (1966) The two main centres are Aber and the Conway/Deganwy area; spreading west into Lleyn Peninsula, and south from Caernarvon into Gwyrfai valley (first penetration of Cambrian foothills). Cardiganshire (1961) Resident in small numbers at Llanon, Aberarth, Cardigan, Cellan and Caerwedros; also seen in summer (status?) at Pontrhydfendigaid, Llanarth and Llanwenog. Carmarthenshire (1968) Surprisingly scarce in this coastal county. Resident at Carmarthen and near-by Johnstown. Nest found at Llanelli in 1968 ; in 1969 and 1970 small flocks seen at Pembrey and Cwmann, likely breeding areas. Denbighshire (1962) Established around Ruabon, Wrexham, Colwyn Bay and Rhos- on-Sea. In 1964 bred at Ruthin and Trevor, but no recent information from either. Flintshire (1963) Resident at St Asaph, Rhyl and Prestatyn; in 1964 bred at Kinmel (but no up-to-date information). Seen in recent summers at Holywell and Flint, where perhaps now nesting. Glamorgan (1963) Well-established around Swansea, and has spread to Gower peninsula, Neath and Port Talbot. Established around Cardiff and outwards to Dinas Powis, Penarth and Caerphilly. Only limited infilling between these centres, but certainly nesting at Bridgend and Porthcawl, and probably at Llantwit Major and St Athan. Merionethshire (1963) Regular breeding known only at Tywyn; a pair nested at 149 Collared Doves in Britain and Ireland 196 j-70 Llanuwchllyn (near Lake Bala) in 1966, but no later information. Noted (status?) during summer 1970 in Dolgellau, Barmouth, Aberdyfi, Llanegryn and Llwyngwril. Monmouthshire (1964) Well-established in the original area (Newport), and now breeding in many others. Has become widespread except in Wye valley. Montgomeryshire (1967) Established in Montgomery and vicinity. In 1970 a pair or two bred at Llanymynech and Llansantffraid, and perhaps at Llandysilio, Newtown and Welshpool ; all these are in the east, mainly close to the Shropshire border. Pembrokeshire (1961) Well-distributed in coastal and near-coastal areas, especially around St Brides Bay, Milford Haven and Tenby. Has been seen in many inland villages and farmsteads, but few confirmed breeding records away from coastal fringe. Radnorshire (1966) Breeds only at Presteigne and Knighton; numbers remain small. ISLE OF MAN Man (1964) First bred at Ramsey, and has continued to spread and colonise new areas. By 1970 generally distributed in suitable habitats, mainly gardens. SCOTLAND Aberdeenshire (1963) Biggest concentration around Newburgh west to Old Meldrum; smaller numbers resident around Aberdeen (west to Skene), near Rhynie, Turriff, Fyvie, Huntly, and probably Torphins. Present at Peterhead and Fraser- burgh in summer 1964, and reported as increasing at Rattray in 1969, but not known whether nesting established yet at these north-east sites. Angus (1962) Well-established around Arbroath and Dundee/Broughty Ferry area. In recent years has begun breeding in east-central Angus at Edzell, Brechin, Mon- trose and Forfar and eastwards along Lunan Water, and probably at Lunan Bay and Kirriemuir. Argyll (1963) Resident in Knapdale in vicinities of Lochgilphead, Ardpatrick and Brackly; a pair nested in Kintyre at Campbeltown in 1964 (no later information). Breeds near Salachan and Benderloch, and probably now at Ardnamurchan, Oban, Melfort, Bonawe, Lochgoilhead and Innellan. Breeding in a number of sites on Islay, and in smaller numbers on Iona and Colonsay. Ayrshire (1959) Resident around Largs, Dairy (one pair in 1970), Saltcoats, Irvine, Kilmarnock, Troon, Ayr and Maybole, and probably now in intervening districts; isolated pockets at Dalmellington, Girvan, Ballantrae and Barrhill. Banffshire (1961) Resident at Banff since i960, and now breeding at Macduff, Portsoy and near-by Sandend, Buckie, and probably Cullen; and inland at Keith and Mulben. Surprisingly local, and wholly absent from Upper Banff. Berwickshire (1961) Resident, apparently in small to moderate numbers only, at Cockburnspath, Coldingham, Eyemouth, Burnmouth, Lennel (near Coldstream), Chimside and Duns. Thus still absent from large areas. Buteshire Non-breeding records since April 1966. Possibly now nesting on Isle of Arran near Brodick and Kilmory, but confirmation needed. Caithness (1964) Quite widely distributed in coastal areas and the low-lying north-east, breeding at Reay, Scrabster, Thurso, Halkirk, Castletown, Dunnet, Watten, Keiss, Wick and Ulbster, and in the Lybster area (inland to Houstry). Still absent from the extensive moorland areas. Clackmannanshire (about 1967?) Up to five present at Dollar in autumn 1964; now resident but date of first breeding uncertain. During 1 969-70 began breeding at Alloa also. 15° Collared Doves in Britain and Ireland 1965-70 Dumfriesshire (1962) Now widespread in western half, with confirmed breeding in Dumfries and vicinity (where a common resident), Thornhill, Sanquhar, Penpont, Moniaive, Moffat, Annan and Langholm. Dunbartonshire (1965) Only two confirmed breeding areas are Bearsden and Helensburgh, now common at both. Probably nesting at Milngavie and Kilcreggan; also seen in summer (status?) at Aldochlay (Loch Lomond) and Dumbarton. Probably under-recorded on Clydeside. East Lothian (1963) Now resident at Longniddry, Aberlady, Gullane, Dirleton, North Berwick, Tyninghame, Dunbar, Haddington, East Linton, Innerwick and Dunglass. Absent from southern districts dominated by Lammermuir Hills. Fife (1964) Very common around Anstruther and Crail, and smaller numbers at Newport-on-Tay, Dunfermline, Kilconquhar, Elie, Largo, Lundin Links, St Andrews, Cupar and Kirkcaldy, and probably at Newburgh and St Monance. Inverness-shire (1964) mainland: breeding in small to moderate numbers around Inverness and Fort George, in the Spey valley (Nethybridge, Boat of Garten, Kincraig, Kingussie, Laggan Bridge), and around Fort Augustus, Dalwhinnie, Fort William and Arisaig. inner Hebrides: breeding at several places on Skye; has summered on Canna, Rhum and Eigg. See also Outer Hebrides. Kincardineshire (1963) Resident at Banchory, Stonehaven and near-by Dunnottar, Inverbervie, and Laurencekirk, and in the low-lying Howe of the Mearns. Kinross-shire (1968) Resident in good numbers at Milnathort and Kinross. Has also been seen in summer (status ?) near Cleish. Kirkcudbrightshire (1969) Breeding at Minnigaff (opposite Newton Stewart, Wig- townshire), near Kirkbean and Borgue; while the Dumfries ‘colony’ has crossed the River Nith to Maxwelltown and Troqueer. Also seen (resident?) at Castle Douglas, Auchencairn and Kirkcudbright. Lanarkshire (1964) Has spread around suburbs of Glasgow, and in recent years has bagun breeding at Coatbridge, Airdrie, Motherwell and Lanark, and probably at Hamilton, Biggar and East Kilbride. Thus mainly confined to the industrialised north (Clydesdale), avoiding upland areas. Midlothian (1961) Now numerous in and around Edinburgh, extending outwards to Musselburgh, Inveresk, Loanhead and Dalkeith. No known breeding sites elsewhere, probably because of high land (Pentland and Moorfoot Hills). Morayshire (1957) Locally numerous in coastal districts, especially around Fochabers, Elgin, Lossiemouth, Burghead and Forres, and in intervening villages. Rare inland but has been seen in summer (status ?) in Findhorn valley (near Relugas), at Grantown-on-Spey and at Rothes. Nairnshire One to three birds noted at Nairn and near-by Househill at various times since 1963, now probably nesting but confirmation awaited. Orkney (1964) Small numbers resident around Kirkwall, at Finstown and near-by Binscarth, and at Stromness. Outer Hebrides (1962) Well-established on Lewis around Stornoway, and probably a pair or two nesting at crofts elsewhere. Now reportedly resident in small numbers on Harris at Tarbert, on North Uist at Sollas and Newton, and on South Uist at Grogarry, but few nests found. Peeblesshire Known only from B.T.O. Atlas data (1969-70): seen in breeding season at Innerleithen and Peebles, status unknown. Perthshire (1962) Resident in lowlands at Longforgan, Bridge of Earn, Perth, Alyth, Crieff, Comrie, Callander, Thornhill and Glen Falloch. No proven breeding from highlands, though some summer sightings (status?) at Blair Atholl, Kinloch Rannoch and Pitlochry. Collared Doves in Britain and Ireland 196 j-yo 1 5 1 Renfrewshire (about 1965) Now fairly widespread, breeding on Clydeside from Glasgow suburbs to Gourock, and over the industrialised eastern half of the county. Ross-shire (1962) Widely distributed in Easter Ross, particularly in Tarbat/Nigg promontory and Black Isle; resident also in Tain, Invergordon, Alness, Muir of Ord, Dingwall and Strathpeffer. In Wester Ross, now breeding at various large coastal settlements between Ullapool and Shieldaig. See also Outer Hebrides. Roxburghshire Two birds seen at Bonchester Bridge in March 1965; several records of individuals at Kelso and Melrose in 1970. • Selkirkshire (1968) A few pairs breed at Selkirk, the only known nesting area. 'Shetland (1965) Resident in small numbers in Lerwick and Scalloway; a pair bred on Unst in 1970. - Stirlingshire (about 1969) During 1969-70 began breeding at Falkirk and Stirling; surprisingly local in the low-lying east. - Sutherland (1966) Has spread across Dornoch Firth to Dornoch town (where now common), Skibo and Golspie. Away from the south-east, breeding proved at Laxford Bridge (near Scourie), Durness, Borgie and Bettyhill, and suspected at Stocr, Altnaharra, Lairg and Kinlochbervie. West Lothian (about i960) Breeding range confined to Forth coast and adjoining parishes, from Bo’ncss and Linlithgow to South Qucensfcrry; also one pair present (status?) at Broxburn in 1970. Wigtownshire (1963) Well-established at Newton Stewart and Garlicston; summered near Whithorn in 1964 (no later information). In The Rhinns, bred at Dunskey in 1966 and at Kirkcolm in 1968; has since spread south to Lcswalt and Stranraer. Flock of 80 seen near Mull of Galloway in August 1969. IRELAND Co. Antrim (1963) Well-established in Belfast area; has spread along Belfast Lough to Island Magee. Now breeding also around Ballymoney, Ballycastle, Portrush, Armoy and Antrim. Also seen in summer (status?) at Cushendun and near Carnlough (both coastal), Crumlin and Aldergrovc (near Lough Neagh). Absent from mountains of Antrim. Co. Armagh (1964) Well-established around Lurgan; has spread west along Lough Neagh and south to Portadown and Richhill. No other breeding areas known, though seen in summer in town of Armagh. Co. Carlow (1966) Resident around Muine Bheag (= Bagenalstown) and Tullow, the only known breeding localities. Co. Cavan Not recorded (now the only British or Irish county in this category). Co. Clare (1964) Well-established in Kilrush. Probably breeding now at Kilmore (an extension of the Limerick population) and at Ennistimon; seen (status?) near Milltown Malbay, Ennis and Killaloe. Co. Cork (1962) Well-distributed in south-east, breeding around Cork City, Ballinhassig, Cobh, Midleton, Youghal, Kinsale and Bandon. Otherwise still very' local; but breeding at Mallow and near Millstreet, and probably around Kanturk, Skibbereen, Grenagh and Castletown Bcarhaven, and seen in summer elsewhere. Co. Donegal (1965) Noticeable concentration in north-west (Dunglow, Bunbcg, Gwcedore, Gloghaneelv, Dunfanaghy); also breeding at Letterkenny, Lifford and Malin, and seen (possibly nesting) in various other localities, including Aran Island. Co. Down (i960) Widely distributed in eastern half, breeding in south Belfast, along Belfast Lough, around Strangford Lough and then southwards along coast to W'arrcnpoint (Carlingford Lough). Inland, thought to nest in Banbridge/Gilford area 1 5 2 Collared Doves in Britain and Ireland 196 j-/o (across to Lurgan, Co. Armagh). Absent from Mourne Mountains, and from appar- ently suitable central areas of the county. Co. Dublin (1959) Well-established in suburbs of Dublin City and at near-by Baldoyle ; also resident around Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush, Malahide, Dun Laoghaire and Killiney. Apparently absent from inland parts of the county (excluding western suburbs of Dublin City). Co Fermanagh (1962) Known to breed only in Enniskillen and vicinity; but seen in summer (status ?) near Derrygonnelly, Lisnaskea and Letterbreen. Co. Galway (1959) Now resident in substantial numbers around Galway City. More recent breeding localities are Inishbofin, Inishmore, Rosmuck/Costelloe/Cartronlahan/ Inveran area, Athenry, Oughterard and Headford; seen in summer (nesting?) at various other sites, mainly near coast. Co. Kerry (1964) Now very big numbers around Tralee (flock of about 500 in October 1968 is largest reported in Ireland); extending outwards from this area, especially to north and east. Elsewhere, nesting confirmed at Killorglin and Muck- ross, and thought to occur near Rathmore and Castlegregory and on Dingle peninsula. Co. Kildare (about 1969) Now resident at Athy and probably at Ballitore; has also been seen in summer (status ?) at Castledermot. Co. Kilkenny (about 1969) Now resident at Kilkenny and near-by Bennettsb ridge; seen in summer (status ?) at Piltown. Co. Leitrim Has been noted in summer (nesting ?) near Dromahair ; this is probably an extension of the Sligo district population. Co. Leix Birds seen in recent summers at Mountmellick and Port Laoise may be resident, but confirmation needed. Co. Limerick (1966) Breeding proved only in Limerick City, but probably occurring at Foynes, Ballyhahill and Ballingarry, and perhaps elsewhere. Co. Londonderry (1964) Breeding confirmed only around Coleraine, Castlerock, Limavady and town of Londonderry; but also seen in summer (status?) near Loughermore, Ringsend and Binevenagh. Co. Longford Noted in recent summers (status ?) at Killashee. Co. Louth (1969) Now resident at Ardee, and nesting has been suspected at Castle- bellingham and Carlingford; other summer records (status?) from Dundalk and Collon. Co. Mayo (1964) Now breeding in Newport, Belmullet, Achill Island, Corraun Peninsula, Ballinrobe and Ballina/Crossmolina area, and probably at Westport and Louisburgh. June records (status?) from a number of other localities. Co. Meath (1965) Certainly resident at Bettystown; and in last 2-3 years nesting thought to have occurred (but confirmation needed) at Kells and Navan. Co. Monaghan (about 1965) Now well-established around town of Monaghan. A pair may have nested near Castleblayney in 1966, and birds seen there more recently (probably resident now). Co. Offaly (1962) Resident around Tullamore and at Clooneygowan (between Tullamore and Portarlington). Has also been seen in summer at Clara. Co. Roscommon Thought to be nesting on Co. Roscommon side of Athlone and at Boyle, Ballaghaderreen and Roscrea, but as yet no confirmed breeding record for the county. Co. Sligo (1966) Now well-established in town of Sligo and has spread outwards to Collooney, Cashelgarran and Dromard. Co. Tipperary (about 1968) Resident around Nenagh, Cashel and Clonmel; has been seen in summer near Thurles, Borrisolcigh and Carrick-on-Suir. Collared Doves in Britain and Ireland 196 j-yo 153 Co. Tyrone (about 1968) Breeding established near Strabane and Ncwtownstewart and almost certainly occurring at Omagh, while seen in summer (status?) near Dungannon and Stewartstown. Co. Waterford (1964) Widely distributed in south, being resident in Ardmore, Dungarvan, Bunmahon, Tramore, Waterford, Dunmore East and Passage East, and doubtless in intervening villages. In north, seen in summer (status?) near Cappoquin and Cappagh. Co. Westmeath (about 1968) Resident in Mullingar, and seen in summer (probably nesting) at Athlone (see also Co. Roscommon). Co. Wexford (1963) Well-established around Wexford town, extending outwards to Rosslare. Surprisingly, no other confirmed breeding sites, though seen in summer in several localities in Slaney valley and near Ferns, Ballycanew, Duncannon, Kilmore, Tomhaggard and New Ross. Co. Wicklow (1964) Resident at Bray, Greystones, Kilcoole, Newcastle, Wicklow town and Avoca, and probably now in intervening coastal villages. Seen in summer (nesting suspected) near Arklow, Stratford and Glendalough. Scarcity inland doubt- less due largely to high land (Wicklow Mountains). THE COLLARED DOVE AS A PEST The Collared Dove has not become a pest species of economical significance at national level comparable to the Woodpigeon Columba palumbus , Bullfinch Pyrrbtda pyrrhula or House Sparrow Passer domesticus. In 1964 there were fears that it might, but the subsequent reduction in the rate of increase and the likelihood of stability being achieved in the not too distant future appears to have removed the possibility. This is not to deny that Collared Doves can be a local nuisance in areas where they are pardcularly numerous. In localities where grain is stored or processed — poultry farms, granaries, mills, malthouses and the like — large feeding flocks can build up and develop ‘nuisance value’ through their depredations on grain and through their accumulated droppings; it is known that in several instances local people have taken the law into their own hands and undertaken some surreptitious culling. There are continued complaints from householders, mainly in suburbia, about the call, which to some people is annoyingly loud and monotonous and in summer begins at a disturbingly early hour; though this type of complaint may sound frivolous to ornithologists, the irritation is real. I have not received any serious complaints of damage by Collared Doves to plants of field or garden. The present legal position under the Protection of Birds Act 1954 is that the Collared Dove is fully protected all through the year, except in Scotland where the Wild Birds (Collared Doves) Order 1967, no. 1724 (S 155) has placed it on Schedule 2, meaning that it may be killed or taken by authorised persons (normally land- or property- owners). It is ironic that this exception applies only to Scotland, where numbers are far smaller than in England. It would be in the interests of consistency if the species were also placed on Schedule 2 as it is applicable to the rest of the United Kingdom; such a course would 154 Collared Doves in Britain and Ireland 196J-70 protect land- and property-owners who are now in breach of the law when undertaking even justifiable culling of over-large Collared Dove flocks. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am indebted to the British Trust for Ornithology for placing its preliminary Collared Dove data, gathered for its Atlas project, at my disposal, and to Dr J. T. R. Sharrock (the national organiser of the project) for his unfailing assistance; he drew the map for me, and found time to answer many queries. It is no exag- geration to say that this paper could not have been produced in worthwhile form without the generous help from the B.T.O. and Dr Sharrock. I am grateful also to J. A. Hicks for the information in my table 2, and to Stanley Cramp and I. J. Ferguson-Lees for their criticism of an earlier draft. Finally, I express my thanks to the numerous correspondents (now, alas, too numerous to list) who have supplied much of my basic data; it is they, together with Atlas project participants, who make distributional studies possible. SUMMARY This paper summarises the continued spread of the Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto in Britain and Ireland between 1965 and 1970. By the latter year the species had been recorded in all counties except Co. Cavan, and was known to breed in all others except for Buteshire, Nairnshire, Peeblesshire, Roxburghshire, and Cos. Leitrim, Leix, Longford and Roscommon. The highest densities are in Kent, Sussex and Lancashire; and there is a definite coastal and near-coastal bias in dis- tribution. Though still preferring suburban and, to a lesser degree, urban areas, the species is spreading slowly into rural habitats; but in contrast to Continental countries, there is little sign of it in the centres of major British cities. Only infre- quently are breeding localities above the 500-foot contour. In 1970 there may have been 15,000-25,000 breeding pairs in Britain and Ireland. It is clear that the geometrical rate of increase has slowed greatly, from some 100% per annum in the late 1950*5 and early 1960’s to a present-day level certainly less than half, and perhaps only a quarter, of that rate; ultimate stability is likely. This reduced rate of increase is almost certain to prevent the species from becoming a pest of national significance, though in places it has become a local nuisance. Brief summaries of present status are given for each county of Britain and Ireland. REFERENCES Fisher, J. 1953. ‘The Collared Turtle Dove in Europe*. Brit. Birds, 46: 153-181. Hudson, R. 1965. ‘The spread of the Collared Dove in Britain and Ireland*. Brit. Birds, 58: 105-139. Langseth, R. 1965. ‘Tyrkerduen har nadd Island!’ Sterna, 6: 311. Collared Doves in Britain and Ireland 1963-70 155 Li ■:ys, H. N. 1964. ‘Het voorkomen van de Turkse Tortel (Streptopelia decaocto (Friv.)) in Nederland’. Limosa, 37: 232-263. 1967. ‘The census of the Collared Turtle Dove in the Netherlands’. Int. Council Bird Pres. Bull., 10: 147- 15 4. Nowak, E. 1965. Die Tiirkentaube (Streptopelia decaocto'). Wittenberg Lutherstadt. Ojala, H., and Sjoberg, J. 1968. ‘Turkinkyyhky (Streptopelia decaocto) pesinyt Naantalissa’. Orn. Penn., 45: 139, 142. Stresemann, E., and Nowak, E. 1938. ‘Die Ausbreitung der Tiirkentaube in Asien und Europa’. J. Orn., 99: 243-296. Robert Hudson, British Trust for Ornithology’, Beech Grove, Tring, Hertfordshire Scarlet Tanager in the Isles of Scilly: a species new to Britain and Ireland B. D. Harding At about midday on 4th October 1970, in the Porth HelLick area of St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly, I noticed an unfamiliar bird perched at the top of a dead tree at about 25 yards’ range. I called over D. J. Holman and R. E. Turley, but by the time they had arrived the bird had worked its way down into foliage. It soon flew out, however, and during the following ten minutes we and several others watched it at distances varying from 20 to 50 yards, both perched and flying. After this it could not be found again despite a thorough search. We decided that the bird was a member of the tanager family (Thrau- pidae), and from Peterson (1947) concluded that it was a first- winter male Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea. D.J.H. and R.E.T. subsequently confirmed this identification by examination of skins in the British Museum (Natural History). The bird was also seen by Professor J. D. Craggs, J. H. Johns, N. J. Phillips, E. J. Phillips-Jones, G. H. Price, Dr R. J. Raines and C. W. Westwood. The following is a condensation of field notes taken at the time: General appearance and behaviour (largely from notes by D.J.H. and R.E.T.) : Nearly as big as Corn Bunting Emberi^a calandra but rather more dashing, having a relatively shorter and squarer tail and fairly long, broad, powerful wings. When perched upright it recalled a large finch with a long, stout bill. Once, when it adopted a rather horizontal stance with wings held loosely and drooping slightly, it appeared somewhat like a stocky Sylvia or Hippolais warbler. It usually perched motionless, eventually moving down into cover with a heavy, warbler-like action. The flight was fast and fairly direct, the bird dropping down from foliage, flying along a few feet above the ground, then sweeping up into a bush or tree. On two occasions it was seen to fly- catch — once from the top of a tree, and once from a hedgerow over a field 1 5 6 Scarlet Tanager in the Isles of Scilly when it covered a distance of 25 yards before returning to its perch. In these performances it was very agile, twisting and turning erratically, hovering and almost looping the loop. Plumage: Generally similar to Greenfinch Carduelis Moris but without the yellow flashes in the wings and tail. Head, nape and back rather bright olive-green; lores and ear-coverts darker and greyer (R.E.T.); rump and uppertail-coverts paler and yellower than back; tail dark, greyer than back, ‘blackish’ (R.E.T.), ‘basically greenish’ (D.J.H.), very slightly forked. Whole underparts bright lemon-yellow. Wings gave general impression of being greenish-grey, with black patch at carpal joint (lesser coverts); R.E.T. noted blackish outer greater coverts, becoming paler and greener on inner ones, black bastard wing, blackish primaries (as tail), and dark greyish-green secondaries and tertials edged yellow, the edges on the secondaries suggesting a small wing-panel. Soft parts: Bill rather long, stout and conical, slightly rounded at the tip, differently described as greyish or horn-coloured (B.D.H.), flesh-pink (D.J.H.), orange-pink to horn (R.E.T.) and pale or yellowish (R.J.R.); this variation was considered by some observers to be due to reflection of the surrounding colours in the shiny surface of the bill. Eyes and legs dark. The determining factor in identifying the bird was the black lesser coverts which contrasted with the paler wings both when flying and when perched. In flight it appeared green above, yellow below, with greenish-grey wings and tail. The only previous records of tanagers in Europe are of an adult male Summer Tanager P. rubra trapped on Bardsey, Caernarvonshire, on nth September 1957 and present until at least 25th (Brit. Birds, 56: 49-52, plate 12); and a female Summer or Scarlet trapped on Copeland Island, Co. Down, on 12th October 1963 (Copeland Bird Observatory Report for 1963: 2-3; see also Ibis, 113: 144). A Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccy^us americanus was seen in another part of St Mary’s on the same day as the Scarlet Tanager, and two days later the first Veery Catharus fuscescens to be recorded in Europe was found at Porthgwarra, Cornwall (Brit. Birds, 65 : 45-49). COMPARISON WITH SKINS On 5th December 1970 D.J.H. and R.E.T. examined skins of Summer, Scarlet and some other tanagers in the British Museum. The first-winter Summer Tanagers were very orange-yellow below and orange-green above, whereas the Scarlets resembled the bird on St Mary’s in being lemon-yellow below and olive-green above and in having the black carpal patch that the other species lacks. One Scarlet Tanager in particular, a first-autumn male taken in the U.S.A. in September, was identical in plumage to the bird on St Mary’s. TANAGER IDENTIFICATION The tanagers are a New World family of more than 200 species, but only four occur north of Mexico — Hepatic P. flava. Western P. ludoviciana. Summer and Scarlet. The Hepatic Tanager is unlikely to perform a transatlantic flight due to the restriction of its breeding 157 Scarlet Tanager in the Isles of Scilly range to the south-western United States and its short migradons. The Western Tanager exhibits wing bars in all plumages (whereas the Summer and Scarlet do not, though a small percentage of Scarlets have been recorded with wing bars). These two, therefore, are not considered further. Adult male Summer and Scarlet do not present an identification problem: in breeding plumage the latter is bright scarlet with black wings and tail, whereas the Summer Tanager is dull red all over; in autumn and winter the adult male Scarlet is yellowish olive-green with black wings and tail, while the Summer retains its typical dull red plumage throughout the year. Adult females of the two species are somewhat alike in breeding plumage but there are a few differences: the Scarlet is olive-green above and dull yellow below, with dark greyish-brown wings and tail, while the Summer’s upper- and underparts are deeper yellowish and its wings and tail paler brownish, tinged olive-green. Juvenile tanagers are heavily streaked below, but this plumage is rarely illustrated in the literature. This streaking is lost during the post-juvenile moult before migration, giving way to what Humphrey and Parkes (1959) called the ‘First Basic Plumage’. Birds of both sexes in this plumage, and also adult females in autumn and winter, are very similar. Scarlets have a greenish-olive head and back, greyish- brown wings and tail and pale lemon-yellow underparts; immature males have, in addition, black coverts and sometimes black scapulars. Summer Tanagers have an olive-brown to warm orange-brown back, dull orange-yellow underparts and brownish-green wings; young males, which are generally more richly coloured than females, do not have black coverts. The underwing-coverts are also useful as a guide to identification: the Western and Summer Tanagers have yellow ones, while those of the Scarlet are white. (Data in this section are taken mainly from Godfrey 1966 and Davis 1971.) RANGE AND HABITAT The Scarlet Tanager breeds in southern Canada and the eastern half of the U.S.A., from south-east Manitoba east to New Brunswick and south to eastern Oklahoma, central Alabama and northern Georgia. It winters in South America from Colombia to Peru and Bolivia. Throughout its breeding range it has a preference for deciduous forests, especially oakwoods. It overlaps geographically with the Summer Tanager in the north-eastern part of the Summer’s range, but where this overlap occurs the Scarlet is generally found at higher altitudes, the Summer preferring pine and oak woods in river valleys. In the mid-west, where these differences in elevation are less marked, co- occupancy of woodlands is not infrequent. It is there that the possi- bility of hybridisation cannot be ruled out; in fact, there are several 1 5 8 Scarlet Tanager in the Isles of Scilly reports of hybrids in the literature. The Western Tanager is a bird of the coniferous forests of the western mountains, but it occasionally strays to the eastern seaboard. The Scarlet Tanager feeds mainly on insects and fruit and spends most of its time in the upper canopy. Despite the vivid plumage of the male it is very difficult to observe in dense foliage, and con- sequently the best time for watching it is in early spring when it arrives from its wintering grounds. Twigs and rootlets are used in the construction of the loosely built nest, which is lined with grass; it is usually situated well out on a horizontal branch at a height of ten to fifty feet. The three to five eggs, bluish or greenish speckled with brown, are incubated by the female for of 13 or 14 days. AC KNOWLEDGEMENTS I am indebted to Dr Kenneth C. Parkes of the Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., for his invaluable comments on this subject, and to P. J. Grant and D. J. Holman for their constructive criticism of the draft. REFERENCES Davis, T. H. 1971. ‘A key to fall Piranga tanagers — females and immatures’. Eastern Bird Banding Association Nevs, 54: no. 5. Godfrey, W. E. 1966. The Birds of Canada. Bull. Nat. Mus. Canada 203. Ottawa. Humphrey, P. S., and Parkes, K. C. 1959. ‘An approach to the study of molts and plumages’. Auk, 76: 1-3 1. Peterson, R. T. 1947. A Field Guide to the Birds. Boston, Mass. B. D. Harding, 26 Woodlands Avenue, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, Bedfordshire Two photographers in Finland ]. B. Bottomley Elates I and 2 j-ji After a number of spring visits to Fenno-Scandia over the last twelve years my wife and I decided on a return to Finland in 1970, during which we hoped to fill in as many gaps as possible in our series of photographs of the birds of that region. None of our previous trips had lasted longer than a month and the well-known vagaries of the northern spring had more than once resulted in our timing going badly astray; this time we planned to stay for about eight weeks. In many ways Finland is the most fascinating ornithologically of all the northern countries of Europe, with a breeding list that includes Two photographers in F inland 159 Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus in the south and Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica in the far north, as well as such rarities as Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus, Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum and Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus, and no less than ten breeding owls. Taking the ferry from Stockholm we reached Turku on 5 th June and made contact with Dr Goran Bergman who had kindly arranged for us to visit a colony of 63 pairs of Caspian Terns Hydroprogne caspia. This was situated on a small skerry in the Gulf of Finland, not far by launch from Porkkala. The islet was roughly circular, about 100 to 200 metres in diameter, and shaped rather like an inverted saucer. The day of our visit, 6th June, was one of blazing sun with a dead calm sea, and at first sight the scene recalled almost any other coastal colony of breeding terns. But once in a hide, with the birds at close quarters, their size — almost equal to a Herring Gull Tarns argentatus — and huge scimitar-like bills became readily apparent. A selection of the photographs we took that day has already been published (Brit. Birds , 64: 314-316, plates 45-48). From Porkkala we moved northwards and, after seven days of reconnaissance, eventually camped by the Kitinen River just north of Sodankyla and about 120 km inside the Arctic Circle. At this point the river flows due south and to the east a vast, flat and almost uninhabited region of conifer and birch forest interspersed with marsh and bog stretches for some 1 30 km to the Russian frontier and beyond. Local enquiries convinced us that this area would be worth exploration and we soon found that bird life was indeed plentiful. Willow Warblers Phylloscopus trochilus and Redpolls Acantbis flammea were common and, in addition to such typical northern woodland species as Pied Flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca, Redstarts Phoenicians phoenicurus, Fieldfares Turdus pilaris , Redwings T. iliacus and Bramblings Fringi/la montifringilla , we had soon encountered Three-toed Wood- peckers Picoides tridactylus and Pine Grosbeaks Pinicola enucleator. We also found and subsequently photographed a hen Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus with a small clutch of four eggs: rather than being at the foot of the usual tree, this nest was under a thick growth of bilberry and Ledum pa/ustre, and the cryptic effect of the bold patterning on the female’s back (bolder than in the otherwise rather similar Greyhen Lyrurus tetrix ) can be seen in plate 27b. As we were skirting a small patch of spruce almost surrounded by marsh we heard a series of loud, rhythmical, bubbling calls which were new to us and which we found were coming from a pair of Hawk Owls Surnia ulula, accompanied by six fledged young. The latters’ calls were quite different, being more like a distant two-noted foghorn. While the young sat immobile, usually on a low bough, for minutes at a time, only making an occasional short flight to a new 160 Two photographers in Finland perch, the adults flew constantly from tree to tree, almost always landing typically at the very top (plate 25) and calling repeatedly both while perched and on the wing. Mobbing was persistent, with both adults swooping low over our heads, invariably from behind, their flight being remarkably Accipiter- like and consisting of long shallow dives often less than a metre above the ground. The short wings and long tail, too, gave them a noticeably hawk-like silhouette and the body’s somewhat forward inclination when perched added to this impression. At rest a characteristic mannerism was the frequent sharp upward jerking of the tail, followed by its slow lowering, rather after the manner of a Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata. Although we could not be sure which sex was which, there was a marked difference in the plumages of the two adults : one had blackish- brown barring and mottling above and narrower barring below, while the other was so lightly marked all over as to appear almost white at a distance. In passing, the diurnal character of the species should be mentioned, this being indicated by the comparatively small eyes. Six pellets, almost certainly from the young of this family, were composed entirely of the remains of Short- tailed Voles Microtus agrestis and Root Voles M. ratticeps. It was near here that we found a Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola incubating eggs in the old nest of a Song Thrush Turdus philomelos nearly four metres up in a small Norway spruce. This species was common in the area, but all the other pairs we found had their nests on the open ground. An account of this tree nest, together with the photographs we took, has already been published (Brit. Birds, 64: 114-117, plates 13-17). The marshland, and particularly its edges where it joined the trees, provided breeding sites for other northern waders besides Wood Sandpipers. Ruffs Philomachus pugnax and Spotted Redshanks Tringa erythropus were common, and Greenshanks T. nebularia and Whimbrels Numenius phaeopus were also present, and by the last week in June all had young. Here, too, we frequently heard the extraordinary ‘galloping horse’ song of the Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus , but we failed to find a nest. At this period of their breeding cycle waders become abnormally fearless and it is sometimes possible to obtain photographs (for example, of breeding plumages) that can usually be secured only at the nest. Shots that we took of two different Spotted Redshanks (plates 28b and 29) illustrate the intense black, flecked with white on back and wings, of the nuptial plumage. The legs and bill are both dark, the former dark red to brown-red, the latter dark brown with an area of red at the base of the lower mandible. Like many Tringa waders on their breeding grounds, this species habitually perches on stumps, bushes, fences and trees, often high up, and frequently calls noisily. Reeves, too, will also freely use similar look-outs (although Pi a th 25. Hawk Owl Surma ulula characteristically perched on exposed pine top with body inclined forward, Finland, June 1970. Note greyish facial discs edged with black and not extending above small (diurnal) eyes, mottled crown, finely barred underparts and long tail (pages 159-160) {photo: J. B. and S. Bottonilej) Plates 26 and 27. Above and below, Broad-billed Sandpipers Limicola falcitiellus at water’s edge and on nest, Finland, Junc-July 1971: note head pattern, kinked bill and whitish stripes on back (pages 163-164). Upper right, female Hazel Hen Tetrastes bonasia on nest by stump, Finland, June 1971 (page 163). Lower right, hen Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus on nest in thick bilberry and Ledum, Finland, June 1970: note cryptic back pattern (page 159) ( photos : J. B. and S. Bottom ley) ,1* ' J&mm :% 4 Pi axes 28 and 29. Upper left, Reeve Philomacbus pugnax perched on stump, Finland, June 1970, showing upright posture and greyish breeding plumage (pages 160-161). Lower left and above, two different Spotted Redshanks Tringa ery thro pus, Finland, also June 1970, one characteristically perched on high and calling noisily: note rich black plumage boldly spotted with white on back and wings; legs arc dark red and bill dark brown with redder base (page 160) {photos: J. B. and S. Bottom ley) Platks 30 and 31. Upper left, unmated \\ hooper Swan Cygnus cygnus , Finland, June 1971: it made a shallow ‘nest’ containing a small piece of driftwood (page 163). Lower left, female Red-necked Phalarope Pha/aropus lobatus , Finland, again June 1971: note the fine bill and lobed feet (page 164). Above and below, Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus , Finland, June 1970: flexible streamers, dark under- wing and the hanging right leg (pages 162, 164) ( photos : J. B. and S. Bottomley) Plate 32. James Maurice Harrison, dsc, mrcs, lrcp (1892-1971) at the Harrison Zoological Museum, Sevenoaks, in 1970 (pages 164-166) {photo: Pamela Harrison ) Two photographers in Finland 1 6 1 they are noticeably silent), and plate 28a also shows their erect carriage when standing and the greyness of the breeding females compared with the passage birds (particularly immatures) seen in Britain. In photographing any waders at this stage, great care must be taken to avoid the young, which can be extraordinarily difficult to see, and only a few minutes should be spent in the area so that the chicks are not dispersed and thereby exposed to predators. Further, this sort of photography should never be attempted in cold weather, when the adults would normally spend much time brooding the chicks. Near our camping site we had noticed a pair of Siberian Jays Perisoreus infaustus, but at the end of June there was little or no chance of our finding a nest of these early breeders. We did, however, obtain some photographs of this couple by using cheese as bait in front of a hide {Brit. Birds, 64: plate 8). Although proverbially confiding (subsequently we met family parties in the forests that would take food thrown down at our feet), these two appeared only infrequently and usually between midnight and 03.00 hours. The only call we heard from them was a low, sibilant croon which they seemed to use as a contact note. As it was now 27th June, we decided to move farther north to an jarea we had visited in 1966 near Finland’s northern frontier with 'Norway. Mere the birds were those of birch scrub and open fell, although many of the species found farther south were also present. Bluethroats Euschia svecica were common, not only in damp, willow- dominated parts but also on drier ground among the birches. The photograph of a male (plate la), in spite of being taken near a nest, shows how prominently these birds will perch when on their breeding grounds, in contrast to their normally skulking behaviour during the rest of the year. The Bluethroat’s carriage is more upright than that of the closely-related Robin Erithacus rubecula, but it often prefers to move about its territory by running for considerable distances along the ground. Prominent here also were Grey-headed Wagtails Motacilla flava tbunbergi and, along with those of Bramblings, their alarm calls were the ones most frequently heard as we moved through the woods. Willow Grouse Eagopus lagopus had nests among the juniper and on 3rd July we saw a Greyhen accompanied by four well-grown young, .a very long way north for this species in Finland. The open ground held Northern Golden Plovers Pluvialis apricaria altifrons and Wheatears Oenanthe oenanthe , and higher, on the tundra areas, were Dotterels Eudromias morinellus and Snow Buntings Plectrophenax nivalis and still those ubiquitous and hardiest of birds, Meadow Pipits Anthus pratensis. Nesting in considerable numbers, too, were Lapland Buntings Calcarius lapponicus. These birds have a singularly attractive song — a rapid, musical tinkling with many variations — but it was by now too late in the season to hear it often. 1 62 Two photographers in ¥ inland In one area of dwarf birch and stunted juniper several pairs were breeding almost colonially and the couple we photographed had their nest in a typically quite open site against a mossy hummock, where it can be seen that the vegetation was still only partly green (plate lb). The nest cup was entirely of grasses, except that it was lined, as is usual, with feathers (in this case almost certainly those of Willow Grouse). Both adults fed the three young (the female slightly more often than the male) which were about half-grown when our photo- graph was taken on 3rd July. The parent birds usually alighted up to 20 metres from the nest before running to it under cover, and now and again the female would thoroughly explore the inside of the nest, pushing the young to one side in the process, as she delved right to the bottom of the cup. Once she retrieved a displaced feather and returned it to the lining. In 1970 Lemmings Lemmus lenimus were swarming everywhere in north Finland. On both high and low ground, in the open and among the birches we were constantly assailed by their high-pitched chattering, and from our caravan at night we could watch them foraging in all directions. We made no special observations on the numbers of Rough-legged Buzzards Buteo lagopus and other avian predators, but our general impression was that they were no more numerous than on our previous visit to the area in 1966 when we saw no Lemmings at all. Nevertheless, we again encountered Long-tailed Skuas Stercorarius longicaudus (plate 31), including a pair with one newly- hatched chick. Our previous experience with this species had confirmed the statement in The Handbook that it ‘rarely if ever strikes’ an intruder, but one of this pair which had a hanging right leg (plate 3 ia) stooped so determinedly as to hit the camera repeatedly with a wing, twice knocking the clip-on lens-hood to the ground. While this individual’s attentions were centred on the one of us standing near the chick, the other of the pair would sometimes settle on the ground, ruffle out its belly and flank feathers as though about to brood a nestling, and emit a high-pitched squeaking astonishingly similar to the plaintive call of a chick. This ruse was so effective that at first we were sure that the pair had a second youngster. A number of features which distinguish this species from the Arctic Skua T. parasiticus can be seen in the two photographs, in particular the lack of pectoral patches at the sides of the breast, the almost completely dark underwing and the sharply contrasted black crown. In addition, plate 31b shows the flexibility of the long tail streamers, as well as their tendency to curl in flight. While hunting, the Long-tailed Skua soars and floats fairly low over the open ground, frequently hovering in a way highly reminiscent of a Kestrel Fa/co tinnunculus. In 1971 we decided on a further visit to Finland, and the second week of June found us in the Oulanka National Park not far from the Two photographers in Finland 163 frontier with Russia. Here pine woods predominate although there is some spruce and birch. Most of the passerines were only just beginning to lay, but we were able to record a number of interesting species, including Waxwings Bo mby cilia gar r ulus, Siberian Tits Par us cinctus , Little Buntings Emberi^a pusilla and Rustic Buntings E. rustica. Our only photography here of any importance was of a Hazel Hen Tetrastes bonasia incubating an unusually large clutch of nine eggs (plate 27a). The nest was situated partly beneath a tree stump and apparently this association with some such prominent object as a fallen tree or boulder is quite common. The nest cup was lined with small dryt wigs and coarse grasses. This species has two colour phases, rufous and grey, and my wife (who occupied the hide entirely at this nest) described the female’s plumage as ‘soft grey, with chestnut brown on the wings and with some black markings all over’; the head and neck were buff, with finer black markings, and the chin was blackish. On 15 th June we reached our camp site of the previous year by the Kitinen River, where a Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus appeared to be incubating on the far (eastern) bank. Only a few pairs breed in Finland and a single bird had been present here in 1970, when it had behaved in an extraordinarily fearless and aggressive way, even to the extent of considerably hindering disembarkation from our boat. Now its behaviour (it was almost certainly the same individual and we never saw a second one) had completely altered: we found that the ‘nest’ on which it was sitting was not only much smaller and flimsier than the usual bulky structure, but also that it was made only of dry grass and the contents were not eggs but a single small piece of drift-wood. Plate 30a shows how the neck is not necessarily carried as straight on land as is usually the case when afloat, and also how the straight line from the tip of the bill to the top of the crown gives a flattened shape to the head. After spending a number of days here in fruitless search for nests of Jack Snipe — the birds were common enough — we moved on to the area near the Norwegian border that we had visited in 1970, where we hoped to be more successful. Here we hoped at least for Broad-billed Sandpipers Eimicola falcineHus and eventually we were able to take photographs at two nests. Both were typically sited in grass tussocks in the middle of quaking bogs, just clear of the surrounding water; they were lined with dried grasses and leaves and the clutch in each case was four. Dr Olavi Hilden, who examined both these nests, drew our attention to their position near the centre of the morass compared with the otherwise rather similar places normally chosen by Jack Snipe at the edges of boggy ground and often under a very small willow or dwarf birch. In addition to showing the nest site, plate 26 illustrates fairly clearly the downward kink at the end of the bill, the head pattern with the pale line near each edge of the blackish crown, the broad 164 Tm photographers in Finland. supercilium and the light stripes extending down the blackish back. Another characteristic bird of the far north is the Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus, and a lake close to the main highway well known to ornithologists visiting these parts almost invariably carries a good number of these delightful little waders. In the early part of the breeding season pairs can be seen displaying and mating, and later on, when the males are incubating, it is the feeding resort of many females: on 28th June we counted over 100. Although known for their extreme activity when feeding on the water, Red-necked Phalaropes frequently come ashore to feed and preen. The photograph of one on a stranded oil drum (plate 30b) shows its fine black bill, bright (female) plumage and lobed feet. The general effect of a small head with a large body is also worth noting. Finally, we returned to the same shallow valley where we had seen the Long-tailed Skua with the hanging leg during the previous season and we now found two pairs, each with a clutch of two eggs. This same individual was easily recognisable by its permanently injured right leg, but perhaps because the pair now had eggs rather than a chick the mobbing by it and its mate was much less aggressive than before. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My wife and I are greatly indebted to Dr G. Bergman, Dr O. Hilden and Heimo Mikkola for help we received in Finland. Dr F. A. Turk kindly identified the prey remains in the Hawk Owl pellets, and J. A. G. Barnes commented helpfully on my original draft. Finally, I must acknowledge the very considerable assistance I have had from I. J. Ferguson-Lees, both in advice before our departures for Finland and in the preparation of the final draft. J. B. Bottomley, Hellesveor Place, St Ives, Cornwall Obituary James Maurice Harrison, DSC, mrcs, lrcp 1892-1971) James Harrison was born in the reign of Queen Victoria in the year of Gladstone’s fourth ministry. He died nearly eighty years later, having lived through a period of great scientific and industrial develop- ments, two major world wars and extensive social changes. One of his most endearing characteristics was his ability to adapt to the times ; though he may not always have agreed with the changes around him, his disagreements were tempered by unfailing courtesy and good humour. Educated at Malvern College and Felstead, he opted to enter St James Maurice Harrison (1892-1971) 165 Thomas’s Hospital as a medical student rather than join the family shipping business. His choice of career was probably influenced by his father, who was a governor of St Thomas’s. At the outbreak of the 1914-18 war, when he was a senior student, he joined the Royal Navy as a surgeon probationer serving on destroyers in the Dover patrol. He returned to St Thomas’s in order to qualify and rejoined the Navy as a surgeon-lieutenant. He served mainly in the eastern Mediterranean and was the sole officer to survive the sinking of H.M. Monitor 28. He was awarded the Distinguished Sendee Cross for his bravery in towing through the water for over a mile a marine whose leg had been blown off, and for his attention to the wounded on land. At the end of the war he married Rita Graham Sorley and in 1920 settled as a general practitioner in Sevenoaks. He served the community well, for he retired from general practice only in 1969 and until 1954 was also a general practitioner surgeon on the staff of the Sevenoaks Hospital. Devoted to his profession and painstakingly careful, he still found time for a number of hobbies, including water-colour painting, playing the drums and, above all, ornithology. One of the main taxonomic features of the Harrison family is their undiminishing capacity for work, and this basic characteristic of James Harrison has been passed on to his sons. He pursued his ornithological interests with enthusiasm and energy, as is exemplified by his astonishing output of papers. His first was published in 1918, appropriately enough in British Birds, on ‘Bird notes from Macedonia’. From then on he was author or co-author of some 350 publications. His major works include The Birds of Kent (two volumes, 1953), A Hand-List of the Birds of the Sevenoaks or Western District of Kent (1942), Bird Taxidermy (1964) and Bristow and the Hastings Rarities Affair (1968). He contributed to The Ornithologists' Guide (1956), A New Dictionary of Birds (1964) and The New Wildfowler in the 1970's (1970). His ornithological interests ranged widely: ‘Colour of the iris in the Hoatzin’ (1925, Ibis, ser. 12, 1 : 528), ‘Golden-eye — Smew hybrid’ (1944, Bull. B.O.C., 64: 57), ‘Sun-bathing by birds’ (1946, Brit. Birds, 39: 276), ‘Medicine and ornithology’ (1947, The Medical Press, 217: 158-163), ‘Fish and other aquatic fauna as predators of birds’ (1955, Bull. B.O.C., 75 : 110-113). He will be remembered particularly for his work on the birds of Kent, for his studies of geographical races, aberrant plumages, bird pathology and hybrids, and for his spirited defence of George Bristow concerning the Hastings Rarities saga. He wTrote a book in defence of Bristow and of the rarities, and he wrote it because he felt it was his duty to write it. This is not the place to judge the issues involved, but we should record our admiration for his tenacity, sincerity and gentle, though insistent, arguments which he skilfully and patiently put together. 1 66 James Maurice Harrison ( 1892-1971 ) He travelled widely, especially in Greece, Bulgaria, Israel, North Africa and Lapland, and published a number of useful papers on the results of his trips. He was elected Vice-President of the British Ornithologists’ Union in 1953 and served on its Council from 1937 to 1940. He was Chairman of the British Ornithologists’ Club from 1946 to 1949, Vice-Chairman during 1945-46 and a member of the Committee from 1933 to 1936. He was a Scientific Fellow of the Zoological Society, a Fellow of the Linnean Society, Vice-President of the Wildfowlers’ Association of Great Britain and Ireland, of the Kent Wildfowlers’ Association and of the Kent Naturalists’ Trust, and an honorary life Vice-President of the Kent Ornithological Society. A lasting memorial to James Harrison will be his collection of bird skins and library which now form the basis of the Harrison Zoological Museum Trust. (Plate 32 shows a photograph taken of him in 1970 at the museum.) My own memories will be of a good friend and mentor, an integral part of a happy and closely knit family. I admired his fidelity and efficiency. I appreciated his enthusiasm and good humour. I was privileged to know him. P. J. S. Olney Notes Shags laying two clutches Shags Phalacrocorax aristotelis have long been considered capable of producing two broods in one breeding season, but direct evidence of this is lacking (see The Handbook, vol 4; D. A. Bannerman, 1959, The Birds of the British Isles, vol. 8). No second clutches were recorded by Drs J. C. Coulson and G. R. Potts during their studies of Shags on the Fame Islands, Northumberland, nor by Mrs Barbara K. Snow on Lundy, Devon (Brit. Birds, 56: 77-103, 164-186; 60: 214-215; Ibis, 102: 554-575). Evidence was, however, obtained in 1971 of two clutches laid by a pair on Brownsman, an island in the Fame group. The pair in question, both members of which were uniquely colour- ringed and could readily be recognised as individuals, laid a first clutch of three eggs in late March; it was estimated that the first egg was laid on 23rd March. One chick hatched and was last seen on 23rd June, after which it was presumed to have left the nest and fledged successfully. The parents continued to occupy and defend the nest site, rebuilt the nest and subsequently laid a second clutch of two eggs, the first on 27th July. Unfortunately, the birds became progressively less attentive to their parental duties and these eggs disappeared on 20th August. This pair was the first to lay on the Fame Islands in 1971; indeed, Notes 167 the estimated date (23 rd March) was only one week later than the earliest ever recorded there. Assuming that those birds that come into breeding condition first are biologically the ‘fittest’, it seems reasonable that they would also be the most likely to lay a second clutch after the successful fledging of their first brood. This observation should, however, be considered exceptional, because no indication of a second brood had even been suspected during over 2,000 ‘bird-years’ recorded at the Fame Islands colonies before 1971. Most early or late breeding records are more likely merely to indicate the unusually variable and extended breeding season of this species. I. R. Deans Department of Zoology , University of Durham, South Road, Durham tGrey Heron squatting and being attacked by Carrion Crow On 6th December 1970 I was watching a Grey Heron Ardea cinerea apparently searching for food in a field near Weir Wood Reservoir, Sussex, when it suddenly squatted down, almost lying on the grass, and, leaning forward, partly opened its wings in the way a Cormorant Phalacro- corax carbo does when drying them. Two Carrion Crows Corvus cor one corone were fairly near, and one advanced on the heron from behind and pecked tentatively at its tail feathers five or six times before jumping back quickly, as if alarmed. It then repeated these actions. The heron showed no reaction, other than further opening its wings. After a few minutes it closed its wings, but the crow still continued ■pecking until a second heron flew down and attempted to land on the first which was still crouching, causing it to fly off. The second heron soon followed without adopting this pose. A. P. D. Cramb 1 Grange Close, Merstham, Redbill, Surrey rhi jdy Derek Goodwin has commented that the crow showed incipient attacking behaviour typical of Corvus. The crouching heron may possibly have been a trespasser on the feeding territory of the other and may have squatted on seeing it. He has recorded similar behaviour by a ^Grey Heron which suddenly crouched low (having been standing up a moment before) and stayed almost or quite motionless until a second heron swooped down at it, whereupon the first one fled and was fiercerly pursued in flight for several hundred yards. Eds Goldeneyes breeding in nestbox in Scotland In 1970 a pair of Goldeneyes Bucephala clangula nested at a lochan in Inverness-shire, the first recorded case of breeding in Scotland {Scot. Birds, 6: 197-198; Brit. Birds, 64: 75). In spring 1971 a drake and two ducks frequented the same water; their behaviour suggested breeding and in midsummer one of the ducks was observed in a very agitated state flying into near-by woodland from the loch as though she had young in the vicinity, although no ducklings were ever seen. Breeding was confirmed 1 68 Notes when the remains of a Goldeneye’s nest were found in a large nestbox on a near-by loch. The nest contained many fragments of hatched egg shells as well as the squashed remains of two unhatched eggs. One egg was sufficiently undamaged to be repaired: it measured 58 mm by 43 mm. The eggs were greenish-blue, smooth and unmarked. The nest lining consisted of small whitish feathers, about 30 mm in length, and fine greyish down. This nestbox was one of a batch specially constructed and put up in the Highlands in the early 1960’s by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the hope that the Goldeneyes, which finger on in spring, would remain to breed. The project was organised by George Waterston who had seen these ducks using similar nestboxes in Finland. R. H. Dennis The Old Manse, Kothiemurchus, Aviemore, Inverness-shire Herring Gull colony in unusual habitat Since 1966, a colony of Herring Gulls Larus argentatus has been building up at Needs Oar Point, on the low, mainland coast of Hampshire, centred on a reed- fringed lake set in fields grazed by cattle. Fig. 1 shows the area where the colony has developed. The following habitats are marked: (1) A strip of recent shingle along the mainland shore (A) and patches on Gull Island (B). This shingle is almost bare of vegetation. (2) Old, compacted shingle covered with grasses and flowers (C). (3) Grass fields with marshy patches (D, E) and shallow pools (F), the whole below high tide level and protected by a sea-wall. (4) An artificial, reed-fringed lake (G) enclosed by an embankment. These are the places chosen by the Herring Gulls as nesting areas, sites D, E, F and G being the most favoured. The fields are used regularly for grazing cattle, although the animals do not seem to feed much in the areas used by the gulls, probably because there is too much coarse rush growing in clumps among the grass. Neither the fields nor the pools are much disturbed by people in the breeding season since the whole is a wardened bird reserve set in a private estate. The shingle is subject to even less disturbance since this is also part of the reserve and is not grazed by cattle. Least disturbed of all is the shingle on Gull Island since no-one has access, other than the wardens, on account of the terns that nest there. The Spartina flats on Gull Island and on both sides of the Beaulieu River are the site of a rapidly expanding colony of Black-headed Gulls L. ridihundus that has grown from 1,200 pairs in 1962 to about 20,000 pairs in 1971. Gull Island is also the site of a large ternery and this congregation of breeding seabirds must have been a crucial factor in the growth of the Herring Gull colony (Taverner 1966). For Notes 169 Fig. 1. Sketch map of Needs Oar Point, Hampshire, showing locations of habitats A-G (see text) many years, up to 300 Herring Gulls have been attracted to the Black-headed Gull colony in summer, but it was not until 1966 that the first pair bred, on the shingle of Gull Island. One to five pairs nested annually for the next four years, but in 1971 there was a sudden increase to between 18 and 23. (The possibility of replacement nests for pairs that failed at the first attempt makes an exact count im- possible). Four pairs nested on A, one each on B and C, four in large tufts of rush at D, six at E (two in rushes, four on short grass), four at F (one on a small island, three on mud) and three around G. One of the most surprising features is the presence of the gulls in the field area throughout the year, the birds flying round any intruder even in mid-winter and showing the same territorial concern then as one expects in spring. J. H. Taverner 1 3 Stockers Avenue , Winchester , Hampshire REFERENCE Taverner, J. H. 1966. ‘The Needs Oar gullerv and ternery’. Hampshire Bird Report 196}-. 32-45. David Saunders, organiser of the Seabird Group’s national survey ‘Operation Seafarer’, has commented that he has no records of Herring Gull colonies in wet grass fields at sea-level. There are a number of colonies on shingle, and others in fields back from cliffs or rocky shores, in both grass and growing cereals. Eds Notes 170 Blue Tits nesting in House Martins’ nest On 1st June 1971, in Middleton Dale, Derbyshire, while counting nests of House Martins Delicbon urbica on a limestone cliff, I noticed a Blue Tit Paras caeru/eus fly from one of them. This was at the edge of the colony of about 21 nests, and some 75 feet above ground level. During the next ten minutes I watched two Blue Tits frequently taking food to the nest, often feeding their young at the entrance hole. When approaching from above the tits flew there direct, but if coming from below they made the journey in several short stages. R. A. Frost 6 Tanghurst Court , Ashgate , Chesterfield , Derbyshire Flight call of Continental Song Thrush The Handbook stated that the voice of the Continental Song Thrush Tardus p. philomelos is ‘as British race’ [clarkei] and this presumably includes the flight calls. Between 09.20 and 11.00 hours on 4th October 1971 M. E. Griffiths, J. Harfleet and I observed a large movement of thrushes at Sandwich Bay, Kent. A total of about 480 birds was seen to arrive from the north-east in parties of 40 to 120. Some were passing directly inland but others were settling in trees and bushes. Everywhere in the sky could be heard thin, far-carrying ‘seeh’ calls which we thought were being made by Redwings T. iliacus-. we assumed at first that this was the species principally involved. When flocks of 100 and later 120 settled in some tall elms, however, all were found to be Song Thrushes. Some single birds flew off low giving a dryer ‘sip’ call, but once a flock rose high it was again a thin and penetrating ‘seeh’ which filled the air. We suspected that the Redwings we thought we were hearing were passing over high and unseen, or that a few Redwings were present and were the only birds calling, but during the whole 2|-hour period of observation not a single Redwing was identified. All the birds appeared to be ‘grey and wild’ Continental Song Thrushes, as were two that were trapped later in the day On 15 th October smaller parties of Song Thrushes were again heard to give the same flight-contact call while passing over at about 100 feet — Redwing-like, but shorter. Fifty of these descended into cover and three were subsequently trapped. By then I was satisfied that this flight call was being given by Continental Song Thrushes. I feel certain that the ‘seeh’ call is wrongly considered diagnostic of Redwings and that the flight calls of these two species need further investigation. At present any such call heard in darkness is usually attributed without hesitation to a Redwing. J. N. Hollyer 21 Temple Way, Worth, Deal, Kent Booted Warbler in the Isles of Scilly Following a period of light breezes, the winds over south-west Fingland strengthened on 22nd October 1966 and blew hard from the north-east. The result was a 4 ootes 171 mplex fall of birds on St Agnes, Isles of Scilly, and on 23rd and th five rarities were identified. These were a Long-billed Dowitcher mnodromus scolopaceus , a Richard’s Pipit Antbus novaeseelandiae , a Red- roated Pipit A. cervinus, a Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata and, top the list, a Booted Warbler Hippolais caligata. The last was only the urth for Britain and Ireland, and although it was published in the eport on rare birds in Great Britain in 1966’ (Brit. Birds, 60: 325) 1 i > supporting details have yet been given. This note rectifies the uation. The Booted Warbler spent at least ten hours of the 23 rd in the alter of some kale in the island centre. It was first seen by R. E. nmett and myself at 07.00 hours, then by D. B. Wooldridge at 15.00 1 murs and finally by P. R. Holness, R. J. and Mrs A. Johns and E. J. iseman at 17.00 hours. On each occasion the bird was flushed from . a kale and then watched perched in near-by hedges. All views were ief, but a sketch was made and the following description obtained: \ small dumpy warbler, slightly larger than Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita out distinctly smaller than Garden Warbler Sylvia borin (both species also orcscnt in the kale) ; at times like a short-tailed Sylvia but fluttering flight action .'.ndicated affinity to Hippolais , fully confirmed by stance, heavy movements an cover, short fan-shaped wings and short square tail; bill very small compared vvith normal Hippolais, looking weak but nevertheless appearing hooked at dose range, in colour dark greyish-horn with noticeably pale base to lower mandible; head noticeably domed (recalling Pied Flycatcher I'ictdula hypoleuca) tnd greyish-ochre or greyish-brown as were entire upperparts, their uniformity ; relieved only by primaries a little darker than rest of wing, an indistinct pale ■ shade on the tcrtials, short indistinct whitish supercilium, thin pale eye-ring tnd thin pale outer margins to tail; underparts whitish, washed faintly with cream and relieved only by buffish-grey or dusky-brown patches almost - meeting across chest; legs grey. When folded, the wings appeared short, with primary tips just reaching the end of the uppertail-coverts and the visible ength of the primaries similar to that in the Melodious W arbler H. polyglotta. During the day all observers immediately recognised the bird as a tall Hippolais and the most economical solution was H. caligata. rvertheless there was the possibility of confusion between that ecies and exceptionally small Olivaceous Warblers H. pallida, like ose discovered migrating through Jordan in the spring of 1966 id probably belonging to the race elaeica). Thus, although the bird :ked the character of that species (shown by even the smallest dividuals observed in Jordan), a small measure of doubt remained, lekily this was dispelled when, through the courtesy of R. H. Dennis, E.E., R.J.J. and I were able to compare our notes with details a Booted Warbler on Fair Isle, Shetland, in August and September the same year.* These included a photograph of the bird perched * This, too, was included in the ‘Report on rare birds' but details have not yet :n published. - IJZ Notes in a natural pose. Our immediate and unanimous reaction was that the two individuals could only have been of the same species and our last doubts were finally removed. D. I. M. Wallace 13 Doticel Court, Forest View, Fotidon E4 7 aw Spotted Flycatchers nesting in sea cliff Spotted Flycatchers Musci- capa striata are regular passage migrants on the Calf of Man, but there are no previous breeding records for the island. During late June and early July 1971 a pair was frequently observed on the cliffs where a steep-sided gully known as the Mill Giau enters the sea in a narrow bay (the Leodan). On 15th July R. E. Smith located their nest in the western cliff face of the gully about 100 yards in from the open sea and no more than 50 yards from high- water-mark. At this point the almost sheer cliff is 40 feet high; the nest, about ten feet above the base, was lodged in a small vertical crevice running down the cliff face and was the usual rather flimsy structure, in this case of fine grasses. The nearest trees, a solitary ash and a small bed of willows, are 200 yards distant. The adults appeared to do all their searching for insects from various points on the cliffs. When found, the nest contained three young about eight days old. These were ringed later that day and they fledged on 19th. By 21st they had moved into the ash tree and within a few days had reached the well-sheltered garden of the observatory, half a mile away, where there are some large trees. All three young were observed almost daily until 24th August when they apparently left the island. The nest site appears to be a most unusual one for this species and I can find no previous reference to Spotted Flycatchers nesting in sea cliffs, though small inland cliffs (for example, quarries) have been recorded; the nest is usually sited on a building or in a tree. Malcolm Wright Calf of Man Bird Observatory, via Fort St Mary, Isle of Man Southern occurrences of Greenland Redpolls in Britain In their recent publication The Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland (1971), the Records Committee of the British Ornithologists’ Union lists two records of the Greenland Redpoll Acantbis flammea rostrata in England. The first, of one shot at Breydon Water, Norfolk, on 31st December 1947, was the subject of a short note in this journal in 1951 (Brit. Birds, 44: 91-92) but no details have been published of the second, of one on St Agnes, Isles of Scilly, on 27th and 28th October 1966. In 1971, St Agnes provided a third record of a bird showing the characters of this subspecies, on 25 th October, and this note gives brief details of both the 1966 and 1971 occurrences. The two were in similar plumage and were essentially large, swarthy redpolls with noticeably large and deep bills, heavy ‘zebra’ stripes on their flanks otes 173 d uniform rumps lacking any paleness. Their flight calls sounded ther flat and, in the case of the 1971 individual, were certainly compared with other migrant Redpolls (some, at least, nominate wimea) passing at the same time. Reference to The Handbook and Dr C. Vaurie’s The birds of the Pale- ctic Fauna: Passeriformes (1959) shows that the St Agnes occurrences •nstitute the most southerly dispersal yet noted of rostrata on the -asts of the east Atlantic. Since, however, the weather situation at preceded their appearance (north-westerly or westerly gales in >th years) is commonly associated with the arrival of birds sharing e same latitudes for breeding, it seems likely that this really rather stinct subspecies is overlooked. Passage of rostrata is variable north and north-west Scotland but, as suggested by the B.O.U. 1 cecords Committee {op. cit.), it is probable that a small population this race winters somewhere in Britain and Ireland. Certainly one has ever been recorded in Continental Europe except at Heligo- nd where it is a casual visitor. Incidentally, the bald statement in be Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland that ‘the winter quarters of is subspecies are not known’ seems to be a confusion of context, he main population of rostrata winters from southern Greenland to i-stern Canada, in Iceland and casually in the central and eastern nited States south to New Jersey (Vaurie, op. cit., and W. E. Godfrey, ».)66, The Birds of Canada). D. I. M. Wallace 1 Donee l Court , Forest View, London E4 7AW Reviews frican Birds of Prey. By Leslie Brown. Collins, London, 1971. io pages; 12 black-and-white plates. £2.25. his well-produced, smallish book covers the 89 diurnal raptors and [ owls which inhabit Africa. The author is, of course, a well-known ithority both on birds of prey of the world and on things African, id this volume combines his two major interests. It is divided into iree main parts. The first 30 pages are introductory, covering phy- cal and anatomical aspects of birds of prey which relate to their lethods of hunting. There is also a section on the distribution and iversity of African birds of prey. The second part, of about 120 pages, escribes the species in detail, including those which are solely 'inter visitors from the Palearctic. It is subdivided into chapters Dvering groups such as the harriers, falcons and so on, though the rouping is not always taxonomic. Each species gets a page or so of :xt, though some (such as the vultures) are lumped together. Not arprisingly, the author points out that few of the owls are well *74 Reviews I known. This part, as others, is liberally peppered with the author’s i personal observations, often on species which have otherwise been ■ little studied; these and the style tend to make the book less dry 1 than some standard texts. The third part is entitled ‘The life of African raptors’ and covers p general biology, including ecological and distribution problems, | migrants and migration, numbers, the effects (on other animals) of predation, territory, regulation of numbers, and breeding cycles and : seasons in relation to food supply. The final chapter covers birds of prey and Man. While many of the species are not at all well known, the diet, hunting behaviour and size of home range of most of the diurnal . predators are well recorded and, for some species, an idea of the quantity of food taken by one pair per year has been established. There are frequent references to raptors of other parts of the world where relevant to the discussion. There is some repetition in the book, though repetition of facts in different contexts is not always undesirable. The photographs are clear and show a wide range of species (24 in 23 photographs). There are a number of good text-figures and maps and some useful large summary tables. While some of these are perhaps better treated as appendices, all are put (as seems to be this publisher’s current wont) : at the back — a pet hate of the reviewer. Many people will want this authoritative and relatively cheap work on this popular group of birds. C. M. Perrins The Birds of Zambia. By C. W. Benson, R. K. Brooke, R. J. Dowsett and M. P. S. Irwin. Collins, London, 1971. 414 pages; 8 colour plates and 14 black-and-white photographs. £2.50. Although this book has the appearance of a field guide, it is some- thing much rarer, being totally free of the pot-boiling that now emasculates some books of that genre. It is a scholarly check-list crammed with facts, arguments and references and making an immediate and lasting impact. Its four authors are to be congratulated on a small but model book that scientifically outguns several hallowed sets of volumes on the birds of other African territories. The book stems from a series of check-lists begun in 1932 and the text sequence is simple and easy to use. The introduction, not to be skipped, explains precisely the purpose of the authors: the collection of ‘all that is known about birds in Zambia, not all that is known about the birds that occur in Zambia’. Thus life histories and plumage descriptions are lacking, though where more than one race occurs subspecific distinctions are given. The first main section is on habitats. It is brisk and well illuminated with both photographs and typical species profiles. It is also good to see man-made habitats listed. The Reviews i75 next and major part of the book is a systematic list featuring the 699 species recorded in Zambia up to 1970. For each species, known distribution and habitat requirements, often correlated with those of close relatives (and mentioning any competition between them), are given. These are followed by brief references to the subspecies in- volved, the breeding season and relevant publications. The list is broken at familial level but no higher; its order is in general that of Wetmore, but the authors follow White within families. With two museum workers in the quartet, there are not surprisingly some exceptions. Of these the most important is the creation of a new family (the Malaconotidae) to contain the puzzling tribe of bush-shrikes that is unique to Africa: the initiative is well argued, as anyone with field experience of the group’s behaviour will recognise. The book ends with a bibliography, a gazetteer, a list of ringing recoveries and some distribution maps of closely allied species. The eight colour plates by Commander A. M. Hughes feature about 1 1 5 species and subspecies. Where my experience allows criticism of the artist’s efforts, I have some quarrel with the character conveyed but little with the plumage details. They form a useful complement to the text. Anyone interested in African birds will find this book both fascinat- ing and instructive, and for students of the winter distribution of Palearctic migrants there is news, for example, of where to see 10,000 Black-winged Pratincoles! D. I. M. Wallace Woodland Birds. By Eric Simms. Collins, London, 1971. 391 pages; 28 plates, 4 in colour; 27 text-figures. £3.00. It is nine years since the publication of Birds and Woods by W. B. Yapp so stimulated the study of woodland birds that already another book on the subject is needed and is most welcome. In a readable account of woodlands and their birds, the author draws extensively on his studies of nearly 300 different woods in Great Britain and Ireland. Using a technique similar to that of Mr Yapp, he has made transect counts to compile an index of relative abundance for each species, expressed as a number representing the percentage of total contacts in each wood. The observer records all the birds encountered while he walks alone at about two miles per hour along as straight a line as possible. Although there may be obvious difficulties, such as a very dense shrub layer, an absence or tracks, or very rocky ground, these transects are considered useful fof comparing the abundance of species of about equal conspicuousness in various woods. Such transects could well be made by amateur ornithologists and used to compare the bird communities in different woods, or in the various stages of developing woodland, or in woods after interference by Man. Reviews 176 The book opens with descriptions of the tree’s environment and the origins of British woodland in ancient and historic times. After dis- cussing methods of counting woodland birds, the various types of broad-leaved and coniferous woods are outlined and their summer and winter birds enumerated. As would be expected from a master of wildlife sound recording, there is an excellent and authoritative chapter on woodland birdsong. A section on scrub and developing woodland, small woods and farms is followed by one on birds resident in built-up areas. Most of the latter, it seems, are woodland species which are not too specialised and can adapt to gardens and parks in close contact with Man. At Dollis Hill, a London suburb, 22 of the 26 breeding species are birds of woodland or woodland ecotone. Blackbirds have been so successful that their population density in gardens may be ten times that in woodland. Discussions on the control of woodland populations and on the economic value of birds to forestry include suggestions of various ways in which their numbers might be increased. The provision of nest- boxes has raised populations of some hole-nesting species as much as 20 times. In conifer plantations the tying of cut branches to tree trunks after brashing may increase the numbers of shrub-nesting species by providing nest sites. In monoculture plantations, the addi- tion of belts containing a variety of trees, including berry-bearing shrubs, may increase populations and might have prevented some insect plagues. There is clearly much to be done, however, before reaching firm conclusions on the importance of birds in relation to insect control; at present it seems that winter residents may be more effective in this than summer visitors. The book concludes with a convenient systematic list giving notes on distribution and habitat. This study refers only to work published up to early 1969. If it hardly produces the deep analysis mentioned in the editor’s preface, it does at least highlight the extent of our ignorance. Even now very little is known quantitatively of the invertebrate food of most birds and of variations in food supply. Although attention is drawn to the comparative stability of populations in suburbs and woodland, the author points out that fluctuations occur even in an apparently stable environment, and that apart from changes in the habitat, severe weather and the effects of some pesticides, the causes are largely unknown. Here the value of simple study methods using transects and censuses of breeding territories is clearly demonstrated. In all there is an abundance of information, over 500 references having been consulted. Although this book is a useful introduction to the study of woodland birds, it would be more valuable as a guide to the literature if references had been given more frequently in the text. This would not have interfered significantly with the smooth flow of the narrative. As it is, the text references to many statements Reviews 177 are inadequate or absent. Nevertheless, this important contribution is highly recommended: it teaches much in an enthusiastic way, helped by the excellent selection of photographs of habitats and birds. Geoffrey Beven iGrundriss der Vogelzugskunde. By Ernst Schiiz, with contri- butions by P. Berthold, E. Gwinner and H. Oelke. Paul Parey, Berlin and Hamburg, 1971. xi + 390 pages; 142 illustrations. DM88. The first edition of this book, published in 1952, was only about 60% as long as the present volume, with 55 illustrations instead of 142. These increases are partly due to a more comprehensive presentation, but mainly they reflect the remarkable growth in our knowledge of bird migration during the last 20 years. The book is divided into ten parts: (1) Definitions of terms, institutes, methods of investigation, research history (by H. Oelke and E. Schiiz); (2) Impressions of actual migration at some outstanding places; (3) Migration habits of 15 selected species, 13 of which breed in Europe, and some of their allies; (4) How migration takes place: day and night movements, social contact, height and speed, mean and maximum performances, broad front and narrow front migration, influence of topographical features, .directions, loop migration, winter quarters, partial migrants, moult and migration, and some other aspects; (5) Migration of non-European birds, outlining the characteristic features of migration in the other 1 continents; (6) Irruptions; (7) Weather factors controlling migration; (8) Physiology (by P. Berthold): migratory disposition and activity, and factors controlling them; (9) Orientation (by E. Gwinner): mechanisms of compass orientation, results and hypotheses on goal orientation; (10) Evolution and significance of bird migration. This book is a compromise. It is neither a single-authority work nor is it written by a team of authors and edited by one of them. It is neither a compendium (as the title suggests) nor is it a comprehensive handbook. In both aspects, it is something in between, and it is also ; Doth up to date and firmly rooted in the pioneer era of migration ■ research at the Vogelwarte Rossitten. It offers plenty of information, Dut it is difficult to find the kind of reader it is intended for. Those who ire interested in a survey of the state of our current knowledge may De discouraged by the amount of redundant detail. The reader senses ilways a struggle between the aim of presenting the available data is completely as possible and the necessity to keep the size of the volume >vithin reasonable limits. While the collection of remarkable obser- vations, ringing recoveries and other examples hinders easy reading, ts value for the research worker interested in special problems is not very high, since many points are mentioned without reference to :heir sources in the literature. When quotations are given, there is only - Reviews 178 partial correspondence between those in the text and those in the reference list. It seems doubtful, by the way, whether it was a good idea to split the reference list into parts located at the end of the various sections. The reader has to search for each partial list, and the many cross-references complicate the finding of relevant titles. Such points of minor importance, however, do not seriously lessen the merits of the book. The chapters on physiology and orientation may be taken as independent and comprehensive review articles on their subjects. On the whole, ‘the new Schiiz’ is an estimable work, and if one has a question on a general problem of bird migra- tion that can be answered at all, this book will almost certainly provide an answer. H. G. Wallraff Letters Woodcock and thrushes breeding in open and Snipe among trees In view of recent notes on Woodcock Scolopax rusticola nesting away from trees {Brit. Birds, 64: 76; 65 : 30-31), it may be worth recording that at dusk on 5 th July 1971, when I walked across the bare southern part of Colonsay in the Inner Hebrides to cross the ford to Oronsay, I encountered Woodcock roding very commonly all over the moorland and bog, though there was no woodland for miles, only occasional rock outcrops and small bushes. Woodcock will at times flight long dis- tances to feed, calling as they go, but these birds would have had to pursue an extraordinarily circuitous route to occur where I saw them if they had been flighting to feed, and I have no doubt that many of them must have been nesting in open country, though it would be hard work to prove it. This may be compared with the breeding of both the Hebridean Song Thrush Turdus philomelos hebridensis and the Iceland Redwing T. iliacus coburni in open situations in the western parts of the ranges of those species; with the habit of various supposedly woodland birds, for example Woodpigeons Columba palumbus , of nesting in the open in such places as Orkney; and, in contrast, with the readiness of Snipe Gallinago gallinago, usually considered birds of open country, to breed in wet woodlands in such areas as the western Highlands, where I once found one with small chicks in the middle of the woods on Rhum, or central Scandinavia, where I have seen nests only in woods. W. R. P. Bourne University of Aberdeen, Department of Zoology, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen AB9 2TN Emargination of the primaries of Cetti’s Warbler There was some disagreement between us on the wing-formula of Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti {Brit. Birds, 61 : 533-534) and in particular on the emargina- I tetters 179 ons of the 2nd and 6th primaries of the one trapped at Dungeness’ ent, in 1968 (Brit. Birds, 61: 315-316). Since then 50 specimens of , etti’s Warbler have been examined in the British Museum (Natural istory) by R.E.S., and six in the Swedish Museum of Natural History, | ; :ockholm, by L.S. Our combined results are shown in table 1. Both be Handbook, and Kenneth Williamson’s Identification for Ringers, 1 963) say only that Cetti’s Warbler is emarginated 2nd-6th. able 1. Emargination of primaries of 56 skins of Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cttti j imary Number and degree of emargination shown — tnd 10 slight, just visible beyond tips of primary coverts; 19 slight, hidden beneath primary coverts; 27 none (whole web narrow) . 3rd 55 marked; 1 slight 4th All marked 5 th All marked | 6th 33 marked; 12 slight, towards tip; 11 none 7th 1 marked; 1 slight; 54 none 1 Table 1 may be summarised as follows: emarginated 3 rd- 5 th ; about ! >% show emargination on 2nd, but this is usually hidden by primary I >verts; about 80% show slight emargination on 6th, but in a quarter I these it is only slight and near the tip; very exceptionally the 7th J 1 emarginated too. R. E. Scott and Lars Svensson ■ 1 .ungeness Bird Observatory , Romney Marsh, Kent; and Upplandsgafan 29, tr, Stockholm, Sweden P. J. Wilkinson has informed us that none of the 27 Cetti’s Warblers apped by Richard Rolfe, Carolyn Pratt, Giles Pepler and himself I 1. August 1964 near Zaragoza, Spain, showed any emargination on { ie 2nd primary; eleven were emarginated on the 6th, three only ightly. He has also pointed out that neither of the Cetti’s Warblers apped in Britain in 1961 and 1962 (Brit. Birds, 57: 365-366) was 1 id to be emarginated on the 2nd primary; as stated above, however, ich emargination is usually hidden by the primary coverts. Eds ill-licking by birds I should like to bring to the attention of :aders a poorly documented aspect of bird behaviour — the licking of ie more accessible parts of the bill, especially the tomium, with the | mgue. 1 know of three references to it in the literature, although there i.ay be others which have escaped my notice. A. D. DuBois (Auk, 5 5 : 49) observed a female Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus which, ter attempting to dislodge a feather from the tip of her bill by 11-wiping, ‘protruded her tongue two or three times, and the feather i8o Letters was carried off on the end of it but adhered again to her bill each time her tongue was drawn in’. The feather was finally removed by jabbing the bill into the nest. David W. Dunham ( Wilson Bull., 78: 71) recorded the Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus lick- ing the tomium with the tongue, ‘following, or associated with, bill- wiping after feeding’. P. le S. Milstein, I. Prestt and A. A. Bell {Ardea, 58: 239) mentioned that chicks of the Grey Heron Ardea cinerea, ‘like adults after feeding, . . . clean their bills with their tongues’. P. le S. Milstein {in littl) has kindly given me further details of bill-licking in the Grey Heron. In their paper, he and his colleagues also referred to bill-licking as ‘tasting’ since this sometimes appeared to be its primary function, as when one bird licked at egg yolk on its bill (pages 245-246); at other times, as in the chicks, the primary function appeared to be cleansing. Both the exterior and interior of the bill were licked, with the bill slightly open and the tongue moving as in humans licking their lips, but with less lateral movement. I would expect bill-licking to be widespread among birds with fairly mobile tongues, though it may possibly be limited to certain taxonomic groups. I would be most interested to hear of further records of this behaviour, together with any indications of the peri- pheral stimuli eliciting it, its apparent function or its association with wiping or scratching the bill. G. M. Collis Department of Psychology, The University , Leicester lei 7RH News and comment Robert Hudson I.C.B.P. Golden Jubilee The International Council for Bird Preservation was formed in 1922, mainly through the foresight of an American, T. Gilbert Pearson, then president of what is now the National Audubon Society ; the inaugural meeting was held in London on 20th June 1922. Golden Jubilee celebrations this year will include a dinner in Drapers’ Hall, London, on 2nd June, which will be attended by representatives of many I.C.B.P. National Sections, and by Jean Delacour, the sole surviving founder member. A number of National Sections are making arrangements to mark the Golden Jubilee in various ways in their respective countries during the year. Firth of Forth oiling worries One of the worst known hazards to birds from oil pollution in Britain occurs in the Firth of Forth, where up to 30,000 wintering Scaup and numerous other sea ducks concentrate off Seafield to feed at the mouth of the main Edinburgh sewage outfall. In the first week of February a small oil slick caused several hundred oiled ducks to come ashore, mainly Scaup and Eiders: 71 corpses and 210 live birds were taken to the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The oil was light, the live birds apparently still in good condition; nevertheless a disturbingly high proportion of a ringed sample of cleaned and liberated individuals was picked up dead shortly afterwards. Though this oiling incident involved relatively small numbers of birds, it underlined the dangers in this vulnerable wintering area. The fact that the incident was over J lews and comment 1 8 i :fore the responsible authorities investigated, and bearing in mind that in areas such high bird concentrations very serious damage may be done almost within a atter of minutes, there is an obvious need for a much closer watch and for con- tgcncy plans for more rapid action to forestall future incidents. (I thank Dr . R. P. Bourne for notes on which this paragraph is based.) Ircunnich’s Guillemot mortality Wide publicity has been given to the large-scale 11s of Briinnich’s Guillemots through offshore salmon netting in Davis Strait < etween west Greenland and arctic Canada), but there has been a lack of reliable , untitative information. Data concerning this mortality have been collected during I ; >69-71 through a joint programme by the Fisheries Research Board of Canada and e Universite dc Moncton. By means of sample counts of commercial drift netting, ratio of auks killed per weight of salmon caught was calculated, from which it as extrapolated that an annual Davis Strait kill of 500,000 Briinnich’s Guillemots ould be a conservative figure. When mortality on this scale is considered along- le the toll of those hunted by Greenlanders (estimated by Dr Finn Salomonsen at 0,000 per year), there is reason to fear that the total mortality is greater than this •pulation can withstand ( I.C.B.P . President’s letter, December 1971). irther Thames-side habitat threat The Thames estuary has received more than i 1 share of development threats recently, with the Foulness fiasco and various l d Justrial designs on the Isle of Shcppcy and Medway marshes. Now comes news that Cliffe Marshes are subject to a planning application by Burmah Refineries for te construction of a 360-acre oil refinery. Cliffe Marshes constitute an important wen expanse of marshland, almost an oasis between the conurbations of Gravesend, ochester/Chatham, and the Isle of Grain oil terminal. The area is important for , wintering waterfowl (including White-fronted Geese) and waders. A public njquiry was opened in Cliffe village on nth April; the conservation bodies arc 1 jamming the development proposals and will take such action as they consider ; veessary in the light of their findings. reeating a wildfowl reserve Since 1956 the Harrison family, in conjunction with I c: Wildfowlcrs’ Association of Great Britain and Ireland and the Wildfowl Trust, I 1. ve created a reserve from flooded gravel-workings at Sevenoaks Kent. This has ■ tacc become nationally, even internationally, famous through a series of papers I d articles by Drs J. M. and J. G. Harrison in various journals, including British l reds, Bird Study and Wildfowl. A general summary of what has been accomplished, i d how, is now available in a new 56-page booklet, A Gravel Pit Wildfowl Reserve Jeffrey Harrison, published by W.A.G.B.I., Grosvenor House, 104 Watergate rect, Chester. The booklet is divided into two parts : on creating the habitat, and on ■ subsequent management. The former deals with such matters as the building of I t rificial islands and ‘loafing spots’, and the best plants to introduce (local secies being preferable to aliens). The section on management includes much in- rmation on birds that have been attracted to the reserve, and also comments on ich diverse topics as predator control and multiple water use (for example, with ogling interests). Of course, the creation of such a reserve, now covering nearly o acres, is costly; even without land charges, the Sevenoaks reserve has cost I ore than £9,000 (of which over £3,800 was given by Redland Ltd, the gravel ' mpany). The value of the Harrisons’ work has been to demonstrate the co-operation it ought to exist between conservationists and mineral extraction companies, and I c : mutual respect there should be for each other’s interests. 1 torburn and Lodge exhibition We have been asked to publicise a plan to open ' permanent exhibition of the painting and sketches of Archibald Thorburn and t :orge Lodge at Penmount, Liskeard, Cornwall, this autumn. This will be the only I 8 2 News and comment comprehensive collection anywhere of major works by these two great Victorian wildlife artists. The exhibition, a privately-financed venture, will be open to the public at a nominal charge to cover upkeep of the seven-room gallery. It is the brainchild of J. Southern, of Penmount, whose private collection will form the basis of the exhibition. Mr Southern is anxious to enlarge his collection, and would welcome opportunities to purchase further original canvases and such background material as photographs, letters and magazine articles; he would also welcome loans (long- or short-term) of material to the permanent exhibition, which could become a meeting place for people interested not only in Thorburn and Lodge but in wildlife art generally. Obituary It is with regret that we record the death of Professor Dr Rudolf Drost in Germany on 13th December 1971. To the previous generation of ornithologists, Professor Drost was well-known internationally for his pioneer work on bird migra- tion in general and ringing in particular; for many years, including the difficult Second World War period, he was director of the Vogelwarte Helgoland, with its island bird observatory and mainland research institute. In 1930 he was founder- editor (in conjunction with Professor Dr E. Schiiz) of the important migration journal Der Vogel^ug, and shared the task of reviving this after the war under the new title of Die Vogelwarte, remaining associated with it until his death. Professor Drost was also involved in other aspects of German ornithology, and from 1939 to 1969 was a very able chairman of the German National Section of the I.C.B.P. Responsible photography I am happy to include this note from D. M. Turner Ettlinger, joint secretary of the recently-founded Association of Natural History Photographic Societies : ‘Nowadays naturalists are aware that photography carries with it a degree of risk to the subject which can be of serious conservational significance. Many such risks spring from ignorance of the correct photographic techniques or of the habits of the species concerned. Carelessness or thoughtlessness by some photo- graphers has aroused justifiably adverse comment, so that even experienced photo- graphers sometimes find themselves unreasonably restricted in their operations because of the general suspicion. To combat such restrictions, and to convince the conservation movement as a whole that responsibly-minded nature photographers do exist (and deserve better treatment), three of the oldest societies have recently banded together into the Association of Natural History Photographic Societies: these are the Zoological Photographic Club, the Nature Photographic Society and the Nature Photographers’ Portfolio. [Incidentally it is mainly from the work of the members of these three clubs that our annual choice of ‘Examples of the best recent work by British bird-photographers’ is made.] The ethic of the Association is in the statement, to which all members are required to subscribe, that the welfare of the subject is more important than the photograph ; the experience of members is such that accidents through ignorance are most improbable. The Association supports strongly the Protection of Birds Acts’ restrictions on nest photography of Schedule 1 species, and indeed all the photographer members of the Nature Conservancy’s Advisory Panel on the Acts are members of the three constituent societies ; but the Association resents some of the restrictions by other conservation authorities where these are, apparently, based largely on prejudice. It suspects such restrictions are sometimes merely the easy way out of administrative diffi- culties. Photographs are prime propaganda material for conservation, through illus- trations in journals, articles in the more popular ‘countryside’ press, and illustrated lectures to the lay public. Without photographs fewer people would be aware of conservation problems.’ Opinions expressed in this feature are not necessarily those of the editors of British Birds Recent reports P. F. Bonham These are largely unchecked reports, not authenticated records This deals with January 1972, to which all dates refer unless otherwise stated. The only really significant weather feature in a fairly mild, wet month was a short -spell of freezing north-easterlies with heavy snow during 28th~3 ist, coldest on 30th and 31st. Seawatches produced totals of 1 5 Great Northern Divers Garia itnmer and 78 Red-throated Divers G. stellate heading west at Ilfracombe (Devon) during 26th-27th, 300 Gannets Sula bassana, 100 Shags Phalacrocorax aristotelis, 1,100 KKittiwakes Rissa tridactyla and 520 Razorbills A lea torda off St Ives (Cornwall) in a north-easterly gale on 28th and 1,100 Kittiwakes at St Monance (Fife) on 13th. 'No petrels or shearwaters were reported. At least five American ducks were present : a drake Blue-winged Teal Anas discors it Loddon (Norfolk) and a drake Ring-necked Duck Aytbya collaris at Marlow (Buckinghamshire), both of which arrived in 1971 (Bril. Birds, [65: 133) and stayed to at least end February, and additionally a drake Green-winged Teal Anas crecca ■arolinensis in the Teifi estuary (Cardiganshire) on 30th, a drake American Wigeon A. americana in the Eden estuary (Fife) on 10th and another drake Ring-necked Duck .-at Burrator Reservoir (Devon) from 2nd to 22nd. Some of these may have been of :aptive origin and this applies also to single Ferruginous Ducks Aytbya nyroca on !:he Ouse Washes (Cambridgcshire/Norfolk) on 23rd and at Wraysbury gravel pits (Buckinghamshire) from 23 rd to 25 th (though the coincidence of dates could indicate in influx). A drake King Eider Somateria spectabilis seen during 22nd-26th December n Irvine Bay (Ayrshire) (Brit. Birds, 63: 133) disappeared for over a fortnight, Dut was rediscovered among a flock of Eiders S. mollissima on 13th and then seen •regularly through into April. The International Wildfowl Census on 16th revealed 114,000 Scaup A. marila, 3,300 Goldeneyes Bueephala clangula, 300 Long-tailed IDucks Clangula byemalis and 1 ,650 Eiders off Seafield and Musselburgh (Midlothian) ; 1,000 Common Scoters Melanitta nigra at St Andrews (Fife); 220 Red-breasted NMergansers Mergus serrator at Cultness (also Fife) and 452 Goosanders M. merganser n the Beauty Firth (Inverness/Ross). In England there were 272 Goldeneyes on Windermere (Westmorland), 107 at Bclvide Reservoir (Staffordshire) and 344 at Abberton Reservoir (Essex). Earlier in the month a very high total of 2,350 Long- Uailed Ducks was counted at two sites in Morayshire on 6th and there were 13, plus t2i Eiders, off Hunstanton (Norfolk) on 2nd. A maximum of 63 Red-breasted VMergansers off Worthing (Sussex) on 20th was rather unusual. About 70 Smews M. albellus (a low number for January) included singles in Ayrshire, Kinross, Angus and Moray. Reports of Bean Geese Anser fabalis comprised up to 70 in east Norfolk, nine on he River Camel (Cornwall), three each at Lindisfarne Reserve (Northumberland) and * Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir (Glamorgan), two at Slimbridge (Gloucestershire) and s jingles at Alvecote (Warwickshire) and Whiteness Head (Inverness-shire); and an idult Lesser White-fronted Goose A. erytbropus was at Slimbridge from 22nd into Frebruary. At Loch Levcn (Kinross-shire) a Ross’s Goose A. rossii that originally -arrived with Pink-footed Geese A. brachyrhyncbus on 23rd September (Brit. Birds, (64: 356) was found dead in January; it showed no signs of having been in captivity and was aged as at least six years old (incidentally, it is interesting to note that a •Ross’s Goose has visited Loch Leven annually for the last five winters). Nineteen Brent Geese Branta bernicla flew south over Maidenhead (Berkshire) on 18th. A 1 Delated report of 1,059 Bewick’s Swans Cygnus benickii on the Co. Londonderry side I ' af Lough Foyle on 5 th December makes up for the low numbers in England in that nonth (Brit. Birds, 65 : 135); only 62 were counted there on 23rd January, however. 184 Recent reports while numbers on the Ouse Washes soared from some 550 to 1,187 during the arctic spell at the end of the month. Single Rough-legged Buzzards Buteo lagopus were reported at Sandringham (Norfolk), Minsmere (Suffolk), Barrow-in-Furness (Lancashire) and Newbury (Berkshire) ; Red Kites Milvus milvus at Portland (Dorset) on 8th, in Speyside from 9th and at Walkeringham (Nottinghamshire) on 13th; and a Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus of dubious origin near York at the end of the month. Spotted Crakes Por%ana por^ana occurred at Gibraltar Point (Lincoln), Wicken Fen (Cambridge) and Hornsea (Yorkshire). Movements of up to 3,000 Lapwings Vanellus vanellus south per hour were noted at many places on 29th and 30th (especially the latter date). Wintering waders included an exceptional record of a Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius at Little Paxton gravel pits (Huntingdonshire) on 23rd; a Great Snipe Gallinago media , on Fair Isle (Shetland) on nth; Whimbrels Numenius pbaeopus at Cliffe (Kent) on 13th and at Arne (Dorset) two days later; and two Grey Phalaropes Phalaropus fulicarius , at Bough Beech Reservoir (Kent) on ist-2nd and at Newquay (Cornwall) on 15 th. The skuas and gulls were rather more exciting than the waders. At least six Great Skuas Stercorarius skua and an Arctic S. parasiticus were seen on the east coast between Suffolk and Shetland; an adult Ross’s Gull Kbodostetbia rosea at Scalloway (Shetland) on 22nd; Sabine’s Gulls Larus sabini !at Covehithe (Suffolk) on 2nd and in Sussex and Yorkshire (undated). At least half a dozen wintering Mediterranean Gulls L. melanocephalus remained from December, and Little Gulls L. minutus were seen in seven places, the largest number being eleven at St Monance on 1 8th. During November-February about 20 Glaucous Gulls L. hyperboreus and four Iceland Gulls L. glaucoides were reported inland in England between Yorkshire and Berkshire. Single Little Auks Plautus alle appeared at Seaton Sluice (Northum- berland) on 1st and 30th, at Whitburn (Co. Durham) on 1st, at Newlyn (Cornwall) on 17th and 29th-3oth, and at Tintagel (also Cornwall) in January; another was picked up, slightly oiled, ten miles inland at Hanham (Gloucestershire) on 26th, but it died next day. The largest number of Little Auks reported in Shetland, where they regularly winter offshore, was 120 in the Whalsay/Out Skerries area on 23 rd. Passerines were so poorly represented that it seems better to cover all but the rarities in the next summary. This leaves only a Nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes at Smallburgh (Norfolk) on 30th, a Dusky Thrush Turdus naumami eunomus on Fair Isle on 15 th and a Richard’s Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae at Whiteness Head on 16th, while a Black-bellied Dipper Cinclus c. cinclus at Witton le Wear (Co. Durham) on 26th December was not mentioned previously. BINOCULARS of QUALITY from heron Barr & Stroud ROSS Ofcenkat £eitr SWIFT PENTAX i e i ss DIRECT TO YOU AT ENORMOUS DISCOUNTS All makes available: send s.a.e.for binocular or photographic price lists Swift Audubon 8.5 x 44, retail £45.00, our price £31.70. Saratoga 8 x 40, retail £29.00, our price £21.00. Ross Stepruva 9 x 35, retail £57.48, our price £39.00. Swift Super Tecnar 8 x 40, retail £18, our price £13.25. Zeiss 10 x 40B Diaiyt, retail £109.74, our price £81.00. Nickel Supra telescope 15 x 60 x 60, retail £56.50, our price £42.00. All including case and post free. Seven-day approval service on binoculars and telescopes (payment with order). Callers welcome HERON OPTICAL COMPANY lume 65 Number 5 May 1972 35p British Birds Editorial Address io Merton Road, Bedford Telephone 0234 6yjjS Volume 65 Number 5 May 1972 185 Mediterranean Gulls in Hampshire in 1970-71 J. H. Taverner Plate Ha 187 Scarce migrants in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67 Part 7 Mediterranean Gull, White- winged Black Tern and Gull-billed Tern Dr J. T. R. Sbarrock 203 Hooded Warbler in the Isles of Scilly: a species new to Britain and Ireland K. D. Edwards and K. C. Osborne 206 More examples of the best recent work by British bird-photographers Photographs by Frank V. Blackburn, Mr and Mrs J. B. Bottomley, Arthur Butler, Dr Kevin J. V. Carlson, Mrs D. L. Urry, M. D. England, Stephen Dalton, Andrew M. Anderson, Donald Platt, Dr D. A. P. Cooke, Dennis Green, Arthur Gilpin, Keith Atkin, and R. J. C. Blewitt Plates 33-40 Text by Eric Hosking 208 An October to remember on St Agnes in 1971 D. 1. M. Wallace NOTES 221 Partridge plunging into water D. Richmond and S. Harries 221 Daylight hunting by Barn Owls R. C. Dickson 222 White-throated Sparrow in Co. Cork Dr J. T. R. Sbarrock 223 Artificial nest-sites for Treecreepers D. E. Ladhams REVIEWS 224 Handbook of the Birds of Cyprus and Aligrants of the Aliddle East by David A. Bannerman and W. Mary Bannerman, and A Check-list of the Birds of Cyprus by P. F. Stewart and S. J. Christensen Dr W. R. P. Bourne 225 News and comment Robert Hudson 227 Recent reports P. F. Bonham R. A. Richardson drew the Mediterranean Gull, Gull-billed Tern and White-winged Black Terns (page 202) and Robert Gillmor the Siberian Tit (page 228) Editors Stanley Cramp, I. J. Ferguson-Lees, P. F. Bonham, M. A. Oglivie and D. I. M. Wallace Photographic Editor Eric Hosking News and Comment Robert Hudson, B.T.O., Beech Grove, Tring, Hertfordshire Rarities Committee F. R. Smith, 117 Hill Barton Road, Exeter, Devon exi 3PP Year’s subscription for 12 issues £4.50 post paid (overseas rate £4.80) from H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd, 1 5 Nicholas Lane, London EC4N 7BR Copyright © the authors and H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd. All rights reserved: reproduction or use without permission of the whole or any part of the contents, including text illustrations, is prohibited Plate II. Adult Mediterranean Gull Farus melunocephalus , Hampshire, spring 1969: ringed as a chick in East Germany in 1966, it reared young with a female Black- headed L. ridibundus at Needs Oar Point two years later and came back briefly in 1969 {Brit. Birds, 63 : 67-79). Below, immature Sabine’s Gull L.sabini, Hampshire, Sep- tember 1970: note grey-brown upperparts edged with pale grey {photos : G. H. Fisher) Barr & Stroud ROSS QrsenKSt feiU SWIFT PENTAX l e i ss DIRECT TO YOU AT ENORMOUS DISCOUNTS Alt makes available: send s.a.e.for binocular or photographic price lists Swift Audubon 8.5 x 44, retail £45.00, our price £31.70. Saratoga x 40, retail £29.00, our price £21.00. Ross Stepruva 9 x 35, retail £57.48, our price £39.00. Swift Super Tecnar 8 x 40, retail £18, our I price £13.25. Zeiss 10 x 40 B Dialyt, retail £109.74, our price £81.00. ' Nickel Supra telescope 15 x 60 x 60, retail £56.50, our price £42.00. | All including case and post free. Seven-day approval service on binoculars and telescopes (payment with order). Callers welcome HERON OPTICAL COMPANY 15 Shortcroft, Doddinghurst, Brentwood, Essex. Tel: Navestock 3498 i Zoological Record eection Aves 1968 (vol. 105) This indispensable bibliogra- phy, compiled by the staff of the Zoological Society of Lon- don, is an annual list of orni- thological literature in all parts of the world. Full references are given with authors and titles and they are indexed under species, subjects and countries The latest issue covers 4,950 articles and books published mainly in 1968 and is obtain- able at a cost of £3-60 (pos- tage extra) from i Khe Zoological Society of London < ilGENT'S PARK LONDON NWI zoom OH zi m Catalogue on request WHELD0N A WESLEY LTD Lytton Lodge Codicote, Hitchin, Herts BIG GAME & BIRDS SAFARIS - 21 DAYS £448 VISITING THESE NATIONAL PARKS Queen Elizabeth. Murchison Falls. Nairobi. Tsavo. Lake Manyara. Ngorongoro. Ser- engeti and Mara, in Uganda. 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The 8 x 30 model (priced at £12.50), which is approved by the Game Conservancy and also recommended by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, is both compact and light, and therefore particularly suitable for the younger ornithologist and indeed for anyone to whom weight is of primary im- portance. Even smaller and lighter are two new Frank-Nipole models — the 10x40 (£16.80) and the 12x50 (£18.90); considering their high power and light trans- mission, they are remarkably light, compact and easy to handle. The dedicated orni- thologist, however, undeterred by a little extra size and weight, is inclined to remain loyal to our standard 10x50 model (£16.50). All these glasses are supplied complete with case and straps. There are now also three really large models available— the 9x63 (£30), the 12x65 (£32) and the 20x70 (£36); case, if required, £7 extra. The 9x63 and 12x65 can be hand-held but the 20x70 requires to be tripod-supported; a suitable tripod can be supplied for about £5. An invitation is extended to all readers of British Birds to apply for our free cata- logue and a complimentary copy of Tell me, Mr Frank', a booklet which tells you everything you want to know about binoculars. We accept your old binoculars in part exchange and extend credit facilities CHARLES FRANK LTD Binocular specialists and telescope makers for three generations 145 QUEEN STREET GLASGOW Cl 041-221' 6666 11 Volume 65 Number 5 May 1972 British Mediterranean Gulls in Hampshire in 1970-71 JH. Taverner Plate I la In a previous paper (Brit. Birds, 63 : 67-69) I described the breeding of Mediterranean Gulls Larus melanocepbalus in Hampshire in 1968 and 1969. In 1968 a pair of adults raised two chicks, a second-summer male paired with a Black-headed Gull L. ridibundus to raise three hybrid young, and another adult nested unsuccessfully with a hybrid Mediter- ranean x Black-headed (see also Brit. Birds, 63 : 380-382). The following year saw the hybrid nesting unsuccessfully again, this time with a Black-headed Gull, and three male Mediterranean Gulls held terri- tories but failed to find mates. All this activity occurred on Gull Island off Needs Oar Point at the mouth of the Beaulieu River (see fig. 1 in Brit. Birds, 65 : 169), the island being the centre of one of the largest Black-headed Gull colonies in Britain. In 1970 at least five Mediterranean Gulls were present in the colony and the true number was almost certainly greater. A second-summer male held territory throughout the summer at the site where a pair had raised two young in 1968, but failed to attract a mate (the co- incidence of age and site strongly suggest that this was one of the chicks from the 1968 nest). Two adult males held territories for a few weeks early in the season, but failed to find mates. One first- summer bird was seen on several occasions in mid-summer. The hybrid nested for the third consecutive year at the same site, this time paired with a Black-headed Gull, but no young were reared. Adults were seen flying over on several occasions through the summer, the circumstances suggesting that they were not the two males already mentioned. In 1971 at least three Mediterranean Gulls were present and, as in 1970, the true number was almost certainly greater. An adult male, almost certainly the second-summer bird of 1970, held territory from 14th March to 2nd May at the 1968 nest site, but failed to attract a mate. 185 1 86 Mediterranean Gulls in Hampshire 1970-71 Single adults were seen on several occasions through the summer in various parts of the colony; one kept such close company with a Black-headed Gull that the two were almost certainly paired. The hybrid nested at the same site for the fourth year, again paired with a Black-headed Gull, and three eggs were laid but failed to hatch. The failure of Mediterranean Gulls to consolidate their foothold at Needs Oar Point is clearly due to the absence of females, a point covered in my previous papers. It is interesting to note that the same preponderance of males has been noted on the coast of East Germany (Dr G. Mauersberger in lift.). The nesting in Hampshire is now more clearly understood as part of a small but marked westward extension of the breeding range. There were no definite records of nesting in Europe away from Greece and the Black Sea coast until 1950, when a clutch of three eggs was collected in a Black-headed Gull colony near Retszilas, about 30 km east of Lake Balaton in central Hungary (. Aquila , 59-62: 431-432); one to three pairs nested annually from 1953 to at least 1959 in another colony of Black-headed Gulls near Szeged, south Hungary, and breed- ing was first proved in Austria in 1959 when one pair nested at Lange Lacke, near Lake Neusiedl {Aquila, 59-62: 430-431; 63-64: 340-341; Brit. Birds, 50: 73-75; Egretta, 2: 67-74). Meanwhile, a pair had attempted to breed at Fahrinsel, East Germany, in 1958, laying three eggs ( Falke , 6 : 10-1 3) and then in 1962 a nest with two eggs was found as far north as the archipelago of Oriku, Estonian S.S.R. ( Ornitologiline Kogumik, 3: 195-205). These were the forerunners of regular nesting on the Baltic coast of East Germany where from 1963 to at least 1970 one or more pairs bred at any one of five localities, notably Insel Riems, with a maximum of seven pairs in 1966, and where mixed pairs were also formed with Black-headed and Common Gulls L. canus (/. Orn., 105: 85-86; Beitr. Vogelk., 11: 38; Professor Dr H. Schild- macher, Dr G. Mauersberger and H. W. Nehls in lift.). (Incidentally, it was at Insel Riems that one of the birds seen at Needs Oar Point in 1968, and shown on plate Ha, had been ringed in 1966.) A simul- taneous colonisation was meanwhile taking place on the southern coast of the North Sea. In the Netherlands nesting was recorded at five localities in six years during 1959-66 (1970, Avifauna van Nederland: 48-49) and in Belgium, after attempted breeding in 1964 (the clutch was deserted) and probable nesting in 1967, pairs bred successfully at Knokke-sur-Mer and Snepkensvijver in 1969 ( Gerfaut , 60: 30-33). These records provide a close link with the nesting in Hampshire in 1968, but the only proof of breeding in France to date was a successful pair as far south as the Camargue in 1965 ( Terre et Vie, 35 : 251). All these nesting areas are shown on the map on page 188. J. H. Taverner, ij Stockers Avenue, Winchester, Hampshire Scarce migrants in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67 J. T. R. S ha r rock Part 7 Mediterranean Gull, White-winged Black Tern and Gull-billed Tern This series now turns to three species of the Laridae. The sources of bias in the data presented here and other points relevant to the whole series were discussed in the general introduction {Brit. Birds , 62: 169-174). Mediterranean Gull Lams melanocephalus When The Handbook was published (1938-41), Mediterranean Gulls were still extreme rarities in Britain (and unknown in Ireland): indeed, only four records are now accepted up to that time, six others having been discarded among the Hastings Rarities (Nicholson and Ferguson- Lees 1962). It is exceedingly difficult to determine the number recorded in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67, since one individual may be seen at several localities or several individuals at one locality and birds at the same place in several years may or may not be the same indi- viduals) reappearing. Counting one that reappears in several years as a new record on each occasion, but attempting to avoid duplication of wanderers, one can give a conservative estimate of 285 records in the ten years. That this is an arbitrary figure is demonstrated, however, by my calculation of 97 records during 1958-62 compared with 117 estimated from the same raw data by Bourne (1970b). Ages were not published for 32% of the records, but the remainder were 138 adults and 56 immatures or sub-adults. This proportion (approximately 5:2) may not reflect the true situation, however, for adults are easier to detect and identify than immatures and, as shown in table 10, the proportion of immatures was much higher in the second half of the period than in the first. This increase, from less than a fifth to more than a third of those identified, could equally reflect increasing abilities at field identification of young birds or a genuine increase in the number of immatures occurring. Table 10 also shows that almost twice as many Mediterranean Gulls were recorded during 1963-67 as during the previous five years. The annual totals (fig. 89) increased from only ten in 1958 to a peak of 32 in 1961 and then, after fewer in 1962-63, settled at an average of 40 per year during 1964-67. Once again, how- ever, it is difficult to apportion the effects of increasing observer ability (considerably fostered by such papers as Grant and Scott 1967), increasing numbers of observers and any increase in the number of 187 1 8 8 Scarce migrants: Mediterranean Gull Table io. Numbers of Mediterranean Gulls Icarus melano- cepbalus in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67, also showing separately those for which age details have been published 1958-62 1963-67 TOTALS All birds 97 188 285 Adults 57 81 138 Immatures/sub-adults 14 42 56 Fig. 89. Annual pattern of Mediter- ranean Gulls Larus melanocephalus in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67 1958 1959 19160 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 birds. The last, however, seems likely to be genuine, since the species has been spreading in recent years. This is perhaps a surprising develop- ment, for within the period under review Voous (i960) wrote of the Mediterranean Gull, ‘It now possesses only a very limited distribution range with an unmistakable relic character, and is probably in the course of becoming completely extinct’. Until nesting was established in Hungary in the early 1950’s, the breeding range was restricted to Greece, Turkey and the north and west shores of the Black Sea. Since then, pairs have nested for the first time in East Germany, Austria, Estonian S.S.R., Netherlands, Belgium and France (many references including, respectively. Rosin and Wagner 1964, Festetics 1959, Aumees and Paakspuu 1963, Commissie voor de Nederlandse Avifauna 1970, Lippens 1970, and Blondel 1966; detailed summary in Taverner Fig. 90. European distribution of Medi- terranean Gulls Icarus melanocephalus with the normal breeding range shown in black, small breeding populations and spasmodic nesting by open circles, and the main wintering areas by dotted lines (modified, by permission, from the 1966 edition of the Field Guide ) Scarce migrants: Mediterranean Gull 1 89 1972) (fig. 90). In most if not all cases, this ‘extralimital’ breeding has occurred within large colonies of Black-headed Gulls L. ridibundus or mixed colonies of Black-headed and Common Gulls L. canus. The increase in British records and these developments on the Continent led Hollom (1957) and Bourne (1970b, but written in early 1968) to prophesy that Mediterranean Gulls might take up summer territories 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-31 32-37 38-43 44-49 50-55 56-61 62-67 68-73 74-79 Fig. 91. Distribution by counties of Mediterranean Gulls Larus melanocepbalus in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67 190 Scarce migrants: Mediterranean Gull and nest in Britain. In the event, breeding was recorded for the first time in 1968, in a colony of over 10,000 Black-headed Gulls in Hamp- shire (Taverner 1970). Although Hampshire is still the only county in which breeding has been recorded, adjoining Sussex produced the largest total of Mediter- ranean Gulls during 1958-67 with 28%, over twice as many as any other county. Cornwall, Hampshire, Sussex, Kent and Norfolk together accounted for more than two-thirds of the records (fig. 91). Just as it is difficult to determine the total during the ten years, so is it difficult to ascertain the pattern of occurrences throughout the year. Fig. 92, however, attempts to show the distribution of records within seven-day periods, each individual being included only within the period when it was first seen. The histogram thus illustrates the distribution of arrival dates and one cannot infer from it the period when most birds were present. The scatter, with at least one first record in every one of the 5 2 periods, suggests that individuals wander widely and are recorded at several localities ; it also suggests that, even though an attempt was made to eliminate duplication, the total of 285 records in 1958-67 is still an overestimate. There is clear evidence, however, of a distinct arrival increasing throughout July and reaching a peak in early August, probably continuing throughout August, September and October, possibly even into November. There is also a smaller peak of new records in mid-April. This pattern was also detected by Bourne (1970b) when analysing the 1958-62 records and he suggested ‘that Mediterranean Gulls must often, but not always, undertake three migrations annually: a post-breeding dispersal to regular late-summer quarters where they probably complete the moult . . . followed in some (but not all) cases by a late-autumn movement to regular winter quarters elsewhere before the return to the breeding grounds in the spring.’ At all seasons, the largest number of new birds is in south-east England, followed by south-west England and then East Anglia. At the time of spring passage (12th March-2 2nd April), 58% are in south-east England, a more limited distribution than at any other time of year. Splitting the main autumn period into three 42-day periods (2nd July- 12 th August, 13 th August-2 3rd September and 1 st October- nth November), the proportion in the northern part JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN AIL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Fig. 92. Seasonal pattern of Mediterranean Gulls Icarus melanocephalus in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67 Scarce migrants: Mediterranean Gull 191 of England (north-east, north-west and eastern England) is highest in the first period (17%), the proportions in East Anglia and south- west England are highest in the second period (20% and 26%) and the proportion in south-east England is highest in the final period (49%). This suggests that, while there are arrivals and passage in all areas in early autumn, the population becomes stabilised earliest in the north and then in East Anglia and the south-west, and that, by late autumn, wanderers and passage migrants are mostly in south-east England. No Mediterranean Gulls have been ringed in Britain, but individuals bearing rings have been seen on at least three occasions — in Northum- berland in March 195 5, in Sussex in July 1956, and in Hampshire in July 1968 (a breeding bird paired with a Black-headed Gull) — but probably other sightings have not been published. It was assumed that the first two of these came from the island of Orlof in the Black Sea breeding area where the fluctuating population has varied between 37,600 pairs in 1936 and 6,000 pairs in 1952 (Schevareva 1955) and where substan- tial numbers have been ringed. The one in Sussex in July was very early to be so far west, but it is matched by one ringed on Orlof on 2nd July 1949 and recovered less than four weeks later at St Valery- sur-Somme, France, about 25 th July 1949. The number of the ring on the one in Hampshire was read through a telescope, however, and it had been marked as a chick at a small colony in Mecklenburg on the German side of the Baltic. Mayaud (1934, 1956) analysed over 100 recoveries of Mediterranean Gulls ringed on Orlof and showed that the main migration starting in July was westerly, the birds reaching the Adriatic and eastern Libya in August-September and their winter quarters in the Adriatic, south of Italy, Sicily and north Tunisia in September-October, with small numbers in the western Mediterranean and Gulf of Gascony. He also detected a small passage up the Danube and as far west as Swit2erland, where a few winter on the lakes. He noted a very small passage from the Baltic to the Bay of Biscay during July-August, returning in March-May, and suggested that these birds had reached the Baltic by travelling NNW along the Dnepr, over the Pripyat marshes and across the Polish steppes. The discovery in the 1950’s of small breeding populations in the Baltic and the sight- ing in Hampshire of a ringed one from this area suggest, however, that some of these birds, including a proportion of those seen in Britain on passage and those which winter in Britain and the Gulf of Gascony, originate from northerly colonies, some of which may still be undiscovered. Devillers (1964) claimed that this was the only species to follow the Dover-Ostend ships for the whole journey, but suggested that its habits were otherwise similar to those of the Lesser Black-backed Gull L.fuscus, which usually remains in inshore waters. In this context, it is 192 Scarce migrants: Mediterranean Gull noteworthy that the recent increases in Britain have not been matched in Ireland, where the species remains an extreme rarity with only three records in the ten years, the Irish Sea apparently acting as an effective barrier. White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus Although the White-winged Black Tern was then considered to be a rare vagrant, The Handbook (1938-41) listed a number of records and noted that the species occurred mainly in May, also April and June, but very rarely in autumn (July-November). The preponderance of spring records at that time is hardly surprising, however, for The Handbook also noted that in winter plumage the absence of dark mark- ings at the sides of the breast ‘affords [the] only means of differentia- tion’ from the Black Tern C. niger and that the ‘Whiskered Tern [C. hjbrida ] . . . also lacks these patches and in winter plumage this species and White- winged appear to be inseparable in the field.’ This attitude was perpetuated in the British literature until the appearance of a paper on the identification of the three Chlidonias terns by Williamson (1960a). About 89 White-winged Black Terns were recorded in Britain and Ireland during the ten years, including 3 1 noted as adults and 3 1 as immatures. Apart from one in March and three in late October or early November, all were from mid-April to early October, with very distinct peaks during 7th-2oth May (13%) and 13th August-2nd September (34%). Splitting the records into those before 2nd July and those after 8th July, 35% occurred in spring and 65% in autumn (fig. 93). The number each year varied from none to six in spring and one to 13 (1964 and 1967) in autumn (fig. 94). Although the spring numbers fluctuated with little apparent pattern, those in autumn aver- aged only just over three per year in 1958-63, but over nine per year in 1964-67 (and this trend continued with an average of almost 18 per autumn in 1968-70). This increase is probably genuine, and not the result of increased observations or higher identification standards, since it did not immediately follow Williamson’s paper and was not steady (note the low autumn figure in 1965). The ages of nine of those in autumn were not published, but the remaining 49 were 3 1 immatures 10 8 6 4 2 1 _J 1 l 1 1 l 1 l 1 1 l 1 JAK FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUl AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Fig. 93. Seasonal pattern of White-winged Black Terns Chlidonias leucopterus in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67 1 93 Scarce migrants: White-winged Black. Tern 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 SPRING AUTUMN Fig. 94. Annual pattern of White-winged Black Terns Cblidonias leucopterus in Britain .and Ireland during 1958-67 with the spring and autumn records shown separately and 18 adults. All but three of the adults were in July or August and all but two of the immatures in August or September, this difference being further demonstrated by the fact that 44% of the adults, but only 3% of the immatures, occurred before 13th August (fig. 95). White-winged Black Terns were recorded in 20 counties in spring and, while most were in south-eastern England, there was no concen- tration and no county exceeded the four of Sussex (fig. 96). In autumn there was almost double the number of records; these were also spread among 20 counties, but they showed more of a concentration in the south-east. Twice as many occurred in Kent as in any other county and Hampshire, Sussex, Kent, Essex, Lincolnshire and London together produced 62% of the records, no other county recording more than three in autumn in the ten years (fig. 97). Although they have an almost trans-Palearctic breeding distribution (Voous i960), White- winged Black Terns nest regularly no nearer to Britain than Hungary and Poland (fig. 98). The nesting requirements of shallow floods and the varying availability of suitable conditions, depending upon winter snowfall and spring rains, cause very marked fluctuations in breeding numbers from one year to the next (L. Horvath in Bannerman 1962); Wehner (1966) drew attention to this as a possible reason for a recent increase in the number of records in central Europe. He also made comparison with a similar situation in the Black- JUIY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER Fig. 95. Seasonal pattern of autumn White-winged Black Terns Cblidonias leucopterus in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67 with the adults and immatures/sub-adults shown separately 1 94 Scarce migrants: White-winged Black Tern Fig. 96. Distribution by counties of spring White-winged Black Terns Chlidonias leucopterus in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67 winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus. British and Irish records of the latter, however, do not correlate closely with White-winged Black Terns: for example, the most marked influx of Black-winged Stilts in recent years was 18 in spring 1965, but there were only two White- winged Black Terns then (Harber 1966). In years when there are above I -ig. 97. Distribution by counties of autumn White-winged Black Terns Chlidonias leucopterus in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67 iverage numbers in spring, one might also expect an above average lumber of adults and/or a below average number of immatures in lutumn, but this pattern is not apparent in the ten years. The lack of :orrelation in these two instances does not invalidate the argument, :>f course, since different breeding areas could be involved (not only Scarce migrants: White-winged Black Tern Fig. 98. European distribution of White-winged Black Terns Chlidonias leucopterus with the breeding range of this summer visitor shown in black (reproduced, by permission, from the 1966 edition of the Field Guide) for the two species but also in different years and even seasons). The majority of German (and Swiss) records are in spring, reaching a peak in the second half of May (Wehner 1966); Wehner (1967) and Muller (1967) discussed the likelihood of these birds arriving from the south- west (from west and south-west African non-breeding quarters) or from the south-east (from the larger east African non-breeding quar- ters). In Britain there has been the assumption that the occurrences in spring of White-winged Black Terns, which arrive concurrently with other ‘south-eastern vagrants’, and often at the same time as large numbers of Black Terns, in fine anticyclonic conditions with light easterly winds, are the result of overshooting, the birds passing beyond their usual nesting area in conditions ideal for migration. It has been argued by Williamson (e.g. 1960b) that the light winds in such situa- tions are insufficient to cause lateral drift of birds flying north-east- wards from Iberia and that others oriented north-west are involved. The pattern of arrivals in Britain is very similar to that in Hungary, however, with a peak in early May (Wehner 1966 quoting P. Beretzk), earlier than the peak in the intervening parts of central Europe. This suggests that the birds in Britain and Ireland may have been displaced from a north-easterly course or, alternatively, that those in Germany and Switzerland could include some which have overshot earlier and are returning eastwards. Data for Britain and central and eastern Europe for a single year in which there are numerous records in the west would need to be compared to ascertain the full explanation of the apparent discrepancy. White-winged Black Terns are recorded almost exclusively as spring migrants in central Europe, but the difficulty of distinguishing the winter plumages of the marsh terns has been held responsible for this paucity of autumn records (Wehner 1966). This makes the interpreta- Scarce migrants: White-winged Black Tern 197 tion of the British and Irish autumn records rather speculative, for there is no picture from elsewhere in Europe with which to compare them. In north Africa, though, an even smaller proportion than in spring is recorded in the west and most pass through Egypt (Banner- man 1962). Assuming, however, that the British and Irish records for which age details do not exist were divided in the same proportions as those for which these data are available, it can be calculated that in Britain and Ireland during the ten years there were 31 adults in spring and 21 in autumn. The autumn adults occurred mainly in late July and August, but the breeding population leaves Hungary in the second half of September (Cramp 1968), suggesting that the early autumn birds in Britain and Ireland are failed or non-breeders, perhaps en route for winter quarters in western Africa (where only small numbers spend the non-breeding season) after wandering within Europe. The occurrences of immatures, reaching a peak later, distinctly in mid and late August, show a more regular pattern, but it is not clear whether they result from a random dispersal or an oriented migration. It seems possible that after random wandering they are displaced westwards by easterly winds, becoming caught up in movements of west European Black Terns. It should be borne in mind that these suggestions are based on very few data — an average of only three birds per spring and two adults and four immatures per autumn in the ten years. Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica There were about 40 records of Gull-billed Terns up to the time of The Handbook (1938-41) and about another 25 in the next twelve years, mostly in May but occasionally in other months during April-Septem- bcr. One pair nested in Essex in 1950 and possibly also in 1949 (Pvman and Wainwright 1952). It is difficult to estimate the number during 1958-67, because of the possibility of duplication. Wallace and Ferguson- Lees (in Smith 1968) calculated that there were 73 records involving over 80 individuals in the ten years; the corresponding figures used in this paper are 67 records involving 86 individuals, indicating that, as with the Mediterranean Gulls, arbitrary decisions have of necessity been taken. The accuracy of these totals is further f Juriilll.. I I I I l 1 1 l 1 i 1 1 1 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUl AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Fig. 99. Seasonal pattern of Gull-billed Terns Gelochelidon nilotica in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67 198 Scarce migrants: Gull-billed Tern complicated by the fact that Gull-billed Terns are difficult to identify because of confusion with Sandwich Terns Sterna sandvicensis, or perhaps it is more correct to say that observers unfamiliar with Gull- billed may be confused by Sandwich on occasion and that persons assessing records of birds claimed to be Gull-billed always have this possibility in mind. In any event, Wallace (1970) showed that 25-33% Fig. 100. Distribution by counties of spring Gull-billed Terns Gelochelidon nilotica in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67 Scarce migrants: Gull-billed Tern 1 99 of the records of Gull-biiled Terns in Britain submitted to the Rarities Committee were rejected: an unknown proportion of these were doubtless genuine. The 86 individuals in 1958-67 occurred between mid- April and the end of October, with peaks in early May and late August (fig. 99). There was, however, a considerable number of records in midsummer, • 1 • 2 Fig. 1 01. Distribution by counties of summer Gull-billed Terns Gelocbetidon nilotica in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67 200 Scarce migrants: Gull-billed Tern between the two peaks, and, taking arbitrary divisions between 27th and 28th May and between 12th and 13th August, there were 25 in spring, 33 in summer and 28 in autumn. The spring records were very concentrated, with 92% in the con- tiguous counties of Kent, Sussex and Hampshire and 56% in Sussex alone (fig. 100). The summer records were rather more widespread, in Fig. 102. Distribution by counties of autumn Gull-billed Terns Gelocbe/idon tiilolica in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67 201 Scarce migrants: Gull-billed Tern seven counties, but 73% were in Sussex (14) and Kent (xo) while Northumberland (four) was the only other county with more than two (fig. 101). Gull-billed Terns were recorded in twelve counties in autumn, including every coastal one from Lincolnshire to Cornwall, except Essex. Kent had the highest total (nine), followed by Dorset and Norfolk (four each) and Sussex (three) (fig. 102). This pattern, with most in Sussex in spring, most in Kent in autumn and these two counties with almost equal numbers in summer, may be due entirely to the coastal configuration, with up-Channel movements more easily observed from the Sussex headlands and down-Channel movements from Kentish stations. The highest number in any season was in autumn 1967 (twelve), but otherwise i960 was remarkable for high numbers at all seasons, with three times the average in spring, four times the average in summer and twice the average in autumn (fig. 103). It is, however, possible that many of those i960 records referred to only a small number of individuals, even though most were seen flying up-Channel (past Selsey Bill, Sussex). The influx in autumn 1967 was undoubtedly genuine, however, without substantial duplication, for six counties were involved and the records were spread over 93 days from 4th August to 25 th October (though six were in the eight days from 29th August to 5 th September). The European breeding distribution includes southern Spain, southern France and Denmark, as well as smaller numbers in Greece and other areas to the east (fig. 104). Nesting was recorded in the Fig. 103. Annual pattern of Gull-billed Terns Gelochelidon nilo/ica in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67 with the spring, summer and autumn records shown separately 1958 1959 1960 1961 196} 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 202 Scarce migrants: Gull-billed Tern Fig. 104. European distribution of Gull- billed Terns Gelochelidon nilotica with the breeding range of this summer visitor shown in black (reproduced, by per- mission, from the 1966 edition of the Field Guide) Netherlands in 1931, 1944 and 1945, and then three or four pairs bred regularly from 1949 (Ferguson-Lees 1952) to 1956 and 1958 but not apparently since (Commissie voor de Nederlandse Avifauna 1970). Wallace and Ferguson-Lees (in Smith 1967) and Ferguson-Lees (in Smith 1969) suggested that the Gull-billed Terns seen in Britain are on the way to, or vagrant from, the Danish breeding colonies, rather than overshooting from southern Europe, and the pattern of records, especially the fairly regular occurrences in midsummer, accords with this suggestion. They are perhaps best regarded as regular passage migrants in very small numbers, rather than vagrants. Dr J. T. R. Sbarrock, jy Curlew Crescent, Bedford Hooded Warbler in the Isles of Scilly: a species new to Britain and Ireland K. D. Edwards and K. C. Osborne At about 16.00 hours on 20th September 1970, Clive Totty and P. G. Williams flushed a green and yellow warbler-like bird from the sedge around the Pool, St Agnes, Isles of Scilly. It immediately dived back into cover, but they flushed it twice more before it finally disappeared in a thicket of gorse and bracken. They were at a loss to identify it, though they agreed that it looked rather like a large Phylloscopus or a Hippolais but behaved more like an Acrocephalus. They told G. W. Edwards and K.D.E. of it, but later searches then and during the following morning proved fruitless. K.C.O., who was staying on St Mary’s during this period, visited St Agnes on 21st. At about 15.00 hours he was walking round the Pool when by chance he disturbed a very green ‘warbler’ with yellow underparts, which at first he took to be a large Phylloscopus. He flushed it three times, since it seemed extremely reluctant to show itself on the sedge tops; it had rather short wings and a long tail, and its flight and general behaviour seemed more typical of Acrocephalus than Phyllo- scopus. At 1 5.45 he lost it in near-by bracken. Half an hour later, on his way to the quay, he met G.W.E. and K.D.E. and informed them of the bird. They then proceeded to the Pool and sat on an adjacent sea- wall in the hope of sighting it, but with no success. At 17.00 hours, therefore, they began quartering the sedge. Eventually they flushed a large, relatively small-bodied, long-tailed and short-winged warbler; the upperparts were olive-green and the underparts bright yellow. They flushed it twice more at close range; both observers remarked on the fact that the tips of the tail-feathers were pointed, and noted a well-defined yellow supercilium. The flight was low, direct and fairly fast, and the bird re-entered cover by veering to one side and diving in. After giving further brief views, it perched on a bracken frond 1 5 yards away for about two minutes, being clearly visible in full sunlight. It was somewhat similar to a rather green and yellow Melo- dious Warbler H. polyglotta, but it had a noticeably long tail and its bill was large, heavy and quite unlike that of any European warbler. The closed wings appeared to reach only to the tips of the uppertail- coverts. It constantly flicked and spread its tail, aad K.D.E. noticed that white patches were momentarily revealed (at this stage G.W.E. had been concentrating on the head and body). K.D.E. could think of no European warbler that fitted, and his mind then turned to the possibility of an American warbler. From Peterson (1947), he tenta- 204 Hooded Warbler in the Isles of Scilly tively identified the bird as a female or immature Hooded Warbler Wilsonia citrina. The bird was not seen at all on 22nd, owing to adverse weather. At 10.40 hours on 23rd, G.W.E. and K.D.E. met K.C.O., Mrs Ann Robin- son, C.T. and P.G.W. at the Pool; K.D.E. did not reveal his suspicion of the bird’s identity. At 10.50 it was flushed from the sedge, and during the following one and a half hours a number of views were had, some better than others, but as before it proved very reluctant to settle in the open for more than a few seconds. Eventually it perched in full view in the bare branches of a small dead bush, where it stayed for about seven minutes. Excellent views were obtained at a range of some eight yards, with the sun behind the observers. They remarked on the large, heavy bill and white tail patches; except when preening, the bird was constantly flicking up and fanning its tail, showing these spots on the inner webs which, however, were visible only when it was fully flexed. An unsuccessful attempt was then made to trap it. On three or four occasions, while being driven through the bracken, it was seen running along the ground with frequent pauses, in a manner recalling a pipit Anthus sp. Twice it left the area and flew across open ground, at a height of about ten feet, to a hedgerow of tamarisks 1 50 yards away, each time diving into the base of the trees about three feet above ground level. At 13.40 hours a break was called. The warbler was located again at 16.05 hours and watched by all observers at distances of 1 5 to 25 yards while it fed among the tamarisks, moving about clumsily in the foliage like a Hippolais, but now and then flying out, hovering and fly-catching in the manner of a Phjlloscopus. It was finally lost to view at 16.20. The following details are taken from the full description compiled on 23rd from field notes made at the time of observation: Size and shape: Appeared about same size as, but smaller-bodied than. Sedge Warbler A. schoenobaenus (seen within eight feet) or Melodious Warbler, or a quarter as large again as Chiffchaff P. collybita (seen within five feet). In flight resembled long-tailed Sedge Warbler, with short rounded wings, but when perched looked ‘deep-bellied’ like Hippolais. Bill large, thick and heavy, very similar to that of Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata ; a third of total length of head. Forehead fairly steep, with peak above eye. Exposed primaries formed only a quarter of length of closed wings, which appeared to droop far more than those of Chiffchaff; primaries reached to tips of uppertail-coverts. Tail rather square-ended, with rounded corners, forming about a third of total length ; when spread, tail-feathers pointed at tips. Plumage: Forehead olive-green, with small yellow area at base of bill; crown and nape olive-green; supercilium bright yellow, extending from yellow at front of forehead over eye and curving down to just behind eye; ear-coverts patchy, yellow tinged olive and merging into supercilium at rear; lores olive; mantle and scapulars olive-green; rump and uppertail-coverts olive-green, slightly paler; chin, throat, breast, belly and flanks bright yellow; undertail-coverts yellow, slightly paler; wing-coverts olive, slightly darker than mantle; no wing-bars; primaries and secondaries grey-brown, edges of outer webs olive. Tail grey-brown, edges of outer webs 2°5 Hooded Warbler in the Isles of Stilly olive; tips of inner webs of outer three feathers grey-brown, but rest of inner webs white reaching two-thirds of distance to uppertail-coverts and forming three large, distinctive patches on each side, invisible when tail closed but very obvious when fully fanned; when hovering, tail spread and white patches visible on undertail as far as coverts. Central tail-feathers slightly darker than rest. Soft parts: Upper mandible dark horn; lower mandible horn, paler at base; eye dark; legs and feet flesh-coloured. By the evening of 23 rd all the observers concerned were agreed that the bird was very probably a female or immature Hooded Warbler, but the only American books available at the time were Peterson (1947) and Robbins et al. (1966) and their text and plates for this species differ in some respects; there were also a number of slight discrepancies between each of them and this particular individual. It was decided, therefore, not to submit the record until skin examinations had been carried out. After their return from the islands, K.C.O., G.W.E. and K.D.E. made separate visits to the British Museum (Natural History), and P.G.W. visited the Liverpool Museums; all four independently confirmed the identification. A full account of the occurrence was then submitted, and the record was finally accepted as the first of the Hooded Warbler in Britain and Europe. In the course of circulation it was forwarded to James Baird, of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, who commented as follows: ‘The attached adds up to a very convincing record of a Hooded Warbler. Aside from the more obvious plumage characters, the white in the tail is important in separating the Hooded from the smaller but similarly coloured Wilson’s WarbLr [W. pusilla]. Especially critical was the observation that the tail was fanned (flicked open). 1 would not say that the skulking is usual in the Hooded. It is a bird of low growth and underbrush, but is not particularly shy. I think that its shyness was due to the exigencies of the moment. All in all, a good record.’ This species is a common summer visitor to the eastern half of the United States and marginally to extreme southern Ontario. It winters from central Mexico to Panama. Bent (1953) provided a very full account of its habits, habitats, distribution, breeding biology, migra- tions and plumages, as well as a fine photograph of an adult female (his plate 75); Palmer (1894) described the plumages and moults of young birds in more detail. REFERENCES Bent, A. C. 1963. Ufe Histories of North American Wood Warblers. U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull., no. 20}. Washington, D.C. Palmer, W. 1894. ‘Plumages of the young Hooded Warbler’. Auk, 11: 282-291. Peterson, R. T. 1947. A Field Guide to the Birds. Boston, Mass. Robbins, C. S., Bruun, B., and Zim, H. S. 1966. Birds of North America. New York. K. D. Edwards, 30 Tons tall Road, Epsom, Surrey K. C. Osborne, 33 Campden Road, South Croydon, Surrey CR2 7ER More examples of the best recent work by British bird-photographers Plates 33-40 This is the thirteenth annual selection of contemporary photography, keeping on permanent record some of the finest current work. More photographs were submitted than ever before and the 14 reproduced on plates 33-40 are selected from a total of 137. It is encouraging to know that there are still so many photographers who have not gone over entirely to colour, but we hope the day will come when we shall be able to illustrate this feature largely with colour plates. Unfor- tunately the present cost of reproduction makes this impossible, but with a sufficiently increased circulation there is no reason why it could not be achieved in the future. It is gratifying that more photographers are sending their prints direct to us, but even so we are greatly indebted to the honorary secretaries of the Zoological Photographic Club, the Nature Photo- graphic Society and the Nature Photographers’ Portfolio for their continued interest and advice. In this connection an interesting development in British photography in 1971 was the formation by these three societies of the Association of Natural History Photo- graphic Societies (see ‘News and comment’, April 1972). As in the past, the task of selection was far from easy, the standard being particularly high this year; inevitably a number of photographs we would have liked to reproduce have had to be omitted. But there are two which, to me, stand head and shoulders above all the rest: indeed, I would go so far as to say that they are the best pictures taken during the past decade. They show a Barn Owl Tyto alba with a young rat in its bill, flying to its nest in an old church tower (plate 36); and the same owl as it leaves the nest after feeding its young (plate 37). The lighting on both the bird and the tower is quite dramatic. These photographs are the joint work of Stephen Dalton and Andrew M. Anderson whom we should like to congratulate on their remarkable results. We have included three more flight shots, all quite different yet all needing considerable skill. Katie Urry’s photograph of a small flock of Pink-footed Geese A.nser brachyrhytichus (plate 3 5 a) coming in to land at Loch Leven, Kinross, shows excellent detail in the feathering, not at all easy to obtain in flying birds. Donald Platt (brother of Harold, whose work we have already featured) is new to this series; he has obtained a beautiful shot of an Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus (plate 38a) flying over its nesting territory in Orkney, while by skilful superimposing Keith Atkin shows us a roding Woodcock Sco/opax rusticola (plate 40a) over the Bardney Forest in Lincolnshire. (We have 206 wml J' _ ^ Jmm Pi ate 3? Above, female ('.rev Wagtail Slot* ilia cinerea with food for her young, Surrey, April 1971 (Frank I \ Blackburn). Below, Great Northern Divers Cana ,mmer (family party?), Cornwall, February 197 *(J- and s- Bo/tomley) (pages 206-207) Plate 34. Above, female Whinchat Saxicola rubetra characteristically perched on upright twig, Breconshire, June 1971 ( Arthur Butler). Below, female Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis with food for young, Spain, June 1971 ( Kevin J. V. Carlson ) Plate 35. Above, 14 Pink-footed Geese Anser brachyrbynchus flighting in, Kinross, October 1970 ( Katie i r/y). Below, White Pelicans Pelecanus onocrotalus and Lesser Flamingoes Phoenicop/erus minor behind them, Kenya, February 1971 (Af. D. I Ingland) Plate 36. Barn Owl Tyto alba with a young rat, Surrey, June 1971 ( Stephen Dal/on) 1' i \ r i: 37. Same owl leaving church tower after feeding chicks {Andrew M. .Anderson) Plate 38. Above, Arctic Skua S/ercorarius parasiticus gliding past, Orkney, June 1970 ( Donald Platt). Below, male Hen Harrier Circus cyaneits, with young, staring at hide (note ring on leg and fly on tail), also Orkney, June 1970 (D. A. P. C.ooke) Plate 39. Above, Stock Dove Columba oentis by nest hole with chick visible inside, Lancashire, September 1971 (Dennis Green). Below, Guillemot ( na nalge threaten- ing another while a third faces away, Northumberland, July 1970 (Arthur (,i/pm) V • ' I '1 • -* ■ J > * •> ' •*v v*i i' , C-i A is A* • t. 4 a- HE’ 11 •* ijfe. yr - ^ if * ^ Plate 40. Above, roding Woodcock Scolopax rust kola (superimposed), Lincolnshire, April 1971 ( Keith A/kin). Below, Tawny Owl S/rix alttco calling on stump (taken by flash when too dark to see bird), Worcestershire, April 1971 (R. J. C. Bleii’i// ) 207 Recent work by British bird-photographers no objection to this form of double printing so long as it does not alter the bird and achieves something that would be almost impossible by straight photography.) Only two of these photographs were taken abroad, one by Dr Kevin J. V. Carlson of a female Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis (plate 34b) with a grub in her bill about to visit her nest in the Pyrenees, the other by M. D. England who visited Lake Nakuru, Kenya, in 1971 to obtain a fine study of White Pelicans Pelecanus onocrotalus against a background of Lesser Flamingoes Phoenicopterus minor (plate 35 b). Brian and Sheila Bottomley continue to surprise us with the unusual and splendid quality they obtain in the photography of rare birds and migrants: plate 33b of three Great Northern Divers Gavia immer oft Penzance harbour is very interesting because these appeared to be a family party (they were seen keeping close together for several days in February, occasionally calling to one another, and the nearest in the photo was noticeably the smallest). The rapid movements of Grey Wagtails Motacilla cinerea as they run to their nests with tails wagging furiously make them extremely difficult to photograph successfully, and we like very much Frank V. Blackburn’s result (plate 33a) showing a bird in typical posture with its bill full of insects. Arthur Butler has obtained a lovely portrait of a Whinchat Saxicola rubetra (plate 34a) characteristically perched on a twig near its nest. Since we began this series in i960 we have included two photo- graphs of Hen Harriers Circus cyaneus , but we feel that Dr D. A. P. Cooke’s (plate 38b) shows the male to perfection: visits by the male to the nest are usually very brief and the photographer has to be ever on the alert, but so fine is the detail in this picture that even a fly on the bird’s tail is clearly revealed. Stock Doves Columba oenas are also notoriously difficult to photograph at the nest and Dennis Green (another newcomer to this series) has done well to show the adult just leaving and the young coming to the entrance of the nesting hole (plate 39a). There must be thousands of photographs of Guillemots Uria aalge in existence, but Arthur Gilpin has obtained an interesting picture of threat display very different from the usual portraits (plate 39b). Tawny Owls Strix aluco seem to be another favourite subject, but this is the first time we have shown one ‘singing’ (plate 40b); the photographer, R. J. C. Blewitt, says that it was too dark to see the owl but he knew it was perched on the tree-stump by hearing the call. We again remind photographers that birds on Schedule 1 of the Protection of Birds Act 1967 (listed in Brit. Birds, 61: 215; 64: 189) may not be disturbed at the nest unless approval is first obtained from the Nature Conservancy; applications should now be sent to them at 12 Hope Terrace, Edinburgh EH9 2AS, and not to their London office as previously. Black-and-white prints for next year’s selection of recent work should reach us by 10th February 1973. Eric Hosking An October to remember on St Agnes in 1971 D. I. M. Wallace INT RODUCTION Although reporting on migration in the Isles of Scilly has recently improved with the publication since 1970 of a separate record for the archipelago (in the Isles of Scilly Bird Report ), narrative description or discussion of the many remarkable occurrences that so characterise both spring and autumn movements there has been restricted since the demise of the observatory on St Agnes. This account of the happen- ings of one month in 1971 will hopefully correct this position, not only in displaying the real sense of wonder that attaches to observations in Scilly, but also in dispelling some of the apparent incredulity that they so often attract on the mainland. Rarity hunting is an enjoyable sport, but it need not lack science. Generally speaking, the autumn migration of 1971 has not been rated very highly, either on the score of large numbers of common birds or on the more emotive scale of rarities. Such attitudes, however, ignore some astonishing records from Shetland, particularly in September (Brit. Birds, 64: 5 58-560), and what follows here. At the two poles of migrant observation, there was little time for rest. 208 Sketch maps of the Isles of Scilly (top) and St Agnes 209 In October to remember on St Agnes 'ERIOU i: 1ST TO I JTH OCTOBER 'here was little evidence in the late September arrivals in Scilly that October would yield the riches that it did and the presence on St Mary’s f such regulars as Buff-breasted Sandpipers Trjngites subruficollis and Short-toed Lark Ca/andrella cinerea was no more than veterans of cilly have learnt to expect as starters. Indeed, all autumn there had een only two major rarities and no large falls and there were looks of onsiderable dissatisfaction, if not actual boredom, on several faces :aving the isles on the first Saturday of October. With a flurry of nusual species current on the Cornish peninsula, observers left with- ut concern and for a few days many others thought them wise. With light southerly winds and clear skies, movements of birds /ere occurring, but the numbers involved were small and wader ligration was at a particularly low ebb. Then on 3rd and 4th came a ight but clearly significant change in the weather pattern. The wind itmained light, but for five days dense haze or mist appeared in the fternoon. The first pronounced reaction to this was on 3rd when a assage of Turtle Doves Streptope/ia turtur began and new passerines ^eluded a Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros, a Firecrest Regulus , "nicapillus and a young Ortolan Emberi^a hortulana. On the next day lore birds quickly appeared and in mid-afternoon the first major urity of the month. It was a very odd warbler, haunting the tamarisks bove Covean. All day there had been reports of strange birds in that area. None ad been fully confirmed, however, and the observers who first saw this ird were divided over its identity, some thinking it a Bonelli’s Warbler '■* hylloscopus bone/li, others being less sure in view of the frequency of ale north-eastern ChifFchaffs P. coltybita fulvescensj tristis on St Agnes, 'o me, catching up with it at 16.45 hours, it looked occasionally like a ' * hylloscopus , but, due to a rounded head and dull plumage relieved only y a faint wing panel, much more like a Booted Warbler Hippolais ■ iligata. It took only a few minutes for a couple of runners to assemble ne entire observer corps on the isle and a thumping controversy nsued. It was to last for five (to some very tedious) days and provided n almost classic case study on the varying obviousness of certain field haracters to different observers standing only feet apart, the dangers f jumping to conclusions, the insidiousness of a prior image (which > : the product of too much experience rather than too little) and the ontinuing inconclusiveness of published criteria when a bird is berrant in plumage. Whether you enjoyed the content or not, the ird was, as P. J. Grant later wrote on a Rarities Committee sheet, ‘a onsiderable lesson in field identification’ and provided an unavoidable pportunity to take stock once again of what H. G. Alexander, writing 1 the Fair Isle log 20 years earlier, described as ‘the ever-present erils’ of sight records. 210 An October to remember on St Agnes The clouds of the controversy dispersed dramatically on 8 th when, with an inspired piece of net-setting, E. Griffiths and V. R. Tucker caught the beast. At last it was in the hand, but even there it required the most critical examination. The details of the bird’s structure fitted either solution and the tarsi possessed prominent scutes, but one glance at the tail feathers ruled out Booted. However pale or whitish they had appeared in the field, they were not so at inches and this and the bird’s voice (which note by note had grown into a quite distinctive vocabu- lary) pointed strongly to Bonelli’s. In the end, not a single dissenter remained and, as the observer who had held out against that identifica- tion for so long, I felt very chastened. Bonclli’s Warbler Pbjtloscopus boncl/i This difficult bird had remained the only exceptional migrant for three days from 4th. Persistent breezes from the south-east promised much but delivered nothing, with clear night skies doubtless allowing overhead passage or prompt reorientation. As the days wore on, some observers emigrated, others gritted their teeth in patience. On 8 th the weather changed and, instead of just haze, the day produced both total cloud cover and banks of mist at sea. By mid-morning it was clear that migration was being inhibited and the pulses of observers rose steadily as a diurnal arrival became obvious with Fieldfares Turdus pilaris and Mistle Thrushes T. viscivorus. Siskins Carduelis spinus and Redpolls Acanthis flammea all putting in their first appearances of the autumn; Chiffchaffs, too, were soon all over the island. In the early afternoon a Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria was found and there were regular reports of another unusual warbler in the Parsonage wood. It began as a Yellow-browed Warbler P. inornatus and, although a few observers standing quietly under the trees were privately troubled by its size, it was not until just before dusk that D. J. Holman took courage from his doubts and said out loud, ‘I think it’s an Arctic!’ This transpired to be also the view of P. R. Colston, with previous experience of that species, and so the night saw several huddles of worried observers pondering on how one day could bring the close of one controversy and yet so rudely start another. In fact the bird, pos- sessed of two striking wing bars but lacking the white tips to the inner remiges so characteristic of Yellow-browed, was a most mercurial 21 I An October to remember on St Agnes ihantom and had done nothing but rocket through elm canopy all : lay. Little wonder we had all found it difficult to focus upon. Obviously lew in, it would surely be there on the morrow. The worst happened. From first light on 9th thick mist covered the vhole archipelago and the explosive charges of the Bishop light and he hoots of the Feninnis Head foghorn sounded uncannily close, ncoming observers put up endurance records in sustained helicopter light, while those on St Agnes groped about, experiencing the terrible rustration of knowing what they were missing. Only E. Griffiths ibtained a clear view of the mercurial Pbylloscopus. To him it was an Arctic Warbler P. borealis-, to the others a phantom once again. Then uddenly the wind began to swing, finally setting in from the west and learing mist and birds in record time. It took only an hour or so on 10th to confirm that we had lost many migrants. So, as ever in Scilly, we forgot about untaken chances and urned about to look into the eye of the wind. Almost immediately and n that still miraculous fashion that is all its own, St Agnes produced :iot one but two American waders, a Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris >’/ elanotos and a Spotted Sandpiper Tringa macularia. Normally the latter • pecies is very obliging to observers in Scilly, making long stays and reequenting only one or two habitats. This individual was an exception. Remaining on St Agnes just long enough to be identified by B. D. larding and R. E. Turley, it crossed to Gugh to feed briefly round the >ase of an isolated rock offshore and then disappeared. The compound , ength of coastline searched quickly passed the thirty mile mark, but it laever came back or visited any likely area elsewhere in Scilly. The 1 1 th was a day when anything might have appeared, but nothing : id. By evening, rain had set in from the south-west and it went on until 0. 30 hours on 12th when the wind swung again to settle as a stiff : .ortherly breeze. A high and even cloud cover formed, but surface isibility was quite good. Once again an astonishing arrival of birds : uickly became evident. Hundreds of Meadow Pipits An thus pratensis : lade landfall from the south to carpet Wingletang, 70 hirundines ppeared to feed in the lees of the hedges and the numbers of thrushes nd warblers required hourly revision upwards. In the middle of the fternoon a magnificent Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus came over to scour ae braes of both St Agnes and Annet before settling for a Meadow 'ipit on the former. Dusk crept over a very full island and mostly atisfied observers. Then suddenly, in the last minutes of the day, an dd wing-beat came to the ears of two of the party. B. D. Harding and 1. Phillips-Jones looked up to see a Nighthawk Cbordei/es minor fly by. ts habitat was the vicinity of the snooker room on the island summit, .ow very much the evening gathering point of observers on St Agnes, nd the two somewhat incoherent but happy people concerned put own (or up, depending on the viewpoint) a considerable black. At 212 An October to remember on St Agnes the roll call that night, it was a shattered group who sat through the agony of listing mundane birds within yards of the only one that for most would make autumn 1971 unforgettable. Would it be there in the morning? It was, but allowed only one observer a ghostly silhouette before flitting into one of the private areas of the island. This was cruel luck and rather than chew further already shortened nails, some watchers went to Tresco to pass most of the daylight. Meanwhile, on St Agnes a thousand prayers (or is it threats on these occasions ?) were answered: by midday the Nighthawk came out of sanctuary, first to hawk round the Post Office and second, and lastingly, to collapse in an amorphous lump, the colour of a Scops Owl Otus scops, in a tiny field at Higher Town. A friendly farmer allowed general entry and the bird was quietly surrounded by lines of intent faces now happily drained of tension. So great was the crush that at one point the whispering observers fell into three rotating ranks, those in front periodically taking severe doses of cramped knees to the rear. ‘I’ll be happy now for five years’, muttered one. I doubted whether he would be, but it was a decent salute to a great rarity made so much more exciting by the cloak of legend still draped upon its order. Sadly the bird appeared close to the threshold of another life, taking little or no notice of its audience and making no attempt to avoid the large, cold rain that began towards evening. Perhaps it got up and flew off to Nottingham (where the first of this species to be recorded on the mainland was seen on 1 8 th and 21st October), but such a rapid onward passage seems very unlikely. PERIOD 2: 14TH TO i6tH OCTOBER A thunderstorm marked the last hours of 13 th and out of it came a Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio and a wheatear Oenanthe sp with a black throat, seen too briefly for identification. All night the wind drove rain in from the north-east. It was a savage piece of weather and the ornithological outcome was quickly and dramatically apparent. The dawn rounds of 14th uncovered a huge fall of birds. Covean alone held a thousand Redwings Turdus iliacus and the rattle ot their alarm calls tugged late risers from their beds. By the end of the day we estimated that the island had received not far short of two thousand thrushes and the total number of Ring Ouzels T. torquatus had reached the quite unprecedented figure of 50. St Mary’s was also alive with thrushes. Throughout the day, more and more pointers to the complexity of the fall appeared. About midday the yells of Yellow-browed Warblers could be heard in two of the island lanes, three separate Barred Warblers were located, an odd rather rustic bunting Emberi^a sp whipped over the edge of Wingletang, a Richard’s Pipit Antbus 213 An October to remember on St Agnes novaeseelandiae followed its path a few minutes later, and all the time thrushes came in from the sea. There was no time to hold wakes for the Nighthawk. A new and quite different ‘red alert’ was signalled. The next two days saw continuous migration to and from the island and hardly an hour went by without an observer somewhere coming into contact with an unusual bird. There was little hope of a full sample of the migrants present, for the weather on the 15 th consisted largely of a southerly half-gale. This prompted or made visible a small passage of tubenoses and skuas, notably Sooty Shearwaters Puffitius grisens and a Pomarine Skua S terror arms pomarinus, and an Eider Somateria mollissima flapped past as well. These proved to be the most Sabine’s Gull Larus sabini and Sooty Shearwaters Puffitius grisens unusual seabirds of the month, apart from an immature Sabine’s Gull Lams sabini on 4th. It was difficult to spend long at Horse Point, however, as each new cast along the lanes and about the fields showed that there had been a marked arrival of Chift'chaffs and Kegulus , including no fewer than nine Firecrests. Song Thrushes T. pbilomelos reached the remarkable number of 250 and among them were immigrant Black- birds T. merula. Black Redstarts numbered at least seven and pale migrant Robins Eritbacus rnbecnla stood out from the darker resident islanders. Thirty Bramblings Fringilla montifringilla flashed white amid hundreds of Chaffinches F. coelebs, and a Corn Bunting Emberi^a calatidra made one of its rare Scilly landfalls. And hot on the tracks of the still present Yellow-browed Warblers came two dramatic singletons. At 1 1. 00 hours I passed through the opening of the Nighthawk’s little field, flushed a Redstart Pboenicums pboenicurus at point blank range and, one step later, a similarly shaped chat. For a second or so a patch of red under the wing and near the tail suggested another Red- start, but, as the bird staggered past in the wind, this impression cleared. There, still close in front of me and fluttering up a hedge, was a greenish-olive chat with a long sheeny and slaty tail and grey rump. Then it squeezed into cover and was gone. I stood feeling quite lost, 214 An October to remember on St Agnes for the bird fitted no species that I had seen before; then, as I tried to wrestle its characters into some sense, into my head came one word, ‘Bluetail’. The decisions that face any observer in this sort of situation are never easy. To have dived into the hedge after it would have been wilful disturbance and would probably have resulted in losing it unseen to the wind. Resting the area and getting assistance seemed the right course. Sadly I could not have chosen worse, for within an hour a large red tractor was loudly ploughing the earth’s surface in the one place where peace was at an ornithological premium. Nobody got even a glimpse of the bird, and I was left staring at my notes and sketches long into the night. By mid-afternoon the wind eased. Small birds began to come out into the fields and even the loss of the strange chat hurt less when at 16.30 hours R. E. Emmett and I walked straight into a splendid Little Bunting Emberi^a pusilla below the Lighthouse. An argument with a pair of Dunnocks Prunella modularis caused it to fly away within a minute and once again we and the other observers were left groping. Little Bunting limberi^a pusilla This time, however, fate was kinder and the bird soon returned to feed with a small party of Meadow Pipits and to exhibit itself to F. H. D. Hicks and several others before dusk. Still, on balance, 15 th was all too short a day and 16th even more so. There is no more frustrating experience for a committed student of migration or his close relative, the full-blooded twitcher, than to leave an island full of birds, but this was the irrevocable sentence of most observers on 16th. The morning was fabulous, calm and sunny, ideal for observation, with birds recuperating in the open. Yet time ran through our fingers like sand, for not only was there a need to relocate the stars of 1 5 th, but there was also a new fall to investigate too. Firecrests were everywhere, at least 20 in all, and Sylvia warblers leapt in every bramble patch. But floors had to be swept, rents paid and slates at the Post Office wiped clean. As ever, it was all accomplish- ed, but the identity of a smallish wheatear with a solidly black under- wing and shrike-like feeding behaviour was not established, the Little Bunting showed itself to only three people and the ‘Bluetail’ gave only the briefest glimpses. The point of no return had been reached and An October to remember on St Agnes 215 there was nothing for it but the quay, the launch and away. The first half of October was spent and so were the main observers. PERIOD 3: 17TH TO 22ND OCTOBER Apart from a few observers eagerly intent on crossing to see a Lesser Golden Plover Charadrius dominicus at St Just, on the Cornish main- land, the happiest people in Scilly on 1 6th were the serene few who shouted goodbyes to the launch-loads of departees and turned quickly back to the birds on St Agnes. The spell broke all too soon, however. A shift in the direction of the Atlantic storm-track brought howling wet gales and the third week of the month was largely barren of (excitements, depending on how you rate vagrant Hawfinches ( Coccothraustes coccothraustes and Dotterel Eudromias morinellus, a superb Red Kite Milvus milvus and ‘trash like Yellow-brow and R-b Flicker’, as one observer expressed his frustration. The Bonelli’s Warbler appeared to depart overnight on 17th, the fourteenth day of its stay, but with a small arrival on 23rd, there it was again in the Parsonage as large as life and still ringed. Given the (continuing high standard of observation, it seems very unlikely that it could have remained unseen on St Agnes for six days and thus an interesting case of at least inter-island movement arises. Frankly I could have done without seeing it again, but I was not to be spared. For two rmore days it danced in front of me, never a Booted at all. PPERIOD 4: 23RD OCTOBER TO 1ST NOVEMBER The best bird of 23 rd was a Serin Serinus serinus , destined to spend at least five days on the island. More significantly, the weather was again odd, all flat cloud, south-east wind and haze, in fact very much the mix of early October. Would it hold and tip the cornucopia again? A strongly affirmative answer came soon after dawn on 24th. In a quiet field of sowthistles and other plants garnished with seaweed, rnear Barnaby Lane, a small host of Phylloscopus warblers, pipits, finches and sparrows was discovered. Among them was one warbler that looked very odd indeed. Skulking, feeding right down on the floor and in flight at first suggesting Eocustella or Acrocephalus , the bird gave only grudging (glimpses of itself, but its voice, a nervous series of clipped mono- syllables, was horribly new. Above all, in each sighting a huge dark- bordered supercilium drew the eye without fail. It recalled somewhat the only Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus in my life, but the reaction of other observers, particularly R. J. Johns, to my notes and sketches pointed more to Radde’s Warbler P. schwar^i. Sadly it was in a farm to which access was restricted and no one else got a certain view of it. The day wore on and I still had not clinched it. Then finally in the early afternoon, four hours of damp squatting under a hedge paid off. 2l6 An October to remember on St Agnes The bird flew into weeds only a few yards from me, clambered into sight, called almost into my ear and finally gave an excellent flight view as it bounced to the next line of plants. It was undoubtedly a Phylloscopus and the large, deep bill, magnificent supercilium and yellow and buff underparts could belong only to Radde’s, the first of its kind in Scilly. In that splendid moment, the Nighthawk was for me eclipsed completely and Asia beat America hollow. The next day the sun shone, the weedy field was ploughed and the Radde’s Warbler even more elusive, if present at all. The only excep- tional migrant seen was a Greenland Redpoll A. f. rostrata which had joined several Lapland Buntings Calcarius lapponicus on the tundra-like crest of Wingletang. Perhaps the best of the autumn was past. The improvement in the weather was short-lived, however, and what Kenneth Williamson calls ‘anticyclonic gloom’ quickly returned. Although there was no marked precipitation, the effect was dramatic. Another rush developed on 26th and yet again St Agnes was quickly filled by an arrival of thrushes which came in continuously for at least twelve hours. Low cloud and mist did not help our counts, but persistent stamping about raised the thrush total to 1,700, with Song the commonest, and Stonechats Saxicola torquata and Black Redstarts were dotted all over the isle. The high spot of the day came to R. J. Johns who, five years and three days after the last one (and in practically Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus and Greenland Redpoll Acantbis flamma rostrata 217 An October to remember on St Agnes the same patch of grass sward), found another Red-throated Pipit Antbus cervinus for St Agnes. By nightfall the wind was blowing strongly from the east and clearly an early start on 27th was indicated. As far as I was concerned, it was made impossible by an exploding heater in my cottage and two precious hours had to be devoted to soot removal. When I did get out, it was to sec large numbers of Starlings Sturnus vulgaris overhead, one flock of 1,500 flowing away over Annet straight into the Atlantic gloom : what a confident bird the Starling is. On the isle, thrushes were still in every field, but they were new birds and very restless, all wings, rumps and tails disappearing. Their behaviour almost certainly cost us another major rarity, for one bird with Redwings near the lighthouse was a bit bigger and had a reddish rump, but it was gone in a flash. On the return of the sun in the afternoon, the island began to empty and, with a clear night sky, it seemed certain that the falls must stop. The wind went southerly. Just before dawn on 28th, however, there was a shower and yet again there was no excuse for slacking. A party of nine Lapwings 'Vanellus vanellus was a real surprise, for they are quite rare in Scilly, and a Jack Snipe Lymnocrjptes minimus was the first for ten days. The third Red-breasted Merganser Mergus senator of the month (another local rarity) was riding the surf in the cove and there were marginal changes in the numbers of passage migrants. None of this prepared us for the bird of the day, however. As I climbed from St Warna’s Cove to the Lighthouse at 09.30 hours, a small falcon came up from the northern part of the island. Looking finely proportioned and flying with a remarkably supple wing flick, it rang my alarm bell loudly. Then it obliged further by making a series of passes at the local pair of Kestrels Valeo tinnunculus hovering together near-by. Adrenalin surged as succeeding points of difference forced upon me the clear possibility that it was a Lesser Kestrel F. naumanni. By this time there were only three other observers on the 2 I 8 An October to remember on St Agnes isle, but luckily R. J. Johns saw the bird too, for it spent two hours about the island centre. By 11.30 hours we had both seen the pale silvery underwing and the bird could be logged without question. In the afternoon the Red-throated Pipit reappeared and thus another day of wonder closed upon tired but well satisfied birdwatchers. The wind was westerly by 22.00 hours, the night calm and clear, and the following day warm, still and sunny. Night migrants had departed, but finches poured over the isle on high diurnal passage, their call notes just audible. On the deck the absence of rarities was almost welcome. R. J. Johns and his companions departed and my children got some overdue attention. On 30th the wind picked up from the south and immediately obvious was an unusual arrival of waders. Curlews Numenius arquata had been calling for most of the night and the high-tide roost was choc-a-bloc with birds, amongst them another Scilly rarity, a Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola. Passerines were clearly draining away and warblers were restricted to a few sunny spots in the tamarisk hedges. St Agnes is never a place to give up, however, and in the hope of a last good bird I kept lapping the island road round the island centre. At 15.45 hours I was rewarded, for there in some tamarisks near Periglis were not only Chiffchaflfs but another, long desired congener, an Arctic Warbler Arctic Warbler Pbyl/oscopus borealis An October to remember on St Agnes 219 P. borealis. The moment that I saw it burst from some sprays of tamarisk, I was reminded of the bird of 8th and 9th, but there were no problems with this one. It actually flew towards me to give excellent views of its astonishing supercilium, single wing-bar and yellowish legs at 20 feet and then on into the canopy of my own cover. I was within inches of my first definite Arctic. Mercurial like the other, it soon bounced off to tear up and down a long Ruonymus hedge, darting to and from the ground and flycatching most adroitly. After four blissful minutes, it left me out of breath but very content. This proved to be the last act of the remarkably sustained drama on St Agnes. In place of my long-sought Pallas’s Warbler P. proregulus, I had acquired one Radde’s and one Arctic, if not two. It was quite unreasonable to ask for more. So when 31st dawned calm, clear and full of incredibly warm sunlight I felt no restlessness and was satisfied to listen to the continued tinkling of high overhead passage. Occa- sionally a bird came down, the best a Woodlark Fullula arborea which made the island centre ring with its delightful calls. The 1st November saw the Indian summer continuing and, although surprisingly there had been a small arrival of warblers and a very late Whinchat Saxicola rubetra, I had to pack myself and my family up and even went so far as announcing the ceremonial casing of binoculars at 13.00 hours. This accomplished, I looked neither left nor right and off to St Mary’s we went. In fact, there was after all to be a final climax: a large pale wheatear with unmarked underwings on St Mary’s Airport two hours later. I But that is another and so far unfinished story. POSTSCRI PT It would be a pity to disguise what is essentially the story of 31 exciting days with scientific discussion, but it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the factors responsible for the migration seen on 'St Agnes in October 1971 were distinctly unusual. The reaction of the migrants to local weather, as detailed in the text, seemed extremely sensitive. Yet there was never any indication of panic or exhaustion and it is very unlikely that real disorientation in south-west England was responsible for the large falls. Indeed, before the second week of the month it seemed that St Agnes (and Scilly in general) had largely been by-passed, as had been the case earlier on the east coast. The few rarities pointed to some reversed migration in calm weather, but many of the regular components of the migrant profile were either lacking or present on a much reduced scale. The numbers of typically Scan- dinavian species, notably Pied Flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca and Willow Warblers Phylloscopus trochi/us, were particularly low and it remains very remarkable that not a single new Hippolais was seen anywhere in 'Scilly after the first days of October. 220 An October to remember on St Agnes The question therefore arises where the large falls in the middle of the month and again in the last week originated. Their profile was also unusual with a higher than normal incidence of thrushes, particularly so in the case of clean, grey Song Thrushes and pale Chiffchaffs, the latter the only warblers passing in above normal numbers. The passage of finches was also unusually sustained and heavy. Most observed tracks of birds arriving in daylight indicated that they were coming from between south-east and south-west, the majority from just east of south. There was a noticeable lack of landbird sightings from the R.M.V. Scillonian. Thus we were forced to look mainly south for an explanation, rather than east or north-east, and the shipping forecasts and weather maps all suggested Biscay and south-west France as the most likely areas of immediate origin. In those areas there was a remarkably constant clash of westerly and southerly winds and an ebb and flow of small troughs and ridges as large Continental anticyclones held off the Atlantic storm-track. Furthermore, since the Continental anticyclones were unusually persistent and at lower latitudes than usual, it was difficult not to look beyond France to southern Europe in general and even to the eastern Mediterranean. That birds could have been reaching Scilly from these far quarters may seem an unlikely hypothesis, but it is not easy to forget it when one considers the profile of rarities there and in Cornwall. Even if at least two escaped certain specific identification, there can be no doubt that between 24th September and 1st November five or six southern wheatears reached south-west and west England in an unprecented influx, nicely comple- mented by five Tawny Pipits An thus campestris in Cornwall and the Isle of Man. Apart from the one on St Agnes, there was at least one other Lesser Kestrel in Cornwall and at least two of the Lesser Golden Plovers at St Just are considered to have been of the Asiatic race P. d.fulva. It is difficult to accept that any of the major eastern rarities seen on St Agnes came direct from a long circuit of northern Europe and the most reasonable explanation is that their displacement occurred much farther south than is supposed normal. By all the rules, the odds were against the St Agnes occurrences of October 1971. Yet they never let up and it will be fascinating to see if such a phenomenal series recurs, given a similar European weather pattern in another autumn. Finally, with regard to the birds left not fully named in the narrative, it should be noted that the current lack of access to the British Museum (Natural History) collection is holding up any final conclusion about the ‘BluetaiP and that, sadly, not all observers concerned in the first wing-barred Pbylloscopus have yet submitted details. All other rarity records have been accepted by the Rarities Committee and full details of the Nighthawk will be published separately. D. I. M. Wallace, 1 3 Doncel Court, Forest View, London E4 7 aw 'Notes Partridge plunging into water At about midday on 9th February 1972, we witnessed a remarkable piece of behaviour by a Partridge Perdix perdix at Fairham Brook, a tributary of the Trent at Clifton, ^Nottingham. At the point where this occurred the brook flows along a ^straight course. It was about eight feet wide and more than one foot deep, being swollen by recent rain and melted snow. The banks are : 'airly steep and were covered by dead reeds and grasses. We were walking along the path which follows one bank when a Partridge .appeared five to ten yards ahead; with wings spread and drooping, .. ind tail fanned up over its back, it walked cautiously along the path iway from us. Then, turning to see us still advancing, it rose into the .fir, flew in a short curve and plunged into the brook, where it floated vith head held up and body submerged (apart from the upper back). 'The wings were folded against the body and it drifted with the flow of water. It stayed perfectly calm and kept itself turned towards us, massing within about eight feet. The Partridge remained thus for about u quarter of a minute, drifting some 15-20 yards downstream, before lapping its wings against the water to push itself towards the bank where it sought a place to climb out. D. Richmond and S. Harries 1 air ham Comprehensive School, Clifton, Nottingham Derek Goodwin comments that, although this behaviour resembles distraction display, it is very unlikely that the bird would have had jggs or young so early in the year. It is difficult to believe that it deliberately took to water, and some illness or injury must be uspected. Eds Daylight hunting by Barn Owls With reference to D. S. Bunn’s oaper on regular daylight hunting by Barn Owls Tjto alba {Brit. Birds, >5: 26-30), the following observations in W'igtownshire may be of nterest. On seven dates between November 1969 and January 1972 I watched one or two Barn Owls hunting in daylight over a low-lying i .rea covered in rushes and surrounded by rough pasture near Stranraer see table 1). To the south is a fresh-water marsh, bordered by a small, nature pine wood, surrounded by pasture and arable land; to the torth is a young coniferous plantation. Although Short-eared Owls Asio flammeus and Hen Harriers Circus yaneus hunted over the same area, there was no apparent interaction >etween them and the Barn Owls, except for one brief dispute (see able) when a Hen Harrier swooped closely at an owl without striking t. Once there was a direct physical attack by a Carrion Crow Corvus 221 222 Notes Table x. Recorded daylight activities of Barn Owls Tyto alba at a low-lying moor near Stranraer, Wigtownshire, from November 1969 to January 1972 All sightings were of single birds except in the one instance stated Minutes from Date Time sunset Observations 23 Nov 1969 16.00 16.15 -66 -51 16.39 16.42 -27 -24 16.46 — 20 17.02 -4 17.05 — 1 17.10 + 4 29 Nov 1969 16.56 -3 30 Nov 1969 29 Aug 1970 08.25 20.25 -41 -6 3 Sep 1970 19-45 20.00 — 20 -5 27 Nov 1971 1 6. 1 1 + 11 28 Jan 1972 17.12 + 23 Hunting Dived into rushes and remained until 16.20 hours, when flew to fence post Preening Moved about twelve feet to another fence post Flew 100 feet to another fence post; dived twice into rushes from there Attacked by Carrion Crow Corvus c. corone (see text) Hunting; swooped at by Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus (see text) Joined by second owl ; both hunted out of sight Hunting over root field (disappeared from view) Hunting in rain Hunting over plantation to north (dis- appeared from view) Hunting over area to north Dived into rough grass and remained there Hunting over rushes (disappeared from view) Flew to roost in roots of fallen tree c. corone (see table) which clutched the back of one of the owls twice with its feet, forcing it to the ground. R. C. Dickson 3 Galloway Place, West Freugh, by Stranraer, Wigtownshire White-throated Sparrow in Co. Cork On 3rd April 1967 I was walking past Coosaneska on Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork, prior to departing on the morning mail-boat, when I saw a bird resembling a Dunnock Prunella modularis on some brambles. Through x 10 binocu- lars at 70 yards’ range the head showed very conspicuous black-and- white stripes and I realised that it was probably either a White-throated or a White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis or leucophrys. Identi- fication as the former was confirmed by the presence of a black stripe over the eye (widening out at the hind crown), a narrow whitish crown stripe, a broad supercilium (lemon-yellow in front of the eye and white behind), a black eyestripe (broader at the rear of the ear-coverts) and a white throat bordered by black (narrow at the sides but broader Notes 223 jelow). The forehead was raised so that the peak of the crown was in ront of the eye. The bird’s Dunnock-like appearance was due to its ich brown back boldly striped with black and also to its nervous labit of wing-flicking. After two or three minutes it flew off towards neerbeg. A summary of the record, a general account of the occur- ence and the field notes have already been published ( Irish Bird Rep., 5: 42-43; Irish Nat. ]., 16: 238; Cape Clear Bird Obs. Rep., 9: 81). I had previously seen the second British White-throated Sparrow Brit. Birds, 54: 366-367, 439-440), as well as a ship-assisted one in an iwiary (Brit. Birds, 56: 114-115; 58: 230), and this undoubtedly helped ne to identify this bird, seen briefly and in dull light. Searches of doosaneska and Ineerbeg for 20 minutes by six observers on 3rd, and iy the one observer remaining on the island for the rest of the month, were unsuccessful. This was the first record of a White-throated Sparrow in Ireland and :he fifth in Europe. J. T. R. Sharrock 4 Curlew Crescent, Bedford Artificial nest-sites for Treecreepers In attempts to attract breeding I 'reecrcepcrs Certhia farniliaris, I nailed a number of artificial nest , aolders, at heights of two to four metres, to tree-trunks in or near nny garden at Chew Stoke, Bristol. They were made of strips of i/ood, cork, linoleum or bark, forming a pocket or envelope with a side opening. Each year since 1968 one or more has been occupied by Blue Tits Parus caeruleus , Robins Erithacus rube- cula or Spotted Flycatchers Alns- cicapa striata, Then one was at last used by Treecreepers in 1971. Various sizes and shapes had been tried, but this suc- cessful one was made of wood strips covered with elm bark, nailed to the north side of an elm trunk about three metres up. Its internal dimensions (see dia- gram) were 18x12x4 cm, the side opening being a slit 5 X 2.5 cm. Nesting material was taken in by both parent birds from 5 th April. The nest was made of fine twigs lined with grass and spider icoons. Incubation started about 4th May and at least three fledglings ft about 6th June. D. E. Ladhams villow Lodge, Chew Stoke, Bristol Reviews Handbook of the Birds of Cyprus and Migrants of the Middle East. By David A. Bannerman and W. Mary Bannerman. Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh, 1971. 237 pages; 27 colour plates; one fold-out map. £3.00. A Check-list of the Birds of Cyprus. By P. F. Stewart and S. J. Christensen. Mimeographed, bound in soft covers, 1971. Obtainable from P. F. Stewart, 20 A.M.Q., R.A.F. Mount Batten, Plymouth, Devon. 92 pages. 75P. After many years of quiescence, ornithological activities in Cyprus have recently become both hectic and complicated. This started with investi- gations and the collection of much back data by Dr and Mrs Bannerman for their Birds of Cyprus (1958). They were able to include some of the earlier observations made by the members of the Cyprus Ornithological Society, which was founded in 1957. Unfortunately, owing to poor liaison, errors and obscurities were not entirely eliminated then, but some were subsequently cleared up in the society’s publications, notably its fifteenth Bulletin in 1964 which included a review of past work, an annotated check-list, a bibliography, a summary of ringing results, and the local conservation legislation. Stewart and Christensen have now produced a much handier, revised working check-list, and the Bannermans an updated summary of the accounts of species in their original work (the rest of the Middle East comes into it only in so far as many of the forms found in Cyprus occur there as well). The Stewart-Christensen list is probably the ‘best buy’ for those who know the birds but need a concise summary of their local status. While it is undocumented, the source of most of the authors’ informa- tion can be found in past C.O.S. publications, except that the basis for the identification of many of the subspecies (as recognised by Dr C. Vaurie) reported to occur in the island is obscure: where sub- specific names are used, more justification should be provided. The Bannermans’ Handbook , which contains handsome plates illustrating the more spectacular species visiting Cyprus and the few found there which do not occur in Europe, will be equally useful to those who need fuller accounts of the birds themselves. The allocation of some, but not all, of the scarcer species to an appendix, and some of these to square brackets, seems rather arbitrary: indeed, the Caspian Herring Gull Larus argentatus cachinnans, whose highly probable presence has still to be proved, gets only half a bracket, and the Rock Sparrow, generally agreed not to have occurred at all in recent times, escapes them entirely. One could wish that both pairs of authors would treat breeding records as sceptically as those of migrants; those for the Glossy Ibis, Tawny Owl, Ring Ouzel, Blackcap and Red-backed 224 Reviews 225 hrike, among others, seem rather tenuous, though admittedly the )cal breeding list is shorter rather than longer than one would expect. >> it not also rather strange that the northern Tufted Duck should ave been reported breeding before the southern Ferruginous Duck? W. R. P. Bourne ^ews and comment Robert Hudson sJew National Nature Reserve in Suffolk Walberswick, on the Suffolk coast, is ell known to ornithologists chiefly because of Westwood Marshes, one of the rgest reed-beds in Britain, created in 1940 when former grazing land was flooded 1 i part of the coastal defence system. Though these reed-beds lost their breeding I larsh Harriers some years ago, there arc still resident Bitterns and Bearded Tits, id recently Savi’s Warblers have begun nesting there. The long-term future of the r ca has been safeguarded as the result of an agreement between Sir Charles Blois, \wner of the Walberswick Estate, and the Nature Conservancy, whereby 1,116 acres ave been declared a National Nature Reserve. This reserve includes not only West- ood Marshes but also tracts of heather and bracken, heath, with gorse and broom i ickets, and the Angel Marshes mudflats which are important for migrant wildfowl id waders. The heathland areas have been invaded by scrub since the advent of yxomatosis, and management will be required there in order to preserve the ugetation type, once so widespread in east Suffolk, that formerly provided habitats nr healthy populations of Stone Curlews and Red-backed Shrikes. liled geese in Cromarty Firth On 20th March the Royal Navy tanker Dewdale lost me 30 tons of fuel oil into the Cromarty Firth, Ross-shire, as a result of a blocked 1 live. The oil appears to have gone ashore quickly, chiefly in Nigg Bay. The large nmbers of seaduck which winter in the area had fortunately departed, but it caught cc Nigg Bay roost of Pink-footed Geese: though none had been found dead at ce time of writing, it was estimated from sample counts that up to 1,000 were Icected, some described as being black with oil and having difficulty in keeping ' > with the flocks. It was questionable whether these would be able to make the 0- mile flight to Iceland this spring (it will be recalled that the Icelandic population already under threat from a proposed hydro-electric scheme on the Thjorsarver). nee again the local authority relied upon liquid detergent for cleaning beaches, kd used some 1,840 gallons, without consulting naturalists on possible side -effects, ad urgent action been taken after the spillage, it should have been possible to ire the geese off the Nigg Bay roost at the dangerous time. Naturalist organisations t: now waiting with interest to see whether the Royal Navy is included within ce scope of the new legislation applying to shipping which causes oil pollution, ontributed by Dr W. R. P. Bourne.) 1- Ireland Conference on Bird Conservation The sixth All-Ireland Conference, .ganised by the Irish Wildbird Conservancy in conjunction with the Royal Society r the Protection of Birds, was held in Wexford during 3rd- 5 th March. This was c 2 first of these conferences to be held south of Dublin, but despite the distances my had to travel there was a record number of participants. The informal tort included a visit to the North Slobs Reserve and the showing of two R.S.P.B. ns. There was a major surprise at the official opening of the conference when an Flanagan, Minister for Lands, announced that the Irish Government was to we £2, 5 00 to the organisation of the ‘Atlas of Breedi ng Birds of Britain and Ireland’ lich is now in its final year of fieldwork under the joint auspices of the British News and comment 226 Trust for Ornithology and the Irish Wildbird Conservancy. The first speaker was Professor G. M. Dunnet, who surveyed the use made of the sea by birds; and two more restricted talks followed, on the reasons behind the expansion of gull popula- tions (Dr Jasper Parsons), and on the use made by gulls of Man’s waste at sea (Paul Hillis). The Saturday afternoon was devoted to a series of organised trips to some of the Meccas of Co. Wexford. The two main talks on Sunday were by Dr James Cadbury on population studies of Hen Harriers in Orkney, and by Brian Stronach on waterfowl research in Co. Mayo. Short contributions on current ornithological activities in Ireland — ringing, Atlas, Estuaries Enquiry, Cape Clear Bird Observa- tory— rounded off an extremely successful conference. (Contributed by A. J. Prater.) Recent appointments George H. Evans, well-known in the observatory network for his long sojourn on Bardsey, Caernarvonshire, has joined the staff of the Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory and Field Station, managed by the Lincolnshire Trust for Nature Conservation: he will be responsible for running the field station and reserve, while R. B. Wilkinson remains the observatory warden. A comparable transatlantic move gives cause for satisfaction in this country: Trevor Lloyd-Evans, who left the staff of the British Trust for Ornithology in 1971 on completion of a Royal Air Force Fellowship to investigate bird-strike hazards in Yorkshire, is to be congratulated on his appointment as resident biologist to the Manomet Bird Observatory, Massachusetts. Following the Countryside in 1970 conferences (see, for example, Bri/. Birds, 63 : 396), the Royal Society of Arts has agreed to accept responsibility for convening meetings to continue and develop this work: to that end, with the aid of a generous three-year grant from the Dulverton Trust, a new post of Environment Officer has been giver, to B. R. Fuller, recently retired from the Malawi Forest and Game Department. Two recent publications Although the British Isles possess one of the longest and most varied coastlines in Europe, many parts, especially in south-east England, are already developed, while others are earmarked for various industrial projects. Thus there is need for detailed study of unspoilt areas to determine which most merit preservation. This is the background against which a working party under the Nature Conservancy compiled a recently published document, Wildlife Conservation in the North Kent Marshes. This thorough survey of localities and habitats stresses the biological importance of these marshes, with their wide range of natural features, diversity of plant and animal communities, and unusual opportunities for research and education. The working party’s recommendations are that future industrial development should be restricted to areas already partly developed; that pollution by existing industry should be reduced ; that large blocks of agricultural land should be retained as grazing marsh; that recreational activities (for example, water ski-ing) should be restricted to certain areas to avoid undue disturbance; that there should be one authority (perhaps a Coastal Regional Park, or a North Kent Marshes Conservancy) to plan land-use for the whole area ; and that the Kent County Council, in conjunction with other interested bodies (including voluntary ones), should set up a working group to explore these possibilities. This 8 5 -page document also contains maps, checklists of birds and vascular plants, and tabulated data on bird populations in the area. It is available at 75P from the Nature Conservancy Regional Office, Church Street, Wye, Ashford, Kent. One reason why this document is so timely stems from the imminent construction of the third London airport at Foul- ness, the last major wildlife area on the Essex side of the Thames estuary. It is to the Conservancy’s discredit that they have not made a similar study of the coasts of the southern half of Essex, which are, if anything, under greater pressure than those of north Kent. In an earlier ‘News and comment’ {Brit. Birds, 63: 141) I reviewed A Guide to Shetland Birds by Bobby Tulloch and Fred Hunter (1970). A second (1972) edition Jews and comment 227 to hand, this being in the same format but corrected, updated and better illustrated . is available from R. J. Tulloch, Reafirth, Mid Yell, Shetland, price 75p. Though >t normally my policy to mention revised editions, I do so in this case to air my >inion that the future of county avifaunal works lies with such inexpensive loklets as this, that can be updated in periodic reissues, rather than the old- , shioned concept of stout, once-per-generation volumes that become outdated less time than it takes to save up their substantial purchase price. >cal bird reports — a correction Referring to the Southern Vancouver Island Annual 'd Report last December {Brit. Birds, 64: 5 54), I called the local bird report concept a culiarly British and Irish one. Several North American readers have since pointed t the existence over there of various regional journals which, though not exact unterparts of our county bird reports, nevertheless devote an equivalent amount space to local records. My apologies to all concerned. ' unions expressed in this feature are not necessarily llsose of the editors of British Birds recent reports P. F. Bonham iese are largely unchecked reports, not authenticated records is summary covers February 1972, to which all dates refer unless otherwise ted. There were three surprises in an otherwise uneventful month. An unidentified t jatross Diomedea sp was reported by fishermen off Unst (Shetland) on 2nd. Four ys later a Siberian Tit Varus cinctus was trapped at an East Anglian locality; hough this species breeds as near as central southern Norway and wanders south the breeding range in winter, it has seldom been recorded outside Fenno-Scandia 1 :.i not previously in Britain and Ireland. (It may possibly have been caught up in c: extensive tit movements of last autumn, and wintered here undetected.) Most narkable of all, a Hock of 16 sandgrouse, probably Pallas’s Syrrhap/es paradoxus, -s seen at Sheviock (Cornwall) on 19th, the first report of more than four together ce 1908 (see Brit. Birds, 62: 452-453). Highlights of sea-passage included some 300 divers Gavia spp heading north in ly ten minutes at Cresswell (Northumberland) on 15 th, a Storm Petrel Hydroha/es ■agicus at Hengistbury Head (Hampshire) on 16th, and 650 Gantlets Sula bassana I 900 Kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla off Cape Cornwall on 12th. In Hampshire, a gilt Heron Nycticorax nycticorax was present at Sowley Pond, Lymington, : oughout the month and an immature Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia remained in ristchurch Harbour from nth February until 22nd March; the adult Spoonbill in ■ ole Harbour (Dorset) {Brit. Birds, 65 : 135) stayed at least until the end of February. I Drake Green-winged Teal Anas crecca carolinensis were seen at Spiggie Loch letland) on 23rd and at Gouthwaitc Reservoir (Yorkshire) from 26th, and an early nale Garganey A. querquedsda was reported at Sevenoaks (Kent) on 29th. At Slim- dge (Gloucestershire), an adult Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus nained from 22nd January to at least 12th February and a first-winter bird was ind on 14th. White-fronted Geese A. albifrons there reached a very low peak of 50 (only 8$% juveniles) in mid-February, falling to 2,440 by 29th, and several ner reports at the end of the month indicated return movements : a transient flock 50 at Minsmerc (Suffolk) on 25 th, 64 heading out to sea at Breydon (Norfolk) on ' :h, and 150 flying east over Pitsford Reservoir (Northamptonshire) on 27th. wick’s Swans Cygnus betvickii continued to increase on the Ouse Washes (Cam- dgcshire/Norfolk) (sec also Brit. Birds, 65: 183) to a new peak of 1,280 on 25th. e only unusual raptor reported was a Red Kite Milvus milvus at Beachy Head 228 Recent reports (Sussex; early in the month; and the only unusual wader, apart from the Northamp- tonshire Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes which moved to Ecton sewage-farm from Pitsford Reservoir where it had remained since September (Brit. Birds, 64:55 7), was a Grey Phalarope P halar opus fulicar ins at Seahouses Harbour (Northumberland) on 13 th. A Baillon’s Crake P organa pusilla was seen at Thatcham Marsh (Berkshire) on 23rd. Two Great Skuas Stercorarius skua were seen in Shetland and singles off north Kent and north Devon on scattered dates ; three Great and an Arctic S. parasiticus passed west at St Ives (Cornwall) on 12th and a second Arctic was seen at Sand Bay (Somerset) on 15th. An immature Bonaparte’s Gull Larus Philadelphia was reported at Luthrie, Cupar (Fife) on 26th and 27th. Some 20 Little Gulls L. minutus and five Mediterranean Gulls L. melanocephalus were very widely scattered. Single Little Auks Plautus alle were picked up dead at Skegness (Lincolnshire) at the end of January and seen at Marazion (Cornwall) on 21st February. Apart from the Siberian Tit, the only rare passerines were a Bluethroat Luscinia svecica at Loose (Kent) on 9th and a Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseus at Sandwich (also Kent) during 22nd-27th. Since the regular passerines were not covered in the last summary, the rest of this paragraph deals with both January and February. Wintering summer visitors included the usual Blackcaps Sylvia atricapilla and ChifFchaffs Pbylloscopus collybita and, in addition, a Whitethroat S. communis found with a damaged wing at Attenborough (Nottinghamshire) on 22nd January, another Whitethroat at Funton (Kent) on 23rd and a Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava at Hum (Hampshire) on 5 th February. At Cliffe (Kent), Twites Acanthis flavirostris built up from 30 on 2nd January to no fewer than 1,000 on 24th February, and there were up to 400 at Gibraltar Point (Lincolnshire). Flocks of 1,500 and 2,000 Bramblings Fringilla montifringilla occurred at Harwell (Berkshire) and Warsop (Nottinghamshire) respectively. Snow Buntings Plectrophenax nivalis were seen in concentrations of up to 1,000 in Orkney; inland reports involved singles at only three localities except for two unusual occurrences in Northumberland, where up to 40 were seen on the Town Moor, Newcastle upon Tyne, and a flock of 300 in the Cheviots. Numbers of Shore Larks Biremopbila alpestris, Twites and Snow Buntings on the east coast were generally rather low, however. Eighteen Lapland Buntings Calcarius lapponicus at Cowpen Marsh, Teesmouth (Co. Durham), on 24th January were decidedly unusual (only one or two had been seen there previously, and there were five throughout February); six occurred at Gibraltar Point on 30th January and odd ones and twos at several other places on the coast. Finally, Waxwings Bomby cilia garrulus were much reduced in numbers, about 150 being reported west to Dorset and Somerset and north to Inverness, and we heard of some 50 Great Grey Shrikes Lanius excubitor during the two months. and its Birds by Charles Vaurie Dr Vaurie describes Tibet, then relates the history of its ornithological exploration, discusses its zoogeographic position and the distribution of its avifauna, and sum- marises the little that is known about migration. A second section lists all the birds collected or reported in Tibet and is based on the examination of virtually all the collections anywhere which contain Tibetan speci- mens, as well as on an exhaustive search of the literature. Dr Vaurie’s book is primarily addressed to naturalists, but its broad synthetic concept of Tibet should prove of value to anyone interested in this most challenging region of the world. Royal 8vo 3 colour plates 24 black & white photos 400 pages bound in red buckram with gilt top £10 50 plus 25p postage H. F. & G. WITHERBY LTD 15 NICHOLAS LANE, LONDON EC4N 7BR in Small Advertisements CEMLYN BIRD OBSERVATORY ANGLESEY A paradise for birdwatchers. Stay at the Cemlyn Bird Observatory, situated in one of the beauty spots overlooking Cemlyn Reserve, lake and bay. Open all year. Luxury caravan, accommodation up to 6. Moderate prices. Personally con- ducted tours. Birdwatching courses. Write for details to D. H. Coggins Cemlyn Bird Observatory Swn-y-mor Cemlyn Bay, near Amlwch Anglesey (Phone: Cemaes Bay 244) Good spring and autumn passage, rare birds, seabird colonies. See Bittern, Heron, Kittiwake, Puffin, Black Guillemot, Chough, shear- waters, all tern species and many others WANTED BRITISH BIRDS Vols 8 Jan, Feb, May-July 22 Dec, index 23 Oct 28 Jan-Aug 29 Oct, index 30 complete 31 Apr, Aug-Sept 32 Mar-Apr, Aug 33 Apr, July-Oct, Dec, index 34 Feb, Apr-July 35 complete 36 complete 37 complete 38 Mar, July 53 complete 55 complete 56 Jan-June 60 May, July, Sept-Dec, index 61 Mar-May, index 62 Aug, Dec, index Your offers for periodicals of all periods and languages are also welcome KRAUS PERIODICALS FL 9491 Nendeln, Liechtenstein 80p for 3 lines (minimum); 25p for each whole or part extra line. For the use of a box number there is an extra charge of 5p Bed and breakfast, evening meals op- tional. Centrally situated for the best bird localities Walberswick to Haver- gate. C.H., home cooking and every comfort. Box MY2211. Swans Big Game and Bird Safaris to East Africa. See page i. Subscriber requires British Birds July, August and September 1967. 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WITHERBY LTD 15 NICHOLAS LANE, LONDON EC4N 7BR Printed in England by Henry Burt & Son Ltd, College Street, Kempston, Bedford Published by H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd, 15 Nicholas Lane, London EC4N 7BR ritish Birds I ’s Warblers breeding in Suffolk Axell and G. J. Jobson it identification of European raptors 4 Harriers 3 i Christensen, Bent Pors Nielsen, R. F. Porter and Ian Willis B ding biology of Moorhens on Huntingdonshire farm ponds Relton N -s Reviews Letters 4* and comment Recent reports of county and regional recorders in Britain and Ireland ume 65 Number 6 June 1972 35p British Birds Editorial Address io Merton Road, Bedford Telephone 0234 67 jjg Volume 65 Number 6 June 1972 229 Savi’s Warblers breeding in Suffolk H. E. Axell and G. J. Jobson 233 Flight identification of European raptors Part 4 Harriers Steen Christensen, Bent Pors Nielsen, R. F. Porter and Ian Willis Plates 41-44 248 Breeding biology of Moorhens on Huntingdonshire farm ponds Miss Judy Relton NOTES 256 Two pairs of Kestrels nesting on one electricity pylon R. A. Frost 257 Kestrels nesting close together I. J. Ferguson-Lees 259 Little Gulls associating with feeding Razorbills R. E. Scott 259 Displacement behaviour of Song Thrush Miss Eileen A. Soper 260 Redpoll plucking dead Dunnock J. Driver 260 Song Sparrow on the Calf of Man Malcolm Wright REVIEWS 262 The Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland prepared by the British Ornithologists’ Union, and A Species List of British and Irish Birds edited by Robert Hudson Stanley Cramp 263 Storre Danske Fuglelokaliteter by L. Ferdinand Professor T. C. Smout LETTERS 264 Changes in Rarities Committee membership D. I. M. Wallace 263 Large gulls with grey wing-tips Dr W. R. P. Bourne 266 News and comment Robert Hudson 267 Recent reports P. F. Bonham 269 List of county and regional recorders in Britain and Ireland We are grateful to R. A. Richardson for the drawings of Moorhen (page 256) and Gyr Falcon (page 268) Editors Stanley Cramp, I. J. Ferguson-Lees, P. F. Bonham, M. A. Ogilvie and D. I. M. Wallace Photographic Editor Eric Hosking News and Comment Robert Hudson, B.T.O., Beech Grove, Tring, Hertfordshire Rarities Committee F. R. Smith, 117 Hill Barton Road, Exeter, Devon exi 3PP Year’s subscription for 12 issues £4.50 post paid (overseas rate £4.80) from H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd, 13 Nicholas Lane, London EC4N 7BR Copyright © the authors and FI. F. & G. Witherby Ltd. 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Tel: Navestock 3498 ii Volume 65 Number 6 June 1972 British Birds 'Savi’s Warblers breeding in Suffolk H. E. Axell and G. J. Jobson From 7th June 1856, when the last recorded survivor of the breeding population was shot at Surlingham, Norfolk (Stevenson 1866), Savi’s Warbler Kocustella luscinioides was unknown as a British summer rcesident until i960 when a small population was identified in the Stour Walley at Stodmarsh, Kent, though the species may have been present :here since 1951 (Pitt 1967, Kent Bird Reports 1968-71). Breeding is (thought to have occurred at another locality in Kent since 1969 and t:he species has now extended its range to Suffolk where it nested at VWalberswick in 1970 (Jobson 1971) and probably again in 1971, and ailso at Minsmere in the latter year. In the long period between cessation and resumption of breeding, 1 he only records now accepted of Savi’s Warbler were of two vagrants, 1 one of which was shot, on Fair Isle, Shetland, on 14th May 1908 (.Clarke 1909), and a singing male at Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire, From 2nd June to mid-August 1954 (Boston 1956). Since i960, how- over, the species has occurred in Britain with increasing frequency ' und its breeding in new sites was expected. Almost all recent occur- rences have been in the nesting season (Pitt 1967, reports of the Rarities t [Committee, various county reports, P. J. Roberts, C. J. D. Shackles, \ R. Smith, and D. C. H. Worsfold in lift.): 960 rent: Stodmarsh, 18th April-3rd August, three singing do. two pairs bred. omerset: Chew Valley Lake, 24th and 30th July, singing q. 11 961 kent: Stodmarsh, 25th April- 1st July, one or two singing do, but no evidence >f breeding. Sussex: Selsey Bill, 10th, nth, 17th and 18th April, singing but no proof of breeding. Norfolk: Cley, 26th April, singing d- Pembrokeshire: Skokholm, 31st October. Suffolk: Minsmere, 28th April, i5th-26th May and 31st May-ist June, one to three singing ddl Walberswick, 12th May, singing d- Sussex: Devil’s Dyke, Brighton, 26th April. Warwickshire: Brandon Marsh, Coventry, 21st April, singing d- 1969 Hampshire: (locality withheld), nth May-2ist June, singing g. kent: Stod- marsh, 19th April- 1 4th July, three, perhaps five, singing ddl another all May at a second locality near-by; probably bred at a third locality, away from the Stour Valley. Lincolnshire: Theddlethorpe, 3rd August, adult; Bardney, 22nd August, adult. Norfolk: Cley, 15th May- nth July, singing d; 4th July, singing d at another locality. Suffolk: Walberswick, 4th May-i9th July, two singing dd- Yorkshire: Knaresborough, 14th- 15 th May. 1970 kent: Stodmarsh, 19th April-July, three singing dd; probably bred at another locality, somerset: (locality withheld), 29th May- 5th June, singing d, trapped. Suffolk: Minsmere, from 7th May, one, perhaps two, singing dd; Walberswick, 17th April- 1 9th August, four singing dd> pair bred; singing d at another locality. 1971 kent: Stodmarsh, 19th May-i7th July, five singing dd, three holding territory and at least one paired; singing d at another locality. Suffolk: Minsmere, pair bred; Walberswick, 23rd April-6th August, two singing dd1, probably bred. Yorkshire: Fairburn Ings, 8th-i3th July. HABITAT IN SUFFOLK The extinction of Savi’s Warbler in Britain in the 1850’s was coincident with the beginning of the rapid decline of the Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus (Axell 1966) and evidently the same main contributing factor was the large-scale destruction, by drainage, of reed-marshes, to which both species are restricted. It is significant that the nesting sites at Minsmere, Stodmarsh and Walberswick are all newly developed wet- lands where reed Phragmites communis has spread into some hundreds of acres of shallow floods. At each of the three sites there is, too, an increasingly successful colony of Bearded Tits. At Stodmarsh the reed-marsh is caused by the flooding of water pumped from a coal-mine. At Minsmere and Walberswick, three miles apart on the Suffolk coast, it developed as a result of deliberate wartime flooding of rough grazing-land : these areas were left undrained, allowing reeds to spread from the network of ditches into the shallowly flooded fields. In the 160 hectares (400 acres) of reed- marsh at Minsmere, management as a reserve of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds includes the control of vegetation to keep open water in a score of meres, but on the larger Westwood Marshes at Walberswick most of the meres are now engulfed by reeds. At this latter site, which has recently been declared a National Nature Reserve, reed is harvested on a small scale and the debris and stubbles are 23I Savi's Warblers breeding in Suffolk burnt at the end of each winter. At both localities there are many large areas not dominated by reeds where colonies of sedges Carex, rushes Juncns, reed mace Tjpba latifolia and many other aquatic plants flourish, as well as drier, rough grassland areas where bramble Rubus fruticosa is spreading; the increasingly dominant shrub is sallow Salix. BREEDING AT WALBERSWICK The first known occurrence at Walberswick was in 1968 when a male was heard on 12th May. The following year produced two singing nales from 4th May to 19th July, but they could not be seen and there was no evidence of breeding. In 1970 reeling was first heard on 17th April and continued until August, with a quieter period in late June ind early July when only a few short bursts of song were heard, ndicating two broods. Four singing males were present and the crritory of one, a clearing in the reeds where two small pools were :onnccted by a ditch, was visited by G.J.J. in midsummer. Although a lose approach was made, the singing bird could not be seen until the >bserver made ‘clucking’ noises which caused it to climb to the top of a eed to investigate. On occasion, he saw one perch on a reed-head nd make agitated ‘chick’ notes, accompanied by much tail-flicking; ue also heard a chatter like that of a Starling Sturnus vulgaris. On 19th uly and 19th August D. J. Pearson caught two fledged juveniles at a ■ list-netting site near-by. In 1971 two singing males were present, ne of them occupying exactly the same territory as one of the males f the previous year. Although breeding was not proved conclu- sively in that year, their behaviour strongly suggested that it did occur nd again there was a quieter period of song in early summer. REEDING AT MINS MERE | ut Minsmere daily observation has been maintained in the breeding ^ason since 1948, but from early March until late June each year oout half of the 160 hectares of reed-beds is kept free of human tsturbance for the benefit of the breeding Marsh Harriers Circus •ruginostts. Observation of small, secretive species is thus considerably inhibited within this area. The first record of Savi’s Warbler at Mins- ! uere was of a single male which sang, mainly from one sallow bush, om 20th April to 30th May 1964. Unlike a mated bird established in 5 breeding territory, it sang night and day for very long periods, >ng bursts lasting mostly for one to three minutes and once (timed vP. J. Makepeace) for more than ten minutes without any apparent mse. There were no more records until 1968 when one sang briefly :ar the Reserve Centre on 28th April and then, at the same site as in 164, from 15 th to 26th May. Song occurred again, at a different site, 1 31st May and 1st June, and D. Mower noticed that the bird in lestion also kept mainly to a small clump of sallows. At each of 232 Savi’s Warblers breeding in Suffolk these three sites, song bursts were shorter and less frequent than in 1964, but there was still much more song than from a breeding bird. None was reported in 1969, but in 1970 song was heard irregularly from 7th to 25 th May, only at dusk and first dark, in infrequent short bursts; it occurred at a site near a Marsh Harrier’s nest, some 200 metres from the nearest point of access permitted at that time. The singing bird could be seen through a telescope in a tangle of bramble and reed around a small elder Sambucus nigra and occasionally it was thought that two Savi’s Warblers were associating together. Closer observation was prevented by the overriding consideration of keeping the harriers undisturbed. The pair in 1971 was not seen until 6th June when an emergency visit was made to a Marsh Harrier’s breeding site in the late evening. Subsequent observation from a discreet vantage point showed that activity by one Savi’s Warbler, or sometimes two together, was centred in and between two small sallow bushes growing in reeds near a mere partially covered with sea club-rush Scirpus maritimus. The song, which was seldom heard, was given only in short bursts and ceased on 21st June. On 13th July, however, an expedition along the Minsmere River provoked a burst of reeling and the appearance of a Savi’s Warbler at very close range, some 200 metres from the earlier site. Observations were then made daily until 23rd July: one bird was seen carrying food to this new site in rough, mixed vegetation (mainly of reed, reed-grass Phalaris arundinacea, sedges, marsh mallow Althaea officinalis and couch grass Agropyron repens), while a second sang occasional short bursts from reeds near-by. On one occasion, while the male was singing, the female made three forays with a beakful of food to a site 50 metres away where a fledged brood of young Reed Warblers Acrocephalus scirpaceus was feeding on insect larvae in a stand of sedges. On each intrusion into their feeding site, the Reed Warblers stopped foraging and watched the Savi’s Warbler, but there was no aggression by either species. No attempt was made to find the nest where the presumed second brood may have been close to fledging. REFERENCES Axell, H. E. 1966. ‘Eruptions of Bearded Tits during 1959-65’. Bril. Birds, 59: 513-543- Boston, F. M. 1956. ‘Savi’s Warbler in Cambridgeshire’. Bril. Birds, 49: 326-327. Clarke, W. E. 1909. Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist., 1909: 73. Jobson, G. J. 1971. ‘Savi’s Warbler breeding in Suffolk’. Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc., 15 : 479-480 (also in Suffolk Bird Rep. 1970-. 23-24). Pitt, R. G. 1967. ‘Savi’s Warblers breeding in Kent’. Brit. Birds, 60: 349-3 5 5 • Stevenson, H. 1866. The Birds of Norfolk. London, vol 1: 386. H. E. Axell, Minsmere Bird Reserve, Westleton, Saxmundham, Suffolk G. J. Jobson, 49 St George's Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk ipi i 9PN Flight identification of European raptors Steen Christensen, Bent Pors Nielsen, R. F. Porter and Ian Willis PART 4. HARRIERS We now turn to the four harriers Circus , a genus associated with exten- sive reedbeds, cornfields and moorland, not requiring trees or cliffs as do most raptors. Three — Marsh C. aeruginosus , Hen C. cyaneus and Montagu’s C. pygargus — are comparatively common, but the Pallid 1 C. tnacrourus is much rarer (mainly east Europe). All invariably soar and normally glide with wings raised in a shallow V, and this and their long wings and tail distinguish them from other birds of prey. The only other similar-sized raptors to soar on raised wings are the buzzards, particularly Buteo buteo (part 1), but they have short tails more fully spread and glide on flat wings. Male harriers are not difficult to identify with reasonable views, but the females and immatures of I Hen, Montagu’s and Pallid must often be grouped as ‘ringtails’ unless the head and neck pattern is seen. Fig. 35 below shows the head-on profiles. Figs. 36A-36D on page 234 (.compare the four males, and 36E-36F the heads of the three ‘ringtail’ females; the facing text on page 235 comments on the main features, and outlines the areas of Europe, the Middle East and north Africa in which each species may be seen. Figs. 37-44 on pages 237-247, supported by plates 41-44, illustrate the under- and uppersidcs in warious plumages. See also the definitions on page 53 of part 3. £ (C rig. 33. Head-on profiles of harriers: (a) typical soaring and gliding ■with wings in ;hallow V ; all species, though particularly the Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus, occa- ;ionally hold the wings flat (b) or very occasionally even bowed (c), but only when gliding, never when soaring 233 Flight identification of Fittropean raptors 235 A. Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus (pages 236-238, plates 41a, b). old male with extreme pale underwings shown. Largest harrier, with rather broad body, long and fairly broad wings, and moderately long tail. Male rufous-brown below, with paler head, grey tail and white to pale grey underwings except for black ends to primaries and brownish-buff, occasionally whitish coverts (for upperparts see page 238); female and immatures entirely chocolate-brown, but often (especially adult female) with yellowish crown, throat and leading edge to wings. Flies with rather heavy wing beats. Fairly widespread in large reed-marshes in Europe, north-west Africa and Middle East, but absent Iceland, Ireland and all except south Fenno- Scandia (where local) and nearly extinct Britain; those from north-cast and central Europe move south September-April and some migrate to tropical Africa B. Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus (pages 239-241, plates 41c, 42a, 43a, 44a, b). adult male shown. Shape similar to Marsh, but less bulky and with narrower wings. Male easily identilied by white underparts with mid-grey wash on head and upper breast, all black primaries and dark trailing edge to underwings, also upperparts clear grey with black primaries and white rump; slightly larger female streaked brown with bars on primaries, secondaries and tail, and white rump (see also 36G). Breeds widely in moorland, large fields and open marshes in north and central Europe south to north Iberia, north Italy and Caucasus, but not Iceland, most of Iberia and Italy nor Balkans, and in Britain largely confined to Scotland, including Orkney and Hebrides; northern populations move south October-April when fairly common in marshland over much of central and south Europe and Turkey C. Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargtts (pages 242-244, plates 42c, 43c, 44c). adult male shown. Smaller than Hen with slimmer body, narrower wings and more buoyant flight; male slightly larger than male Pallid. Male dirtier-looking than Hen or Pallid with dark grey upperparts, head and upper breast, rusty streaks on flanks and underparts, black primaries, ill-defined dark bands on undcrsccondarics and narrow black bar on upperwing; female similar in plumage to female Hen (but see 36F); both sexes have melanistic form (pages 242-244). Summer visitor to open marshland, moors, heaths and cornfields in Europe and north-west Morocco, but absent Iceland, much of Fcnno-Scandia (except south Sweden and Denmark), most of Italy and Balkans, irregular Scotland and Ireland, and now very few England and Wales; migrants most regular south Europe, north Africa and Middle East in May and late August-early September D. Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus (pages 245-247, plates 42b, 43b). adult male shown. Male slightly smaller than male Montagu’s with slimmer body, narrower wings and lighter, more agile, almost tern-like flight which, together with pale grey upperparts, white underparts and narrow wedges of black at wing-tips, recalls Common Gull Cams canus\ female similar in size, shape and plumage to female Montagu’s and virtually impossible to distinguish unless whitish collar visible (see 36E). Summer visitor to steppes and plains in central and south Russia south to Caucasus, west to Romanian Dobruja, and has extended erratically to Sweden (Gotland and Oland) and Germany; migrants most regular east Balkans, Turkey and Middle East in April and September-early October (thus earlier in spring and later in autumn than Montagu’s), while a few winter south-east Europe and Italy E. F, and G. Typical head patterns of female Pallid (whitish collar behind black crescent on car-coverts and well-defined eye-stripe), Montagu’s (pale side to head apart from dark crescent on ear-coverts and faint black line through eye, but no collar) and Hen (streaked and rather owl-like without distinctive pattern, having only slightly darker crescent on ear-coverts and hardly noticeable pale collar bordered by ruff of dark streaks extending to breast) 236 European raptors: Marsh Harrier Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus (pages 236-238, plates 41a, b) Silhouette Largest harrier, about size of Buzzard Buteo buteo (part 1), but with slimmer head and body, longer and more parallel-edged wings, longer tail and long legs. In head-on profile when soaring or gliding, wings raised in distinctive shallow V (3 5 a). Flight When soaring or gliding, wfings are invariably raised. Active flight is series of five to ten rather heavy wing-beats followed by a glide. Typically low over ground or reed bed, but in spring performs aerial displays over breeding area. Identification Readily distinguished from other harriers by larger size and plumage pattern. Old male with entirely pale underwings (3 6a) may superficially resemble males of other species, but always has dark body below and dark back and wing-coverts above (3 8a), whereas these areas are basically white and pale grey in the other three. Female or immature with varying amounts of pale (usually yellowish) on crown, throat and forewing (37B, 38B, plate 41a) also easily identified, but all-dark individuals (38c) — which, however, invariably have paler bases to primaries and slightly paler, more gingery tails — are more difficult to identify (see also plate 41b): w hen one of these is seen at a distance or high overhead on migration, confusion can arise with dark Buzzard (part 1), dark Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus (part 1), Black Kite Milvus migrans (part 2) and dark-phase Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus (part 2). Even so, the last three species should be readily distinguished if bird is soaring or gliding, as harrier is only one to show shallow V (all the others soar and glide on flat wings). Buzzard also soars on raised wings, but prolonged view should reveal gliding on flat wings, while Marsh Harrier also has longer, less fanned tail when soaring and longer, slightly narrower wings. European raptors: Marsh Harrier 237 Fig. 37. Adult male and femalc/immaturc Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus from below. The adult male (37A) has a pale yellowish-white or greyish- white head, a buffish underbody heavily streaked with dark russet (looking evenly dark at a distance), white underwings with russet-brown coverts, darker tips to the primaries and a dark grey trailing edge, and a very pale grey tail. (Some individuals have greyish-buff underwings, but these generally appear white, particularly in strong sunlight.) The old male (36A) has entirely whitish underwings or the coverts may be tinged buffish-pink. The adult female and immature (37B) are both mainly choco- late-brown, often appearing darker on the wing-coverts and with paler bases to the primaries (which recall a very dark Buzzard Buteo buteo when soaring), and a brown tail, often with a warm russet cast; the throat, crown and nape are usually yellowish, yellowish-buff or buff, but many individuals do not have a yellow throat, or indeed any pale pattern on the head, and these can be either adult females or immatures. The second-year male (not shown here, but see plate 41b) starts to show signs of adult plumage, such as black wing-tips, a dark trailing edge to the wings and sometimes a greyish tail 238 Fj/ropean raptors: Marsh Harrier Fig. 38. Three Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus from above. The adult male (3 8a) is tricoloured with dark brown back, rump and wing-coverts, black wing-tips, and otherwise pale grey primaries, secon- daries and tail (the last with obscure bars on the outer feathers), sometimes also a narrow grey leading edge to the wings. The adult female and the immature are both very variable and range from dark chocolate with a yellow crown and throat (separated by a black line through each eye) and a yellowish leading edge to the wings (3 8b) to entirely dark brown with- out these yellow areas, but with a slightly paler, rust-tinted tail (38c). The latter type resembles a Black Kite Milvus migrans (part 2), particularly if it shows a lighter area on the lesser coverts or along the edge of the greater coverts European raptors: Hen Harrier 239 Hen Harrier Circus cjaneus (pages 239-241, plates 41c, 42a, 43a, 44a, b) Silhouette Smaller, slimmer and narrower-winged than Marsh (com- pare 3 6a and 3 6b on page 234), but larger and broader-winged than Montagu’s and Pallid (compare with 36c and 36D) and thus appearing shorter-winged than either species, In head-on profile when soaring wings invariably raised in shallow V (3 5 a); but when gliding, this species shows greater tendency than other harriers to flat wings (35B) or, very occasionally, even slightly bowed (35 c). Flight When soaring, wings raised. When gliding, wings usually raised, but occasionally flat or even bowed. Active flight similar to Marsh, but wing-beats faster and interspersed glides generally shorter. Identification Male readily distinguished by white underparts with grey throat and upper breast, extensive black on primaries and dark trailing edge to wings (39A, plates 42a, 43a) and wholly pale grey upperparts with solid black primaries and white rump (40A). Montagu’s (pages 242-244) is rather darker-looking, whereas Pallid (pages 245- 247) is even paler than Hen and has far less extensive black on primaries and no dark trailing edge to underwings; also, both Mon- tagu’s and Pallid are noticeably smaller and slimmer, while the rather broad wings of Hen give it a shorter-winged appearance. Females (39B, 40B), which are larger than males, are more difficult to identify: although larger and broader-winged than female Montagu’s and Pallid, this is a subtle point only useful when observer is familiar with Hen and at least one of the other two. Generally larger white rump is no real guide, as that of Montagu’s, particularly immatures, can occasionally appear larger. Head pattern should help on a close view, female Hen having far less distinct a pattern than either Montagu’s or Pallid (compare 36G with 36E and 36F, see also plate 44a): the rather owl-like face is streaked brownish-buff, with a slightly darker crescent on the ear-coverts which is separated by a very narrow (often hardly noticeable) pale collar from a ruff of dark streaks extending to the breast (see also pages 242 and 245). 240 European raptors: Hen Harrier Fig. 39. Adult male and female Hen Harriers Cirrus cyaneus from below. The adult male (39A) is white with a fairly well-defined grey throat and upper breast, solid black primaries, a dark grey trailing edge to the wings (conspicuous at moderate ranges), and a pale off-white and unbarred tail; when seen overhead in strong sun- light, the translucent white secondaries can give the effect of a tricoloured wing (plate 42a). The adult female (39B) is very similar to the females of both Montagu’s and Pallid, with a ground colour of buff-brown, finely streaked on the underparts and underwing with blackish-brown, broad brown barring on the primaries and secondaries, and three bands on the tail ; the head markings lack the more contrasted patterns of Montagu’s and, particularly, Pallid ( cj 41B, 41c, 43c, 43D and 36E-G). The immature (not shown) is very similar to the adult female : we know no way of separating them except by the paler edges to the upperwing-coverts and those are visible only at the closest ranges European raptors: Hen Harrier 241 Fig. 40. Adult male and female Hen Harriers Circus cyaneus from above. The adult male (40A) is entirely grey, even slightly bluish-grey, apart from black primaries, a very faint and sometimes barely discernible darker trailing edge to the wings, and a cleat white rump patch; it is the only male harrier with such a rump patch ( cj . 38A, 42A, 44A). The adult female (40B) has dark brown back and wings (with a slight golden-buff tinge to the median coverts, noticeable only in good light), a white rump (typically larger than those of female Montagu’s and Pallid) and a grey to grey-brown tail with broad bands of dark brown; the head pattern lacks the contrast of female Montagu’s and Pallid, but this feature is useful only at close range (see also 36c and 39B with discussion on page 239). Immatures are virtually indistinguishable from the adult female (but see caption to fig. 39) 242 European raptors: Montagu’s Harrier Montagu’s Harrier Circus pjgargus{ pages 242-244, plates 42c, 43c, 44c) Silhouette Male noticeably slimmer and narrower-winged than male Hen (compare 3611 and 36c on page 234): as a result wings appear longer and, at a distance or high overhead, shape and structure not unlike long-tailed falcon, such as Kestrel Falco tinnunculus (part 8). Size corresponds to Pallid (compare with 36D), although males of that species are often slightly smaller. Female appears a little larger than male, though size difference is, in fact, very small. In head-on profile when soaring or gliding, wings raised in shallow V (3 5 a). Flight When soaring or gliding, wings raised. Active flight is very light and buoyant, usually five or six rather leisurely wing-beats followed by a wavering glide. Generally low over ground, but often soars high in breeding season, when V of wings becomes accentuated. Like other harriers, will suddenly check in flight and turn agilely to pounce down to ground after prey. Identification Male smaller than Hen (pages 239-241), but slightly larger than Pallid (pages 245-247). Readily distinguished from both by darker, less precisely patterned appearance with streaks on flanks and dark lines on underwings (41 a, plate 42c) and darker grey upper- parts with narrow black bar on each upperwing (42 a, plate 43 c), all features lacking in the whiter and cleaner-looking Hen and Pallid. Female (41 b, 41c, 42c) smaller and narrower-winged than female Hen (see page 239) and very similar in size to Pallid, with similar extent of white on rump; although sometimes claimed otherwise, underwing pattern is of limited use in separating Montagu’s and Pallid because both can show either barred or dark brown secondaries, though immature Pallid does have paler, more buff underwing-coverts and body. Only reliable character appears to be head-pattern (compare 36F with 36E and 36G, see also plate 44c): female and immature Montagu’s both have whitish sides to the head bordered behind by a dark crescent on the ear-coverts and with a faint black line through the eye, whereas Pallid also has a whitish collar behind the ear-coverts and a well- defined eye-stripe (see also pages 239 and 245). Rare melanistic form (4 id, 42B) easily identified, but needs to be distinguished from all- dark female or immature Marsh (38c) which is, however, larger and broader- winged. Fig. 41 {opposite). Adult male, two adult female, melanistic female and immature Montagu’s Harriers Circus pygargus from below. The adult male (41A) has a basically white underbody, with a dark grey chin, throat and breast, and rusty streaks on the flanks; the black primaries merge into the whitish secondaries which show one or two black bars and a greyish trailing edge, while the wing-coverts are flecked and barred with blackish; the pale grey tail is lightly barred. The adult female is European raptors: Montagu's Harrier 243 similar in colour to the female Hen Harrier (391s), but the secondaries may be either barred (41B) or dark brownish contrasting with the rest of the wing (41c). The immature (41 e) resembles the female, but has an unstreaked, warm chestnut under- body and underwing-coverts ; as in the female, the colour of the secondaries varies from dark, as here, to barred. Both sexes have a rare melanistic form: the male (not shown) is black or blackish-brown below and slightly greyer above ; the female (4 id) is entirely dark chocolate-brown except for the banded tail and greyish-white bases to the primaries which help to give the appearance of a small, slim-winged, light-flying female Marsh Harrier (cf. 37B) 244 Fig. 42. Adult male, melanistic female, adult female and immature Montagu’s Harriers Circus pygargus from above. The adult male (42A) is pale bluish-grey (some- what darker grey on the crown and wing-coverts), with blackish primaries, a narrow black bar along the centre of each wing, often a pale grey panel on the inner primaries and outer secondaries, and slight barring on the outer tail. The melanistic female (42B) is entirely dark chocolate (blackish-grey in the male) apart from the banded tail. The adult female (42c) is mid-brown with slightly paler, more huffish [continued on page 245] *45 European raptors: Pallid Harrier Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus (pages 245-247, plates 42b, 43b) Silhouette Male slimmer and more lightly built than male Montagu’s (compare 36c and 36D on page 234) and noticeably slimmer and narrower- winged than male Hen (compare with 3 6b). Female larger than male and virtually identical in size and shape with female Mon- tagu’s. In head-on profile when soaring or gliding, wings raised in shallow V (3 5 a). Flight When soaring or gliding, wings raised. Active flight, particu- larly of male, is even lighter and more buoyant than Montagu’s, the male at times appearing almost tern-like, with agile changes of direction. Identification Slim build, narrow wings with only thin wedges of black on primaries, and very pale plumage with white underparts (43 a) and light grey upperparts (44A) give male something of appearance of Common Gull Larus canus and make it readily distinguishable from all other male harriers (see also plates 42b, 43b). Female (43c, 43D, 44B) and immature (43 b, 44c) difficult to distinguish from corresponding plumages of Hen (pages 239-241) and Montagu’s (pages 242-244). All three are buff streaked with brown and have bars on primaries, secon- daries and tail, and a white rump (size of rump patch is of doubtful value in identification, though generally those of Pallid and Montagu’s are smaller than that of Hen); despite claims to the contrary, colour I and pattern of secondaries are of little use in separating female or I : immature Pallid and Montagu’s, since both species can have these I either barred or dark (appearing brownish-grey), though the contrast I between dark secondaries and the otherwise pale underparts of the I immatures is greatest in the Pallid. Pallid and Montagu’s are smaller I and narrower-winged than Hen, but this is useful only if observer I familiar with Hen and at least one of the other two. The one reliable Irfeature appears to be head pattern (compare 36E with 36F and 36G): I female and immature Pallid have whitish cheeks with a dark line I through the eye and a blackish crescent on the ear-coverts bordered I by a whitish collar (the definition of this pattern varies to some extent, but in well-marked individuals it is useful even at a distance) ; Montagu’s has no whitish collar and, while some Hen show a faint one, they lack the eye-stripe and blackish crescent on the ear-coverts (see also pages 239 and 242). I 'Montagu’s Harrier: continued from page 244] ving-coverts, a white rump (Varying individually in size and conspicuousness) and 1 1 grey to grey-brown tail with bands of dark brown ; the head pattern includes a lark crescent on the ear-coverts, but only a faint black line through the eye and no vhitish collar (see also 36F, 41B and 41c with discussion on page 242). The immature 42D) is similar to the female, but often has darker back and wings which make the rump patch more prominent Fig. 43. Adult male, immature and two adult female Pallid Harriers Circus macrourtts from below. The adult male (43 a) is entirely white apart from black middle primaries forming narrow wedges, barely discernible greyish bars on the tail and sometimes a very faint grey wash on the chin and throat. The juvenile (43B) is very similar to the young Montagu’s Harrier, having pale chestnut-buff underparts and underwing- coverts, similarly barred primaries and tail, and secondaries which can be either [continued at the foot of page 247] European raptors: Pallid Harrier 247 Fig. 44. Adult male, adult female and immature Pallid Harriers Circus macrourus from above. The adult male (44A) is a soft pale grey with only narrow black wedges on the primaries and slightly darker barring on the outer tail, but no white rump. The adult female (44s) has dark brown back and wings (with paler, more golden-buff coverts, noticeable only in good light), a narrow white rump, and a grey to grey- brown tail with bands of dark brown; the contrasted head pattern includes a whitish collar behind a dark crescent on the ear-coverts and a well-defined dark line through each eye (see also 36E and 43c with discussion on page 245). The immature (44c) is very similar to the adult female, even showing the distinctive head pattern with whitish collar and dark crescent, but usually has darker brown back and wings [continued from page 246] barred or, as here, dark blackish-brown contrasting with the rest of the wing; the underparts frequently appear paler than those of the immature Montagu’s, however, and the head pattern shows a more prominent eye-stripe and a whitish collar behind the black crescent on the ear-coverts. The adult female is similar to the immature, and the secondaries can vary from dark (43c) to barred (43D), but the buffish underparts are finely streaked with brown; the head pattern again includes a more prominent eye-stripe and a whitish collar which is probably the most reliable feature for distinguishing from Montagu’s ( cj . 41B, 41c and 36E-G) Breeding biology of Moorhens on Huntingdonshire farm ponds Judy Relton INTRODUCTION In the summer of 1969 the farm ponds within the parish of Kimbolton, Huntingdonshire, were surveyed to assess the rate at which they are disappearing. This area of approximately 5 ,000 acres (2,000 ha) is now mainly mixed farmland. It includes the Kimbolton Estate, which consists of woodland and parkland as well as arable and pasture farm- land, and also a disused airfield, now mainly under plough. The whole area lies between the 100 and 200 foot (30 and 60 metre) contours. By comparing the results of the 1969 fieldwork with past Ordnance Survey and other old maps it was found that the number of farm ponds within this parish declined through changes in agricultural practices from 152 in 1890 to 103 in 1950 and then to only 67 in 1969, a loss of 35% in those last 19 years. A general survey of the flora and fauna of the ponds in 1969 showed that most held breeding Moorhens Gallinula chloropus and this led to the more detailed study in 1971 described here. Of the 67 ponds found in 1969, 15 have been excluded from the present analysis. Of these, one had been filled in, four were difficult of access (two of them in town gardens), five had dried out and five were so totally overgrown that the presence or absence of Moorhens could not be ascertained. The River Kym, the stream and any dykes on which Moorhens may have been nesting were also excluded. The remaining 52 ponds were visited regularly — most at intervals of not more than ten days — from March through to September 1971. Many of the data obtained relate to the egg stages, and on only three ponds was it possible to follow through the success of the chicks after they had left the nest. POPULATION DENSITY On the 5 ,000 acres in the study area there was a population of at least 42 breeding pairs of Moorhens, a minimum density of 0.8 pairs per 100 acres (40.5 ha). Figures for 49 farmland plots in the British Trust for Ornithology’s Common Birds Census, not necessarily restricted to birds on farm ponds, were 1.2 and 0.5 per 100 acres in 1962 and 1963 (Williamson and Homes 1964), and for 28 farmland areas in the English Midlands 0.7 per 100 acres in 1966 (Williamson 1967). The ponds varied considerably in size, in depth and in the amount and type of the aquatic and surrounding vegetation. They were classified by habitat types, according to the surrounding land use, into 248 249 Moorhens on Huntingdonshire farm ponds Table i. Sizes of farm ponds in the study area in Kimbolton Parish, Huntingdonshire, and frequency of occupation by breeding Moorhens Gallinula chloropus in 1971 Area of pond in square yards (square metres) Number of ponds Occupied by Moorhens 25-50 (21-42) 11 8 51-200(43-167) 25 22 201-500 (168-419) 12 8 501-1,000 (420-836) O O 1,001-2,000 (837-1,672) 3 3 about 3,000 (about 2,500) 1 1 totals 52 42 arable (32 ponds), pasture (twelve), woodland (seven) and wasteland (one). Size ranged from about 25 square yards (21 square metres) up to a maximum of some 3,000 square yards (2,500 square metres), or about 0.6 acre (0.25 ha) (table 1). The largest pond was so encroached by reeds Phragmites communis that detailed observations were impossible, and this may well have held more than one pair of Moorhens. No other pond in the study area, not even one of 0.4 acre (0.15 ha), held more than a single breeding pair. Of the 52 ponds, 42 were occupied by Moorhens, this occupation rate of 81% being similar in each of the three main habitat groupings. At three of the ten ponds not used by Moorhens there were no obvious reasons for their absence, but at the other seven adverse factors which could have accounted for it were identified. Two ponds were extremely shallow, drying up early in the season, and another two were adjacent to others which already held a breeding pair. The three remaining ponds were devoid of suitable platforms or cover for nests. NEST SITE Nearly all nests were built in vegetation or dead branches in or imme- diately adjacent to water, so that the adults could leave or enter directly. Table 2. Types of nest site occupied by Moorhens Gallinula chloropus on Huntingdonshire farm ponds in 1971 Number Per cent Type of nest site of nests of total (1) Emergent vegetation near bank (e.g. rush Juncus, reedmace Tjrpha , willowherb Epilobium) 27 45% (2) Platform of branches in water 14 23% (3) Overhanging bush near water level 12 20% (4) Isolated platform (e.g. tree stump, chemical tin) 3 5% (5) Protruding edge of bank 2 3% (6) Vegetation on bank 2 3% Per cent of total clutches laid 250 Moorhens on Huntingdonshire farm ponds Sites have been classified into six types and the proportionate use of each is shown in table 2. In most cases individual pairs laying replace- ment or second clutches used similar if not the same sites as for previous clutches. One pair, however, whose first three nests were built on dead branches in the water and were all robbed by boys, finally nested successfully on an isolated platform in the centre of the pond. BREEDING SEASON The area and number of ponds examined were too large for daily observations to be made and the first-egg dates had in most cases to be calculated from partially complete clutches, assuming daily intervals between each egg. The first clutch was started on 26th March and for analytical purposes the rest of the breeding season was divided into 1 5 -day periods from that date. Fig. 1 shows two peaks of laying, the second consisting almost wholly of replacement and second clutches. The latter were not begun until 3rd June. The last clutch was started on 8th August, making a total of 13 5 days between the first eggs of the first and last clutches of the season. No third clutches were recorded, first clutches replace- ments second clutches 26Mar lOApr 25Apr lOMay 25May 9Jun 24Jun 9Jul 24Jul 8Aug to to to to to to to to to to 9Apr 24Apr 9May 24May 8Jun 23Jun 8Jul 23Jul 7Aug 22Aug Fig. 1. Breeding season of Moorhens Gallinula chloropus in Kimbolton Parish, Huntingdonshire, in 1971. The number of clutches laid in each 15-day period is shown as a percentage (to the nearest whole number) of the season’s total Pi. ATI. 41. Above, Marsh I larriers Circus aeruginosas (photos: P.ric Hoskins,): note- long broad wings, held in shallow V in soaring and gliding, and long tail (pages 236-238). Left, female immature, Pakistan, December: chocolate-brown with yellow- ish crown, chin and throat. Right, immature male, Suffolk, April: all brown apart from black ends to primaries, dark trailing edge to wings and paler, gingery tail. Below, male 1 Ien 1 larrier C. cyaneus attacking photographer near nest, France, June [photo: Pierre Petit): all light grey above, with black primaries (pages 239-241) Plates 42 and 43. Adult male ‘grey’ harriers. Top two, 1 len 1 larricr Circus cyaneus, France, June {photos: Pierre Petit): white below with grey head, black primaries, dark trailing edge to translucent secondaries (pages 239-241). lower lett on each plate, Pallid C. macrourus, Sweden, June (photos: \:rik l.ngqvist): slim build, all white below but for narrow black wedge on primaries (pages 243-247). Lower right on each, Montagu’s C. pygargus: from beneath, Spain, April (photo: R. C. IM with dark grey head, rusty streaks on white lower breast, black primaries, black bars on secondaries, patchy Decking on white coverts, lightly barred tail: trom above, Sweden, May (photo: Karl-l.rik Pridgen) showing mid-grey upperparts, black primaries, narrow black bar bordering coverts, wings in shallow \ pages 242-244 Plate 44. Above left, adult female Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus, Norway {photo: Gunnar Fryden/md ); above right, the mate < >f the male shown upon plates 42a and 43a, France, ]une( photo: Pierre Petit). Note long and fairly broad wings, somewhat owl-like head bordered by a ‘ruff’ of streaks extending on to under- parts, and bars on primaries, secondaries and tail (pages 239- 241). Left, adult female Montagu’s Harrier C. pygargus, Norfolk, June {photo: Eric Hosking ): buff with brown streaks, and broad bars on secondaries and tail, white cheek and eyepatch bordered by crescent of black, but lacking white edging collar of a female Pallid (pages 242-244, also 36E-36F on page 234) 2JI Moorhens on Huntingdonshire farm ponds which contrasts with the situation found by Anderson (1965) in Aberdeenshire, where most pairs with previous breeding experience were fohnd to be triple-brooded. The succession of clutches on 36 individual ponds is shown in fig. 2. Eighteen (50%) of the first clutches hatched, and 15 (42%) of the failures were replaced at least once. Thirteen (36%) of the pairs were double-brooded, eleven of them successfully hatching their second clutches. 40-i 35- 30- (S> "O c o a 25- a> _Q £ z> Z 20- 15* 10- 5- F1RST I SECOND BROODS | BROODS I I 1st 1st 2nd 3rd 1 2nd clutch replacements | clutch successful first broods successfu second broods clutches failed and replaced □ clutches failec not replacec Fig. 2. Succession of clutches of Moorhens Gallinula cbloropus on 36 Huntingdon- shire farm ponds in 1971. Events at each pond may be read across from left to right. Thus, at the bottom eleven ponds (1-11), the first clutches all failed and were replaced; three (9-11) then failed again and were not replaced, four (4-8) were successful, and the other four (1-4) failed but were replaced for a second time; of these last four, one (4) again failed and was not replaced, two (2-3) were successful, and the other (1) failed but a third replacement then succeeded. Again, at the middle 13 ponds (12-24), nine first clutches (16-24) were successful, while the other four (12-15) succeeded on the first replacement; these 13 ponds were the only ones to have genuine second brood clutches, of which two (23-24) failed and were not replaced, while the other eleven (12-22) again succeeded. Finally, at the top twelve ponds (25-36), only one clutch was laid in each case; of these, nine (28-36) were successful and three (25-27) failed Moorhens on Huntingdonshire farm ponds 252 CLUTCH SIZE A full clutch (defined as the maximum number of eggs recorded on two consecutive visits more than 24 hours apart) was recorded on 39 occasions. The frequency of each clutch size is shown in table 3. Table 3. Sizes of complete clutches in 39 nests of Moorhens Gallinula chloropus on Huntingdonshire farm ponds in 1971 CLUTCH SIZE 345678 Number of clutches 13 9 1 3 8 5 Per cent of total 3% 8% 23% 33% 20% 13% Clutches of six were commonest and the average over the whole season was also 6.0. This average could be too low, however, since in a few cases some eggs may have been predated before clutches were found. This is a possible explanation, for example, for the single clutch of only three eggs. At two sites second females laid eggs in nests which held completed clutches (the additional eggs being recognisable by their markedly different coloration), perhaps because they were unable to claim territories of their own. At a third a second female took over when the first died before the clutch was completed : the original bird, sexed as female on dissection and carrying well-developed eggs, was found freshly dead on 30th April a few yards away from her nest with five eggs, the first of which had been laid on the 26th; on the next visit, on 5 th May, three additional eggs had been laid and the clutch was then incubated. The data are too sparse for a detailed analysis of seasonal variation in clutch size, but the averages in the three periods 26th March- 9th May, 10th May-8th June and 9th June-8th July were found to be 6.4, 6.6 and 5.0 respectively. First clutches averaged 6.7 eggs, replace- ment clutches 6.0 and second clutches 5.25. INCUBATION PERIOD Information on incubation periods was obtained for only seven clutches : the period from the date of the completion of the clutch to the first day of hatching varied between 19 and 22 days, with a mean of 20.1 days. As pointed out by Witherby et al. (1938-41) and Anderson (1965), however, incubation in this species sometimes begins before the clutch is completed, so that precise periods can be obtained only by marking eggs as they are laid. HATCHING SUCCESS Of all the clutches that were completed, 44% were total failures and 6% partial failures, the primary cause being predation (table 4). Only two Moorhens on Huntingdonshire farm ponds z 5 } Table 4. Hatching success of Moorhens Gallinula cbloropus on Huntingdonshire farm ponds in 1971 The heading ‘All clutches’ combines those known to be full and those which were possibly incomplete FULL CLUTCHES ONLY ALL CLUTCHES Number Per cent Per cent Number Per cent Per cent of eggs hatched predated of eggs hatched predated Complete failures included 214 7i% 29% 286 55% 43% Complete failures 162 94% 6% 171 94% 5% excluded clutches out of 28 which reached the hatching stage contained infertile or addled eggs, both being laid towards the end of the breeding season; one of the two pairs concerned had previously hatched a first clutch. Together these two clutches contained five unhatched eggs out of a total of 1 53 eggs in the 28 clutches, giving a fertility rate of 97%. It was, of course, impossible to ascertain the fertility rate in the many clutches which failed to reach the hatching stage. Predation was highest early in the season, presumably because the vegetation was then less dense and the nests and eggs more exposed to predators: the proportions of eggs predated in clutches started in each of seven 15-day periods during 26th March-8th July were 50%, 81%, 7%> °%» 18%, 25% and 0% respectively. Hatching success was greater on ponds situated in arable land than on those in pasture (table 5), this probably being due to the latter nests being generally more exposed and more accessible to predators. On one such pond a pair laid a total of 16 eggs, all of which were lost to trampling by cattle and to avian predators. On another two ponds within one grass field, 13 eggs out of 16 were believed to have been destroyed by the farmer, who claimed that Moorhens were damaging his young cereal crops; the three eggs which survived were laid late in the season and were doubtless left alone because the crops were by then well grown. Of eleven nests in ponds on arable land in which complete clutches were lost, three were believed to have been taken by birds, presumably crows (Corvidae), and four by Man, while four disappeared to unknown predators. FLEDGING SUCCESS As mentioned earlier, it was possible to study chick survival at only three ponds. The first was situated in the garden of a farm cottage: the occupants occasionally fed the birds, which were consequently less secretive than is normally the case. Despite the presence of no 2 5 4 Moorhens on Huntingdonshire farm ponds Table 5. Comparison of hatching success in arable and pasture areas of Moorhens Gallinula chloropus on Huntingdonshire farm ponds in 1971 The heading ‘All clutches’ combines those known to be full and those which were possibly incomplete FULL CLUTCHES ONLY ARABLE PASTURE Number Per cent Per cent Number Per cent Per cent of eggs hatched predated of eggs hatched predated Complete failures included 114 76% M%* 7i 4i% 59%* Complete failures excluded 90 97% 3% 35 83% 17% ALL CLUTCHES ARABLE PASTURE Number Per cent Per cent Number Per cent Per cent of eggs hatched predated of eggs hatched predated Complete failures included 177 54% 43% 76 38% 62% Complete failures excluded 99 96% 2% 35 VO rOi 00 17% V 00 r- 00* 11 therefore i° of significance fewer than twelve farm cats in the garden, eight out of ten young Moorhens, hatched in two successive broods, managed to survive until at least nine weeks old. Four surviving first-brood chicks remained on the pond for four weeks after the second brood had hatched ; three juveniles then disappeared, leaving, at the end of September, the two adults, one first-brood juvenile and four second-brood juveniles now able to fly. At the second pond, the entire brood of eight survived for eight weeks ; 1 5 days later only five were seen, and 1 3 weeks after hatching only two juveniles were left with the parents. At the third pond, the brood of four all survived to nearly six weeks of age, after which observations ceased owing to the destruction of the hide by horses. Hence, of four broods totalling 22 chicks, only two chicks failed to survive for at least six weeks. DISCUSSION Moorhens are known to nest at times up to a quarter of a mile (400 metres) from water (Fitter and Richardson 1954), though there appears *55 Moorhens on Huntingdonshire farm ponds to be no information on the fate of the young in such cases. It is conceivable that Moorhens were nesting in hedgerow or woodland edges in the study area, but if they were it is doubtful whether they amounted to more than a handful of pairs. Small numbers are known to have been nesting beside the few water courses in the area. Other- wise, virtually every pond containing water and providing a suitable nesting site and a little surrounding cover was occupied, though none up to a size of 0.4 acre (0.1 5 ha) held more than a single breeding pair. Presumably this is because the species is aggressively territorial in the breeding season (Howard 1940, Anderson 1965) and the pairs on ponds up to this size prevent others from occupying them. Despite high egg losses, chick survival in the few cases studied was extremely high, 91% reaching at least six weeks of age. If typical, it can be calculated that the 42 breeding pairs reared a total of at least 177 young or 4.2 young per pair. Taken together, this evidence indicates that the Moorhen breeding population in the area studied is close to a maximum limit imposed by the availability of suitable ponds and the territorial behaviour of the adults. Since the productivity of young is high, it follows that juvenile or adult mortality must also be high, or that considerable dispersion occurs. Indeed, this survey suggests that the Moorhen would make a particularly suitable and worthwhile subject for a detailed population study of a farmland bird species. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am greatly indebted to J. L. F. Parslow for his interest and advice throughout the study and especially for his assistance in writing this paper. My thanks are due also to Dr R. K. Murton and Dr M. D. Hooper for their criticisms of the draft, and to Miss Karen Rayner for redrawing the figures. SUMMARY Farm ponds in the parish of Kimbolton, Huntingdonshire, are steadily disappearing through changes in agricultural practices, the rate of loss being 3 5 % in the period 1950-69. This paper presents the results of a study in 1971 of the breeding biology of Moorhens Gallitiula cbloropus on those ponds which remain. Of 5 2 ponds studied, 42 (81%) held a breeding pair; at least seven of the ten unoccupied ponds were obviously unsuitable for the species No pond up to a size of 0.4 acres (0.15 ha) held more than one breeding pair. The breeding season (first-egg dates) lasted from 26th March to 8th August, with minor peaks in the periods ioth-24th May (19% of all clutches) and 9th-23rd June (17%), the latter comprising almost entirely replacement and second clutches. Slightly over one-third of all pairs were double-brooded. Nearly all second broods hatched successfully; those that failed were not replaced and no third broods were recorded. The mean clutch size over the whole season was 6.0, first clutches averaging 6.7, replacements 6.0 and second clutches 5.25. On three occasions a second female laid eggs in another’s nest: in one case the original female had died, while in the other two the second female may have parasitised the nest because she was unable to claim a territory of her own. Fertility was high (97%), but many eggs were lost 256 Moorhens on Huntingdonshire farm ponds to predators, 44% of clutches being total failures and 6% partial failures. Predation was highest early in the season and higher throughout on ponds in pasture as opposed to those in arable fields. Chick survival in the only four broods (the progeny of three pairs) in which it could be studied was high, 20 out of 22 (91%) surviving until at least six weeks of age. REFERENCES Anderson, A. 1965. ‘Moorhens at Newburgh’. Scot. Birds, 3: 230-233. Fitter, R. S. R., and Richardson, R. A. 1954. The Pocket Guide to Nests and Eggs. London. Howard, E. 1940. A Waterben’s World. Cambridge. Williamson, K. 1967. ‘The bird community of farmland’. Bird Study, 14: 210-226. and Homes, R. C. 1964. ‘Methods and preliminary results of the Common Birds Census, 1962-63’. Bird Study, 11: 240-256. Witherby, H. F., Jourdain, F. C. R., Ticehurst, N. F., and Tucker, B. W. 1938-41. The Handbook of British Birds. London, vol 5. Judy Relton, Monks Wood Experimental Station (The Nature Conservancy), Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon Notes Two pairs of Kestrels nesting on one electricity pylon On 15 th April 1971, in an area of reinstated opencast land at Staveley, Derby- shire, loud trilling calls drew my attention to four Kestrels Talco tinnunculus on an electricity pylon. There were two old nests of Carrion Crows Corvus corone at either end of the middle arm of the pylon, about 1 5 metres apart and some 27 metres above the ground. One pair of Kestrels was sitting by the side of nest A and the other two were a short distance apart higher up the main structure. When I next visited the area on 8th May, I saw only one bird, which flew off nest B. On 2 1 st May I flushed three Kestrels from the pylon, but could not say whether any left either of the nests. On 4th June, however, as I neared the pylon, a male arrived with prey to settle by nest A and, when I Notes 257 approached closer, three Kestrels flew away; I retired a short way and within three minutes two pairs of Kestrels settled on the pylon almost simultaneously, the females both then flying on to their respective nests while the males remained outside. On 23rd and 28th June I saw no sign of any Kestrels; on the latter date, however, I spoke to a youth ; 1 climbing down from the nests, who told me that both were empty and that he had climbed to them in May when nest A held four eggs and nest B three eggs. In lowland Derbyshire it is by no means unusual for Kestrels to nest on pylons (nor for boys to rob them), but it seems interesting that two pairs should choose to nest so close together. The next pylon to the south held an occupied Carrion Crows’ nest, from which two young fledged in May, while the one to the north held four | > disused crows’ nests. R. A. Frost 6 Langhurst Court, Ashgate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S40 4PE IKestrels nesting close together R. A. Frost’s note above represents one of the very few cases in Britain of two or more pairs of Kestrels Falco tinnunculus breeding within short distances of one another. Indeed, leaving aside an old record of two females laying in the same rnest (M. A. Mathew, Zoologist , 1882: 267-268), I know of only two other instances. Firstly, George Bolam (1912, Birds of Northumberland .and the Eastern Borders ) wrote : Birds of prey can seldom be said to nest in colonics, in this country at any rate, but such a description would scarcely be an exaggeration of the numbers of Kestrels which nest in some of the low ranges of rock on the south Northum- berland moors. At Crag Lough, on the line of the Roman Wall, a few miles east of Haltwhistlc, I have seen nests within ten yards of one another, in one case seven nests within a lineal distance of about forty yards, and have had a little ‘flock’ of thirteen of the birds hovering in the air above me, all calling at the same time. The second is from the British Trust for Ornithology’s Nest Record (.Cards and I am grateful to Leslie Brown and Robert Morgan for draw- ing my attention to it : two nests were found by P. Walters Davies some '8-10 metres apart in the walls of the derelict tower of a disused lead mine (but facing in opposite directions) at Moel Golomen, near Talybont, Cardiganshire, in late May and early June 1967; on 2nd June the two females were flushed off three and four eggs. In other parts of its range, however, the Kestrel is less uncommonly, even regularly, a -social nester. Leslie Brown and Dean Amadon (1968, Eagles, Hawks & Falcons of the World , 2: 782) noted, ‘Rarely, small colonies breed in holes in cliffs (Japan), or in trees in other birds’ nests (steppes of South Russia and West Siberia).’ I have twice seen Kestrels nesting close together and the main purpose of this note is to put these on record. The first was in Jordan in 1966. In early May, Eric Hosking and G. R. Shannon informed me that they had found four nests of Kestrels Notes 258 in some trees a few kilometres from Azraq, where we were all staying at the time. As a result, on nth May, Robert Spencer and I visited a line of pistachios Pistacia atlantica in the Wadi Muheilan. Two of three trees at one end each held two occupied nests of Kestrels, all in old nests of Brown-necked Ravens Corvus ruficollis ; the two trees were 88 metres apart with a smaller one between them. In the first tree the nests were 3.9 metres from each other, and 6.6 and 8.6 metres above the ground; one held four eggs from which the female was flushed, the other two young 2J-3 weeks old. In the second tree the nests were 7.2 metres apart, and 4.3 and 5.0 metres above the ground; one held four young 2-6 days old, the other two young 8-10 days old. Lesser Kestrels F. naumanni do not breed in the Azraq area, but in any case the species was confirmed by a good view of at least one of the males and by the removal of some pieces of hatched eggshell which were later kindly identified for me by Dr H. M. S. Blair. The second was in the U.S.S.R. in 1970. A party of us visited the steppe reserve of Askania Nova, south of Kahovka in the Ukraine, on several days in late June. This reserve covers over 50,000 hectares, including 21,000 hectares of virgin steppe, and in the midst of it is a huge island of exotic trees, many of which were planted over 100 years ago and which together form part of a large botanical garden. In one group of these trees was a sizable colony of Rooks C. frugilegus , totalling perhaps 150-200 pairs, and breeding in old nests round the perimeter were a number of Kestrels, together with Red-footed Falcons F. vespertinus and apparently also Lesser Kestrels. I spent some time watching these birds, chiefly with Dr and Mrs H. W. C. Fuller and Mrs M. L. Roe: there was much activity and most were obviously feeding young, particularly on lizards and large insects, but it was impossible to climb to the nests and we could do no more than guess that there were at least 15 and probably not more than 30 pairs of falcons, and that Kestrels and Red-footed Falcons formed the bulk of the colony in roughly equal proportions. We understood from a local ornithologist that these falcons breed regularly with the Rooks and that in years when they are particularly numerous they also spread into old nests of Magpies Pica pica in the hedges between the corn- fields which form part of the botanical garden area. My impression is that, while the Kestrel is usually a solitary nester, it is quite normal for it to nest socially or even colonially where food is plentiful and nest sites are scarce. In both the deserts of Jordan and the steppes of the Ukraine lizards and large insects abound, but there are very few buildings (or cliffs) and only isolated islands, clumps or lines of trees to provide nest sites. On that basis, one would expect social nesting to occur only very rarely in Britain, where nest sites are generally plentiful. I. J. Ferguson-Lees to Merton Road, Bedford Notes 259 iLittle Gulls associating with feeding Razorbills S. G. Madge (Brit. Birds, 58: 192) recorded an association between a Little Gull Larus minutus and feeding Razorbills Ale a torda in Cornwall, and it seems worth placing on record some similar observations of mine at Dunge- ness, Kent, in 1969. On 3rd October numerous shoals of whitebait Clupea sp were moving eastwards very close inshore and attracting a small feeding party of gulls and terns, largely Black-headed Gulls L. ridibundtu and Common Terns Sterna hirundo, but also including an Arctic Tern S . paradisaea, a Black Tern Chlidonias niger and a few Little Gulls. Feeding among these were three Razorbills swimming very close to the water’s edge. Some of the Little Gulls had obviously formed a type of feeding association with the auks, a gull hovering over a diving Razorbill and occasionally dipping to the surface to take a small fish. It appeared that, in the comparatively shallow water, the diving auk was forcing small fish up to the surface and enabling the gull to catch them. When the auk surfaced, the gull would sit on the water beside it, taking off again the next time the Razorbill dived. Occasionally the gull would dart down at the surfacing bird, forcing it to dive again. Each of the three Razorbills was accompanied by a first-year Little 'Gull, each pair behaving similarly. Later, three adult Little Gulls arrived and attempted to join the association but were driven away, . each immature gull apparently defending its ‘own’ auk against intruders. At one time three Little Gulls were actively contesting which should consort with a particular Razorbill. This chasing and contesting was accompanied by a persistent ‘ticking’ call apparently equivalent to the loud display-note mentioned in The Handbook (5: 61). I watched i these birds for some 30 minutes, from 10.00 to 10.30 hours, and this behaviour continued throughout. Nine days later at Dungcness, M. A. Hollingworth witnessed identical behaviour by Little Gulls; on this occasion a near-by 1 Guillemot Uria aalge was completely ignored. R. E. Scott D ungene ss Bird Observatory, Romney Marsh, Kent Displacement behaviour of Song Thrush On several occasions during the spring of 1971, while watching Song Thrushes Turdus philomelos singing and displaying in my garden at Welwyn, Hertford- shire, I was close to one particular bird whose song was especially loud and varied. Between phrases of the song, it repeatedly turned aside to snatch at the twigs of the weeping beech in which it was perched. These were grasped in the bill and wrenched vigorously, though some were approximately half a centimetre in diameter. None was detached, however, and there was no indication that the bird was attempting to collect building material. Eileen A. Soper Harmer Green, Weluyn, Hertfordshire 260 Notes Redpoll plucking dead Dunnock During early June 1971, in the Kentmere Valley, Westmorland, my attention was drawn to what I presumed, at first sight, to be two birds fighting in a hawthorn bush. As I approached the bush a Redpoll Acanthis flammea flew out carrying a small feather in its bill. The other bird remained and on closer examination I discovered that it was the corpse of a Dunnock Prunella modularis suspended among the thorns. I retreated to a safe distance and waited; the Redpoll soon returned and vigorously began plucking feathers from the Dunnock’s back. By following the Redpoll’s flight path I was able to find its nest which was neatly lined with down feathers from the unfortunate Dunnock. J. Driver i) Midland Street , Nelson, Lancashire Song Sparrow on the Calf of Man At 08.20 hours on 13 th May 1971 R. E. Smith saw an unfamiliar bird near a gully known as the Mill Giau at the southern end of the Calf of Man. He caught it almost immediately in the Heligoland trap there and brought it back to the observatory where I examined it. We soon realised that the bird could only be one of the American buntings, or ‘sparrows’, and from Peterson (1947, M Field Guide to the Birds; 1961, A Field Guide to Western Birds ) it was identified as a Song Sparrow Me/ospi^a tnelodia. The following description, measurements and wing-formula were taken in the hand: Plumage: Forehead rich dark brown ; crown rich dark brown with black streaks and a thin grey central stripe; lores and ear-coverts pale grey; supercilium pale grey, very broad; nape greyish-brown. Mantle and back grey, heavily streaked with rich dark brown; scapulars chestnut-brown; rump and uppertail- coverts greyish, streaked brown. Chin and throat pale grey with black streaks at sides; breast pale grey, heavily streaked dark brown; belly pale grey, unstreaked; flanks buffish-grey, strongly marked dark brown; undertail- coverts buffish-grey, slightly streaked brown. Primaries and secondaries uniform brown with slight pale edgings; tertials dark brown with buff fringes; primary coverts dark brown with sandy edgings; greater and median coverts dark brown with sandy fringes and pale tips (forming two indistinct wing bars) ; lesser coverts sandy brown; bastard wing dark brown with pale fringes; rectrices dark brown, more sandy on the basal third; underwing pale grey. Soft parts: Upper mandible dark grey-black, lower light horn; gape pale yellow; iris dark brown; eye-ring dark brown; tarsus pale flesh. Wing-formula: 4th, 5th and 6th primaries equal longest; 2nd —7.0 mm, 3rd —2.0 mm, 7th —2.0 mm, 8th —3.5 mm, 9th —7.0 mm, 10th —8.5 mm; 1st 7.0 mm shorter than primary coverts; 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th emarginated on outer webs, 7th slightly. Measurements: Wing 64 mm, tail 59 mm, bill (from feathers) 12 mm, bill width at nostrils 7 mm, tarsus 20 mm, weight 19.2 gm. An interesting feature of the plumage was that, while the remiges were fairly fresh and showed only slight signs of wear, the tail feathers were quite worn and abraded. After photographs had been taken (to be published with the ‘Report on rare birds in Great Britain’), the bird was released close to the observatory. It hopped off into the bottom of a patch of thick bramble, uttering a single low ‘chirp’, and dotes 261 /as left undisturbed to feed. Brief views were obtained near this spot n two occasions later that day. At 17.30 hours on 16th May R.E.S. found the Song Sparrow less tan 100 metres from where it had been released three days earlier, and ive both obtained excellent views of it over a period of an hour at inges down to about six metres. The most important field points 1 /ere the strongly streaked underparts with a prominent dark spot in re centre of the breast, the latter being much more easily seen at a 1 1 istance in the field than in the hand ; the head pattern (dark stripe . -trough the eye, broad grey supercilium, rich dark brown crown with tin grey central stripe, pale greyish-white chin and throat with dark : toustachial streaks at sides); the fairly long, rounded tail; and the rich rown, strongly marked upperparts reminiscent of a Dunnock Prunella nodularis. The bird continually cocked and flirted its tail so that at ; mes it looked rather like a plump, over-sized Wren Troglodytes " oglodytes . It spent a considerable time on the top of an old stone wall k/here it fed on the seeds of some grasses growing on the masonry: i s behaviour on this occasion was fairly confiding in contrast to its ,ery skulking habits at all other times. On 1 8th and 19th May brief views were obtained as it dived into lick cover, and on 20th May it was retrapped in the bottom of a mist Let set to catch migrants. Its weight had decreased to 18.6 gm. It was : ot seen again until 28th May when it was found in the same spot as rn 1 6th. Finally, on 3rd June I had a brief view of it about 400 metres way from the observatory area. It seems quite possible that this bird had come directly from a ship 1 n to the Calf. Transatlantic vessels bound for Liverpool via the North Channel between Ireland and Scotland often pass within two or three m of the island. Almost continuous sea-fog was recorded on the ialf between 20.00 hours on 9th May and 15.00 hours on 12th, the hay before the bird was first seen. If a ship had passed through the vJorth Channel in sea-fog during that period and this had subsequently ieared, the Isle of Man could have been the first land sighted. The three previous British records of this American bunting (Brit, irds, 52: 419-421; 59: 198-201; 64: 366) have also been in spring, 'he first was on Fair Isle, Shetland, from 27th April to 10th May 1959, allowed by one at Spurn, Yorkshire, on 18th May 1964 and one on 'iardsey, Caernarvonshire, from 5th to 8th May 1970. The Song parrow needs to be distinguished from a number of closely similar oecies, particularly the Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis 1 /hich has a yellowish supercilium and a shorter forked tail, and Lin- oln’s Sparrow At. lincolnii which has a buffish breast with fine black ttreaks. Malcolm Wright ■alf of Alan Bird Obsert'atory, c/o J. Gawne, Time Street, Port St Alary, r le of Alan Reviews The Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland. Prepared by the British Ornithologists’ Union. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, 1971. 333 pages; 69 line-drawings. £3.00. A Species List of British and Irish Birds. Edited by Robert Hudson. B.T.O. Guide 13. British Trust for Ornithology, Tring, 1971. 2op. As long ago as October 1962, the British Ornithologists’ Union decided that its Check-list of the Birds of Great Britain and Ireland , pub- lished in 1952, should be replaced. Now, some nine years later, the devoted labours of many people have borne fruit in this remarkably useful and handsome volume. The welcome decision to extend the scope of the 1952 list, and in particular to amplify greatly the comments on status and distribution in Britain and Ireland, inevitably meant some delay. A special enquiry was launched in autumn 1964, which drew on the experience of local ornithological bodies, but, after this and other material had been digested, difficulties arose over the questions of sequence and nomenclature. The ensuing controversy need not be detailed here. It ranged widely for some years with many different solutions being proposed. Finally, it was decided to use the sequence in J. L. Peters’s Check-list of Birds of the World and the nomen- clature in C. Vaurie’s The Birds of the Palearctic Fauna , both modified slightly in the light of more recent work. This inevitably has failed to satisfy many of the protagonists. In particular, the editors of local bird reports had long opposed any changes in the 1952 order until one sequence was accepted internationally for European birds. In January 1971 at their national conference they asked the British Trust for Ornithology to prepare a simplified list of current species of British and Irish birds in the Wetmore order, following the 1952 check-list with no more than minor alterations. This has now been produced with commendable speed as a straightforward numbered list of species with scientific and English names. The B.O.U. publication is, of course, very much more than a list. Each species is allocated on average some three-quarters of a page, consisting of a summary of world distribution, the distribution of the subspecies relevant to Britain and Ireland, and the status and distri- bution in both countries. For breeding species very full details are given, together with an estimate of the probable size of the breeding population ranked in orders of abundance. For other species, usually allocated a single line in the 1952 check-list, a full analysis of occur- rences is given, with every record detailed for the rarer visitors. These species accounts are based on information up to 1968 or earlier and a 262 eviews 263 serial appendix gives the more interesting occurrences, including receding records, in 1969 and 1970. A new feature is that the species ;:e divided into three categories depending on whether they have Lien recorded in the wild state during the last 50 years (category A) or irlier (category B) or are species originally introduced by man which ..we now established regular feral breeding stocks (category C); there an appendix listing the few species which, for various reasons, are tot yet added to the main list (category D). The result is a storehouse if information on the birds of Britain and Ireland, which will be an -isential purchase for every keen ornithologist. It is most attractively roduced, well printed and arranged, with felicitous line-drawings by obert Gillmor to illustrate each family. Although it has suffered >mewhat from its over-long gestation, and a few will remain infuriated y the sequence and nomenclature finally adopted, this work sets a new igh standard for a national bird list. Stanley Cramp torre Danske Fuglclokaliteter [Major Danish Bird Localities]. 1 art 1. By L. Ferdinand. Dansk Ornithologisk Forening, Copen- hagen, 1971. 230 pages; many photographs, maps and sketches; me large-scale folded map in end pocket. Danish Kr. 85. his remarkable book consists of a register of ornithologically signifi- aint localities surveyed during the 1960*5 by teams of Danish bird- atchers. A total of 669 localities are listed: considering the greater size md more varied habitat of Great Britain, an equivalent list for this muntry would probably contain between four and five thousand ntrics. Each entry provides a map reference, a statement of the size md terrain of the locality, and a summary of its importance; it con- ludes with an indication of the threats facing the locality, a list of the 1 bservers who surveyed it and references to further published informa- 1 on, if any. The scope of the ornithological summaries can best be indicated by a random example, like this from Karlsg&rde lake near rarde in Jutland: Breeding (a fairly well covered locality of some importance for marsh birds). 5-10 pairs Great Crested Grebes, 5-10 pairs Mute Swans, 5 pairs Mallard, 5 pairs Shelduck. Passage (well covered, of importance for wildfowl). Up to 20 Great Crested Grebes, 50 Little Grebes, 10 Herons, 50 Mute Swans, 50 Whooper Swans, 10 Bewick’s Swans, 3,000 Mallard, 50 Pintail, 100 Wigeon, 500 Teal, 100 Tufted Duck, 75 Pochard, 150 Goldeneye, 300 Goosanders. nformation on this scale and in this detail, and with a scientific Tganisation behind it, puts it in a different category altogether from he agreeable, but sketchy and impressionistic, work of John Gooders a his Where to Watch Birds (1967). The coverage as a whole is quite xccllent, especially for water birds: in 18 years’ birdwatching in Denmark I have never been to an interesting coastal locality which I Reviews 264 could not find well described in the register, and all the breeding locali- ties are listed for 50 species as diverse as Tufted Duck, Grasshopper Warbler, Turnstone and Wryneck. The underlying purpose of this book is the defence of bird localities under increasing pressure from changing land-use : this volume is to be followed by a second analysing the relationship between bird life and the environment in a systematic way, and the two together will form a corpus of scientific information available to educate the public and, at least, to make planners pause. Should we do it here? It could form the perfect sequel to capitalise on the energy and enthusiasm generated by the teams of observers in the British Trust for Ornithology’s Atlas project, to which in many ways it would be complementary. We have not done anything very like it yet: the Nature Conservancy is said to be producing for eventual publication a review of the major sites of natural history interest in Britain, but it will almost certainly be far less comprehensive than what the Danes have done; the Estuaries Enquiry and some of the work of the Wildfowl Trust has had some of these objectives; county and regional trusts do only what they can on a limited basis. A systematic official national list on the Danish model, apart from its enormous intrinsic interest to thousands of birdwatchers, would arm us with a conservation weapon of outstanding value. By being acces- sible, comprehensive and co-ordinated it could do for us what this splendid book is designed to do for the Scandinavians, so let us hope someone in authority on this side of the North Sea will give it more than a moment’s consideration. T. C. Smout Letters Changes in Rarities Committee membership On 25 th March 1972 P. A. D. Hollom retired from the Rarities Committee. He had given it 13 years’ unstinting service and had been chairman ever since it was set up in 1959; he was also the last of the founder members and all concerned owe him a great debt. His intimate knowledge of the avifauna of, in particular, the western Palearctic remains second to none and this will be greatly missed. Equally sad will be the loss of his sensitive judgment, which stemmed essentially from his understanding of the position of the observer in the recording of rarities. At the annual meeting of the Rarities Committee on 25 th March I was appointed chairman in Mr Hollom’s place, but his departure still leaves us one short of the full complement and the committee now recommends that R. J. Johns, who is willing to serve, be appointed to fill this vacancy. He combines great expertise in identification and a wide experience of several European countries and also Turkey and Otters 265 >Morth Africa with a real interest in the researching of field-characters. I Un recent years Mr Johns has reached the unique position of having s seen more species in Britain and Ireland than anyone else has ever done I and his acquaintance in the field with observers who are particularly 1 jriented towards rarities is also extensive. It is therefore hoped that ' lis membership will be widely endorsed. If, however, any ornithological body, bird observatory or individual wishes to propose another name to fill this vacancy, those concerned should write to me before 7th July with the address of their candidate and some particulars of his qualifications. Then the county and regional recorders (see list on pages 269-272) will, in the usual way, be asked to vote on the names. If no other names are received, Mr Johns will take up his membership on 8th July 1972. One member of the l committee now retires by rotation each year and, even if the appoint- nent of Mr Johns is accepted, I shall be glad to have nominations for uture membership between now and the next annual meeting of the rcommittee on 24th March 1973. D. I. M. Wallace r 3 Doncel Court, Forest View, Condon E4 7AW LLarge gulls with grey wing-tips In view of the mention in ‘Recent reports’ for October 1971 {Brit. Birds, 65:41) of the possible occurrence 1 of a Kumlien’s Gull Larus glaucoides kumlieni in Co. Cork, perhaps it s ihould be pointed out that the problems involved in identifying these firds have been increased by the observation that Herring and [Glaucous Gulls L. argentatus and L. bjperboreus have started inter- breeding in Iceland in recent decades with the production of hybrids 1 wery similar to Kumlien’s Gull (A. Ingolfsson, Ibis, 112: 340-362), while in the other direction the breeding range of Kumlien’s overlaps with that of the extremely similar Thayer’s Gull jL. thayeri which scecms to differ from it mainly in migrating south-west rather than j;outh-east (N. G. Smith, 1966, A.O.U. Ornithological Monographs, no. 4). We are attempting to rc-evaluate the growing number of British and :rish records of large gulls with a reduced amount of black at the wing-tips in the light of these findings, and would be grateful for letails of observations of them. Particular attention should be paid to he colour of the orbital ring, which is apparently dark in Iceland 1,. g. glaucoides, Kumlien’s and Thayer’s Gulls in the breeding season though seldom recorded in winter, at least in north-west Europe), nd yellow in Herring and Glaucous Gulls. W. R. P. Bourne "he Seabird Group, Department of Zoology, University of Aberdeen, . "illy dr one Avenue, Aberdeen AB9 2TN \Veery in Cornwall’ : a correction Dr J. T. R. Sharrock has brought to our atten- lon an important printing error on page 48 of the current volume: in line 39 i Iceland’ should be ‘Ireland’. We apologise for this mistake. News and comment Robert Hudson Conservation priorities Dr J. J. M. Flegg, Director of the British Trust for Ornithology, presents some personal, and slightly heretical, views on conservation in the current issue of Conservation Review, the bulletin of the Society for the Promo- tion of Nature Reserves. Dr Flegg questions whether conservationists always have their priorities right. Should large sums of money be spent on maintaining such species as the Giant Panda or the White Rhino ? Such creatures may be spectacular, but in their personal battles with the environment that modern man has created they may have gone beyond the point of no return. Is the preservation of such dwindling populations of living fossils the best way man has to expiate his guilt? While one appreciates the value of the spectacular and the exotic in public relations exercises, surely there now exists the knowledge and expertise to convince mankind of the need for much broader thinking. While reserves are important, ecological principles need application on a far wider scale, with more concern for future require- ments. Dr Flegg believes that some existing reserves have been acquired largely out of nostalgia, and may prove to be expensive anachronisms. Surely funds and efforts would be more profitably devoted to understanding the machinery of our environ- ment, to shaping developments in order to maintain the ecological diversity that we consider so necessary ? What is needed is the participation of more people in the conservation movement, and in the long term education will be more important than the acquisition of small, fenced-off reserves. Environmental management over large areas will be expensive, but not necessarily so expensive as the cost of rectifying ecological damage. The Department of the Environment has recently announced expenditure of £1,300 million on cleaning up our river systems; surely. Dr Flegg reasons, in the light of this example, the Government should reconsider the puny sums it devotes (via the Natural Environment Research Council and other organisa- tions) to monitoring and planning within the environment. Concern over Ascension Island birds The seabirds of Ascension Island were studied during a major expedition of the British Ornithologists’ Union from October 1937 to April 1958; and Dr K. E. L. Simmons visited the island for that purpose between February 1962 and February 1964, in April 1966, and from December 1971 to January 1972. As a result of his observations, Dr Simmons became concerned for the future of Ascension Island as a seabird station and, at his instigation, the B.O.U. has asked the International Council for Bird Preservation to help. The recent deterioration of the situation stems from two factors. First, the establishment of the B.B.C.’s Atlantic Relay Station on the island has resulted in an increase in the human population, with more disturbance to seabird beaches, and more building and road construction, the latter without regard to the desirability of avoiding seabird colonies. Second, the number of domestic animals has also increased, while measures to control the feral cats which cause much damage to nesting Sooty Terns, in particu- lar, seem to have ceased. Most people work on Ascension for short periods only, and so there is no tradition of concern or action about conservation. Dr Simmons has recommended, and his views are endorsed by the B.O.U., that the main seabird colonies be designated wildlife sanctuaries, and access to them restricted; that the recently-formed Ascension Historical Society be encouraged to expand to include a natural history section, so that there is an educational element on the island; that feral cats be actively controlled (extirpated if possible) and domestic animals neutered; and that other possible factors, such as marine pollution, be investigated. Such measures could be instigated and sustained only by directives from appropriate authorities in the United Kingdom, while it is highly desirable that there should be resident biologists to provide continuity of action. 266 News and comment 267 'Seabird Group report The Seabird Report 1970, published by the Seabird Group, is recently to hand, and should be in the possession of all interested in this part of our avifauna. Far from the usual run of ‘annual reports’, this is a small journal of 63 pages, consisting mainly of 16 short papers. I was particularly interested in those . dealing with auk shooting in Norway (T. J. Dixon), auks drowning in fishing nets j 'C. J. Bibby), the provision or improvement of nest sites for terns (R. Eades) and v Guillemots (P. Corkhill), and a comparison of spring auk migration in Spain and Ireland (R. G. Pcttitt). The Seabird Group’s most ambitious project to date, the Operation Seafarer’ census of seabird colonies, is now being written up in book 1 form, and its appearance is awaited with much interest. Wildfowl Trust presidency His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edin- | aurgh, who was President of the Wildfowl Trust between i960 and 1965, has ! i consented to accept nomination for this office for a second five-year term from May 1972 to May 1977. 'New environmental journal Conservation and pollution literature is increasing i r-apidly, and there is no sign of the output slackening in this ‘fashionable’ field. The atest addition is to be a new quarterly, Journal of Environmental Planning and Pollution i ( Zontrol, published by Mercury House Business Publications Ltd, Mercury House, Waterloo Road. London sei 8ul. The publishers defend the launching of yet mother journal by declaring that, unlike its predecessors, it will not spend time | > lenouncing past evils, but will report on work currently being done to secure a ; >ollution-frce future. Whether this really is a new niche many will doubt. The first ; ssue, to appear shortly, contains papers on such wide-ranging topics as controlling tr.raffic noise, computer involvement in environmental planning, preventing river [yjollution, plants as monitors of metal pollution, and (of particular interest to ■ ornithologists) Foulness and the Third London Airport, this last by Dr W. R. P. F3ourne. But at £j per annum, I fear there will be few private subscribers to this 1 icw journal, at least among naturalists. | opinions expressed in this feature are not necessarily those of the editors of British Birds Recent reports P. F. Bonham These are largely unchecked reports, not authenticated records This summary deals with most of the rarities and scarce migrants reported during N March. The departure of winter visitors and arrival of spring migrants in both 'March and April will be covered in the next issue. Ducks and birds of prey provided many of the highlights. Two Green-winged Teal Anas crecca carolinensis, at Gouthwaite Reservoir (Yorkshire) and Spiggie Loch '■Shetland), a Blue-winged Teal A. discors at Hardley Marshes (Norfolk), a Ring- necked Duck Aytbya collaris at Marlow (Buckinghamshire) and a King Eider iornateria speciabilis at Irvine (Ayrshire) all stayed for most or all of the month. 'Newcomers included a Green-winged Teal on Papa Stour (Shetland) on 10th, ling-necked Ducks at Blagdon (Somerset) and Slapton (Devon), and two King iiders in Shetland — at Trondra from 8th and in Ronas Voc from 25 th, both stay- ng into April. A Bean Goose Anser fabalis was seen at Cullivoe, Yell (Shetland) n mid-March; and six adult and three immature Bewick’s Swans Cygnus bewickii tear Dirleton (East Lothian) on 12th were a larger party than most in Scotland in ccent years. 268 Recent reports The species of the month, however, was undoubtedly the Gyr Falcon Falco rusticolus. Birds of the white type (‘ candicans ’) which predominates in Greenland were reported from no less than nine localities in March and early April, though it is possible that some or all of five sightings in the south-west involved the same individual and there may also have been some duplication in north-west England and north Wales : singles appeared near Putford (Devon) on 7th, at Foreland Point (also Devon) on 17th, on Lundy on 19th, 21st and 22nd, at Trevone near Padstow (Cornwall) on 27th, and on Bryher (Isles of Scilly) on 14th April; one stayed in the Cissbury Ring area (Sussex) from 1 ith to about 24th, and one at Chessington (Surrey) from 14th to 19th overlapped with it; lastly, one was seen at Stalybridge (Cheshire) on 25 th and it or another was picked up with a shot wound at Conway Bay (Caernar- vonshire) during the Easter weekend (31st March-3rd April). Red Kites Milvus milvus were seen on passage at Laleston, Bridgend (Glamorgan) on 10th, at Bexhill and Pett Level (both Sussex, probably the same bird) on 17th, in north Herefordshire on 2 1 st, at Newstead Abbey (Nottinghamshire) on 25 th, and at Greatworth (North- amptonshire) on 26th; and a Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus in Argyll on 19th March. This seems a suitable point at which to mention three Snowy Owls Nyctea scandiaca, on St Martin’s (Isles of Scilly) from 8th to at least 22nd, at North Molton (Devon) on 9th, and at a rubbish tip in Cardiff (Glamorgan) on 28th (the last a first-year bird). The remaining rarities were a White-billed Diver Gavia adamsii in Buckie Har- bour (Banffshire) from 14th well into April; a Purple Heron Ardea purpurea at Carburton (Nottinghamshire) on 1 8th ; a Spotted Crake P organa porsyma at Breydon (Norfolk) on 26th; a Hoopoe Upupa epops at Hartlepool (Co. Durham) on 15th; and a Serin Serinus serinus at Ash (Kent) on 24th. From Jersey came reports of a Wall- creeper Ticbodroma muraria on the north cliffs at St Ouen’s Bay on 4th, and of at least seven Cetti’s Warblers Cettia cetti, more than in any previous spring; the latter are of particular interest in view of recent occurrences in Britain {Brit. Birds, 65 : 92). Correction to November ‘Recent reports’ In ‘Recent reports’ for November 1971 {Brit. Birds, 65 : 92) I included a report of a presumably escaped Giildenstadt’s Redstart Pboenicurus erythrogaster at Burnley (Lancashire). I am grateful to K. G. Spencer who has pointed out that this bird was not, apparently, a Giildenstadt’s but a White-capped Water Redstart Cbaimar- rornis leucocephalus, a mountain species from the Himalayan region. C t 4 4 4 List of county and regional recorders in Britain and Ireland The main aims of this list of bird recorders and editors are to ensure that observers on holiday away from their home areas send records to the right people, to encourage co-operation at the inter-county and intra-county levels, and to provide a source of reference for those collating records on a national basis. Several counties are divided into areas for recording purposes, but to save space, and because we believe it is less confusing, the list generally includes one name only against each county or region. For the same reasons we have largely discontinued our previous practice of mentioning observatory and other local reports which overlap with the county or regional ones, though some of these contain much important information. Titles of publications arc added only when they do not include the name of the county or counties concerned. We shall be glad to know of any errors, omissions or changes of address. ENGLAND All counties or regions, except Cumberland and Westmorland, arc now publishing or intending to publish annual reports: Bedfordshire P. F. Bonham, 32 Heronscroft, Bedford Berkshire P. E. Standlcy, Siskins, 7 Llanvair Drive, South Ascot, Berkshire Buckinghamshire R. E. Youngman, 53 Seymour Park Road, Marlow, Buckingham- shire SL7 3ER Cambridgeshire G. M. S. Easy, 1 1 Landbeach Road, Milton, Cambridgeshire Cheshire Dr R. J. Raines, 34 Beryl Road, Noctorum, Birkenhead, Cheshire Cornwall Reverend J. E. Bcckerlegge, St Crowan Vicarage, Praze, Camborne, Cornwall Cumberland R. Stokoe, 4 Fern Bank, Cockcrmouth, Cumberland Derbyshire David Amedro, 212 Derby Road, Ilkeston, Derbyshire Devon F. R. Smith, 117 Hill Barton Road, Exeter, Devon exi 3PP Dorse t F. R. Clafton, Portland Bird Observatory and Field Centre, The Old Lower Light, Portland Bill, Dorset Durham R. T. McAndrew, 103 Granville Avenue, Hartlepool, Co. Durham TS26 8na Essex Richard Hull, 23 Meadgate Avenue, Chelmsford, Essex Gloucestershire C. M. Swaine, Mill House, Rendcomb, Cirencester, Gloucestershire Hampshire J. H. Taverner, 13 Stockers Avenue, Winchester, Hampshire Herefordshire A. J. Smith, The Orchard, Moreton-on-Lugg, Hereford Hertfordshire P. Waterton, 5 Elmoor Avenue, Welwyn, Hertfordshire Huntingdonshire E. T. Lees, 14 Eaton Close, Hartford, Huntingdon Isle of Wight J. Stafford, Westering, Moor Lane, Brighstone, Isle of Wight Isles of Scil/y Miss H. M. Quick, Priglis Cottage, St Agnes, Isles of Scilly Kent R. E. Scott, Dungeness Bird Observatory, Romney Marsh, Kent Lancashire K. G. Spencer, 3 Landseer Close, off Carr Road, Burnley, Lancashire Leicestershire K. Allsopp, 81 Uplands Road, Oadby, Leicester LE2 4NT Lincolnshire K. Atkin, 34 Bassingham Crescent, Ermine Estate, Lincoln 269 zjo County and regional recorders London P. J. Grant, 16 Windermere Court, Eastrees Park, Ashford, Kent Monmouthshire see wales Norfolk M. J. Seago, 33 Acacia Road, Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich, Norfolk nor 71T Northamptonshire C. J. Coe, 3 The Orchard, Flore, Northampton NN7 4LH Northumberland B. Galloway, 1 1 5 Southway, South Denton, Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 7RD ( Birds in Northumbria) Nottinghamshire A. Dobbs, Cloverleigh, Old Main Road, Bulcote, Nottingham NGI4 5GU Oxfordshire J. W. Brucker, 65 Yarnton Road, Kidlington, Oxfordshire Rutland as Leicestershire Shropshire C. E. Wright, Larne, Park Avenue, Whitchurch, Shropshire Somerset Miss E. M. Palmer, Highfield, Sandford Hill, Bridgwater, Somerset Staffordshire B. R. Dean, 2 Charington Road, Solihull, Warwickshire (I Vest Alidland Bird Report) Suffolk W. H. Payn, Hartest Place, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk Surrey Mrs. J. D. Parr, 40 Leatherhead Road, Ashtead, Surrey Sussex M. Shrubb, Fairfields, Sidlesham, Chichester, Sussex Warwickshire as Staffordshire Westmorland as Cumberland Wiltshire G. L. Webber, 66 Southbrook Extension, Swindon, Wiltshire Worcestershire as Staffordshire Yorkshire J. R. Mather, 44 Aspin Lane, Knaresborough, Yorkshire The Condon Bird Report also includes Middlesex and those parts of Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey within 20 miles of St Paul’s Cathedral. A number of other reports overlap with adjacent ones to a greater or lesser extent and cover parts of one or more counties: among the most important is the 'North-Western Bird Report, published by the Merseyside Naturalists’ Association (Eric Hardy, 47 Woodsorrel Road, Liverpool 15), which ranges widely over north-west England and north Wales. There is now generally a good exchange of information between overlapping reports and between local and county publications, but in a few instances co-operation is still only partial or even lacking and we again urge those concerned to resolve such situations which greatly add to the work of any national collator and confuse the casual visitor. ISLE OF MAN Records are collected by the Manx Museum and National Trust, and edited by E. D. Kerruish, 3 High View Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, for publication in The Peregrine, which is produced by the Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society. WALES The annual ‘Welsh Bird Report’, compiled by P. E. Davis and P. Hope Jones, is published in the twice-yearly journal Nature in Wales. Reprints are obtainable from Mr Davis (Ty Coed, Tregaron, Cardiganshire) or Mr Hope Jones (Bedwen, Bro Enddwyn, Dyffryn Ardudwy, Merioneth). This presents a summary of records in Wales as a whole, County and regional recorders 271 but county or regional reports are also published and recording is on a county basis: Anglesey A. J. Mercer, Llywenan, Merddyn Gwyn, Brynsiencyn, Anglesey (. Annual Report of Cambrian Ornithological Society ) Breconshire M. V. Prccce, Stepaside, Llangynidr, Crickhowell, Breconshire Caernarvonshire as Anglesey Cardiganshire P. E. Davis, Ty Coed, Tregaron, Cardiganshire Carmarthenshire D. H. V. Roberts, 38 Heol Hathren, Cwmann, Lampeter, Cardigan- shire Denbighshire as Anglesey Flintshire R. R. Birch, 12 Rake Way, Saughall, Chester Glamorgan Mrs A. Heathcote, 140 Ty Glas Road, Llanishen, Cardiff, Glamorgan Merioneth as Anglesey Monmouthshire W. G. Lewis, 11 Ruth Road, New Inn, Pontypool, Monmouthshire Montgomeryshire R. R. Lovegrove, The Walk Mill, Mochdre, Newtown, Montgomery- shire Pembrokeshire J. W. Donovan, The Burrcn, Dingle Lane, Crundalc, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire Radnorshire as England, Herefordshire Bird records for Cardiganshire, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire are published together as a report of the West Wales Naturalists’ Trust. The territory covered by the North-Western Bird Report (see England) extends into north Wales. SCOTLAND The annual ‘Scottish Bird Report’, compiled by R. H. Dennis, is published in the quarterly journal Scottish Birds, the editor of which is T. Delaney, 31 Starbank Road, Edinburgh eh 5 3 by, but requests for the report should be sent to Major A. D. Peirse-Duncombe, Scottish Ornithologists’ Club, 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 jbt. This presents a summary of records in the whole of Scotland, but recording is on a regional basis, partly by counties and partly by the ‘faunal areas’ shown on the map at the end of volume 2 of E. V. Baxter and L. J. Rintoul’s The Birds of Scotland (1953). Note that Skye and the Hebrides are treated separately from the counties in which they lie. With the county system modified in this manner, alphabetical listing is un- satisfactory and the area recorders are therefore taken from north to south : Shetland (except Fair Isle) R. J. Tulloch, Reaftrth, Mid Yell, Shetland Fair Isle R. Broad, Bird Observatory, Fair Isle, Shetland Orkney E. Balfour, Isbister House, Rcndall, Orkney Outer Hebrides ( except St Kilda) W. A. J. Cunningham, xo Barony Square, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis St Kilda Dr I. D. Pennie, Varkasaig, Scourie, Sutherland Caithness Mrs P. Collett, Sandyquoy, East Gills, Scrabster, Caithness Sutherland , Ross-shire (except Black Isle) D. Macdonald, Elmbank, Dornoch, Suther- land Inverness-shire (within 18 miles of Inverness), Ross-shire (Black Isle only) Dr Maeve Rusk, 5 1 Old Edinburgh Road, Inverness 272 County and regional recorders Inverness-shire ( mainland more than 18 miles from Inverness) R. H. Dennis, The Old Manse, Rothiemurchus, Aviemore, Inverness-shire Nairnshire, Morayshire, Banffshire J. Edelsten, 14 South High Street, Portsoy, Banff- shire AB4 2NT Aberdeen, north Kincardineshire N. Picozzi, Nature Conservancy, Blackhall, Banchory, Kincardineshire AB3 3PS; and W. Murray, Culterty Field Station, Newburgh, Aberdeenshire AB4 oaa South Kincardineshire, Angus G. M. Crighton, 23 Church Street, Brechin, Angus Argyll, Inner Hebrides, Skye M. J. P. Gregory, 4 High Bank Park, Lochgilphead, Argyll Perthshire Miss V. M. Thom, 19 Braeside Gardens, Perth Kinross-shire Miss Bridget H. Moore, Loch Leven Nature Centre, Vane Farm, Kinross Isle of May Miss N. J. Gordon, Nature Conservancy, 12 Hope Terrace, Edinburgh EH9 2AS Fife, Clackmannanshire, east Stirlingshire D. W. Oliver, East Cottage, Balass, Cupar, Fife I Vest 'Lothian Professor T. C. Smout, 19 South Gillsland Road, Edinburgh EH IO 5DE Midlothian, Forth islands ( except May) R. W. J. Smith, 33 Hunter Terrace, Loanhead, Midlothian East Lothian, Berwickshire K. S. Macgregor, 16 Merchiston Avenue, Edinburgh EHIO 4NY Peeblesshire, Roxburghshire, Selkirkshire A. J. Smith, Glenview, Selkirk Dunbartonshire, west Stirlingshire, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Arran, Bute R. W. Forrester, 29 Crandleyhill Road, Prestwick, Ayrshire Dumfriesshire D. Skilling, 86 Auchenkeld Avenue, Heathhall, Dumfries; and R. T. Smith, Applegarthtown, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire Kirkcudbrightshire, Wigtownshire A. D. Watson, Barone, Dairy, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire In addition to the ‘Scottish Bird Report’, there are annual reports covering Shetland (except Fair Isle), Fair Isle, Angus and south Kincardineshire, and the north Solway coast. IRELAND The annual ‘Irish Bird Report’, edited by Major R. F. Ruttledge and obtainable from S. Cromein, 1 3 Fingal Place, Prussia Street, Dublin 7, covers the whole of Ireland. Excluding the observatories, there are regional recorders for the following areas : Northern Ireland T. Ennis, 9 Ardmore Avenue, Croft Road, Holywood, Co. Down Cork K. Preston, The Rennies, Boreenmanna Road, Cork Dublin and Wicklow C. D. Hutchinson, 74 Marlborough Road, Donnybrook, Dublin 4 Kerry F. King, The Orchards, Blennerville, Tralee, Co. Kerry Wexford O. j. Merne, North Slob Wildfowl Refuge, Wexford Records should be sent to the regional recorder, or to the Honorary Secretary of the Irish Records Panel, K. Preston. The Armagh Field Naturalists’ Society has also asked us to state that it includes bird records in its annual report: Armagh L. Nesbitt, ix Bellevue Terrace, Richhill, Co. Armagh JJohnGooders watchingTawny Eagles inThebes Mr. John Gooders, the celebrated ornithologist and Editor of 'Birds of the World’, is seen using his new Zeiss 10 x 40B binoculars. Mr. Gooders writes: “ I stare through binoculars all day long for weeks on end without eyestrain - try that with any binoculars other than West German Zeiss. The 10 x 40B meets all my other needs too; high twilight power for birds at dawn and dusk, superb resolution for feather by feather examination, and wide field of view. With no external moving parts they stand the rough treatment that studying birds in marsh, snow and desert involves - 1 can even use them with sunglasses without losing performance. Zeiss binoculars are not cheap - but they are recognised as the best by every ornithologist I know. The 10 x 40B is the perfect glass for birdwatching". Details from the sole UK agents for Carl Zeiss, West Germany. Degenhardt & Co. Ltd., 31/36 Foley Street, London W1P 8AP. Telephone 01-636 8050 (15 lines) West ■EUSSj Germany Ffleoenharrit iii Tibet and its Birds by Charles Vaurie Dr Vaurie describes Tibet, then relates the history of its ornithological exploration, discusses its zoogeographic position and the distribution of its avifauna, and sum- marises the little that is known about migration. A second section lists all the birds collected or reported in Tibet and is based on the examination of virtually all the collections anywhere which contain Tibetan speci- mens, as well as on an exhaustive search of the literature. Royal 8vo 3 colour plates 24 black & white photos 400 pages bound in red buckram with gilt top £10 50 plus 25p postage H. F. & G. WITHERBY LTD 15 NICHOLAS LANE, LONDON EC4N 7BR Irish Naturalists' Journal A quarterly magazine de- voted exclusively to the botany, geology and zoology of Ireland, and publishing bird records as a regular feature Edited by Miss M. P. H. Kertland Science Library Q.U.B. Lennoxvale Belfast BT9 5EQ Annual subscription £1 post paid Small Advertisements 80p for 3 lines (minimum); 25p for each whole or part extra line. For the use of a box number there is an extra charge of 5p Bed and breakfast, evening meals op- tional. Centrally situated for the best bird localities Walberswick to Haver- gate. C.H., home cooking and every comfort. Box JE2211. Swans Big Game and Bird Safaris to East Africa. See page ii. Wanted. British Birds, August 1966, No. 3 for 1970, and Short and Com- prehensive Indexes for 1964. Box JE25. Handbook (Witherby), 6th impression for sale. Offers to Box JE115. Brancaster Staithe (Scolt Head). Com- fortably furnished cottage to let, available all seasons. Cartwright, Berry House, Bromham, Bedford. IV Notice to contributors British Birds publishes material dealing with original observations on the birds of Britain and Europe or, where appropriate, on the species of this area as observed in other parts of their range. Except for records of rarities, papers and notes are normally accepted only on condition that the material is not being offered in whole or in part to any other journal. Photographs (glossy prints showing good contrast) and sketches are welcomed. Proofs of all contributions are sent to authors before publication. After publication, 25 separates are sent free to authors of papers (two authors of one paper receive 1 5 each and three authors ten each) ; additional copies, for which a charge is made, can be provided if ordered when the proofs are returned. Reprints of notes and other short items have to be specially ordered and are charged for. Papers should be typewritten with double spacing and wide margins, and on one side of the sheet only. Shorter contributions, if not typed, must be clearly written and well spaced. Notes should be worded as concisely as possible, and drawn up in the form in which they will be printed, with signature in block capitals and the author’s address clearly given in one line at the foot. If more than one note is submitted, each should be on a separate sheet, with signature and address repeated. Certain conventions of style and layout arc essential to preserve the uniformity of any publication. Authors of papers in particular, especially of those containing systematic lists, reference lists, tables, etc., should consult the ones in this issue as a guide to general presentation. English names of species should have capital initials for each word, except after a hyphen (e.g. Willow Warbler, Black-tailed Godwit), but group terms should not (e.g. warblers, godwits). English names are generally those used in A Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe (revised edition, 1966). The scientific name of each species should be underlined (but not put in brackets) immediately after the first mention of the English name. Sub- specific names should not be used except where they are relevant to the discussion. It is sometimes more convenient to list scientific names in an appendix. Dates should take the form ‘1st January 1972’ and no other, except in tables where they may be abbreviated to ‘1st Jan’, ‘Jan 1st’, or even ‘Jan 1’, whichever most suits the layout of the table concerned. It is particularly requested that authors should pay attention to reference lists, which otherwise cause much unnecessary work. These should take the following form : Bannerman, D. A. 1954. The Birds of the British Isles. Edinburgh and London, vol 3 : 223-228. Lack, D. i960. ‘Autumn “drift-migration” on the English east coast’. Brit. Birds, 53: 325-332, 379-397- Various other conventions concerning references, including their use in the text, should be noted by consulting examples in this issue. Tables should be numbered with arabic numerals, and the title typed above in the style used in this issue. They must either fit into the width of a page, or be designed to tit a whole page lengthways. All tables should be self-explanatory. Figures should be numbered with arabic numerals, and the captions typed on a separate sheet. All line-drawings should be in indian ink on good quality drawing paper (not of an absorbent nature) or, where necessary-, on graph paper, but this must be light blue or very pale grey. It is always most important to consider how each drawing will fit into the page. Any lettering or numbering that is an integral part of a text-figure should be inserted lightly in pencil. ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS Vacancy for a capable ornithologist An ornithologist is to be appointed on a two-year contract to undertake research into the importation of birds into Britain. The successful applicant, who will be responsible to the Technical Officer, must be competent in handling birds, should have experience of foreign species, and should preferably hold a B.T.O. ringing permit. An enquiring mind is essential. Very little time will be spent at the Society's headquarters in Bedfordshire: the post will be based on Heathrow in the vicinity of which the researcher will be expected to find accommodation; visits will be made to other points of entry in Britain. Salary £1,700 per annum. Requests for full details and an application form should be sent to Miss Charlotte Pym, R.S.P.B., The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, by the end of July. Gulls in Britain by Richard Vaughan This guide to the gulls of the British Isles concentrates chiefly on the more common species. The author gives much detailed information on these attractive seabirds, and he reinforces it with a series of photographs illus- trating points that he makes in the text. His camera studies portray the gulls in their various habitats, reveal their behaviour and show with remark- able clarity the characteristic differences in markings and plumage. Richard Vaughan’s informative text and superb illustra- tions combine to make a most valuable contribution to the study of gulls for birdwatchers. Crown 4to £1-75 96 pages H. F. & G. WITHERBY LTD 15 NICHOLAS LANE, LONDON EC4N 7BR Printed in England by Henry Burt & Son Ltd, College Street, Kempston, Bedford Published by H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd, 15 Nicholas Lane, London EC4N 7BR British Birds til deaths from power lines at Dnngeness FE. Scott, L. J. Roberts and C. J. Cadbury >iid identification of Richard’s and Tawny Pipits IJ. Grant ^cession in breeding bird populations of sample Welsh oakwoods Hope Jones ices Letters ("fs and comment Recent reports >lume 65 Number 7 July 1972 A 35p British Birds Editorial Address io Merton Road, Bedford Telephone 0234 6?jj8 Volume 65 Number 7 July 1972 273 Bird deaths from power lines at Dungeness R. E. Scott, L. J. Roberts and Dr C. J. Cadbury 287 Field identification of Richard’s and Tawny Pipits P. J. Grant Plate 48b 291 Succession in breeding bird populations of sample Welsh oakwoods P. Hope Jones NOTES 299 Moorhen completely submerging for more than a minute R. W. Robson 300 Black-tailed Godwits fighting in autumn Rodney Dawson Plate 45 301 Nighthawk in the Isles of Scilly B. D. Harding 302 Nighthawk in Nottinghamshire A. Dobbs 303 Dipper diving continuously from the wing R. W. Robson 303 Goldcrcst taking felt for nesting material Miss Eileen A. Soper LETTERS 303 Danish White Storks in south-west England Henning Skov, and Professor Dr Ernst Scbii £ Plates 46-47 305 Field identification of dowitchcrs. Spotted Sandpiper and stints D. I. M. Wallace Plate 48a 306 Submission of records M. Sbrubb, and Peter Conder REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION 308 Colour-marked Mute Swans P. J. Reiman 308 Neotropical Nest Registry Dr Michael Gochfeld 309 News and comment Robert Hudson 31 1 Recent reports P.F. Bonham P. J. Grant drew the Redwing victim of power lines (page 286), and Robert Gillmor the Robin on a sessile oak branch (page 299) and the Hoopoe in flight (page 316); the last is published with acknowledgement to the Cape Clear Bird Observatory Report for 1966 Editors Stanley Cramp, I. J. Ferguson-Lees, P. F. Bonham, M. A. Ogilvie and D. I. M. Wallace Photographic Editor Eric Hosking News and Comment Robert Hudson, B.T.O., Beech Grove, Tring, Hertfordshire Rarities Committee F. R. Smith, 117 Hill Barton Road, Exeter, Devon exi 3PP Year’s subscription for 12 issues £4.30 post paid (overseas rate £4.80) from H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd, 1 3 Nicholas Lane, London EC4N 7BR Copyright © the authors and H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd. All rights reserved: reproduction or use without permission of the whole or any part of the contents, including text illustrations, is prohibited BINOCULARS of QUALITY from Barr & Stroud ROSS Gfeerifcat £eiU SWIFT PENTAX 2EISS DIRECT All makes available: Swift Audubon 8.5 TO YOU AT ENORMOUS DISCOUNTS send s.a.e. for binocular or photographic price lists X 44, retail £45.00, our price £31.70. Saratoga 8 X 40, retail £29.00, our price £21.00. Ross Stepruva 9 X 35, retail £57.48, our price £39.00. Swift Super Tecnar 8 X 40, retail £18, our price £13.25. Zeiss 10 X 40B Dialyt, retail £109.74, our price £81.00. Nickel Supra telescope 15X60X60, retail £64.90, our price £48.75. All including case and post free. Seven-day approval service on (payment with order). Callers welcome COMPANY post binoculars and telescopes HERON OPTICAL 15 Shortcroft, Doddinghurst, Brentwood, Essex. Tel: Navestock 3498 (approximately September onwards Coxtie Green 73498) H. F. & G. WITHERBY now announce that they have in stock a limited number of the last three volumes of THE HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS Vol. 3 Birds of prey, storks, herons, flamingos, swans, geese and ducks. Vol. 4 Cormorants, petrels, shearwaters, grebes, div- ers, pigeons, waders, bustards and cranes. Vol. 5 Terns, gulls, skuas, auks, rails and game-birds. £4.20 each Available from H. F. & G. WITHERBY LTD 15 Nicholas Lane London, EC4N 7BR Party Leaders Required to assist energetic and imaginative organisation with an expanding programme of British, European and African bird- watching tours in 1973. A sound knowledge of bird identification is required, plus a sense of leadership and a tactful approach towards people. Knowledge of a foreign language is of benefit. Please reply, stating age, experience and availability, to : LAWRENCE G. HOLLOWAY ORNITHOLIDAYS 44 Aldwick Road Bognor Regis, Sussex Tel: 21230 SAFARIS - 21 DAYS £465 VISITING THESE NATIONAL PARKS Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls. Nairobi, Tsavo. Lake Manyara. Ngorongoro. Ser- engeti and Mara, in Uganda. Kenya and Tanzania 1972 DEPARTURES Aug 9, 30 ; Sept 20 ; Oct 1 1 : Nov 1 1973 DEPARTURES Jan 17, 24. 31 ; Feb 7, 14, 21, 28; Mar 7; June 27; July 18; Aug 8. 29; Sept 19; Oct 10. 31 GUEST LECTURERS accompany each Safari and their expert and personal knowledge of East Africa, its animals and birds, its history, peoples and customs, highlights your enjoyment brochure available from: SWANS SPECIALISED SAFARIS 237 238 (S5) Tottenham Ct Rd. London W1 P 0AL. Tel : 01 -636 8070 1 FRANK-NIPOLE BINOCULARS We stock all the better makes of binoculars, and we allow liberal discounts on them, but the ornithologist who insists on a good quality instrument at a reasonable cost will do well to consider any of the binoculars in the Frank-Nipole range. We have sufficient confidence in these fine instruments to guarantee them for a period of seven years, and the following pointers may be useful. The 8 x 30 model (priced at £12.50), which is approved by the Game Conservancy and also recommended by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, is both compact and light, and therefore particularly suitable for the younger ornithologist and indeed for anyone to whom weight is of primary im- portance. Even smaller and lighter are two new Frank-Nipole models — the 10x40 (£16.80) and the 12x50 (£18.90); considering their high power and light trans- mission, they are remarkably light, compact and easy to handle. The dedicated orni- thologist, however, undeterred by a little extra size and weight, is inclined to remain loyal to our standard 10x50 model (£16.50). All these glasses are supplied complete with case and straps. There are now also three really large models available — the 9x63 (£30), the 12x65 (£32) and the 20x70 (£36); case, if required, £7 extra. The 9x63 and 12x65 can be hand-held but the 20x70 requires to be tripod-supported; a suitable tripod can be supplied for about £5. An invitation is extended to all readers of British Birds to apply for our free cata- logue and a complimentary copy of 'Tell me, Mr Frank', a booklet which tells you everything you want to know about binoculars. FREE TEST | We extend an invitation to readers of 'British Birds' to test any of the Frank-Nipole bi- noculars under field conditions | without any obligation whatso- ever. CORRECT ALIGNMENT A binocular NOT in correct alignment can cause head- aches and eyestrain. It is safer to purchase from a specialist — we test and guarantee every binocular we sell. We accept your old binoculars in part exchange and extend credit facilities CHARLES FRANK LTD Binocular specialists and telescope makers for three generations 145 QUEEN STREET GLASGOW Cl 041-22? seee 11 Volume 65 Number 7 July 1972 British Birds Bird deaths from power lines at Dungeness K. E. Scoff, L. J. Roberts and C. J. Cadbury It has long been recognised that birds are killed or injured by flying into overhead wires, but the problem has received little in the way of detailed investigation. Although birds strike telephone wires, this paper is largely concerned with electrical transmission cables. In Britain, the Central Electricity Generating Board has some 17,000 km of major (400, 275 and 132 kv) transmission lines, 5,800 km of which have been erected within the last ten years. Lines sited near estuaries, in river valleys or between bodies of water provide a particular hazard when they lie across the flight paths used by wildfowl, waders, gulls and other water birds between feeding and roosting areas. A high incidence of casualties among such birds was reported from the Tees- mouth area in 1963 and 1964 (Teesmouth Bird Club per Mrs Angela Cooper in litt.) and near Carlisle in 1968 (J. Jackson in litt.). The vulnerability of the Mute Swan Cjgnus olor to collisions with overhead wires has been discussed by Ogilvie (1967) and Perrins and Reynolds (1967). Indeed, analysis of the ringing recoveries for this species and the Grey Heron Ardea cinerea indicates that overhead wires are the cause of a considerably higher proportion of deaths in these large, low-flying species than in the Black-headed Gull Lanes ridibundus and raptors (table 1). The figures stated are limited to recoveries in which the cause of death is known. Since, however, it is fairly easy to determine whether a bird has flown into wires, the true proportion which die in this way may be somewhat lower. The significant increase since 1946 in the proportion of Black-headed Gulls killed as a result of striking overhead wires is noteworthy. The aim of the survey at Dungeness was to record systematically the effect of overhead wires on birds in one area over a relatively long period. In particular, it provided an opportunity to assess the hazard of overhead wires to migrant passerines, and to test methods of protection. 273 274 htird deaths from power lines Table i. Casualties of six species among British Trust for Ornithology ringing recoveries, showing proportions found dead beneath overhead wires The proportions of Black-headed Gulls killed as a result of striking overhead wires are significantly greater in both the later periods than in 1909-24 (P< 0.0 1 and P< 0.001 respectively) FOUND DEAD Period Total BENEATH WIRES Source in years corpses Number Per cent of data Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 1959-70 67 28 4i-7% B.T.O. records Mute Swan 1959-66 1,051 464 44-i% Ogilvie (1967) Cygnus olor 1967-70 734 387 32.7% B.T.O. records Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus 1944-71 43 10 22.2% B.T.O. records Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1910-69 344 25 7-3% Glue (1971) Black-headed Gull 1909-24 302 9 3-o% J. J. M. Flegg L arus ridibundus 1946-52 139 13 10.8% and C. J. Cox 1953-68 509 71 H -9% (in preparation) Barn Owl Tyto alba 1910-69 171 II 6.4% Glue (1971) THE STUDY AREA AT DUNGENESS The shingle headland of Dungeness on the Kent coast has long been known as a focal point for bird migration. Since 1952, when a bird observatory was established in the area, records have been kept of migrants, both diurnal species which tend to follow the coast and nocturnal ones which are sometimes grounded near the coast. Data on the migration through the area are to be found in Scott (1961-70) and Parslow (1969). In i960 the Central Electricity Generating Board began constructing the first of two nuclear power stations to be built at Dungeness and in 1963 two 400 kv transmission lines were erected parallel to one another. These lines run from the power station in an ESE-WNW direction across gently undulating shingle. The area has remained sparsely vegetated with small clumps of broom Sarothamnus scoparius and gorse Ulex europaeus , in addition to lichens and grasses. The Channel coast lies only 400 metres to the south of the lines, while to the north there are several flooded pits (see fig. 1). METHODS The survey, organised jointly by the Central Electricity Generating Board and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, extended over a six-year period from November 1964 to November 1970, and was based on a series of regular searches. The search area lay beneath two parallel sets of transmission lines, each consisting of three spans (5-6, Bird deaths from power lines 275 Fig. 1. Sketch map of Dungcncss, Kent, indicating positions of 400 kv transmission lines and numbered pylons in relation to local features. The six-year survey of bird corpses beneath the power lines was carried out between pylons 5 and 8. The scale of 1 km shown is approximate 6-7 and 7-8) between pylons (fig. 1). The total length of spans under observation was 2,160 metres. All searches were carried out by L.J.R. and R.E.S. with occasional assistance from other workers. The ground beneath each line was covered by walking slowly in a zig-zag pattern. When the location of each corpse had been mapped, the body was either removed from the area or buried. During the six years a total of 188 searches was carried out. Some of those in the earlier years involved additional spans which were lost as a result of extensions to the power station buildings. Data available for the extra spans and also for the period January-November 1964, before the survey was established, are incorporated in the appendix, but are not otherwise included in the material analysed and interpreted by C.J.C. RESULTS OF SURVEY A complete list of the 1,285 corpses of 74 species located during the period January 1964 to November 1970 is given with specific names in the appendix. The reasons why certain species are killed more fre- quently than others are considered below. (a) Nocturnal or diurnal migration Nocturnal migrants, such as rails, thrushes and warblers, form a 27 6 Bird deaths from power lines considerably higher proportion of the total casualties than the largely diurnal ones, notably Swifts Apus apus, hirundines, Skylarks Alauda arvensis, pipits, wagtails and finches (table 2). There seems to be little risk of day fliers colliding with overhead lines, except when weather conditions reduce visibility and the birds are forced to fly low. At such times there is, in any case, a tendency for migration to be inhibited. As seen from table 2, Starlings Sturnus vulgaris , Turtle Doves Strepto- pelia turtur and Woodpigeons Columha palumhus were among the most frequent casualties. Though the peak period for Starlings to set off across the Channel and North Sea is usually soon after daybreak, many appear to migrate at night (Snow 1953, Lack 1963). There is uncertainty in the literature over whether the Turtle Dove is a diurnal or nocturnal migrant, but it appears that the majority start at dusk. The large autumn movements of Woodpigeons at Dungeness have been during the day, but Murton (1965) provided evidence that at least some fly at night during the migration period. The species of birds that strike lighthouses, and therefore those which move at night, are compared in table 3 with those killed by the Dungeness power lines. Since few casualties have been recorded at the Dungeness lighthouse in recent years, the figures quoted are for Bardsey, Caernarvonshire (Evans 1966-69). Starlings, thrushes and warblers predominate among the casualties in both situations. The Table 2. Breakdown of 1,046 corpses of 32 species of nocturnal and diurnal migrants found beneath power lines at Dungeness, Kent, between January 1964 and November 1970 NOCTURNAL MIGRANTS DIURNAL/NOCTURNAL MIGRANTS Water Rail Kallus aquaticus 20 Starling Sturnus vulgaris 489 Corncrake Crex crex 6 Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 38 Coot Fulica atra 30 Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur 57 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus 2 Fieldfare Turdus pilaris 38 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 6l DIURNAL MIGRANTS Redwing Turdus iliacus 55 Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus 5 Woodpigeon Columha palumbus 45 Blackbird Turdus merula 52 Stock Dove Columha oenas 2 Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus 14 Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto I Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus 14 Swift Apus apus 5 Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla l6 Skylark Alauda arvensis 16 Garden Warbler Sylvia borin 12 Swallow Hirundo rustica 3 Whitethroat Sylvia communis 15 Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis 2 Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca 5 Greenfinch Carduelis chloris 2 Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus 25 Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis 2 Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 4 Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs 6 Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix I Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 3 Bird deaths from power lines 277 Table 3. Comparison of bird mortality at a lighthouse (Bardsey, Caernarvon- shire) and from power lines (Dungeness, Kent) The data for Bardsey are from Evans (1966-69): in March 1966 a particularly bright light was installed at the lighthouse there BARDSEY LIGHTHOUSE (Mar-Nov 1966-69) Number Per cent Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 63 M% _ — Woodpigcon Columba palumbus - - 43 3-5% Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur 2 - 37 4-4% Skylark Alauda arvensis 36 o-9% 16 1.2% Fieldfare Tardus pilaris 92 2.3% 38 3.0% Song Thrush Turdus pbilomelos 164 4-°% 6l 4-7% Redwing T urdus iliacus 722 17.7% 35 4-3% Blackbird Turdus merula 191 4-7% 52 4-o% Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia 425 io-4% - - Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus seboenobaenus 578 i4-i% 14 1.1% Whitethroat Sylvia communis 332 8.1% 13 1.2% Willow Warbler Pbyl/oscopus trochilus 433 10.6% 25 »-9% Chiffchaff Pbyl/oscopus collybita 93 2-3% 4 0.3% Starling S/urnus vulgaris 749 \P O'' 00 489 38.1% Other species 206 5.0% 414 32-2% TOTAL RECORDED CASUALTIES 4,086 1,285 DUNGENESS POWER LINES (Jan 1964- Nov 1970) Number Per cent fact that Skylarks were not infrequently killed both at Bardsey and at Dungeness is indicative that on occasion they fly after dark. Larks and other species which are normally diurnal migrants may be forced to keep flying at such times, especially if they find themselves over the sea. Only small numbers of Woodpigeons and Turtle Doves are observed at Bardsey, but there are a few records of Woodpigeons at other light- houses after dark (Murton 1965). (b) Seasonal variation The numbers and species occurring as casualties varied during the course of a year (table 4). Few birds were killed in June and July when little migration takes place. Two groups of regular migrants, the warblers and the thrushes, clearly indicate the seasonal differences in the period of passage. The main movements of thrushes at Dungeness are earlier in the spring and later in the autumn than those of the warblers, which are mainly concentrated into two periods, April to May and August to September (Harris and Scott 1964). This pattern is reflected in the incidence of these two groups as casualties from power lines (table 4). The largest numbers of Woodpigeons occur at Dunge- ness in November, at a time when both British and Continental birds are moving southwards out of the country (Murton 1965). The majority 278 Bird deaths from power lines Table 4. Casualties beneath power lines at Dungeness, Kent, between November 1964 and November 1970 CASUALTIES RECORDED IN TWO-MONTH PERIODS Feb- Mar Apr- May Jun- Jul Aug- Sept Oct- Nov Dec- Jan totals Wildfowl (Anatidae) 6 3 — 3 I 2 13 Rails (Rallidae) D 12 3 5 27 l6 78 Waders (Charadriiformes) 6 2 - - 3 I 12 Gulls (Laridae) 23 7 8 13 19 20 90 Woodpigeon Columba palumbus 5 23 5 I 3 5 42 Turtle Dove Streptopelia lurtur Swift A pus apus and — 26 12 6 13 — 37 Swallow Hirundo rustica - I 3 I 2 - 7 Thrushes (Turdidae) 52 22 3 95 42 214 Warblers (Sylviidae) Skylark Alauda arvensis 28 IO 42 15 3 98 and finches (Fringillidae) 7 8 I I IO 6 33 Starling Sturnus vulgaris 47 32 8 15 223 46 37i TOTAL RECORDED CASUALTIES l6l 164 30 90 41 1 141 1,017 NUMBER OF SEARCHES 28 27 32 44 26 188 of casualties from power lines have, however, been in April and May. Dr R. K. Murton has suggested to us that at this time of year there is probably a return movement, though this is less conspicuous than the autumn passage. (c) Height at which birds fly Rails, including Coots Fulica atra and Moorhens Gallinula ch lor opus, were frequently found dead beneath the overhead wires at Dungeness. The fact that they are largely nocturnal migrants may be a main reason for the high incidence of casualties: little is known about the heights at which they migrate, but at least in daylight Coots are low altitude fliers with poor manoeuvrability (Stainton 1970). Mute Swans and Partridges Perdix perdix, both considered to be low-flying species, have been killed on the Dungeness lines on three and four occasions respectively. When confronted by a head wind, migrating flocks of Starlings tend to fly low: this increases their vulnerability to collisions with the power lines, the earthing wires of which are approximately 49 metres from the ground. (d) Flock formation There are several reasons, other than those already mentioned, why more Starlings than other species are killed on the Dungeness power lines. Not only are they the most numerous passage migrants, but the flocks which pass over Dungeness in late autumn are also dense and may comprise several thousand individuals. When flying closely Bird deaths from power lines 279 grouped together, the birds may have their vision of the cables obscured. (e) Roosts and flight lines The only large-scale roosting movements which occur over Dungeness are those of gulls. At the end of the breeding season and throughout the winter months the flooded pits and various other freshwater areas provide roosting sites for five species of gulls. In addition to this regular dusk and dawn flighting between the roosts and the sea, the gulls fly inland to Romney Marsh on a rising tide and return to the shore as it ebbs. Since these movements may take place after dark or in the twilight it is not surprising that gulls were frequently killed on the power lines (table 5). A lack of flight lines of waders and wildfowl across this section of Dungeness is reflected in the relatively low num- bers of casualties in these two groups (table 5 and appendix). Table 5. Corpses of waders, gulls and terns beneath power lines at Dungeness, Kent, between January 1964 and November 1970 Lapwing Vanellns vane tins 3 Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria 4 Snipe Gallinago gallinago 2 Curlew Numenius arquata 1 Whimbrel Numenius pbaeopus 1 Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 1 Knot Calidris canutus 1 Dunlin Calidris alpina 1 Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus 1 Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 47 Lesser Black-backed Gull Icarus fuscus 23 Herring Gull Larus argentalus 18 Common Gull Larus canus 35 Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 13 Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 1 Common Tern Sterna birundo 8 Little Tern Sterna albifrons 1 LIMITATIONS OF SEARCH Two factors affected what proportion of those birds killed were found as corpses. First, there was the ability of the searchers to locate the casualties : large corpses, such as those of gulls, are fairly obvious, but the small bodies of warblers are easily overlooked. Second, there was evidence that the corpses were being eaten: indeed, in the later years of the survey, unmutilated bodies were rarely found and passerines were frequently reduced to no more than wings or a few feathers and bones. Predatory or scavenging species, such as Kestrels Falco tinnun- culus, Little Owls Athene noctua, Carrion Crows Corvus corone corone. Foxes Vulpes vulpes, Stoats Mustela erminea and Weasels M. nivalis, were present in the area and on occasion were observed feeding on dead birds which had struck the wires. It soon became apparent that scavengers were associating the area spanned by wires with a readily available source of food. The presence of large numbers of faeces and footprints when the ground was snow-covered indicated that Foxes were largely responsible. 280 Bird deaths from power lines To obtain some assessment of the actual casualty figure as opposed to the number of corpses observed, it was necessary to discover the rate at which they disappeared. Daily searches over the survey area, which were carried out for two periods in the autumn of 1968, indi- cated that a number of corpses were removed between the regular weekly searches. CORPSE REMOVAL EXPERIMENTS In an attempt to gauge scavenger activity in the vicinity of the power lines, dead House Sparrows Passer domesticus were laid out on the shingle at intervals of 18 metres on three occasions (table 6). For one of the experiments, in addition to putting these corpses on the ground beneath the power lines, other bodies were also placed in a similar sparsely vegetated area 2.4 km to the north of the lines. Beneath the wires, about 50% of the bodies were removed on the first night, 75% after the second night and nearly all by the end of the fourth. Moreover, many of the corpses left after the first night were partially eaten. C. A. Norris found that the bodies of sparrows similarly disappeared overnight when placed on rough grassland (Dobinson and Richards 1964). Away from the lines, the sparrow corpses were removed at a slower rate. It appeared, therefore, that the scavengers were concen- trating their searching activities to specific areas where they were most frequently rewarded by food, a type of behaviour observed by Croze (1970) in the Carrion Crow. Even though the scale on which these experiments were carried out was small, the results provide enough evidence to conclude that the figures for casualties obtained from weekly surveys represented a considerable underestimate of the number of birds killed by the power lines. The removal rate of corpses under experimental conditions was such that it may not be misleading to suggest that less than 20% of the bodies of small passerines were found by the surveys. The discre- Table 6. Experiments to ascertain rate of removal of corpses of House Sparrows Passer domesticus by predators at Dungeness, Kent The details of the experiments are given in the text. From these figures, it can be calculated that only 15% of the small passerines killed by power lines in a week would be observed Under Under Under Per cent Away Per cent lines lines lines left from left 17. 1 1.64 13. 1 1.68 27.10.70 (under) lines (away) Put out at dusk 20 30 20 — 30 — After 12 hours 1 1 IO 18 56% 28 93% After 36 hours 7 5 7 27% 26 87% After 60 hours 4 3 4 16% 20 67% After 84 hours - 2 - 3% 14 47% 28 I Bird deaths from power lines pancy between the number of larger birds killed and those found as corpses is almost certainly less, since their bodies are more visible and less easily removed by scavengers. Corpses of birds killed shortly before dawn may have a higher chance of remaining uneaten than those of birds striking power lines soon after nightfall. Nevertheless, if a total of 1,285 corpses (872 of which were passerines) were recor- ded beneath two sets of lines, the true total of casualties may have exceeded 6,000. CAUSES OF DEATH Birds may be killed on power lines either by electrocution or by striking the cables. In the type of construction used at present on major supply lines, there is a space of 3.7 metres between adjoining conductors. Therefore, only birds with a particularly large wing span have much chance of causing a short circuit. Indeed, in certain areas, swans are Fig. 2. Typical pylon at Dungeness, Kent, showing arrangements of cables, with conductors in groups of four and single earthing wire attached to top of tower. A shows a luminous orange band wrapped round the earthing cable, and B a luminous orange strip clipped to the cable 282 Bird deaths from power lines one of the most frequent causes of power failures. On occasion, a flock of large birds, such as Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo, has caused a ‘flash-over’ when it has attempted to fly through the conductors (Central Electricity Generating Board in litti). At Dungeness, none of the corpses located during the survey had the scorched plumage which is usually a feature of electrocuted birds. The arrangement and distribution of cables from each pylon is shown in fig. 2. Each of the arms projecting from the tower support four conductors, while the top of each pylon carries a single earthing wire. Though this is the same thickness as the other cables, it appears, at least to an observer on the ground, to be much less visible than the groups of conductors. Since the majority of birds are killed by power lines at night, few collisions have been witnessed. At Teesmouth, however, nine birds were recorded striking the earthing wire in three- quarters of an hour in October 1963 (Teesmouth Bird Club per Mrs Angela Cooper in litti). In the Dungeness area, flocks of Starlings have been observed rising above the conductors and then having to split above and below the earthing wire. At dusk one evening in September 1969 a Shelduck Tadorna tadorna was seen to avoid the conductors successfully only to strike the earthing wire fatally. There is some evidence that birds react to the electrical field surrounding a conductor (H. Dickinson in litti). Large species may distort the field sufficiently to cause an electrical discharge. Birds responding to this phenomenon could fly over the main cables and collide with the earthing wire. During the period of the survey no birds were seen perching on ‘live’ 400 kv conductors at Dungeness. From the limited amount of information available, it appears that birds are killed largely by striking the earthing wire at times of poor visibility, particularly at night. Some of the heaviest kills at Dungeness occurred in fog and in rain, while gale-force winds often resulted in an increase in gull casualties. PROTECTIVE MEASURES Elsewhere, corks and coloured balls have been fitted to lines to increase their visibility to birds. In the Teesmouth area black tapes 15 cm long were tied at intervals of 1.9 metres (six feet) to the earthing wire of a 275 kv line (Mrs Angela Cooper in litti). Before the tapes were in position about a dozen birds were found dead each weekend, but after the tapes had been fitted in 1964 the casualties were negligible. Casualties on two other sets of power lines in the region were like- wise reduced when similar protective measures were applied to them in 1966. At Dungeness, the wind resistance of the cables in such an exposed area precluded the fitting of corks or balls, but two other methods were attempted. Two parallel sets of lines lead westwards away from Bird deaths from power lines 283 the power station (fig. 1). On one span (6-7) of the south line, 5 cm bands of luminous orange tape were wrapped around the earthing wire at intervals of 1.2 metres (i.e. four feet) (fig. 2). On an adjoining span (7-8), similarly coloured strips were clipped to this top wire, again at intervals of 1.2 metres: these strips had a tail 5 cm long, which hung free from the wire. The two corresponding spans of the north line were left unmarked as a control. On each line span 5-6, nearest the power station, was also left unmarked. The protective measures were not applied until November 1967 , by which time regular searches for corpses had already been carried out under the lines in question for three years. The survey continued for another three, enabling compara- tive data to be obtained (table 7). The clipped strips turned white within 18 months of fitting, but the bands remained luminous throughout. Table 7. Bird casualties beneath three spans of the north power line and three of the south at Dungeness, Kent, in each of the six years 1965-70, including those following marking experiments For 1968-70 the earthing wire on the south line was fitted with bands of luminous orange tape on span 6-7 (subsequent casualty figures marked *) and with similar hanging strips on span 7-8 (marked f). All the others were unmarked and in the two periods there was no clear difference in the numbers of casualties beneath these unmarked spans (5-8 on the north line and 5-6 on the south line), the totals being 303 in 1965-67 and 306 in 1968-70 NORTH LINE SOUTH LINE TOTAL TOTAL Spans : 5-6 6-7 7-8 Spans: 5-6 6-7 7-8 CORPSES SEARCHES 1965 18 53 28 1965 23 29 15 166 32 1966 27 20 17 1966 35 22 7 128 31 1967 20 13 30 1967 19 8 I I IOI 26 1965-67 65 86 75 1965-67 77 59 33 395 89 1968 26 33 46 1968 59 16* 22f 202 41 1969 17 13 25 1969 18 8* I2f 93 3° 1970 13 8 22 1970 26 9* I of 88 28 1968-70 56 54 93 1968-70 103 33* 44t V«M OO V>» 99 From the results given in table 7, there is no evidence that marking the south line influenced the number of birds killed by it. Moreover, the experiment provided no conclusive evidence on the relative effectiveness of clipped strips and tapes in reducing bird casualties. The influence of the protective measures was largely overridden by positional effects related to the siting of the lines. Over spans 6-8 there was a significantly higher number of casualties on the north line than on the south one in both the 1965-67 and 1968-70 periods (P < 0.0 1 ). Over span 5-6, nearest the power station, however, it was 284 Bird deaths from power lines the south line which killed more in the years 1968-70 (P < 0.01). On this same line, casualties on span 5-6 were significantly higher than on span 7-8, farthest from the power station, in both periods (P < 0.0 1 and P < 0.001 respectively). CONCLUSIONS It is clear that locally power lines can present a hazard to birds, but this cause of mortality is unlikely to have much effect on populations, except those of a few species such as the Mute Swan. Birds resident for any length of time in an area may learn to avoid obstructions on their flight lines. The casualty rate may, however, be fairly high for a temporary period immediately following the erection of new power lines. Within two months, 21 Mute Swans out of a flock of about 70 were electrocuted along a 400 metre stretch of recently erected low voltage line on Romney Marsh not far from Dungeness, causing several power failures (Harrison 1963). The casualties among migrants at Dungeness, and among swans in the Thames Valley near Oxford (Perrins and Reynolds 1967) and else- where, certainly provide a warning about the siting of power lines. The hazard may be minimised by suspending the cables parallel to, rather than across, regularly used flight paths of birds. Radar observations have shown that the main movements of night migrants in the Dunge- ness area lie along a SSE-NNW axis (Parslow 1969). It is possible, therefore, that had the lines been erected so that they ran northwards rather than westwards from the power station the number of casualties would have been fewer. Where flight paths are likely to be obstructed, and if expense precludes burying the line, the earthing wire over the critical section should be well marked to make it easily visible during both day and night. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The British Trust for Ornithology is gratefully acknowledged for extracting and enabling us to use the considerable amount of data on bird mortality which ringing recoveries have made available. Dr J. J. M. Flegg and C. J. Cox are thanked for allowing us to use some of their unpublished material. We are most grateful to Mrs Angela Cooper for supplying information on Teesmouth. Special acknowledgement is due to P. J. S. Olney, the R.S.P.B.’s Research Biologist until 1969, and to E. J. St Amand, Senior Estates and Wayleaves Officer of the Central Electricity Generating Board, who were responsible for directing much of the survey at Dungeness. P. J. Grant’s skill in producing the two figures is much appreciated. Finally, we wish to thank E. Carpenter and those visitors to the Bird Observatory who assisted in the project. SUMMARY A survey (from January 1964 to November 1970) was conducted jointly by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Central Electricity Generating Board to study the effect of power lines on birds at Dungeness, Kent, which is a Bird deaths from power lines 2. 8 5 focal point for migration. Weekly searches were carried out over the shingle beneath three spans of two parallel sets of 400 kv lines close to the power station. In all, 1,285 corpses of 74 species were located. The majority of casualties were either gulls, which fly between the sea and roosts on gravel pits, or nocturnal migrants (mainly Starlings Sturnus vulgaris, thrushes, warblers, rails and Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur , in descending order of abundance). There were relatively few corpses of species usually recognised as diurnal migrants. The number of corpses found was probably a considerable underestimate of the casualties. Not only are the bodies of passerines easily overlooked, but they were rapidly removed overnight by scavengers, particularly Foxes Vulpes vulpes, which appeared to concentrate their searching activities beneath the lines. The results of corpse removal experiments indicate that less than 20% of the small birds were located. It is possible, therefore, that in the six-year period over 6,000 birds were killed by colliding with the particular lines under observation. Though large birds such as Mute Swans Cygnus olor are sometimes electrocuted on conductors, at Dungeness it appears that the casualties resulted chiefly from striking the single earthing wire which is suspended above the conductors on a 400 kv line. An attempt was made to increase the visibility of this wire with luminous orange markings, cither tapes wrapped round the cable or strips clipped to it. The results of the experiment were inconclusive, however, since the effects of the protective measures were overridden by positional factors, such as the siting of the lines with respect to the power station. REFERENCES Croze, H. 1970. Searching Image in Carrion Crows. Berlin. Dobinson, FI. M., and Richards, A. J. 1964. ‘The effects of the severe winter of 1962/63 on birds in Britain’. Brit. Birds, 57: 373-434. Evans, G. 1966-69. Bardsey Bird Observatory Reports. Glue, D. E. 1971. ‘Ringing recovery circumstances of small birds of prey’. Bird Study, x 8 : 137-146. Harris, G. J., and Scott, R. E. 1964. ‘The birds of Romney Marsh and their migrations, as recorded by the Dungeness Bird Observatory’. Dungeness Bird Observatory iyj2-iy62\ 4-70. Harrison, J. G. 1963. ‘Heavy mortality of Mute Swans from electrocution’. Ann. Rep. Wildfowl Trust, 14: 164-165. Lack, D. 1963. ‘Migration across the southern North Sea studied by radar. Part 4. Autumn’. Ibis, 105: 1-54. Murton, R. K. 1965. The Wood-Pigeon. London. Ogilvie, M. A. 1967. ‘Population changes and mortality of the Mute Swan in Britain’. Ann. Rep. Wildfowl Trust, 18: 64-73. Parslow, J. L. F. 1969. ‘The migration of passerine night migrants across the English Channel studied by radar’. Ibis, 1 1 1 : 48-79. Perrins, C. M., and Reynolds, C. M. 1967. ‘A preliminary study of the Mute Swan, Cygnus olor' . Ann. Rep. Wildfowl Trust, 18: 74-84. Scott, R. E. 1961-70. Dungeness Bird Observatory Reports. Snow, D. W. 1953. ‘Visible migration in the British Isles: a review’. Ibis, 95: 242- 270. Stainton, J. M. 1970. ‘Coot in flight at Bam Elms’. London Bird Report, 33 (1968): 96-102. R. E. Scott, Dungeness Bird Observatory, Romney Marsh, Kent L. J. Roberts, C.E.G.B., Highfie/ds Farm, Stowting Common, Ashford, Kent Dr C. J. Cadbury, R.S.P.B., The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire 286 Bird deaths from power lines Appendix. List of all 1,285 corpses of 74 identified species found beneath power lines at Dungeness, Kent, between January 1964 and November 1970 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus x Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 7 Gannet Sul a bassana 1 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 5 Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 7 Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator 1 Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 4 Mute Swan Cygnus olor 3 Merlin Falco columbarius 1 Partridge Perdix perdix 4 Quail Coturnix coturnix 2 Water Rail Rallus aquaticus 20 Corncrake Crex crex 6 Moorhen Gallinula cbloropus 38 Coot Fulica atra 30 Lapwing Lanellus vanellus 3 Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria 4 Snipe Gallinago gallinago 2 Curlew Numenius arquata 1 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 1 Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 1 Knot Calidris canutus 1 Dunlin Calidris alpina 1 Stone Curlew Burbinus oedicnemus 1 Unidentified waders (Scolopacidae) 2 Great Black-backed Gull L arus marinus 47 Lesser Black-backed Gull Far us fuse us 23 Herring Gull Larus argentatus 1 8 Common Gull Larus canus 3 5 Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 13 Unidentified gulls Larus spp 2 Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 1 Common Tern Sterna hirundo 8 Little Tern Sterna albifrons 1 Unidentified tern Sterna sp 1 Stock Dove Columba oenas 2 Feral/Racing Pigeon Columba livia 5 Woodpigeon Columba palumbus 45 Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur 57 Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 1 Cuckoo Cuculus canorus j Little Owl Athene noctua j Swift Apus apus j Skylark Alauda arvensis Swallow Hirunda rustica , Magpie Pica pica j Wren Troglodytes troglodytes j Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus Fieldfare Turdus pilaris 38 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 61 Redwing Turdus iliacus 55 Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus 5 Blackbird Turdus merula 52 Unidentified thrushes Turdus spp 4 Wheatear Oenantbe oenantbe 7 Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus 14 Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus 14 Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla 16 Garden Warbler Sylvia borin 12 Whitethroat Sylvia communis 15 Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca 5 Willow Warbler Pbylloscopus trochilus 25 Chiffchaff Pbylloscopus collybita 4 Wood Warbler Pbylloscopus sibilatrix 1 Goldcrest Regulus regulus 2 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 2 Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis 2 Rock Pipit Anthus spinoletta Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba 1 Starling Sturnus vulgaris 489 Hawfinch Coccotbraustes coccothraus/es 1 Greenfinch Carduelis chloris 2 Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs 6 Brambling Fringilla montijringilla 3 Corn Bunting Emberi^a calandra Reed Bunting Emberi^a schoeniclus House Sparrow Passer domesticus Unidentified small passerines Field identification of Richard’s and Tawny Pipits* P. J. Grant Plate 48b The publication in 1963 of a paper concerned mainly with the iden- tification of Richard’s Pipits Anthus novaeseelartdiae and Tawny Pipits A. campestris (Williamson 1963) was prompted by the number of reports being received by the Rarities Committee in which some confusion was apparent between the two. That paper and the letters which followed (Brit. Birds, 57: 211-216) greatly clarified what had previously been regarded as an evergreen problem in bird identification. Since then, Richard’s Pipits have been recorded in Britain in comparatively large numbers each autumn, and there has been ample opportunity to test thoroughly in the field the sometimes rather tentative identification criteria put forward in those earlier appraisals. Because of the regularity of its occurrence, Richard’s Pipit has now been removed from the list of species considered by the Rarities Committee, so this seems an opportune time to reassess the situation as a guide to observers unfamiliar with this bird. My own experience in Britain involves about ten Tawny and 20 Richard’s Pipits closely studied for a total of many hours in field conditions. In compiling the following summary of the most useful and reliable differences, I have been greatly helped by reference to a sample batch of field descriptions from the files of the Rarities Com- mittee: these have provided an invaluable cross-section of opinion and experience. D. J. Britton and R. J. Johns also made useful comments on an early draft of the paper from their extensive knowledge of the two species in Britain and abroad. Plumage For practical purposes in the field there appear to be no significant plumage differences between adult and immature Richard’s Pipits and, with reasonable views, there is little possibility of confusion between them and an adult Tawny. Richard’s Pipit (plate 48b, right) is compara- tively dark brown above, usually heavily streaked with blackish, and recalls a Skylark Alauda arvensis in general coloration. Its upper breast is washed with buff and boldly streaked with black, forming a well-marked gorget between the whitish throat and lower breast and belly. (Individuals have occasionally been described with the breast streaking much reduced or even lacking, but they retain the buff wash.) *A publication sponsored by the Rarities Committee 287 288 Richard's and Tawny Pipits Its flanks are uniformly washed with warm buff, which may appear orange-buff, and are sometimes clearly streaked with blackish. Its head is strongly marked with black, in particular with a prominent moustachial streak which usually ends in a noticeable triangle near the shoulder. In contrast, the adult Tawny Pipit (plate 48b, left) has generally pale, sandy upperparts, the mantle being virtually uniform or with indistinct dark streaks. Its underparts are basically creamy or whitish, usually with very fine streaking confined to the sides of the upper breast. Its head lacks any prominent dark markings, and the fine black moustachial streak is often invisible at long range. Both species show a well-marked whitish or creamy supercilium, but this is often more obvious in Richard’s due to contrast with its darker crown. The median coverts of the adult Tawny are blackish, broadly bor- dered with white, and they contrast with the paler remainder of the wing to form a prominent white-edged dark line of spots which are very obvious in a profile view; pale tips to the greater coverts produce a much less conspicuous light wing-bar. Because of the darker colora- tion of its wing, Richard’s does not show a contrasting dark line of spots on the median coverts, though pale tips to these and the greater coverts do form two inconspicuous wing-bars. Richard’s Pipit has almost wholly black central tail-feathers which contrast with white outer ones: this gives the tail a striking black-and-white appearance which is most noticeable when the bird hovers before landing. The central tail-feathers of the Tawny Pipit are broadly edged with pale buff and do not contrast with the white outer feathers to the same extent. The juvenile Tawny Pipit (plate 48b, centre) can present a problem in some circumstances. It differs from the adult in having a slightly greyer cast and stronger streaking below, the latter often being very prominent and extending right across the upper breast. Although in fresh plumage its colour never approaches the dark brown of Richard’s Pipit, some individuals are late in acquiring their first-winter plumage (which resembles that of the adult) and can appear very dark in late autumn through wear of the retained juvenile feathers: such indi- viduals may be met with from late September onwards and can provide a trap for the unwary. Usually the juvenile is dark sandy-grey rather than brown, but differences in structure or call should still be sought to confirm the identification. Particular care should be taken with silent or distant birds. Structure Although Richard’s Pipit is only slightly larger than the Tawny, it is much more heavily built and its bulk is often compared with that of a Skylark. Even in flight it seems heavy and pot-bellied. Its legs appear longer and stouter, its feet often look disproportionately large and its Richard’s and Tawny Pipits 289 hind claw is long and lark-like, whereas the Tawny’s is short and more arched: this last can be a surprisingly useful feature at close range. The bill of Richard’s Pipit is slightly stouter and more thrush-like than the Tawny’s, but this is seldom obvious in the field. Richard’s has a bold, upright stance on the ground, which serves to increase the impression of a heavy build. In contrast, the Tawny is more delicately built and suggests a large wagtail Motacilla sp, both in flight and on the ground. Calls Provided that they are heard well, without distortion by wind or distance, the calls of the two species are quite diagnostic, but some previous experience seems advisable before specific identification is attempted from voice alone. The descriptions studied suggest that migrant Richard’s Pipits have only one basic call-note, and such adjectives as ‘shouted’, ‘explosive’, ‘strident’ or ‘far-carrying’ are constantly used to describe it: it is written in a variety of ways, but ‘schreep’ or ‘sh-rout’ convey its distinctive, rasping, shouted quality as well as any. The first part is shorter and softer than the loud, upward- inflected, second part, and is sometimes not uttered or is inaudible at a distance. The quality of the call, but not its explosive delivery, reminds some observers of certain notes of the House Sparrow Passer domesticus or the Skylark. The calls of the Tawny Pipit are more varied and appear to fall into three main types; although one is sometimes described as harsh, they all lack the explosive, very loud quality of Richard’s, being softer and not so far-carrying. Two of the calls are given mainly in flight: a ‘tcheuk’ or ‘chup’ (or disyllabic versions) sometimes described as harsh or reminiscent of House Sparrows, but very similar to some calls from the varied vocabulary of juvenile Linnets Acanthis cannabina\ and a ‘tsweep’ or ‘zeep’ often likened to the call of a Yellow Wagtail M. flava. There seems to be some intergrada- tion between these two calls and a lot may depend on one’s ear: once I was watching a Tawny Pipit with two other observers, one of whom likened its call to that of a sparrow and the other to that of a Yellow Wagtail. The third call, a rapidly repeated, soft, short ‘chirpy’ note, is sometimes uttered as the bird rises from the ground when flushed, or as it lands. Behaviour Although the distinction should not be regarded as diagnostic, the apparently different habitat preferences of the two species are worth mentioning. Tawny Pipits seem to prefer sandy or pebbly ground with sparse vegetation, or open areas of short grass. Richard’s Pipits are often found in longer vegetation and cope with this sort of cover with a strutting disregard. The more wagtail-like appearance of the Tawny has already been referred to, and this impression is often heightened 290 Richard’s and Tawny Pipits by swift-running, tail-wagging and even flycatching habits. Richard’s Pipit invariably hovers a few feet off the ground before landing, behaviour reminiscent of a Skylark; although at least one description referred to this behaviour in a Tawny Pipit, it seems a very useful identification pointer to Richard’s. blyth’s pipit Williamson (1963) drew attention to the possible future occurrence in Britain of Blyth’s Pipit Anthus godlewskii. As far as I am aware, nothing has been published on the field appearance or calls of this species, but Williamson showed from skins that its measurements and structure are similar to those of the Tawny Pipit while its plumage characters resemble those of Richard’s. While this may appear to confuse the situation, the occurrence of Blyth’s Pipit in western Europe seems so unlikely that it would not be unreasonable to ignore the possibility. Mrs B. P. Hall (in litt.) has pointed out that it is rare in its known range (Assam and the Far East) and has not certainly been recorded outside this area. Until notes are available from someone who knows Blyth’s Pipit in the field, examination of trapped pipits seems to be the most likely means of identifying one: Williamson gave a detailed analysis of measurements of wing, tail, bi'.l, tarsus and hind claw, and of the distribution of white on the two outermost tail feathers, as a means of separation from Tawny and Richard’s. On the basis that anything is possible, it would be a wise precaution to take full measure- ments and detailed plumage descriptions of all large pipits in the hand. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am most grateful to F. R. Smith for providing a sample batch of field descriptions from the files of the Rarities Committee, and to the observers who submitted them. I also thank D. J. Britton and R. J. Johns for their useful comments on an early draft of this paper, and Mrs B. P. Hall for her prompt reply to my detailed enquiries about Blyth’s Pipit. SUMMARY The more reliable and useful differences between Richard’s Pipit Anthus novaesee- landiae and Tawny Pipit A. campestris in the field are discussed in the light of greater familiarity with Richard’s Pipits in recent years. Particular attention is drawn to the pitfalls which surround dark, worn juvenile Tawny Pipits in late autumn. Attention is also given to the possible occurrence of the similar Blyth’s Pipit A. godlewskii in Britain, and to the lack of information on its field appearance and calls; although this possibility is considered most unlikely, a detailed examination of the measurements and plumage of all large pipits trapped would be a wise precaution. REFERENCE Williamson, K. 1963. ‘The identification of the larger pipits’. Brit. Birds, 56: 285-292. P. J. Grant, 16 Windermere Court, Eas trees Park, Ashford, Kent Succession in breeding bird populations of sample Welsh oakwoods P. Hope Jones INTRODUCTION Oakwoods in western Wales have long been regarded as the semi- natural remnants of the region’s climax vegetation, and several of the less fragmented examples have been acquired by various conservation bodies for management as nature reserves. The botany of many of these woods is quite well documented, but in only a few cases has anything been recorded on their animal life beyond the listing of many vertebrate, and some invertebrate, species. Quantitative work on birds in Welsh oakwoods was initiated in the early 1950’s, and the results of extensive transect counts, later sum- marised by Yapp (1962), provided figures on the percentage frequency and relative abundance of many of the species recorded. The work reported in this paper was planned to provide information on breeding bird population densities in different types of oakwood in western Wales, and to help in the formulation of management policies for such woods. OAKWOODS IN WESTERN WALES In much of north-west and mid-west Wales, woods of sessile oak Ouercus petraea tend to occur on the steep sides of valleys between the open grassland, moorland or fell of the uplands and the cultivated fields of the valleys. The woods have long been utilised as a ready source of timber, and over the past half-century have been used extensively as winter shelter and feeding for sheep brought down off the hills. The better trees have, in general, been removed as timber, and the remainder are often little more than tall scrub, biologically still quite interesting but economically of very little value. In recent years, therefore, many woods have been clear-felled and replaced by conifer crops, while others have been progressively impoverished by the removal of stems for farm maintenance work. Regeneration is usually non-existent because of the intensive grazing pressure exerted by sheep in winter. The national census of woodlands over five acres in extent (Forestry Commission 1953) showed, for example, that in Merioneth during 1947-49 2,490 ha (6,150 acres) were under high forest with oak as the principal species, while 724 ha (1,789 acres) were classified as oak scrub. Totalled, these woodland types accounted for only 1.9% of the county’s land area. Since that time the area of oak has been further 291 Table i. Densities of breeding birds in sample censuses in different stages of sessile ozkQuercus petraea in western Wales Development stages : I open ground, II low scrub. III medium scrub, IV high scrub, V mature oak with sheep, VI mature oak with gaps and scrub. Other stages: (1) mainly mature birch, (ii) mature oak with rhododendron, (iii) degenerate oak. (See also brief descriptions on page 295) > ce Sb G cl u G Vm X G rt co C 2 o *-» r— I > o % Ui < °> w ai O H a > Q K < > -I o s H M I ^ I I I I I I I I I I I | | | | I I I * I I I I*'"'! I •'•s v-\ | |On| I I |cooo| I co I oo -V I oo oo | I I N | 00 I N w\ N N t-i tr\ ^ N „ IIIvnIi^IIIvnIIOIIIII I I I I I I I >r> I I I I I I I I I I I v-n I | | >«1 't I N I W' I I I N | | | W'. 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J «« < u- H C 2 52 g J5 ? | o Z n u P u « « 3 2 cr o CO I-1 W U 0 y c- a. ce « C, d- 294 Breeding birds of Welsh oahvoods reduced, and there are now very few oakwoods over 50 acres in extent, so that the fragmentation of the forest cover is close to total removal. Woods are scattered between fields, upland pastures and open mountain so that it was, in fact, rather difficult to find suitably large, homogeneous areas of oak woodland for this study. The results must thus apply to this mixed type of terrain and, as Oelke (1966) has already pointed out, they cannot be extrapolated to indicate the bird popula- tion density or structure of extensive oak forest. Such oakwoods as have managed to grow up in the past half-century often seem to be even-aged stands, usually of coppice origin, and the young scrub oak sampled in this study was of this type. From the ornithological point of view, this was quite useful in that it allowed a census to be taken over a homogeneous area of uniform age, but it must be stressed that these conditions were probably rare in the ‘original’ oak forests. METHODS Woods were chosen subjectively to represent different stages in the development of oakwood from open ground, through scrub, to maturity and degeneration. (The exact process of oak regeneration, and the role of the various tree species involved, is a matter of some controversy, so the term ‘serai stages’ is not used in this paper.) Various samples, tangential to this main cycle, were also selected, and an ‘oakwood development model’ was formulated to accommodate the various types of wood which could be found in the region; this is shown in a later section. The censuses of bird populations were achieved by the mapping method: up to eight morning visits were made to each site between late April and early June and the locations of all birds plotted. Aggre- gations of records for each species were interpreted as indicating the presence of particular breeding pairs, and some care was taken and time spent in resolving cases where the true situation was not clear. The total population was assessed and its density expressed in terms of pairs per square km (100 ha) and per 100 acres. Various well-docu- mented biases are inherent in the technique, but perhaps the most serious in this case was the relatively small size of the sampling units, imposed upon this study for the historical reasons mentioned earlier. Wherever possible, the site was bounded by at least a band of wood- land similar in type to that being sampled, but this was not always the case and it is likely that densities in many of the areas were biased by an edge effect; since this reflects the normal situation in local woods, however, the results are probably quite representative for this region of Britain. The censuses were carried out during the five years 1966-70. Some sites were visited in two seasons, but the differences in popula- tion between one year and another were relatively small and for the purpose of this study a single year’s census was considered sufficient. 'ATE 45. Two Black-tailed God- -s Limosa liniosa fighting in iiimn, Spain, September 1971 i-ges 300-301): at least 15 battles rairred in five minutes of intense : tression ; eventually the protago- ts settled down to feed some ten tres apart {photos: Rodney Dawson) * - ix l ‘ v' . Plates 46 and 47. Pair of White Storks C.iconia ciconia (above), and their three young, Denmark, 1971. The female (all photos on left) has a broken wing and cannot fly ; her mate (walking up special ladder to nest, below) stays with her each winter. These young, shown at various ages (top and centre left, and below with rings on), crossed the North Sea on fledging and appeared in south-west Kngland, one eventually reaching Madeira (pages 303-305, also 4-5) ( photos : Henning Skov) Plate 48. Wader with mixed characters of immature Common and Spotted Sand- pipers Tringa hypoleucos and macularia, Spain, October 1971 (pages 305-306) {photo: Rodney Dawson). Below, left to right, adult and juvenile Tawny Pipits Anthus campestris and single Richard’s Pipit A. novaeseelandiae (pages 287-290) ( sketch : P. J. Grant ) Breeding birds of Welsh oakwoods 295 HABITAT DESCRIPTION The main series of six sample plots, illustrating the development from open land through to mature oakwood, was as follows: I. Open ground (8.9 ha, 22.0 acres): until recently this had carried oakwood, but the trees had been completely removed ; the grassy site was being grazed by sheep. II. Low scrub (15.5 ha, 38.0 acres): cut-over oakwood regenerating by coppice shoots, with a fairly dense, low cover of bramble R ubus sp and various herbs, the average height of the scrub being two metres (6$ feet). III. Medium scrub (7.4 ha, 18.3 acres): of a similar nature to II, with oaks and a few birches Belula sp averaging four metres (13 feet) in height; by this stage there was a good carpet of bluebells Endymion nonscriptus, but a great reduction in the numbers and variety of other herbs. IV. High scrub (8.0 ha, 19.7 acres): with trees about ten metres (33 feet) high and a fair admixture of birch, together with some ash Fraxinus excelsior and sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus , supporting a ground cover of mixed low herbs and grasses. V. Mature oak with sheep (8.3 ha, 20.5 acres): this was ten to 18 metres (33-59 feet) in height, on land heavily grazed until very recently, with a ground flora of various mosses, grasses and calcifugc herbs. VI. Mature oak with gaps and scrub (18.5 ha, 45.7 acres): of similar height to V, and birch and bramble produced a good density of cover; there was some bracken Pteridium aquilinum in the open areas, but the floor under the trees was mainly a thin carpet of grasses. Subsidiary sample plots were established in three other habitats: (i) Mainly mature birch (5.0 ha, 12.4 acres): the best oaks had been taken out some years before, and the wood comprised a small number of rather poor oaks in a matrix of birch which averaged twelve metres (39 feet) in height; the ground flora was poor — mainly mosses with some grass and bracken. (ii) Mature oak with rhododendron (8.7 ha, 21.6 acres): a few birches were present, but there was an almost complete cover of rhododendron Khododendron ponticum up to five metres (16 feet) high and practically no vegetation at ground level. (iii) Degenerate oak (7.4 ha, 18.3 acres): a few trees, many apparently dying, were scattered across a slope in an almost continuous ‘sea’ of bracken. Except for sample VI, which lay in north Carmarthenshire, all the sites were in west Merionethshire or adjacent areas of west Mont- gomeryshire. BIRD POPULATION DENSITIES AND BIOMASS Table 1 on pages 292-293 lists the species breeding in the oakwood stages, and fig. 1 overleaf suggests the way in which the sample sites and their bird populations may fit into an oakwood cycle. For homogeneous stands of pedunculate oak O. robur in the -Bourgogne area of France, Ferry and Frochot (1970) found from transect data that bird population density increased in developing scrub, fell at the high scrub stage, and increased again to a maximum at the mature oak stage. The Welsh data conform to this pattern and add strength to the theory that this may be the usual ornithological development during the growth of some types of homogeneous 296 Breeding birds of Welsh oahvoods Fig. 1. Suggested cycle in woods of sessile oak Quercus petraea in western Wales. The figures show the numbers of breeding birds per square km (and per 100 acres in brackets) as censused on the sample plots described on page 295 woodland. Species succession in oakwood has been detailed by various workers, notably Ferry and Frochot, and Yapp, so this aspect need not be discussed further here. Fig. 2 shows the close linear correlation between density and diver- sity for all the woodland stages sampled in this study. This type of pattern was thought by MacArthur (1964) and Tramer (1969) to reflect the increasing number of ecological niches available: in this case, as the oakwoods develop, so more bird species are able to co-exist because Table 2. Number of bird species, density and standing crop biomass for different stages of sessile oak Quercus petraea in western Wales, using only those species (listed in table 1, section A) whose territories and feeding ranges lay essentially within the sample plots Number BIRD DENSITY STANDING CROP BIOMASS of Pairs per Pairs per Grams per Grams per species square km 100 acres square km 1 00 acres I open ground 1 13 5 472 191 II low scrub 6 130 52 3,667 1,485 III medium scrub 5 178 71 5.29i 2,142 IV high scrub 6 89 36 2,496 1,001 V mature oak with sheep 14 388 156 10,710 4,33 1 VI mature oak with gaps and scrub 23 684 273 23,110 9,354 (i) mainly mature birch I I 360 145 8,886 3>596 (ii) mature oak with rhododendron IO l6l 65 4,254 1,722 (iii) degenerate oak 3 67 27 2,538 1,029 Breeding birds of Welsh oakwoods 297 Pairs per square km (pairs per 100 ocres in brockets) Fig. 2. Relationship between diversity and density in populations of breeding birds in sample woods of sessile oak Quercus petraea in western Wales. Development stages: I open ground, II low scrub, III medium scrub, IV high scrub, V mature oak with sheep, VI mature oak with gaps and scrub. Other stages: (i) mainly mature birch, (ii) mature oak with rhododendron, (iii) degenerate oak. (See also brief descriptions on page 295) of the greater height of the trees and the increasing numbers of layers of vegetation. Standing crop biomass has been calculated in table z for those species whose feeding areas were (so far as could be judged) within the woodland plots censused, these being named in section A of table 1. Several other species nesting in the census plots spent much or most of their time feeding outside them; these, which are listed in section B of table 1, probably contributed relatively little to the energy flow through the plots and, since the sizes of their territories or feeding areas were unknown, they have been omitted from the biomass calculations. IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT Management of oakwoods is already a significant feature of conserva- tion in Wales, and it is likely to increase in importance as more oak- woods disappear and an increasing percentage of the remainder is managed for wildlife conservation or for amenity. Methods of rapidly assessing the populations of existing sites are becoming increasingly necessary; birds may be used in this context as ecological indicators of the state of the animal habitat in any given wood, though it is not known how far the diversity and density of bird populations reflect those of other animals. Naturally the breeding bird population density 298 Breeding birds of Welsh oakwoods can vary in. the same wood from one year to another: in part of Coed Cymerau in Merioneth, for example, the censused population density (in pairs per 100 acres) in each of the years 1966-69 inclusive was 1 8 x , 190, 1 71 and 176. Also, the size of a sample plot can have a significant effect on the final estimation of population density for a woodland habitat (Odum 1950). Despite these and other possibilities of bias, however, if future workers can confirm the results shown in fig. 2 to be substantially correct, then it seems likely that, for any sessile oakwood in western Wales, the bird population density can be estimated from an assessment of the number of breeding species. Furthermore, a broad prediction of the standing crop biomass of the birds on these sites can also be deduced from this one parameter. The continuance of the oakwood ecosystem obviously depends on successful regeneration of the oaks. If diversity of bird species and high density of breeding populations are prime requisites of oakwood management, then this study might indicate that the best sylvicultural system to adopt (assuming an absence of grazing) may be that of creat- ing gaps in the canopy and encouraging in them the growth of scrub which must include the young birch and oak needed for the next generation of trees. The exact mechanics of operation of this tech- nique (number and size of gaps, percentage of canopy to be opened, and so on) have not been worked out, and would differ according to the objectives of management, the potential productivity of the site, the minimum area needed to sustain mature-woodland bird species, and many other factors. Indeed, the situation may resolve itself as individual older trees fall down and produce the required gaps; but, whatever techniques of management or masterly inactivity are em- ployed, the monitoring of resultant changes in plant and animal populations should be an integral part of the conservation programme in oakwood nature reserves. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My first thanks are to several landowners for permission to work in their woods. I am very grateful to Maurice Massey on several counts: for carrying out the census in plot VI, for letting me use his figures, and for commenting constructively on early drafts of this paper; and to Peter Davis who also helped in this last context. Finally, I thank the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds for permission to publish census data from the Gwenffrwd reserve. SUMMARY Census plots were set out in woods comprising development stages of sessile oak Quercus petraea in western Wales. Bird population density was measured by the mapping method; from twelve pairs per square km (five pairs per 100 acres) in open ground, the population density rose, though checked at the high scrub stage, to 908 pairs per square km (368 pairs per 100 acres) in mature oak with gaps and scrub. The number of breeding species was closely related to the population density, and might be used in future to give an indication of the density and also of the standing crop biomass in other Welsh oakwoods. Breeding birds of Welsh oakwoods 299 REFERENCES Fekry, C., and Frochot, B. 1970. ‘L’avifaune nidificatrice d’une foret de chenes pedonculcs en Bourgogne: etude de deux successions ecologiques’. Terre et Vie, 117: I5J-250- Forestry Commission. 1953. Census Report No. 3. Census of Woodlands 1947-49, Woods of Tire Acres and Over, Welsh County Details. London. MacArthur, R. H. 1964. ‘Environmental factors affecting bird species diversity’. Amer. Nat., 98: 387-397. Odum, E. P. 1950. ‘Bird populations of the Highlands (North Carolina) Plateau in relation to plant succession and avian invasion’. Ecology, 31: 387-605. Oelke, H. 1966. ‘33 years of breeding-bird census work in Europe’. Audubon Field Notes, 20: 633-642. Tramer, E. J. 1969. ‘Bird species diversity: components of Shannon’s formula’. Ecology, 50: 927-929. Yapp, W. B. 1962. Birds and Woods. London. P. Hope Jones, The Nature Conservancy , Bediven, Bro Enddwyn, Dyffryn Ardudwy, Merioneth Notes Moorhen completely submerging for more than a minute On 16th January 1972 James Parkin and I were walking along the bank of the River Eden near Musgrave, Westmorland, when we saw a Moorhen Gallinula chloropus disappear into a pool about 2 5 metres away. The pool formed a narrow lagoon in a shingle-bed flanked by some old willow trunks. When we reached it we found that the Moorhen was clearly visible from a distance of two metres, though it had a greyish appear- 300 Notes ance due to minute air bubbles on its plumage. Its head was some 15-20 cm under the surface, with neck upright and eyes open; its legs appeared to be in the crouching position. A thin wand of willow stretched over its back. The water was exceptionally clear and approxi- mately 70 cm deep; at the bottom there was a little sand but no vegetation. We watched the Moorhen for more than half a minute, and then decided to leave it in case it should drown. After walking about 30 metres from it and not seeing any movement in the water, we returned to the pool; as we arrived, the Moorhen came to the surface. On seeing us it again took up its submerged position. We were both of the opinion that the period of submersion could not have been less than i|- minutes, and that the willow wand was insufficient to keep the bird below water. This observation was somewhat similar to that of Gordon Slyfield (Brit. Birds, 45 : 38-39), but in our case the water was deeper and the Moorhen completely submerged. We also had a fairly accurate record of the period of submersion. R. W. Robson New Hall, Appleby, Westmorland The ability of this species to submerge when alarmed was discussed at some length by B. W. Tucker in The Handbook (5 : 198-199): he dis- agreed with the assertion by some authors that the bird could not remain underwater without holding on to plant stems with its feet. Apart from the long period of submergence, the above record is interesting in view of the complete immersion of the bird (it is normal to have at least the bill above the surface) and the lack of vegetation on the bottom of the pool. Eds Black-tailed God wits fighting in autumn For four hours in the afternoon of 24th September 1971 I was photographing birds on a small pond in the Coto Donana reserve in Spain. Surrounded by scrub on three sides, the pond was a mere 20 metres across; swarms of red dragonflies, so common in the Coto Donana, were hovering over the water along with many other insects. At 2.30 p.m. I had entered my hide and at about 4.30 two Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa pitched within ten metres of me. They immediately began to fight. I had observed some mild aggression among other waders during previous photographic sessions, but this was nothing compared with the vicious battle which now took place for approximately five minutes. Uttering a querulous chittering note, the godwits faced each other momentarily before dashing at each other in a flurry of wings, bills and feet. After brief contact they again stood facing each other, as if working up energy for another attack. At one stage one stood on the back of the other, pecking viciously downwards. Such was my pre- occupation with photographing the fight that I was unable to count Notes JOI exactly the number of times the godwits made contact, but I would estimate that there were at least fifteen attacks. One eventually dominated the other and they settled down to feed some ten metres apart. No further fighting took place for the rest of the afternoon, and at 6.30 p.m. the birds left the pond. Three of the photographs I took are reproduced on plate 45. Rodney Dawson Bisboptborpe Farm, Tetney, Grimsby, Lincolnshire Nighthawk in the Isles of Scilly At dusk on the evening of 12th October 1971, E. Phillips- Jones and I were standing outside the snooker room on St Agnes, Isle of Scilly, when a species of nightjar flew over our heads from behind us and disappeared over a pittosporum hedge 1 5 metres in front. From the brief views we had, we identified the bird as a Nighthawk Chordeiles minor. On the next day it was watched at rest and in flight for several hours by over 30 observers, including R. Burridge, P. A. Dukes, R. E. Emmett, P. J. Grant, E. Griffiths, P. Harrison, D. J. Holman, P. G. Lansdown, J. Spry, V. R. Tucker and D. I. M. Wallace. A photograph taken by D. B. Hunt will appear with the ‘Report on rare birds’ in the next issue. The following is a condensation of field notes taken at the time: At rest: The general coloration of the body was pale grey, with scattered black and white spots. The wing-coverts were tipped white, forming a line which curved slightly upwards towards the back. The throat and upper breast were vermiculated grey, the lower breast barred grey, and there was a dark area down the middle of the breast. The grey head appeared disproportionately large. The bird had large, dark eyes and thick, creamy eyelids; the areas in front of and behind the eye were black, the rear one with five white bars, while under the eye there were three smaller white bars. The bill was small, stubby and black. The closed wings extended beyond the tail and the primaries were black with white edgings. The tail was dark grey, with individual feathers tipped white, forming conspicuous bars. The legs were short and appeared to be red. In flight: The bird had long, pointed wings and a shallowly forked tail; its flight was rather erratic and it appeared to be slightly smaller than a Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus. The flight-feathers and primary coverts were dark, the secondary coverts grey, the head and back mottled grey and the tail noticeably barred. The underwing- and undertail-coverts were barred and the barred breast was obvious. The outstanding feature, however, was a large white oval patch on each wing extending across five of the primaries (with a little white on the sixth) about two-thirds of the way from the wing-tip to the carpal joint. We decided that the bird was in immature plumage. The adult male is similar in appearance, but has a white band across the throat, extending backwards to below the ear-coverts, and a white band across the tail. The adult female also has a white throat-band, but no white tail-band. The Whip-Poor-Will Caprimulgus vociferus is the only eastern Ncarctic nightjar of similar size to the Nighthawk, and it lacks the white wing-patches and has shorter, more rounded wings. This was the fourth Nighthawk recorded in Britain, the previous three having also 302 Notes occurred in Scilly — one shot in September 1927 {Brit. Birds, 22 : 98-100) and two seen in September 1955, one remaining into October (2 jth Rep. Cornwall Bird-Watching and Pres. Soc.: 35-36). Nighthawks feed mainly on insects which they catch in flight. They are often seen on summer evenings high over towns and cities. The species breeds throughout the United States and southern Canada north to the Yukon and Hudson Bay, south to northern Mexico, and winters in South America. B. D. Harding 26 Woodlands Avenue, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, Bedfordshire Nighthawk in Nottinghamshire In the rainy gloom of 1 8th October 1971, at about 18.00 hours, M. C. Powell, my wife and I were talking in our dining-room at Bulcote, Nottingham, when my wife drew our attention to a bird hawking insects over the wasteland beyond the garden boundary. It appeared falcon-like, though sometimes it flew like a Swift Apus apus, sometimes like a Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus. In very poor visibility it was watched for about five minutes before it disappeared to the east. My wife, the only one with a good pair of binoculars in the scramble, saw white patches on the underwing. A slightly forked, barred tail and long, swept-back wings were other features. The nearest approach was some 60 metres and, because it was a smaller bird than a Nightjar and flew differently, we tended to think that it was some kind of falcon. The bird was not identified at this stage. Binoculars and telescopes were kept at the ready from then on. On 2 1 st October a hopeful look at about 17.55 hours revealed the bird passing over the garden at chimney height, dipping and turning like a small, active Black Tern Chlidonias niger. From then on my wife and I watched it, on and off, for some 20 minutes as it flew up and down our side of the village. It was recognised as some kind of nightjar and we proceeded to call out its plumage and other characteristics to each other. Because of its erratic flight, which was sometimes fast and direct and then weaving and mazy, plumage details were hard to obtain in the light of late evening and much eye-straining was involved. An attempt to watch it through a small 1 5 X hand telescope was fruitless since it was impossible to keep the bird sharply focused. A summary of our description, obtained from observations down to 20 metres, runs as follows : Underparts (well observed, with the bird almost always above us): The throat was light brown with dark brown marks, but with no white; the body was a dull, pale grey overlaid with fine dull brown barring (obscure in places); the undertail was light brown or grey with barrings of darker brown. None of the barring was broad and bold, being on the delicate side. The under-wing was dark, blackish in the sunset light, but the white panels on the primaries towards the carpal joints were distinct. Upperparts: These were only glimpsed in very poor light and were considered to be dark, blackish, mottled and with some white flecking. Sityt and shape: Compared with a Nightjar it was smaller, its wings were longer and more slender, and its tail was notched or indented. Notes 3°3 The bird was identified as a Nighthawk Chordeiles minor, only the fifth ever recorded in Britain and the first to have been found on the mainland. Since no white was seen on the chin and tail, it was thought to be an immature. It seemed fit and well, but was not seen subse- quently. A. Dobbs C lover leigh, Old Main Road, Bulcote, Nottingham NG14 5 GU Dipper diving continuously from the wing On 20th February 1972, while walking along the bank of the River Eden near Soulby, Westmor- land, James Parkin and I watched a pair of Dippers Cinclus cinclus feeding in the shallows of the swiftly flowing stream. The water had a brown tinge and was running at 25 to 50 cm higher than normal; I estimated its depth as 35 to 85 cm at this place. One of the pair flew off and the other continued to feed, but changed its method to diving from the wing into the middle of the stream. At least eight dives were made from about 50 cm above the water; each time the bird was under the surface for three to four seconds before it came up buoyantly, rose into the air and plunged in again. We had both seen Dippers diving before, but not repeatedly in this manner. R. W. Robson New Hall, Appleby, Westmorland Goldcrest taking felt for nesting material In early June 1971 I watched a female Goldcrest R egulus regulus gathering nesting material from a mesh container in which a varied supply is put out for birds in my garden at Harmer Green, Hertfordshire. The contents included wool, feathers, poplar catkin-down and felt carpet-underlay. The bird was first seen inspecting these at midday on 1st. She returned later in the afternoon, when she began to extract the felt, taking away large beakfuls and returning for more at intervals of ten to 20 minutes. Similar activity took place on the following afternoon. Though feathers, the usual lining for the nest of the Goldcrest, were beside the felt, they were ignored. Eileen A. Soper Harmer Green, Welwyn, Hertfordshire Letters Danish White Storks in south-west England I was very interested in J. B. Bottomlev’s article on the wanderings of three young White Storks Ciconia ciconia from Frostrup, Denmark, in September 1971 (Brit. Birds, 65 : 4-5, plates 1-3). During the summer I had ringed these three as nestlings and had photographed them and their parents (plates 46-47); the following notes on the history of the adults may be of interest to your readers. In i960 a female White Stork flew into a telephone wire at Frostrup; Letters 3°4 a farmer took care of the bird and called a veterinary surgeon, who had to remove the outermost part of the right wing, after which she could never fly again. The farmer kept the stork in his garden, where he placed a cartwheel on top of a post about two metres above the ground. He constructed a ladder from the ground up to the cartwheel, so that the stork could walk up and down. In winter he kept the bird in an outhouse. In the spring of 1968 a male stork arrived, and in a few days the two built a nest on the wheel, later raising four young. In the autumn the male flew south, but he returned the following spring and since then has stayed with his invalid mate every winter. The storks are fed mostly with fish heads delivered free by the local fishmonger; the food is put into a pail and it is most interesting to watch the storks walking up and down the ladder when feeding their young. In summer they are fed twice a day and in winter once; sometimes, when the nestlings are quite well-grown, the male flies out into the surrounding countryside and returns with a variety of food. On one very hot summer’s day I noticed the female protecting the nestlings against the burning sun by spreading her wings over them, when suddenly the male, who was also standing on the nest, went down the ladder, drank a large amount of water from an ornamental lake in the garden, returned to the nest and regurgitated the water over the nestlings, evidently trying to cool them. Plate 47 shows the platform nest and ladder, and in plate 46c the invalid female is taking fish from the pail. Plates 46a, 46b and 47b show three successive stages in the development of the chicks that later migrated on the wrong course and found themselves in England. In Denmark we now have only about 5 5 pairs of breeding storks left, so we do all we can to protect them. I have special permission from the Zoological Museum in Copenhagen to ring the nestlings at Frostrup, and these are the only ones which are allowed to be ringed in Denmark. Our most interesting stork family is visited every year by many people, both from Denmark and abroad. Henning Skov Grundtvigsvej 28, 8800 Viborg, Denmark I found your report on the movements of the White Storks from Frostrup extremely interesting. It would be worth examining, with the help of weather maps, whether special wind conditions caused the storks to make this flight across the North Sea, and what the conditions were like at the time of their foolhardy flight from the Isles of Scilly to Madeira. The weather was evidently fine and warm when the birds set off from Scilly. This ‘natural experiment’ provides a remarkable counterpart to the release of 19 young White Storks from Rossitten, East Prussia, in the Chatham district of Kent in 1936 ( Vogel^ug , 9 : 65- 70). When they were fully fledged, these storks also flew westwards in stages to Land’s End, but then came drifting back, some even as far as Letters 3°5 Ramsgate, Kent, only to start off once again in a westerly direction. Some appear finally to have left the Cornish coast at Truro and others headed out to sea from the Isle of Wight; two were later shot at Cap de la Hague, France, on 6th October, but the fate of the rest remained uncertain. Here, too, it is clear that the storks followed the instinctive urge to travel south as long as the weather was favourable for soaring but otherwise drifted helplessly along the coast, proof of the hindering function of the open sea for these birds. May we perhaps hope for a meteorological analysis of the migration of these Danish storks while the weather maps are still fresh? Ernst Schuz 714 Ludrvigsburg, Paulinenstrasse 39, West Germany We have also heard from Louis J. Halle, who had written to G. E. Maul, Curator of the Museu Municipal do Funchal, to enquire about the circumstances of the stork which had reached Madeira; Mr Maul had replied that it had been captured alive and kept at the Botanic Garden in Funchal for several months; an attempt at releasing it in February had been unsuccessful and it was being cared for at a local farm. We are grateful to Mr Halle for bringing this to our notice, and also to Michael Wilson for translating Professor Dr Schuz’s letter. The storks have again bred at Frostrup this year, their three young having been ringed by Mr Skov on 1 8th June. Eds Field identification of dowitchers, Spotted Sandpiper and stints Although the problems surrounding field identification of the two dowitchers. Short-billed Limnodromus griseus and Long-billed L. scolo- paceus , and the Spotted Sandpiper Tringa macular ia, have taken up much space in this journal recently, some further comment seems necessary. Firstly, I feel considerable concern that my brief review of dowitchcr identification {Brit. Birds , 61 : 366-372) has prompted such a wide range of reactions in observers and report editors. These vary from that desired, a sharper focus of the more useful characters, to that most unwanted, virtual acceptance that the two species are, after all, indistinguishable in the field. Sadly the latter seems to be in the ascendant, certainly in Ireland. Yet I am also aware of a growing band of observers, some now in almost annual contact with dowitchers and a few with recent American experience, who believe ever more firmly that the flight calls of the two species are distinct and that the apparent overlap may well be due only to the vagaries of the human ear. They opine that every British or Irish dowitcher that flies off calling ‘keek- keek’ is undoubtedly a Long-billed. If this is so, and I believe that it may be, it should be publicly proven. Otherwise the criterion will remain private property, not useful in the local and national situations in which dowitcher records are assessed and published. Secondly, I must add a note of caution to the recent discussions and Letters 306 photographic comparisons of Spotted and Common Sandpipers T. hypoleucos in first-autumn plumage (Brit. Birds, 64: 1 24-1 25, 318-319, plates 18-19, 49)- Unwittingly these have overemphasised diagnosis by plumage characters alone, whereas my original paper (Brit. Birds, 63 : 168-173) stressed that it was the masking of the differences in voice that had previously held up progress. Indeed, I implied that observers should pursue plumage marks only if the bird in question sounded unusual. I make these points again because, since the publication of my paper, I have seen one intermediate individual in first-winter plumage (at Lagos, Nigeria). This was a rather clean olive bird showing greyish barring on the wing-coverts and yellowish legs. For the first ten minutes (of silence), my thoughts ran strongly in the direction of Spotted. Then the bird gave a classic Common Sandpiper call several times and I retired somewhat abashed. In addition, plate 48a shows an apparently similar individual photographed by Rodney Dawson on the Coto Donana, Spain, in early October 1971 and observers may judge for themselves its clearly intermediate plumage. In spite of the facts that its legs were yellow, its wing-coverts strongly barred and its general appearance rather pale, I strongly suspect that it was a Common Sandpiper. The multitude and interweaving of the crossbars on the mantle and the prominent notching of the edges of the greater coverts and tertials militate against identification as Spotted. Since no call was heard, however, a definite answer to the questions that it raises is impossible. I continue to believe that immature Spotted Sandpipers can be identified, but identification must be complete and, in the field, voice is a sine qua non. Finally, may I appeal to anyone with experience of the two eastern Palearctic stints, the Rufous-necked Calidris ruficollis and Long-toed C. subminuta, to get in touch with me. I am currently attempting a paper on stint or ‘peep’ identification, but am finding useful comment on these two hard to come by. If anyone has heard either species call, I need his or her experience most of all. D. I. M. Wallace /j Donee l Court, Forest View, London E4 7 aw Submission of records Poor Peter Conder! I must say that I sym- pathise with him, as patronising exhortations on what I shall or shall not do in ornithology (and therefore in my spare time) also irritate me. I found the letters on this subject in your March issue (Brit. Birds, 65: 128-131) surprisingly biased in ignoring the fact that the bird- watchers Mr Conder typifies are just as important to ornithology and conservation as those represented by your correspondents. They back their simple appreciation of birds with their subscriptions and dona- tions which we need badly, particularly at local level where much basic recording and practical conservation is done. How many county bird reports, for example, would exist without them? 'Letters 307 Before heaping this self-important contumely on Mr Conder’s head, your correspondents should look at what the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has achieved during his directorship and examine its membership. I doubt very much if more than a very small percentage of this is composed of such dedicated amateurs as M. J. Rogers. But it is about the most effective conservation organisation in the country and, as with most ornithological societies, its success must depend very largely on the financial contributions and voluntary help of a great many interested people who have no desire to record anything, but enjoy watching birds. Dr Jim Flegg might also reflect that his present job depends partly on the interest and support of such members of the British Trust for Ornithology. Both types of birdwatcher make equally useful contributions, which arc complementary, and condemning one as less worthy than the other is invidious twaddle. M. Shrubb \: airfields, Sidlesham, Chichester, Sussex It is a perfectly logical human foible that almost all the letters received by the editors should apparently be in support of their view, and that I personally should have received only letters and comments supporting me. To answer all the points made accurately and inaccur- ately by five of your correspondents would take several pages which I do not have the time to write and for which I imagine that you would not wish to give me space. I must, however, apologise to your readers and to the R.S.P.B. for using the Society’s address for my letter when I should have given my personal one. One or two of your correspondents misrepresent what I said and then express indignation at their own misrepresentation. P. J. Grant is apparently irritated because, he says, ‘He admits to watching birds without lifting a finger to record them’. I made no such statement. If I had it would have been untrue, since I do take extensive notes on certain subjects which interest me and on which I hope in due course to publish something. M. J. Rogers flatters me, but all he has done is to set me up on a pedestal and then tried to shoot me down. It is a pity that Dr Jim Flegg spoils the effect of his advice to me to widen my reading by misquoting Walter de la Mare: if he had not slyly cut off the last two words from the rather hackneyed quotation, it would have supported my view rather than his. Ken Osborne sees me as expressing contempt for the painstaking task of submitting records, but how he interprets my letter as saying that is beyond me. With John Gooders I agree, with the exception that I do not approve of ‘twitchers’ in the gran turismo sense: I suppose we are all twitchers in some degree, but I do object to the type of people who harry tired vagrants to death. It is really Mr Lord who hits the nail on the head. If R.S.P.B. members failed to pay their subscriptions, we would look at Letters 308 the activities of the R.S.P.B., the system of collecting subscriptions, the staff and so on. I do not think it would help us at all if all we did was to adopt a self-satisfied and pompous air and call everyone lazy. If one wants support, one must be worth supporting. I imagine the best run county reports have fewer problems, but, judging by the com- ments made to me since this correspondence began, some report editors might well look critically at their methods of collecting records and their attitude to their contributors (particularly those who are unknown to them). The point of my first letter was to expostulate at the editorial view that people are lazy or selfish, or that it is morally reprehensible in any way if they do not take and send in bird records. In addition, surely today we are already too encumbered with petty rules and regulations. If people want to keep records let them, and vice versa; and finally, to keep up another undeserved reputation (and for Dr Flegg’s benefit I have checked the reference), I shall quote another cosy poet: ‘A poor life this if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare’ (W. H. Davies). Peter Conder 12 S waynes Lane , Comberton, Cambridge CB3 7EF This correspondence is now closed. Eos Requests for information Colour-marked Mute Swans Sight records of Mute Swans Cygnus olor with large- numbered green Darvic rings are wanted in connection with a study of this species in south-east England. The information required with each sighting is the serial number and colour of the Darvic ring, which can be read at short range without binoculars, the colour of the celluloid ring(s) on the opposite leg, the date and the locality. Other details (adult, immature, nest, pair, group) would also be useful. The serial number of the Darvic ring should be carefully checked; the final digit falls nearest the lower end of the tarsus. All observations should be sent to P. J. Belman, 107 Grange Road, London W5. Neotropical Nest Registry A nest registry has been formulated to record, in a systematic fashion, information on the breeding biology of Neotropical birds; a detailed discussion appeared in American Birds for February 1972 (26: 18-20). Contributions from Mexico, Central and South America and the West Indies are needed, and information on nesting by primarily Neotropical species elsewhere would also be valuable. Contributions need not be in the form of standard nest record cards, though entries typed on 4" X 6" index cards, one card per species, would be desirable. Information to be published by the contributor will, of course, be respected. In lieu of submitting detailed nest records, a statement giving the species and countries in which information on nesting exists would help to make the registry file complete. Part of the file will consist of a library of reprints of papers on life history studies or on specific aspects of the reproductive biology of Neotropical birds. All contributions, reprints and requests for information should be sent to Michael Gochfeld, Department of Ornithology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, N.Y. 10024. News and comment Robert Hudson Wildfowl Trust expansion The Wildfowl Trust has announced plans for a major refuge and waterfowl collection in Lancashire. The chosen site is that of the former Martin Mere, between Southport and Burscough Bridge, which was drained for agriculture in the 19th century. In all, 363 acres have been purchased, including a marshy area which is all that remains of the mere, a winter haunt of Pink-footed Geese that feed on surrounding potato fields and stubbles. The Trust has had planning permission for the project since 1969, and has now succeeded in raising sufficient funds to proceed with land purchase and preliminary development. This new site will be laid out on the same general lines as the Slimbridge headquarters. Some 262 acres will be managed as a refuge area with occasional flooding of small sections and pond excavation; this will be kept free from disturbance for the benefit of the geese and such duck as will be attracted, though overlooked by observation hides. Smaller areas arc earmarked for necessary (landscaped) buildings and for the ornamental waterfowl collection; excavated pools will include a large one to be named after the vanished mere. Development work will proceed gradually as funds become available; it is hoped to open the grounds to Wildfowl Trust members by November, and to the general public — provided essential facilities can be completed — during 1973. Lancashire County Council has voted £40,000 for an education centre at Martin Mere. The curator of this new outstation will be Peter Gladstone, until recently a housemaster at Shrewsbury School. The W'ildfowl Trust also has long-term plans to develop a site of 103 acres at Barmston, Co. Durham, as a wildfowl centre and hopes that this, too, may be operational by the end of 1973. R.S.P.B. award The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds had awarded its Gold Medal to George Waterston, who retired in July; he has been in charge of the R.S.P.B.’s Scottish office since 1955. Though to many his name may be synonymous with Spcysidc in general and with Ospreys in particular, in practice there arc few (if any) aspects of Scottish ornithology with which he has not been involved during his reign. He has been succeeded by Frank Hamilton, lately returned to Scotland after a successful spell as R.S.P.B. representative in Northern Ireland. Conservation in Spitsbergen High arctic ecosystems contain relatively small numbers of plant and animal species; many of these tend to be specialised, and the total biomass is low. Such ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to damage by human activities and, in view of the degree of mineral exploitation in Spitsbergen (oil prospecting is now added to the long-established coal-mining industry), there is urgent need for conservation measures. Therefore, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and the W'orld Wildlife Fund have urged the Norwegian Government to make permanent the present temporary reserve in Kong Karls Land, and to establish a network of protected areas representing ecosystems through- out Spitsbergen and its surrounding waters ( I.L'.C.N . Bulletin, 3: number 5). Isle of May cull As the result of a population explosion, the breeding colony of Herring Gulls on the Isle of May, off the coast of Fife, rose to about 18,000 pairs by 1971, and their sheer numbers are damaging the island’s ecology. Removal of vegeta- tion and soil erosion are occurring, sea pink and sea campion are being replaced by dense grass and weeds, fresh-water pools have become heavily polluted by gull droppings, and other breeding birds are being limited or driven out (terns com- pletely so). The need for control of Herring Gull numbers on the island has been apparent for some years, and in 1971 there was disappointment that the Nature Conservancy shelved plans for control measures (see ‘News and comment’, Brit. News and comment 3 io Birds, 64: 424). In May 1972, however, a belated cull was undertaken, the method used being the humane one of alpha-chloralose narcotic in bread baits, and the planned total of 7-8,000 pairs of Herring Gulls was killed. An unexpectedly large proportion was washed up on mainland beaches; whether or not this last could have been avoided may become an issue for debate, but the job, unpleasant though it was, had to be done. R.A.F. continues to strike birds Following the revelation that the Royal Air Force was sustaining a million pounds’ worth of damage a year from collisions between birds and aircraft, and criticism of their failure to consult ornithologists about it as expressed at the Institute of Biology’s symposium on ‘Birds as Pests’ in autumn 1967 (reported in the Proceedings, edited by Dr R. K. Murton and E. N. Wright, 1968), the R.A.F. Directorate of Flight Safety subsequently gave a contract to the British Trust for Ornithology for the study of gull behaviour in Yorkshire, and publicised the use of various bird-scaring devices on airfields; yet there has been precious little information of whether these moves have caused much improvement in the situation. On 17th February, Tam Dalyell enquired again in Parliament what work had been done in the previous year; Lord Lambton replied that two field studies of bird habits had been completed and another started, that information on bird concentrations and scaring methods had been sent to units, that advice had been taken from professional authorities, that representatives had been sent to international meetings, and that studies had been made of ways to improve the design of aircraft, but he was unable to say what conclusions had been drawn from the completed field studies. Some further information has now been provided in an undated release by the R.A.F. Public Relations Feature Service. They inform us that those ‘tiny creatures’, ‘birdies’, in their ‘reluctance to share the same airspace’ struck 334 aircraft in 1970 and 343 in 1971, significantly damaging 82 of them in the first year and 68 in the second, and causing nine and 17 accidents in the two years (the distinction between ‘damage’ and ‘an accident’ is not explained). In response to this situation, 54 main airfields have now been equipped with apparatus emitting bird distress noises and a research team has been set up which has provided ‘valuable’ information, apparently mainly that gulls are a nuisance. In addition to the measures already summarised more clearly by Lord Lambton, an AA Mark 8 anti-aircraft gun-laying radar is making video-recordings of the passage of indi- vidual birds and their ‘wing-beat signatures’ at Gibraltar: ‘It is hoped — and seems highly probable — that by keeping the migrating birds under close electronic surveillance over a period of two years and then analysing the results with a computer valuable conclusions will be drawn.’ Those of us who have been attempt- ing to assist the R.A.F. will be glad to learn that conclusions as well as public rela- tions exercises may eventually result from this, even if they had to give someone holidays at Gibraltar to obtain them. (Contributed by Dr W. R. P. Bourne.) As the other side sees it The following is quoted from the horticultural magazine The Grower for 6th May, apropos of a polemic on bird damage in horticulture: ‘Let’s get some of the bird orders revoked with protectionist policies only on rare species in certain areas. In other words let’s bring a sensible business approach to the problem and sweep away this absurd emotionalism which hamstrings every effort to tackle birds for what they are. After all we no longer tolerate wolves and wild boar roaming the countryside at will. Why should not birds have their own reserva- tions and outside that be subject to rigid controls?’ I resist the temptation to comment. Opinions expressed in this feature are not necessarily those of the editors of British Birds Recent reports P. F. Bonham These are largely unchecked reports, not authenticated records The previous summary {Brit. Birds, 65 : 267-268) covered most of the rarities and scarce migrants in March. Here we deal with the departure of certain winter visitors and the arrival of spring migrants in that month, and with all reports for April. After a cool, wet start to March, high pressure set in over the Baltic and persisted from 14th to 25 th. This brought mainly light southerlies and a series of exceptionally warm days from 15th to 21st, afternoon temperatures of 65 °-70°F being recorded daily in the south-east. Many summer visitors arrived during this period, but it was not to last and April was a month of cool, windy, unsettled weather dominated by deep depressions until nth and by a very large anticyclone to the west of the British Isles from 12th to 28th. On 29th-joth a slow-moving shallow depression coincided with a large increase in the numbers of certain summer migrants. DIVERS, SHEARWATERS, GANNETS, SKUAS, GULLS AND AUKS In Cornwall, maxima of 20 Great Northern Divers Gavia immer were recorded in Mount’s Bay on 5 th March and off Looc on 7th, and up-Channel passage of Black- • throated Divers G. arctica at Dungeness (Kent) reached the unusually high total of 34 on 26th April. The regular spring movements of Manx Shearwaters Puffinus pu/Jinus off St Ives (Cornwall) began about 5th March and up to 240 per hour were reported during that month, but on 8th April these numbers were completely over- shadowed by a total of 7,860 in only two hours. (On the same seawatch, 160 Fulmars Fu/marus facialis, 500 Gannets Sul a bass ana, 740 Kitti wakes R issa tridactyla and 800 auks were also counted.) Smaller numbers of Manx Shearwaters were recorded at several other western headlands during March and April, but nine off the Calf of Man on 26th March were very early for that area. A Sooty Shear- water P. griseus passed Ilfracombe (Devon) on 5th April and two Cory’s Shear- waters Calonectris diomedea were seen at Dungeness on 16th. Among many reports of Gannets away from their breeding stations were two unusual ones: four headed north over Carlton (Nottinghamshire) on 6th April and an adult was seen on the ‘Scrape’ at Minsmcre (Suffolk) on 24th. The first Great Skua S/ercorarius skua reported during March appeared off Hartle- pool (Co. Durham) on nth ; then during the last week there were scattered sightings of up to three at several localities. In April the largest movements were noted at Portland (Dorset), especially during 4th-8th when 43 were recorded; at most other -seawatching stations there were very few indeed. The earliest Arctic Skuas S. parasiticus were singles off Brean Down (Somerset) and Ilfracombe on 27th March ; there was then a gap in the reports until mid-April when two were seen in Shetland. After 19th April Arctic Skuas were more widespread, and the largest total to our knowledge was 53 up-Channel at Birling Gap (Sussex) on 30th. On this last date three Pomarine Skuas S. pomarinus were seen at Portland and one at Ilfracombe. There were no reports of the really rare gulls. In England south of the Tees, however, there were at least 20 Glaucous Gulls Larus hyperboreus and 16 Iceland Gulls L. glaucoidcs, and ten Mediterranean Gulls L. melanocephalus were scattered between Northumberland and Cornwall. Little Gulls L. minutus were reported from some 20 localities in March and from rather more in April, by far the heaviest passage being 204 (152 adults, 52 immatures) south in two hours at Freshfield (Lancashire) on 25th March. In Northumberland single Little Auks Plautus alle were found dead at Chevington on 5 th March and at Holy Island on 7th, and the latest in Shetland was seen at Hascosay on 14th, while one stayed at Marazion (Cornwall) from 21st February to 16th March. A Black Guillemot Ceppbus grylle was reported at St Ives on 26th March. 31 1 312 Recent reports HERONS TO SWANS An adult Purple Heron Ardea purpurea at Church Norton (Sussex) on 1 2th April and a Little Bittern Ixobrycbus minutus at Lodmoor and Radipole Lake (Dorset) from 22nd to 25th were followed by immature Little Egrets Egretta gar^etta in the Lea valley (Essex/Middlesex) on 29th-3oth and at Cley (Norfolk) — possibly the same one — from the evening of 30th until 7th May. There was a White Stork Ciconia ciconia near Banchory (Kincardineshire) on 16th April and an unusual record of five flying north over Polegate (Sussex) on 25 th. Spoonbills Platalea leucorodia stayed at Arne (Dorset) from 16th to 20th April and at Minsmere from 30th April until 2nd May. Surface-feeding ducks in April included a Green-winged Teal Anas crecca carolinensis at Lightshaw Hall Flash (Lancashire) on 19th and 20th, a Blue-winged Teal A. discors at Minsmere from 27th to 29th and an American Wigeon A. americana at Loch of Auchlossan (Aberdeenshire) on 1st. (Arrivals of Garganey A. querquedula and other common migrants are dealt with in a separate section on pages 314-316.) The Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina was last included in these sum- maries some months ago {Brit. Birds, 65: 89-90, covering September 1971-January 1972); since then this species has occurred in 17 counties west to Glamorgan and north to the Tees and the total number of individuals exceeds 40, even allowing for some duplication between near-by localities. There seem to have been slightly more females than males. Some were said to have been very tame, especially in the west, but many others were as wary as other diving ducks and the evidence seems to point to a sizable influx from the Continent last autumn, birds subsequently wandering over the Midlands and East Anglia. In contrast, only four Ferruginous Ducks Aythya nyroca were reported, two in January (Brit. Birds, 65 : 183), one in Derbyshire in February and one in Hertfordshire in March. Ring-necked Ducks A. collaris were found in April at Cottington (Kent) on 9th and at Luton Hoo Park (Bedford- shire) on 1 6th, the latter staying until 7th May. An adult drake Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata remained at Penychain, Pwllheli (Caernarvonshire), from 18th to 23rd April and another was reported in Co. Kerry on 22nd-23rd; and, to complete a formidable list of rare ducks newly arrived in April, there were two more drake King Eiders Somateria spectabilis, at Coquet Island (Northumberland) on 1st and nth and at Portstewart (Co. Londonderry) on 2nd and 3rd. Two Smews Mergus albellus in Shetland in mid-March, and singles on the Rivers Don and Ythan (Aber- deenshire) on 31st March and nth April respectively, were unusually far north and also very late, but the latest of all was one at Blagdon Reservoir (Somerset) until 2 1 st April. Ninety Barnacle Geese Branta leucopsis at Spurn (Yorkshire) on 26th April were a record number for the county, and a flock of 66 Bewick’s Swans Cygnus bewickii heading north-east over the Calf of Man on 20th March was quite unprecedented there. RAPTORS, CRAKES AND WADERS To the series of records of Red Kites Milvus milvus in March (Brit. Birds, 65 : 268) should be added one found dead at Wells (Norfolk) on 23rd. Three April reports — at Banbury (Oxfordshire) and at Wellesbourne and Whitnash (both Warwickshire) — very probably concerned one individual. A Honey Buzzard Perm's apivorus came in from the sea at Stoke Point (Devon) on 22nd April, and a female Red-footed Falcon Fa/co vespertinus was seen at Southport (Lancashire) on 30th. A very early Osprey Pandion baliaetus was flying north over the River Taw near Eggesford (Devon) on nth March; later records of passage migrants came from Sevenoaks (Kent) on 26th March, Bough Beech Reservoir (also Kent) on 31st, Acton Burnell (Shropshire) on nth April (two), Ruxley (Kent) on 27th and Eshaness (Shetland) on 29th. At Loch Garten (Inverness-shire) the male returned to the eyrie on 31st March and the female on 8th April; the first egg was laid on 21st. Apart from the one in Norfolk in March (Brit. Birds, 65 : 268), the only reports of Recent reports 313 Spotted Crakes P organa por^ana were of singles at Cassiobury Park, Watford (Hert- fordshire) from mid-February to early April, at Maple Cross (Hertfordshire/ Middlesex) on 5th March, and at Ynys-hir (Cardiganshire) in late March and early April. The scarcer migrant waders were so few that all reports may be listed as follows: single Kentish Plovers Cbaradrius alexandrinus at Dawlish Warren (Devon) on 7th April, at Sandwich Bay (Kent) on 16th, at Havergate (Suffolk) during 27th-29th and at Ferrybridge (Dorset) on 29th-joth ; two Dotterels Eudromias morinellus at Holkham (Norfolk) on 22nd April; a Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola on the Ouse Washes | (Cambridgeshire/Norfolk) on 30th April ; a Little Stint Calidris minuta overwintering at Rainham (Essex), singles at Sandwich Bay on 3rd March and at Minsmere on 19th April, and three at Slimbridge (Gloucestershire) on 25th April; two Tem- minck’s Stints C. temminckii at Kingsmoor (Somerset) on 23rd March; and a (.Curlew Sandpiper C.ferruginea at Havergate on 27th April. Up-Channel movement of Bar-tailed Godwits Limosa lapponica at Dungeness reached a remarkable total of 3,853 on 26th April, the same day as the large passage of Black-throated Divers (see above). Some high counts of Black-tailed Godwits L. limosa were 580 at Shotton (Flintshire) on 20th February, 158 inland at Wet Moor (Somerset) on 28th March, 260 on the ‘Scrape’ at Minsmere on 5th April and 22 unusually far north at Hillwell (Shetland) during 23rd-3oth April. Avocets R ecurvirostra avosetta were, as usual in ■ spring, rather widely scattered along the south and cast coasts in small numbers; the one Bristol Channel report was of a single at Steart (Somerset) on 26th March. OWLS TO BUNTINGS This section deals with near-passerines and passerines, other than the species listed in the final section on the commoner migrants and summer visitors. A Snowy Owl Nyctea scandiaca remained in the Isles of Scilly from March {Brit. Birds, 65 : 268) until 27th April, being seen on Tresco as well as on St Martin’s; there was also a male on Fair Isle (Shetland) on 26th-27th April and up to five on Fctlar (Shetland) during that month. An extremely early Alpine Swift Apus melba was reported at Wells on 2nd April; and Hoopoes Upttpa epops were seen at Hartlepool on 15th March, at Tuddenham Heath (Suffolk) on 19th, at Lydd (Kent) from 4th to 9th April, at 'Surlingham (Norfolk) on the latter date, at Studland (Dorset) during the first week of April, at Humberston (Lincolnshire) on 14th, at Beddington (Surrey) on 16th, at Bray (Berkshire) on 17th, at Blakeney Point (Norfolk) on 20th and at Portland on 30th. Other southern visitors in April were a Crested Lark Galerida cristata at 'Steart on 8th, a White-spotted Blucthroat Luscinia svecica cyanecula at Shcllncss (Kent) and a Bonelli’s Warbler Pbylloscopus bonelli at Bcachy Head (Sussex) on 9th, a very early Ortolan Bunting Emberi^a bortulana singing at Cliffe (Kent) on 1 8th, a 'Serin Serinus serinus at Portland on 22nd or 23rd, and a female Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus at Frittenden (Kent) on the latter date. A Richard’s Pipit Ant bus novae seelandiae at Swanscombc (Kent) from 1 5 th to 17th April may have overwintered in western Europe, since this species is extremely rare here in spring. A Shore Lark Eremophila alpestris that arrived at Wraysbury Reservoir /Middlesex) last December {Brit. Birds, 65: 136) remained in that area until 1st April, the only inland report to reach us. This species was generally late in leaving the east coast, several regular localities reporting small numbers right through to the last week of the month ; the largest April flock appears to have been 63 at Seal Sands, Teesmouth, from 9th to 13th. On the other hand, numbers of Twites Acanthis flarirostris and Snow Buntings Plec/ropbenax nivalis fell rapidly after mid-March. Inland reports of Snow Buntings came from Titterstone Clee Hill (Shropshire) on 16th March (two) and from Milton (Staffordshire) on 22nd (one), and a very late bird was seen at Lihou (Guernsey) on 14th April. The second half of March also saw the final departure of many of the Waxwings Bombycilla garrulus that had wintered in Britain: 314 decent reports at least 100 were still widely scattered at the start of that month, but by early April they were much reduced in numbers and largely concentrated in eastern Scotland. Single Lapland Buntings Calcarius lapponicus were reported at five east coast localities during April, and there was one on Lundy (Devon) on 23 rd. Some other odds and ends were Woodlarks hullula arborea on Fair Isle on 27th March and 6th April; a high total of at least 21 Water Pipits Anthus s. spinoletta at Chew Valley Lake (Somerset) on 28 th March and up to three at Doonfoot (Ayrshire) at about that time (there are less than five Scottish records of this subspecies); and vagrant Hawfinches Coccothraustes coccothraustes in Shetland at Lerwick from 4th April (found dead on 18th) and trapped on Fair Isle on 12th. COMMONER MIGRANTS AND SUMMER VISITORS We conclude with an analysis of the arrivals of some summer visitors in March and April. Dates of influxes apply mainly to England and Wales, particularly to the south and east, and as always are subject to ‘weekend bias’, though this has been allowed for to some extent. Garganey Anas querqnedtda Very early and widespread. A female at Sevenoaks from 29th February to 2nd March, a male at Bough Beech Reservoir from 3rd to 5th and a pair at Sutton-at-Hone (also Kent) on 5th. Small numbers from 9th, rather more from 1 6th; five pairs at Stodmarsh (Kent) on 24th, and 13 drakes and seven ducks counted on the Somerset levels on 31st. Small arrivals in April. Hobby Falco subbuteo One at Grove Ferry (Kent) on 13th April, two at Porthgwarra (Cornwall) on 16th and one or two at five other places during i9th-3oth. Corncrake Crex crex The first at Castle Caldwell (Co. Fermanagh) on 13th April and singles on Lundy on 16th and 18th, on Fair Isle on 20th and on North Uist on 27th were the only reports. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius A trickle from 12th March and a small influx on 24th-25th, but few more until a general arrival from 4th April. Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus One wintering at Rame Head (Cornwall) stayed into March. Singles at Dungeness on 14th and on Lundy on i8th-i9th; a few during 31st March-22nd April and many parties of up to 30 during 23rd-29th. Main influx on 30th, when 194 at Arne and a total of 160 at five localities in Somerset. Common Sandpiper Tringa hypoleucos A few wintering birds stayed into March. First migrants from 30th and especially around 8th-9th April, but few subsequently until influxes during 28th-3oth. Greenshank T. nebularia Because of the number wintering, it is impossible to tell which were new arrivals, though there were certainly no marked influxes. In War- wickshire three at Brandon on 26th March and one at Ladywalk on 31st were very unusual so far inland in that month. Still scarce everywhere by the end of April. Stone Curlew Burbinus oedicnemus Recorded in Breckland (Norfolk/Suffolk) from 19th March and in Wiltshire from 6th April; no other reports. Black Tern Cblidonias niger Very scarce this spring. One at Farmoor Reservoir (Berkshire) on 14th April, but no more until a small passage on 29th-30th. Common Tern Sterna hirundo A few on the south coast at the end of March; one dead at Chew Valley Lake (Somerset) on 3 1st. A trickle throughout April, increasing from 22nd; counts of 200 at Arlington Reservoir (Sussex), Dungeness and Minsmere by 29th-30th. Arctic Tern .S', paradisaea Very few reports, none before 22nd April; maxima of 50 at Dungeness on 25 th and 30 at Arlington Reservoir on 29th. Roseate Tern S. dougallii Singles in the Hayle estuary (Cornwall) and at Portland on 30th April, Recent reports 3 1 5 Little Tern S. atbifrons Late arrival. One in the Hayle estuary on 7th-8th April, but no more until about 23rd. Many reports in the last week; maxima, 22 at Dunge- ness on 28th and 34 at Hengistbury Head (Hampshire) on 30th. 'Sandwich Tern S. sandvicensis Two heading north, overland, at Ottery St Mary (Devon) on 14th March, then a few from 18th and especially from 26th. Major in- fluxes during first and third weeks of April; 1,000 at Minsmere by 30th. iTurtle Dove Streptopelia turtur Extremely late arrival. One at Slimbridge on 1st April (very early), later found dead; three at Dungeness on 13th, singles elsewhere on 1 6th, 17th and 29th and four on 30th. (.Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Singles in Kent at Canterbury on 19th March and at Tenter- den on 22nd, one at Plymouth (Devon) on 21st and another in from the sea there on 26th, all very early. In April one at Minsmere on 2nd, steady arrival from 9th. ■Swift Apus apus Rather late, but very sudden, arrival. Two at Tankerton (Kent) on 16th April, one at Oxford on 23rd, a few during the last week and a massive influx on 30th. Wryneck Jynx torquilla One at Lound (Nottinghamshire) on 23rd April was the only report. ■Swallow Hirundo rustica One reported in Lincolnshire on 18th March, but locality unknown. A few during 23rd-29th, more from 30th and notable arrivals about 3rd, 6th-7th, ioth-i3th and 30th April. House Martin Delicbon itrbica One at I.eybourne (Kent) on 27th March; occasional stragglers during ist-3rd April (though 25 on Lundy on the latter date) and from 7th, with small arrivals on 8th and from nth. ■Sand Martin Kiparia riparia Two at Staines Reservoirs (Middlesex) on nth March; a few during i6th-2oth and then a pattern of arrival rather similar to Swallow, but involving greater numbers and more evenly spread. Forty at Chew Valley Lake at the end of March was a high number so early. I Ring Ouzel T urdus torquatus From 16th March, few at first but increasing after 23rd; 19 at Llanbedr Hill (Radnorshire) on 25th. Scarce on passage in April but well-established in breeding areas by mid-month. 'Wheatear Oenanthe oenantbe Rather early. One at Sand Point (Somerset) on 8th 'March; a trickle on I3th-i4th, more i5th-i7th and then large influxes i8th-20th, 24th-27th and 31st. April reports not analysed. 'Whinchat Saxicola rubetra Very scarce in April. Early singles at Gibraltar Point (Lincolnshire) on 2nd and at Sandiacre (Derbyshire) on 6th, then only nine more during nth-30th. ! Redstart Phoetticurus phoenicurus Singles in March at Slapton (Devon) on 18th, at Plymouth on 21st and at Hornsea Mere (Yorkshire) on 26th. Small but steady passage throughout April. Nightingale Lt/scinia megarhynebos Few records. Very early ones reported in March at Otham (Kent) on 13th and at Canterbury on 23rd, then in April at Dungeness on 9th and at Minsmere on 12th; a trickle from 16th. Grasshopper Warbler hocus/ella naevia Rather modest, but continuous, passage from 6th April. Savi’s Warbler L. luscinioides Two singing at Minsmere from 13th April and three or four there during i6th-30th. No reports from Kent. Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus A few reported from 17th April. Sedge Warbler A. schoenobaenus Singles at Cliffe on 26th March and at Minsmere on 2nd April, then steady but small arrivals from 9th, with a sudden increase on 30th. Recent reports Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla The many winterers confuse any picture of migration; from 14 localities. Many more during I2th-i6th and on 30th, but little movement in between. Garden Warbler S. bortn Very early ones at Sevenoaks on 28th March and at two other places in Kent on 3rd-4th April, followed by small numbers from 9th. Whitethroat S. communis One in full song near Cambridge on 22nd March (very early), one at Chillington (Staffordshire) on 9th April and small numbers from 13 th. Lesser Whitethroat S. curruca Reported in small numbers from 18th. Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trocbilus An early one at Sand Point on 9th March, singles on 19th, 21st and 23rd, and a small arrival during 25th March-2nd April; larger influxes around 3rd and from 9th. Maximum at Dungeness of 450 on 13th. Chiffchaff P. collybita Winterers make assessment of arrivals difficult; one at Stanpit Marsh, Christchurch (Hampshire), on 1st March said to have been a migrant, and a trickle of ‘first dates’ during 9th-i7th. Very large influxes i8th-2ist, 24th-26th and from 31st (cf. Wheatear); April reports not analysed. Wood Warbler P. sibilatrix Rather late. Three near Bristol on nth April and two at Exeter (Devon) on 19th; a few more from 28th. Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata Extremely scarce in April. Singles at Stafford on nth (early), at Kenn Moor (Somerset) on 17th, at Bar Hill (Cambridgeshire) on 23rd and at Radipole Lake on 30th. Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca Very scarce this spring. One reported at Plymouth on 22nd March (very early) and a few others from 16th April. Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis A total of 16 reported at four localities during 19th- 2 1st March, then three singles until 8th April when a steady arrival began. White Wagtail Motacilla a. alba Passage commenced as early as 4th March but was on a very small scale until the second week of April; reports received from at least 50 localities, with no marked peaks. Yellow Wagtail M. flava Rather late arrival; small numbers from 19th March to 9th April, a large influx on 9th-ioth and increases during i6th-i9th and at the end of the month. Five sinele Blue-headed Waetails M. f. flava .Lsaax 22nd April. Red-backed Shrike no clear influx until 9th April when at least 30 apparently new arrivals reported the only report. The West Wales Naturalists’ Trust Ltd (formerly the West Wales Field Society) Membership of the Trust is open to all who are interested in the study and conservation of wild life in Wales. The annual subscription of £2 entitles members to : (a) free issues of Nature in Wales, which appears half-yearly, and of the quarterly Trust Bulletin; (b) field excursions, lectures and meetings; (c) visits, without landing fees, to the island sanctuaries and nature reserves of Skomer, St Margaret’s, Skokholm, Cardigan Island, etc. The activities of the Trust include the co-operative study of such animals as birds and seals and the recording of their distribution and habits. publications (post free): Skomer Island, 20p, Plant List of Pembroke- shire, 55p; The Birds of Cardiganshire, 55p; Plant List of Carmarthen- shire, 55p; Skokholm Bird Observatory Reports for each year to 1971, 25p each; Nature in Wales back numbers, 53p THE WEST WALES NATURALISTS’ TRUST LTD 4 Victoria Place, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire Recently published Zoological Record action Aves 1969 (vol. 106) This indispensable bibliogra- phy, compiled by the staff of the Zoological Society of Lon- don, is an annual list of orni- thological literature in all parts of the world. Full references are given with authors and titles and they are indexed under species, subjects and countries. The latest issue covers 5,265 articles and books published mainly in 1969 and is obtain- able at a cost of £9 00 (pos- tage extra) from r in part to any other journal. Photographs (glossy prints showing good contrast) ■ md sketches are welcomed. Proofs of all contributions are sent to authors before j >ublication. I After publication, 25 separates are sent free to authors of papers (two authors of me paper receive 15 each and three authors ten each); additional copies, for which 1 1 charge is made, can be provided if ordered when the proofs are returned. Reprints }f notes and other short items have to be specially ordered and are charged for. Papers should be typewritten with double spacing and wide margins, and on one | ;ide of the sheet only. Shorter contributions, if not typed, must be clearly written j md well spaced. Notes should be worded as concisely as possible, and drawn up in the form in i vhich they will be printed, with signature in block capitals and the author’s address 1 1 dearly given in one line at the foot. If more than one note is submitted, each ' should be on a separate sheet, with signature and address repeated. Certain conventions of style and layout are essential to preserve the uniformity | >f any publication. Authors of papers in particular, especially of those containing i ystematic lists, reference lists, tables, etc., should consult the ones in this issue as a i ;uide to general presentation. English names of species should have capital nitials for each word, except after a hyphen (e.g. Willow Warbler, Black-tailed j 1 jodwit), but group terms should not (e.g. warblers, godwits). Both English and i cicntific names, and the sequence, follow A Species Lis/ of Brilisb and Irish Birds B.T.O. Guide 13, 1971). All scientilic names should be underlined (but not put n brackets) immediately after the first mention of the English name. Sub- l pecific names should not be used except where they are relevant to the discussion. t is sometimes more convenient to list scientific names in an appendix. Dates 1 .hould take the form ‘ist January 1972’ and no other, except in tables where they I nay be abbreviated to ‘ist Jan’, ‘Jan ist’, or even ‘Jan i’, whichever most suits I he layout of the table concerned. It is particularly requested that authors should i lay attention to reference lists, which otherwise cause much unnecessary work. I These should take the following form: ! 1 Jannerman, D. A. 1954. The Birds of the British Isles. Edinburgh and London, vol 3 : 223-228. j -.ack, D. i960. ‘Autumn “drift-migration” on the English east coast’. Brit. Birds, 53 : 325-352» 379-397- I /arious other conventions concerning references, including their use in the text, hould be noted by consulting examples in this issue. Tables should be numbered with arabic numerals, and the title typed above in s he style used in this issue. They must either fit into the width of a page, or be I Jesigned to fit a whole page lengthways. All tables should be self-explanatory. Figures should be numbered with arabic numerals, and the captions ty ped on a j eparate sheet. All line-drawings should be in indian ink on good quality drawing I ->aper (not of an absorbent nature) or, where necessary’, on graph paper, but this nust be light blue or very pale grey. It is always most important to consider how 1 :ach drawing will fit into the page. Any lettering or numbering that is an integral 1 aart of a text-figure should be inserted lightly in pencil. KENYA Day 1 Day Day Day Day Day Day Day 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 A leisurely ornithological safari organised by Lawrence G. Holloway and conducted in the field by John Wightman Departure 20th January 1973 London/Amsterdam by scheduled flight KLM. Day 2 Amsterdam/Nairobi by sched KLM. Day 3 Visit Nairobi Game Park a Lake Naivasha. Crescent Island, Lake Naivi Lake Nakuru. Hell’s Gate. Lake Nakuru. Transfer to Nanyuki. Mount Kenya. Transfer to Nairobi. Evening visit to Nairobi Game Park. Transfer to Amboseli. Amboseli. Amboseli and then transfer to Tsavo. Tsavo Game Park. Drive from Tsavo to Malindi on the coast. Rest day. Mida Creek for waders, etc. Transfer to Voi Safari Lodge. Full day around Voi. Return to Nairobi. Return to London by scheduled flight of KLM. This party is strictly limited to fourteen persons including the leader. COST of the ornithological safari to include scheduled flights as above, minibus transport throughout, ser- vices of African drivers, full-board accommodation at hotels and game lodges, travel insurance, services of Ornitholidays leader. For further details please write to the tour organiser : LAWRENCE G. HOLLOWAY Ornitholidays 44 ALDWICK ROAD, BOGNOR REGIS, SUSSEX Tel : Bognor Regis 21230 Day Day Day Day Day Day Day Day Day Day 20 Day 21 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Member of the ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH TRAVEL AGENTS Printed in England by Henry Burt & Son Ltd, College Street, Kempston, Bedford Published by H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd, 15 Nicholas Lane, London EC4N 7BR British Birds torial: Birds and marine pollution llet-ejection by hand-reared Great Crested Grebes IP. A. M. Kop i H>rt on rare birds in Great Britain in 1971 th 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970 additions) R. Smith and the Rarities Committee ites Letters «ws and comment Recent reports— May ' )lume 65 Number 8 August 1972 35p British Birds TLditorial Address io Merton Road, Bedford Telephone 0234 67JJ8 Volume 65 Number 8 August 1972 317 Editorial: Birds and marine pollution 319 Pellet-ejection by hand-reared Great Crested Grebes Dr P. P. A. M. Kop 322 Report on rare birds in Great Britain in 1971 (with 1967, 1968, 1969 and additions) F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee Plates III and 49-52 1970 NOTES 355 Little Gull dip-feeding over upland fields J. Driver 355 White-winged Black Terns feeding over dry land R. A. Frost 355 Congenital bill deformity in nestling Swallow Dr M. P. Taylor 356 Carrion Crows mobbing Grey Herons T.R.Birkbead 357 Dunnock feeding aphids to nestlings Dr Geoffrey Beven 357 Two Red-backed Shrikes laying in one nest Hubert E. Pounds LETTERS 358 Eye colour of immature American Marsh Hawk D. I. M. Wallace 359 The ageing of the Veery in Cornwall Dr A. D. Brewer 359 News and comment Robert Hudson 361 Recent reports — May P. F. Bonham Robert Gillmor drew the young Great Crested Grebes on page 321, P. J. Grant the Crane and White Stork on page 354 and D. I. M. Wallace the Terek Sandpiper on page 364 Editors Stanley Cramp, I. J. Ferguson-Lees, P. F. Bonham, M. A. Ogilvie and D. I. M. Wallace Photographic Editor Eric Hosking News and Comment Robert Hudson, B.T.O., Beech Grove, Tring, Hertfordshire Rarities Committee F. R. Smith, 117 Hill Barton Road, Exeter, Devon exi 3PP Year’s subscription for 12 issues £4.50 post paid (overseas rate £4.80) from H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd, 1 5 Nicholas Lane, London EC4N 7BR Copyright © the authors and H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd. reproduction or use without permission of the whole or any including text illustrations, is prohibited All rights part of the reserved contents PlateIII. Above, Lesser Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica, Cornwall, October 1971 ; this individual and another with which it arrived were considered by the observers to be of the Asiatic form P. d. fulva {photo: J. B. and S. Bottomley). Below, Baird’s Sandpiper Calidris bairdii, Flintshire, November 1971 {photo: D. L. Clugston) Volume 65 Number 8 August 1972 British Birds Editorial IBirds and marine pollution I I Press reactions to the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environ- i iment (see also ‘News and comment’ on page 359) were, perhaps un- avoidably, mixed. Many laid most stress on such features as the absence of the Russian and other governments, the tons of paper circulated, and the activities of fringe and political groups. Yet a heartening measure of agreement was reached on many issues and, if only the governments of the world translate these into action, real progress might be made. A major topic considered by the no countries represented was the igrowing contamination of the oceans and here a number of proposals 'were adopted, including principles for the control of marine pollution ((one aim being to eliminate by the mid- 1970’s all deliberate discharging I 12th December to May 1972 (C. R. Goate et alt). Suffolk: River Deben, immature d> shot, 9th October, ringed at Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada, on 7th June 1971 ( per Dr J. G. Harrison). Yorkshire: Wintersett Reservoir, Barnsley, d, 8th May (J. Lunn). Fairburn Ings, d, 15th May to 1 8th July (P. T. Treloar, C. Winn el a/.). (North America) Also males at North Slob, Co. Wexford, from 16th to 23rd June and on 27th August. There have now been 18 British and Irish records since 1966, but sadly (and in spite of the recovery in Suffolk) we must repeat that this species is now tainted with a much higher chance of escape than hitherto. It seems suspicious that, while four of the six Irish records have been between September and Novem- ber, nine of the twelve British ones have occurred during February- May. American Wigeon Anas americana Fife: Eden Estuary, d> 10th January (D. M. Bryant). Hertfordshire: Marsworth Reservoir, Tring, d, 26th January (B. L. Sage). Somerset: Durleigh Reservoir, d, 23rd February (C. F. S. Avent, Miss E. M. Palmer). Sutton Bingham Reservoir, d, 24th March (M. G. Wilson). (North America) Surprisingly none in Ireland. The pattern of occurrence of this duck is quite distinct from that of the two American teal: of the 20 British records since 1958, all but two have been in late autumn and winter. Rare birds in Great Britain ipyi 329 Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris Buckinghamshire: Marlow gravel pits, 10th March to 14th April (D. Courts, A. Fullerton, Dr B. Marshall et al.). Ronas Voe, d, 31st March to 5th April (D. Courts, R. J. Tulloch et al.). Bluemull Sound, $, 9th April (D. Courts, D. Johnston). Bixter and Selivoe, <$, 24th to 29th May and 5th June, believed to be the Trondra bird (Dr B. Marshall et al.). (Circumpolar Arctic) Also a drake off Portstewart, Co. Londonderry, from 17th to 28th March. The most striking series of records in recent years, perhaps since the end of the 19th century, and although Shetland is the locus classicus the presence there of at least three in early spring is remarkable. 330 Rare birds in Great Britain 1971 Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erjthropus Carmarthenshire: Dryslwyn, adult, 7th March (D. J. Britton). Gloucestershire: Slimbridge, the adult first recorded on 13th December 1970 {Brit. Birds, 64: 347) stayed until 20th February (M. A. Ogilvie et a/.). Norfolk: Yare valley, sub-adult, 23rd January to 14th March (J. A. Bailey, P. A. Dukes, G. J. Jobson et alt). (North-east Europe and Siberia) Those in Gloucestershire and Norfolk were at traditional localities, associating as usual with White- fronted Geese A. albifrons and Bean Geese A. arvensis respectively. The one in Carmarthenshire (only the second for Wales) was also with large numbers of White-fronts, some of which are thought to have come from Slimbridge late in the winter, indicating that it was pro- bably the same bird as in Gloucestershire. Black Kite Milvus migrans Essex: Fingringhoe Wick, 2nd June (D. Callan, S. E. Linsell, J. Thorogood et alt). Norfolk: Cley and Salthouse, 6th to 10th May (R. H. Loyn, Miss E. McEwen, M. D. Ottley et alt). Suffolk: Westleton Heath, 9th May (A. G. Duff, A. Parker et alt). Blythburgh, 3rd June (R. W. Payne, D. A. Riley). (Most of Eurasia, Africa and Australia) It seems likely that only two birds were involved in these four records (of a grand total now of 16). This species is appearing more regularly than formerly, with eleven records since 1966, and its arrivals are coincident with those of other species overshooting their normal European range. Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus Berkshire : Binfield, Bracknell, 24th January (J. N. Mutch). Middlesex: Queen Mary Reservoir, 6th March (T. A. Guyatt, J. E. Hunt, J. A. Lucas). Shetland : Fair Isle, d, showing the characters of the white ‘ candicans ’ type which predominates in Greenland, 17th April (G. J. Barnes). (Circumpolar Arctic) One above the average for recent years, though the Berkshire and Middlesex records (as well as an additional 1970 record in Berkshire on page 350) may refer to one individual. Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus Cambridgeshire: Wicken Fen, d. 3rd June (R. W. Byrne, J. H. Marchant). Durham : Sunderland, $, 24th to 29th April (R. Adams, C. P. Briggs, F. G. Grey et alt). Kent: Sevenoaks, d» 29th April (J. Carter). Lincolnshire: Boston, d, 15th September (R. Pearson). Surrey: Godstone, ?, 8th and 9th May (M. Pellett). (Eastern Europe and south from Siberia) Four in spring is below the recent average, but the occurrences of this species are erratic. The Cambridgeshire bird was unusually far inland. 331 Rare birds in Great Britain 1971 Lesser Kestrel Falco naurnanni Scilly : St Agnes, Nighthawk (see page 338) arrived on St Agnes also on 12th October. iTerin Serinus serinus (Cornwall: Penzance, $, 26th to 28th February (N. J. Phillips, P. D. Round et at.). ktCcnt: Broadstairs, d. 6th May (G. Fclstead). L'.incolnshire : Donna Nook, 3rd November (S. Lorand). SNJorfoLk: Wells, 13th May (C. A. E. Kirtland). NNlorthumberland : Coquet Island, 4th October (B. D. Harding, D. J. Holman, R. E. Turley el at.) {Brit. Birds, Gy. 155-158). (North America) A full account has already appeared of this first British record. The coincidence of date and place with the Yellow- billed Cuckoo and near-coincidence with the Veery (see above) are noteworthy. The only previous records of tanagers in Europe are of a Summer Tanager P. rubra in Caernarvonshire in September 1957 and a Summer or Scarlet in Co. Down in October 1963. Appendix 1. List of 1971 records not accepted This list contains all the 1971 records which were not accepted after circulation to the committee. It does not include (a) records withdrawn by the observer(s), without circulation, after discussion with the honorary secretary; (b) records which, even if circulated, were not attributed by the observer(s) to any definite species ; or (c) a few records which were mentioned in ‘Recent reports’ but of which full details were unobtainable. Birds considered to be escapes are also omitted. In the vast majority of cases the record was not accepted because we were not convinced, on the evidence before us, that the identification was fully established; in only a very few cases were we satisfied that a mistake had been made. Cory’s Shearwater Frigatebird sp. Night Heron Black Duck American Wigeon King Eider Black Kite Red-footed Falcon Lesser Kestrel Crane Baillon’s Crake Dowitcher sp. Portland Bill, Dorset, 20th March Cley, Norfolk, 3rd April Pennington, Hampshire, 21st March Stodmarsh, Kent, 20th June Thrapston, Northamptonshire, 18 th February Oundle, Northamptonshire, 15 th April Gullery Pool, Inverness-shire, 23rd July Dunnet Bay, Caithness, 20th and 21st May Shepton Mallet, Somerset, 3rd February Berryhill Crags, Northumberland, two, 30th April Blickling, Norfolk, 17th April Pitsford Reservoir, Northamptonshire, 26th August Dungeness, Kent, 23rd September St Ives, Cornwall, 8th September Somerton, Oxfordshire, 2nd April Rayners Lane, Middlesex, two, 16th September Sandy, Bedfordshire, 22nd December Cley, Norfolk, 18th April Oundle, Northamptonshire, 16th April Gibraltar Point, Lincolnshire, 10th August 353 .are birds in Great Britain 1971 reat Snipe Mitary Sandpiper esser Yellowlegs ''hite-rumped Sandpiper . uff-breasted Sandpiper road-billed Sandpiper ack-winged Stilt ilson’s Phalaropc ■ atincole sp. ory Gull cndcr-billed Gull onaparte’s Gull hite-winged Black Tern hiskered Tern ull-billcd Tern t&spian Tern rreat Spotted Cuckoo owy Owl Hid Swift : ort-toed Lark scd-rumped Swallow 1 rtcracker rrsky Thrush rack- throated Thrush nerican Robin hite’s Thrush : :sert Wheatear ick-carcd Wheatear r id Wheatear ick Wheatear irush Nightingale tti’s Warbler eat Reed Warbler : |uatic Warbler balpine Warbler nclli’s Warbler ctic Warbler las’s Warbler Kingsley, Cheshire, 1st August Queen Mary Reservoir, Middlesex, 26th August North Berwick, East Lothian, 12th September Pett Level, Sussex, 2nd January St Agnes, Isles of Scilly, two, 4th June Thrapston, Northamptonshire, 29th August Carn Brea, Crows-an-Wra, Cornwall, 5 th October Swanton Morley, Norfolk, 14th April Marazion Marsh, Cornwall, 19th April Leigh, Lancashire, 31st May to 2nd June Washington Ponds, Durham, 30th July Okehampton, Devon, 7th October Lydd, Kent, 12th October St Agnes, Isles of Scilly, 10th October Worthing, Sussex, 2nd May Beeston Regis, Norfolk, 4th to 6th July Bcxhill-on-Sea, Sussex, 31st July Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire, 13th June Arlington, Sussex, 16th May Waxham, Norfolk, 28th August Seacombe, Cheshire, 8th September Chew Valley Lake, Somerset, 16th September West Somcrton, Norfolk, 28th May Walney Island, Lancashire, 6th July Pennington Flash, Lancashire, 4th September Sandwich Bay, Kent, 21st August Church Norton, Sussex, two, 23rd August; one, 15th December Attenborough, Nottinghamshire, 12th May Minsmcre Haven, Suffolk, 19th August Hartland Point, Devon, 10th January Saltwood, Kent, 10th March Chew Valley Lake, Somerset, 5th August Ramsey Island, Pembrokeshire, 3rd June Bodymoor, Warwickshire, 19th September Utley, Keighley, Yorkshire, 24th August Lowestoft, Suffolk, 27th October Tringford Reservoir, Hertfordshire, 10th October St Anne’s, Lancashire, 24th November Bromborough, Cheshire, 2nd December Yoxall, Staffordshire, 28th August Rinsey Head, Cornwall, 24th October Calf of Man, 7th to nth October Lydd, Kent, 29th May Dinas Head, Pembrokeshire, June Hopeman, Morayshire, 10th August near Minsmere, Suffolk, 23rd May Thrapston, Northamptonshire, 5th September Chew Valley Lake, Somerset, 18th July Frimley, Surrey, 9th August West Bay, Dorset, 18th July Barnwell, Northamptonshire, 21st August Studland, Dorset, 7th March Thrapston, Northamptonshire, 6th and 7th September Portland Bill, Dorset, 28th October 354 Tawny Pipit Rare birds in Great Britain 1771 Olive-backed Pipit Black-headed Wagtail Lesser Grey Shrike Woodchat Shrike Serin Scarlet Rosefinch Two-barred Crossbill Little Bunting Portland Bill, Dorset, 8th May Rye Harbour, Sussex, 31st May St Agnes, Isles of Scilly, 6th June St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly, two or three, 22nd September Langport, Somerset, 24th September Benacre Ness, Suffolk, 20th to 28th October Hornsea, Yorkshire, 12th April Weyboume, Norfolk, 27th May Dunlichity, Inverness-shire, 2nd April Coldingham, Berwickshire, 9th April Malvern, Worcestershire, 16th June Epping Forest, Essex, 22nd October Livermere, Suffolk, 4th April Ramsgate, Kent, 14th May Hunstanton, Norfolk, 29th August Spurn, Yorkshire, 9th May West Wickham, Kent, 21st November Holme, Norfolk, 26th September Formby, Lancashire, two, 16th October Porthgwarra, Cornwall, 25th September Appendix 2. Supplementary 1967 record not accepted 1( ■y - 3< Oi b( b i Greenish Warbler Calf of Man, 30th May Appendix 3. Supplementary list of 1969 records not accepted Buff-breasted Sandpiper West Kirby, Cheshire, 15 th September Bee-eater Homs Green, Kent, 7th to 28 th July Citrine Wagtail Wintersett Reservoir, Yorkshire, 21st April Appendix 4. Supplementary list of 1970 records not accepted Olivaceous Warbler St Agnes, Isles of Scilly, 16th to 20th September Greenish Warbler Portland, Dorset, 29th November Serin Hastings, Sussex, 4th March F. R. Smith, 1 17 Hill Barton Road, Exeter, Devon exi 3PP Wotes kittle Gull dip-feeding over upland fields On 22nd January 1972, t Barley-in-Pendle, Lancashire, I was fortunate to observe a first- /inter Little Gull Larus minutus following a flock of 24 Black-headed lulls L. ridibundus over the lower slopes of Pendle Hill. When the : ock finally landed, the Little Gull continued to fly in and among the 'flack-headed Gulls in an undulating manner, making repeated dips to I le ground, presumably to take small insects. The field was infested 1 y molehills which seemed to attract the bird, since it often deviated ! icom its flight path to pass over the mounds of earth. As it did so, it ppeared to stab at the surface, and on one occasion it hovered over a lound and repeatedly dipped down, disturbing a small amount of ' coil on each dip. I watched it feeding in this manner for 1 5 minutes; it ten flew off, passed over a small sheep farm, and immediately resumed ip-feeding on an adjacent field which had recently been manured and bviously harboured great quantities of insects. J. Driver .7 Midland Street, Nelson, Lancashire It is not unusual for Little Gulls to feed over coastal dunes and elds (see, for example, Scot. Birds, 1 : 365-366 and Sea Swallow , 19: 20 l Djr observations in Angus and Fife), but Pendle Hill is 40 km inland in le Pennines and reaches an altitude of 588 metres. Eds (7hite-winged Black Terns feeding over dry land Four recent otes (Brit. Birds, 62: 282; 63 : 34; 64: 32-33, 279) have dealt with Black Yerns Chlidonias niger feeding over dry land. On 28th April 1969, a rarm, sunny day with a light south-easterly wind, I watched about 60 I lack Terns and 20 White-winged Black Terns C. leucopterus feeding vver a saline lagoon near the mouth of the River Strymon in northern Greece. Several birds of both species flew to an area of long grass and ushes on firm ground about 200 metres from the water and hawked >r insects for some time before returning to the lagoon. Although I rbserved over 1,000 Black Terns and no White-winged Black Terns .1 Greece and southern Yugoslavia on ten days in late April and early day 1969, this was the only occasion on which I saw either species ceding away from water. R. A. Frost Langhurst Court, Ashgate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S40 4PE Correspondence on this subject is now closed. Eds ongenital bill deformity in nestling Swallow On 19th May 1971, hile ringing a brood of five Swallows Hirundo rustica at Little Plum- ead, Norfolk, I noticed that one of the nestlings had a congenital 355 3 5 6 Notes deformity of the bill. On closer examination it was apparent that the upper mandible, palate and tongue were all affected. The shape of the bill is illustrated in fig. i ; the palate was centrally cleft and the tongue bifid. Despite this handicap the bird later flew successfully along with the rest of the brood. During the following four months a total of 301 nestling Swallows were ringed and closely examined, and no other external congenital abnormalities were detected. Fig. 1. Bill of nestling Swallow Hirundo rustica from above, showing deformed upper and normal lower mandible In Dr D. E. Pomeroy’s paper ‘Birds with abnormal bills’ (Brit. Birds, 5 5 : 49-72) no similar deformity was described and indeed the Swallow was not mentioned as a species in which a bill deformity of any nature had been recorded, which seems surprising in view of the large number ringed annually. M. P. Taylor The Point , Sheringham, Norfolk Dr Pomeroy has commented: ‘Congenital abnormalities of the bill are not often recorded in wild birds. In the Domestic Fowl it is not unusual for all or part of the bill to be absent in an embryo, but these individuals usually fail to develop. Dr Taylor is probably right when he suggests that the hirundines seem to suffer much less from ab- normalities of the bill than most other families. One of the few records involving hirundines is, however, somewhat similar to his: it concerns an African Cliff Swallow H. spilodera with “degenerate lower mandible overlapped by the maxilla” (M. B. Markus, 1964, Ostrich, 35 : 68)’. Eds Carrion Crows mobbing Grey Herons It is well known that Carrion Crows Corvus corone corone will mob other bird species, and on several occasions I have observed a solitary crow walk directly to a Grey Heron Ardea cinerea, fly up vertically, hover just over its head, alight again, and repeat the performance several times. More interesting, I have twice seen mobbing behaviour involving actual contact. The first instance was near Otley, Yorkshire, on 4th January 1971, at 1 7. 1 5 hours BST when it was nearly dusk. Fifteen crows were feeding together in a ploughed field in which two herons were standing about 20 metres apart. All except three of the crows left the field. These three approached in cowering postures to within a metre of the nearest heron; one of them then sidled up to the heron and, after hesitating for a few seconds, quickly lunged forward and pulled at its tail before Jotes 357 . pidly retreating to join its fellows about half a metre behind. The iron ruffled its plumage and looked down at the crows. Several milar attacks within the next five minutes also involved the other /o crows. After the last of these, the heron shook itself, lowered its ings and slightly extended its neck: this resulted in all three crows trucking and flapping two metres away. The heron then returned to -5 original hunched posture. At 17.25 one crow began to walk away id within a minute all three had flown off. The second incident occurred at a standing-ground adjoining a iironry in north-west Yorkshire on 3rd March 1971, at 16.00 hours sST, on a cold but bright afternoon. It involved almost identical tihaviour; in this case three herons and two crows were standing in a r:oup about 30 metres from seven other herons. The crows approached uc nearest of the three and, in a hesitant manner, one of them I peatedly darted forward from a distance of about half a metre and ! tailed at its tail, retreating to join the other crow after each attack. fter six minutes the crows apparently lost interest in the herons and 1 alkcd away. T. R. Birkhead ; department of Zoology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne nei 7RU This behaviour is not infrequent (see, for example, Brit. Birds , j 5i : 167), but the above is an unusually detailed account. Eds bunnock feeding aphids to nestlings In April 1971 a Dunnock . Wunella modularis built a nest in my garden at Esher, Surrey; on 14th ie clutch was completed by the laying of the fourth egg. Four small < rid recently hatched young were present on 27th and 29th, but on sit May all were found dead and cold in the nest. At autopsy, Dr I. F. keymer reported that the alimentary tracts, especially the gizzard, 1 intained large numbers of aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae). Death was rrobably due to an acute type of pneumonia, the lungs appearing 1 ingested and consolidated. There was no evidence of any specific .y its majority vote in favour of a moratorium on whaling which, a couple of weeks ater, was duly rejected by the International Whaling Commission. Despite the emporary enthusiasm that such an international gathering aroused, disappointment ' vas inevitable. Areas of discussion were too wide; national interests clashed on particular items; those resolutions showing any signs of teeth soon had the points ' iled down. Conservation has to be by example, not by exhortation ; environmental 1 mprovements, like charity, begin at home, where alone can legislatures translate ■ vords into the deeds that might inspire other nations to follow suit. News and comment 360 Further bird strikes The R.A.F.’s vertical take-off Harrier jet fighters cost over £1 million each; four have crashed during the past few weeks and three of these accidents (one off the Norfolk coast, the other two in Germany) appear to have been due to bird strikes, though official investigations take a long time to complete. The R.A.F. are checking whether the Harrier’s Pegasus engine is for any reason especially vulnerable to bird ingestion; but this hazard is naturally greater for aircraft which fly much of the time at low altitudes. These latest incidents were simultaneous with correspondence in The Daily Telegraph, in which Dr J. J. M. Flegg stressed the bird-strike hazard at coastal airports with special reference to Foulness; it was clear that other correspondents still do not appreciate the special hazards attendant on a Thames estuary site or understand that the flat expanses of airports actually attract some species, particularly gulls. The moral is plain: when Foulness Airport is built, remember to book your flights from Heathrow. Fund-raising novelty Various charities have used the ‘sponsored walk’ gimmick in fund-raising ; the enterprising Norfolk Ornithologists’ Association has now mooted an adaptation of this idea in aid of its own funds. After a successful local venture of the same kind earlier this year, the aim is to persuade bird enthusiasts all over Britain to ask their friends to sponsor them by agreeing to pay ip for each species they identify on Sunday 3rd September, which is designated ‘Spot-the-Birds Day’. Proceeds will go towards extending the work of the N.O.A., which is mainly in the field of migration. Further information is available from Peter Clarke, Norfolk Ornithologists’ Association, Aslack Way, Holme-next-Sea, Hunstanton, Norfolk. I can foresee the idea being adopted by other natural history and conservation groups. Lerwick Council to improve Clickimin Loch The recent introduction of grants for the clearance of local eyesores in order to help relieve the unemployment situ- ation may threaten, as well as improve, local amenities. For example, generations of birdwatchers who have found themselves at a loose end waiting for transport in Lerwick, the capital of Shetland, have been in the habit of wandering out to inspect Clickimin Loch, with its broch and rubbish dump frequented by Glaucous and Iceland Gulls. Now that urban development is also expanding in that direction, it has occurred to the local council to improve the site. Few of us can seriously object to the removal of the dump from an area frequented by increasing numbers of people, but the first additional suggestion for the construction of a concrete cause- way out to an island in the loch frequented by gulls, to facilitate the sailing of model boats, caused a good deal of anxiety among local naturalists. The situation has apparently received further study with a view to the establishment of a recreational park around the loch, which may be left in a more natural state. With careful management, similar waters in such places as Reykjavik and Bergen (not to mention St James’s Park in London) have been turned into popular resorts for wildfowl, and it will be interesting to see what birds might visit a well-managed sanctuary close to Lerwick. (Contributed by Dr W. R. P. Bourne.) B.B.C. Wildlife Sound Archives I have been asked by the B.B.C. Natural History Unit to remind ornithologists that all correspondence relating to B.B.C. wildlife sound records should be addressed to J. F. Burton, B.B.C. Natural History Unit, Broadcasting House, Bristol bs8 2LR, and not to other B.B.C. staff members. Details of the availability of recordings for scientific use were published in Ibis, 109: 126. What price ‘The Zoological Record’ ? I wonder how many ornithologists were as outraged as I at the swingeing price increase announced for the Aves section of The Zoological Record, of which the volume dealing with 1969 literature has recently been issued. This publication has grown in size in recent years, in large measure through increased inclusion of trivia and a much expanded (now quite unnecessarily fern and comment 361 mplex) subject index ; so much so that one might almost imagine that its purpose to create employment rather than to provide a working bibliography. The 1968 cerature volume, of 262 pages, cost £3, but the latest one, of 297 pages, is priced at exorbitant £9; the sizes are comparable and increases in printing costs are far low this 200% rise. The publisher, the Zoological Society of London, was one of t: prime movers in the current trend towards excessive journal prices, the theory :rhaps being that, if a journal has a high enough reputation, university and other raries can be ‘milked’ to an extent which more than compensates for the inevitable ■ .s of private subscriptions. It will be tragic if this is allowed to happen to The ■ ological Record, an indispensable tool to amateurs as well as professionals. Until a *v years ago, there was an enormous fund of goodwill towards the Aves section tile it was being compiled promptly by an unpaid octogenarian. Is it too much to pc that it might again become, as it formerly was and ought to remain, a readily ulable service to all ornithologists ? By following this current trend, the Zoological i ciety is performing a disservice to the science of zoology. ■inions expressed in this feature are not necessarily those of the editors of British Birds cecent reports — May P. F. Bonham licse are largely unchecked reports, not authenticated records ny was remarkably cold, wet and windy — altogether a month of outstandingly bad ■lather. A shallow depression which drifted in at the end of April brought a pleasant ,iy Day with a light south-easterly breeze, but it quickly became cooler as this it ture moved away towards the Mediterranean. One compensation was winds trween north-east and south-east, bringing a good sprinkling of ‘eastern’ rarities, lantic depressions took over from 8th to 12th and, after three days of north- ■ tcrlics with a high to the west of Ireland, resumed control on 16th. The situation >idly worsened from 21st as pressure fell still lower over the Atlantic which, by ■ :h, was dominated by a single vast deep depression that persisted almost until the I of the month. !'E GALES OF 25TH-30TH >t surprisingly, this very stormy weather brought notable movements of seabirds. i 27th 8,000 Manx Shearwaters Puffmus puffinus (including at least one Balearic p. mauretanicus) and 410 Storm Petrels Hydrohates pelagicus, the latter a remarkable : al by any standards and particularly so in May, were recorded at St Ives (Corn- 11). Some peak counts in the Bristol Channel during this period included eleven 1 nnets Sula bassana (one grounded) off Sand Point and 1 8 off Brean Down (both merset) on 27th, 25 Storm Petrels and two Leach’s Oceanodroma leucorhoa off . ndv (Devon) on 28th and 415 Manx Shearwaters off Brean Down on 30th. Much ther north, passages of up to 500 Manx Shearwaters per hour at the Calf of Man 1 1 of 250 per hour at Handa (Sutherland) indicated the breadth of these movements ich were also noted on a smaller scale in the English Channel and North Sea. A nnet was captured at Jealotts Hill, Bracknell (Berkshire) on 26th and released on south coast next day; other inland reports of this species came from Farmoor servoir (also Berkshire), Eye Brook Reservoir (Leicestershire/Rutland) and Chew lley Lake (Somerset). In Derbyshire on 27th a Storm Petrel was found dead on a If course at Buxton and two Great Skuas Stercorarius skua flew south down the >yt valley; also on that date two Long-tailed Skuas S. longicaudus were seen in 362 Recent reports — May Shetland (there had been an earlier record of one caught on a Shetland fishing boat on 1 st) and single Red-necked Phalaropes Pbalaropus lobatus arrived at Pennington (Hampshire) and Havergate (Suffolk), each to stay until 31st. On 28th there was a remarkable flock of 23 adult Kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla at Barn Elms Reservoir (Surrey). The only unusual seabird reported outside this period was a Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea heading south off Sandwich Bay (Kent) on 7th. HERONS, STORKS AND IBISES A Purple Heron Ardea purpurea was reported at Tring Reservoirs (Hertfordshire) on 7th, a Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax at Black Horse Broad (Norfolk) on 25 th, and a Little Bittern Ixobrycbus minutus in the Medway estuary (Kent) on 20th. In view of these few occurrences of southern herons, the number of Little Egrets Egre/ta gar^etta was perhaps surprising and it is probable that much dupli- cation occurred: in the west, singles in the Exe estuary (Devon) from 9th to 22nd, heading north across the Bristol Channel at Brean Down on 17th, and in the Taw estuary (Devon) on 22nd; in the south, at The Gins (Hampshire) during 2ist-28th; and in the east, at Cley (Norfolk) until 7th and from 28th (two on 29th and 30th), at Breydon (Norfolk) during 4th-7th, at Havergate on 9th and at Minsmere (Suffolk) on 25th and 28th. Single White Storks Ciconia ciconia occurred at Cley on 6th-7th, at Aberlady Bay (East Lothian) on 8th-9th and in the Howick area (Northumberland) from 26th to at least nth June. Spoonbills Platalea leucorodia were reported in Sussex, Suffolk (three), Norfolk (two), Co. Durham (three or four) and Northumber- land, though again some duplication is likely. Reports of Sacred Ibis Tbreskiornis aethiopicus from six counties- — Wiltshire, Gloucester, Derby, Nottingham, Suffolk and Stafford in chronological order — during April-July presumably referred to one or more wandering escapes. DUCKS TO CRAKES Drake Blue-winged Teal Anas discors appeared at Lymington and Pennington Marshes (both Hampshire) on 21st and 29th respectively (probably the same indi- vidual) and Fairburn Ings (Yorkshire); and a Ring-necked Duck Aytbya collaris was found at Chew Valley Lake on 29th. A drake King Eider Somateria spectabilis frequented the Amble area (Northumberland) from 1st May through to July and another was seen at West Burra Island (Shetland) on 28th. Scoter passage at Dungeness (Kent) reached a peak on 7th when some 1,220 Common Melanitta nigra and 28 Velvet M. fusca were counted. Three Bean Geese Anser fabalis at Slains (Aberdeenshire) on 5 th were late. The rare raptors included an immature male Goshawk Accipiter gentilis in Cheshire on 8th; a Red Kite Milvus milvus at the Ouse Washes (Cambridgeshire/ Norfolk) on 22nd; Honey Buzzards Perm's apivorus at Cefn (Glamorgan) on 7th, on Fair Isle (Shetland) on 8th and 21st, at Teesmouth (Co. Durham) on 15th, and at Cley; a female Gyrfalcon FaJco rusticolus of the grey type in Speyside (Inverness- shire) on 10th; and female Red-footed Falcons F. vespertinus on Whalsay (Shetland) from 3rd to 6th and at Spurn (Yorkshire) on 9th. A Gyrfalcon at Ashridge (Hert- fordshire) on 1 6th April was omitted from the summary in Brit. Birds, 65: 268. About 30 Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus were reported from 16 localities in eleven counties, and 13 Montagu’s Harriers C. pygargus from nine places, the earliest at Minsmere on 2nd and at Portland (Dorset) and Dungeness on 4th. Ospreys Pandion haliaetus were rather scarce on passage, only eight being reported (26 in May 1970- Just six records of Quail Coturnix coturnix involved one at Eye Brook Reservoir on 14th, one on Cape Clear Island (Co. Cork) and two at Sandwich Bay on 21st, three and one at two localities in the Bristol area a week later and a third Kentish bird on 30th. A Crane Grusgrus wandered about Shetland during 6th-24th, 'cent reports — May 363 ng seen on Unst and Fetlar. A Spotted Crake P organa por^ana was a road ualty at Grimoldby (Lincolnshire) on 13th, the same day that one was discovered Unst where there were subsequently up to three. Corncrakes Crex crex occurred several localities in northern, midland and south-west England. .DERS TO TERNS nsmere’s 27 species of wader during May included the month’s highlights — a rek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus from 19th to 22nd, with a yellow ring on the left . ia and a red ring below a dark metal ring on the right tarsus, and two Broad- led Sandpipers Limicola falcinellus, one in transitional plumage from xoth to 20th 1 another in full summer plumage on 23rd. A second Terek Sandpiper was seen iCovenham Reservoir (Lincolnshire) on 31st. Apart from these rarities, it was her a mediocre May for waders. A total of about twelve Kentish Plovers - iradrius alexandrinus occurred at Dungeness, Swanscombe (Kent), Havergate, nsmere and Cley. Migrant Dotterel Eudromias morinellus included three on Lundy m 7th to 1 2th and one to 1 8th, ten on Danby Beacon (Yorkshire) on 7th and 25 at -cgular site in south-west Cambridgeshire on 8th. Wood Sandpipers Tringa " eola , Little Stints Calidris minuta, Temminck’s Stints C. temminckii and Curlew n ndpipers C. ferruginea were each reported from eight to ten places, totalling nine, 15 and 15 respectively; four of the Temminck’s were away from east coast uunties, at Upton Warren (Worcestershire) during ist-3rd, at Belvide (Stafford- re) on 14th and 16th, at Bray (Berkshire) on 20th and at Shotton (Flintshire) on r h-3 1st. Eleven Avoccts R ecurvirostra avosetta at Nethcrficld (Nottinghamshire) 22nd were quite exceptional. (.Good numbers of Pomarine Skuas Stercorarius pomarimu passed up-Channel at irtland, Beachy Head (Sussex) and Dungeness during ist-8th: 16 at Beachy Head di 13 at Dungeness on 1st and 2nd, 34 at Portland on 6th and 33 more at Dungeness 1 ring 5th-8th (19 on the last date). Rare gulls included an adult Franklin’s Gull ■rus pipixean at Minsmere on 16th (only the third British record, the others having can in Hampshire and Sussex in 1970) and an adult Sabine’s Gull L. sabini at St . :s on 28th. Passage of Black Terns Cblidonias niger continued on a small scale ough May, with a peak on 19th and 20th when 150 were reported from 16 places; Inite-winged Black Terns C. leucopterus occurred at Tcesmouth from 13th to t h, at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir (Glamorgan) from 23rd to 25th, at Rye Harbour .sssex) on 28th and at Pennington Marshes on 29th, and there was also a Gull- 1 led Tern Gelocbelidon nilotica at the last locality on 26th. Inland reports of Roseate rns Sterna dougallii came from Swarkestone (Derbyshire) on 8th, from Bough tech (Kent) on 25th and from Upton Warren on 28th and subsequently. AR-PASSERINES AND PASSERINES sub-adult female Snowy Owl Nyctea scandiaca was recorded on Fair Isle on 16th, > I one was regrettably shot in Anglesey during the month; there were several re- rts of non-breeders in Shetland as well as the nesting pair on Fetlar (these and aer publishable rare breeding birds will be covered in the next summary). Alpine i rifts Apus apus appeared at Saltash (Cornwall) in mid-month and at Buckie (Aber- enshire) on 27th, and Bee-eaters Merops apiaster at Middlesbrough (Yorkshire) on :h and at Gloup, Yell (Shetland) on 24th. Reports of Hoopoes L pupa (pops came m Caernarvonshire, Devon, Kent, Oxfordshire, Shetland and Somerset, and of lden Orioles Oriolus oriolus from Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Kent (five), tcolnshire, Norfolk (two) and Pembrokeshire. There were three Red-rumped •allows Hirtmdo daurica, at Radipole Lake (Dorset) on 6th, at Draycote Reservoir arwickshire) on 27th and at Sumburgh Head (Shetland) on 29th. 'May is often a month of marked influxes of birds that breed in Scandinavia, but 3 year these were very few and confined mostly to Shetland. Wrynecks Jynx juitla, for example, occurred on Fair Isle almost daily during 5th-24th, with a \ 364 \ 31 AUG 1972 aere were also ten c Recent reports — May maximum of seven on 7th ; there were also ten on the Out Skerries and five on Fetlar about that date, while odd oWs and twos were Seen at a dozen east and south coast localities as far south as Portend, largely during 5th-7th. Bluethroats Luscinia svecica were much scarcer, and ats«Jata*^in all about ten on Fair Isle and five elsewhere in Shetland, plus a few other singles, during 7th-28th. Icterine Warblers Hippolais icterina were reported only from Fair Isle (four) and Fetlar (one), from 26th onwards; Ortolan Buntings Emberi^a hortulana were a little more plentiful, with totals of five between Kent and Fair Isle during ist-6th and seven, all in Shetland, during I9th-2ist. Rustic Buntings E. rustica were reported on Holy Island (North- umberland) on 7th and on Fair Isle from 26th; the latter flew into a window on 29th and had to be cared for. There were single Grey-headed Wagtails Motacilla flava tbunbergi at Beddington (Surrey) on 7th and on the Out Skerries on 21st; a female Scarlet Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinns at Baltasound, Unst, on 29th; and four or five migrant Red-backed Shrikes Lanius collurio in Shetland, as well as two on the Yorkshire coast. Other unusual passerines included Black-bellied Dippers Cinclus c. cinclus at Wendover (Buckinghamshire) during 4th-8th and at Washington (Co. Durham) on 6th; Nightingales Luscinia megarbyncbos in north Lancashire and on the Calf of Man on 1 6th; two Melodious Warblers H. po/yglotta at Dungeness on 23 rd and 24th res- pectively; a Bonelli’s Warbler Pbyl/oscopus bone lli at Bolventor (Cornwall) and a Tawny Pipit Antbus campestris at Cley on 7th; Woodchat Shrikes Lanius senator at Tunstall (Yorkshire) on 6th and 7th, on Unst on 9th and at Porthgwarra (Cornwall) on 31st; and two or three Serins Serinus serinus in the Beachy Head area. Great Grey Shrikes L. excubitor in Norfolk, at Weybourne from 19th May to 13th June and at Brancaster on 29th, were unusually late, as was a Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus at Geosetter (Shetland) on 27th. This summary began with the seabird movements of 25th-30th, but there was another, far more surprising, casualty of the gales: an adult male Eastern Painted Bunting Passerina c. ciris picked up at Voe (Shetland) on 28th. It was in immaculate plumage, and a careful examination revealed no signs of its having been kept in captivity; it was extremely weak but has since recovered. One is tempted to suggest that it was a wild bird swept across the Atlantic in one of the deep, fast-moving lows that left the east coast of the U.S.A. during 23^-25 th, but against that is the fact that this species is rather a short-distance migrant and appears not to have been recorded north of Massachusetts, while it is also often kept in captivity in Europe. ADDITIONAL APRIL REPORTS As well as the Gyrfalcon mentioned on page 362, we have also received belated reports of a very late Smew Mergus albellus at Belvide, two Curlew Sandpipers at Leamington Spa Reservoir (Warwickshire) and a Golden Oriole at Ivinghoe Beacon (Buckinghamshire), all on 30th April; and of Serins at Cuffley (Hertford- shire) on 19th and at Selsey Bill (Sussex) on 26th. - BIG GAME & BIRDS - SAFARIS - 21 DAYS £465 VISITING THESE NATIONAL PARKS & GAME RESERVES Queen Elizabeth. Murchison Falls, Nairobi, Tsavo, Lake Manyara. Ngorongoro. Ser- •ngeti and Mara, in Uganda. 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Bird specimens mounted. Must be legally obtained. Harnser Taxidermy, I Guest wick, Norfolk. Cemlyn Bird Observatory. Open all year. Accommodation up to 6 in lux- ury caravan and annexe; electricity. Short weekends welcomed. Paradise for birdwatchers in beauty spot over- looking Cemlyn Nature Reserve and Wildfowl Refuge: 14 different ducks recorded, including Smew; also Manx, Sooty and Great Shearwaters, Fulmar, Storm and Leach’s Petrels, Gannet, Little Egret, Spoonbill, Red-necked Phalarope, Pratincole and other wad- ers, Great and Arctic Skuas, Little Gull, all terns, auks, Shore Lark, Richard's Pipit and Snow Bunting. Become Friend of Observatory for 75p (juniors 40p) and receive 7 newsletters a year and free pen. Bird-ringers welcome : heligoland trap in use. Write for de- tails to D. H. Coggins, Cemlyn Bird Observatory, Swn-y-Mor, Cemlyn Bay, nr Amlwch, Anglesey (phone : Cemaes Bay 244). BINOCULARS of QUALITY from Barr & Stroud *?SS GrOenkal ieiir SWIFT PENTAX ZEiss DIRECT All makes available: Swift Audubon 8.5 TO YOU AT ENORMOUS DISCOUNTS send s.a.e. for binocular or photographic price lists X 44, retail £45.00, our price £31.70. Saratoga 8 X 40, retail £29.00, our price £21.00. Ross Stepruva 9 X 35, retail £57.48, our price £39.00. Swift Super Tecnar 8 X 40, retail £18, our price £13.25. Zeiss 10 X 40B Dialyt, retail £119.62, our price £88.00. Nickel Supra telescope 15 X 60 X 60, retail £63.50, our price £47.50. All including case and post free. Seven-day approval service on binoculars and telescopes (payment with order). Callers welcome HERON OPTICAL COMPANY (BB8/72) 15 Shortcroft, Doddinghurst, Brentwood, Essex. Tel: Navestock 3498 (approximately October onwards Coxtie Green 73498) FRANK-NIPOLE BINOCULARS We stock all the better makes of binoculars, and we allow liberal discounts on them, but the ornithologist who insists on a good quality instrument at a reasonable cost will do well to consider any of the binoculars in the Frank-Nipole range. We have suffi- cient confidence in these fine instruments to guarantee them for a period of seven years, and the following pointers may be useful. The 8 X 30 model (priced at £12.50), which is approved by the Game Conservancy and also recommended by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, is both compact and light, and there- fore particularly suitable for the younger ornithologist and indeed for anyone to whom weight is of primary importance. Even smaller and lighter are two new Frank-Nipole models — the 10 X 40 (£16.80) and the 12 X 50 (£18.90); considering their high power and light transmission, they are remarkably light, compact and easy to handle. The dedicated ornithologist, however, unde- terred by a little extra size and weight, is inclined to remain loyal to our standard 10 X 50 model (£16.50). All these glasses are supplied complete with case and straps. There are now also three really large models available — the 9 X 63 (£30), the 12 X 65 (£32) and the 20 X 70 (£36); case, if required, £7 extra. The 9 X 63 and 12 X 65 can be hand-held but the 20 X 70 requires to be tripod-supported; a suitable tripod can be supplied for about £5. An invitation is extended to all readers of British Birds to apply for our free catalogue and a complimentary copy of Tell me, Mr Frank', a booklet which tells you everything you want to know about binoculars. 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Paton -s Reviews mncement by the Rarities Committee Ns and comment Recent reports — June lliume 65 Number 9 September 1972 35p British Birds Editorial Address io Merton Road, Bedford Telephone 0254 6yjjg Volume 65 Number 9 September 1972 365 The unprecedented westward migration of Curlew Sandpipers in autumn 1969 Dr P. I. Stanley and Dr C. D. T. Minton 381 Scarce migrants in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67 Part 8 Yellow-browed Warbler and Richard’s Pipit Dr J. T. R. Sharrock 392 British bird-photographers // William S. Paton Plates 53-60 NOTES 394 Bewick’s Swans feeding on waste potatoes and other agricultural crops Oscar J. Merne 395 Slender-billed Gull in Kent K. Redshaw 397 Voice of Little Auk in winter B. J. Brown 398 Great Spotted Woodpecker eating small mammal Patrick A. R. Cannings 399 Great Spotted Woodpeckers excavating holes in autumn R. P. Bagna/l-Oake/ey , and Airs G. J. P. Needham 400 Double-yolked egg of Skylark J. Walters 400 Red-eyed Vireo in Co. Cork Dr J. T. R. Sharrock and K. Preston REVIEWS 402 Gulls in Britain by Richard Vaughan R. A. O. Hickling 402 Histoire des Oiseaux d’ Europe by L. J. Yeatman Stanley Cramp 403 Announcement by the Rarities Committee D. I. AI. Wallace 404 News and comment Robert Hudson 406 Recent reports — June P. F. Bonham Robert Gillmor drew the Curlew Sandpipers (page 380) and Richard’s Pipit (page 392) Editors Stanley Cramp, I. J. Ferguson-Lees, P. F. Bonham, M. A. Ogilvie and D. I. M. Wallace Photographic Editor Eric Hosking News and Comment Robert Hudson, B.T.O., Beech Grove, Tring, Hertfordshire Rarities Committee F. R. Smith, 117 Hill Barton Road, Exeter, Devon exi 3PP Year’s subscription for 12 issues £4.50 post paid (overseas rate £4.80) from H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd, 1 5 Nicholas Lane, London EC4N 7BR Copyright © the authors and H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd. All rights reserved: reproduction or use without permission of the whole or any part of the contents, including text illustrations, is prohibited I «JohnGooders watchingTawny Eagles inThebes Mr. John Gooders, the celebrated ornithologist and Editor of 'Birds of the World’, is seen using his new Zeiss 10 x 40B binoculars. Mr. Gooders writes: “ I stare through binoculars all day long for weeks on end without eyestrain - try that with any binoculars other than West German Zeiss. The 10 x 40B meets all my other needs too; high twilight power for birds at dawn and dusk, superb resolution for feather by feather examination, and wide field of view. With no external moving parts they stand the rough treatment that studying birds in marsh, snow and desert involves - 1 can even use them with sunglasses without losing performance. Zeiss binoculars are not cheap - but they are recognised as the best by every ornithologist I know. The 10 x 40B is the perfect glass for bird watching”. 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Tel : 01 -636 8070 VI WOKS ON mos Catalogue on request WHELD0N & WESLEY LTD Lytton Lodge Codicote, Hitchin, Herts Zoological Record Section Aves 1969 (vol. 106) This indispensable bibliogra- phy, compiled by the staff of the Zoological Society of Lon- don, is an annual list of orni- thological literature in all parts of the world. Full references are given with authors and titles and they are indexed under species, subjects and countries. The latest issue covers 5,265 articles and books published mainly in 1969 and is obtain- able at a cost of £9 00 (pos- tage extra) from The Zoological Society of London REGENT’S PARK LONDON NWI BINOCULARS of QUALITY from DIRECT TO YOU ENORMOUS DISCOUNTS All makes available: send s.a.e. for binocular or photographic price lists Swift Audubon 8.5 X 44, retail £49.50, our price £36.00. Saratoga 8 x 40, retail £32.50, our price £24.40. Ross Stepruva 9 X 35, retail £57.48, our price £39. Swift Super Tecnar 8 X 40, retail £19.85, our price £14.85. Zeiss 10 X 40B Dialyt, retail £119.62, our price £88.00. Nickel Supra telescope 15 X 60 X 60, retail £63.50, our price £47.50. All including case and post free. Seven-day approval service on Callers welcome (BB9/72) binoculars and telescopes (payment with order). HERON OPTICAL COMPANY IS Shortcroft, Doddinghurst, Brentwood, Essex. Tel: Navestock 3498 (approximately October onwards Coxtie Green 73498) 11 Volume 65 Number 9 September 1972 British Birds The unprecedented westward migration of Curlew Sandpipers in autumn 1969 IP. I. Stanley and C. D. T. Minton NTRODUCTION iThe Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea has long been regarded in 1 Britain and Ireland as a passage migrant whose numbers fluctuate widely from year to year (Withcrby et at. 1938-41, Nisbet and Vine 1:956, Minton 1970). The passage in autumn 1969 was on a quite 1 [unprecedented scale, however, and as many as 407 were ringed and, 1 im most cases, also weighed and measured. A preliminary account of 1 his movement and an appeal for more records was published in this j ournal {Brit. Birds, 62: 503-504) and in BTO News (number 36, November 1969). The response was extremely good, information being received from over 250 localities and amounting to more than 1 119,000 bird-days. It is particularly valuable that sufficient daily records ;iire available from a number of sites to enable the passage to be described in detail. The object of this paper is to examine the reasons for this unusually liarge passage. In order to put it into perspective, an analysis of Euro- 1 :pean and African ringing data has been undertaken to elucidate the mormal migration pattern of the species. The north European weather situation during the 1969 passage is described and its influence dis- ' cussed. Weights of the birds trapped in Britain and Ireland are used to assess their lengths of stay and their probable destinations on departure. , fUANGE AND ANALYSIS OF RINGING DATA The Curlew Sandpiper breeds in northern Siberia from the Taimyr Peninsula east to Khatanga Bay and locally as far as the Kolyma River, between 77°N and 70°N; its main wintering grounds are the coasts of Africa south of the Sahara, India, Ceylon, Malaysia and 365 366 Curlew Sandpipers in autumn 1969 Barbados 5^ of ringing Finland Sweden Norway Denmark East Germany Belgium British Isles franco Ivory Coast South Africa Tunisia Juvenile ▼ All ringing in autumn (July • early October) except for Senegal (March) and South Africa (November • January) and Tunisia (May) Fig. 1. Recoveries of ringed Curlew Sandpipers Calidris ferruginea in the same autumn. The key refers to figs. 1-3. The number by each symbol shows the month of recovery Fig. 2. Recoveries of ringed Curlew Sandpipers Calidris ferruginea in a subsequent autumn. In addition, one ringed in Britain in autumn 1969 and recovered in south- west Russia (49°N, 29°E) in August 1971 was reported too late for inclusion Zurleiv Sandpipers in autumn 1969 367 3. Recoveries of ringed Curlew Sandpipers Calidris ferruginea in winter and > rpring. Note, however, that the one marked for the Ivory Coast was ringed there in March and recovered in France in autumn: in this case the ringing details are the more interesting Australasia (British Ornithologists’ Union 1971). Curlew Sandpipers ,rn partial or full breeding plumage occur in small numbers in Britain and Ireland during spring passage from late April to June. Adults on autumn passage are recorded as early as the third week of July but seldom after mid-August (Minton 1970). The bulk of the autumn records refer to juveniles and Nisbet (1957) calculated that the peak ■oassage over a six-year period at Cambridge sewage farm occurred about 9th September. This passage of juveniles may extend to the end : )f September, some even lingering into October. Approximately 5,500 Curlew Sandpipers had been ringed in Europe t o the end of 1970, the vast majority in Scandinavia, and there have s;o far been 64 recoveries away from the ringing site. Ringing in Africa has produced fewer distant recoveries — only five out of some 1 ),ooo. The number ringed in Fenno-Scandia in autumn 1969 was not 1 anusual, but in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Tunisia it was well above average and in Britain and Ireland more than the previous grand total. All 64 recoveries of European-ringed birds have been of 368 Curlew Sandpipers in autumn 196) individuals caught on autumn passage, their ringing dates — adults between 21st July and 10th August, and juveniles between 19th August and 2 1 st September — showing that the difference in the migration periods of the two age groups applies also to the rest of northern Europe. Nearly a third of those from Scandinavia have been adults, whereas almost all the birds ringed in Britain and Ireland have been juveniles, indicating that Britain is probably outside the normal autumn migration route of adults. The majority of the 29 recovered between August and November in the year of ringing had moved from Scandinavia through the southern Baltic and down the Continental seaboard towards Morocco (fig. 1). Only two had taken a more direct route through Europe towards Africa. The spectacular recovery in Barbados, after only 14 days, of one ringed in Belgium in autumn 1969 (Kuyken 1971) must be regarded as exceptional. The rate of migration is rapid, on average only 20 days elapsing between ringing and recovery. In September the recoveries are concentrated in France, and the comparative lack of them in Europe in October and November (and in Iberia at any time) indicates that, after a pause in north-west Europe, the birds probably fly direct to Africa. The absence of recoveries in south-west Europe from over 700 Curlew Sandpipers ringed in Britain and Ireland, and the large weight gains by birds caught on passage here (see later) strongly support this suggestion. In contrast, Dunlins C. alpina and Ringed Plovers Charadrius hiaticula, which accumulate smaller fat reserves before departure from Britain and Ireland, are recovered right down the Atlantic coast of Europe (Minton 1971). Twenty-five Curlew Sandpipers have been recovered between July and November more than a year after ringing (fig. 2). The majority were following a similar route to that taken by those recovered in the year of ringing, confirming that this passage down the Continental seaboard is a regular pattern. Four individuals recovered in south- west Russia were, however, on a more direct route to Africa; while six originally ringed in south-east France, Tunisia and South Africa appear to have been following an even more easterly path across Russia, possibly indicating that they had spent the summer farther east than those passing through western Europe. Recoveries in winter and spring are shown in fig. 3. The two winter ones were both in Europe and outside the main wintering range, but those recovered in Morocco in March and in Ghana in May, as well as an autumn recovery in France of one ringed on the Ivory Coast in the previous March, may be indicative of the wintering grounds. The majority winter in Africa where recovery rates are extremely low. Seven of the eleven recoveries in April and May were in the central Mediterranean region, indicating that a proportion of the population passing through the Baltic and down the Continental seaboard in .Curlew Sandpipers in autumn 1969 369 autumn takes a more direct route back to the breeding grounds in spring. This correlates well with observations in Tunisia, where the spring passage is much heavier than the autumn one (M. Lachaux in litt.), and on the Continental seaboard, where it is much lighter. There are no recoveries on the breeding grounds or even in the breeding season. 1THE 1969 PASSAGE IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND For the purposes of this analysis, Britain and Ireland have been split into nine areas in such a way that, wherever possible, major estuaries and other significant geographical features are not divided; the migra- tion pattern can then be examined for variations across the two countries. These divisions and the localities from which records were received are shown in fig. 4. The major problem in analysing a passage from daily counts is that not every day is covered at every site. A minimal estimate of the number present on each day during the build- up has therefore been arrived at by inserting the previous count for Fig. 4. Distribution of records of Curlew Sandpipers Calidris fcrruginea in Britain and Ireland in autumn 1969 370 Curlew Sandpipers in autumn 1969 Ireland in August-September 1969 up to the date of the peak in each area days when the site was not covered. By daily summation of all counts, whether observed or estimated, a continuous picture of the influx has been built up. This procedure can be used only where, as in eight of the nine areas in this case, actual daily figures are available from enough sites to suggest that the total rose steadily to a maximum, without significantly decreasing at any stage. The estimated numbers present each day in these eight areas (all except Northern Ireland) are shown in fig. 5, which also gives the dates of the peak counts. Table 1 records the weekly totals of bird-days throughout the passage, the week being taken to run from Wednesday to Tuesday inclusive to minimise weekend bias. The technique used to estimate the size of the population is invalid once the peak has been reached, but the pattern of decline can be seen in table 1 and in the daily counts at four sites plotted in fig. 6 on page 372. The early autumn passage of adults appears to have followed the normal pattern, small numbers being recorded mainly on the east coast of Britain; over 90% of the records before 14th August referred to adults. The first significant numbers of juveniles were noted on 15 th August in all areas except Wales and Northern Ireland. On 23 rd a notable influx occurred in all areas except Wales, the West and the Republic of Ireland (fig. 5) and the numbers built up steadily until the major influx that began on the evening of 26th. The total bird-days recorded and estimated for the week 27th August-2nd September were 9,203 and 17,008 respectively, over 72% of the records coming from the east coast of Britain. At least 3,500 Curlew Sandpipers appear to have been present on 31st August (fig. 5). The numbers in the South- west and the Republic of Ireland, though smaller than those in the >■ ■ r 1 . 1 ,1 . rrm ' *«w*v a* »? vwm^ iwiaio wt uuu~ua^ o x wcuiuvu iiuwiigmjut tut. auiumu i Ouy uaoouc^ ui ounw » jauupipu a s^u««u/ *•> j ct r Atgi/*cuy anu ui uuu-uaja estimated until the peak was reached The areas in the left-hand column are shown in fig. 4. The asterisks against Northern Ireland indicate that the data were too limited for analysis TOTALS RECORDED 29 Oct-4 Nov 22 Oct-28 Oct 15 Oct-2 1 Oct 8 Oct-14 Oct i Oct-7 Oct 24 Sep-30 Sep 17 Scp-23 Sep 10 Scp-16 Sep 3 Sep-9 Sep 27 Aug-2 Sep jo Aug-26 Aug 13 Aug-19 Aug 6 Aug-12 Aug 30 J11I-5 Aug 23 Jul-29 Jul 16 Jul-22 Jul 9 Jul-15 Jul sO r-- H O' On O' On T >r 0 IS MN 00 «* M* N M 0 1 O I ~ 1 - I 0 1 •*N 1 O 1 O 1 0 1 0 1 r 1 0 l O 1 0 1 0 1 O 1 O 1 0 1 0 1 H | r- 1 ^ 1 N | O' 1 O 1 O 1 s 1 VO | 1 S' 1 IS * r> 1 ~ 1 ~ 1 O 1 0 1 N O 1 1 HN I N | «^N 1 'tf- 1 ~ | O 1 O' | 't M | O I - | 00 | 00 | 0 l | O 1 ? • * N NO S 1 w 1 'O | OO | 1 s 1 O | O 1 m | '%■ 00 | £ * £ 1 ^ 1 00 1 £• 1 •TN SO r- 0 S' 5- 2 -*• SO 5* H •t O' ws 0^ -r 'S' 1 % * I? 1 N | - 1 0 NO 1 $ 00 NT 0 0 VN VN so - %» S' NO N N NO f** *TN p. «N 0 00 •»S N - _ ^ 2 0 O - 't OO •O M M OO N NO 8 S.'R n8 *r 0^ ** M H m" N " NO OO NO ££ OO M O OO ON NO H • NT H KN M M ** H 3 8 NO Vj- OO N NO O' OO O' 00 ■Nf OO IfN v-N 00 ^r M KN Nf O 00 O H M M n O' ■Nf ■Nf M 00 'f r- •es On +■ •- 0 N On e« O 1" kn ^ O '+ 0 7 M N M M 2 XI O m r-» N SO |1 3 | ■sl || ll |1 l ^ |1 11 u Z 1 § u Z 0 I u Z 5 c 0 .5 u Z 1 1 O £ 1 1 0 z 11 u z: C 1 u Z 1 I 0 ’ z <2i2 V ¥) oc w O w OS £ && U «e SC UJ K c3 && £c2 O ¥) cc z: O' On A N O N Q Z < - H O u c/5 H C/5 < H ci O 2 H C/5 W H 00 < W 1 R-* H D O C/5 H efl W H D O C/5 H C/5 W £ C- o - 0 2 y n Q Z C/5 H < j cs D < j t-3 < O - as a W tt 0^ H C 2 >— < 0^ H < 372 Curlew Sandpipers in autumn 1969 Fig. 6. Counts of Curlew Sandpipers Calidris ferruginea at four selected localities during August-September 1969. The dates at the foot refer to Britain and Ireland as a whole and represent the first significant influx of juveniles (15th August), the further major influxes in most areas (23 rd and 26th), the peak of the estimated numbers (31st) and the two main movements in September (4th-5th and I2th-i4th) areas bordering the North Sea, were equally unprecedented, and the scarcity of observers in Ireland probably means that even the estimated figures there are much too low. The date of the peak varied across Britain and Ireland: in all the areas bordering the North Sea it occurred between 30th August and 1 st September, whereas in the West and the Republic of Ireland maximum numbers were reached on 4th and nth September respec- tively. Two main movements appear to have taken place in September, during 4th-5th and i2th-i4th, the latter being most pronounced in Wales and Ireland. From table 1 it is evident that numbers declined rapidly after the peak counts, approximately halving each week until the end of September, but sites providing good feeding areas for Curlew Sandpipers apparently retained larger numbers for longer periods (compare, for example, Wisbech sewage farm with Donna Nook in fig. 6). Although most of the Curlew Sandpipers had departed by the end of September, 501, 14 and two bird-days were recorded in October, November and December respectively. 373 urlew Sandpipers in autumn 1969 llSS AGE IN OTHER COUNTRIES o reports of unusual numbers of Curlew Sandpipers ringed or jserved were received from Fenno-Scandia. Rettig (1970) noted . lusually large flocks in late August in the Dollart region of Germany -100 on 1 6th and 23rd and a peak of 750 on 31st — and unprecedented ambers were reported in Belgium during this period (Kuyken 1971). . R. Johnson (in litt.) has informed us of an exceptional passage of veniles through the Camargue, in south-east France, which reached peak on 28th August. M. Lachaux (in litt.) has provided information om the Tunis Wader Ringing Group which again shows an abnor- 1 ally large passage of juveniles around 26th August. These reports 1 ;dicate that the dates of the passage through Britain and Ireland, ■ ermany, Belgium, France and Tunisia were very consistent and that lis movement took place on an except. onal scale over a large part of estern Europe, but not in Fenno-Scandia. Sibson (1970) discussed some remarkably large influxes of Curlew aandpipers reported in New Zealand during the summer of 1969/70. hough unusual for that country, they were not exceptional for ustralasia as a whole, since Australia and Tasmania sometimes record large numbers; Sibson concluded, however, that this species had been I mjoying a series of successful seasons on its arctic breeding grounds. CEATHER IN NORTHERN EUROPE m August and September northern Europe, especially Fenno-Scandia, ! le Baltic and north-west Russia, is normally under the influence of j raticyclonic weather systems. Britain, too, sometimes comes under this ame influence, but the western seaboard of Europe is always liable d> be affected by low pressure moving in from the Atlantic. From 1 st to 13 th August 1969 the weather in northern Europe was 1 epical in being largely determined by a relatively static high-pressure ' astern centred over Scandinavia. By 16th August Europe was still rnjoying anticyclonic weather, but a low-pressure system was moving 1 orth in the central North Atlantic and another existed at approximately o°N, 70°E over arctic Siberia. Both developed into full-scale depres- ions and the Atlantic system drifted east so that by 21st August it I i/as over southern Sweden. Britain and Ireland were in an unstable 1 ortherly airstream which persisted until the situation by midday on 3rd appeared as in fig. 7a. The twin-centred cyclonic system over i outhern Scandinavia and Finland produced very overcast conditions nroughout much of the region, while strong winds swept to the west nd south over northern Fenno-Scandia, the North Sea and Britain. I ’his weather pattern had dispersed by 24th August, but it reformed ; uring 26th to produce a similar, but even stronger, system by midday ■n 27th as in fig. 7b: the abnormal situation then persisted until dis- upted by a high-pressure system on 30th. Thus, virtually continuously 374 Curlew Sandpipers in autumn 1969 Fig. 7. North European weather situation at 12.00 hours on (a) 23rd August and (b) 27th August 1969 Fig. 8. Weights of Curlew Sandpipers Calidris ferruginca trapped in four areas of Britain and Ireland in August-September 1969 375 i Curlew Sandpipers in autumn 1969 rom 26th to 30th, the cyclonic systems produced an uninterrupted asterly wind corridor, with overcast conditions, from north Russia ight across the Baltic and northern Scandinavia as far as Britain, where it became northerly. After 30th high pressure moved in from the Atlantic to be over Britain by 6th September and the next northerly 1 irstream from Scandinavia was not felt until 12th; this did not persist 1 nd a high-pressure system soon became re-established over northern Europe. WEIGHT DATA AND THEIR INTERPRETATION The weights of migrants are often useful in throwing more light on he patterns of arrivals, in estimating their lengths of stay and in predicting their likely destinations. Eight adult and 326 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers caught in Britain und Ireland during the 1969 influx were weighed; 17 were also re- rapped and weighed again before departure. The mean weights ncreased steadily from 23 rd August to the last sample on 17th Septem- ber (fig. 8). In the first major influx at Wisbech sewage farm, on 23rd August, the average weight of ten birds was 5 1 gm, while two addi- 1 ional individuals weighed 87 gm and 91 gm; the latter were probably rcemnants of an earlier movement, since Curlew Sandpipers had been present there in small numbers since 9th August. Pearson et at. (1970) fbave the mean winter weight in Kenya as 47.3 gm, while Thomas and IDartnall (1970) provided a formula that indicates mean weights of 557 gm for males and 60.7 gm for females wintering in Tasmania. The Latter authors, however, noted some subcutaneous fat and thus the figure of Pearson et at. is probably a better estimate of lean weight. On tbhis basis, those arriving at Wisbech on 23rd August had almost com- pletely consumed their fat reserves during the preceding stage of their rmigration. Conversely, the five heaviest birds on 30th and 31st August were double the suggested lean weight. New low-weight birds continued to arrive until 31st August. Thus Ibetween 28th and 30th at Holbeach Creek, Lincolnshire, although the ;peak in the weight distribution had shifted upwards (and three retraps had gained an average of 7.3 gm), the proportion of birds weighing less than 60 gm had not altered (fig. 9a). Not until 2nd September did tthe distribution of weights change significantly. A comparison between •the weights at Wisbech on 31st August and 6th September (fig. 9b) shows the marked build-up and confirms the cessation in new arrivals early in this period that is suggested by the counts presented in figs. 5 and 6. The skewed distribution of the later histograms is typical of birds putting on weight before onward migration. Differences in dates of arrival in various parts of Britain and Ireland are apparent from the weight data, especially in the Irish Sea area where the first catch was not made until 8th September and the comparatively high weights 1 PERCENTAGE OF POPULATION 376 Curlew Sandpipers in autumn 1969 Fig. 9. Weights of juvenile Curlew Sandpipers Calidris ferruginea (a) at Holbeach, Lincolnshire, on 28th August (59 birds) and 30th August (50); and (b) at Wisbech sewage farm, Lincolnshire/Norfolk, on 31st August (74) and 6th September (30) suggest either that the birds had been present for a considerable period or that they had arrived after partial fattening elsewhere in Britain. The weights of the 17 Curlew Sandpipers that were retrapped and weighed again are shown in fig. 10. The rate at which they put on weight seems to have decreased as the autumn progressed. Thus, four retrapped before the end of August had gained an average of 3.9 gm per day (range 3.0-4. 5 gm), whereas the rate of increase of twelve retrapped on 6th September averaged 2.6 gm per day (range 1. 2-4.0 gm) and one individual had even lost weight. It is not clear whether this difference was general and, if so, whether it was associated with a change in the food supply or some other factor. From fig. 9 it seems that most Curlew Sandpipers attained a weight of at least 75 gm before departure, which would be an addition of over 5 5 % to the lean weight suggested by the data of Pearson et al. The very heavy birds which were trapped in the last week of August Zurlew Sandpipers in autumn 1969 377 50 - 23 24 25 20 27 AUGUST 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 SEPTEMBER 5 7ig. 10. Weight changes of Curlew Sandpipers Calidris ferruginea retrapped on the 'Wash and at Wisbech sewage farm, Lincolnshire/Norfolk, during the 1969 influx aind showed fat reserves proportional to a 115% increase in body vweight may have been deterred from leaving by the adverse weather already described; no birds weighing more than 90 gm were caught after 31st August, when the weather cleared. On the other hand, the high weights of a sample of ten adults caught at Wisbech sewage farm con 14th August 1971 (mean 92 gm, range 89-97 gm) may suggest that t :hose on passage in August generally attain higher departure weights tchan those in September, or that there may be an age difference. In 1969 Curlew Sandpipers must have stayed a minimum of seven to t:en days to replenish their fat reserves, while some individuals exhibit- : ng a relatively slow rate of weight increase could well have remained ic'or up to three weeks. These estimates are compatible with the rapid Call-off in numbers after the last main influxes at the end of August, boy which time the early arrivals had been present for seven or eight edays, and with the almost complete disappearance of the main con- centrations by the third week in September. Nisbet et al. (1963), working on passerines, estimated the rate of consumption of fat reserves during migration as 0.6-1. 3 gm per 100 gm of body weight per hour. If this can also be applied to waders, assuming a minimum take-off weight of 73 gm, a typical landing weight of 50 gm, ai flight speed of 70-75 km per hour and a rate of fat consumption of 1 gm per 100 gm per hour, Curlew Sandpipers departing from Britain 378 Curlew Sandpipers in autumn 1969 and Ireland would have a potential range of about 3,000 km. The distance from the Wash to north Africa is only 2,000 km: thus most birds should have been capable of reaching the African coast in a single flight, given reasonable weather conditions. The absence of recoveries in continental Europe suggests that this is what they did. On the same calculation, the heaviest birds (95-100 gm on take-off) would theoretically have been able to fly the 5,000 km to Senegal without stopping. DISCUSSION In considering the reasons behind the influx, it is logical to examine the breeding success of this species in 1969. Unfortunately there is no direct evidence, but from the large number of juveniles observed in Europe and also in New Zealand one may conclude that the species had at least a satisfactory breeding season and possibly a very good one. The two major influxes of juveniles that began on 23 rd and 26th August corresponded directly with the formation of the low-pressure weather systems described earlier. From the subsequent weather patterns, from the geographical distribution of the records, from the timing of the build-up and movements in different parts of Britain and Ireland, and from weight data, it seems that the majority made a landfall on the east coast of Britain while a small proportion overflew the coast and continued in a south-westerly direction, and that some birds, after pausing in the east of Britain to feed and put on weight, continued to move west. The later peak in numbers in western Britain and especially in Ireland may well have been due principally to the latter factor. Norrevang (1955, 1959) and others have suggested that juvenile waders are more easily influenced than adults by the weather. He found that occurrences of juvenile Dunlins of the nominate race in southern Norway could be explained almost exclusively by westward and north- ward displacement from the Russian population by Baltic weather conditions. Nisbet and Vine (1956) related the large movement of Curlew Sandpipers in autumn 1953 to an unstable low-pressure system centred to the west of Denmark, a weather pattern similar to that prevailing in late August 1969 but without the low pressure farther east to reinforce the easterly wind flow. The 1953 system quickly degenerated into a weak trough, which may also help to explain why that movement was on a smaller scale than the one in 1969. A feature of the latter influx was the persistence for so long of what is normally a very unstable meteorological situation. The peak of the movement occurred more than a week earlier than the average peak passage date calculated by Nisbet (1957) for the years 1950-55 at Cambridge; it may be that the weather conditions encouraged an unusually rapid migration of juveniles across northern Europe. 'urlew Sandpipers in autumn 1969 379 Previous influxes of Curlew Sandpipers have often been associated \ /ith movements of Little Stints Calidris minuta and Ruffs Pbilomachus 1 ugnax (see, for example, Nisbet and Vine 1956). This was not the case : 1 late August 1969, though by mid-September Little Stints were , rriving in moderate numbers, including 50 at Teesmouth on 13 th and 53 at Sidlesham, Sussex, on 21st. Since Little Stints and Ruffs do not 1 hare the same breeding range as Curlew Sandpipers, it is probable hat the timing of their migrations did not happen to coincide with the •xceptional weather conditions in the last week of August. The peak ■assagc of Ruffs tends to be slightly earlier, while that of Little Stints ..ormally occurs later in mid-September (Nisbet 1957). Thus, in conclusion, it is considered that the probable cause of the unprecedented Curlew Sandpiper passage in autumn 1969 was a larticularly persistent and complex low-pressure weather system over northern Europe which coincided with the main migration of juveniles, nossibly following a good breeding season. In overcast conditions, ..irge numbers were deflected west over the Baltic and northern Scandi- navia and south-west across the North Sea into Britain and Ireland. UCKNOWLEDGEMENTS tt has been the practice in many previous papers dealing with abnormal migrations ■ 0 include details of records and observers. The scale of the passage in this instance 1 takes it impossible to list and acknowledge those concerned individually, but ive nevertheless wish to thank everyone who sent in observations. We must 'Specially thank Major R. F. Ruttledge for collating and supplying records from the Republic of Ireland. We are grateful to those ringers, in particular members >t>f the Wash Wader Ringing Group, who submitted measurements. We arc also indebted to the various ringing schemes in Europe and Africa, especially the •wedish one, for making available unpublished ringing and recovery data. Finally, v/e should like to thank P. J. Knight for assistance with the analysis. UMMARY i "he unprecedented influx of juvenile Curlew Sandpipers Calidris ferruginea in Britain and Ireland during late August and early September 1969 is analysed with ounts from over 250 localities, these amounting to more than 19,000 bird-days. The principal arrivals took place on 23rd and 26th August, and at the peak on 31st t least 3,500 were present, over 72% of the records coming from the east coast of Britain. The number trapped and ringed, 407, was more than the previous grand otal. The date of the peak varied across Britain 3nd Ireland, occurring during oth August-ist September in Scotland and in all eastern and southern parts of England, on 4th September in north-wrest England and even later in Wales and : reland. Exceptional passages were also noted in parts of Germany, Belgium, France i nd Tunisia in late August 1969. An analysis of all available ringing data indicates a regular autumn migration oute through the Baltic and down the Continental seaboard to Africa, some aking a more direct line back across the central Mediterranean in spring. The : •xceptional influx in 1969 appears to have been due to a migration unusually far o the west, this being caused by abnormally persistent cyclonic weather systems centred over the Baltic and north Russia coinciding with the departure of juvenile l lurlcw Sandpipers from their breeding grounds. There is some evidence, too, that 380 Curlew Sandpipers in autumn 1969 in 1969 the species had had a successful breeding season. Weight data indicate that the resting migrants were increasing their weight at up to 7% per day and calculations suggest that most of them accumulated sufficient fat reserves in seven to ten days to fly direct to north Africa; these estimates are compatible with the rapid decline in total numbers during September, approximately halving each week of that month, although 501, 14 and two bird-days were recorded in October, November and December respectively. REFERENCES British Ornithologists’ Union. 1971. The Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland. Oxford. Kuyken, E. 1971. ‘Een Krombekstrandloper {Calidris ferrugined) na twee weken terug- gemeld op de Kleine Antillen (Am.)’. Gerfaut, 61 : 162-163. [English summary.] Minton, C. D. T. 1970. ‘Curlew Sandpiper’. Birds of the World: 946-947. 1971. Wash Wader Kinging Group Report, 1970. Nisbet, I. C. T. 1957. ‘Wader migration at Cambridge Sewage Farm’. Bird Study, 4: 131-148. , Drury, W. H., Jr, and Baird, J. 1963. ‘Weight-loss during migration’. Bird-Banding, 34: 1 07-1 59. and Vine, A. E. 1956. ‘Migration of Little Stints, Curlew Sandpipers and Ruffs through Great Britain in the autumn of 1953’. Brit. Birds, 49: 121-134. Norrevang, A. 1955. ‘Rylens ( Calidris alpina (L.)) traek i Nordeuropa’. Dansk Orn. Foren. Tidsskr., 49: 18-49. [English summary.] I959- ‘The migration patterns of some waders in Europe, based on the ring- ing results’. Vidensk. Medd. Dansk Naturh. Foren., 121: 181-222. Pearson, D. J., Phillips, J. H., and Backhurst, G. C. 1970. ‘Weights of some Palaearctic waders wintering in Kenya’. Ibis, 112: 199-208. Rettig, K. 1970. ‘Grosse Ansammlung von Sichelstrandlaufern ( Calidris ferrugined) am Dollart’. Orn. Mitt., 22: 219. Sibson, R. B. 1970. ‘Curlew Sandpipers in New Zealand 1969-70’. Notornis, 17: 291-296. Thomas, D. G., and Dartnall, A. J. 1970. ‘Difference in size between the sexes of the Curlew Sandpiper’. Emu, 70: 89. Witherby, H. F., et al. 1938-41. The Handbook of British Birds. London, vol. 4: 242. Dr P. I. Stanley, M.A.F.F. Pest Infestation Control Laboratory, Hook Rise South, Tolworth, Surbiton, Surrey kt6 7NF Dr C. D. T. Minton, Sj St John’s Hill, Shenstone, Lichfield, Staffordshire "Scarce migrants in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67 \jj. T. R. S bar rock iPart 8 Yellow-browed Warbler and Richard’s Pipit This series now turns to two Asiatic species which are of regular occurrence in western Europe; they further have in common a recent upsurge of British and Irish records. The general introduction to these papers (Brit. Birds, 62: 169-174) provides an essential background, especially as regards the sources of bias in these data. ^Yellow-browed Warbler Pbylloscopus inornatus The Handbook (1938-41) was able to describe the Yellow-browed Warbler as an ‘Almost regular passage-migrant in very small numbers (more numerous some years than others) along E. coasts Great Britain and in Fair Is. from mid-Sept. to late Oct. . . . Has occurred very rarely sin west and once in Ireland.’ This statement would still apply today, 'though, with the Isles of Scilly and parts of southern Ireland now rreceiving very much greater attention than was the case in the first tthree decades of this century, Yellow-browed Warblers have been tfound to occur regularly in the west as well as in the north and cast of Britain. A total of 275 was recorded in the ten years, but this included an exceptional influx of about 128 in 1967 and in the other nine years rnumbers varied from three to 31, averaging 16 per year (fig. 105). The records were entirely confined to the autumn (mid-September to nearly December), with 87% in the six weeks from 10th September to 2 1 st October (fig. 106). The Handbook listed five seen in April and May, ibut none of these is now regarded as fully acceptable (British Orni- rthologists’ Union 1971) and there has been no subsequent spring record in Britain and Ireland. The species was fairly widespread in the ten years, being noted in 27 i counties. All but one of these counties were coastal, however, while Fig. 105. Annual pattern of Yellow- browed Warblers Pbylloscopus inornatus in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67 (all autumn) 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 38l 20- 382 Scarce migrants: Yellow-browed Warbler JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Fig. 106. Seasonal pattern of Yellow-browed Warblers Phylloscopus inornatus in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67 31% of the records were in Shetland and a further 19% in Yorkshire and Co. Cork. Co. Durham, Isles of Scilly, Kent, Norfolk, Northum- berland and Fife, in descending order of frequency, were the only others to average more than one per year (fig. 107). Yellow-browed Warblers breed in Asia from the northern Urals east to Anadyr, the Sea of Okhotsk and Ussuriland, northern Mongolia and the mountains of Russian and Chinese Turkestan to north-east Afghanistan and the north-western Himalayas (Vaurie 1959 and see fig. 1 in Rabol 1969a); they are one of the commonest birds in Siberia (Dementiev and Gladkov 1951-54). The wintering area extends from Afghanistan, India, southern China and Indo-China to the Malay Peninsula. Rudebeck (1956) suggested that a small proportion of the population must migrate south-westwards for displacement to occur into western Europe. Nisbet (1962) showed that some of those on Fair Isle had occurred when depressions were situated over southern Scandinavia and postulated that they arrived with north-east winds round the northern sides of such low pressure areas. The westernmost populations mostly lie north of 6o°N, however, and the generally northerly distribution of the British and Irish records led Rabol (1969a), who examined the 1951-67 ones in comparison with those of the more southerly breeding Pallas’s Warbler P. proregulus, to conclude that the patterns mirrored the breeding ranges: he postulated that the west European occurrences were due to reverse migration in a west- ward direction by a part of the population. Previous papers in this series have shown that there is a strong tendency for occurrences of eastern vagrants to be later in south-west Britain and Ireland than in eastern and northern Britain. This is also true of Yellow-browed Warblers: 56% of the Scottish records were before the beginning of October, compared with 38% of those in the 'carce migrants: Yellow-browed Warbler 383 40-45 46-51 52-58 59-65 66-72 73-79 80-86 F?ig. 107. Distribution by counties of Yellow-browed Warblers Pbylloscopus inomatus in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67 oast of England from Northumberland south to Suffolk and only 13% of those in the south-west (south-west England, Wales and the south of Ireland) (fig. 108). The peak in the south-west was a fortnight | datcr than in Scotland and, indeed, the situation is similar to that in the Greenish Warbler P. trochiloides (Brit. Birds, 64: 303-306). Several of the arrivals of Yellow-browed Warblers in Britain and 384 30- Scarce migrants: Yellow-browed Warbler SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER Fig. 108. Seasonal pattern of Yellow-browed Warblers Phylloscopus inornatus during 1958-67, with the records in Scotland, the east of England (Northumberland to Suffolk) and the south-west (south-west England, Wales and the south of Ireland) shown separately Ireland have received individual treatment already (Williamson 1959c, 1961c, 1962c, 1963b). The two largest movements deserve some men- tion here, however, especially since the size of the 1967 one provides sufficient data for analysis of a single year’s records, which is bound to give a clearer picture than if those for ten years are amalgamated. All but eight of the 31 in i960 appeared within a two-week period (fig. 109 upper) and included simultaneous falls at Fair Isle (Shetland) and Cape Clear Island (Co. Cork) on 27th September, followed by a further arrival at the Irish station only on 30th September and 1st October. The Fair Isle birds came with northerly or north-easterly winds, but both the arrivals at Cape Clear Island coincided with very strong south-easterlies. The situation was entirely different in 1967, when most of the 128 Yellow-browed Warblers were spread over an extended period of seven weeks (fig. 109 lower); there was none in Ireland and only one in south-west England until four weeks after large east coast and Scottish arrivals. Because of the meteorological situation, some of those which appeared later in Ireland were con- sidered to be filtering south after the earlier arrivals in the north and east (Ferguson-Lees and Sharrock 1967), but it should be noted that Cape Clear Island, the only Irish station where Yellow-browed Warb- lers are regularly observed, was unmanned during 22nd-28th October Fig. 109 {opposite). Regional distribution by seven-day periods of Yellow-browed Warblers Phylloscopus inornatus in Britain and Ireland in i960 (top eight maps) and 1967 (bottom eight). It should be noted that Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork, was unmanned during 22nd-28th October 1967 and, therefore, that the blank for the south of Ireland at that time is not a negative record 'arce migrants: Yellow-browed Warbler 8 -14 Oct 10-16 Sep 8 -14 Oct 15 -21 Oct 17-23 Sep J 24-30 Sep 15-21 Oct 3«5 22-28 Oct 29 Oct -4 Nov l-70ct 22-28 Oct 29 Oct -4 Nov «*•••••• 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 386 Scarce migrants: Yellow-browed Warbler 1967. The east of England showed a pattern intermediate between those of Scotland and the south-west (as in fig. 108). This 1967 invasion was also noted elsewhere in Europe. Two caught at separate localities in Belgium on 22nd October (de Cock de Rameyen and Flamand 1968) and three at the Coto Donana, Spain, on 21st and 3 1 st October and 13th November (Valverde 1968) were the first records for those two countries. In the Netherlands, where only 27 had pre- viously been recorded, there were as many as 34 between 21st Septem- ber and 13 th December, 22 of them in October, and also one extremely early bird on 13th July (Tekke 1968). The records in the Netherlands formed a pattern intermediate between those of the east of England and the south-west of Britain and Ireland: September records made up 73% °f the total in Scotland, 5 1% in the east of England, 26% in the Netherlands and 3% in the south-west of Britain and Ireland. The records in Britain and Ireland in the ten years (together with those in the Netherlands in 1967) formed a pattern which could be explained in three ways, even after assuming that Rabol (1969a) was correct in deducing that the major cause of arrivals is reverse migra- tion: these are shown diagrammatically in fig. 1 10. First (A), after early arrivals in the north of Scotland, the later peaks in the east of England, the Netherlands and the south-west could have been due to birds filtering south or even turning south on a southern standard direction. Second (B), after early arrivals in the north of Scotland, the later peaks in the east of England and the Netherlands could have been due to birds filtering south and those in the south-west of Britain and Ireland could have been some of these subsequently displaced northwards and north-westwards by south-easterly winds. Third (C), one could postulate that reverse migration occurs on a broad front, but that the southern part of the Yellow-browed Warbler population lags behind the northern for one of three reasons: (i) because they start later, (ii) because they have a greater distance to travel or (iii) because the ‘centre of gravity’ of the population shifts southwards as time progresses (so Fig. no. Diagrammatic representation of three possible explanations of the vagrancy pattern of Yellow-browed Warblers Pbylloscopus inornatus in western Europe. The thick solid arrows represent movements mostly in September and the thin broken ones those mostly in October : a fuller explanation of A, B and C is given in the text Plates 54 and 55. Above, female Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula by nest, Yorkshire, May 1971. Upper right, Robin Erithacus rubecula at bait in rotten wood, Ayrshire, December 1964; lower, female Reed Bunting E mberixfl schoeniclus by nest in spruce over a metre from ground, Ayrshire, July 1967 (pages 392-394) (1 William S. Pa/on) Plate 53 (over). Peregrine Fa/co peregrimts, Ayrshire, May 1970 (William S. Patou) Plate 56. Gannet Sula bassana and downy chick in nest high over sea, Ailsa Craig, July 1964. Below, female Eider Somateria mollissima leading her four rather damp and bedraggled ducklings over rocks, Fame Islands, July 1969 ( William S. Pa/on) Be: Pi. ate 57. Oystercatcher Haematopus ostrctlegus beside river, Ayrshire, June 1969. Below, part of Hock of Coots Fulica a Ira and two Tufted Ducks Aytbya fuligula on partially frozen lake, borders of Ayr and Lanark, January 1 962 (I V illiam S'. Pa/on) QUi WS^TTi • ?j6*\ 8 w ■ m fl'i 9 Jr " ", 1 / it ‘ r 0' v •> |y^p ) . n^KferfjSj Fyj^r». S3?' ••.. Pi. ate 6o (over). Blue Tit Paras caeruleus, Ayrshire, January 1962 (11 illiam S. Pa/on Plates 58 and 59. Upper left. House Martin Delicbon urbica banking p; food in bill and feet forward for landing, Ayrshire, July 1964; lower. Harrier Circus cyaneus preening, Orkney, June 1967. Below, straight 1 Sandwich Terns Sterna sandvicensis on nests, Ayrshire, May 1965 (If iUi Scarce migrants: Yellow-browed Warbler 387 that those that start later are automatically starting from farther south). In the case of the situation shown in C, those in the south-west of Britain and Ireland could have arrived as a direct part of the main movement, or been displaced by southerly or south-easterly winds from north-west France, or even been following a northerly course on a reoriented reverse migration. Rabol (1969a) concluded that the south-west tendency in late autumn could point to a random dispersal from the main areas of arrival in Scotland and east England or could be a manifestation of the then southerly standard direction, thus favouring A. In my view, however, all three possibilities probably contribute to the pattern, but C is by far the most important. It is the direct inverse of the situation found in British and Irish records of Hoopoes Upupa epops in spring (and probably of many other species if these were examined in detail), where there are initial arrivals in the south-west followed by others farther along the English south coast and in the south-east, as well as continuing influxes in the south-west, and finally arrivals along the whole east coast, increasingly more northerly as time progresses (Brit. Birds, 62: 175-182). It seems likely that both patterns reflect the origins of new birds rather than onward passage of the same individuals. Richard’s Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae The Handbook (1938-41) noted that over 100 Richard’s Pipits had been recorded up to 1940, chiefly in September-December but also in January-May, mostly in the English south coast counties, in Norfolk and on Fair Isle. At least 212 were recorded during 1958-67, but this total should be regarded with caution because of the difficulty of eliminating duplication. In 1967, for instance, there were 78 bird-days but probably only 15 individuals in the Spurn area of Yorkshire (Fenton and Cudworth 1968) and 64 bird-days but probably only 22 individuals at Fair Isle, Shetland (Dennis 1968). It is even more difficult to estimate the numbers involved at localities which, unlike these, do not have an observatory daily log and a resident warden. In the ten years there were six records in April-May and the rest 35i — JAM FEB mar APR MAY JI'N JUl AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Fig. in. Seasonal pattern of Richard’s Pipits An/bus novaeseelandiae in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67 Scarce migrants: Richard's Pipit J J i_J i I i i i j i l I 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 SPRING AUTUMN Fig. 1 1 2. Annual pattern of Richard’s Pipits Ant bus novaeseelandiae in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67 with the spring and autumn records shown separately extended from the end of August to early January (fig. 1 1 1). Over 72% fell in the six- week period 17th September-2 8th October, but there were also substantial numbers through November. Since there were several December records but none in February or March, the single bird in January (in Kent on 3rd January 1961) is regarded throughout this paper as a late autumn i960 record. Although the average in the ten years was 21 per year, this is a relatively meaningless figure, since there were exceptional influxes in the autumns of 1966, with 32, and 1967, with 122 (fig. 112). Although strictly outside the scope of this paper, it should be noted that further large influxes occurred in 1968 (130-150), 1969 (over 50) and 1970 (95-120). These recent dramatic events have coloured our view of Richard’s Pipits and it may be sobering to reflect that during the eight years 1958-65 there was an average of only six per year, compared with over 100 per year in the four years 1967-70. There is no doubt that many observers have now gained experience which is increasingly enabling them to identify this species with shorter views and even by flight-call alone. Therefore, one may expect recent and future totals to be more realistic than past ones, especially those before the publica- tion in this journal of a guide to the identification of the larger pipits (Williamson 1963d) and subsequent correspondence on the subject (Harber 1964a, Sorensen, Kramshoj and Christensen 1964, Davis 1964), when Richard’s Pipits were considered to be easily confusable with Tawny Pipits A. campestris. Even during the last three years of the ten (1965-67) and subsequently, however, Richard’s Pipit has remained something of a problem species and the rejection rate of the 388 120- UO— 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 I I I Scarce migrants: Richard's Pipit 389 records submitted to the Rarities Committee during 1958-67 was in the range 14-24% (Wallace 1970). Recently, Grant (1972) has published a new paper on the identification of Richard’s and Tawny Pipits. In view of the succession of large influxes in recent years, it would be somewhat pointless to analyse in great detail a ten-year period which includes only one of them. At the same time, a full analysis of individual 1-3 4-6 7-9 10-12 13-15 C I 16-18 19-21 22-24 25-28 29-32 33 36 37-40 41-44 45-48 Fig. 1 13. Distribution by counties of autumn Richard’s Pipits An/bus novae see landiae in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67 390 Scarce migrants: Richard's Pipit years is not normally the purpose of this series {Brit. Birds, 62 : 174) and, in fact, the 1967 and subsequent influxes, together with the Continental picture and a discussion of the causes, are to be the subject of a paper in preparation by R. H. Dennis. Therefore, the treatment here is brief. The six spring records were in Kent, Surrey, London, Staffordshire, Orkney and Shetland. The autumn pattern was rather peculiar (fig. 1 13), with records in 24 counties but two-thirds of them in just four — Shet- land, Isles of Scilly, Norfolk and Yorkshire. In England, no fewer than six of the counties were inland, yet four east coast ones (Essex, Suffolk, Durham and Northumberland) had no records. Though Shetland and Yorkshire were two of the four counties with the greatest numbers, not a single Richard’s Pipit was recorded in the intervening area in 1958-67 (and only eight out of 275-320 birds in 1968-70 — four in Orkney, three in Fife and one in Kincardineshire). Though the Isles of Scilly received the second highest number, only four were recorded in Ireland in the ten years (and there was only one in the next three). The timing of the arrivals in various parts of Britain and Ireland was also rather strange. In 1966 all but one of those in September were in the south-west (Smith 1967). In the ten years, September records made up 43% in the south-west, 40% in Scotland and yet only 9% in the east of England (fig. 1 14) and the pattern was, thus, quite different from that of Yellow-browed Warblers (fig. 108) and other eastern vagrants. The peaks in the south-west and in Scotland coincided (24th-30th September) and a secondary peak in the east of England came in the following week. The main peak in the east of England SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER Fig. 1 14. Seasonal pattern of Richard’s Pipits Anthus novae seelandiae during 1958-67, with the records in Scotland, the east of England (Northumberland to Suffolk) and the south-west (south-west England, Wales and the south of Ireland) shown separately Scarce migrants: Richard's Pipit 391 (2 2nd-2 8th October) coincided with a second peak in the south-west, but was not reflected at all in Scotland. The 1967 movement was also noted in a number of Continental countries, particularly in Finland and the Netherlands. In Finland most of the 59 recorded were during 26th August-ist September (J. Tenovuo in litt. to R. H. Dennis) and in the Netherlands there were 47 records involving about 117 indi- viduals from 3rd September to 12th November (Tekke 1968), 51% of them in September. The pattern is unlike that of any other species: after arrivals first in Finland and then in the Netherlands, simultaneous influxes in Shetland and the extreme south-west of Britain and Ireland and, later, arrivals in the east of England and again in the south-west. The breeding range of A. n. richardi, the migratory race of Richard’s Pipit which occurs in western Europe, is bounded by the Irtysh in the west, the Yenisei in the east, and the Altai and Tarbagatai mountains in the south, and extends north to 57°N in the west and 59°N in the east (Vauric 1959). Thus, it lies entirely south of the breeding area of the westernmost Yellow-browed Warblers and immediately west of that of Pallas’s Warbler. The wintering area is in south-east Asia and India. Unlike other eastern species, however, the pattern of records in Britain does not reflect this breeding distribution; consequently, post-breeding dispersal, probably with a strong westerly or NNW 1 tendency at first, rather than reverse migration along a firm westerly 1 course, may be the source of the west European occurrences. The situation may also be partly explained by the fact that Richard’s Pipit 1 is, to a large degree, a diurnal migrant: it may therefore be more prone to follow coastal guiding-lines than other eastern species which are night migrants, as well as being more likely to occur in ideal feeding habitats (many stayed off-passage for considerable periods) and less liable to displacement in adverse conditions. (The British and Irish records of the Tawny Pipit, another largely diurnal migrant, also suggested that displacement in adverse weather had little effect ■ on the pattern — Brit. Birds, 62: 187-189.) Occurrences in Shetland < could then be explained by arrivals from the Norwegian coast of birds which had passed north of or over the northern part of the 1 Gulf of Bothnia, whereas those which had passed south of the Baltic or crossed the Baltic from Finland to southern Sweden may have followed the coast to the Netherlands, northern France and thence south-west Britain, not undertaking a sea-crossing until the coastline no longer had a western element. This would help to explain the virtual absence of records between Shetland and Yorkshire, the simultaneous arrivals in northern and south-west Britain and even the later influxes in the east of England (onward passage from north-west Germany and the Netherlands of birds which had stayed off-passage there and then been caught up with flocks of other diurnal migrants). These sugges- tions are very tentative, but they do provide an explanation of what is 392 Scarce migrants: Richard’s Pipit otherwise a very puzzling pattern. As already stated, a full study of the several large movements which have now occurred, together with the meteorological situations, is beyond the scope of this paper, and they and the reasons for the upsurge in records since 1966 are to be discussed by R. H. Dennis. It is clear, however, that a radical change has occurred: perhaps a westward extension of the breeding range, an alteration in the migratory behaviour of a part of the population, or an explosive population increase. There are no data from the U.S.S.R. to support or refute any of these possibilities. Finally, the occurrence of six Richard’s Pipits in April-May in Britain in the ten years and, for example, three in April and eight in May (out of a total of 23) in the Netherlands in 1960-66 (Tekke 1968) reveals a small but regular spring passage in western Europe and suggests that there may be an undiscovered wintering area in southern Europe or in Africa. Dr ]. T. R. Sharrock, 39 Curlew Crescent, Bedford British bird-photographers if William S. Paton Plates J 3- 60 Occasionally a bird-photographer seems to have been born overnight: quite suddenly, his pictures appear before anyone has heard of him. William S. Paton is a case in point. His photographs have now been re- produced in a great variety of publications, yet so meteoric was his rise to fame when he began twelve years ago that he obtained his Associate- ship to the Royal Photographic Society after his first season’s work. Bird-photographers: William S. Patou 393 Bill Paton was born in Darvel, Ayrshire, in 1933. His interest in birds stems from his early schooldays, when most of his spare time was divided between birdwatching and football. On leaving school he took a job in textiles with a Kilmarnock carpet firm. The company had excellent dark-room facilities and a small, but very enthusiastic, photographic club from which Bill picked up his basic training. Early in i960 he obtained a Thornton Pickard Reflex camera which he adapted to take a Day silent shutter, an eight-inch Dallmeyer Serrac lens and a roll-film holder. From then on, all his spare time was spent photographing birds. In 1961 he was elected to membership of both the Zoological Photographic Club and the Nature Photographers’ Port- folio. He readily admits to having benefited greatly from the construc- tive criticism and advice of the other members, and also from seeing the high standard of the photographs circulating in their folios. In 1965 Bill started his own photographic business in Kilmarnock. Almost immediately he was entrusted with the task of compiling a full photographic record of work on the £4, 000, 000 bottling and blending complex being built locally by John Walker, the whisky giants — a job he found absorbing as well as challenging. He was not content with straightforward shots, but devised original angles and viewpoints, so that each picture had an appeal of its own as well as forming part of the series. He applied these same ideas to wedding photography and was so successful in this that he was awarded Associateship to the Institute of Incorporated Photographers for his results in 1970. In each job he undertook, be it commercial, industrial, public relations, royal visitations, studio or press, he went out to achieve something a little different from the ordinary. Plates 33-60 show a selection of Bill’s finest bird-photographs. All but two were taken in his native Scotland where it is good to know that Peregrines Falco peregrinus, one of which is pictured with its chick on plate 53, are at last showing some signs of partial recovery after near-extermination in the early 1960’s through the disastrous effects of chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides (see BTO News, February 1972). Two of the next three photographs were also taken at nests: not only is the portrait of the Bullfinch Pjrrhula pyrrhula on plate 34 good in itself, but the site, structure and eggs are all clearly shown; while plate 35b illustrates an unusual nest of Reed Buntings Emberi^a scboeniclus over a metre up in a young conifer. Plates 35a and 56a are simply classic pictures in their own right — a Robin Erithacus rubecula surrounded by sprays of blackberry leaves as it comes to bait skilfully hidden in an old log; and a Gannet Sula bassana on its barren ledge on Ailsa Craig, stereoscopically high above the sea. Whereas most other photographers would be satisfied with a shot of an Eider Somateria mollissima sitting on her nest or floating on the water, Bill obtained movement and interest by photographing the 394 Bird-photographers : William S. Pat on duck leading her young across the rocks (plate 56b): to heighten con- trast, he chose a viewpoint at right angles to the strong sunlight. The two pictures on plate 57 were taken on duller days, but note still the fine definition in the Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus as it walks among the stones by an inland river, and in the flock of Coots Fulica atra with two Tufted Ducks Ay thy a fuligula on a partly frozen lake. Bill’s versatility, too, is seen in his superb shot of a House Martin Delichon urhica caught at exactly the right instant as it banked past its mud nest, feet forward ready for alighting (plate 58a). The female Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus preening and showing her white rump and spread tail (plate 5 8b) and the three incubating Sandwich Terns Sterna sandvicensis in line formation (plate 59) illustrate Bill’s flair for the unusual. The final photograph (plate 60) depicts a Blue Tit Parus caeruleus in aggressive display, a fine action study with a beautifully subdued background. It is no wonder that Bill Paton’s photographs have been included more often than those of any other photographer in our annual selections of the best recent work — in fact, in nine of the 13 series to date. Eric Hosking Notes Bewick’s Swans feeding on waste potatoes and other agricultural crops Bewick’s Swans Cygmis hewickii were present on the North Slob, Wexford, from 27th October 1971 to 10th March 1972. The maximum count was 13 1 on nth February and the average from 17th December to 28th February, when they were present daily, was 88. During the summer of 1971 85 acres (34 hectares) of potatoes had been grown on the North Slob in two fields adjoining the main channel — Goose Field (40 acres, or 16 ha) and Cloakes Field (45 acres, or 18 ha). The crop was harvested mainly during October and November, and it was calculated that the total wastage was about 75 tons. Most of this waste, consisting of small, damaged or ‘green’ tubers, was left lying on the surface of the two fields. In mid-December Goose Field was planted with winter wheat, but large quantities of waste potatoes were still to be found on the surface. Cloakes Field was undisturbed through the winter. Seven Bewick’s Swans were observed feeding on waste potatoes in Goose Field on 17th December and from then until 17th January swans were present there almost daily, with a maximum of 30 on 20th December. Some may also have been grazing the winter wheat, though this was not proved. Six swans were present on the field on 6th February but, as no potatoes were left by then, these birds were Notes 395 presumably feeding on winter wheat. Up to 1,260 Greenland White- fronted Geese Anser albifrons flavirostris fed on both potatoes and wheat in this field from 1 8th November to the end of December (the average during this period being 630) and thereafter in smaller numbers; and several hundred ducks, particularly Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Wigeon A. penelope, Teal A. crecca and Pintail A. acuta, also fed on the potatoes for limited periods, especially in very wet weather when, presumably, it was easier for them to dig the tubers out of the muddy ground. The first Bewick’s Swans were seen on Cloakes Field on 20th December and from then until 10th March they were there almost daily, with a maximum of 1 1 5 on 4th February; from 1st January to 28th February, the period of most intensive feeding, an average of 71 was present. Here the only food available to them was waste potatoes and the herd was frequently watched working systematically over the field and eating the tubers on the surface. At several points potatoes had been dumped in small mounds up to a metre high and swans were sometimes seen on the tops of these mounds, eating the potatoes under their feet. A number of ridges had not been opened for harvesting and some swans followed these, eating tubers exposed at the sides by soil erosion. At no stage were they actually observed digging out potatoes which were not already partially exposed. Greenland White-fronted (Geese also fed on the potatoes in Cloakes Field from the beginning of 'November to the middle of February, a maximum of 1,315 and an average of 477 being present. The field beside Cloakes Field was planted with winter wheat, and between 14 and 65 Bewick’s Swans \were recorded grazing on this crop on nine days between 20th Decem- lber and 23rd February. The larger numbers occurred during the second half of February when the waste potatoes had been almost eaten up. (On 23 rd February a party of 17 Bewick’s Swans was observed feeding on waste carrots a short distance from Cloakes Field and the wheat field Ibeside it. There are no references in The Handbook (3 : 173), or in the new book The Swans by Peter Scott and the Wildfowl Trust (1972: 69-71), to Bewick’s Swans feeding on waste potatoes or carrots, though the latter work mentions that on the Ouse Washes these birds sometimes flight to feed on winter wheat. Waste potatoes must, however, have formed a major part of the diet of the North Slob herd in the winter lof 1971/72. Oscar J. Merne North Slob Wildfowl Refuge, Wexford 5Slender-billed Gull in Kent On 21st July 1971 I found an adult Slender-billed Gull Larus genei on the beach at Dungeness, Kent. My identification was confirmed on the following day by R. E. Scott, and the bird was seen by many other observers up to and including 1st August. It wandered little and fed regularly at the warm water out- 396 Notes flow of the atomic power station in company with large numbers of Black-headed Gulls L. ridibundus and other gulls and terns. Since the bird was in full adult plumage, its identification presented little difficulty. Although in flight it superficially resembled a Black- headed Gull, it was very different when at rest. The head and long, thin neck were completely white, the feathers of the face extending in a point down each side of the upper mandible, which gave the forehead a gently sloping appearance. The long and slightly decurved bill was a dull dark red, and the long legs were bright crimson. The small dark eyes, situated well back on the head, were always noticeable. The mantle was a paler grey than that of a Black-headed Gull, and the underparts had a rosy tinge, deepest on the belly and flanks and more obvious in brighter lights. The Slender-billed Gull stood much higher than the Black-headed because of its longer neck and legs, in this respect recalling a Mediterranean Gull L. melanocephalus\ fortunately an adult of that species was present at Dungeness from 24th July to 1 st August and at times was seen on the beach next to it. In flight, compared with the Black-headed Gulls, the upper- and undersurfaces of the Slender-billed’s wings appeared identical; on occasions, the flight seemed much heavier and more laboured, the long neck, distinctively shaped head and long bill giving a drooping, un- gainly look, somewhat offset by a full, ample tail. When the bird hovered over the outflow, the size of the tail was most obvious, as was the length of the legs which dangled almost to the tip of the tail. These structural differences gave the bird a distinct jizz and enabled observers to pick it out at long range. On the water it appeared heavier than Black-headed Gulls and seemed to lean forward; the whiteness of the head and the long drooping beak stood out. On 31st August what was assumed to be the same Slender-billed Gull returned to the outflow. Its habits were less predictable than Adult Slender-billed Gull Larus genei (left) and adult Black-headed Gull L. ridibundus, Dungeness, Kent, July-September 1971 {drawn by P. J. Grant ) Notes 397 | ibeforc, it showed a deeper pink flush on the underparts, and one ob- server noted primary moult. It was seen up to 6th September and again on 1 2th, when it was finally watched flying overland, away to the north-west. On 15 th August, during the bird’s long absence from Dungeness, an adult Slender-billed Gull was identified at Minsmere, Suffolk, by M. Bruyntjes, J. Galton, C. Herring and others. P. J. Grant, who was * .very familiar with the Dungeness bird and has examined the descrip- tions of the one at Minsmere, considers it likely that the same individual was involved at both localities. Nevertheless, these constitute the third and fourth British and Irish records of the species; the previous two were both of immatures, at Langney Point, Sussex, in June and July i960 and at Rye Harbour, Sussex, in April 1963 (Brit. Birds, 55: 169-171; 57: 81-82). K. Redshaw Dungeness Bird Observatory, Romney Marsh, Kent I The Slender-billed Gull’s breeding range is fragmented, in at least .20 small, separate areas scattered through a vast region from north- vwest Africa to north-west India and irregularly to the west Siberian >steppcs. In longitude it stretches from i7°W to 7O-8o0E, and in latitude tfrom 1 5-20°N to 50-5 5°N. The only known colonies west of the Black 5Sea have been on islands off the north-west coast of Mauritania and [perhaps neighbouring Senegal and Rio dc Oro, on the Iriki off south- 'west Morocco, in the marismas of the Guadalquivir and at one other locality in southern Spain, in the Camargue in southern France, and con the Grande Kneiss in the Gulf of Gab&s, Tunisia. Some of these ccolonies have been occupied irregularly or have only recently been ^.discovered, and some hold very few pairs. The wintering range is imperfectly known, but some populations appear to be almost seden- tary while others, especially those in the U.S.S.R., migrate or disperse cover a wide area from the central Mediterranean to the Gulf of Oman. A general study of the species, with photographs, was published in 1 tour ‘less familiar birds’ series in 1964 (Brit. Birds, 57: 242-247, plates . 534-3 8) and six years earlier a detailed paper on range and movements appeared in Alauda, 26: 86-104. Eds Woice of Little Auk in winter For most of November and December j 11971 a Little Auk Plautus alle was present on one of the flooded gravel i rpits at Benacre, Suffolk. It was heard to call on two occasions. On :28th November W. E. Birkett and I were watching the bird from about 30 metres and he was trying to get close enough to photograph it. Within about half a minute it had worked its way to ten metres from where we were hidden. We moved slightly to get a better view, but 'this appeared to rg tate it and it stretched its neck up to utter a short, ^ sharp ‘wow’ as it hurriedly moved away from us. Despite its obvious Notes 398 alarm it did not immediately dive, but swam away calling with this single note three times at intervals of about one second. After seven or eight seconds, however, it did dive, eventually coming up near the opposite bank. On 1 2th December we were again watching the auk, this time accompanied by D. R. Moore. We found it at the far end of the pond, and as this part was narrow we thought that, by walking along each side of the water, we might stand a chance of moving it into the corner so that W.E.B. could try for a better photograph. This is precisely what happened and we were able to approach within four metres of the bird; this made it very agitated and it dived in an attempt to get out of the corner. I moved back along the water’s edge and it came up about three metres from me, stretched its head up and called twice with the same note as before, then promptly dived again. I ran at full speed along the bank and was astonished to find that the auk could swim faster underwater than I could run on dry land. It then swam out into open water. The call sounded rather like a small dog barking in the distance. It was not very loud and did not carry far, since observers standing about 40 metres away did not hear it. The Little Auk is very noisy in its breeding colonies, but normally silent outside the breeding season; in this case calling was obviously prompted by alarm, though on the first occasion the bird was not so frightened that it wanted to dive when it saw us, but swam away instead. B. J. Brown 24 Clifton Road, Rowes toft, Suffolk Great Spotted Woodpecker eating small mammal On 30th May 1972, in St Leonard’s Forest, Sussex, I heard a Great Spotted Wood- pecker Dendrocopos major call once from an isolated oak tree about 50 metres away. It flew down to the ground where it was hidden by the herb layer for ten seconds. Then it returned to the tree carrying in its beak a small mammal (possibly a mouse or vole) about one-third its own length — that is, about 8 cm long. The woodpecker, a female, proceeded to dismember the mammal with a series of jabs from her beak, swallowing portions at intervals ; she did not use her feet to hold the animal. The bird left ten minutes after landing in the tree, but since she flew away from me I could not see whether or not she carried off any of her prey. There were no remains on the ground under the tree and I could not reach those on the branch. It is well known that the Great Spotted Woodpecker will take young birds of other species, but it does not appear to have been recorded taking small mammals, assuming that the bird actually caught and killed her prey in this instance; the mammal was certainly dead by the time she returned to the tree. Patrick A. R. Cannings 28 Fairway, Copthorne, Sussex Notes 399 (Great Spotted Woodpeckers excavating holes in autumn In 1965, 1966 and 1967 I erected dead birch trunks about i\ metres high and 25 cm in diameter on the lawn near my house at Brinton, Norfolk; I also drilled holes in them and loaded these with peanuts, as well as attaching pieces of meaty bones. Each autumn, in late September or early October, an adult male Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major spent several hours, on four or five consecutive days, cutting one or more holes on the south side of the trunk and hollowing out the centre to a depth of about 30 cm below each. The bird worked at a great pace and apparently with feverish urgency, for if disturbed he would fly to a near-by tree and return immediately the intruder had passed. In 1966 a second male also appeared and between the two of them they cut five holes in a section of trunk ii metres in height; as a result, the whole section blew down and broke into pieces. One of the woodpeckers then excavated a hole in a replacement trunk within two days of its erection. The holes were invariably used as roosting places in midwinter and sometimes irregularly until the end of March, but I never observed drumming there. R. P. B agnall-O a keley Brinton Hall, Melton Constable, Norfolk In our garden at Wokingham, Berkshire, there is a large pollarded sycamore which appears to be dead. During October and November n 97 1 I watched a male Great Spotted Woodpecker excavating a hole in the trunk; his activities were clearly visible, since the tree is only about 20 metres from our kitchen window. He appeared daily around 110.00 and worked for about 20 minutes before flying off. After making two trial bores in the trunk he finally settled on a third, excavating a complete hole large enough to conceal himself. Having completed his task, he disappeared for many weeks, during which time Starlings 'Sturnus vulgaris took over the hole, and only once did I see him re- wisit it during the winter. G. J. P. Needham .2 St Helier Close, Wokingham , Berkshire rgii 3 ha We showed these notes to Dieter Blume, author of a number of papers on the behaviour of woodpeckers. He believes that autumnal excavating activities are caused by a brief resurgence of reproductive drives, and not purposely directed towards creating roosting or nesting sites, though the holes may be used for roosting later. The intensity of these activities appears to differ between populations of (Great Spotted Woodpeckers, being higher, for example, in Britain and Finland than in Germany. Tracy (1938) recorded that Great and Lesser 'Spotted Woodpeckers D. minor cs. cavated holes during June-December in which they often roosted but which they never used for nesting. In Finland Pynnonen (1939) found that holes excavated in autumn and winter had larger entrances than those excavated in spring for nesting, 400 Notes and that the woodpeckers frequently roosted in them. Mr Blume’s own observations in Hessen, Germany, did not show a high intensity of excavating behaviour in autumn or winter: the woodpeckers bored rudimentary holes in dead or dying trees, especially near old holes, but did not make proper cavities as they did in spring. He also found that some individuals cleaned and excavated old holes, and that excavating behaviour in autumn was commoner among males than females. Eds REFERENCES Pynnonen, A. 1939. Beitrage vptr Kenntnis der Biologie finniscber Specbte. Helsinki. Tracy, N. 1938. ‘Der Grosse Buntspecht’. Beitr. Fortpfl.-biol. Vogel, 14: 41-48. Double-yolked egg of Skylark On 1 ith July 1971, near Amsterdam, Netherlands, I was shown an abnormally large, fresh egg in a nest of the Skylark Alauda arvensis. It measured 28.2x18.3 mm, compared with average dimensions of 23.26x16.89 mm from 182 of my own measurements in the Netherlands (maxima 26.1 x 17.8 mm and 25.3 X 17.9 mm; minima 19.9 x 17.2 mm and 21.5 x 15.4 mm). On 12th July the nest contained two eggs, the second damaged; on 14th July the third egg, and on 15 th the fourth, were added. The measurements and fresh weights (to the nearest 0.05 gm) of each were as follows: 1st: 28.2x18.3 mm, 5.05 gm 2nd: 24.8 x 16.4 mm, weight unknown 3rd: 25.0x17.5 mm, 4.05 gm 4th: 25. 7X 17.6 mm, 4.30 gm Early on the morning of 25 th July the third egg hatched, and on 26th the fourth; the second did not hatch, due to the damage. From 25th July the first egg showed small chipping holes in two places. On 26th there was no progress, and on the evening of 27th, when the chicks from the third and fourth eggs already weighed 9.9 and 6.9 gm, I opened this first egg. It contained two very small, dead embryos, in separate membranes, one in the pointed and the other in the blunt end. They weighed 1.8 and 1.7 gm, each including some spare yolk. Although unusually large eggs are occasionally found, records of proven double yolks in the wild are scarce, and I have been unable to trace any reference to the development of such eggs. J. Walters Vespuccistraat 83 III, Amsterdam Bos & Lommer, Netherlands Red-eyed Vireo in Co. Cork On 6th October 1967 K.P. discovered an unusual passerine in the Glen on Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork, and watched it for 30 minutes, taking detailed notes. In many ways it resembled a warbler, but it was no species known to him and, even after consulting reference books at the bird observatory, he was unable to name it. From K.P.’s notes, J.T.R.S. tentatively identified it as a Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus, but K.P. remained unconvinced since Notes 401 t had seemed too small to be a vireo, since he had noted no dark line above the white supercilium and since all the available drawings of the species showed it in a chat-like, upright stance with a high crown, whereas the bird in the Glen had been warbler-like, with a horizontal stance and a flat crown. It could not be found again on 6th, despite 1 ong waits and intensive searches. K.P. left the island on the following ;■ morning, but J.T.R.S. relocated the bird that day at the same place as before and, as a result of an hour’s observations at 40-50 metres through a 25 X telescope on a tripod, was able to confirm his earlier ‘suspicions. The vireo was seen only on these two occasions. A summary of the record, a general account of the occurrence and t:he full field-notes of both observers have already been published Irish Bird Rep., 15 : 41-42; Irish Nat. ]., 16: 235-236; Cape Clear Bird k Obs. Rep., 9: 79-80), so this account is limited to general points of jjtoehaviour and jizz and the most striking field-characters. The most conspicuous features were a bright lavender-blue crown ■ ‘similar in shade to that of a male Blue-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava Hava), long white supercilia made more prominent by a thick black c:yestripe below and a narrow black border above, brilliant emerald- igreen upperparts (reminiscent of Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilafrix, ''Yellow-browed Warbler P. inornatus or Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus ), bright golden-green secondaries, gleaming white underparts, a very s short tail, and thick, bright blue legs. The narrow dark line between ssupercilium and crown, unless specially looked for, tended to merge '.with the crown. The bird, watched in bright sunlight with the sun directly behind the observer, was extremely brilliant in its coloration. I fn shape it resembled a Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus or an Kcterine Warbler Hippolais icterina, with a very pointed head and slim, elongated build, but differed by having a short, square-ended tail. Its actions were rather acrocephaline, often moving down vegetation bead-first; it picked insects from leaves by stretching its head and neck 1 not by hovering like a Phylloscopus, or by moving its foothold) and blackberries by pulling straight backwards, with no sideways twist. The flight was reminiscent of an Icterine Warbler — fast and dashing, i Dver 40 to 60 metres at a time — but the bird also undulated and seemed to close its wings completely, rather like a Great Spotted Wood- I poecker Dendrocopos major. The tail was sometimes held slightly cocked and the wings slightly drooped, but there was no tail-flirting or jerking, rnor any wing-flicking. It occasionally held food in its feet and tore at it with its bill, which was warbler-like but rather heavy and rounded at tthe tip. Direct comparison with House Sparrows Passer domesticus on 7th showed that it was of about equal bulk. This was the second record of a Red-eyed Vireo in Ireland and the fifth in Europe. J. T. R. Sharrock and K. Preston yp Curlew Crescent, Bedford Reviews Gulls in Britain. By Richard Vaughan. Witherby, London, 1972. 96 pages; 54 black-and-white plates. £1.75. This is a pleasant book. Gulls are highly photogenic, but few of us who walk through a gullery firing off a camera in all directions produce pictures of this excellence. The pattern of the book gives one the impression that the author selected the photographs for their pictorial qualities, and then wrote extended captions to link and explain them. The brief introductions to the breeding species (the five Larus gulls and the Kittiwake) consist mainly of snippets of information which have appealed to him. The result is a highly personal book which is a pleasure to handle and at this level it is most successful. Its comprehensive title, however, surely leads one to expect a much meatier treatment. A purchaser might hope to obtain a survey in some depth of the problems — biological and economic — posed by the popu- lation explosion of gulls and by their changing habits. The important winter populations are only touched upon. The author mentions the 50 to 70 Black-headed Gulls which establish themselves in the centre of Hull each winter, but not the 200,000-odd gulls which winter in London. He makes a number of statements without supporting evidence: for example, that ‘it is clear that gulls are agriculturally beneficial’, without even a paragraph of explanation to some of us who would like to believe this. In fairness, he does give some attention to the conservation problems arising from colonies of breeding gulls expanding at the expense of less robust species. It is the omissions, however, which are most disturbing, as indicated by the rather meagre list of references. There is a great need at this time for a considered summary of the work done on gull problems, and I regret that the author missed this opportunity. But as a gallery of gulls I found it most enjoyable. R. A. O. Hickling Histoire des Oiseaux d’Europe. By L. J. Yeatman. Bordas Decouverte, Paris and Montreal, 1971. 367 pages; many colour and black-and-white photographs, line-drawings and maps. No price given. L. J. Yeatman, who has played a leading part in the recent striking developments in field ornithology and conservation in France, has written a most readable account of the known changes in the distribu- tion and numbers of European birds over the last hundred years. After a short survey of the origins and early development of the European avifauna, he outlines the main factors involved, including climatic change, habitat destruction, pollution, hunting, trapping, pro- tection and possible genetic mutations. Then follows the main part of 402 eviews 403 ie work — over 200 pages devoted to a detailed consideration of 408 >ecies, with the known changes in range and, less frequently, numbers I documented, and for each main group an ingenious diagram sum- marising the direction and extent of variations in distribution and 1 Dpulation, including some indication of the probable causes. After lis, he gathers together this wealth of data and attempts to draw inclusions from the numerous fluctuations revealed. He is inevitably andicapped by the patchy nature of the data, which at best are rarely I I mailable in any detail before the last 20 years and for large areas of astern and southern Europe are virtually absent. Moreover, even here changes can be assessed with some accuracy, our knowledge of ue factors affecting the range and abundance of particular species is muted, except where gross changes in habitat, specific pollutants (such 1 the persistent pesticides) or other major human pressures are I iwolved. Nevertheless, Mr Yeatman’s gallant effort is of value in sum- marising much of what is known and should act as a spur to the tempts now being made in many countries (led in France by the jithor himself) to provide a more accurate base-line to assess the r ture changes in Europe’s birds. The book concludes with chapters [ in the techniques of field ornithology, a list of conservation societies in rrance, and a generous bibliography marred somewhat by trivial :rrors. It is fully and often superbly illustrated, with numerous rriking photographs in colour and black-and-white and many line- t;a wings and maps. Stanley Cramp icnnouncement by the Rarities Committee 1 ollowing the notice in Brit. Birds, 65: 264-265 and correspondence | rttween myself and county and regional recorders, an election to fill i ite vacancy on the Rarities Committee was held in the three weeks tding 14th August. The candidates were R. J. Johns, M. J. Rogers .id R. E. Scott and 34 recorders returned the voting papers by the I vie date. The total votes for each candidate (scoring a first choice as and a second as |) were 25 £, 6 and 17! respectively. Mr Johns, iho also had a clear majority in first choices, is therefore elected to imediate membership of the Committee. ! i Correspondence arising from the election raised several points on e selection of candidates and other general matters. These will be ' scussed at the next meeting of the Committee. Meanwhile, I should vte to thank all who took part in the various procedures of the election, particular for the promptness of their vote. D. I. M. Wallace 1 Voodbill Rise, Heads Lane, Hess/e, Hull, Yorkshire HU15 ohz News and comment Robert Hudson Foulness wildlife study When the Foulness area was chosen for the Third London Airport, the Government promised that funds would be available for a study of the airport’s impact on the wildlife environment of the region. Long after some of us had given up hope of seeing anything constructive in this line, plans were announced on nth July for the establishment of a three-year research programme by a team of nine biologists to study wildlife problems of the Foulness area and adjacent Dengie Hundred mud-flats. One of the major lines to be tackled will concern experiments on the feasibility of extending beds of eel-grass Zostera on other parts of the east coast to provide alternative wintering grounds for the Foulness Brent Geese. This research team will be attached to the Nature Conservancy’s Coastal Ecology Research Station, based at Norwich and funded by the Treasury. While one does not doubt that the team will do its best, it may be asked whether it is by Govern- ment design that the unit was set up too late in the day to contribute to the immediate question of airport siting. Four alternative sites in the Foulness area had been proposed, and the Government has now decided to use one on the south- western end of the Maplin Sands. Southend Corporation had pressed for the airport to be sited as far to the north-east as possible; but national conservation bodies (though not local amenity groups) will regard that chosen as the least of several evils, for if there has to be an airport in the Foulness area it is best that the runways should be so aligned as to minimise disturbance to the Dengie coast farther north. Reclamation work is scheduled to begin this year. Flamingo breeding by Wildfowl Trust The Wildfowl Trust has scored two mere world ‘firsts’ in its flamingo breeding programme at Slimbridge. Five of the six species laid eggs there this year (more than anyone else has ever bred simultaneously) and one of these was the Lesser Flamingo, the first time that it has ever nested in captivity: unfortunately, the latter’s egg proved infertile, though Andean, Chilean, Caribbean and African Greater Flamingos all produced chicks. The breeding enclosures are on view to visitors. It appears likely that flamingos need the social stimulus of the flock for successful breeding, so next year ioo more young birds will be imported. With a further lease of land from the Berkeley Estate, the Wildfowl Trust plans to increase the flamingo breeding area by 200% and has high hopes of future successes. Progress in captive-breeding raptors The artificial insemination technique, of long-standing in the poultry world, has recently been extended to other birds by work at the Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology, New York. A single Red-tailed Hawk was produced (and reared) by this method in 1971, and subse- quently captive Goshawks and Golden Eagles have nested successfully after artificial insemination. One of the most difficult aspects has been to bring male and female into breeding condition simultaneously, but this has been solved at Cornell by using birds imprinted on humans (a common condition in captivity). Though yet on a very small scale, the technique has exciting possibilities in connection with the captive breeding of endangered species. Gamebird introductions Stocks of gamebirds in Britain are constantly being aug- mented by the shooting fraternity with releases from gamefarms. I have recently received information from several sources that, in practice, the ‘Red-legged Partridges’ being reared by gamefarms include the very similar Rock and Chukar Partridges Alec tor is gracca and A. chukar-. the former is now known to occur in a wild state in Aberdeenshire, and the latter on the South Downs in Sussex. Observers are therefore asked to keep a look-out for birds with Rock and Chukar characters 404 , 'Jews and comment 40 5 1 other parts of the country: the distinctions between these two species and the 1 \ied-legged Partridge A. rufa are given in the revised edition of the Field Guide 1966) and, with a colour plate of all three, in The Birds of Britain and Europe with Worth Africa and the Middle East by H. Heinzel, R. S. R. Fitter and J. L. F. Parslow 1972). If these closely related and largely allopatric species begin to interbreed, this ould cause glorious confusion. ’hilately in the Highlands The north of Scotland is usually regarded as a barren r nd mountainous wilderness full of rocks, bogs, lochs and clearances populated >y stags, lairds, ghillies and people selling picture postcards with bad jokes about he Loch Ness Monster. Much of it is like this, but at the east end of the Great Glen here is also a limited area of rich agricultural land diversified with forests, eutrophic ! -ools, and sand-bars protecting shallow, muddy firths with an astonishing variety ■f wildlife, including many wintering birds, vast numbers of northern migrants |l >vhich use the area as a vital staging post, and some of our rarest breeding species. | L’hc heart of this area around the main north-eastern deep-water port, Invergordon I >n the Cromarty Firth, is now in the throes of hasty industrial development. It | .as long been a naval base, and has recently acquired distilleries and an outsize 1 luminium smelter as well. One oil rig construction site has already been built II >etwccn Scotland’s Wash, Nigg Bay, and the seabird colonies on the Sutors at the i ■ aouth of the firth, and another is about to be constructed next to the tern colonies 1 :>n Whiteness Head on the other side of the Moray Firth. Application has been made for the creation of a Cromarty Firth Port Authority to hasten development, I nvhich will soon doubtless also include an oil terminal to serve the northern North i ea fields; and the only proposal that has so far provoked general opposition is the 1 >ne most favourable to wildlife, the establishment of a gunnery range (to replace | hhat hitherto at Foulness) in an important but increasingly disturbed area near Inver o the north, which otherwise seems destined to become a golf course. Alarmed by the growing threat to wildlife in the area, local conservationists have *egun to raise an outcry, and the Nature Conservancy has hastily declared much of I t: a Site of Special Scientific Interest, regrettably with no effect at all on official ttitudes. In his latest report, the Chairman of the Highlands and Islands Develop- ment Board, Sir Andrew Gilchrist, compares the development to ‘sticking a postage tamp in Piccadilly Circus’. Nobody objects to reasonable development in the north f Scotland, so long as its natural attractions are protected in the process, but there no sign of this yet. In fact, if one takes a small-scale map, on present form Sir 'Andrew’s postage-stamp seems likely to obliterate just about as much of the 1 naturalists’ Scotland as one stuck over Piccadilly Circus would obscure of mankind’s ingland. It appears that there are still also barbarians in them thar hills. (Contributed >\iy Dr W. R. P. Bourne.) U.S.P.B. library The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has asked me to I ' ublicise their decision to make their library at The Lodge, Sandy, available to serious students and researchers. The library contains an excellent range of omitho- i ogical books, a good selection of recent works on other natural history subjects, nd most of the important journals and regional bird reports. The library may be onsulted during normal working hours, subject only to advance notice of intended 1 isit to the Librarian, Miss Dorothy Rook. In this connection, it is as well to mphasise that the British Trust for Ornithology, at Tring, operates what is still the nly purely ornithological lending library in this country. )id you know . . . that the world’s heaviest flying bird is the Kori Bustard of | outhem Africa; that the longest authenticated longevity record for a bird is 68 ears (a captive Eagle Owl) ; that the world’s smallest mammal, Savi’s White-toothed *ygmy Shrew, is so tiny that it can travel through tunnels made by large earth- News and comment 406 worms; that migrating butterflies have been recorded at 19,000 feet? These are among the many surprising items in a new book. The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats , compiled by G. L. Wood, a companion volume to the more general, many-editioned Guinness Book of Records. This new work contains 3 84 pages, of which 33 are allocated to birds: though birdwatchers might have preferred more space for their favourite group, the book covers all major vertebrate and invertebrate classes and it is in some respects pleasing to see birds allotted their rightful signifi- cance in the Animal Kingdom. I am competent only to review the bird section, but from a perusal of this I conclude that the author has been fairly critical in what he accepts and has not hesitated, when necessary, to record oft-quoted items as unauthenticated. There is, however, some evidence that recent literature has not been consulted fully: for example, the Osprey is quoted as the rarest revealed regular breeding bird in Britain, when the Fetlar Snowy Owls (mentioned elsewhere) have surely nested long enough now to have that title, and the earliest arrival and latest departure dates given for the Cuckoo are all pre-1940 and therefore outdated in all senses. Also, in view of widespread habitat changes in Britain since the 1930’s, the author was ill-advised to include James Fisher’s 1940 estimates of the popula- tions of some commoner British birds. But these are minor blemishes in a fascinating book. It is published by Guinness Superlatives Ltd at £3.95. Opinions expressed in this feature are not necessarily those of the editors of British Birds Recent reports — June P. F. Bonham These are largely unchecked reports, not authenticated records The weather during most of June was little better than that of the second half of May — a seemingly endless series of Atlantic depressions (nine major systems, in fact) bringing cold, cloudy conditions, sometimes with high winds. In London 70°F (2i°C) was not recorded until the exceptionally late date of 26th. The almost com- plete lack of southern or eastern influences made for a dull June ornithologically; while the unsettled conditions from mid-May onwards effectively delayed the start of nesting for many migrants and caused heavy losses generally among early broods. SHEARWATERS TO RAPTORS The largest passages of Manx Shearwaters Puffnus puffinus reported were 2,000 off Ilfracombe (Devon) on 4th, 1 ,0 1 5 off Brean Down (Somerset) on 1 9th and 4,000, plus two Great Shearwaters P. gravis, off St Ives (Cornwall) on 23rd. A Sooty Shearwater P. griseus flew west off Ilfracombe on 9th; one off St Ives on 26th May arrived too late for inclusion in the section on the gales of that period in the last summary (Brit. Birds, 65 : 361-362). A Leach’s Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa was seen off Steart (Somerset) on 1st, probably likewise displaced by the May gales. Following the reports of Gannets Sula bassana inland in May, there were two more immatures at Farmoor Reservoir (Berkshire) on 4th, an adult at Almondsbury (Gloucestershire) on 3 th, and one picked up at Bilsthorpe (Nottinghamshire) on 16th and released on the east coast next day. Purple Herons Ardea purpurea occurred at Stodmarsh (Kent) on 1st, at Minsmere (Suffolk) from 3rd to 6th (near-adult) and for several weeks from 14th (immature), and at Sandwich Bay (Kent) on 21st and 22nd. The movements of Little Egrets Egret ta garget ta in late May (Brit. Birds, 65 : 362) continued into early June: one of the two adults at Cley (Norfolk) on 29th and 30th May remained on 31st and 1st June, but was replaced on 2nd by an immature which stayed into July, while one at Holme decent reports — June 407 'Norfolk) on ist June had perhaps come from Cley; one heading west at Pennington rlampshire), also on ist, may have been the individual from The Gins, 1 1 km north- : ast; one at Havergate (Suffolk) on various dates may have come from Minsmere; nd a bird at Ynys-hir (Cardiganshire) in June could conceivably have been one of ne three in south-west England in May. A second White Stork Ciconia ciconia in Northumberland was seen at Ford on 6th (see also Brit. Birds , 65 : 362), and there was 1 belated report of one near Jedburgh (Roxburghshire) from 15th to 24th May. poonbills Platalea leucorodia were widely distributed in the east: three passing '-ieachy Head (Sussex), up to five at Minsmere, singles at Gibraltar Point (Lincoln- hire) and Spurn (Yorkshire), four in Co. Durham (three at Teesmouth remaining from the previous month, and one at Washington Ponds) and two on Unst Shetland). A drake Blue-winged Teal Anas discors stayed at Pennington from 29th May irntil at least 5th June, and another occurred at The Gins on 4th. A male Ring- Kecked Duck Aythya collaris was seen apparently paired with a female Tufted Duck i. Juligula at Blagdon Lake (Somerset) on 30th, and a drake Long-tailed Duck llangula byemalis summered at Tring Reservoirs (Hertfordshire). A flock of 25 lommon Scoters Melanitta nigra at Weir Wood Reservoir (Sussex) on 25 th was very unusual, and inland reports in May not previously mentioned involved eight at i: tanford Reservoir (Leicestcr/Northampton) on 1 8th and 1 3 at Cropston Reservoir 1 Leicestershire) next day. The only rare raptor was a male Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus on Fctlar 1 n 28th. Seven Ospreys Pandion baliaetus were seen in six English counties, and ! acre was also one in Shetland. A Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus appeared at 1 orthgwarra (Cornwall) on 8th, and Goshawks Accipiter gentilis at Pennington on 11th and in north-west Herefordshire on 23rd. UAIL TO TERNS )*uail Co/urnix coturnix were reported from three areas — in Shetland (a total of ught on four islands), in Kent (four), and in a broad band from the Severn across > East Anglia (about 20 in all). Up to three Spotted Crakes Ponyma porryma were rrcsent in the Exe estuary area (Devon) during i5th-2jth and there were at least ve in Shetland; one at Hollowed Reservoir (Northamptonshire) on 26th May came n 1 too late for the last summary. The same applies to a Kentish Plover Cbaradrius ,'exandrinus at Marazion (Cornwall) on 5 th and 6th May and this species also occurred singly in June at Dungeness (Kent), Sandwich Bay, Havergate, Cley, and altflcetby (Lincolnshire). The few other migrant Palearctic waders included half- dozen Wood Sandpipers Tringa glareola scattered along the east coast, and one n the River Glaze (Lancashire) on 16th; two Little Stints Calidris minuta at Mins- aerc during 6th-9th and single Curlew Sandpipers C. ferruginea there on 5 th and 5th; and a Red-necked Phalarope Pbalaropus lobatus at Chesterton Mill Pool Warwickshire) on 3rd. The year’s first Pectoral Sandpiper C. melanotos appeared at havergate on 13th. A total of 20 non-breeding Avocets Recurviros/ra arose/ fa was reported from six places on the east coast between Rye Harbour (Sussex) and Spurn. The most interesting skua records were all of Pomarine Skuas Stercorarius imarinns seen from boats: one near Vee Skerries (Shetland) on icth, one half-way between Bull Point and Lundy (Devon) on 18th and two in the Sound of Mull Argyll) on 26th. Some 35 Glaucous Gulls Larus byperboreus, six Iceland Gulls . glattcoides and ten Mediterranean Gulls L. melanocepbalus were reported during !lay and June: all the Iceland and all but two of the June Glaucous — at Newlyn Cornwall) and on the Ribble estuary (Lancashire) — were north of Co. Durham, i id all the Mediterranean were on the south and east coasts apart from three in wansca Bay (Glamorgan). There were at least 20 Little Gulls L. minutus in June, at remarkably few Black Terns Cblidonias niger, continuing an exceptionally poor iring passage. White- winged Black Terns C. leucopterus were reported at t 40 8 Chichester gravel pits (Sussex) on 6th and at Du: Terns Gelocbelidon nilotica at Sandwich Bay on 5 th1 Sterna dougallii well inland at Belvide (Staffordshire) orts — June Gull-billed oseate Tern OWLS TO BUNTINGS An adult male Snowy Owl Nyciea scandiaca, apparently not one of those from Fetlar, was trapped on Fair Isle (Shetland) where it stayed from 9th to 15th; an Alpine Swift Apus melba was seen on the same island on 6th, and there was also one at Kingsdown (Kent) on 27th May. Golden Orioles Oriolus oriolus were reported in Kent and Yorkshire (three in each county), in Caithness (one on 30th June and another on 2nd July) and in Shetland (four). Hoopoes Upnpa epops occurred singly in Devon, Somerset and Nottinghamshire, and in May additionally in Northampton- shire; there were also two further reports of Wrynecks Jynx torquilla in May — in Kielder Forest (Northumberland) and at Stanford Reservoir. Two Bee-eaters Merops apiaster appeared near Weymouth (Dorset) on 9th-ioth, and a Roller Coracias garrulus discovered at Pleinmont, Guernsey, on 17th was found dead on 21 st — the first Guernsey and third Channel Islands record. Apart from a Marsh Warbler Acrocepbalus palustris on Whalsay (Shetland) on 7th, Fair Isle provided all the interesting records of migrant thrushes and warblers: a Bluethroat Luscinia svecica on 3rd, a Nightingale L. megarbynchos during 7th-9th, a male Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans from 26th to 5 th July, and perhaps as many as four Icterine Warblers Hippolais icterina during 3rd-i9th. Grey-headed Wagtails Motacilla flava tbunbergi were reported on Fetlar from 1st to 4th and on the Calf of Man on 16th, a Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor at Stanford Reservoir on I4th-i5th, and Woodchat Shrikes L. senator at Dungeness on 26th and Seaford Head (Sussex) ; while Red-backed Shrikes L. collurio totalled at least ten in Shetland. A Crested Lark Galerida cristata was an unexpected find at Tunstall (Yorkshire) on nth; this is the second reported in 1972, the first having been in Somerset in April {Brit. Birds, 65 : 313). Reports of Serins Serinus serinus published so far {Brit. Birds, 65 : 313, 364) have concerned single birds in Dorset and Hertfordshire in April and three or four in Sussex in April-May. Now we have received a May record from another Sussex locality (Hove, on 8th) and June ones from east Kent (a pair, present all spring) and Pembrokeshire (St David’s, on 8th and 9th). Unless the spread of this species has recently suffered a real setback, it seems that some observers are reluctant to submit records because of the possibility of breeding (see, for example, the comment on page 347 in the last issue); this is making up-to-date assessments difficult. In cases of likely breeding, security will always be respected and localities (or even county names) withheld, if stipulated, but it would be very useful if we could receive the information. The remaining more unusual passerines included an Italian-ringed Siskin Carduelis spinus, the first from that country, trapped on Fetlar where it stayed from 6th to 1 8th; single Scarlet Rosefinches Carpodacus erythrinus on Lundy on 4th and on Fair Isle during I9th-2ist; a Brambling Fringilla montifringilla singing in Wendover Forest (Buckinghamshire) from 16th until 9th July and three in north Scotland in June; a male Black-headed Bunting Emberi^a melanocepbala at Sandwich Bay on 1st and a male Red-headed Bunting E. bruniceps at Barksore (Kent) on 21st, the latter particularly of doubtful origin; Nottinghamshire’s first Cirl Bunting E. cirlus for 19 years, singing at Gunthorpe on 3rd; and Fair Isle’s second male Rustic Bunting E. rustica for the year, from 8th to 10th. Finally, a major irruption of Crossbills Eoxia curvirostra began during the summer, the first of any size for six years. Since most reports relate to July, and they are still coming in steadily, a summary of this movement will be deferred to next month. (We have also heard of at least six Two-barred Crossbills L. leucoptera in July and August and these will be listed at the same time.) FRANK-NIPOLE BINOCULARS >! stock all the better makes of binoculars, and we allow liberal counts on them, but the ornithologist who insists on a good sility instrument at a reasonable cost will do well to consider !' of the binoculars in the Frank-Nipole range. We have Buffi- 'll confidence in these fine instruments to guarantee them for eriod of seven years, and the following pointers may be useful. 8 X 30 model (priced at £12.50), which is approved by the me Conservancy and also recommended by the Royal Society the Protection of Birds, is both compact and light, and there- >3 particularly suitable for the younger ornithologist and indeed anyone to whom weight is of primary importance. Even aller and lighter are two new Frank-Nipole models — the 10 X (£16.80) and the 12 X 50 (£18.90); considering their high ^ver and light transmission, they are remarkably light, compact jl easy to handle. The dedicated ornithologist, however, unde- red by a little extra size and weight, is inclined to remain loyal cour standard 10 X 50 model (£16.50). All these glasses are )plied complete with case and straps. esre are now also three really large models available — the x< 63 (£30), the 12 X 65 (£32) and the 20 X 70 (£36); case, squired, £7 extra. The 9 X 63 and 12 X 65 can be hand-held t: the 20 X 70 requires to be tripod-supported; a suitable tripod n be supplied for about £5. invitation is extended to all readers of British Birds to apply our free catalogue and a complimentary copy of Tell me, Mr 3 ink', a booklet which tells you everything you want to know o)ut binoculars. FREE TEST iWe extend an invitation to readers of 'British Birds' to test any of the Frank-Nipole bi- noculars under field conditions without any obligation whatso- ever (CORRECT ALIGNMENT A binocular NOT in correct alignment can cause head- aches and eyestrain. It is safer to purchase from a specialist — we test and guarantee every binocular we sell We accept your old binoculars in part exchange and extend credit facilities CHARLES FRANK LTD Binocular specialists and telescope makers for three generations |U5 QUEEN STREET GLASGOW Cl M1 J/' 6666 iii The West Wales Naturalists’ Trust Ltd (formerly the West Wales Field Society) Membership of the Trust is open to all who are interested in the study and conservation of wild life in Wales. The annual subscription of £2 entitles members to : (a) free issues of Nature in Wales, which appears half-yearly, and of the quarterly Trust Bulletin; (b) field excursions, lectures and meetings; (c) visits, without landing fees, to such island sanctuaries and nature reserves as Skomer, St Margaret’s, Skokholm and Cardigan Island. The activities of the Trust include the co-operative study of such animals as birds and seals and the recording of their distribution and habits. publications (post free): Skomer Island, 20p, Plant List of Pembroke- shire, 55p; The Birds of Cardiganshire, 55p; Plant List of Carmarthen- shire, 55p; Skokholm Bird Observatory Reports for each year to 1971, 25p each; Nature in Wales back numbers, 55p THE WEST WALES NATURALISTS’ TRUST LTD 4 Victoria Place, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire Small Advertisements 80p for 3 lines (minimum); 25p for each whole or part extra line. For the use of a box number there is a charge of 5p. Hampshire Bird Report 1971. 50p post free from E. A. Grove, 5 Long Close, Lower Stanmore Lane, Winchester, Hants. Minsmere. Comfortable accommoda- tion; packed lunches; evening meals to order. White Horse Inn, Westleton, Suffolk (M. L. Eves). Tel: Westleton 222. Swans Big Game and Bird Safaris to East Africa. See page ii. Bed and breakfast, packed lunches, C.H. Central for autumn migration in Cornwall. Advice areas to visit. Sep- tember to November. Box SR146. Cemlyn Bird Observatory. Open all year. Accommodation up to 6 in lux- ury caravan and annexe; electricity. Short weekends welcomed. Paradise for birdwatchers in beauty spot over- looking Cemlyn Nature Reserve and Wildfowl Refuge: 14 different ducks recorded, including Smew; also Manx, Sooty and Great Shearwaters, Fulmar, Storm and Leach’s Petrels, Gannet, Little Egret, Spoonbill, Red-necked Phalarope, Pratincole and other wad- ers, Great and Arctic Skuas, Little Gull, all terns, auks, Shore Lark, Richard’s Pipit and Snow Bunting. Become Friend of Observatory for 75p (juniors 40p) and receive 7 newsletters a year and free pen. Bird-ringers welcome: heligoland trap in use. Write for de- tails to D. H. Coggins, Cemlyn Bird Observatory, Swn-y-Mor, Cemlyn Bay, nr Amlwch, Anglesey (phone : Cemaes Bay 244). Notice to contributors British Birds publishes material dealing with original observations on the birds of 3ritain and Europe or, where appropriate, on the species of this area as observed n other parts of their range. Except for records of rarities, papers and notes are lormally accepted only on condition that the material is not being offered in w’hole >r in part to any other journal. Photographs (glossy prints showing good contrast) uid sketches arc welcomed. Proofs of all contributions are sent to authors before publication. After publication, 25 separates are sent free to authors of papers (two authors of me paper receive 15 each and three authors ten each); additional copies, for which 11 charge is made, can be provided if ordered when the proofs arc returned. Reprints af notes and other short items have to be specially ordered and are charged for. Papers should be typewritten with double spacing and wide margins, and on one • tide of the sheet only. Shorter contributions, if not typed, must be clearly written md well spaced. Notes should be worded as concisely as possible, and drawn up in the form in which they will be printed, with signature in block capitals and the author’s address dearly given in one line at the foot. If more than one note is submitted, each > ihould be on a separate sheet, with signature and address repeated. Certain conventions of style and layout are essential to preserve the uniformity 1 >f any publication. Authors of papers in particular, especially of those containing systematic lists, reference lists, tables, etc., should consult the ones in this issue as a .yuidc to general presentation. English names of species should have capital nitials for each word, except after a hyphen (e.g. Willow Warbler, Black-tailed [ 3odwit), but group terms should not (e.g. warblers, godwits). Both English and cientific names, and the sequence, follow A Species List of British and Irish Birds B.T.O. Guide 13, 1971). All scientific names should be underlined (but not put « brackets) immediately after the first mention of the English name. Sub- irpecific names should not be used except where they are relevant to the discussion. :t is sometimes more convenient to list scientific names in an appendix. Dates i hould take the form ‘1st January 1972’ and no other, except in tables where they nay be abbreviated to ‘1st Jan’, ‘Jan 1st’, or even ‘Jan 1’, whichever most suits he layout of the table concerned. It is particularly requested that authors should >ay attention to reference lists, which otherwise cause much unnecessary work, rhese should take the following form: Iannerman, D. A. 1934. The Birds of the British Isles. Edinburgh and London, vol 3 : 223-228. -.ack, D. i960. ‘Autumn “drift-migration” on the English east coast’. Brit. Birds, 53: 325-352, 379-397. i Various other conventions concerning references, including their use in the text, hould be noted by consulting examples in this issue. Tables should be numbered with arabic numerals, and the title typed above in he style used in this issue. They must either fit into the width of a page, or be lesigned to fit a whole page lengthways. All tables should be self-explanatory’. Figures should be numbered with arabic numerals, and the captions typed on a eparate sheet. All line-drawings should be in indian ink on good quality’ drawing >aper (not of an absorbent nature) or, where necessary, on graph paper, but this nust be light blue or very pale grey. It is always most important to consider how ach drawing will fit into the page. Any lettering or numbering that is an integral >art of a text-figure should be inserted lightly in pencil. 1973 ORNITHOLIDAYS Regd THE WESSEX TRA VEL CENTRE Holidays organised by birdwatchers for birdwatchers MOROCCO Exciting safari-type Orni- tholiday to southern Morocco and the edge of the Sahara. Tour starts Marra- kech and covers the most interesting parts of the Haut and Moyen Atlas, and the desert beyond. Good hotel accommoda- tion, coach travel reduced to minimum consistent with good birdwatching. Departure 24th March. Maximum 20. FINLAND The last wilderness. Orni- thological safari through the lakeland and forests of Finland. Good accommo- dation, coach throughout. Departure 9th June. Maximum 20. ARCTIC NORWAY Another Ornitholi- days safari, this time to the top of Europe in search of arctic birds. Good hotel and guesthouse accommodation, road and air transport throughout. Departure 23rd June. Maximum 20. HOLLAND Autumn visit to Texel and the Polders. Pleasant hotel accommo- dation, air and road transport through- out. Departure 22nd September. Maxi- mum 16. YUGOSLAVIA Another exciting safari- type tour which will explore the marshes and hills of northern Yugoslavia, then head south for Lake Scutari and Met- kovic. Good hotel accommodation, coach throughout. Departures 14th April and 22nd September. Maximum each group 20. MALAWI Detailed exploration of Lake Malawi, Lake Chilwa, Lengwe Game Reserve, Zomba, etc. First-class hotel and good game-lodge accommodation, minibus transport. Departure 12th July. Maximum 14. ZAMBIA Exciting birdwatching at Kafuc, Livingstone, Sumbu Reserve, etc. Good-class accommodation, air and minibus transport. Departure 9th October. Maximum 14. ETHIOPIA Repeat of our 1971 and 1972 tours to the Awash National Park, the Rift Valley Lakes, Lake Tana, the Blue Nile Gorge and the Menagesha State Forest. A fascinating country with outstanding birdlife. Departure 15th November. Maximum 22. Full details of costs and schedules for these and many other holidays on application: please send 3p stamp for 1973 programme LAWRENCE G. HOLLOWAY ORNITHOLIDAYS 44 ALDWICK ROAD BOGNOR REGIS, SUSSEX, P021 2PW Tel: Bognor Regis 21230 / Printed in England by Henry Burt & Son Ltd, College Street, Kempston, Bedford published by H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd, 15 Nicholas Lane, London EC4N 7BR 2 3 OCT 1972 / ritish Birds ftorial : Field guides and identification t;ht identification of European raptors rft 5 Vultures ten Christensen, Bent Pors Nielsen, R. F. Porter and Ian Willis ?en Heron in Cornwall in 1889 bert Hudson idhill Crane in Co. Cork in 1905 t idbirds over the North Atlantic: published records 1961-65 and thoughts a decade later in L. Durand iftes Reviews '•ws and comment Recent reports — July )lume 65 Number 10 October 1972 35p British Birds Editorial Address io Merton Road, Bedford Telephone 0234 67JJS Volume 65 Number io October 1972 409 Editorial: Field guides and identification 41 1 Flight identification of European raptors Part 5 Vultures Steen Christensen, Bent Port Nielsen, R. F. Porter and Ian Willis Plates 61-68 424 Green Heron in Cornwall in 1889 Robert Hudson 427 Sandhill Crane in Co. Cork in 1905 The Editors 428 Landbirds over the North Atlantic: unpublished records 1961-65 and thoughts a decade later Alan L. Durand NOTES 442 Great Blue Herons coming on board ships in mid-Atlantic Bernard King and R. M. Cur her 443 Plumage variations in a colony of Lesser Kestrels J. W. W. Metcalfe 444 Food of Buff-breasted Sandpiper in the Isles of Scilly Bernard King 444 Tawny Owl plunging into water D. Neil Brooks 445 Brambling feeding from suspended nut-basket S. W. M. Hughes REVIEWS 445 The Birds of Britain and Europe with North Africa and the Middle East by Hermann Heinzel, Richard Fitter and John Parslow P. J. Stead 448 News and comment Robert Hudson 450 Recent reports — July P. F. Bonham D. I. M. Wallace drew the Green Herons on page 426 and the Yellow-shafted Flicker on page 442, and Robert Gillmor the Crossbills on page 45 2 Editors Stanley Cramp, I. J. Ferguson-Lees, P. F. Bonham, M. A. Ogilvie and D. I. M. Wallace Photographic Editor Eric Hosking News and Comment Robert Hudson, B.T.O., Beech Grove, Tring, Hertfordshire Rarities Committee F. R. Smith, 117 Hill Barton Road, Exeter, Devon exi 3PP Year’s subscription for 12 issues £4.50 post paid (overseas rate £4.80) from H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd, 1 5 Nicholas Lane, London EC4N 7BR Copyright © the authors and H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd. All rights reserved: reproducdon or use without permission of the whole or any part of the contents, including text illustrations, is prohibited Heritage Travel a division of Supertravel Limited Heritage Travel is proud to announce that, in association with the British Trust for Ornithology, a new programme of tours designed especially for the ornithologist is shortly to be pub- lished. The destinations have been selected and the itineraries have been planned in close cooperation with the British Trust for Ornithology and, in every case, the expert ornithologist accompanying the group has been selected by the Trust. Each tour will be limited to eighteen tour members. The accommodation will be at first-class hotels with private bath- rooms wherever possible (on occasion such comfort will not be available), air travel will be by scheduled flights, and ground transportation, meals and other services will be of good quality. The 1973 programme is as follows: DESTINATION The Gambia Morocco The Camargue Greece Crete The Danube Delta The Bosphorus and Western Turkey Ethiopia DATES 15-28 March 31 March- 14 April 27 April-6 May 28 April-12 May 28 April- 12 May 25 August-8 September TOUR LEADER Mr I. J. Ferguson-Lces Mr Robert Spencer Dr J. J. M. Flegg Mr Tony Prater Mr \1. A. Ogilvie Mr M.J. Allen 1 5-29 September Mr R.J. 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Tel : 01 -636 8070 11 olumc 65 Number 10 October 1972 British Birds editorial 'ield guides and identification [ ' he recent publication of The Birds of Britain and Europe with North Xfrica and the Middle East , by Hermann Heinzel, Richard Fitter and iohn Parslow (reviewed on pages 445-448), has met with a wide range ff reactions, both favourable and unfavourable. This mixed reception lat now seems to greet the appearance of any new field guide is due | ..artly to a common misconception that the purpose of these volumes i ‘to enable anybody who is interested in birds to identify any bird ee or she is reasonably likely to see . . .’ (to quote from the intro- l tuction to one field guide). If this purpose were achieved, the field j mides published to date would be directly comparable and we could ny that one displaced another, or at least that this applied to certain l . arts of them. But they are explicitly only guides , not keys, to field 1 Jentification; it is better to buy and use all of them and to discover j laeir particular strengths and weaknesses the hard way. Perhaps the I rnblic is more likely to buy a book which claims to enable every j lird to be identified, but if so it is being misled by a gross over- 1 mplification. Identification is a highly complex physical and mental process, in- | i Diving the observer’s field skills and experience, the intrinsic degree if difficulty within the group of species in question, the circum- .ances of the encounter, and the instruments, books and other aids loadable. The process is often complete; it can also be sufficiently I miplete for the conclusion to be ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ (to use I ie legal phrase); now and then it goes far enough for a genus, group r: pair of species to be named; and, as any honest observer will I Imit, it is quite often a total failure. Field guides help to increase the bserver’s ‘success rate’, but are no substitute for experience; any- 1 r ie who doubts this should take the appropriate volume on a maiden j sit to North Africa, the Middle East or North America and keep a 409 410 'Editorial note of how many birds he sees or hears well enough but cannot identify during his first week there. The short and eventful history of field guides has followed a similar trend on both sides of the Atlantic: great advances in book produc- tion, in particular in colour printing, have made it possible to con- dense more species into one volume, and thus to cover a larger geographical area, without increasing size or price. The observer, apparently, needs to buy only one book for the whole of the United States and Canada, only one for almost the entire west Palearctic region. Unfortunately this is not the case in reality. The treatments in existing field guides, especially these new ones, are necessarily brief; although adequate for the identification of many species, they cannot cope with the difficult cases which are precisely those on which guidance is essential, even for fairly experienced observers. At this point we must remind ourselves of the uncomfortable fact that it is impossible to describe completely any bird. Human language and two-dimensional illustration cannot do full justice to a three- dimensional, living, moving animal. Field guides tend to concentrate on plumage, since language and still pictures lend themselves most readily to such visual features ; in attempting to describe briefly voice, jizz and behaviour, however, there are severe limitations and our present guides fall far short on these counts. The market for general field guides covering hundreds of species, from divers to sparrows, has surely now been met in Europe and North America. This is one end of the spectrum; the ever-growing numbers of birdwatchers in these continents must now demand a move in the opposite direction. All scientific disciplines have progressed to greater specialisation and there is no reason why field identification should not do likewise. Really comprehensive, full-length guides to such groups as Atlantic seabirds, Holarctic wildfowl, west Palearctic rap- tors, Holarctic waders, Holarctic skuas, gulls and terns, and Pale- arctic warblers, for example, illustrated with photographs as well as paintings and concentrating on the more difficult problems, are now long overdue. (It is intended that our current series on the identification of European raptors in flight, the fifth part of which appears in this issue, should eventually be published in book form.) Such specialised guides would not be the last word on the subject, of course, but they could be a vast improvement on what is available now. Visual features, at least, could be adequately dealt with and, now that technological advances are making such aids as portable miniature tape recorders and even film-strip viewers ever more efficient and better value for money, perhaps it will not be long before such in- tangible characters as voice and behaviour, too, can be compared directly, cheaply and conveniently in the field. L '3 OCT 1972 7light identification of European raptors teen Christensen, Bent Pors Nielsen, vv. F. Porter and Ian W illis 'ART 5 . VULTURES j 'he four vultures in our area are restricted to countries bordering I h ie Mediterranean and Black Seas. The group is unique among European aptors in feeding almost entirely on carrion: Griffon Gyps fulvus, I black Aegypius monachus and Egyptian Neophron percnopterus flock, I l ometimes together, at animal carcases or, particularly in the case of the l Egyptian, on rubbish dumps, while the more solitary Lammergeier j Ziypaetiis barbatus sails over high crags, searching for bones. The 1 driffon, Black and Lammergeier are the largest raptors in Europe, | idth wing spans of eight to nine feet (245 to 275 cm); the Egyptian I ! ; much smaller. The huge wings and short tails of both Black and j Griffon can give an eagle-like appearance; but there should be few I ual problems with the long diamond-shaped tail and pointed wings i f the Lammergeier, or with the fairly broad wings, wedge-shaped tail md black and white plumage of the adult Egyptian (although brown f rnmaturcs may cause difficulty). Fig. 45 below shows the head-on profiles. Fig. 46 on page 412 com- i.iarcs the most similar plumages, while the facing text on page 413 itotes the diagnostic features and outlines the areas of Europe, the 1 fiddle East and north Africa in which each species occurs. Figs. 47-32 i n pages 415-423, together with plates 61-68, illustrate the upper- and 1 ndersides. See also the definitions on page 53 of part 3. ig. 45. Head-on profiles of vultures: (a) soaring Griffon Gyps fulvus ; (b) soaring lack Aegypius monachus (Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus and Egyptian Neophron 'renop/erus often adopt this position too, though both sometimes also soar with wings bowed at the carpal joints) ; and (c) frequent gliding position of all four Fig. 46. Typical undersides of four vultures 41 3 I f flight identification of European raptors A. Black Vulture Aegypius monachus (pages 414-415, plate 62). adult shown. Huge, j with long, broad wings, short head and tail; proportions similar to Griffon, but wings more even in width, lacking marked bulge to rear edge; at distance can •resemble huge Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga (part 3). Plumage never contrasted as [Griffon, but all blackish, even in faded old birds, with black forewings and body .darkest parts; yellow feet often conspicuous overhead. Unlike Griffon, soars on : lat wings (45 b). Although normally singly or in twos and threes, and generally j scarce, parties up to 1 5 not uncommon in some areas ; largely resident in both open \ highlands and lowlands, pairs usually nesting singly in trees, in Iberia, Balearic ! I slands, Sardinia, Sicily (?), south Balkans north to Romania, south Russia, Turkey, Cyprus, Caucasus, Middle East, and Morocco (?) 13. Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus (pages 416-417, plates 61, 63-65, 66a). adult shown. I Proportions similar to Black, but very short innermost primaries produce marked ||! mlge to rear edge of secondaries. Contrast of huffish body and forewings with lolackish primaries and tail provides further distinction; first-autumn plumage j > -.hows still more contrast than adult. Unlike Black, soars with wings in shallow W (45 a). Much commoner and more gregarious than Black, frequently in groups of up to 60; partly migratory in similar habitats, but nesting in colonies on cliffs (both reaves and ledges), in Iberia, south France, Sardinia, Italy, Sicily, Balkans north to 1 1 Romania, Turkey, Cyprus, Caucasus, Middle East and Morocco, Algeria, south Tunisia and Egypt G. Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus (pages 418-420, plates 61, 68). juvenile shown. Aize similar to Griffon, but rather falcon-like outline tends to give smaller appearance j unless another species present for comparison; distinctive shape quite unlike uny other European raptor, with long broad wings, tapering hands, and long, .iumplc, diamond-shaped tail . Juvenile and other immature stages all dark sooty-brown except for paler, dirty buff underbody; adult has bright creamy or orange-yellow inderbody and yellowish head (with broad black stripe through eye) contrasting with blackish wings and tail. Soars and glides on flat or slightly bowed wings. Usually singly, in pairs or in family parties, and scarce and apparently rapidly ! ^decreasing in most areas; largely resident in high mountain country (occasionally fc'oothills), in Spain, France (Pyrenees), Corsica, Sardinia, south Yugoslavia, Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, Caucasus, Middle East, and Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia ID. Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnoplertu (pages 421-423, plates 61, 66b-67). 1 first-autumn shown. Smallest vulture, with narrow pointed head accentuated by ong bill, fairly long wedge-shaped tail, and long, fairly broad wings of even width c except for tapering hands. First-autumn plumage all sooty-brown with little contrast apart from pale rump and sometimes pale bars on wing-coverts; later, immature paler on back and uppertail-coverts, upper secondaries and underwing-coverts ; tdult has black flight-feathers (with white centres to upper secondaries) contrasting ■with white body, tail and wing-coverts, though often dark smudges on coverts and head dirty yellowish. Soars and glides on flat or slightly bowed wings. Wide- spread and often gregarious, particularly around rubbish dumps, but pairs nest s singly; summer visitor to all kinds of open country from mountains to lowland village areas, in Iberia, Balearic Islands, south France, Sardinia, Italy, Sicily, Balkans, Turkey, Caucasus, Middle East, and across north Africa 414 'European raptors: Black Vulture Black Vulture Aegypius monachus (pages 414-41 5, plate 62) Silhouette Very large vulture with huge wings (compare 46 A with 46B-D on page 412), much larger than any eagle. Head protruding little. Wings long and broad, but without bulging secondaries of Griffon, so that front and rear edges are more nearly parallel. Tail very short and, although slightly longer and more wedge-shaped in fresh plumage than that of Griffon, not noticeably different in the field. In head-on profile when soaring, wings held level (45 b on page 41 1); when gliding, wings bowed at carpal joints. Blight In soaring, wings are invariably held flat with just tips of primaries upturned; spends much time soaring effortlessly with hardly a wing beat. In gliding, arms are held straight out from body and hands bowed at carpal joints, which are pressed slightly forward with primaries closed and angled back; wings are held motionless with only occasional downward flap. When launching off from ground or cliff face, wing beats are slow and deep. Identification Confusion likely only with Griffon (pages 416-417) which, however, soars with wings in shallow V, has bulging secondaries and shows more plumage contrast. Black soars on flat, straighter-edged wings and is mainly sooty-black, darkest on coverts and body, though old individuals become slightly paler with light sooty-brown areas along edge of underwing-coverts. Always much darker than Griffon (even though latter can sometimes look dark in certain lights) and at distance often appears jet black, not unlike huge adult Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga (part 3) in both plumage and structure. Head pale, par- ticularly in older birds, but never as white as that of Griffon ; brownish ruff inconspicuous in field. Yellow feet, which show up surprisingly at closer ranges (plate 62a), are diagnostic. Immature White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla (part 3) is also dark with similarly shaped wings and short tail, but, even if whitish centres to tail-feathers can- not be seen, has markedly protruding head and neck. Adult Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca (part 3) can appear very like Black Vulture, particularly when soaring at a distance, but has wings proportionately narrower and tail longer and fuller; at closer ranges. Imperial’s white ‘braces’ are diagnostic Fig. 47 (opposite). Two Black Vultures Aegypius monachus from below and one from above. The immature and the adult are very similar and typical individuals (47A, 47c) are almost entirely sooty-black (blackish-brown at close ranges) with the wing-coverts and body slightly darker than the primaries and secondaries; a paler head protrudes from a brownish ruff, and yellow feet show up well against the black undertail-coverts. Older birds (47B) are generally paler and browner with a wide band of light brownish along the undcrwing-coverts 4i 6 European raptors : Griffon Vulture Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus (pages 416-417, plates 61, 63-65, 66a) Silhouette Almost as large as Black Vulture (compare 46B with 46A on page 412). Head again protruding little and, though slightly narrower than that of Black, shape too similar to be valid as field-character. Wings long and broad, but innermost primaries shorter than those of Black, producing pinched effect which gives a marked bulge to the secondaries and thus a deeply curved rear edge to each wing (plate 65). Tail very short and similar to that of Black. In head-on profile when soaring, wings raised in shallow V (4 5 A on page 41 1 and plate 64), quite different from soaring positions of Black and other vultures; when gliding, wings bowed at carpal joints. Flight In soaring, wings are raised in shallow V ; like other vultures, spends much time soaring effortlessly with hardly a wing beat. In gliding, as Black Vulture, arms are held straight out from body and hands bowed at carpal joints, which are pressed slightly forward with primaries closed and angled back; wings are held motionless with only occasional downward flap. When launching off from ground or cliff face, wing beats are slow and deep. Identification Likely to be confused only with Black Vulture (pages 414- 415), but wing position and shape when soaring and contrast in plumage provide good distinctions. Griffon soars on raised wings with bulging secondaries, whereas Black soars on flat wings with front and rear edges more nearly parallel. From below, immature shows marked contrast of gingery-buff underbody and underwing-coverts with black flight-feathers and tail; contrast becomes less striking as bird grows older, but even full adult’s body and coverts are never as dark as those of palest Black Vulture. Greyish feet do not show up like yellow ones of Black Vulture, but very pale creamy-white head and neck, though often darkened by blood and filth, are usually conspicuous (plates 63, 64), as is white ruff. From above, buffish-grey to brown coverts and rump contrast with blackish flight-feathers and tail, unlike entirely black-brown upperparts of Black Vulture. Fig. 48 {opposite). Adult and immature Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus from below and adult from above. The adult (48 A, 46B on page 412) has gingery-buff underwing- coverts and underbody contrasting with blackish primaries, secondaries and tail; pale (often almost whitish) lines and bars on the lesser and median coverts increase the contrast which can usually be seen even in poor light or at great distances; the feet are greyish and so not conspicuous; the head and neck are off-white (but may be stained darker after feeding). The immature (48B) has much sandier under- wing-coverts and underbody, especially in its first autumn, and the contrast with the blackish secondaries, primaries and tail is even more striking. The adult from above (48c) has a whitish head and ruff and gingery-buff upperwing-coverts, back and rump contrasting with black flight-feathers and tail 41 8 European raptors: Lammergeier Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus (pages 418-420, plates 61, 68) Silhouette Very large, with wing span similar to or even greater than Black Vulture (compare 46c with 46A on page 412). Head small, but quite well protruding. Long and rather pointed wings and long, ample, diamond-shaped tail produce an outline unique among European raptors (plate 61). Immature has longer secondaries than adult and, especially when tail abraded, tends to have less distinctive shape, not unlike huge immature Egyptian Vulture. In head-on profile when soaring, wings either level or occasionally with hands angled down; when gliding, wings bowed at carpal joints. Flight In soaring, wings are usually held flat and straight out from body or occasionally angled down at carpal joints; soars for long periods over ridges and precipices, or back and forth in front of cliff face. In gliding, as with all vultures, arms are held straight out from body and hands bowed at carpal joints, which are pressed slightly forward with primaries closed and angled back. When taking off, wing beats are heavy and ponderous; otherwise, virtually no flapping except for occasional down beat. Identification Hardly possible to mistake for any other bird. Adult’s orange-buff or yellowish-buff underparts are conspicuous at great ranges, as is the yellowish head which contrasts strongly with the slate-black upperparts when seen from above or while banking. When no other birds present for size comparison, a heavily abraded im- mature can look almost as short-tailed and nearly as dark as young Egyptian (pages 421-423), but wing shape rather different. : ig. 49. Adult and juvenile Lammergeiers Gypaetus barba/us from below. The adult i{9A) has a bright creamy-white or yellow head shading to darker rufous-cream, comewhat orange, on the underbody and undertail-coverts; a dark, incomplete noccasionally complete) pectoral band of small, black spots and darker rufous is ometimes apparent; the underwing-coverts are black and the primaries and oecondaries slaty grey-black shading to blackish on the rear edge of the wings and ' n the ends of the outer primaries ; the tail is also slaty grey-black ; a black stripe mrough each eye and black drooping moustaches at the base of the bill are easily eeen in good light and at reasonably close range. The juvenile (49B) is entirely > lackish-brown below, except for its dirty buff body and its blacker head and '•rimary ends; the underwing-coverts have a scruffy appearance; partly grown moustaches are not easily seen even at close range 420 'European raptors: Lammergekr Fig. 50. Adult and juvenile Lammergeiers Gypaetus barbatus from above. When seen at close range, the adult (50A) is mainly a beautiful charcoal-grey, as a result of the black feathers having grey centres, but at a distance it appears simply blackish; the head is a brilliant creamy-yellow with a striking black stripe from the base of the bill through each eye and black feathers drooping below the bill. The juvenile (50B) is blackish-brown above, darkest on the primaries, secondaries and tail; the head and neck are blackish with paler greyish patches above and below each eye; the rump and uppertail-coverts are grey-buff and paler than the rest of the upperparts; the moustaches are only partly grown at this stage and hardly noticeable. The immature in its first autumn is identical with the juvenile, except that it has more extensive buff on the head, which is of doubtful use in the field except at close quarters 421 i European raptors: Egyptian Vulture Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus (421-425, plates 61, 66b-67) Silhouette Much smaller and more lightly built than other vultures ^compare 46D with 46A-C on page 412 and see plate 61); size between Hlack Kite Milvus migrans (part 2) and Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos part j). Head small, but projecting well to distinct point owing to I ong, delicate bill (see also plates). Wings long and fairly broad with parallel edges but tapering hands. Tail wedge-shaped and medium- ■ hort in length; adult has broader base to tail than immature because of . :xtra feathers at sides (plate 67a). In head-on profile when soaring, wings either level or bowed with drooping hands; when gliding, swings bowed at carpal joints. I ^ light In soaring, wings either held flat or angled down from carpal oints and there is much more flexibility than in other vultures. In gliding, wings bowed at carpal joints, with primaries angled back, as with the other species. Active flight includes more wing beats than larger vultures, though much time still spent soaring; takes off with leavy and quite deep wing beats and moves surprisingly fast when i listurbed from rubbish dump or carcase. fi identification Adult not likely to be confused with any other raptor, although at a quick glance can resemble light-phase Booted Eagle IHieraaetus pennatus (part 2), the only other European bird of prey with similarly patterned black and white underparts. (White Stork Ciconia r:, iconia also has similar flight pattern, which has been known to cause cconfusion, but long neck and legs protrude well out in front and behind.) Brownish immature superficially resembles any other large brown raptor, but more pointed and comparatively narrow (though sstill fairly broad) wings, wedge-shaped tail (which often appears tcranslucent orange-buff) and pointed head should readily distinguish it. "'Young Lammergeier (pages 418-420), which has slightly shorter tail and longer secondaries than adult, can resemble immature Egyptian, lout is so much larger that there should be no difficulty in separation. 422 European raptors: Egyptian Vulture Fig. j i. Adult, immature and first-autumn Egyptian Vultures Neophron percnopterus from below. The adult (51 a) is distinctive, having white body, wing-coverts and tail contrasting with blackish primaries and secondaries; there is a certain amount of dirty yellowish discoloration around the neck and upper breast (plate 67a) and some individuals, probably those moulting from sub-adult to adult plumage, have dirty smudges on the white coverts (plate 66b); against a strong light the tail is translucent and often shows an orange hue. The first-autumn plumage (51c) is wholly blackish-brown, though paler and browner across the median coverts, except that the chin and throat are dirty cream ; again, the tail can take on an orange tinge when the bird is soaring in strong sunlight. As the immature grows older (5 ib), lighter areas appear on the wing-coverts and the belly and tail-coverts become progressively paler owing to the appearance of an ever-increasing number of cream feathers; the tail also lightens in colour, becoming more buff-brown. From this stage, more and more light feathers appear until the adult plumage is attained and the variety of immature and sub-adult plumages is thus considerable European raptors: Egyptian Vulture 423 I Fig. 52. Adult, immature and first-autumn Egyptian Vultures Neophron f>ercnopterus I from above. The adult (52A) is white on the head, forewings, back, rump, tail- coverts and tail, though it has a blackish-brown smudgy band along the greater and 1 median coverts (plate 66c) and the sides of the neck are often streaked with dirty 1 marks; the primaries are black, but the centres of the secondaries arc white and these form a scries of whitish stripes along the inner wings (plate 66c); the bare patch of skin around the eyes and the base of the bill is brilliant yellow, although usually not very noticeable in the field. The immature (52B) is similar to the adult, but the tail is grey-buff and the other light parts are dirty cream with various smudgy marks on the back and wing-coverts and a dark huffish-brown area between the shoulders; there is less white on the secondaries and the bare head is greyish- cream. Intermediate individuals (not illustrated) can be quite strongly patterned, having black primaries and secondaries, dirty cream coverts with two rows of bars across the greater and median ones and darker forewings, a largely blackish- brown back, a white rump, and a blackish tail with a broad white terminal band. In the first-autumn (52c) the wings are dark black-brown with a creamy-buff area across the coverts, the mantle is blackish-brown and the back a dirty brownish- buff, the rump and tail coverts are a prominent dirty cream, and the tail is greyish- buff; the bare patch round the eye is grey Green Heron in Cornwall in 1889 Robert Hudson Until the early 1950’s, leading British and Irish ornithologists were notoriously reluctant to admit the possibility of natural transatlantic crossings by landbirds. This was the attitude of Howard Saunders, one of the most influential ornithologists of the Victorian era, and the same line was followed by, among others, R. J. Ussher in Ireland and Dr E. Hartert and H. F. Witherby in Britain. Records of Nearctic waterfowl, waders and gulls were acceptable, as were those of American Bitterns Botaurus lentiginosus and Yellow-billed Cuckoos Coccj^us americanus in view of the numbers that occurred; but most records of other North American species were dismissed as due to assisted passage or importation. More recently, especially since meteorological analysis by Williamson (1954) and a survey of Nearctic landbird records in Europe by Alexander and Fitter (1955), transatlantic crossings have been regarded as natural phenomena. The Records Committee of the British Ornithologists’ Union has given retrospective acceptance to old records of Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis (Co. Cork, September 1905), Slate-coloured Junco Junco hyemalis (Co. Clare, May 1905) and Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia (Shetland, October 1936). Doubtless some other early occurrences of Nearctic species merit reconsideration where documentation is possible; the present note concerns one more which has recently been reconsidered. The Green Heron Butorides virescens is a common migratory species in eastern North America, but the record under discussion here is the only occurrence known in Europe. This individual, at Penrice, near St Austell, Cornwall, on 27th October 1889, was almost caught by a spaniel before being shot by the gamekeeper to Sir Charles Sawle, Bt. It was sent to a Bristol taxidermist, in whose shop it was seen and identified by Mathew (1890), the contemporary chronicler of Devon bird-life; subsequently it was forwarded to the British Museum (Natural History) where the identity was confirmed by Harting (1890), Dr P. L. Sclater and R. Bowdler Sharpe. No reason was ever given for not then admitting the species to the British and Irish list; if the authorities of the period suspected it might have been an escape from captivity, their fears were not stated at the time. Saunders (1899), Hartert et al. (1912) and the B.O.U. (1915) all hid behind the phrase ‘said to have been shot’, but there is no reasonable doubt that the specimen was shot when and where reported, this being tacitly admitted by Witherby et al. (1938-41) with the words . . was shot in Cornwall . . .’. 424 Green Heron in Cornwall 425 The specimen is now preserved in the County Museum, Truro, I (Cornwall, where it has recently been re-examined by R. D. Pen- , lhallurick, to whom I am grateful for providing photographs and a plumage description. The bird is in adult-type plumage, characterised by having the crown black glossed with green, dark green-glossed upperparts apart from some brown edgings among the wing-coverts, trich chestnut cheeks and sides and back of neck, whitish foreneck with vertical lines, and unstreaked grey-brown underparts. In this specimen, however, the elongated, lanceolate scapulars are considerably shorter than those of the nuptial plumage, as previously reported by Harting; vwhile the erectile feathers of the crest, too, are shorter than in breeding dress. Presumably these feathers were still developing when the bird vwas killed. This adult-type plumage is first acquired in the late summer or autumn of the second calendar year, but it is not possible to age the ) (Cornish specimen further. I have long considered this record a genuine one. The occurrence in late October in a western county is suggestive of a wild vagrant. More important, and a factor not appreciated by previous authors, was the simultaneous occurrence of two American Bitterns in Ireland, I (one shot in Co. Kildare on 3 1st October and the other in Co. London- derry on some day at the end of that month ( Zoologist , 1890: 24, 26); tthese records demonstrate that meteorological conditions over the 'North Atlantic had been compatible with west-east crossings. More- I (over, the fact that the Green Heron was almost caught by a spaniel s suggests that it may have been exhausted. The Zoologist accounts of 1 the heron made slight reference to the escape possibility, but, despite tthe wide circulation which that journal had at the time, nobody came (forward to report a loss or even a possible source; indeed, there is no (evidence that any were being held in British collections. The Cornish ■specimen was in unworn plumage and bore no marks of captivity (Mathew). The Green Heron occupies a wide range of damp habitats, both freshwater and marine: ponds, rivers, wooded streams, marshes, : mangrove swamps and shores. The breeding range extends over North and Central America south to Panama, and throughout the West Indies; seven subspecies are recognised. The nominate race occupies eastern North America from southern New Brunswick, (Southern Quebec, southern Ontario and central Minnesota south to the Gulf States and Mexico ; except for some birds in Florida, southern Texas and Mexico, it is a migratory population, wintering mainly ■south of the breeding range as far as Colombia and Venezuela. The main passages through North America occur in March-April and Scptember-October; the species has straggled on several occasions to Bermuda, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, and once to west Greenland. (Data in this paragraph are taken from Palmer 1962.) 426 Green Heron in Cornwall The Green Heron is sometimes considered to be conspecific with the Green-backed or Striated Heron Butorides striatus, which has a wide range in South America, in islands of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and in warmer parts of Australasia, Asia and Africa. The two appear to overlap in Panama, however, and for this reason they are usually treated as distinct species, though a very close relationship is apparent. Of recent years there has been increased realisation of a vagrancy potential among the Ardeidae. As evidence for this, one can cite trans- atlantic crossings by Least Bitterns Ixobrychus exilis (to Iceland and the Azores), a Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias (pages 442-443) and American Bitterns (now about 60 European records) ; the colonisa- tion of the New World by the Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis-, and Caribbean recoveries of European-ringed Grey Herons A. cinerea and Little Egrets Egretta gar^etta. The migratory behaviour of the Green Heron makes it another likely candidate for a transatlantic crossing. This case was submitted in November 1971 to the B.O.U. Records Committee which, as a result, has now admitted the Green Heron to the British and Irish list, placing it in category B since the record is more than 50 years old (see Brit. Birds, 64: 429, for definitions of categories). The honorary secretary, Dr J. T. R. Sharrock, has asked me to say that the committee will be glad to re-examine other old records where documented cases are presented; normally these will need to include at least indirect evidence of meteorological conditions at the time of occurrence. REFERENCES Alexander, W. B., and Fitter, R. S. R. 1955. ‘American land-birds in western Europe’. Brit. Birds, 48: 1-14. British Ornithologists’ Union. 1915. A List of British Birds. London. Hartert, E., Jourdain, F. C. R., Ticehurst, N. F., and Witherby, H. F. 1912. A Hand-List of British Birds. London. Harting, J. E. 1890. ‘ Ardea virescens in Cornwall’. Zoologist, 1890: 181-182. i ( Green Heron in Cornwall 427 .''Mathew, M. A. 1890. 'Ardea virescens in Cornwall’. Zoologist , 1890: 105-106. P?ALMER, R. S. 1962. Handbook of North American Birds. New Haven, vol I. $ saunders, H. 1899. An Illustrated Manual of British Birds. London. Second edition. '.Williamson, K. 1954. ‘American birds in Scotland in autumn and winter, 1953-54’. Scot. Nat., 66: 13-29. VWitherby, H. F., Jourdain, F. C. R., Ticehurst, N. F., and Tucker, B. W. 1958-41. The Handbook of British Birds. London, vol 3. . Robert Hudson , British Trust for Ornithology, Beech Grove, Tring, Hertfordshire ■Sandhill Crane in Co. Cork in 1905 The 1936 Black-and-white War- bler and the 1905 Slate-coloured Junco mentioned by Robert Hudson in his first paragraph on page 424 are both included in The Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland (B.O.U. 1971) and have previously been ■referred to in this journal (Brit. Birds, 53: 98-99; and 64: 367). The 1 Sandhill Crane, however, has only recently been added to the British I ..and Irish list, like the Green Heron in category B since this record too is more than 5 o years old (Ibis, 1 1 4 : 446). The individual in question .was present at Galley Head, Co. Cork, for about three days up to |j 114th September 1905, when it was shot. The taxidermists who mounted the specimen said that it was in a ‘very spent condition’ and they could j idetect no signs of its having been in captivity. By permission of the < ‘National Museum, Dublin, it was recently examined at the British Museum (Natural History) by D. Goodwin and Dr D. W. Snow, who iconfirmed that there was no evidence of captive origin and found the | specimen to be of the nominate subspecies. This race breeds in north- east Siberia and arctic North America from northern Alaska east to I IBaffin and Southampton Islands; it is migratory and winters in I ( California and southern Texas south to central Mexico. Other less I migratory or even resident races occur farther south in North America and in Cuba. It is significant that two of the only four records of the species in easternmost North America up to 1957 were both on Prince Edward Island in September/October 1905 (American Orni- thologists’ Union, Check-list of North American Birds, 5 th edition, 1957). H. F. Witherby wrote of this record in an editorial note in The Handbook as follows: ‘An American Brown Crane, Grits canadensis (L.), recorded as shot in co. Cork, Ireland, September 14, 1905 (A. R. Nichols, Irish Nat., 1907, p. 209), had probably escaped from captivity (Brit. B., i, p. 90).’ On re-examining all the circumstances in liaison with Irish authorities, however, the Records Committee has decided that the probability of this individual having been a wild vagrant is sufficiently high to admit the species to the British and Irish list. Eds Landbirds over the North Atlantic: unpublished records 1961-65 and thoughts a decade later Alan L. Durand In October 1962, while travelling from New York to Southampton in R.M.S. Mauretania , I was fortunate to witness a fall of over 130 American landbirds of 34 species (Durand 1963). This was the highlight of five years of voyaging across the North Atlantic in the four biggest ‘Cunarders’. Making up to twelve round trips each year, I found the total number of landbird sightings quite a revelation. In view of the increased incidence of New World passerines in Britain and Ireland during the past decade, it seems desirable to record these observations. In this paper they are first set out in chronological sequence, both descriptively (pages 428-435) and in summary tables (pages 432-434), and then discussed in relation to other papers and records. Fig. 1 shows the localities mentioned in the text and the broad path of the routes followed. CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF VOYAGES All times are local (ship’s) times, and all voyages were between New York and Southampton (sometimes calling at Cobh, Cherbourg or Le Havre) unless otherwise specified; those on which I was not present are square-bracketed. The dates in bold type are those of the arrival or discovery of the birds mentioned. 26th-27th April 1961 R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth eastbound carried a Blue Jay,* an American Robin and a White-throated Sparrow, the last having a strong claim to being sighted independently at Needs Oar Point, near the entrance to Southampton Water, three days after the liner docked in Southampton on 2nd May (Sharrock 1961, Durand 1961). 8th September 1961 After two days eastbound in R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth, I saw a small passerine fly in on the port beam near one of the stacks. Later, at dusk, I caught it trying to roost among the sun-deck chairs and identified it as a Savannah Sparrow. It had gone next day. [6th October 1961 About eight small passerines flew aboard R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth eastbound some 750 km out of New York. Most stayed nearly to Cherbourg, and one, sustained on fresh grapes, right into Southampton (see below).] 12th October 1961 On joining R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth in Southampton for the west- bound voyage, I was shown the bird that had completed the previous crossing. It proved to be a Blackpoll Warbler, tame yet quite lively. 1 tried to persuade it to fly ashore, but it merely ran up my arm to perch on the back of my collar. Sadly it died about half-way back to America, and its remains were disposed of before * Scientific names of all landbirds seen at sea are given in table 3 (birds of Nearctic origin) and table 4 (Palearctic) on pages 436-437. .Landbirds over North Atlantic 1 961-6 / 429 I could rescue the skin. On the crossing to Cherbourg, a Willow Warbler and a Meadow Pipit travelled first-class on the sun-deck. :20th October 1961 On the return crossing eastbound of R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth, a large raptor was sighted. I identified it on the following day as an immature Red- shouldered Hawk when, at about 17.00 hours and almost exactly midway between New York and Southampton, it flew over the stern carrying a Leach’s Petrel Oceanodroma leucorboa which it then devoured in the after rigging about six metres above me : I watched it for an hour in dull, drizzly weather until dusk. Throughout a three-day stay on board, it fed exclusively on petrels, and roosted in a recess under the high light on the after mast ; on one occasion I saw it drop the indigestible rremains of its prey down one of the stacks. This gave rise to a garbled account on the front page of a popular national newspaper the morning after the ship had docked in Southampton about ‘a falcon making its nest in the funnel of the Queen Elizabeth' and ‘feeding on gulls’. I do not know the source of the press story, but it attracted much interest, reporters besieging the ship in the hope of photographing tthe bird which, in fact, had last been seen on 22nd near the Isles of Scilly. :26th May 1962 Two Blue Jays graced the after end of R.M.S. Mauretania eastbound some 200 km from New York, and xoo km farther on at about 18.00 hours I identi- fied a female Blackpoll Warbler and a Yellow Warbler near the ship’s boats. Just before dusk a remarkably featureless sparrow or bunting appeared close to the entrance of the covered promenade deck. The completely unstreaked, generally warm brown plumage presented an overnight enigma, and I was glad to see it again next day with all the other birds except the Yellow Warbler. It became progressively more listless, eventually coming to hand, where shafts of deep, rich blue at the base of the carpal feathers gave the clue to a female Indigo Bunting. Refusing food and '.water, it later died, to be put on ice for the rest of the voyage before despatch to Liverpool Museums, where identification was confirmed. The remaining birds had ^disappeared by dusk on 28th, about two-thirds of the way across. 126th June 1962 A Canada Warbler dropped vertically out of thinning fog on to the first-class sun-deck of R.M.S. Caronia westbound some 220 km from New York, giving a vivid glimpse of yellow before it took off again into the sun-glinted haze. ionc m«« UJMAKT g»ai® mnas NANrUCMT, 1000 km Fig. 1. Limits of routes followed on about 100 voyages across the North Atlantic during 1961-65. The darker shading indicates the normal latitudinal range, the lighter the northern and southern limits in exceptional circumstances, such as severe weather. Ports are shown by initials as follows: NY’ New York, C Cobh, Liv Liverpool, S Southampton, Ch Cherbourg, LH Le Havre, L Lisbon 430 Landbirds over North Atlantic 1961-6 ; [23rd July 1962 Christopher Mullens informed me that eastbound in R.M.S. Mauretania , two days and 1,850 km out of New York, he noticed a small passerine ‘completely yellow all over’. This was probably a Yellow Warbler.] [30th August 1962 Deck-stewards reported to me that R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth eastbound some 900 km out of New York, on the edge of a hurricane, had been ‘inundated with small birds — at least 100’. None appeared to have completed the crossing.] 13th September 1962 A Barn Swallow and two unidentified small passerines were soon dispersed by a cutting north-east wind from the open decks of R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth eastbound some 1,500 km out of New York. [19th September 1962 R.M.S. Mauretania was some 30 hours and 1,100 km east- bound when a deck-steward managed to catch the most colourful of several warblers and sparrows, keeping it in semi-captivity on soft fruit, crumbs and water. It died on the ship in Southampton, where I identified it as a Parula Warbler; the corpse was later sent to Liverpool Museums.] 5th October 1962 On R.M.S. Mauretania’ s next voyage westbound, some 15 passerines were about the ship the day before docking in New York, including four Slate-coloured Juncos. 7th-ioth October 1962 This was the period of the outstanding fall of over 130 landbirds of 34 species during R.M.S. Mauretania’ s return eastbound crossing on the southern edge of hurricane ‘Daisy’ and the last ones remained on board until the ship docked at Southampton on 14th (Durand 1963). [8th October 1962 R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth westbound near New York had a similar large invasion.] [10th October 1962 R.M.S. Syhania eastbound three days behind the Mauretania carried quite a number, including at least two Yellow-shafted Flickers.] nth May 1963 In misty weather at 19.00 hours, two days and 1,850 km out of New York, two Barn Swallows settled very tired on the boat-deck rail of R.M.S. Mauretania until it was quite dark. They were not seen again. 9th June 1963 A Purple Martin flew for two hours round R.M.S. Mauretania one day eastbound out of New York. 15th August 1963 Again eastbound and a day out, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo spent long, almost motionless periods on R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth’s after end. It had gone by the following morning. 30th September-ist October 1963 On board R.M.S. Queen Mary steaming west- bound into a 35-knot SSW wind and some 1,500 km from New York, I noticed a large fluttering passerine desperately trying to land on the ship from astern. It resembled a Brown Thrasher, though the strong wind took it farther away and identification became impossible. Several smaller passerines were then seen at varying heights overhead, before I came across a Magnolia Warbler being buffeted on the boat-deck. As I tried to corner it, a freak gust shot it past my left foot straight over the side; there was never a chance of its rejoining the ship. Next morning at 08.00 hours, in warm, sunny weather, the ship was some six hours from New York and inundated with birds, fresh waves passing continually. A party of ten Mourning Doves flew round and round, and the forward rigging held, among others, a Cedar Waxwing, two species of nuthatch and a Brown Creeper, while three Brown Thrashers frequented the masts. Two Meadowlarks were prominent, and a large unidentified hawk passed overhead carrying substantial prey. A Golden-crowned Kinglet refused to come out from the concealed lighting panel in the centre ceiling of the verandah grill, and many of the smaller birds were flying in and out of cabins, even penetrating the first-class restaurant many decks down. Slate-coloured Juncos and various sparrows were the commonest birds on board, and it was nice to see a Pi. \te 61. Three species of vultures soaring together, Spain, May {photo: Charles A. I ’amber). Top, adult Egyptian Xeopbron percnopterns, much the smallest, black and white with medium-short wedge-shaped tail translucent in sunlight (pages 421- I 423). Left, Griffon Gyps fulrus, with huge wings, short head and tail (pages 416-417). I Bottom, adult Lammergeier Gypaetus barba/us, of similar size to Griffon, but with narrower, tapering wings and long, full, diamond-shaped tail (pages 418-420) Plate 62. Black Vultures Aeg ypius monachm. Above, Spain, May ( photo: P . VanGroe- nendael and W. Sue/ens), showing the all-black plumage, with wing-coverts and body darker than flight-feathers, and the conspicuous yellow feet. Below left, typical bird {photo: Stefan Danko), illustrating broad wings without bulging rear edges of Griffon (plates 63-663), and short head and tail. Below right, worn adult, Spain, January {photo: A. R. Johnson), with heavily abraded flight- and tail-feathers; note again the wings with parallel edges and also the palish head (pages 414-415) I5]. ate 63. Above, Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus seen from overhead, west Pyrenees, April {photo: P. I 'an Groenendael and If '. Suetens), showing the pale head, whitish ruff and sandy-grey hack and wing-coverts contrasting with black flight-feathers and tail. Below, adult mohbed by Bonelli’s I agle Uieraaet us fascia! us, Spain, May {photo: Charles A. 1 raucber): note the Griffon’s much larger si/e Bonelli’s is a medium-sized eagle and again its contrasted plumage with light bars anti blotches on the dark sandy forewings, and the blackish hindwings and tail (pages 416-417) r, i I i. a ie 64. Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus over typical nesting and roosting habitat, Spain, May {photo: Charles A. Voucher). This illustrates the distinctive soaring position with the wings raised in a shallow V, and the pale head (pages 416-417) Plate 65. Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus from below and above, Spain, Was (photos: Charles A. Voucher). Note marked curves to rear edges of wings formed by bulging secondaries, also the whitish head and ruff, and the marked contrast between the sandy body and wing-coverts and the dark flight-feathers and tail (pages 416-417) Plate 66. Above, one more Griffon Vulture, Gyps fulvus, Spain, May {photo: Charles A. Voucher) (pages 416-417). Below, adult Egyptian Vultures Neophron percnopterus-. left, Jordan, April {photo: Eric Hosking ); and right, Spain, May {photo: Charles A. Voucher). Note the black flight-feathers, with whitish centres from above, and contrasting white body, wing-coverts (with dark smudges) and wedge-shaped tail, as well as the small pointed head and the yellowish wash on the neck (pages 421-423) ■Plate 67. Egyptian Vultures Neophron percnop/er/is, Spain, May {photos: Charles A. Il Voucher). Above, adult, showing the characteristic black and white plumage with a I lirty yellowish discoloration on the head and upper breast, the yellow face, and 9< he wedge-shaped tail which often appears translucent in strong sunlight. Below, I n.wo different immatures, illustrating the entirely dark brown plumage apart from I whitish centres to the flight-feathers and a slightly paler tail (pages 421-423) Plate 68. Adult Lammergeiers Gypaetus barbatus, Above left and below, Spain, May {photos: Charles A. Voucher)', above right, West Pakistan, November [photo: Eric Hosking). Note long wings tapering at the hands, and long, ample, diamond-shaped tail; yellowish-orange head and underparts contrast with black eyestripe and mou- staches, slaty-black wings and tail, and black underwing-coverts (pages 418-420) Landbirds over North Atlantic 1961-6 j 431 iPurple Finch in the after rigging. Later commitments unfortunately prevented my observing a very heavy passage of what, from descriptions, appeared to be mixed warblers, so the systematic list in table 1 on pages 432-433 contains only species and numbers which I myself identified with certainty; it should have been much longer. The total number of birds on the ship, or passing during the morning, must r easily have exceeded that recorded on the Mauretania almost a year earlier (see page .430) — another example, it seems, of peak southward migration held up pending ^clearance of a vigorous depression extending north-east into the Atlantic towards 1 Iceland. [25th October 1963 Several European passerines travelled west in R.M.S. Queen Mary , including ‘a thrush’ which may have reached the New Jersey coast.] [30th October 1963 There was a large fall of landbirds in stormy weather a day out of New York on R.M.S. Queen Mary’s return voyage, and many remained in and around the ship for half to three-quarters of the crossing. I could determine only one species with absolute certainty from various stewards’ descriptions — Slate- i coloured Junco, of which there were several.] 17th May 1964 A Turtle Dove appeared aboard R.M.S. Mauretania when some 90 km off Ushant, France, on her way to the Mediterranean, and spent much of the . day round the bridge. It disappeared the following afternoon off the Portuguese . coast south of Lisbon. On the return run to Southampton on 28th May, a Swallow flew round the ship for several hours, occasionally alighting, in roughly the same area off the French coast. [About 23rd May 1964 A Yellow-shafted Flicker survived a crossing to Liverpool in R.M.S. Sylvania. In partial captivity some of the time, with food and water provided, it was eventually presented alive by the Captain to Chester Zoo.] 7th July 1964 Westbound and some 350 km from New York, I watched two passerines flying near R.M.S. Queen Mary for an hour or so at about 08.00 hours. Neither alighted and I was unable to identify the smaller, but from the red shoulder- patches the larger was unmistakably a Red-winged Blackbird. 5th September 1964 A Baltimore Oriole appeared in the rigging of R.M.S. Mauretania, two days and 1,650 km eastbound and still in a heavy swell generated by a hurricane which had battered the Queen Mary two days earlier but had since passed north. Later that day an immature Red-shouldered Hawk arrived and, like the one in October 1961 (page 429), fed on Leach’s Petrels; it may also have been responsible for the oriole’s later disappearance. It departed before we were three-quarters of the way to the Fastnet Light, off south-west Ireland. 24th September 1964 Many Monarchs Danaus plexippus and some other large yellow butterflies had been about the decks of R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth when she sailed out of New York on 23 rd September more or less straight into the path of hurricane ‘Gladys’, one of the most complex and widespread for several years. The hurricane hit us fully between 03.00 and 07.00 hours on 24th, and daylight brought a nasty combination of high -wind, very rough sea and wet, clammy fog. The first thing to flutter out of the gloom, surprisingly, was a Monarch and then came the birds, in slowly clearing visibility and lessening wind. A Palm Warbler, a Song Sparrow and an immature White-crowned Sparrow stayed sheltered by the verandah grill window, while three Yellow-shafted Flickers were trying to use the masts as trees. In a recess near the top of one of the funnels, an American Kestrel appeared to shiver in the galloping fog. An immaculate Parula Warbler spent a day and a half in and around a starboard lifeboat, and a Yellow-billed Cuckoo sheltered for a day in a recess under the prow lookout, before emerging to become prominent about the rigging. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet, a Magnolia Warbler and another Song [continued on page 434] Table i. Landbirds of certain or probable American origin recorded during about ioo voyage between New York and Southampton, 1961-65 The dates, distances from New York and weather refer to the time of arrival or discovery of the species concerned. For scientific names see table 3 on page 436. *to Liverpool fto Lisbon Km from Length of Ship and course Date New York Species stay (alive) Weather QElizabeth E 26.4.61 350 American Robin 4 days ! Overcast, [ blustery 27.4.61 1,300 Blue Jay day White-throated Sparrow 4 days Q Elizabeth E 8.9.61 i,3°° Savannah Sparrow day Overcast, W breeze QElizabeth E 6. 10.61 75° c 7 small passerines 04 days Following winds Blackpoll Warbler Whole way Q Elizabeth W 12.xo.6x 5,500 Blackpoll Warbler (same) 2 days Variable QElizabeth E 20.X0.6l 2,000 Red-shouldered Hawk 3 days Dull, drizzle Mauretania E 26.5.62 200 2 Blue Jays 2 days ] 300 Yellow Warbler 1 day 1 S W breeze, Blackpoll Warbler 2 days f cloudy, clear 350 Indigo Bunting I J days J Caronia W 26.6.62 220 Canada Warbler 5 minutes Calm, hazy sun Mauretania E 23.7.62 1,850 Probable Yellow Warbler i day Partly cloudy Q Elizabeth E 30.8.62 900 100+ small birds Days Edge of hurricane QElizabeth E 13.9.62 i,5°° Barn Swallow Hours j- Cutting NE wind 2 other small passerines Hours Mauretania E 19.9.62 1,100 Parula Warbler Whole way J Cloudy, clear, other small passerines 2 -3 days J W winds Mauretania W 5.10.62 550 4 Slate-coloured Juncos no other passerines * > 1 day Overcast Mauretania E 7-10. 10.62 130+ of 34 species (see Durand 1963) S edge hurricane Q Elizabeth W 8.10.62 Near Many birds Unknown S edge hurricane Sylvania E 10.10.62 Near 2+ Yellow-shafted Flickers Many other birds ' > Unknown After hurricane Mauretania E 11.5.63 1,850 2 Barn Swallows Hours Misty, drizzle Mauretania E 9.6.63 900 Purple Martin 2 hours Bright, breeze QElizabeth E 15.8.63 900 Yellow-billed Cuckoo I day Sun, some cloud Queen Mary W 30.9.63 1,500 Probable Brown Thrasher £ hour 'l Rough sea, Magnolia Warbler 2 hours > strong SSW Several other passerines Various J wind 1.10.63 350 Unidentified large raptor 1 o Mourning Doves 3 Yellow-shafted Flickers White-breasted Nuthatch Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper 2 Winter Wrens Long-billed Marsh Wren Catbird 3 Brown Thrashers Golden-crowned Kinglet Cedar Waxwing 3 -f Magnolia Warblers 2+ Blackpoll Warblers Up to *£day Sunny Shi d Qy ' Mary £75 >' Mary M tartia Q Mary — urse Date Km from New York Species Length of stay (alive) Weather Palm Warbler 2+ Yellowthroats 2 Eastern Meadowlarks Rusty Blackbird Purple Finch 2+ Savannah Sparrows 6+ Slate-coloured Juncos 2+ White-crowned Sparrows io+ White-throated Sparrows 4+ Song Sparrows Many unidentified passerines^ Sev Slate-coloured Juncos Many other landbirds *E e2}. 5. 64 Few 100 Yellow-shafted Flicker Up to Jday E 30.10.63 730 W 7.7.64 330 3.9.64 E 24.9.64 1,630 1,830 900 13.10.64 1,300 Red-winged Blackbird Small passerine Baltimore Oriole Red-shouldered Hawk American Kestrel Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3 Yellow-shafted Flickers Unidentified thrush Ruby-crowned Kinglet Parula Warbler Magnolia Warbler 2 + Palm Warblers Yellowthroat Savannah Sparrow Slate-coloured Junco White-crowned Sparrow Lincoln’s Sparrow 2 Song Sparrows 2 Mourning Doves Yellow-shafted Flicker Magnolia Warbler 2 Slate-coloured Juncos 2+ White-throated Sparrows VH°f J crossing Whole way } 1 hour 1 1 days 2 days 3-4 days ► 2-3 days Swamp Sparrow E 2.4.63 1,500 Common Grackle 2 days tE 29.8.65 75o Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2 days Yellow-breasted Chat 2 days 2 Baltimore Orioles 3 days 30.8.63 1,650 Mourning Dove 2 days Black-billed Cuckoo 1 day Probable Bobolink Minutes E 16.9.65 1,100 Magnolia Warbler ^•f2 day Several small passerines 18.9.65 3,400 2 Lapland Buntings 1 day Sunny Overcast, stormy Variable Slightly overcast ^ Cloudy, clear Hurricane Overcast Partly cloudy "I Moderate NW >wind, rough sea, J cloudy, clear Overcast, some showers S W breeze, clear WSW gale 434 Landbirds over North Atlantic 1961-6 j Table 2. Landbirds of European origin recorded during about 100 voyages, mainly between Southampton and New York, 1961-65 The dates, distances from Southampton and weather refer to the time of arrival or discovery 0f the species concerned. For scientific names see table 4 on page 437. *to New York via Cherbourg fkm off Ushant (Southampton-Mediterranean run) Km from Length of Ship and course Date Southampton Species stay (alive) Weather Q Elizabeth *W 12. 10. 6l Queen Mary w 25.IO.63 Mauretania s i7-5-64 Mauretania N 28.5.64 Queen Mary w 6.11.64 o 9°t I3°t 700 Willow Warbler Meadow Pipit Several passerines including ‘a thrush’ Turtle Dove Hours Days 1 day Swallow Hours f Fieldfares ^ 1 5 + -( Song Thrushes (^Redwings 10+ Starlings 10+ Chaffinches y\Jp to 2 1 days Variable Variable Sunny Fair Cloudy, light E wind, then W gale Sparrow were a resident trio from 24th to 26th on the raised games deck, which proved to be an unexpected source of food: on 25th, when butterflies were last noted alive, I was particularly interested to see the Magnolia Warbler devour with relish quite a large moth and to find another nondescript, medium-sized moth intact and asleep in a little cranny. To my surprise and in spite of the hurricane, I later found the remains of several more moths, so the insectivorous species were not without their natural prey. A full list of the birds on board is included in table 1 on pages 432-433. On 27th, the day before Cherbourg, strong winds from the south- east replaced the westerlies that had followed us for three days, sadly blowing the remaining free-flying birds clear of the ship. 15th October 1964 One day and 1,300 km eastbound, with following winds, R.M.S. Queen Mary attracted at least nine birds of six species, listed in table 1. Some stayed until dispersed by adverse winds a day and a half from Cherbourg. : ; 1 £ t i : s n ii d ? 0 0 ii k 1 a 1 6th November 1964 An easterly breeze was following R.M.S. Queen Mary almost due south of Ireland on her way to New York, when I noticed several scattered parties of thrushes. Starlings and finches flying roughly parallel with the ship up to km away. Many were definitely Fieldfares, at least several were Redwings, and there was one certain Song Thrush, probably more. Shortly afterwards about ten Chaffinches came aboard. They were all extremely tired, and two or three expired only minutes later, one in my hand. About four thrushes and one Chaffinch were on board next day, but as we approached the Newfoundland Grand Banks on 8th they had gone before a strong westerly gale. 2nd April 1965 A Common Grackle was seen forward of R.M.S. Queen Mary nearly 1,500 km eastbound from New York. On the following morning I was called to the capstan ‘flat’ to see the grackle, by then the thinnest scarecrow, entirely smothered in treacly oil from the capstan’s base and staggering pathetically about; in spite of attempts to clean and feed it, it died the next day. 29th August 1965 I was surprised to see what appeared to be a large dragonfly zooming round the open decks of R.M.S. Mauretania eastbound for Lisbon, on her penultimate voyage, after a day or so at sea. Later, my eye caught it dashing across a gap between two lifeboats, only a silhouette but enough to give me a split-second 43 5 IL andbirds over North Atlantic 1961-6 / glimpse of a small curved bill. I had one more sighting before dusk, and to my 1 > delight it was still present next day, but I was never able to see it at rest. I have no \ . doubt at all, however, that it was a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, certainly the i most exotic and unlikely species to be flying free more than 1,000 km from land, .iind a fitting climax to nearly five years’ observations at sea. Other birds found i on 29th were two Baltimore Orioles and a Yellow-breasted Chat, and on 30th a .•Black-billed Cuckoo, a Mourning Dove and a probable Bobolink. All had dis- . appeared before we reached the Azores. u6th-i8th September 1965 While playing deck-tennis on 16th, eastbound and :i, 100 km out from New York in R.M.S. Queen Mary, I collided with a Magnolia Warbler, one of several small passerines which were about the ship for some two -days. On 18th, 3,400 km east of New York, two Lapland Buntings flew on to the 1 rfirst-class chair-deck aft, later roosting in the stacked-up chairs. Sadly they had departed by the following morning. DISCUSSION I (Looking back over nearly five years of North Atlantic voyaging, the 'Sheer unpredictability of landbirds at sea provided a constant excite- l ment in this incongruous setting. An important legacy of these travels 1 is a vivid awareness of the huge size of the stage for this ornithological 1 tdrama and an appreciation of the complexities of time, distance and vweather that will always vary, and vary enormously, the incidence of species and numbers on a particular voyage. The records summarised on pages 428-435 and listed in systematic order in tables 3 and 4 undoubtedly represent only a fractional insight linto one of nature’s major tragi-comedies, tragic in its scale of inherent loss of life, yet bizarre and labyrinthine in its massive web of activity. In perhaps 100 crossings of the Atlantic, 50 in each direction, random tfactors of space and time took me into nearly one-third when we ccarried one or more landbirds part or all of the way, about nine when tthey numbered more than six, and two remarkable voyages on which \we experienced major inundations — in R.M.S. Mauretania eastbound in (October 1962 and in R.M.S. Queen Mary westbound in late September and early October 1963. The latter posed the tantalising question of 'what might have happened had we been sailing the other way, instead of taking a particularly exotic collection straight into New York, and the list of 60-70 birds of 24 species in table 1 would almost certainly have been at least three or even four times as long if I had been able to record the whole of the passage. The recent remarkable increase in records of American passerines in Britain and Ireland, illustrated by Bonham (1970), has resulted in much speculative discussion which largely favours unassisted trans- atlantic flight for good academic and practical reasons. Nisbet’s (1963) analysis of the factors involved culminated in many useful conclusions, but several of these seemed to oversimplify the situation in the interests of clarity and depended on rather a thin statistical record. This was particularly so with regard to the main alternative of ship- 436 Landbirds over North Atlantic 1961-6 / Table 3. Systematic list of landbirds of certain or probable American origin recorded during about 100 North Atlantic voyages, 1961-65 Square brackets indicate that the identification is open to slight doubt. In addition, one unidentified large raptor and at least 150 unidentified small landbirds were recorded NUMBER number Records Birds Records Birds Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo Yellow Warbler Dendroica lineatus 2 2 petechia 1 [+1] 1 [+1] Osprey Pandiort haliaetus Magnolia Warbler Dendroica carolinensis 1 I magnolia 6 10+ Pigeon Hawk Falco c. columbarius 1 1 Myrtle Warbler Dendroica coronata 1 2 American Kestrel Falco sparverius 1 1 Blackpoll Warbler Dendroica Mourning Dove Zenaidura macroura 4 14 striata 4 M+ Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccy^us [Pine Warbler Dendroica pinus ] 1 1 americanus 2 2 Palm Warbler Dendroica palmarum 3 4 Black-billed Cuckoo Coccy^us Mourning Warbler Oporomis erythropbthalmus 1 I Philadelphia 1 I Ruby-throated Hummingbird Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas 3 7+ a Archilochus colubris 1 1 Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens I 1 Yellow-shafted Flicker Colaptes Canada Warbler Wilsonia canadensis 1 1 1 auratus 6 20+ [Bobolink Dolichonyx ory^ivorus] 1 1 k Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Eastern Meadlowlark Sturne/la L Sphyrapicus varius 1 I magna I 2 f Hairy Woodpecker Dendrocopos Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius villosus I 1 phoeniceus 1 I Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Baltimore Oriole Icterus ga/bula 3 4 erytbrogaster 2 3 Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus 2 2 r Purple Martin Progne subis I I Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula 1 1 fo Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata 3 4 Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea 1 1 P White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta Purple Finch Carpodacus purpureus 1 1 carolinensis t 1 Pine Siskin Spinus pinus I 1 a Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta [Ipswich Sparrow Passerculus canadensis 1 1 princeps\ I 1 is Brown Creeper Certhia familiaris Savannah Sparrow Passerculus ssp 1 1 sandwichensis 4 10+ co House Wren T roglodytes aedon I 2 [Seaside Sparrow Ammospi^a C’» Winter Wren Troglodytes maritima \ 1 2 IS troglodytes ssp 2 5 Slate-coloured Junco Jtmco hy emails 6 “+ IS Long-billed Marsh Wren Field Sparrow Spinel la pusilla 1 5 0 Telmatodytes palustris I I White-crowned Sparrow Catbird Dumetella carolinensis 2 3 Zonotrichia leucophrys 3 7+ 0 Brown Thrasher Toxostoma White-throated Sparrow el rufum 1 [ + 1] 3 [+1] Zonotrichia albicollis 4 33+ m American Robin T Urdus migratorius 2 2 Lincoln’s Sparrow Melosp'rya Hermit Thrush Hylocichla guttata I 1 lincolnii 1 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus Swamp Sparrow Melospi^a georgiana 2 8 & satrapa 2 9+ Song Sparrow Melospi^a melodia 3 15+ on Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus Lapland Longspur (Bunting) Fo calendula 2 7 Calcarius lapponicus I 2 k Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum 2 6 Parula Warbler Parula americana 2 2 TOTAL 260+ ^ 437 L andbirds over North Atlantic 1961-6 / Table 4. Systematic list of landbirds of European origin recorded during about 100 North Atlantic voyages, 1961-65 NUMBER Records Birds Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur Swallow Hirundo rustica Fieldfare T urdus pilaris Song Thrush T urdus philomelos Redwing T urdus iliacus Willow Warbler Pbylloscopus trochilus Meadow Pipit Anthus prattnsis Starling Sturnus vulgaris Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs TOTAL 39 + aissisted crossing, and my task is not so much to criticise these con- clusions, perfectly valid in many instances, as to emphasise a shift of balance in some of them. Thus his statement (page 214) that ‘the 1 birds which now cross on ships are mainly buntings’, while true in I pTart on account of their greater potential for survival, tends to obscure t:he very considerable incidence of other passerines and non-passerines. Hn fact, of some 260 American birds in my records for 1961-65, only 11105 were buntings (table 7 on page 440), and with the proven survival fc'or entire crossings of such insectivorous species as Blackpoll and 1 l°arula Warblers the necessary conditions for others equally delicate can and do exist. Nisbct did not, of course, reject the possibility of ships being used ats occasional resting posts, just as I most certainly do not dismiss the concept of unassisted crossings, but as yet the available information, I r.ven including the efforts of the Royal Naval Bird Watching Society, iss far too thin to reach definite conclusions. A good example of ship- ussistance was the Baltimore Oriole of October 1962, which did not oin the Mauretania until 4o°W (3,000 km from New York), stayed or several days, pecking at limes and toast on the open decks, and eft in very good shape within an hour or two of the Irish coast to ; make a very probable, though unrecorded, landfall (Durand 1963). We often used to pass close to Sable Island, Nova Scotia, and I challenge Nisbet’s statement (page 21 1) that ‘most’ of the birds seen >n ships join them off the Canadian coast. On both the ‘inundation’ voyages the majority of the birds appeared between Long Island and Nantucket, the Mauretania being only 730 km east of New York at I noon on 8th October 1962, three or four hours after the main arrival. My experiences when passing through or near several hurricanes cad me also to suggest that Nisbet overdiscounted their effect (page 1 1 1 1 ji D + 1 1 1 1 1 io-f* 1 10+ 438 Landbirds over North Atlantic 1961-6 / 2x0). Pushing southern birds north erratically on a 750-km front with the same practical result as reversed migration, and taking both northern species coming south and many resident birds out in a great whirl, they seem to me to be a major cause of transatlantic vagrancy. They often subside into severe residual storms, one of which, of savage grandeur, delayed the Mauretania off Cork Harbour for 24 hours when westbound on 30th September 1962. This storm may have been an alternative explanation for the occurrence of two Red-eyed Vireos Vireo olivaceus in the Isles of Scilly on 4th October and a Baltimore Oriole in Sussex on 5 th (Nisbet, pages 205 and 209). It is of interest to note that the Red-eyed Vireos were found only 40 minutes after the close passing, eastbound, of the Dutch liner S.S. Kotterdam, a passenger in which was Professor Addison, of Nottingham University, who distinctly remembers a few small birds about the decks for several days. Spring records, both from ships and on land, were relatively few. Nisbet’s discussion of ‘spring straggling’ (page 209) is, however, of particular interest. For example, as a spring migrant, the Indigo Bunting in the Mauretania in May 1962 was in the right place (though perhaps a little late) to have overshot Florida on a long flight north- east over the Atlantic, especially as it died apparently from extreme exhaustion. Table 5 is modelled to some extent on Nisbet’s table 4 (page 213), which summarised the old records collected by Alexander and Fitter (1955) and updated them to 1962. It shows records of American landbirds during 1961-65 in three categories: (a) at sea, but not reaching European waters alive; (b) at sea, and crossing to European waters; I, ci Table 5. Records of American landbirds during 1961-65 : (a) at sea, but not reaching European waters alive; (b) at sea, crossing to European waters; and (c) on land in Britain and Ireland, excluding those known to have made landfall from ships The records are taken from this paper, from elsewhere in British Birds, and from The Sea Svallov (the annual report of the Royal Naval Bird Watching Society). The figures in brackets indicate 0 birds known to have made landfall from ships or considered to have had a strong chance of doing jj, so. The species are divided into five groups, as explained on page 213 of Nisbet (1963). spring and summer is the period from 10th March to 10th August SPRING AND SUMMER Miscel- Warblers laneous and long- Category Thrushes vireos distance At sea 65 8 Ship crossings 1 — — British/Irish 2 — — Miscel- laneous short- distance 32 + CO Buntings totai cti co 76+ 127+ 1 2 a 6 Oi autumn At sea 5 564- and Ship crossings — 5(1) winter British/Irish 6 3 12 1 8 92 + 4 (1) 5 112+ 277-i 14(11) 24(13 22 s 439 ill Mndbirds over North Atlantic 1961-6 / Table 6. Analysis by individual years of all birds included in table 5 Category 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 TOTAL vSPRING At sea 38 52 34+ 2 I 127 + AND Ship crossings 2 — — — — 2 SUUMMER British/Irish 3 — — I 2 6 AtUTUMN At sea 11 + 142-f 65 + 48+ 11 + 277 + AND Ship crossings 4 (3) 15 (9) 1 (1) 4 — 24 (13) (WINTER British/Irish I 7 5 4 5 22 I and (c) accepted for Britain and Ireland. It is interesting that 24 of j rhe species I noted during 1961-65 were included in Nisbet’s list of 46 (discounting the extinct Passenger Pigeon Ectopistes migratorius ) rceported in Europe up to 1962, among them no fewer than three out ' nf his eight birds of prey. The most obvious deduction from table 5 is •:he far greater frequency of autumn records in all three categories, due mainly, perhaps, to the fact that much of the spring migration I. of landbirds in North America takes place inland and west of the I Allegheny Mountains, and also to the greater incidence of hurricanes j :in autumn. Table 6 is on similar lines, but analyses the records by \years rather than families. Although it is biased to some extent by the tfact that the annual pattern of voyages was not constant, it illustrates I may earlier point concerning the unpredictability of numbers from I sseason to season and from year to year. Sharrock (1971), in a most useful summary to 1968, confirmed - 'Nisbet’s findings, though his statistical record was still thin and this rmay well broaden to give a different slant in the future. He suggested tthat spring records of Emberizidae may be due in part to overwintering after arrival in the autumn; in this connection, it is interesting to note :that six free-flying buntings made landfall from the Mauretania in (October 1962, two in Cherbourg and four in Southampton, the latter i including a Slate-coloured Junco, a species never yet accepted for iBritain and Ireland in autumn, and a White-throated Sparrow which was seen in a Southampton park two days after docking (Durand 1963). Table 7 is modelled on Sharrock’s table 9, which it incorporates for I ccomparison, though the time factor is different. In spite of this dis- I ccrepancy, the alignment of figures is perhaps valuable in indicating the (.enormous potential for new species and for further records of those already on the British and Irish list, particularly if a hummingbird can survive until nearly half-way across. Homing pigeons Columha livia were frequent visitors at sea, although I have omitted them from the records. In addition to the insects mentioned in the narrative on pages 428-435, bats were other un- expected guests, mainly American species which hung themselves up while we were berthed in the Hudson River and so were taken out to 440 Landbirds over North Atlantic 1961-6 j Table 7. Seasonal distribution of the records of each family of American landbirds (a) ob, 1 served at sea in the North Atlantic in 1961-65 and (b) accepted for Britain and Ireland jj 1 1958-68 Accipitridae (hawks) Pandionidae (ospreys) Falconidae (falcons) Columbidae (doves) Cuculidae (cuckoos) Trochilidae (hummingbirds) Picidae (woodpeckers) Hirundinidae (swallows) Corvidae (crows and jays) Sittidae (nuthatches) Certhiidae (creepers) Troglodytidae (wrens) Mimidae (mockingbirds and thrashers) Turdidae (thrushes, except next) American Robin Turdus migratorius Sylviidae (gnatcatchers and kinglets) Bombycillidae (waxwings) Vireonidae (vireos) Parulidae (wood warblers) Icteridae (blackbirds and orioles) Thraupidae (tanagers) Fringillidae (finches) Emberizidae (buntings and sparrows) SPRING (APR-JUN) Britain and tt sea Ireland >61-65 1958-68 AUTUMN At sea 1961-65 (aug-nov) Britain and Ireland 1958-68 O O 3 0 O O 1 0 O O 2 0 O O 14 0 O 0 3 4 0 O 1 0 I O 22 0 3 O 1 0 3 O I 0 O O 2 0 O O 1 0 O O 8 0 O O 8 I O O 1 8 I 2 1 2 O O 16 0 O O 6 0 O O O 6 4 O 42 *3 2 I 9 a O O 0 1 O 1 2 3 2 IO 103 3 TOTALS 16 14 247 52 sea; usually they died, and sadly I was never able to catch up with one H before its remains were discarded. On the subject of mortality, it is A worth mentioning the highly damaging hazard of drowning in jets of water from the powerful hoses which are used to wash the decks at night and which deluge favourite roosting places in the stacked wooden chairs; without this, very many more birds on the eastbound ol voyage of the Mauretania in October 1962 might have made landfall. I feel convinced that increased coverage and competence in coastal watching must surely account for the recent upsurge in records of American landbirds in Europe and that, climatic vagaries permitting, „ they have been occurring here for a very long time. This conviction is strengthened by the knowledge of a number of landfalls not detected on shore, particularly of the more sombre sparrows (Emberizidae) which must explain in part their thin autumn record. Deck-stewards on the ‘Cunarders’, two of whom were on the maiden voyage of the Queen Mary , were always saying that as far back as they could remember there were several crossings each year when the ship was ‘full of birds’. t; ( .Landbirds over North Atlantic 1961-6 / 441 j (Closer questioning brought tales of birds being kept in lockers, where 1 rfood was provided, until release off Cornwall or at Southampton. In conclusion, therefore, I make a plea for action to improve the statistical record. Having experienced the exciting phenomenon of 1 landbirds at sea, I have found it all the more frustrating to learn of I these many other times with a rich harvest of records ungarnered, ft (.Considering the immense amount of shipping of all nations in the 'North Atlantic, would it not be possible to mount an international operation through the Royal Naval Bird Watching Society and the 1 senior ornithological bodies, whereby as many national shipping ^companies as possible are contacted at the highest level to arouse interest among their personnel at sea to collect these records ? Even if ! the ideal of a continuing interest in every ship at sea cannot be reached, l.deck officers on watch, with a handy American field guide, may well I find a new interest to speed along their vigil. Perhaps a pilot scheme 1 over the peak autumn passage would bring rich dividends in helping ;to fill in the blanks concerning the ratio of unassisted to ship-assisted 'vagrancy across the Atlantic. And what of the Pacific? ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My grateful thanks for assistance in the preparation of this paper go to Dr II. C. T. Nisbet for constructive criticism in the early stages; to I. J. Fcrguson-Lees and Dr J. T. R. Sharrock for helpful advice on how to compress to reasonable size an unwieldy mass of data capable of presentation in various ways; to ft I P. F. Bonham for work on the final draft; to Karen Rayncr for drawing the map; and finally to Captain G. S. Tuck and the Royal Naval Bird Watching Society for allowing me access to much useful material from their records. SUMMARY Flitherto unpublished observations of landbirds seen on ships crossing the North Atlantic during 1961-65 are set out in chronological order. The paucity of records of European species is striking by comparison with those of American ones and is presumably a result of the prevailing winds being westerly. Other wildlife forms on board were moths, butterflies and bats. An attempt is made to redress an im- balance suggested by earlier papers, not because these favoured unassisted passage, often for valid reasons, but because they tended to understate the equally important effects of ship-assistance in relation to hurricanes, thereby detracting from the picture as a whole. The great preponderance of records in autumn is discussed. Due to the increasing competence of observers and the more intense coverage of our western coasts, further discoveries of American landbirds in these islands are anticipated, though it is considered that such haphazard occurrences have been taking place since time immemorial. The statistical picture is still very thin for considering the connection between American landbirds seen on ships and those re- corded in Britain and Ireland, though there is some consistency of species. A strong plea is made, therefore, to mount an international operation through the senior ornithological bodies, supplementing and extending the fine work already achieved by the Royal Naval Bird Watching Society. Contact with the world’s ship- ping lines at the highest level, to press for keen observers on ships crossing the Atlantic, might help to fill the considerable gaps in our knowledge of what may be one of the most remarkably wasteful, involuntary migrations in the world. 442 REFERENCES Landbirds over North Atlantic 1961-6 / Alexander, W. B., and Fitter, R. S. R. 1955. ‘American land-birds in western Europe’. Brit. Birds, 48: 1-14. Bonham, P. F. 1970. ‘Four American passerines new to the British and Irish list. Introduction’. Brit. Birds, 63: 145-147. Durand, A. L. 1961. ‘White-throated Sparrow and American Robin crossing Atlantic on board ship’. Brit. Birds, 34: 439-440. 1963. ‘A remarkable fall of American land-birds on the “Mauretania”, New York to Southampton, October 1962’. Brit. Birds, 56: 157-164. Nisbet, I. C. T. 1963. ‘American passerines in western Europe, 1951-62’. Bril. Birds, 56: 204-217. Sharrock, J. T. R. 1961. ‘White-throated Sparrow in Hampshire’. Brit. Birds, 54: 366-367. 1971. ‘Scarce migrants in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67. Part 5’. Brit. Birds, 64: 108-113. Alan L. Durand, Byways, Upper Oakley, Diss, Norfolk Notes Great Blue Herons coming on board ships in mid-Atlantic In late November 1968 reports appeared in the Bristol press that a heron had arrived at Avonmouth on a British merchantman, M.V. Picardy, and had been taken to Rode Tropical Bird Gardens at Frome, Somerset. On 30th November we visited the gardens and identified it as an immature Great Blue Heron Ardea hcrodias, the North American counterpart of the Grey Heron A. cinerea. B.K. then wrote to various people in the Merchant Navy and eventually to the master of the vessel. Captain J. G. Street, who has kindly informed us that the heron came on board Notes 443 during the afternoon of 29th October at about 34°j2'N, 33°2i'W, some 530 km south-west of Fayal, Azores. Before this, the ship had ; i-experienced near-gale to gale force winds for three or four days after ! c clearing the Providence Channel, Bahamas, and there had been severe .gales to the north in latitudes 4o°-5o°N. The heron spent the first two or three days on the foredeck and forecastle head, where the crew pro- vided it with scraps. It did not fly off when the ship left the Azores 1 on her way to Avonmouth. Subsequently, during a day or two of heavy weather, when water was being shipped over the foredeck, it tried to shelter behind a mast-house, but became so cold and miserable I that one of the seamen caught it; thereafter, it was kept in the warm and fed in the crew recreation room. Near Land’s End it was let out, but again did not fly off, and at Avonmouth was handed over to the R.S/P.C.A. This record coincides remarkably closely with one recently published in Sea Swallow, 21 : 33, of which Captain G. S. Tuck has shown us the original report. It concerns another Great Blue Heron, this time an adult, that landed on M.V. Sugar Crystal, bound for London from Panama, just before noon on 27th October 1968, at 3o°38'N, 3 5°3o'\V, half-way between the Bahamas and the point where the immature appeared on M.V. Picardy two days later. The bird approached from a ssouth-westerly direction and overtook the ship; it then settled on one 1 * of the davits and remained there all afternoon, leaving during a squall in the evening. A number of small landbirds were also seen round the sship on that day. Bernard King and R. M. Curber ! ( Gull Cry, 9 Park Road, Newlyn, Cornwall lPlumage variations in a colony of Lesser Kestrels During summer 11963 I studied a breeding colony of Lesser Kestrels Falco naumanni in an old watch tower at San Enrique de Guadiaro, Estepona, Spain. I (Observations on four adult males revealed plumage variations that do 1 mot appear to have been previously recorded. These differences enabled me to identify the birds individually on my return to the site in 1964. The principal areas of variation were as follows. Chin and throat: (1) and (2) creamy-buff; (3) almost pure white; (4) very dark buff. Breast and flanks: (1) pinkish-buff with virtually no black spots; (2) pinkish-buff with black spotting; (3) pale pinkish-buff with contrasting heavy black spotting; (4) dark pinkish-buff, slightly chestnut in strong light, with very heavy black spotting; on (2), (3) and (4) the spotting extended from the upper breast to the thighs, fading out towards the lundertail-coverts. Axillaries and underwing-coverts: (1) mixture of buff, pink and grey, paler and tinged rufous on the underwing-coverts, to which the spotting was confined; (2) pinkish-buff and spotted, the underwing-coverts paler with a rufous tinge; (3) pinkish-buff and spotted; (4) darkest of all, pinkish buff-grey and unspotted, the under- 444 Notes wing-coverts paler with a slight rufous tinge. Tail: (i) and (2) grey- blue; (3) very light grey; (4) light grey, very similar to that of a female. J. W. W. Metcalfe Tour Corners, Church Cane, Barnwell, Peterborough pe8 jpg Food of Buff-breasted Sandpiper in the Isles of Scilly For two hours on 10th October 1970 I watched a Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngytes subruficollis at the Abbey pool on Tresco, Isles of Scilly. I collected one of its faeces and this was later analysed by A. M. Hutson, R. W. Ingle and A. L. Rice, of the Department of Entomology, British Museum (Natural History), to whom I am very grateful for providing the following information (A. M. Hutson in litt .) : The only insect remains that it was possible to identify were parts of at least two male and at least one female Tipula paludosa Meigen (Diptera: Tipulidae). This is a very common and widespread crane-fly in Britain, particularly in the autumn. On Scilly, it was present but not particularly numerous around the Abbey pool area on Tresco, it was numerous around the Porth Hellick area on St Mary’s, and it is likely to have been fairly numerous on the golf-course. It is an entirely terrestrial species in all stages of the life history. The non-insect remains have been identified as crustaceans of the orders Amphipoda and Cyclopoda. The amphipods are a species of the family Gam- maridae and form a major part of the sample ; the family Gammaridae includes Gammarus , the common freshwater shrimp. Quantitative published data on the food of this species seem scanty. Professor William Rowan (Brit. Birds, 20:189) gave the contents of 17 stomachs of birds collected in North America in spring as 50% Diptera (chiefly larvae and pupae), 40% Coleoptera (adults and larvae), 1% seeds of Polygonum, Potamogeton and Eleocharis, and the rest various spider and insect remains. Bernard King Gull Cry, 9 Park Road, Newlyn, Cornwall Tawny Owl plunging into water I was interested in the note by D. Richmond and S. Harries on a Partridge Perdix perdix plunging into water (Brit. Birds, 65 : 221). I once saw a Tawny Owl Strix aluco act in exactly the same way, and the circumstances may throw light on the behaviour of the Partridge. On a very cold morning in November 1970, I was walking by the River Kelvin in Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow, when I flushed a Tawny Owl from the bank immediately in front of me. It flew up over the river, then plunged into the water in midstream, floating with head up, body partially submerged and wings on the surface. I followed it downstream and saw it using its wings to propel itself towards the bank. I managed to bring it to the water’s edge where it appeared to be unharmed, though obviously very weak. On examination by a veterinary surgeon, however, it proved to be suffering from a large Vofes 445 umour of the throat and was, in fact, dying from starvation as a result of this occlusion. This observation appears to support Derek Goodwin’s comment i hat the behaviour of the Partridge is more likely to be explained in tcierms of illness than a distraction display. D. Neil Brooks tj Montrose Drive, Bearsden, Glasgow IBrambling feeding from suspended nut-basket On 4th March 1972, : n a suburban garden at Addiscombe, Croydon, Surrey, I saw a male IBrambling Fringilla montifringilla taking small pieces of peanut that i lad been dropped by Greenfinches Carduelis chloris feeding from a suspended nut-basket. After approximately 50 minutes he flew in t:o the tree from which the basket was hanging and watched the techniques employed by the Greenfinches. As soon as the latter left, i :he Brambling flew on to the basket and quickly began to feed success- fully in several positions, sometimes almost totally inverted. R. S. R. FFitter (1949, London’s Birds: 225) recorded Bramblings feeding on shelled peanuts in a garden in St John’s Wood, London, in 1938, ■ Ibut without stating whether or not these were suspended. Bramblings arc quite frequently recorded in London suburban gardens in winter, I fbut I have not previously seen or heard of them feeding from hanging ccontainers. S. W. M. Hughes 6 West Way, Slinfold, Horsham, Sussex N. D. Pullen, organiser of the British Trust for Ornithology’s tGarden Bird Feeding Survey, has not received any reports of Bramb- i lings feeding in this way, or even attempting to do so. Eds {Reviews 'The Birds of Britain and Europe with North Africa and the Middle lEast. By Hermann Heinzel, Richard Fitter and John Parslow. iCollins, London, 1972. Limp covers; 336 pages; 825 distribution maps; illustrated in colour throughout. £1.50. As the authors claim, this is the first field guide to describe and illustrate in colour every bird of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The area covered extends east to the Urals, south to the "Sahara, west to the Canaries and Azores, and north to Iceland and "Spitsbergen. The text is by Richard Fitter, author with R. A. Richard- son of The Pocket Guide to British Birds (1952) and The Pocket Guide to Nests and Eggs (1955); Hermann Heinzel, formerly on the staff of the Bonn Museum’s Bird Room, has painted the illustrations; and the maps are by John Parslow, who has been working on bird distribution for ten years. Reviews 446 In each case the text appears opposite the plate depicting the species concerned, which usually shows not only the adult in breeding plumage but also immatures and seasonal variations. Well-marked races are also illustrated. In their efforts to condense so much infor- mation into a book the same size as A Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe by Roger Peterson, Guy Mountfort and P. A. D. Hollom, the amount of descriptive text given to each species has suffered. For example, Pratincole warrants 74 words of description in this book against 142 in the revised Field Guide (1966), while for Greenish Warbler the equivalent figures are 54 and 113. Moreover, not all the recent developments in field identification seem to have been taken into account, and some of the finer points have been omitted. There is no mention, for instance, of the Wilson’s Phalarope’s yellowish legs in winter plumage, or of the fact that the immature Velvet Scoter can have the facial patches obscured; and surely it is not true that the immature Pomarine Skua is separable only on size. While I have not yet had an opportunity of using the book abroad or at a migration station in the autumn, I feel that this might lead to difficulties when trying to distinguish some of the more critical species in the field. Certainly one would have trouble in identifying the American ‘peeps’ or in separating the two dowitchers from the rather brief details given on pages 136-137. On the whole, the illustrations are good, those of the birds of prey, gamebirds, woodpeckers and warblers being particularly pleasing. Like most artists, Mr Heinzel is happiest when painting the species which he knows best: witness, for example, the excellent plate of the Great Bustard. His illustrations of the ducks are less successful and do not achieve the high standard of Arthur Singer’s plates in The Hamlyn Guide to Birds of Britain and Europe by Bertel Bruun (1970); on the other hand, I think most field ornithologists will prefer Mr Heinzel’s passerines. The illustrations of the two pelicans show the difference in the colour of the pouch, which is so apparent in breeding dress, but not the typical attitudes on the water, the Dalmatian tending to swim with its bill drawn into its neck, the White adopting a more horizontal posture. This book follows the Field Guide in showing the black on the upperside of the White Pelican’s wing a$ confined to the primaries, whereas in fact it extends to the outer secondaries. Alongside the illustrations of the ducks and geese, there are thumbnail sketches of the birds in flight from above and below, although in one or two species of ducks only the drake is so illustrated. There are also separate plates showing female ducks in flight from above. Of these, I find the duck Wigeon decidedly peculiar: surely there is not this degree of contrast in the wing-pattern. Also, the female Velvet Scoter is shown with off-white secondaries, whereas these always appear so brilliant in the field. v e vie ws 447 The wader illustrations are of a fairly high standard, though the lociable Plover is too round-winged and the white patch should ontinue right up to the carpal joint. The plate of the skuas shows the dult Long-tailed with an off-white belly extending nearly to the i.ndertail-coverts. Occasional individuals do look like this, but the ast majority have the hind part of the under-belly dusky grey, I ontrasting with the pale upper chest: this is one of the salient points 0 look for in the field, as light-phase Arctic Skuas are nearly always k/hite right back to the undertail-coverts. Moreover, the adult Pomarine s; shown with the two central tail-feathers separated, whereas in 1 ly experience they always appear as a single projection. There are I number of plates depicting the immature and winter plumages of rhe gulls, although, of course, it is impossible to illustrate all the moult sequences. By and large these are adequate for identification, iut the wings of the Little Gull are shown as sharply pointed instead •>f rather rounded, and those of the Ivory Gull are given none of heir distinctive paddle-shape. Moreover, the two illustrations of the Mediterranean Gull have outlines virtually identical with those of he Black-headed Gull on the same page, and the characteristic heavy itrooping bill of the former is shown as straight. If I have dealt at some length with the illustrations, it is because I hink most people will judge the book in the light of them. I hope that have not been too critical. Some of the passerine plates are excellent irnd I particularly like those of the rare American visitors on pages 282 irnd 283. One final point: male Black-eared Wheatears very fre- quently perch without showing a pale back as on page 245, which ian lead to their being misidentified as Pied Wheatears. In producing the distribution maps, John Parslow has adopted a olour-coding which is both clever and more sophisticated than that Ascd in the Hamlyn Guide. It separates breeding ranges, areas where resident, winter ranges, regions where migrants occur, isolated breed- nng records, and extensions to the summer and winter ranges. As the uthors point out, the maps tend to be more accurate for western iurope than for the rest of the area shown, simply because there are more ornithologists and ornithological publications in these countries. They are very small, about the same size as those in the Hamlyn Guide nd less than a quarter of the area of the ones in the Field Guide. Naturally this tends to detract from their usefulness, and sometimes tt is extremely difficult to make out summer breeding places (indicated m yellow), particularly when these happen to be isolated islands. For ome reason, perhaps because of the stronger colours used in this >ook, Mr Parslow has omitted the major river systems which figure >n the maps in the Hamlyn Guide: this makes them clearer, but it is nore difficult to see the exact extent of the range in the wide land mass of eastern Europe. Reviews 448 This guide breaks new ground in its inclusion, at the back, of 1 5 pages of distribution maps of 200 British and Irish breeding species and 40 winter visitors and passage migrants. These are very useful, though one may wonder at the wisdom of making some of this information available to the general public. The distribution of some species is changing so fast that a number of the maps are already out of date : for example, the Little Ringed Plover has nested in Westmor- land, Northumberland and Scotland, and the Hen Harrier in Co. Durham and Yorkshire. Here and there, and with local knowledge, one can see other slight errors which are not due to recent changes. The Lesser Black-backed Gull has two substantial breeding colonies in Yorkshire, one in the North Riding and the other on the West Riding/Lancashire boundary, where a few pairs of Great Black-backs also nest: neither of these is shown, nor is the Common Gull colony in Co. Durham. All in all, however, this is a magnificent effort and a big advance on anything we have seen in the past. Summing up, this new field guide will find its way on to the shelves of most ornithologists. For those visiting North Africa and the Middle East it is indispensable, since there is no comparable book of this compact size covering the birds of those regions. The binding appears to be better than that employed on the Hamlyn Guide, though I do not think it would stand rough usage over a long period. In general, the book has been well received by other observers to whom I have spoken and, though I do not think it will replace the Field Guide as the birdwatcher’s bible, it has certain advantages over that volume, particularly in its colour plates throughout. The publishers are to be congratulated on producing it at only £1.50, at which price it must be considered excellent value for money. P. J. Stead News and comment Robert Hudson Belgian bird protection For decades past, Belgian legislation in relation to bird protection has lagged far behind that acceptable in the rest of northern Europe, allowing lengthy periods each autumn when non-gamebirds could be caught or killed (usually with nets) for food and to supply a flourishing market in cage-birds. Over recent years there has been sustained agitation led by a Belgian organisation, the Comite de Coordination pour la Protection des Oiseaux, for a revision of these protection laws. Happily, this has now come to pass, for in a Royal Decree dated 20th July 1972 the netting of wild birds was prohibited in Belgium. This, with other amendments, brings Belgian bird preservation law into line with that in other north European countries, and Belgium is now able to ratify the 1950 Paris Convention and 1972 Benelux Convention on bird protection. We congratulate the Belgian Government on taking this step, which had been opposed by vocal bird-catching interests. There is reason to hope that Belgian involvement in international traffic in cage-birds may now decline. 'Jews and comment 449 \ Wildlife sound recording contest The perennial wildlife sound recording } ontest organised by 3M, the manufacturers of Scotch Magnetic Tape, will be held .gain this autumn. Recordings are invited for five classes: any recording by junior i ovices, any recording by senior novices, individual bird species, individual mammal r insect species, and ‘atmosphere’ recordings featuring wildlife sounds. Entry arms are available from 3M U.K. Ltd, 3M House, Wigmore Street, London I ik /i a iet. Entries must be received by 30th November. ))ne step backwards ? Long after most of us had sighed with relief at the ap- ' arcnt end to the era of stuffed birds and mammals in billiard rooms, with mounted I , specimens being relegated to museums or dusty corners of scruffy antique shops, I . ae last three years have seen an unhealthy revival of interest in private ownership f examples of the taxidermist’s art. Such mounts have been fetching high prices rt London auctions; and I have just received notice of a large two-day sale to be .eld in London in October by a body calling itself the Great British Natural History Company. This sale, it is said, will include 3,000 mammals and birds, hundreds of ! ascs of insects, large numbers of skulls and skeletons, and even 499 Ostrich eggs. Conservationists cannot but fail to be alarmed at this resurgence of interest in the \ private acquisition of zoological material, for, where a market exists, specimens I i /ill be forthcoming one way or another to meet it. I.C.B.P. Bulletin It is always a pleasure to greet the appearance of the handsome 1 nnual Bulletin of the International Council for Bird Preservation, and Number ix, ecentiy to hand, is no exception. This 283-pagc publication, costing a modest I 2.50, contains reports on important conferences and succinct review articles on uch diverse subjects as the impact of pesticides in Israel, the legal status of raptors na the U.S.S.R., the Andean Condor in Peru, endangered species in the Indian Ocean, and enquiries into the international traffic in caged birds and mammals. One learns that the world population of the Monkey-eating Eagle is down to 50 or 1 cewer, while only nine Japanese Crested Ibises remain. A Korean hunter who illegally shot a breeding Eastern White Stork (race hoyciana), now extremely rare, is : xpectcd to receive a six-month prison sentence for the offence, as a result of which 1 ppublic understanding of bird protection has been increased’ in Korea (British magistrates please note). A particularly important paper is that by Dr W. R. P. 'lourne, who reviews at length the various threats to seabirds ; this looks far beyond he confines of the North Atlantic, and draws together scattered information (from he Pacific, for example) for which one might otherwise have to search far and wide, i "he Bulletin is a credit to all concerned. ! 3)bituary We were very sorry to hear of the death of Walter E. Higham, the wcll- ) ; nown bird-photographer, at his Jersey home on 21st August. He was born in i Lancashire in 1900, and his interests in photography and natural history began in hildhood. The two hobbies blended at the age of seventeen, when he lost an eye na a shooting accident and had to abandon sporting activities; then a growing i nterest in filming persuaded him to become a professional bird-photographer. He svorked in many parts of Britain, but especially in the Norfolk Broads to which he eturned season after season; he also made photographic expeditions to Hungary nd south France. That Higham achieved a high degree of technical skill and came o the forefront of his chosen profession will be well known to readers of British \irds , for this journal has often included examples of his work. His later interest n colour photography led to the publication of his Birds in Colour (1946), the first >ird book to be illustrated entirely with colour photographs. He was twice awarded he Medal of the Royal Photographic Society, and had been elected a Fellow of that >ody and of the Institute of British Photographers. Ill-health forced him to reduce ieldwork, and eventually to retire, in the 1930’s; but his reputation lives on. 450 News and comment Straw-burning hazards The August issue of Habitat featured an article on the potential hazards to vegetation and wildlife caused by the burning of straw and stubble on farmland, since too often such fires have got out of control. For this summer, the National Farmers Union brought out a voluntary code of practice which, if followed, would have prevented damage. Unhappily, there has been the usual chapter of accidents, one of the most regrettable being the partial destruction of Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve in Essex, caused by a stubble fire on adjacent farmland which got out of control. Fingringhoe Wick is by far the most important of the reserves managed by the Essex Naturalists’ Trust; it is likely to be years before the burnt vegetation recovers from this autumn’s damage. Opinions expressed in this feature are not necessarily those of the editors of British Birds Recent reports — July P. F. Bonham These are largely unchecked reports, not authenticated records ALBATROSSES AND SHEARWATERS An immature albatross Diomedea sp and a Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis were reported east of Orkney on ist; another albatross, this one identified as a Black- browed D. melanophris, was present in the area of Hermaness, Unst (Shetland), from 24th to at least the end of August. Autumn movements of Sooty Shearwaters P. griseus were especially prominent after 24th and included four at St Ives (Cornwall), two at Ilfracombe (Devon), one off Ramsey Island (Pembrokeshire), 17 north on five days at Whitburn (Co. Durham), a total of twelve on three dates at three Northumberland localities, and a few off Shetland coasts. Sixteen Balearic Shear- waters P. puffinus mauretanicus passed Dungeness (Kent) on 2nd and a Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea was seen off St Ives on 31st. BITTERNS TO CRAKES There were two female Little Bitterns Ixobrychus minutus, at Radipole Lake (Dorset) from 1 st to about 16th and at Flatford Mill, East Bergholt (Suffolk) on 9th. A Bittern Botaurus stellaris at Holywell (Northumberland) on 16th was very unusual at that time of year. Three Spoonbills Platalea leucorodia at Teesmouth (Co. Durham) from 1 st were joined by a fourth bird on 5th and all four stayed into August; there was one at Minsmere (Suffolk) throughout the month and an adult and an immature remained at Leighton Moss (Lancashire) from 18th July to 19th August. One over Staines Moor (Middlesex) on 12th flew in from the west, then turned north. Several reports of escaped Sacred Ibises Threskiornis aetbiopicus were mentioned in the May summary (Brit. Birds, 65 : 362) and from others received since then it is certain that at least two individuals, and perhaps as many as six, were involved, the counties and months concerned being Wiltshire/Gloucester (April-May), west Stafford (July- August), east Stafford/west Derby (July), south-east Derby/south Nottingham (May-June), west Hertford (August) and east Suffolk (June-Septembcr). A drake Ring-necked Duck Ay thy a collaris (Brit. Birds, 65 : 407) summered at Blagdon Lake (Somerset), apparently the first such record in Europe; and a drake King Eider Somateria spectabilis (Brit. Birds, 65 : 362) stayed at Amble (Northumber- land) to late September. A male Steller’s Eider Polysticta stelleri on South Uist (Outer Hebrides) from 5 th July to at least 12th August was, perhaps, even more unexpected. Five Ruddy Shelducks Tadorna ferruginea feeding on mudflats in the River Camel (Cornwall) on 17th-! 8th may possibly have been of wild origin, though this is doubtful in view of the number of free-flying birds in collections. '{Recent reports — July 45 1 Reports of some of the rarer raptors, other than breeding birds, included single tHoney Buzzards Pernis apivorus in Shetland and Co. Durham and a ‘probable’ in '.Yorkshire; about ten Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus and ten Montagu’s C. pygargus, widely scattered ; and single Ospreys Pandion baliaetus in Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire. A young Lanner Valeo biarmicus or Saker F. cberrug on Fetlar 'Shetland) on 27th had almost certainly escaped from captivity. Corncrakes Crex crex were reported in the southern half of England in June-July in three localities in Somerset, two in Shropshire, one in Herefordshire and one in Staffordshire ; and the number and distribution of Quail Coturnix coturnix in July were almost un- changed from June {Brit. Birds, 65 : 407). WADERS TO AUKS The autumn passage of Wood Sandpipers Tringa glareola. Curlew Sandpipers ( Calidris ferruginea. Little Stints C. rninuta and other waders from the north-east was well under way by the end of July. A total of about 100 Wood Sandpipers was largely accounted for by a considerable arrival during 28th-3oth, but this period was not ; at all special for Curlew Sandpipers and Little Stints, some 40 of the former and 115 of the latter being fairly evenly spread over i5th-3ist. Records of all three species were very widely scattered in more than 20 counties. Temminck’s Stints < C. temminckii were reported in only two places — one at Frodsham (Cheshire) on nth and two at Thcale gravel pits (Berkshire) about mid-month. Single Kentish IPlovers Cbaradrius alexandrinus occurred at Minsmcrc on 17th and at Shcllness ! (Kent) on 30th, and Red-necked Phalaropes Pbalaropus lobatus at Upton Warren I (Worcestershire) on 8th and at Cresswcll (Northumberland) during 27th-29th; and, ! ffrom the Nearctic, a Stilt Sandpiper Micropalarna bimantopus in full summer plumage at Sidlesham Ferry (Sussex) on 15th, and Pectoral Sandpipers Calidris melanotos at I VWisbech sewage farm (Lincolnshirc/Norfolk) and Upton Warren on or about 24th. ;By the end of the month Spotted Redshanks T. erythropus numbered 45 at Arne ' (Dorset) and Ruffs Philomacbus pugnax 61 at Freckleton sewage farm (Lancashire); \>while there were already 25,000 Knot C. canutus in the Ribble estuary (Lancashire). At least six Pomarinc Skuas Stcrcorarius pomarinus passed Seaton Sluice (Northum- i iberl^nd) during 23rd-29th and there were singles at Fair Isle (Shetland) and (Gibraltar Point (Lincolnshire) on 30th; Fair Isle also had an immature Long-tailed 'Skua S. longicaudus on 8th and Spurn (Yorkshire) and Whitburn single adults on 116th and 27th respectively. The only rare gull was an adult Laughing Gull Varus satricilla in full summer plumage in the Alt estuary (Lancashire) from 16th to 21st. (Glaucous Gulls L. byperboreus summered in Shetland, Lancashire and Cornwall; (Mediterranean Gulls L. melanocepbaltts were seen in Northumberland, Suffolk, Kent, f Hampshire and, again, Lancashire (two) and Cornwall; and there were at least 1x20 Little Gulls L. minutus at 16 localities in England, including up to 70 at the Alt estuary roost. All but nine of 85-90 Black Terns Cblidonias niger were during 1 6th-3 1 st ; a White-winged Black Tern C. leucoptcrus was seen at Dungeness on 3 1st, and single Caspian Terns Hydroprogne caspia at Eye Brook Reservoir (Leiccstcr- ■ shire/Rutland) on 12th and at Blithfield Reservoir (Staffordshire) on 16th. A Black (Guillemot Ceppbus grylle flying north at Whitburn on 21st was a long way from the nearest breeding site. '-NEAR-PASSERINES AND PASSERINES Apart from a large irruption of Crossbills L oxia curvirostra (discussed below in a separate paragraph), July was a very poor month for unusual landbirds. There was a curious record of a freshly dead Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus being carried on to the rocky foreshore by a Carrion Crow Corpus cororte corone at Bamburgh (Nor- thumberland) on 10th. Alpine Swifts Apus melba were reported at Spurn on 2nd and at Dundry Hill (Somerset) on 26th; Golden Orioles Oriolus oriolus at Kergord (Shetland) from 5th to nth, at Houghton Regis (Bedfordshire) on 24th and. 45 2 Recent reports — July belatedly, at Titchwell (Niprfolk) on 5th June. A Hooded Crow C. c. cornix was present on Lundy (Devon)' from 6th July onwards, and there were two in Kent in June; at least one Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus summered at Leighton Moss; and single Treecreepers Certhia familiar is found themselves in treeless habitats on Coquet Island (Northumberland) and Ramsey Island. A very mixed bag of other passerines included a Fieldfare Tardus pilaris at Spurn during 22nd-25th; a Nightin- gale Luscinia megarhynchos on Fair Isle on 1st; a Marsh Warbler Acrocepbalus palustris singing in east Sussex on several dates; a Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris at Woodspring Bay (Somerset) on 29th; Woodchat Shrikes Lanins senator at Bedford from 17th July to 29th August and at Porthgwarra (Cornwall) on 22nd July; a male Brambling Fringilla montifringilla at Loch Garten (Inverness-shire) on 26th; and a male Black-headed Bunting Hmberi^a melanocephala trapped on Fair Isle on 4th. Two more June passerines were a Calandra Lark Melanocorypba calandra re- ported on Fair Isle on 6th and a Grey-headed Wagtail Motacilla fiava tbunbergi near Uig, Isle of Skye (Inverness-shire) on 26th. Lastly, Rose-coloured Starlings Sturnus roseus occurred on Guernsey from 18th June to 2nd August, on Fair Isle during 8th-ioth July, and at Faraid Head (Sutherland) during 9th-i4th. There were five widely scattered reports of Crossbills in unusual areas in May and at the beginning of June— in Northumberland (twelve in three localities), Kent (one) and Devon (five) — but these birds are perhaps unlikely to have come from the Continent. The first real signs of an influx were after 10th June, a total of pro- bably several hundred being reported in many parts of Britain from Shetland to Lundy by the end of that month. During this period the vast majority were in north Scotland, especially the north coast and Northern Isles; in mid and late July these moved on and there was a big build-up in the Inverness area and on Speyside, as well as further arrivals in Shetland, the northern half of England and, especially, southern and south-west England north to the Chilterns and Cotswolds. The largest gathering reported was one of 300 at Haldon (Devon) on 18th July; on 23rd a flock of 70 came in from the sea at Hengistbury Head (Hampshire) and sizable concentrations of up to 150 were also noted in Dorset, Cornwall, Somerset and Gla- morgan; at least 200 passed through Ynys-hir (Cardiganshire) in mid and late July, mostly leaving north-eastwards. East Kent, East Anglia and the Midlands were largely unaffected by the irruption, which seems to have had a south-westerly com- ponent across the North Sea into Scotland and northern England and a north- westerly component across the English Channel into the south and south-west. Single Two-barred Crossbills Loxia leucoptera, clearly part of the irruption, were reported at Kergord during 6th-i3th July, on Fair Isle on 8th-9th, on Whalsay (Shetland) on 19th, at Chevington Burn (Northumberland) on 29th (trapped), on Lundy on 3rd August, and at Whitby (Yorkshire) during 3rd-7th August. 1973 ORNITHOLIDA Y S Regd THE WESSEX TRA VEL CENTRE Holidays organised by birdwatchers for birdwatchers MOROCCO Exciting safari-type Orni- tholiday to southern Morocco and the edge of the Sahara. Tour starts Marra- kech and covers the most interesting parts of the Haut and Moyen Atlas, and the desert beyond. Good hotel accommoda- tion, coach travel reduced to minimum consistent with good birdwatching. Departure 24th March. Maximum 20. FINLAND The last wilderness. Orni- thological safari through the lakeland and forests of Finland. Good accommo- dation, coach throughout. Departure 9th June. Maximum 20. ARCTIC NORWAY Another Ornitholi- days safari, this time to the top of Europe in search of arctic birds. Good hotel and guesthouse accommodation, road and air transport throughout. Departure 23rd June. Maximum 20. HOLLAND Autumn visit to Texel and the Polders. Pleasant hotel accommo- dation, air and road transport through- out. Departure 22nd September. Maxi- mum 16. YUGOSLAVIA Another exciting safari- type tour which will explore the marshes and hills of northern Yugoslavia, then head south for Lake Scutari and Met- kovic. Good hotel accommodation, coach throughout. Departures 14th April and 22nd September. Maximum each group 20. MALAWI Detailed exploration of Lake Malawi, Lake Chilwa, Lengwe Game Reserve, Zomba. etc. First-class hotel and good game-lodge accommodation, minibus transport. Departure 12th July. Maximum 14. ZAMBIA Exciting birdwatching at Kafuc, Livingstone, Sumbu Reserve, etc. Good-class accommodation, air and minibus transport. Departure 9th October. Maximum 14. ETHIOPIA Repeat of our 1971 and 1972 tours to the Awash National Park, the Rift Valley Lakes, Lake Tana, the Blue Nile Gorge and the Menagcsha State Forest. A fascinating country with outstanding birdlife. Departure 15th November. Maximum 22. Full details of costs and schedules for these and many other holidays on application: please send 3p stamp for 1973 programme LAWRENCE G. HOLLOWAY ORNITHOLIDAYS 44 ALDWICK ROAD BOGNOR REGIS, SUSSEX, P021 2PW Tel: Bognor Regis 21230 in The West Wales Naturalists’ Trust Ltd (formerly the West Wales Field Society) Membership of the Trust is open to all who are interested in the study and conservation of wild life in Wales. The annual subscription of £2 entitles members to : (a) free issues of Nature in Wales, which appears half-yearly, and of the quarterly Trust Bulletin; (b) field excursions, lectures and meetings; (c) visits, without landing fees, to such island sanctuaries and nature reserves as Skomer, St Margaret’s, Skokholm and Cardigan Island. The activities of the Trust include the co-operative study of such animals as birds and seals and the recording of their distribution and habits. publications (post free): Skomer Island, 20p; Plant List of Pembroke- shire, 55p; The Birds of Cardiganshire, 55p; Plant List of Carmarthen- shire, 55p; Skokholm Bird Observatory Reports for each year to 1971, 25p each; Nature in Wales back numbers, 55p THE WEST WALES NATURALISTS* TRUST LTD 4 Victoria Place, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire Zoological Record Section Aves 1969 (vol. 106) This indispensable bibliogra- phy, compiled by the staff of the Zoological Society of Lon- don, is an annual list of orni- thological literature in all parts of the world. Full references are given with authors and titles and they are indexed under species, subjects and countries. The latest issue covers 5,265 articles and books published mainly in 1969 and is obtain- able at a cost of £9 00 (pos- tage extra) from The Zoological Society of London REGENT’S PARK LONDON NWI Small Advertisements 80p for 3 lines (minimum); 25p for each whole or part extra line. For the use of a box number there is a charge of 5p. Minsmere. Comfortable accommoda- tion; packed lunches; evening meals to order. White Horse Inn, Westleton, Suffolk (M. L. Eves). Tel; Westleton 222. Swans Big Game and Bird Safaris to East Africa. See page ii. For sale. Zoologist: 1 1 of the 20 vols. complete, 7 others incomplete, 2 miss- ing. None bound. Box OR69. iv Notice to contributors British Birds publishes material dealing with original observations on the birds of Britain and Europe or, where appropriate, on the species of this area as observed in other parts of their range. Except for records of rarities, papers and notes arc normally accepted only on condition that the material is not being offered in whole or in part to any other journal. Photographs (glossy prints showing good contrast) and sketches are welcomed. Proofs of all contributions are sent to authors before publication. After publication, 25 separates are sent free to authors of papers (two authors of one paper receive 15 each and three authors ten each); additional copies, for which a charge is made, can be provided if ordered when the proofs are returned. Reprints of notes and other short items have to be specially ordered and are charged for. Papers should be typewritten with double spacing and wide margins, and on one side of the sheet only. Shorter contributions, if not typed, must be clearly written and well spaced. Notes should be worded as concisely as possible, and drawn up in the form in which they will be printed, with signature in block capitals and the author’s address clearly given in one line at the foot. If more than one note is submitted, each should be on a separate sheet, with signature and address repeated. Certain conventions of style and layout are essential to preserve the uniformity of any publication. Authors of papers in particular, especially of those containing systematic lists, reference lists, tables, etc., should consult the ones in this issue as a guide to general presentation. English names of species should have capital initials for each word, except after a hyphen (e.g. Willow Warbler, Black-tailed Godwit), but group terms should not (e.g. warblers, godwits). Both English and scientific names, and the sequence, follow A Species List of British and Irish Birds (B.T.O. Guide 13, 1971). All scientific names should be underlined (but not put in brackets) immediately after the first mention of the English name. Sub- specific names should not be used except where they arc relevant to the discussion. It is sometimes more convenient to list scientific names in an appendix. Dates should take the form ‘1st January 1972’ and no other, except in tables where they may be abbreviated to ‘1st Jan’, ‘Jan 1st’, or even ‘Jan i’, whichever most suits the layout of the table concerned. It is particularly requested that authors should pay attention to reference lists, which otherwise cause much unnecessary work. These should take the following form: Bannerman, D. A. 1954. The Birds of the British Isles. Edinburgh and London, vol 3 : 223-228. Lack, D. i960. ‘Autumn “drift-migration” on the English east coast’. Brit. Birds, 53: 325-352, 379-397. Various other conventions concerning references, including their use in the text, should be noted by consulting examples in this issue. 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There are now also three really large models available — the 9 X 63 (£30), the 12 X 65 (£32) and the 20 X 70 (£36); case, if required, £7 extra. The 9 X 63 and 12 X 65 can be hand-held but the 20 X 70 requires to be tripod-supported; a suitable tripod can be supplied for about £5. An invitation is extended to all readers of British Birds to apply for our free catalogue and a complimentary copy of Tell me, Mr Frank', a booklet which tells you everything you want to know about binoculars. We accept your old binoculars in part exchange and extend credit facilities CHARLES FRANK LTD Binocular specialists and telescope makers for three generations 145 QUEEN STREET GLASGOW Cl 041-2™mm Printed in England by Henry Burt & Son Ltd, College Street, Kempston, Bedford Published by H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd, 15 Nicholas Lane, London EC4N 7BR British Birds 3\k Owls and their prey in northern Europe io Mikkola rrt Warbler in Dorset: a species new to Britain and Ireland . Clafton S e» adaptive features of seabird plumage types Kf . L. Simmons (part 1) !> Reviews Letters > and comment Recent reports — August ume 65 Number 11 November 1972 35p British Birds Editorial Address io Merton Road, Bedford Telephone 02)4 SyjjS Volume 65 Number n November 1972 45 3 Hawk Owls and their prey in northern Europe Heimo Mikkola 460 Desert Warbler in Dorset: a species new to Britain and Ireland F. R. Clafton 465 Some adaptive features of seabird plumage types Dr K. E. L. Simmons (part 1) Plates 69-76 NOTES 480 Shearwaters wheeling over sand dunes J. H. Elgood 480 Feeding and aerial diving by Shags Bernard King 481 Temminck’s Stints nesting in Scotland Roy H. Dennis 482 Prey found in Eagle Owls’ nest in central Sweden R. E. Emmett, Heimo Mikkola, Len Mummery and Gerald Westerhoff 483 Goldcrest trapped by threads of spider’s web H. R. Tutt 483 Water Pipits roosting in greater reedmace and great pond sedge R. A. Frost 484 Northern Waterthrush in the Isles of Scilly D. I. M. Wallace REVIEWS 485 Birds of Moor and Mountain by Donald Watson Dr Ian D. Pennie 487 The Swans by Peter Scott and the Wildfowl Trust Dr I. Newton LETTERS 487 XVI International Ornithological Congress Dr H. J. Frith 490 Density of Collared Doves L. W. Cornelius 490 News and comment Robert Hudson 492 Recent reports — August P. F. Bonham R. A. Hume provided the drawing of Hawk Owl (page 460), D. I. M. Wallace those of Desert Warbler (page 464) and Northern Waterthrush (page 485), and R. A. Richardson that of Barred Warbler (page 496) Editors Stanley Cramp, I. J. Ferguson-Lees, P. F. Bonham, M. A. Ogilvie and D. I. M. Wallace Photographic Editor Eric Hosking News and Comment Robert Hudson, B.T.O., Beech Grove, Tring, Hertfordshire Rarities Committee F. R. Smith, 117 Hill Barton Road, Exeter, Devon exi 3PP Year’s subscription for 12 issues £4.50 post paid (overseas rate £4.80) from H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd, 15 Nicholas Lane, London EC4N 7BR Copyright © the authors and H. F. & G. 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Bonham, 10 Merton Road, Bedford, the latter to be completed by 15th December Irish Naturalists' Journal A quarterly magazine de- voted exclusively to the botany, geology and zoology of Ireland, and publishing bird records as a regular feature Edited by Miss M. P. H. Kertland Science Library Q.U.B. Lennoxvale Belfast BT9 5EQ Annual subscription £1 post paid 1 ■: :r k h a b II!1 ni] t « he re, ■ Ics t'il; ' V A 0: Od KV; ii rolume 65 Number 1 1 November 1972 ( a U W W72 j British Birds -lawk Owls and their prey in northern Europe i 1 ieimo Mikkola Although much has been learnt in recent years about owls and their cehaviour, the Hawk Owl Surnia ulula is still relatively little known. [This paper describes some aspects of its movements and breeding Oology, and gives information on its food in Norway, Finland and Russia. EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTION AND INVASIONS lawk Owls are found mainly in the northern coniferous forests, and '.hose in Fenno-Scandia are the most westerly part of a population liistributed throughout the taiga of Eurasia east to Anadyr, Kamchatka | irnd Sakhalin. The southernmost nest ever found in Europe was at ( ubout 5 5°N in central Russia (Mebs 1966). Hawk Owls, like Great i jjrey Owls Strix nebulosa, lead an essentially nomadic life, erupting hrough the coniferous zone westwards as well as southwards in : i response to food availability, and thus to climatic conditions (cf. i Mikkola and Sulkava 1969 for the Great Grey Owl). Hawk Owl J irruptions follow the same pattern as those of Snowy Owls Nyctea • . candiaca : when populations of voles (Microtidae) are normal, most of i rhe owls winter in the north, but in peak vole years remarkable invasions may occur, birds penetrating central Europe and rarely even I crossing to Britain. The most recent invasions, in the autumns and svinters of 1957/58, 1961/62, 1964/65 and 1971/72, have been on rather 1. small scale compared with earlier ones in 1881/82, 1898/99, 1914/15, | 928/29, 1930/31, 1931/32, 1942/43 and 1950/51, probably because the i copulation in Fenno-Scandia has suffered a general reduction (table 1). An example of a westward eruption from Russia into Fenno-Scandia ! >ccurred in 1957. In northern Russia this was an excellent vole year I 1 nd Hawk Owls nested in large numbers (Bianki and Koshkina i960), cut in Finland only three nests were found (von Haartman et al. 1967). i. 454 Hawk Owls and their prey Table i. Evidence of decrease of Hawk Owls Surma ulula in northern and central Finland The figures given are the numbers of corpses sent to A. Hellemaa, a well-known Finnish taxidermist, during the autumns and winters of 1930-37 and to the Department of Zoology, University of Oulu, during those of 1958-72 1930/31 60 1958/59 2 1965/66 1 1931/32 21 1959/60 2 1966/67 - 1932/33 8 1960/61 4 1967/68 - 1933/34 7 1961/62 7 1968/69 - 1934/35 6 1962/63 I 1969/70 - 1935/36 6 1963/64 - 1970/71 I 1936/37 7 1964/65 5 1971/72 3 During the following autumn and winter, however, Finland witnessed a sizable influx of Hawk Owls, and numbers reached West Germany (Berndt 1959): clearly, these had come from the east. The spring of 1958 was very cold in Finland, and voles were numerous, so that the wintering owls remained to breed throughout the country. Hagen’s (1956) earlier assertion that the Hawk Owls which invaded Scandinavia in large numbers in 1950 had originated from within Fenno-Scandia is thus open to question. Edberg’s (1955) previous suggestion that they had irrupted from the east seems to have been correct, since the size of the invasion approached that of the largest on record, in 1914, in spite of the fact that the Fenno-Scandian population had considerably decreased by 1950. BREEDING BIOLOGY Hawk Owl territories are probably quite large, since two nests have never been found close together; the area of 200 square km that Hagen covered in Norway held four pairs. Certainly the hunting ranges are extensive: in Russia Bianki and Koshkina found the remains of 1 3 Root Voles Micro tus ratticeps at a nest more than 1 km from the nearest habitat suitable for this mammal. Hawk Owls seem to be tolerant of other birds of prey nesting in their territories : Honey Buzzards Pernis apivorus, Sparrowhawks Accipiter nisus , Short-eared Owls Asio fiammeus , Ural Owls Strix uralensis and Great Grey Owls have been found breeding within 500 metres of a nest, although the last three species are direct competitors for food and may hunt at the same time as the male Hawk Owl. On the other hand, Hawk Owls have been recorded taking Tengmalm’s Owls Aegolius funereus in Finland on three occasions (archives of Professor E. Merikallio). The favoured breeding habitat is dense coniferous or mixed forest on the edges of marshes or areas cleared by felling, sometimes quite near human habitation (twice recorded within 100 metres). The 455 lawk Owls and their prey rcoximity of the nest-site to open ground is indicative of the owl’s i anting methods. Territories are established a few weeks before the I ..art of nesting. In central Finland during 1970 Hawk Owls were i c;ard calling from as early as 17th February until 13th April (Mikkola 1770). Holes in trees and the tops of stumps, nestboxes, and occasionally I d nests of raptors or crows are utilised (Mebs 1966); like the Great . rey Owl, the Hawk Owl does not bring any fresh material to the nest. Dates of egg-laying vary considerably: for example, Merikallio found .ggs on extreme dates of 30th March and 23rd June. His records of j ie sizes of 135 completed clutches may be tabulated as follows: I »^gs per clutch 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 n 12 13 completed clutches 5 16 31 27 23 17 8 3 4 o 1 he average clutch size, which was 6.31 over the whole series, seemed h> decrease southwards: in Lapland it was 6.56 (101 clutches), in I central Finland 5.94 (18) and in south Finland 5.13 (16). The number ff eggs in 17 nests found in Lapland during 1903-16 varied from five n> 13, with an average of 7.5; it is interesting that the five clutches : >und in 1907 , a good vole year, had between eight and 13 eggs and , le average was 10.2 (Montell 1917). Only the female incubates, fed by the male. Both will attack intruders 1 tsar the nest, particularly after the young have hatched. The young | :.ave when between three and five weeks old; in northern Russia the toungest fledgling of one pair left a week after the oldest (Bianki and j Koshkina i960). The young are reluctant fliers at first, and spend much 1 rme moving about the branches of the nest tree. Even after six to eight I reeks they are usually found in the vicinity of the nest; they keep : ugether and may stay within the territory for many weeks. The Hawk Owl is diurnal and will hunt in bright sunlight. One male u 1970 was vocal between 06.00 and 20.00 hours during the spring, and mly once was heard to call at night; in Lapland in June 1970 a female 1 ceased to attack observers after 23.00 hours, despite continuous day- cght (Mikkola 1970). In Sweden a pair fed their young once per hour mring a bright day; after 17.00 feeding was less frequent, but visits cere recorded in daylight between 02.00 and 03.00 (Merikallio). OOD AT NEST SITES Accent information on the food of the Hawk Owl in northern Europe aring the breeding season has been collected in Norway (Hagen 1952), 11 Kantalahti, Murmansk Province, northern Russia (Bianki and ^.oshkina i960), and in Finland (Mikkola 1971a, b, and H. Ormio unpublished). These studies were conducted by analysing the contents fF pellets or other food remains from 16 nest sites (see fig. 1). ellets were found at various distances from nests, but usually within 13-150 metres. Often the area underneath the habitual perch of a male Hawk Owls and their prej 456 Fig. x. Localities of nests of Hawk Owls Sarnia ulula from which pellets or other food remains were collected for analysis in Norway (1949), northern Russia (19 57) and Finland (1958-70) also yielded many pellets. Of those collected in Finland, 40 were intact: their dimensions varied from maxima of 7.6 x 1.8 X 1.8 cm and 5.8 x 2.2 x 2.1 cm to minima of 3.0 x 2.1 x 2.0 cm and 3.3 X 1.7 X 1.3 cm, the mean measurements being 4.1 X 2.2 X 1.9 cm. Remains of up to four animals were present in each pellet and the average number was 1.7. The percentages of the main groups of prey animals are given in table 2, which is modelled on a similar table for the Great Grey Owl (in Mikkola and Sulkava 1970). During the breeding season Hawk Owls eat mostly voles (Microtidae) which formed between 94.8% and 98.3% of the prey analysed in the three countries. Those of the genera Clethrionomys (34. 8 %~7 5 .9%) and Microtus (7-4%-57.7%) were easily the most numerous at every site. The owls took only a few shrews Table 2. Food of Hawk Owls Sarnia alula at nest sites in northern Europe during 1949-70 Data from Norway (Hagen 1952), Finland (Mikkola 1971a, b, and H. Ormio unpublished) and Murmansk Province, northern Russia (Bianki and Koshkina i960) Norway Finland Russia TOTALS Research years 1949 1958-70 1937 1949-70 Number of nests 4 IX I l6 Number of prey animals 525 752 174 L43I Voles ( Microtus ) 7-4% 57-7% 12.6% 34-i% Voles ( Clethrionomys ) 54-5% 34-8% 73-9% 46.7% Water voles ( Arvicola ) - 0.6% 3-4% 0.7% Lemmings ( Lemmas , Myopus) 5-9% i.7% - 3-o% Unidentified voles 30-5% — 3-8% 11.9% total voles (Microtidae) 98-3% 94.8% 97-7% 96.4% Shrews (Soricidae) 0.2% 2.3% - M% Birds 1.0% i.3% i.7% X.2% Other prey 0.5% i-4% 0.6% 1.0% 457 lawk Owls and their prey ^Soricidae) (up to 2.5%), birds (i.o%-i.7%) or other prey animals such 11 s mice (Muridae), frogs Rana spp and so on (0.5%- 1.4%). In northern •arts of the region Microtus appear to have been relatively scarce, since Zlethrionomys formed the great majority of the food. In southern and entral Finland, however, the former were correspondingly the more numerous, accounting for 90.2% of the prey taken (Mikkola 1971a). n general, one might say that the availability of prey directly governed jhe predator’s choice; in northern Russia, however, the contents of >ellets were somewhat different from what might have been expected hrough the results of trapping near-by: shrews were trapped but were tot present in the pellets, and Grey-sided Voles C. rufocanus occurred marginally more often in the pellets than in the traps (Bianki and Koshkina i960). P’REY SPECIES i Voles Three species of Clethrionomys were found in the prey remains: in ("inland the most numerous were Ruddy Voles C. rutilus (10.8%), in Norway Grey-sided Voles (35.6%) and in Russia Bank Voles C. v’lareolus (53.4%). Three species of Microtus were also identified: Short- i ailed Voles M. agrestis were the commonest prey in the Finnish material (44.5%), but much less so in the Norwegian (6.7%) and the Prussian (4.6%); three Common Voles M. arvalis were found in FCauhava in Finland ; and Root Voles M. ratticeps were quite common in rcemains from Lapland (17.8%) and Russia (7.5%), though they formed conly about 5% altogether. Water Voles Arvicola terrestris occurred Lour times in Finnish material and six times in Russian, but accounted fcor only 0.7% of the total prey. The population dynamics of the Norway Lemming Lemmas lemmus can no longer be regarded as the (factor governing the fluctuations of Hawk Owl numbers, as earlier s studies have suggested. Only 43 lemmings (3.0%) were found in all tthe material. From three nests in Lapland in 1970 only four lemmings were found, and diis in the most remarkable year for lemmings since tthe 1930’s. Shrews Three species were found in the Finnish material: Common Shrews Sorex araneus (2.1%), Pygmy Shrews S. minutus (0.3%) and Water SShrews Neomys fodiens (0.1%). The Norwegian remains contained one sshrew, the Russian none at all. Mice (One Yellow-necked Field Mouse Apodemus flavicollis, four Harvest Mice Micromys minutus and three unidentified mice were found in the Finnish material. Hawk Owls and their prey 458 Other mammals Remains of a Weasel Mustela nivalis and an unidentified marten (Mus- telidae) were found in the Norwegian remains, and one Flying Squirrel Pteromys volans in the Finnish. Other animals The 22 other animals found in the prey remains were two frogs (one each in Finland and Russia), one unidentified small fish (in Finland), one beetle Carabus sp (in Norway), and 18 birds (1.2%). The last included three gamebirds (one Willow Grouse Oagopus lagopus and one unidentified grouse chick in Finland, and one Hazel Hen Tetrastes bonasia in Russia), one Song Thrush Turdus philomelos in Finland, one Redwing T. iliacus in Norway, and nine unidentified small passerines (four in Finland, three in Norway, two in Russia). In addition, the pellets showed three instances (two in Finland, one in Norway) of adult Hawk Owls eating their young. FOOD OUTSIDE THE BREEDING SEASON Stomach analyses were conducted on twelve Hawk Owls in Finland by the Department of Zoology, University of Oulu, and on two in Table 3. Food of Hawk Owls Surnia ulula outside the breeding season in Finland and Russia during 1912-71 These figures are based on 14 stomachs, twelve from Finland during 1912-71 (this study) and two from Murmansk Province, northern Russia, in 1956 (Bianki and Koshkina i960) Total Per cent Pygmy Shrew Sorex minutus I 4-5% Common Shrew Sorex araneus 5 i3-6% Water Shrew Neomys fodiens I 4-5% total shrews (Soricidae) 5 22.7% Bank Vole Cletbrionomys glareolus 5 22.7% Water Vole Arvicola terrestris I 4-5% Short-tailed Vole Microtus agrestis I 4-5% Unidentified voles 2 9-!% total voles (Microtidae) 9 40.9% Willow Grouse Lagopus lagopus 5 22.7% Hazel Hen Tetrastes bonasia 1 4-5% Redpoll Ac ant bis flammea I 4-5% TOTAL BIRDS 7 31-8% Beetle Carabus sp I 4-5% GRAND TOTAL 22 100.0% I Hawk Owls and their prey 459 Kantalahti, Russia (table 3). The results agree with earlier reports of winter food (Vladimirskaya 1948, Uttendorfer 1952): the proportion (of voles dropped to 41% while birds, especially Willow Grouse, escalated to 31.8%, nearly 30 times as high as in the breeding season. This was to be expected, since these owls were collected during 1 winters when vole populations were low and in areas where the snow- 1 xover was so thick that small mammals were less accessible to predation. Clearly, then, the Hawk Owl’s predilection for voles does not signify an exclusive specialisation, but, given that climatic conditions determine the distribution or availability of these mammals, vole populations do account directly for the movements and breeding density of the owls to the exclusion of all other factors. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am obliged to H. Ormio, who made his unpublished material available to me, and 1 to Nigel Collar, who assisted in field studies in Kajaani and Lapland during 1970. j SUMMARY | Hawk Owls Surnia ulula are essentially nomadic, erupting through the northern coniferous zone in response to food availability and thus to climatic conditions. 1 In recent decades the population in Fenno-Scandia has fallen. Breeding biology in northern Europe is briefly reviewed; the average clutch size (6.31) seemed to I decrease from north to south. Pellets and other food remains were collected at 16 nests during 1949-70: of the 1,451 prey animals identified, the great majority I iwerc voles (Microtidac), Micro/us and Cletbrionomys forming 80.8% and others 15.6%. I S Shrews (Soricidae) of three species made up 1.4%; the remaining 2.2% comprised televen other mammals of at least four species, two frogs, one fish, one beetle, i and 18 birds ranging from thrushes to gamebirds. In the stomachs of 14 Hawk Owls I (examined outside the breeding season, when small mammals arc less accessible to | predation, 22.7% of the prey animals were Willow Grouse Lagopus lagopus. I IREFERENCES I IBerndt, R. 1959. ‘Spcrbcreule ( Surnia ulula) bei Braunschweig’. Ortt. Mitt., 11: 237. I IBianki, V. V., and Koshkina, T. V. i960. ‘O pitanii iastrevinoi sovy’. Trudy Kandalaksbskogo Zapovednika, 3: 113-117. j Edberg, R. 1955. ‘Invasionen av hokuggla ( Surnia ulula) i Skandinavicn 1950-51’. Var Fagelv., 14: 10-21. Hagen, Y. 1952. Rovfuglene og Viltpleien. Oslo. 1956. ‘The irruption of Hawk-Owls ( Surnia ulula (L.)) in Fennoscandia 1950-5 1 with some remarks on recent micro-rodent cycles’. Sterna (1), 24: 3-22. Mebs, T. 1966. Eu/en rnd Kau^e. Stuttgart. Mikkola, H. 1970. ‘Milloin ja milla saalla pollot huutelevat ?’. Kainuurt Linnut, 1: 52-55- 1971a. ‘Hiiri-, viiru- ja suopollon pesintaaikaisesta ravinnosta Paijat-Hameessa’. [English summary: ‘On the food of Hawk, Ural, and Short-eared Owls in Paijat-Hame in nesting season’.] Pdijdt-Hameen Linnut, 2: 8-11, 32. 1971b. ‘Zur Ernahrung des Sperbereule ( Surnia ulula) zur Brutzeit’. Angewandte Orn., 3: 133-141- and Sulkava, S. 1969. ‘On the occurrence of the Great Grey Owl ( Strix nebulosa) in Finland 1955-68’. Orn. Fenn., 46: 126-131. 1970. ‘Food of Great Grey Owls in Fenno-Scandia’. Brit. Birds, 63 : 23-27. 460 Hawk Owls and their prey Montell, J. 1917. ‘FSgelfaunan i Muonio socken och angransande delar af Enontekis och Kittila socknar’. Ada Soc. Fauna Flora Fenn., 44: 1-260. Uttendorfer, O. 1952. Neue Ergebnisse Uber die Erndhrung der Greifvogel und EuUn. Stuttgart. Vladimirskaya, M. 1948. ‘Ptitsy Laplandskogo Zapovednika’. Trudy Eaplandskogo Gos. Zapovednika, 3. von Haartman, L., Hilden, O., Linkola, P., Suomalainen, P., and Tenovuo, R. 1967. Pobjolan Linnut Varikuvin, 8. Helsinki. Heimo Mikkola, University of Kuopio , SF-joioi Kuopio 10, Box 140, Finland Desert Warbler in Dorset: a species new to Britain and Ireland F. R. Clafton Early on the afternoon of 16th December 1970 Grahame Walbridge left his home at Weston, Portland, Dorset, intending to walk to the bird observatory at Portland Bill, some 3 km distant. Within minutes, as he skirted a weed-grown patch of ground on a building site, he came across a small umber-coloured Sylvia warbler flitting busily in the low vegetation. He watched it for long enough to assimilate its salient features and then hurried to the observatory where he reported his discovery to my wife and me. The three of us returned to the site by car and after about half an hour’s search we rediscovered the bird. The weather at the time was mild and reasonably calm during a lull between a procession of Atlantic low pressure systems. The afternoon was heavily overcast and the light far from good. This was, however. 'esert Warbler in Dorset 461 jmpensated by the bird’s approachability. For most of the time it j remained either actually on the ground or in low weeds, mostly bristly 5-tongue Picris echioides, allowing us within five metres without lowing undue alarm. On one occasion we watched it hopping along e:\vly laid kerbstones and, when some children approached, it darted Into a stack of land-drain pipes and the group passed within a metre or |d> of it. We failed to add significantly to the field description already obtained y G.W. The upperparts were uniform tan-brown, the underparts jj iceyish- white. There were no salient facial features and no sharp ;emarcation between the throat and the face. The bill was yellow ith a black tip, and the legs pale flesh with a faint greenish tinge. ' here was no significant orbital ring, but the iris was yellow, although lis could be seen in the field only at very close range. White was isible on each side of the brown tail in flight. We quickly realised that it was necessary to capture the bird if we ,.'ere to solve the problem of its identity. We erected a single-panel list-net and caught it with little difficulty, but by this time the light •as failing quickly, so we carried it back to the observatory. After a retailed description and measurements had been taken, it was roosted t: room temperature in a darkened box, since it was clearly too late for : to feed. The following is a transcript of the description: Upperparts: forehead, crown, nape and mantle uniform pale earth-brown with ashy tinge; rump and uppertail-coverts noticeably more russet; sides of head without distinguishing features, the ash-brown merging imperceptibly into greyish-white; no orbital ring apparent, although faint whitish flecks visible in some lights in region of eye-sockets; ear-coverts pale grey, no different from remainder of facial region. Underparts: pearly grey, due to grey feather fringes (bases being whiter), with no particular paleness on chin or throat, but buff suffusion on flanks and undertail-coverts. Wings: primaries black-brown with ashy wash and very faint pale buff fringes; secondaries similar, but less dark and with broader pale buff fringes ; outer webs of tertials grey-brown and inner webs pale chestnut, separated by noticeable blackish shaft streak; outermost tertial darker brown with paler fringes on both webs; greater and median coverts ash-brown ; lesser coverts distinctly more greyish ; alula mainly blackish, contrasting with the brown coverts, but outer feather with slender rim of pale buff, median with broad fringe of pale buff, and inner mostly pale with blackish centre. Tail: outermost feathers on right side just breaking out of pin, showing white; outermost on left side mostly greyish-white but basal half of inner web with narrowing blackish streak; penultimate on left side in pin; other feathers brown and centre pair more russet. Bare parts: upper mandible pale yellow with black tip, culmen and area round nostril; lower mandible entirely yellow with very slight darkness towards tip; tarsus creamy flesh (greenish tinge noted in field not discernible in hand); iris chrome-yellow. Wing-formula: 3rd and 4th primaries equal and longest, 5th —0.5 mm, 6th —2.0 mm, 2nd —3.5 mm, 7th —4.5 mm, 10th —9.0 mm; 1st 2.5 mm longer than longest primary covert; 3rd, 4th and 5th emarginated on outer webs, 6th with possibly a trace. Mea- surements: wing 58.3 mm; bill (from skull) 1 1.5 mm; tarsus 18.5 mm; tail 50 mm with no more than 3 mm difference between shortest and longest feathers. Deserf Warbler in Dorset 462 After some hours of consulting the literature, we were able to satisfy ourselves that the bird was a Desert Warbler Sylvia nana, but we did not disturb it from the time of our detailed examination until first light on the following day. Unfortunately the morning dawned wet and windy, with appalling light conditions, and as a result our hopes of photography were dashed. Some photographs were taken with the aid of photo-flood illumination, but because I was anxious that the bird should have an opportunity to feed as quickly as possible I released it shortly after 09.00 hours. It flew out of the observatory garden into an adjoining field of sprouting barley. At the time of release it weighed 9.45 gm. Soon after midday the weather cleared and the bird then appeared in the observatory garden. It established a pattern of behaviour which enabled a great many other observers to see it in the course of the next two weeks, spending periods of between a few minutes and an hour or so feeding on the ground in the barley shoots (then about 1 5 cm in height) and in the meantime preening on bushes near-by, most frequently in a large elder in which it could be seen easily and well. During wet weather it became bedraggled very quickly (presum- ably through constant contact with the lush cereal shoots) and preening was much more frequent and prolonged. A feature which then became noticeable, and which could be seen even when the bird was a mere speck some 150 metres away, was its habit of bobbing, head up and tail down, then tail up and head down, almost as if pivoting through the centre of the body. The bird was present daily until 25 th December when a spell of severe weather with frost, snow and icy east winds made it very difficult to locate. It was seen briefly on 27th, but it then disappeared and we imagined that it had succumbed. At dusk on 1st January 1971, however, G.W. and I discovered it again, our attention being attracted initially by a sharp ‘wee-churr’ call with something of the rhythm of that of a Partridge Perdix perdix. Neither of us had heard this note before, although we had both heard the bird utter a faint sub-song. On 2nd January it had reverted to its old habits (the weather by then becoming milder), but early on 3rd ploughing operations started in the barley field and diligent searches that day and subsequently failed to reveal it. IDENTIFICATION The problem of identification was perplexing, both in the field and initially in the hand. The bird was assumed to be one of the Mediter- ranean Sylvia warblers, perhaps in first-year plumage, and a quick check through Williamson (1964) soon revealed that on measurements and structure it could be Spectacled S. conspicillata or Subalpine S. cantillans, or even Menetries’ S. mystacea or Tristram’s d. deserticola. desert Warbler in Dorset 463 'uite obviously it bore no resemblance to adults of these species as ;picted in the Field Guide and in Etchecopar and Hue (1967). Further- more, the plumage descriptions given by Swift (1959) and Sharrock 962) for juvenile Spectacled and Subalpine revealed that it could not e: assigned to either of those species. In size and shape, however, it 1 1 osely resembled a Subalpine Warbler and this similarity of structure lade me certain that it was a Sylvia. I had discounted the possibility of its being a Desert Warbler at rst, since I thought that this species was so pallid in general coloration 5; to be unmistakable, a conception heightened by the illustration in /tchecopar and Hue showing S. nana deserti to be of an almost ethereal . dlor. My wife and I worked systematically through Williamson ['.tempting to match the bird with every species in the genus and the I tocess reached fruition when we discovered that not only did it fit .. nana on measurements but also on certain plumage features, particu- 1: rly the russet rump, the dark-shafted tertials and the coloration of the )ft parts. The only points of divergence were the colour of the nderparts, quite clearly greyish rather than creamy as given by Villiamson (see below), and the lack of white on the third outermost i.il-feathers. I HELD CHARACTERS )#nce the possibility of vagrancy in this species has been realised, its Identification in the field is not difficult, since it is quite obviously a Sjlvia warbler and no other species exhibits the same uniform tan- ioloured upperparts without distinguishing features in the facial | r;gion. The Portland bird had an obvious predilection to feed on the rround, but showed no reluctance to skulk in the manner of a E ocustella. he black-yellow-black patterning of the bill and the pale leg colora- on were striking, but the yellow iris and black alula could be seen in le field only at very close range and these characters were most pDparcnt in the hand. To what extent the bobbing, pivoting action hen perched is typical of the species is not known. 1 ISCUSSION hrough the courtesy of the British Museum (Natural History), I was ble to examine an extensive series of skins while the details of the ird were still fresh in my mind. One glance was sufficient to confirm tat it was of the nominate race of Sylvia nana. The difference between bins of this race, with its plain brown mantle, and of the golden sand- ■ floured S. n. deserti of north-west Africa was stark. The breeding range of the nominate form extends from the Kalmuk teppes (west of the lower Volga) east to central Asia and south to )uthern Iran, and the winter quarters from the Red Sea area to north- 'est India (Vaurie 1959). The south-westerly movement into north- Desert Warbler in Dorset 464 east Africa in winter was commented on by Moreau (1966). The majority of the specimens in the British Museum were taken in winter in northern India : all of these exhibited the bright, creamy white under- parts noted by Williamson. I noticed, however, that a few collected in Somalia in winter showed a trace of greyness below, though none so * markedly as the Portland bird. ^ Desert Warblers had been recorded twice previously in western Europe, at Ottenby, Oland, Sweden, on 20th October 1961 and near 1 Turku, Finland, on 26th October 1963 (Williamson 1968). It seems ] unlikely that the one at Portland arrived in Britain in mid-December, sj particularly as the weather conditions then were predominantly westerly, and it would probably be safer to assume that it had already been in the vicinity for some time, perhaps weeks ; its ability to main- tain itself unobtrusively in a small area was amply demonstrated after its release, and its presence on some rarely visited part of the Isle of ;; Portland could well have been missed. I was able to recall an occasion during the preceding autumn (precise date not noted) when I had had a fleeting glimpse of an unfamiliar Sylvia warbler in the fields near Southwell, Portland, but this vague impression by no means detracts from the credit due to the young observer whose alertness and care- ful observation led to this first record for Britain and Ireland. REFERENCES Etchecopar, R.-D., and Hue, F. 1967. The Birds of North Africa. Edinburgh and London. Moreau, R. E. 1966. The Bird Faunas of Africa and its Islands. London and New * York, p 66. is Sharrock, J. T. R. 1962. ‘The field identification of Sardinian, Subalpine and Spectacled Warblers in autumn’. Brit. Birds, 55 : 90-92. Swift, J. J. 1959. ‘The separation of Subalpine and Spectacled Warblers in juvenile and first-winter plumages’. Brit. Birds, 52: 198-199. Vaurie, C. 1959. The Birds of the Palearctic Fauna: Passeriformes. London, pp 263-264. tal Williamson, K. 1964 and 1968. Identification for Ringers. 3. The Genus Sylvia. B.T.O. (j. Field Guide 9. First and second editions. I 1 r F. R. Cl aft on, Fort l and Bird Observatory and Field Centre, Old Lower Light, Portland, Dorset in Some adaptive features of seabird plumage types I :K. E. L. Simmons Plates 69-76 j II. INTRODUCTION The plumage patterns of seabirds are very conservative, being mostly > simple and restricted in type. Sexual dimorphism is rare and any ibright coloration restricted to the unfeathered parts in all but a handful of species. Such trends are found even in large species which breed in :noisy, conspicuous colonies and have no serious predators. The majority of seabirds, by which I mean members of the families listed in table 1, may be assigned to one of three very broad categories 1 of plumage type, according to the relative amount of ‘dark’ (usually black, brown or dusky grey) and ‘light’ (white or pale grey). Type-i consists of species which arc wholly or mainly dark with restricted liight areas (usually white) and the frontal aspect more or less dark. Type-2 consists of species which are usually dark above and white below, with the dark and light areas more or less equally distributed bbut the frontal aspect dark or only partly pale. Type -j consists of species vwhich are wholly or mainly white or light grey, or a combination of tthe two, with restricted dark areas and the frontal aspect all or largely vwhite. Of course, such a classification is an over-simplification, but it iis probably adequate for present purposes. One may also, for con- venience, talk of dark, intermediate and light seabirds. Examples are g>iven in fig. 1 and on plates 69-76. Allocation of plumage types in each family of seabirds is made in cable 1. Dark type-i forms predominate among storm-petrels (especially 'Dceartodroma and Oceanites), cormorants ( Phalacrocorax ), frigatebirds Fregata ) and skuas (Stercorarius) ; and are found quite frequently among shearwaters (e.g. Puffinus) and gadfly-petrels (e.g. Bulweria ); but are in a minority among albatrosses (e.g. Phoebetria ), other petrels (dark morphs 1 n Macronectes and Fulmarus ), pelicans ( Pelecanus ), boobies ( Sula ), gulls one species of Tams'), terns (e.g. Cblidonias ) and auks (e.g. Lunda). ' Most intermediate type-2 plumages are found among the penguins (all species of Spheniscidae), shearwaters (especially Puffinus), gadfly-petrels ! especially Pterodroma ), diving-petrels (all species of Pelecanoididae), skimmers (all species of Rynchopidae) and auks (e.g. Uria ); but are i ess frequent among storm-petrels (mainly Pelagodroma and Fregetta ), cormorants, frigatebirds (females of two species) and gulls (again, )ne species of Lams). Light type-3 plumages predominate among ilbatrosses (most Diomedea ), tropiebirds (all species of Phaethontidae), pelicans, gannets (all three species, which I think are best separated 465 Fig. i. Examples of three main seabird plumage types described on page 465. Top, type-i (dark): Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo. Centre, type-3 (light) : Kittiwake R issa t ridactylo . Bottom, typc-2 (intermediate): Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus ( sketches : Robert Gillmor) Seabird plumage types 467 >lc 1. Seabird families with preliminary allocation of main adult plumage types In I absence of an up-to-date list of the world’s seabirds, this table is based for convenience oni xander (1955) and, as that author had a narrower species concept for certain groups than current, the ‘forms’ totalled include both species and some subspecies. Also included iu{ 1 iy where plumage variation within the species necessitates allocation to more than one ilu i e type, are polymorphic forms (in Puffinus , Pterodroma, Sula and Stercorarius), sexually jin hie forms (in Frega/a), and seasonally dimorphic forms (in Chlidonias, Cepphus and Plautus). I'h 'tee types are defined on page 465. One example is given here of each type found in a t family and the three in bold lettering (again, one of each type) are illustrated in fig. 1 Sea i 1 families Total ‘forms’ in each type 123 Examples (plumage type in brackets) spk s>cidae (penguins) Die >eidae (albatrosses) PRi lariidae (shearwaters Jpetrels) hyi 1 iatidae (storm-petrels) 22 13 pei nnoididae (diving-petrels) PHi iontidae (tropiebirds) pe| >nidae (pelicans) 2 5U] fe (gannets and boobies) 2 crocoracidae (cormorants) 20 kri r "idae (frigatebirds) 5 ST| iRRARIIDAE (skuas) 4 laI lie: larinae (gulls) i Al i e: sterninae (terns) 7 lYt )pidae (skimmers) tii lee (auks) 9 17 35 7 4 8 2 3 1 3 15 Adelie Penguin Pygoscelis addiae (2) 9 Sooty Albatross Phoebetria fusca (1) Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans (3) 11 Bulwer’s Petrel Bulweria bulwerii (1) Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus (2) Dove Prion Pachyptila desolata (3) 1 Wilson’s Petrel Oceanites occanicus (1) Frigate Petrel Pdagodroma marina (2) Fork-tailed Petrel Oceanodroma furcata (3) Common Diving-petrel Pelecanoides urinatrix (2) 3 Red-billed Tropicbird Phaetbon aethereus (3) 6 Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis (1) White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus (3) 8 Brown Booby Sula leucogaster (1) Gannct Sula (A lorus) bassana (3) Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo (1) Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax varius (2) S Magnificent Frigatebird Frega/a magnificens (1) $ Christmas Island Frigatebird Frega/a andrewsi (2) Great Skua Stercorarius skua (1) Light-phase Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus (2) 40 Dusky Gull Ixirus fuliginosus (1) Hemprich’s Gull Larus hemprichii (2) Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla (3) 38 Black Tern Chlidonias niger in summer (1) Common Tern Sterna hirundo (3) Black Skimmer Rynchops nigra (2) 2 Tufted Puffin L unda cirrhata (1) Puffin Fratercula arctica (2) Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle in winter (3) icr 89 95 1 1 8 468 Seabird plumage types from the boobies in the genus Morus ), boobies, gulls and terns (e.g. Sterna ) ; but are less common among petrels generally (chiefly Fulmarus and Pacbyptila), storm-petrels (one species of Oceanodroma) and auks (two Cepphus in winter). In all birds, survival depends to a large extent on the adequacy and accessibility of the food supply and the ability of the adults and independent immatures to exploit it. This is particularly true of those species which obtain their food from the sea: hence it is vital for seabirds — and especially the many tropical species which live in more impoverished waters — to be as efficient as possible in catching their food, so there must be strong selection pressure favouring any adapta- tions which increase that efficiency. It is to this selection pressure above all else that we must look for an explanation of the plumage colour of seabirds. Although many species are dark (type-i) or inter- mediate (type-2), most attention in the literature has been directed to speculation about the function of the more or less white plumage of certain type-3 birds. In particular, it has been disputed whether white plumage is a social adaptation for conspicuousness in the feeding situation, enabling congregations to form quickly at shoals of prey fish which are unevenly distributed at sea and need to be exploited quickly once located (Armstrong 1944, 1946), or whether it is a cryptic adaptation that facilitates a close approach by plunge-diving birds to their underwater prey (Thayer and Thayer 1909, Craik 1944, Tinbergen 1953). Of course, these two hypotheses are not mutually exclusive and both may apply to some degree in individual cases. The problem of the white coloration of seabirds was reviewed and investigated experimentally by Phillips (1962): although often referred to in the literature, this thesis has never been published and is unknown to the majority of ornithologists. Brief summaries appeared in Tinber- gen (1963, 1964). My own interest in the adaptive significance of seabird plumage types arose from my continuing study of the Brown Booby Sula leucogaster at Ascension Island, where observations were made from February 1962 to February 1964, in April 1966, and in December 1971 and January 1972 (see Simmons 1967a, 1970). I reviewed Phillips’s work critically in my own thesis on the Brown Booby (Simmons 1967b) and generally discussed adaptive features of seabird plumage types, but that paper, too, is as yet unpublished and is even less well known than Phillips’s. As the question of white coloration in seabirds has been raised again recently by Armstrong (1971), Murton (1971a, b) and Cowan (1972), this seems an opportune time for me to present my own views for more general appraisement. The present review is deliberately restricted and speculative in scope, but I hope it contains the seeds of the truth about certain aspects of the adaptive significance of seabird plumage types. My main aim has been to take the discussion further than Phillips did and, Seabird plumage types 469 particularly, to produce a background survey against which the coloration of the Brown Booby and other Sulidae may be assessed. 2. PHILLIPS ON SEABIRD COLORATION Phillips (1962) recognised three types of white coloration in seabirds: (1) ‘swimmer’, in which white is confined to parts below the waterline, the rest of the plumage being dark; (2) ‘plunge-diver’, in which the white extends also to the head, breast and underwing, in fact the ventral and frontal aspect of the plunging bird, often including the leading edge of the wing; and (3) ‘all-white’, in which the bird is either totally white or, more usually, white with only dark rectrices or remiges, or both. The swimmer type of plumage is, according to Phillips, found chiefly in seabirds that pursue fish underwater and also spend much time swimming on the surface (e.g. auks and penguins); and the plunge-diver type in aerial seabirds, particularly those that drop into the water from a considerable height (e.g. many gulls and terns). He found the all-white type less easy to classify and thought it might be a special example of either of the other two, or else adapted to some entirely different (but unspecified) situation not connected with food- getting, as it is commonest among large species that arc relatively immune from predation (e.g. albatrosses and pelicans). In a special study of the plunge-diver type, Phillips supported the theory of what he termed ‘aggressive camouflage’, revising Thayer and Thayer’s (1909) argument that birds with white plumage are provided with ‘concealment against the sky above, from the eyes of aquatic animals below them’. He devoted the larger part of his thesis to demonstrating experimentally that some fish, at least, were indeed more readily alarmed by — and started to escape sooner from — a black model than a white one, the latter being less conspicuous against the sky when viewed from below the surface. On the other hand, he suggested that the swimmer pattern possibly renders the bird less conspicuous to prey species when it is moving underwater. Such plumage, however, is probably of even more value to the bird as protective camouflage against underwater predators when it is swim- ming on the surface, those species that spend little time on the surface being dark below (e.g. cormorants). In Phillips’s view, therefore, the white coloration of seabirds — particularly that of many plunge-divers — functions mainly as ‘aggres- sive camouflage’ enabling them to approach prey more easily than if their frontal and ventral aspects were dark. The dark dorsal plumage of certain plunge-divers and other seabirds may possibly, on the other hand, function as a shutter-mechanism to reduce exposure of the skin to ultra-violet light. Wholly or largely dark plumage received no special consideration from Phillips, but he implied that the species 470 Seabird plumage types concerned (such as cormorants, which pursue their prey underwater, and certain tropical terns, which feed from the air without plunging) have no need for the plunge-diver pattern. Also in this category are the dark immature forms of gulls in which protective camouflage is adaptive at the stage when they feed mainly in rocky coastal areas, rather than by plunge-diving at sea like the adults of their species. Phillips admitted, however, to certain exceptions to the rule that plunge-diving birds are largely white: for example, the more or less wholly dark Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis and the immature forms of gannets. Here, he suggested, strong counter-selection for dark ventral plumage (the nature of which he largely did not examine) has asserted itself where the need for white aggressive camouflage is reduced, as in cold current areas where food is superabundant. But nowhere did Phillips consider that dark plumage itself may be an adaptation to the feeding situation. Finally, Phillips discussed whether white plumage functions in social feeding (as suggested by Armstrong). This hypothesis received neither his unqualified support nor his rejection. In the first place, he found it difficult to decide whether white is really more conspicuous than black over the sea as, in his opinion, both can be equally so in different conditions. He believed it most unlikely that white plumage has been selected directly in the social feeding situation as this would carry the implication of group selection. Generally, he argued, it is of no advan- tage to the individual or species which locates the prey (the ‘first- finder’) to draw other, potentially competing birds to the food source. Further, in cases where there may be no disadvantage to the first- finder in other seabirds joining it (for example, where food is super- abundant, as in cold current areas) or actually positive advantage in their so doing (for instance, when food can be more effectively exploited by group activity, as with tropical species such as the noddy terns Anous spp ), the species concerned tend to be largely dark, not white. Phillips did, however, outline a possible mechanism whereby the white plumage evolved primarily in the individual as aggressive camouflage has become secondarily adapted as an ‘obligatory’ food- showing signal. This implies that it is of advantage for the ‘summoned bird’ to join the first-finder — which is almost certainly the case because fish shoals are overdispersed in the environment — selection therefore favouring response to the signal, both from individuals that are conspecific and those that are not. Thus this response would be main- tained even though food-showing was a disadvantage to the first-finder (individual or species). 3. COMMENT Phillips’s stimulating findings have received published support from some that have read his thesis (e.g. Tinbergen 1964, Nelson 1965, 47 1 Seabird plumage types Ashmole 1971, Cowan 1972) and deserve much wider currency, which is one reason why I have summarised them rather fully. Yet, in my opinion, a certain caution is needed in applying them unreservedly, especially in the Sulidae, the family to which the Brown Booby belongs. First, the term ‘aggressive camouflage’ is inappropriate, for it is now widely accepted that hunting birds are not motivated by aggression in the usual sense (see, for example, Carthy and Ebling 1964); the qualifi- cation ‘aggressive’ is best reserved for social interactions, especially between conspecifics. Therefore, I put forward ‘hunting camouflage’ as an alternative term, which also seems preferable to ‘anticryptic’ as used by, for example, Cott (1964). Next, it may be regretted that Phillips did not review all the plumage types found in seabirds, for this omission limits the value of his findings on white coloration considered largely alone. Moreover, his terms ‘swimmer’ and ‘plunge- diver’, though useful in individual cases, are ‘loaded’ in implying function rather than being neutrally descriptive. Also, they are poten- tially confusing in that they refer both to a plumage type and to a form of behaviour which do not always coincide: thus, for example, the wholly white underparts of plunge-diving seabirds may also have a swimmer function, and some species that plunge-dive lack the plunge-diver plumage, while others apparently have it yet never actually plunge-dive. Phillips’s conclusion that white plumage in seabirds is an adaptation to the feeding situation should, in my opinion, be extended to cover all the main plumage types, including dark. While other selection pressures must also come to bear in many cases (see section 9 in the second part of this paper), I think that these are of only secondary importance in most seabird species and that adaptations for feeding (in the widest sense) are primary. I suggest that such adaptations take three main forms: in some species, light plumage gives ‘social conspicuousness’; in others, dark plumage (especially) bestows ‘social inconspicuousness’; in both cases, the plumage may also function as hunting camouflage, but, I believe, chiefly in critical feeding conditions. These ideas will be developed in more detail in following sections. In individual species, of course, selection pressure for one or more of these adaptations may be operating at the same time or, in a few atypical seabirds, the factors may be of a quite different nature. In landbirds, it is often the pressure of predation that is important and this produces cryptic plumage; in most seabirds, however, this seems to be at best of minor importance, though the vulnerable young of certain species are subject to heavy predation and are cryptically coloured. Then there is also the special case of food piracy (clepto-parasitism). Seabirds, with their relatively simple en- vironment, are particularly suitable for the investigation of plumage colour; yet, while any conclusions here may well have wider signifi- 472 Seabird plumage types cance, generalisations should be made with caution because the factors influencing plumage colour in other groups, with their much more complex environments, may be largely or entirely different. On the other hand, we should not be inhibited from speculating on the adaptive significance of seabird plumage types because the coloration of other birds convergent with seabirds in some aspects of their feeding biology differs markedly. 4. PLUMAGE ADAPTATION FOR SOCIAL CONSPICUOUSNESS Contrary to Phillips, I think it likely that social conspicuousness through plumage characters has been directly selected in many species of seabirds because it is of advantage, both to the first-finder and to the summoned birds, to congregate at shoals of fish in order to co-operate in exploiting them efficiently. Such social conspicuousness seems cer- tainly to be achieved through plumage that is light rather than dark, though contrasting fight and dark plumage may well be the most effective of all. Aspects of colour contrast in the feeding behaviour of certain gulls and terns were discussed by Feare (1967). Although Gillham (1963) was of the opinion that fight-coloured seabirds, which spend a lot of time in the air, are more difficult to see than dark ones, especially at a distance and when low down, it is my experience that predominantly light species are much more conspicuous than dark ones at sea in most conditions, particularly in the tropics, at least when viewed from an elevated position such as the deck of a ship or a cliff top. For this reason, Gannets Sul a (Morus) bassana and gulls were chosen for aeroplane observations on homing by Griffin and Hock (1949) because ‘white birds are easier to see against almost all kinds of terrain than those of any other colour’ (Griffin 1965). Exactly how co-operation in feeding is achieved has still to be fully demonstrated for the majority of social feeding seabirds, but, at least on the crudest level, the ‘swamping’ of the prey by many predators simultaneously and the prevention both of co-ordinated escape move- ments and of the formation of dense, anti-predator ‘packs’* are likely to be involved. Thus, it is easier for an individual seabird to secure certain prey as a member of a congregation than when hunting alone. *Some observations of mine from Ascension are relevant here. In 1962, pelagic fish driven inshore by predatory fish, or coming in to spawn, often grouped into dense, conspicuous, circular shoals or ‘packs’; at times, these extended for several metres in diameter on or near the surface and were of unknown depth. A dark, seething throng of fish was formed with the individuals so close to one another that they were pressed tight in a solid mass, splashing and bubbling on the surface. These shoals were primarily defensive against the underwater attacks of large predatory fish, to which they presented an impenetrable barrier; additionally, they served as a defence against the aerial attacks of seabirds. On all but one occasion, these fish packs had not a single seabird — not a booby or even an Ascension Frigate- bird Fregata aquila — in attendance. 473 Seabird plumage types Of course, besides responding to conspicuous plumage clues, sum- moned birds joining others at a food source respond also to relevant behaviour, such as purposeful flying in a fixed direction and actual hunting, through the process of local enhancement (see also Rand 1954). Additionally, hunting birds of some species have what seem to be special ‘food-calls’ (Frings etal. 195 5). A few more elaborate methods of co-operative feeding have been described. Thus, for example, American White Pelicans Pelecanus erythrorhynchos form swimming flocks and drive fish into shallow water (Hall 1925), while Double- crested Cormorants Phalacrocorax auritus congregate at times in very large, closely packed flocks over fish shoals, forming long, narrow, curved lines and diving in unison (Bartholomew 1942). In both cases, the success of individuals appears to be much greater than when fishing alone. Communal feeding over dense shoals of small fish has recently been commented on in the Shag P. aristotelis (King 1972), though this species, like many other cormorants, is mainly a solitary feeder. J. PLUMAGE ADAPTATION FOR SOCIAL INCONSPICUOUSNESS At the other extreme from light seabirds are those dark ones either totally unrelieved by light markings or with these very restricted in distribution and inconspicuous at a distance. While the plumage of many such birds may have been evolved for hunting camouflage outside the plunge-diving situation (see below), it is possible that selection for social inconspicuousness in one or both of two other functional situations may also have occurred. First, dark plumage might render its wearer less conspicuous at sea to food pirates, such as frigatebirds and skuas. Then, those species that seek their food in impoverished areas or that exercise skilled, individual techniques in food-getting may also have developed dark plumage so that the first-finder does not attract other birds, of its own or other species, which would compete or interfere with it. Ashmole and Ashmole (1967) suggested that the dark plumage of such tropical seabirds as the noddy terns might function in this latter way. They also pointed out that, while these dark birds may be conspicuous against the sky when viewed from below, they are inconspicuous against the sea when seen from above, particularly in tropical waters which are normally dark blue. Insufficient is known about the feeding biology of most dark sea- birds, particularly certain shearwaters and petrels, for me to attempt any general assignment of species to this category. Moreover, at the present state of knowledge, it would be difficult in the majority of cases to distinguish between dark seabirds that are socially incon- spicuous and those which have dark plumage for hunting camouflage — a much better defined category, as we shall see in the next section. 474 Seabird plumage types 6. PLUMAGE ADAPTATION FOR HUNTING CAMOUFLAGE I certainly accept that many seabirds have evolved plumage with a white frontal aspect for hunting camouflage in the plunge-diving situation, as demonstrated by Phillips (1962). The white plumage of some species may have this as its primary function, while in others it may be an adaptation for social conspicuousness to a greater or lesser extent, as suggested earlier. I believe, however, that what might be called the classic type of plunge-diver plumage (as defined by Phillips) may find its optimum effect only when food-getting is relatively difficult. This may well be the case, for example, in gulls feeding on dispersed fish near the surface, or in shallow water, and plunging more or less vertically from low heights with only partial submersion. Here, the white hunting camouflage may be particularly important in increasing the chances of success in critical situations. On the other hand, such camouflage is probably of little or no use when birds are feeding on dense shoals of fish — especially, as is evident from Phillips’s account, when they plunge either from great heights or from low elevations at oblique angles to the surface (see section 8 in the second part of this paper). Other seabirds may well have evolved dark plumage as hunting camouflage in quite different conditions than face those with white plumage. Thus, some of the most aerial seabirds that feed on insects (such as marsh terns Chlidonias spp ) or on fish and other marine animals above and at the surface of the water (frigatebirds and noddy terns), or are food pirates (skuas and frigatebirds), are largely or wholly dark. The exact manner in which such an adaptation might operate has yet to be demonstrated; it is likely, however, that the dark plumage of certain species has been positively selected as hunting camouflage, not in the plunge-diving situation but in air-to-air and air-to-surface encounters between predator (or food parasite) and prey (or victim). Such plumage would not, therefore, arise merely because the selection pressure for white had been relaxed, thus allowing other pressures outside the feeding situation to operate, as suggested by Phillips. Cormorants may similarly have evolved dark plumage for conceal- ment against prey when hunting inshore on the sea bottom or in muddy water. Conversely, other seabirds that swim underwater in pursuit of their prey, such as most auks, are typically countershaded and this type of intermediate plumage may function, at least partially, as hunting camouflage in clear water or out in the open ocean. 7. PLUMAGE TYPES AND FEEDING BEHAVIOUR AT ASCENSION The above ideas can be tested by relating them in more detail to a seabird fauna. I have chosen that of Ascension as it is the one I know well and as it is small enough to treat briefly. Ascension lies in the tropical South Atlantic (approximately 8°S, i4°W) and the best general Plate 69. Lesser Black-backed Gull L arus fuscus and, below. Razorbill Mca torda , Pembrokeshire, June {photos: David and Katie l 'rr\): examples of seabirds of the light and intermediate plumage types which have white and black frontal aspects respectively (compare especially the leading edges of the wings) (pages 465-479) 1 la it 70. White Pelicans Pelecanns onocro/alus , Bulgaria, May, and, immediately below. Brown Pelicans P. occidentalism Galapagos, April ( photos : Eric Hosking). I he light plumages of most pelican species may be correlated with social feeding, but the Brown Pelican is a plunge-diver and as such its dark plumage is atypical Below, Black Noddies A no ns tenuirostris, Ascension Island {photo: D. F. D onward). The two dark noddy species, both of which feed just above or at the surface, contrast with typical light sea-terns Sterna (plates 73a, 75b), which mostly plunge-dive r Plate 71. Frigate Petrel Pelagodroma marina , West Australia {photo: John II arbam) ; below, Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea , Great Salvage Island, July {photo: F. Roux): two examples of the intermediate plumages of many Procellariiformes, hut note that most storm-petrels, unlike the Frigate, are of the dark type (plate 75a) Plate 72. Great Frigatebird V regal a minor (left) and Red-billed Tropicbird Phae- tbon aetherens , Galapagos, April ( photos : Brie Hosking ); below, Shag Phalacro- corax arisiotelis, Northumberland, June {photo: David and Katie Urry). The dark plumages of the frigatebird and the Shag, which are typical of aerial and under- water feeders respectively, contrast with that of the tropicbird, a plunge-diver Plat !•: 73. Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea , Northumberland, July (left), and Black Tern Cblidonias niger, Norfolk, May; below, Black-headed Gull / -ana ridibundus , Northumberland, July ( photos : David and Katie l rry). I'.xamples of a dark and two light seabirds which all show interesting changes, particularly loss of darkness in the frontal aspect, between the summer plumages seen here and the winter ones Plate 74. Light-phase Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis , Northumberland, July {photo: David and Katie Urry) ; below, Great Skua S tercorarius skua, Shetland, June (left), and light-phase Arctic Skua .V. parasiticus, Orkney, June ( photos : Brie Hosking). The two skuas have the mainly dark plumage of aerial food-pirates; polymorphism in the Arctic Skua and the Fulmar will be discussed in part 2 in the next issue r * Plate 75. Group of Wilson’s Petrels Oceanites Oceanian, South Georgia ( p/jo/o : Niall Rankin ); immediately below, Common Terns Sterna birtmdo, Cornwall, July {photo: J. B. and S. Bottomley). Most storm-petrels are dark like Wilson’s and they hunt typically by aerial-dipping, contact-dipping and pattering (page 478) Below, African Skimmers Ryncbops flavirostris settled behind a Nile Crocodile Crocodylns niloticus, Uganda, September {photo: I'.ric Hosking). I he intermediate plumage of skimmers, which feed by a highly specialised form of contact-dipping, is puzzling since it shows more white frontally than in other birds of this type Plate 76. Above, Brown Booby Sul a Imi :Noc gas ter, Galapagos, April {photo: Eric Hosking) left, Black-browed Albatross Diomedea melam phris, Bass Rock {photo: G. V. Adkin)\ below Gannet S. bassana, East Lothian, July [photo\ David and Katie Urry). Most albatrosses arl ^ light, though with a dark leading edge to thi wings ; plumages of boobies and gannets wil be discussed in detail in part 2 in the next issui Seabird plumage types 475 Table 2. Plumage types and feeding methods of seabirds at Ascension Island 1 ‘.pccics are illustrated in fig. 2; Audubon’s Shearwater is often considered conspecific with I kittle Shearwater P. assimilis. Abbreviations: AP = aerial-pursuit, AD = aerial-dipping, = contact-dipping, P = pattering, H = hovering, S = stepping (all ‘feeding while flying’); °S = plunging-to-surface, PD = plunge-diving, SD = surface-diving, SF = surface-feeding •eding with cessation of flight’) (see below and page 478 for further details). Brackets indicate he method is apparently uncommon, at least at Ascension, and a question mark that it needs confirmation Feeding with es (plumage type in brackets) Feeding while flying cessation of flight boil’s Shearwater Puffinus Iberminieri (2) iran Petrel Oceanodroma castro (1) filled Tropicbird Phaetbon aethereus (3) w-billed Tropicbird Pbaethon Upturns (3) n Booby Sula leucogaster (1) ed Booby Sula dactylatra (3) ooted Booby Sula sula (1,3) ision Frigatebird Frega/a aquila (1) Tern Sterna fuscata (3) n Noddy Anous stolidus (t) Noddy Anous tenuirostris (1) Tern Gygis alba (3) ?PS ?PD SD SF AD CD P PAP PAD H PD PAP PAD H PD AP (CD) (H) PD PSD (SF) PD AP PD AP AD CD H AD CD PS AD CD (P) H S PS (SF) AD CD (P) H S PS AD account of the island and its birds has been given by Stonehouse (i960, 1962). The indigenous seabirds are listed in table 2: of the twelve species, only the frigatebird is endemic; the Red-footed Booby Sula sula now has a remnant population (Ashmole 1963, Simmons 1968), while the status of Audubon’s Shearwater Puffinus Iberminieri (now often considered conspecific with the Little Shearwater P. assimilis') is still uncertain. Most are either pelecaniform (two tropiebirds, three boobies and one frigatebird) or larid (four terns), with just a single shearwater and a single storm-petrel. Their plumage types and hunting methods are also summarised in table 2 and illustrated in fig. 2. At Ascension, as widely elsewhere in tropical waters, most of the local seabirds are dependent for food largely on schools of predatory fish and cetaceans which flush otherwise inaccessible prey fish to the surface layer. Ten kinds of hunting methods are considered, the classification being modified and extended from Ashmole and Ashmole (1967), on which I have depended particularly for descriptions of feeding in the terns (see Ashmole 1971 for a more recent classification). In six methods the bird remains airborne throughout (‘feeding while flying’): aerial- pursuit, aerial-dipping, contact-dipping, pattering, hovering and stepping. In the other four the bird ceases to fly for a while (‘feeding with cessation of flight’): plunging-to-surface, plunge-diving, surface- diving and surface-feeding. In aerial-pursuit the bird flies down its prey (or victim); this method of feeding is characteristic particularly r Fig. 2. Twelve seabirds of Ascension, with examples of feeding methods shown as insets (classified in brackets). Top left, Audubon’s Shearwater Puffintts ( assimilis ) Iberminieri , (surface-feeding); right, Madeiran Petrel Oceanodroma castro (pattering and aerial-dipping). Centre left. Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata (hovering); right. Fairy Tern Gygis alba (aerial- dipping). Bottom left. Brown Noddy Anous stolidus (stepping and contact-dipping); right, Black Noddy A. lenuirostris (plunging-to-surface). These two pages of drawings not to scale I ' i left, Brown Booby Sul a leucogasier (aerial-pursuit of flying-fish) ; right, Masked Booby \ actylatra (steep plunge-diving). Centre left, light-phase Red-footed Booby S. stda (dark ;e, start of plunge-dive); right. Ascension Frigatebird F regala aquila (hovering and >ing). Bottom left. Red-billed Tropicbird Phaeibon aetbereus (plunge-diving); right, ow-billed Tropicbird P. lepturus (hovering before plunge-diving). The feeding methods hesc species are discussed in some detail on pages 475-479 ( sketches : Robert Gillmor ) 478 Seabird plumage types of the frigatebird. In dipping the bird first descends to the surface and then secures its prey either just above the water without actually touching it ( aerial-dipping ), or at or just below the surface by wetting the bill only ( contact-dipping ) ; one or both of these methods is charac- teristic of the frigatebird (in getting its own food and in snatching it from other species), of the Madeiran Petrel Oceanodroma castro and of the terns. In pattering the bird uses its feet almost continually to keep above the surface while flying along low ; in hovering it rapidly beats its wings so that it becomes more or less stationary over the water; in stepping it lowers its feet at intervals, sometimes to push itself clear of the surface. Pattering on its own is particularly characteristic of the Madeiran Petrel; occasional pattering with hovering and frequent stepping is a trait of the two noddy terns; and the frigatebird often hovers close over its victims in preparation for snatching food. In plunging-to-surface the bird splashes into the water from flight, usually to submerge only partially, and takes off quickly; such behaviour again is characteristic of the two noddies and is also shown by the Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata. In plunge-diving the bird descends quickly from the air, usually from a height, and submerges totally; in surface- diving it disappears below the surface while swimming. At Ascension, plunge-diving is highly characteristic only of the tropicbirds and the boobies (not the frigatebird, which shuns the water and soon gets waterlogged); none of the common Ascension seabirds habitually surface-dives, though this has been recorded for Audubon’s Shearwater elsewhere. Finally, in surface-feeding the bird takes its food from or near the surface while swimming there; this form of hunting was seen occasionally in the Brown Booby at Ascension and has been recorded elsewhere for Audubon’s Shearwater and the Brown Noddy Anous stolidus. As a general comment, except in the case of some larger species, these tropical seabirds largely avoid sustained contact with the sea while hunting and, indeed, mostly at other times too, especially the Sooty Tern (see below). To a great extent this seems to be linked with the dangers the sea presents in the form of marine predators and offers a partial answer to the query of Halle (1971). If we consider plumage types and feeding methods of Ascension seabirds, some interesting correlations emerge. First, the majority of the dark species (Madeiran Petrel, Ascension Frigatebird, Brown Noddy and Black Noddy A. tenuirostris ) obtain their food in the air or just at the surface of the sea; here, selection for hunting camouflage or social inconspicuousness, or both, is probably involved. Another species that feeds similarly, the Sooty Tern, is much more of a puzzle, however, and shows just how complex the factors determining plumage type can be: this species is also dark above, but has a light frontal aspect and underparts. The latter feature may be linked functionally with its habit of sometimes feeding at night, by moonlight, as well as Seabird plumage types 479 by day. Thus, the dark upperparts may provide a measure of social inconspicuousness during the day, when it is most needed as a protec- tion from the diurnally active frigatebirds, and the light underparts social conspicuousness at night, again when it is most needed because of the poor light (and when its effect is reinforced by the characteristic- ally loud calls of this species). In addition, the Sooty Tern is entirely aerial while at sea, never voluntarily settling on the water (its plumage soon gets waterlogged) and spending long periods far away from land. It could, therefore, be in greater need of light underparts than other smaller seabirds, to camouflage it from large predatory fish when it flies close to the surface. Finally, its white forehead, leading wing edge and underparts combine to give it a typical plunge-diver pattern in the sense of Phillips, and this may well be correlated with its habit of plunging-to-surface, giving hunting camouflage in critical condi- tions when quick success is essential. The all-white Fairy Tern Gygis alba is also an exception to the tendency for seabirds that feed at or above the surface of the sea to be dark. Ashmole and Ashmole (1967) suggested, however, that the ‘pure white plumage of G. alba , and its extraordinary translucent wings and tail, appear to be very efficient in rendering it inconspicuous against the sky in dim light’, and they associate this with its habit of crepuscular feeding on undisturbed prey. The plumages and feeding behaviour of the Ascension boobies will be considered in more detail in the next section, along with those of (Other Sulidae. In the remaining Ascension seabirds, the intermediate plumage of Audubon’s Shearwater probably has to do with its habit of settling on the water to feed and also diving below from the surface (Harris 1969), while the light plumage of the two tropiebirds at least (correlates with their habit of plunge-diving. It must be admitted, however, that while their largely white plumage appears ideally suited tfor social conspicuousness, there seem in fact to be no records of ttropiebirds actually congregating in large numbers at food sources. Thus, King (1970) found that, in nearly 450 sightings of tropiebirds :in the Pacific Trade Wind Zone, only 4.6% involved ‘flocks’ (defined in this case ‘as a group of five or more birds acting as a unit’). Examina- tion of his raw data reveals, however, that while most sightings were of ^solitary birds, about 10% involved two. As other authors (e.g. Murphy 1936, Palmer 1962, King 1967) have mentioned the occurrence of tropiebirds in ‘pairs’ at sea, it is possible that they do tend to associate thus for feeding purposes and that social contact is facilitated by their brilliant white plumage (as well as by their loud calls). {to be concluded ) Notes Shearwaters wheeling over sand dunes At about 1 7.00 hours on 1 2th August 1970, while swimming in the sea at Hossegor, Landes, France, my attention was attracted by a party of about 25 birds, mostly gulls, wheeling madly at a height of some 50 metres over the adjacent dunes and moving slowly northward against the light north-westerly wind. They were behaving in a manner that reminded me of kites and rollers in Nigeria at a nuptial flight of termites. Although I soon realised that the flock was not uniform, no exact identifications were possible in the circumstances. About an hour later what may have been the same flock drifted back about 250 metres inland, and so low that I could not see all the birds at any instant. This time binoculars revealed that they were mainly juvenile Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus but that they included at least two, and probably three or four, shearwaters. I thought that they were Manx Shearwaters Puffinus puffinus and Dr W. R. P. Bourne has confirmed that this species is ‘milling round in Biscay’ in numbers in early August. (It may be significant that a week earlier, on 4th August, the Atlantic coast of south-west France was hit by a tornado of exceptional severity.) I understand, however, that it is unusual for this species to come even a short distance inland when not breeding and even more unusual for it to engage in excited wheeling flight, as though taking insect food. The air temperature at the time was about 32°C; it must be stressed that there was no direct evidence of the presence of flying insects, but the hot, humid conditions were those often associated with nuptial flights of ants and the behaviour of the birds strongly suggested that this was the cause. J. H. Elgood II Parkside Avenue , 'Littlehampton, Sussex Feeding and aerial diving by Shags Since 1945 I have visited the Isles of Scilly at least 40 times, mostly in autumn. On many occasions I have noted what appears to be a little-known feeding method of Shags Phalacrocorax aristotelis. On a rising tide, large feeding flocks of at least 300-500 of these birds voraciously follow dense shoals of fish, thought to be mullet Mugil sp, and dive vigorously from the surface. This behaviour is normal, but I have often noticed that those Shags which find themselves farthest from the quickly moving shoal take flight over the heads of their companions and plunge into the sea from a height of up to five metres, partially or completely sub- merging for three or four seconds before reappearing, by which time others have performed in the same way. I have not been able to establish whether they capture prey during these dives. This behaviour continues intermittently for periods of 20 minutes or more, and seems 480 Notes 481 to be more frequent during rough and stormy weather, though I have also watched it in fairly calm conditions. D. A. Bannerman (1959, The Birds of the British Isles , 8: 18), citing the work of W. H. R. Lumsden and A. J. Haddow of the Marine Station, Millport, Buteshire (D. Lack, 1945, J. Anim. Ecol ., 14: 12-16), wrote at length on feeding be- haviour but did not mention aerial diving. Bernard King Gull Cry, 9 Park Road, Newlyn, Cornwall I. R. Deans, who has studied this species on the Fame Islands, Northumberland, has commented that while watching feeding rafts he has occasionally seen the ‘overtaking’ birds drop clumsily, rather than plunge headlong, straight into the water, but only from heights of two metres or less; he thinks it is most unlikely that in such cases they catch fish as a result. The more vigorous and habitual aerial diving by Shags in the Isles of Scilly points to some regional variation in be- haviour, perhaps depending on the nature of the prey. Eds Temminck’s Stints nesting in Scotland Temminck’s Stints Calidris temminckii attempted to breed in east Inverness-shire in 1934, 1936 and 1956 (being present also in 1933 and 1947) and in Yorkshire in 1951. More recently, one or two pairs were watched displaying in Easter Ross in the summers of 1969-71 by an observer whose name must be withheld for security reasons. On 16th July 1971 two downy chicks were discovered at this site and, while these were being examined by (C. G. Headlam, an adult fluttered around calling. On 22nd C.G.H. relocated one of the chicks, which he ringed and released. On 24th and 25 th an adult was displaying about 200 metres away, and during the following week displays were seen at both places; it seemed possible that two pairs were nesting. This was the first record of young Temminck’s Stints hatched in Britain (Scot. Birds, 7: 94). In 1972 M. I. Harvey and I saw three or, possibly, four Temminck’s "Stints at this site on 4th June. It was likely that they had newly arrived; two presumed males were very active, displaying and chasing one another in flight. They uttered their trilling or tittering song as they perched on dead branches close to the ground or glided low on upraised, fluttering -wings, conspicuously showing the white sides to their tails. At times they walked into clumps of long vegetation, but we rremained at a distance and made no attempt to locate any nests. Again, it was thought that two pairs might be present. The original finder regularly saw them during the summer, but there was no evidence of successful breeding; in fact, at the time when young might have been present, two or three adults were often feeding quietly at the edge of some water near-by. The area is subject to disturbance and part is 1-heavily grazed by cattle. Roy H. Dennis The Old Manse, Rothiemurchus, Aviemore, Inverness-shire Notes 482 Prey found in Eagle Owls’ nest in central Sweden Despite several previous studies of the food and feeding habits of Eagle Owls Bubo bubo in Sweden (Curry-Lindahl 1950, Lepiksaar 1954, Hoglund 1966, Schaefer 1970), it may be of interest to list the prey found in 1970 at an old nest of this species about 80 km north-west of Ostersund, last occupied in 1967. The site was at the base of a cliff, with spruce forest above and below, overlooking a river about 400 metres away. We collected the remains of 183 prey animals. In older investigations (for example, Suomalainen 1915) the number of small mammals was deduced from the number of skulls, but this method gives an under- estimate during the breeding season, since the male himself often eats the fore part of the prey and takes only the hind part to the nest. We therefore calculated the number of mammals from the bones of the legs. Birds were also counted from bones (ulna, humerus and tarsus). Of the 183 animals, 120 (65.3%) were voles (Microtidae), the majority being 91 Water Voles Arvicola terrestris (49.7%), but also including nine Short- tailed Voles Micro tus agrestris (4.9%), one Bank Vole Clethrionomys glareolus, and 19 Norway Lemmings Lemmus lemmus (10.4%), the last represented by only a single skull. Twenty-six other mammals (14.2%) were three Weasels Mustela nivalis (1.6%), ten Stoats M. erminea (5.5%), six Red Squirrels Sciurus vulgaris (3.3%), and three adult and four young Blue Hares Lepus timidus (3.8%). The 37 remaining animals comprised 14 frogs Lana spp (7.7%); one fish (a Burbot Lota vulgaris ); and 22 birds (12.0%) — two drake and one duck Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, a Teal A. crecca, an unidentified duck the size of a Wigeon A. penelope, eight birds of prey and owls (see below), a Willow Grouse Lagopus lagopus , a male and two female Black Grouse Lyrurus tetrix, two Hazel Hens Tetrastes bonasia, a Woodcock Scolopax rusticola, a wader about as large as a Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola , and a small bird the size of a Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs. It is well known that raptors and owls sometimes fall victim to other species of those two families: for example, Eagle and Ural Owls Strix uralensis have been found as prey of Goshawks Accipiter gentilis (Hoglund 1964, 1966). In its turn the Eagle Owl does not tolerate other birds of prey in its territory, and those found in this nest were a Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus , a Hawk Owl Surnia ulula , two Long-eared Owls Asio otus , a Short-eared Owl A. flammeus, and one adult and two young Tengmalm’s Owls Aegolius funereus. R. E. Emmett, Heimo Mikkola, Len Mummery and Gerald Westerhoff Bollo Lane, Acton Green, London W 4 references Curry-Lindahl, K. 1950. ‘Berguvens, Bubo bubo (L.), forckomst i Sverige jamte nagot om dess biologi’. Var Fagelv., 9: 113-165. [English summary.] 'Notes 48 3 : Hoglund, N. H. 1964. ‘Ober die Erniihrung des Habichts (Accipiter gentilis Lin.) in Schweden’. Viltrevy, 2: 271-328. 1966. ‘Ober die Ernahrung des Uhus Bubo bubo Lin. in Schweden wahrend der Brutzcit’. Viltrevy , 4: 43-80. Lepiksaar, J. 1954. ‘Berguvens matsedel’. Dalajdgaren : 26-31. >Sch aefer, H. 1970. ‘Womit ernahrt der Uhu {Bubo bubo) in Lappland seine Jungen?’. Bonn. Zoo/. Bei/r., 21: 52-62. -Suomalainen, E. W. 1 9 1 5 . ‘Tietoja eraan ison-huuhkajan (S/rix bubo L.) pesan vaiheista ja sen asukkaiden ruokalistoista Pohjois-Savossa’. Medd. Soc. Fatma Flora Fenn., 41 : 88-90. (Goldcrest trapped by threads of spider’s web On 10th October 1971 Mrs J. R. Stead, of Benfleet, Essex, telephoned me to say that -she had picked up a female Goldcrest Kegultts regtdus fluttering on the floor of her shed. The bird’s toes were bound tightly with very fine •threads and it was unable to move them or to stand. Mrs Stead carried :lhe Goldcrest into her house and, using a sharp instrument, lifted the ■threads bit by bit, finally drawing the toes through her fingertips to rid them of the small traces that remained. The threads were sticky, • obviously from a spider’s web, of which there were many on bushes : ;n the garden. Since only the feet were affected, perhaps the Goldcrest bad snatched at a trapped insect and in doing so had enmeshed its toes :.n the web. It took Mrs Stead 20 minutes to clear the bird’s feet. She rthen carried it outside and, after lying still for several seconds, it suddenly revived and flew away. H. R. Tutt .21 8 Benfleet Road, Benfleet, Essex ssj iqq Water Pipits roosting in greater reedmace and great pond sedge .After sunset on 10th January 1972 I visited a small bed of greater rreedmace Tjpba latifolia at Old Whittington, Derbyshire, and found Live Water Pipits Antbus spinoletta spinoletta roosting. I made six more evening visits to this marsh in the three months to 4th April 1972 and r recorded roosting Water Pipits on each occasion: they reached a imaximum of ten on 17th and 30th March, decreasing to four on 4th .April. The bed is some 0.6 ha (1 A acres) in size and lies in water about :jo cm deep in a small meadow close to the River Rother. It is traversed by a large sewage pipeline, along which one can walk above the level • if the reedmace. During the same period up to 90 Pied Wagtails \lotacilla alba, 40 Reed Buntings Emberi^a schoeniclus and 1 3 Meadow 1 Pipits A. pratensis also roosted in the marsh. The Water Pipits were iimong the first birds to arrive in the evening. They flew in high, i dropping steeply into the reedmace or on to the pipeline, in the same rnanner as the Pied Wagtails. W'hen flushed they flew high, calling uarshly, and usually settled farther along the pipeline, often within a ew metres of each other, flying back to the reedmace when I withdrew. I n March and April the tamest individuals permitted me to approach Notes 484 to 20 metres or so. On each occasion when I walked along the pipeline after the Water Pipits had settled in to roost, they rose from the reedmace and not from a small area of reed grass Glyceria maxima at the edge of the marsh; they appeared to be scattered around the bed rather than in a flock. In contrast to the other species, the Meadow Pipits always roosted in the reed grass (and I have never known them to roost in reedmace at any roost I have visited). Thus the Water Pipits were much closer in their roosting habits to Pied Wagtails than to Meadow Pipits. In the late evening of 8th April 1972 I visited a subsidence lake in the Erewash Valley, Derbyshire, where I had seen two or three Water Pipits regularly during the winter. Shortly after I arrived, four of them flew together to an area of about 350 square metres of great pond sedge Carex riparia surrounded by shallow water; after standing briefly they flew down into the growth, undoubtedly to roost there. This lake has hardly any reedmace, but there is an extensive fringe of reed grass and two small areas of great pond sedge. I have been unable to trace any previous references to the roosting behaviour or sites of European Water Pipits. The Handbook mentions that ‘The closely allied race A. s. coutellii is recorded roosting in Egypt in reed-beds and long grass bordering swamps’. R. A. Frost 6 Langhurst Court, Ashgate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S40 4PE Northern Waterthrush in the Isles of Scilly During the afternoon of 3rd October 1968, at the Great Pool, Tresco, Isles of Scilly, my wife, mother and child walking in noisy procession in front of me disturbed a strange passerine in the sallows. Calling loudly with a peculiarly explosive note, it flashed through the canopy above me and disappeared. I saw practically no detail, but formed a definite impression of an unusual species. At 07.30 hours the next morning, I cautiously approached the sallows. There on the path were two Dunnocks Prunella modularis, and a waterthrush Seiurus sp teetering like a Common Sandpiper Tringa hypoleucos. On seeing me, it dived into cover and, after a further brief view, was gone. Although, in the dim light, I clearly noted olive upperparts, white supercilium and vent, and streaks on the underparts, I could not be certain of the species. With nerves well stretched, I returned to my hotel to get the assistance of my family and to inform D. B. Hunt. After breakfast, we returned to the sallows. Two hours passed with no sign of the bird and I decided, therefore, to risk creeping into the cover. Squatting on some stones, I peered into the shadows and there, mincing through the waterlogged hollow under the foliage, came a Northern Waterthrush S. noveboracensis. Passing a Water Rail Rallus aquaticus, it approached within five metres of me. It was a superb sprite of a bird. Its finely spotted throat ruled out the only species Notes 485 ■with which confusion is possible, the Louisiana Waterthrush S. motacilla. Since the supercilia and flanks were very clean, with only a faint yellowish wash, it is possible that it was of the pale western race notabilis. My wife and mother were able to see it before it once again disappeared into the gloom of the cover. In the early afternoon D.B.H. saw the waterthrush and confirmed my identification. I watched it again at 17.00 hours, when it frequently gave its very explosive calls, written as ‘chwink’ or ‘pweet’. The bird remained in the sallows at the south end of the Great Pool until 8th October. During its stay it became even shyer, requiring the greatest patience from observers, of whom there were many. It fed, apparently on small insects, from the gravel and grass of the path, on leaf-mould, at the edges of puddles and along lichen-covered branches which it walked like tight-ropes with superb balance; on rare occasions it was seen to take food on the wing. This was the second Northern Waterthrush recorded in Britain and Ireland; by way of contrast, the first fed openly on seaweed on ; near-by St Agnes in September and October 1958 (Brit. Birds, 53: 513- j 18, plate 59). D. I. M. Wallace 9 Woodhill Rise, Heads Juine, Hessle, Hull, Yorkshire HU13 ohz Reviews IBirds of Moor and Mountain. By Donald Watson. Chatto and 'Windus, for the Scottish Academic Press, Edinburgh and London, 11972. 150 pages; 26 colour and 12 black-and-white plates; many line-drawings. £5-50. [ft is pleasantly appropriate that the appearance of Donald Watson’s book should coincide wfith his final year as president of the Scottish Reviews 486 Ornithologists’ Club, as this is an outstanding publication of high quality written and illustrated by a man who is both a very talented artist and a competent field ornithologist. Although Donald Watson is probably better known in the former capacity, the text of his book (dealing with 49 species in detail) combines personal observation and record with a readable account of current scientific work, and is not simply an album of coloured plates. Indeed, in text content alone this is a most useful compendium of information on mountain and moor- land birds. The majority of people buying this book, however, will do so for its artistic content. The publisher’s note on the jacket says that ‘As an artist he has been most influenced by the work of Bruno Liljefors, with its insistence on the faithful portrayal of birds and mammals in their correct environment’, but other than in the faithful adherence to the environment the influence of Liljefors is not readily apparent in Watson’s work. At no time does he achieve the vitality of Liljefors, with the possible exception of his Arctic Skua (plate 26), where move- ment and action are more vigorous and which, to my mind, is one of the best pictures in the book. If any comparison or attempt to trace the influence of other artists is necessary, it could be said that in some of the paintings, for example the Merlin and Peregrine, his style resembles that of D. M. Reid- Henry, with the meticulously drawn feather-by-feather accuracy of the birds set against a sharply defined rocky background. These opinions, however, are by no means expressions of disparagement of Watson’s work and it is much truer to say that, as has obviously been his goal, he has now successfully developed a characteristic style of his own, one eminently suited to the area in which he works and to the subjects of his book — that is to say, a detailed study of his bird on a broad canvas, with a true, accurate and recognisable habitat background. As Watson paints his birds exactly as he has seen them in the field, the results are sometimes rather startling until one remembers that all observations are not made at high noon on a fine day. Many of us are already familiar with Donald Watson’s paintings and have followed the development of his style, but there is another and hitherto unnoticed facet of his art, the delightful black-and-white endpieces scattered throughout this book. These deserve a special mention, for they are exquisitely done in a lively manner and would on their own establish an artist’s reputation. Everyone with an interest in bird art should have a copy of this book, but those who do not buy it for the sake of the plates will find it well worth having for the summaries of contemporary studies and personal observation unrecorded elsewhere. There is also an extremely good bibliography which is a useful reference to work on Scottish birds. Ian D. Pennie Reviews 487 The Swans. By Peter Scott and the Wildfowl Trust. Michael Joseph, London, 1972. 242 pages; colour frontispiece and 48 I black-and-white plates. £4.20. This book deals authoritatively and comprehensively with the world’s eight swan species, covering not only their biology but also their role in art and mythology. It is designed for both the layman and the specialist, and is highly pleasurable to read. An introduction by Peter : Scott describes his various experiences with swans, and especially the work by the Trust on the Bewick’s Swan flock at Slimbridge. Then follow chapters on classification (Hugh Boyd), distribution, numbers and migration (M. A. Ogilvie), food and feeding habits (M. Owen and Janet Kear), reproduction and family life (Janet Kear), mortality (J. V. Beer and M. A. Ogilvie), art and mythology (Mary Evans and A. Dawnay), exploitation (A. Dawnay), and conservation (G. V. T. 'Matthews). Under the general editorship of G. Atkinson-Willes, these various chapters blend well together, with little overlap. There are nine factual appendices and a good bibliography of 350 references. The text is nicely set out and there are many delightful line-drawings by several artists. The 48 black-and-white plates are well chosen, but could have been better reproduced, as could the colour frontispiece by Peter Scott. On the whole, however, the book is rather lavishly •produced, and hence expensive. The main achievement is to bring together most of the existing ^scientific information on swans. This is no mean feat, as the literature is copious and scattered and much of it is not easily available. Some of the detail in the appendices might well provide the raw material for •further research. The book also pinpoints rather clearly the gaps in existing information, the uneven spread of knowledge through the igroup being particularly apparent: at one extreme the little known 'South American Coscoroba and Black-necked Swans, and at the (Other the familiar Mute Swan, which must now be one of the best mounted and best studied birds in the world. With long accumulated experience, a unique library and sources, the sstaff of the Wildfowl Trust is of course ideally equipped to produce a Ibook of this kind. Can we now look forward to others — for example, tto one on the European geese? I. Newton ILetters NXVI International Ornithological Congress In Brit. Birds, 64: 548- < j 5 1 you published a letter by Dr W. R. P. Bourne wherein he gave his ■ /iews on past International Ornithological Congresses. I was particu- I arly taken by his uncertainty whether he might ‘dare to suggest inything to Australians’, even though he overcame that fear and 'Letters 488 devoted the remainder of his letter to suggesting his ideal congress. Europe and North America are in the antipodes and, indeed, a long way from Australia, so doubtless many of your readers are considering even now the cost of attending the XVI Congress in August 1974 and whether it will be worth their money. I cannot answer that question, but I can outline the kind of thing that is planned. The preliminary brochure has recently been issued, but in amplification the follow- ing decisions were made by the Organising Committee in August 1971. Venue. Canberra, the national capital, is a planned and hence artificial city. Most people think it and its setting beautiful; some believe that it has everything but a soul. August is very late winter and at the city’s altitude, over 1,900 feet (600 metres), the days are cold, but usually a bright sun shines from a clear sky. In occasional years August days are wet and miserable. Due to extensive parks and gardens and the city’s location at the bottom end of an altitudinal migration, it teems with birds in August. You can see 100 or more cockatoos on the city lawns, King Parrots in your garden and numerous passerines in the streets. Lyrebirds and bowerbirds are 20 miles (32 km) away. Honeyeaters abound close to the congress site. Congress site. The Australian National University is new; some of the buildings the congress will use are not built yet. It has neither the charm of Oxford, the elegance of The Hague Congress Centre nor the opulence of Cornell. Nevertheless, it has everything that the average congress-goer needs, especially if he is familiar with young countries and with simple efficiency. Accommodation. The halls of residence of the university are new, well-equipped and comfortable. There is none of the spartan atmos- phere that I have experienced at some European universities. Most delegates will find all they need in the halls of residence and I suggest that the majority should use them, because of their low cost and convenience. In addition, however, a range of hotel rooms from the modest family type to those of international standard have been reserved. Excursions. A committee has prepared, and is costing, a very exten- sive programme. There will be pre- and post-Congress tours and local mid-Congress outings. At present excursions are being planned to most major regions of the continent, and to New Guinea and New Zealand. Some will involve small areas of intensive birdwatching, others the tropical splendour of north-east Queensland; one will involve hops by light aircraft to successive manned camps across the great central deserts. The committee has the following guidelines: (1) costs to be as low as practicable; (2) as many typical Australian birds as possible to be shown; (3) principal purpose to see birds and not to sit in buses; and (4) each party to have experienced, practical and amiable guides. At present 20-odd excursions are part-planned. The liters 489 '■umber that will be arranged finally will depend entirely on the preferences people express when replying to the preliminary circular. Apart from he excursions themselves, Australian ornithologists will try to help ndividuals to see special things. Congress theme. Although Australia is the host, we look upon the ask of organisation as Australasian: the Organising Committee com- prises people from all Australian states, from the territory of Papua 1 rnd New Guinea, and from New Zealand. Further, we hope to give the outhern hemisphere, generally, considerable prominence and, 1 i/herever possible without being over-restrictive, to select subjects for 1 iscussion that will contrast the biology of the two hemispheres. The ! iommittee, in planning, has had before it the following note : This XVI International Ornithological Congress, the first held south of the equator, reminds us that the world has two hemispheres wherein lie sharp differences in ecology and fauna. Each hemisphere then is a complement of the other; each presents a tale half told; in each we are seekers in common of the whole story of birds. n order to develop this theme, most of the symposia and the papers in le general sessions will be grouped under the following headings: i ) southern hemisphere species and groups; (2) biological contrasts between hemispheres; (3) deserts and oceans; and, of course, (4) recent dvances in science. Organisation of meetings. Apart from an opening session there will be iO plenary sessions. Formal meetings will be in the form of (1) sym- ove all, do not suffer fools gladly, but scratch one and you usually id a reasonably sensitive and extremely hospitable person underneath. I (0. Box 84, Lyneham, A.C.T., Australia 2602 H. J. Frith Secretary-General, XVI International Ornithological Congress Letters 49° Density of Collared Doves In his paper on Collared Doves Streptopelia decaocto in Britain and Ireland during 1965-70 {Brit. Birds , 65 : 139-15 5), Robert Hudson suggested that in some areas the optimum population had been reached. In considering the factors which control the density of this species, it is of interest that in 1969 a Collared Dove found dead at Sanderstead, Surrey, proved to have trichomoniasis, a disease common to pigeons. In early 1971, in a garden in the same area where over 60 Collared Doves were feeding, several were observed to be sick and one which died was also found to be affected with trichomoniasis. (I am grateful to J. W. Macdonald, of the M.A.F.F. Veterinary Laboratory, Lass wade, Midlothian, for carrying out the post-mortem examinations.) Mr Hudson also considered the position of the Collared Dove as a pest and gave some definitions of the term. Over 200 Greenfinches Carduelis chloris, in addition to other species, formerly fed in the above garden in winter, but the rapid increase in Collared Doves has resulted in their monopolising the feeding area and the food offered. What was formerly regarded there as a welcome rarity is now looked upon as a pest. L. W. Cornelius 20 Blacksmiths Hill, Sanderstead, Surrey CR2 9 ay Owing to a shortage of space, a number of letters have had to be held over to the next issue. Eds News and comment Robert Hudson Southend Council strikes again Possibly the most surprising supporter for the proposal to build an airport at Foulness was Southend Council, which put the need for more business above the possible effect on the local environment. It is now beginning to regret this decision, however, because the airport is likely to be constructed nearer than was expected. Having connived at the despoliation of one major unofficial nature reserve on the east side of the town, the Council is turning its attention to the only surviving marsh on the north shore of the Thames estuary, around Leigh Creek to the west. Hitherto it has merely used Two Tree Island in the centre of the creek as the town dump, which has not greatly displeased the birds frequenting the surrounding mudflats, or even the Brent Geese which, despite the presence of a growing number of boats, turn to the Zostera bed offshore as the best alternative when they have eaten out the food supply at Foulness by late winter. Now, however, it is proposed to reclaim the island for a housing estate, construct a marina in the creek, and open a ‘road to the west’ for traffic across the area. Sixteen local bodies, representing some 4,500 people, have made it clear to the Council that they do not want the development of the Old Town at Leigh-on- Sea with its cockle industry, or of Leigh Marsh with its wildlife, nor the construction through the area of what will undoubtedly come to be a trunk road for heavy traffic bound for Foulness along Southend Front. Instead, they want the Old Town turned into a secluded pedestrian precinct, and the creek incorporated in a Bcnfleet- News and comment 49 1 Hadleigh Countryside Park. Perhaps we shall now have a chance to test the sincerity rf those who declared that it would be so easy to find alternative resorts for the 1 7oulness Brent Geese. (Contributed by Dr W. R. P. Bourne.) siome short publications We have received four recent publications which deserve mention. A useful booklet from the Channel Islands is Birds in Jersey : a Systematic j Jst (47 pages, 3op plus jp postage), written and published by the Societe Jersiaise, j The Museum, 9 Pier Road, Jersey: this is an annotated checklist with one to three ines of distributional comment for each species. Nearer home, we have A Guide to be Birds and Flowers of the Silverdale-Arnside Area, including Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve (3 1 pages, 3op post free), by John Wilson and Michael Thomas, available rom the authors at The Gables, Silverdale, Carnforth, Lancashire, all profits being I donated to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds: this is a ‘popular’ booklet, . pparently aimed at the uninformed visitor wanting some guide to what he or she ) • light see in the area, and as such there is no doubt a market, but it is not a reference I : :em. Jeffery Harrison has written an illustrated booklet entitled Wildfowl of tbe j Aorth Kent Marshes (99 pages, 50P post free), published by the Wildfowlers’ Association of Great Britain and Ireland: this is a detailed, conservation-oriented ublication, useful to the wildfowler and ornithologist (its author is both), outlining | hie habitats and the threats to them, and listing the species with an indication of I hieir status, including tables of wildfowl counts over ten winters; it is a ‘must’ for ! rnose with particular interests in the subject or the area. Lastly, a revised edition ■f Birds and Woodlands (27 pages, i8p), by Bruce Campbell, which first appeared in 964 as one of a series dealing with the wildlife of Forestry Commission plantations, as now been issued as leaflet no. 47 by the Forestry Commission, 25 Savile Row, 1 ondon wix 2.\y: it is ecologically oriented, the avifauna being dealt with under Types of woodland, and is highly recommended as an introduction to the subject. .times Fisher Memorial In ‘News and comment’ in August 1971 (Bril. Birds, 64: 79-380) I referred to plans to purchase a seabird island with money raised by public jtibscription as a permanent memorial to the late James Fisher who died tragically I 1 . a car accident in September 1970 at the age of 58 (Brit. Birds, 64: 223-228). It has I 3w been revealed that the James Fisher Memorial Appeal, sponsored by 18 national I iid local conservation organisations through the auspices of the World Wildlife and, raised £7,500; the list of contributors includes H.R.H. The Prince Philip, N uke of Edinburgh, with whom James Fisher collaborated in his last book Wildlife 1 rrisis (1970). The money has been used to purchase the Orkney island of Copinsay: : > hectares (200 acres) in extent, its chief feature is a fine perpendicular cliff, 60 metres j ;.:gh and about 1$ km long, which is the home of colonies of Fulmars, Kittiwakcs, uillemots, Razorbills, Puffins, Shags and Cormorants. Seabirds and the islands 1 1 which many of them breed were James Fisher’s great love and this, coupled with ice fact that they are one of the groups under greatest threat from pollution, led to lie choice of Copinsay. The island will be managed by the Royal Society for the : otection of Birds. bituaries Soon after the death of Walter Higham (‘News and comment’, October) ' mes the sad news that John Markham died on 28th September, in his 70th year, r ic Hosking writes: ‘With the passing of John Markham we have lost the finest j : -round natural history photographer this country has ever known. Endowed with 'wide knowledge of our fauna and flora, he had the ability to make an excellent I 1 :ture of even the most dull and seemingly uninteresting subject. Indeed, it was iid that if he had only the large end of a ginger beer bottle he could produce a i ; oerb photograph. Although most of his work was done on wild creatures, he also educed some of the best zoo studies in existence. His photographs will be re- umbered by readers of British Birds: for example, several were reproduced among News and comment 492 the annual selections of “More examples of the best recent work by British bird- photographers”, and John Markham was featured in our series of “British bird- photographers” (60: 47-49, plates 1-8). If this biographical note seems to be lacking in personal detail, it serves to illustrate John Markham’s unassuming nature and his life-long wish to go his own way alone, judged only by his work.’ We were also sorry to hear of the death, at an advanced age, of Geoffrey M. Tait on 25th September in Oporto, Portugal, where he had spent his working life with his family firm of wine exporters. Though little known in Britain, he made valuable contributions to European ringing over many years, by collecting and for- warding reports of ringed birds found in Portugal. In the absence of a national body to undertake the work, Geoffrey Tait spent a great deal of time and money on newspaper campaigns to encourage the reporting of recoveries, and he was able to forward many valuable data, most of which would otherwise have been lost. When increased infirmity compelled him to give up this work in 1966, he was awarded a well-merited Tucker Medal by the British Trust for Ornithology. Bird Room blues Pre-1939 plans to transfer the Bird Room from London to Tring were revived in 1965, but it was not until 1969 that correspondence in Nature drew attention to misgivings by ornithologists both at home and overseas. Though the transfer has since been accomplished, there are still rumblings of discontent to be heard. These appear to be based on three grounds: the difficulties of access due to travelling time between London (or other centres) and Tring; the problems of comparing recent and fossil avian material since the latter remains in the Palaeontology Department in London; and the alleged delays in unpacking the collections at Tring. The first two complaints have substance, but are hardly the fault of the Bird Room staff who have had to make the best of circumstances thrust upon them and bear the brunt of criticism, some of it uninformed. Nor is the staff responsible for the long period in which the collections have not been available for reference : the decision to pack and move the specimens before the new building was ready was made higher up, and responsibility rests ultimately with the Museum Trustees. Due to snags in getting some of the new cabinets to seal properly, the unpacking began nine months later than had been expected. With the aid of some temporary assistance, however, the skeleton and egg collections have been fully unpacked, and the rehousing of the skins, now about one-third done, is expected to be completed during 1974, the opportunity being taken to revise their order. Crated specimens can be made available for examination if notice has been given. No doubt the unpacking could have been finished sooner had more funds been allo- cated to temporary assistance, though there are always critics looking for reductions, not increases, in the numbers of public service employees; yet resentments at the transfer from South Kensington to Tring are bound to simmer until everything is completed and the advantages of the spacious new building begin to be more generally appreciated. Opinions expressed in this feature are not necessarily those of the editors of British Birds Recent reports— August P. F. Bonham These are largely unchecked reports, not authenticated records After some cool, unsettled weather during the first two weeks, August became generally fine and dry as high-pressure areas from the Azores drifted slowly north- eastwards. These completely dominated the pattern from 20th and, with pressure ^Recent reports — August 493 building over Fenno-Scandia, produced a strong easterly airflow from the Baltic during 26th-3ist. SEABIRDS TO IBISES The rarer seabirds were a Black-browed Albatross Diomtdea melanopbris off Fife 'Ness on 9th, Great Shearwaters Puffinus gravis off Cape Clear Island (Co. Cork) on 23rd and 27th, and Cory’s Shearwaters Calonectris diomedea there on 9th and 12th, jff Weybourne (Norfolk) on 28th and off St Mary’s (Isles of Scilly) on 30th. In ill about 30 Sooty Shearwaters P. griseus were reported from ten localities along 1 British coasts and up to 30 were seen on most days off Cape Clear Island. The only Large passage of Balearic Shearwaters P. puffinus mauretanicus was 37 heading east : n ij hours off Ilfracombe (Devon) on 27th. A moribund immature Gannet Sul a 1 >assana was found at Brocton (Staffordshire) early in the month. An immature Purple Heron Ardea purpurea remained at Minsmere (Suffolk) from June {Brit. Birds, 65 : 406) until 24th August, and further immatures appeared at : 3rent Reservoir (Middlesex) on 12th, at Reading sewage farm (Berkshire) and Seven- jaks (Kent) on 17th, and at Hornsea Mere (Yorkshire) on 26th, the last staying until ; ;oth September. On 26th a Bittern Bo/aurus ste/laris appeared at Dungeness (Kent) , md a Little Egret Egret ta garget ta at Durleigh Reservoir (Somerset) ; another Little dgret summered at Snape (Suffolk). Reports of Night Herons Nycticorax nycticorax mt Wellington (Somerset) on 16th May and at Benson Weir (Oxfordshire) on 22nd, >f White Storks Ciconia ciconia at Eriboll (Sutherland) on 13th May and on Rousay Orkney) on 6th-7th June, and of a Black Stork C. nigra at Sandwick (also Orkney) rom 7th to 12th June, have only recently come to our notice. In August White Storks appeared at Portland (Dorset) on 22nd and at Cardiff (Glamorgan) on 28th. 'ive Spoonbills Platalea leucorodia flew east out to sea over Great Yarmouth (Nor- olk) on 23th July, two were seen at Breydon (also Norfolk) on 12th August, two at itoke (Kent) on 19th and one at Dungeness on the following day, and there were wo reports of, presumably, the same Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus, the first for iceven years, at Stanpit Marsh, Christchurch (Hampshire) on 10th and at The Fleet, Weymouth (Dorset) during the second half of August. WILDFOWL TO CRAKES )nc female and three male Red-crested Pochards Netta rufina at Abberton Rescr- r oir (Essex) attracted much attention in the first week of August, though they were vrobably from a local feral stock, and an immature drake Ferruginous Duck Aytbya ••yroca at Wisbech sewage farm (Lincolnshire/Norfolk) at the same time was also robably of captive origin. Early arrivals included three Long-tailed Ducks '.langula byemalis at Holme (Norfolk) on 18th; while a Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca itt Loch Leven (Kinross-shire) on 27th and a Common Scoter Af. nigra at Cannock Ueservoir (Staffordshire) next day were unusual inland. An adult Whooper Swan ■ygnus cygnus at Lough Beg (Co. Antrim/Co. Londonderry) had probably summered. A Goshawk Accipiter gentilis was seen at Langton Herring (Dorset) on 24th-25th nd an early Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus at Formby Point (Lancashire) on 6th. A rather poor year for numbers of migrant Ospreys Pandion baliaetus con- nued with reports of nine in seven English and Welsh counties. At Cape Clear iland a Hobby Falco subbuleo was an unusual visitor about 13 th and a Honey ttiuzzard Pemis apivorus flew WSW out to sea on 21st; while at Gibraltar Point 1 Lincolnshire) a Red Kite Mi/vus rnilvus, three unidentified buzzards Buteo/ Pemis, a I Peregrine F. peregrinus and a Crane Grus grus all passed over high on 23rd. Three elated raptor records concerned a Rough-legged Buzzard at Holme on 22nd May, Red Kite at Horsey (Norfolk) on 23 th June and a male Red-footed Falcon . vesper tinus at Cranbome Common (Dorset) on 9th July. Spotted Crakes P organa por^ana occurred in Dorset, Middlesex and Sussex, and vo Corncrakes Crex crex on the Norfolk coast. 494 Recent reports — August WADERS The rarer Nearctic waders were an adult Lesser Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica in full summer plumage on St Mary’s from 3rd to 8th, a Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes at Sidlesham Ferry (Sussex) on i8th, a Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla at The Skerries, Holyhead (Anglesey) on 13th, a Baird’s Sandpiper C. bairdii at Abberton Reservoir on 19th, single White-rumped Sandpipers C. fuscicollis at Minsmere from 5th to 10th and at Heybridge, Maldon (Essex) on 31st, single Semi- palmated Sandpipers C.pusillus at Akeragh Lough (Co. Kerry) on 30th July and on 14th- 1 6th August, and a Wilson’s Phalarope Pbalaropus tricolor at Kirkgunzeon (Kirkcudbrightshire) from 25th to 27th. Two Pectoral Sandpipers C. melanotos on Tresco (Isles of Scilly) in early August were followed during 2oth-27th by singles at Lough Beg, on the Ince marshes (Cheshire) and in the Weymouth area; one at Knottingley (Yorkshire) on 19th July was omitted from the last summary. There were remarkably few Wood Sandpipers T. glareola, but good passages of Little Stints C. minuta and Curlew Sandpipers C. ferruginea were noted, the latter being especially prominent during 25th-28th when a number of transient parties of up to 60 were reported. A Curlew Sandpiper was ringed in Kent on the night of 27th/28th and recovered in Calvados, north France, on 29th, our first foreign recovery in west Europe. With fine, clear conditions, the concentrations that were such a feature of the 1969 movement {Brit. Birds, 63: 365-380) did not build up in eastern England, though in the north-west up to 170 were counted in the Weaver estuary (Cheshire). A count of 175 at a high-tide roost at Harty (Kent) on 9th during an earlier, less widespread influx was equally noteworthy. Thirteen migrant Temminck’s Stints C. temminckii occurred north to Co. Durham and west to Lancashire and Cheshire on scattered dates. Early Jack Snipe Lymnocrjptes minimus at Hornsea on 23rd and 25th and at Snettisham (Norfolk) on two dates, and a concentration of 980 Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa at Warton Marsh on the Ribble estuary (Lancashire) on 16th, are worth mentioning. Other scarce or rare Palearctic waders included single Kentish Plovers Charadrius alexandrinus at Chittening (Gloucestershire) during 7th-ioth, at Cley (Norfolk) on 9th and at Draycote (Warwickshire) on 19th ; a Dotterel Eudromias morinellus at Akeragh Lough on 3rd and eight in six counties between Cornwall and Norfolk from 15th; a Great Snipe Gallinago media on Cape Clear Island for a few days from 30th; a Broad- billed Sandpiper Eimicola falcinellus at Salthouse (Norfolk) on 25th; early Grey Phalaropes P . fulicarius at Musselburgh (Midlothian) on 28th-29th July and 12th- 13th August, at Dalmeny (West Lothian) on i8th-i9th and at Stoke on 19th; and Red-necked Phalaropes P. lobatus at Minsmere on 8th, at Wisbech sewage farm on 1 2th and there again from 16th to 24th (a different bird). SKUAS TO TERNS Ninety-five Great Skuas Stercorarius skua off Cape Clear Island on 29th was probably a record number for the island. Passage of Great, Arctic S. parasiticus and Pomarine Skuas S. pomarinus was generally unremarkable, though inland reports of a sick immature Great Skua at Thrapston gravel pit (Northamptonshire) on 28th, dying on 30th, and of immature Arctics at King George V Reservoir (Essex/Middlesex) and Belvide (Staffordshire) also during the last week of the month, were unusual. Long-tailed Skuas S. longicaudus occurred singly at Whitburn (Co. Durham) on 3rd and at Redcar (Yorkshire) on 5th, and about ten in all were reported from Norfolk, Lincolnshire and the Outer Hebrides from 23rd. Weybourne’s regular adult Glaucous Gull Earus hjperboreus had returned to the area at least by 26th. A Sabine’s Gull L. sabini was seen at St Ives (Cornwall) in mid-August and two were present at Cape Clear Island on 26th and 29th; a Ross’s Gull Rbodosietbia rosea was reported at Dungeness on 6th and a Slender-billed Gull L.genei at Sandwich Bay (also Kent) on 10th. The peak passage of Black Terns Chlidonias niger at Shellness (Kent) was on 1 2th, when 400 were counted, the largest number reported anywhere during the Recent reports — August 495 month. At least three White-winged Black Terns C. leucopterus were recorded at Dungcness in August, and one was present at Cheddar Reservoir (Somerset) on 28th; Gull-billed Terns Gelochelidon mlotua were identified in the Weybourne- Blakeney Point area on 1 2th and from 27th, and at Whiteford Point (Glamorgan) on 29th (two); and a Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia flew off from the beach at Redcar towards Teesmouth during the evening of 7th. 'NEAR-PASSERINES AND PASSERINES Six Wrynecks Jynx torquilla appeared at Holme on 12th and at least another 52 at 19 localities from 22nd, including single birds inland at Bedford, Abney (Derby- shire), Duston (Northamptonshire), Islip (Oxfordshire), Westcott (Buckingham- shire), Heston (Middlesex) and Ottery St Mary (Devon). Hoopoes Upupa epops rremained at Thursley Common (Surrey) from 13th to 20th and at Fulbrook, Burford 'Oxfordshire) from 12th to 25 th, and a Roller Coracias garrulus was reported at Holkham (Norfolk) on 28th. There were also late reports of an Alpine Swift Apus melba on Skokholm (Pembrokeshire) on 13 th July and of a Hoopoe at South ' Mimms (Hertfordshire) two days later. The first dozen Fieldfares Turdus pilaris of i :he autumn occurred south to Sussex and Hampshire during 1 ith-20th and 27th- 3 1st, and a very early Redwing T. iliacus was seen in Richmond Park (Surrey) on 19th. iBluethroats Luscinia svecica were very scarce, considering the persistent easterly '.weather — just one at Farlington (Hampshire) on 19th or 20th and one at Cley from .17th to 3rd September. The outstanding passerine species of the month (indeed, of the autumn as a whole) was the Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola, 1971’s record total of 26 (Brit. i iirds, 65 : 343) being more than doubled. In August 40-45 were reported in some 4 localities in eight counties from Cornwall to Norfolk, plus Fair Isle; by far the argest total at one place was the 22 trapped at Radipole Lake (Dorset), a few of .which, however, were probably September birds. The Fair Isle records were of one [rrapped on I2th-i3th, three trapped on 14th and up to three seen (none new) during !■; 5th-2 3rd ; an analysis of the rest shows a wide scatter of dates, approximate totals oeing six during I2th-i8th, 21 during i9th-25th and ten or more during 26th-3ist. IHippo/ais warblers were represented by twelve Melodious H. polyglot la — one [trapped in Lancashire, one at Fingringhoc (Essex) on 3rd-4th, five in all at Portland rom 13th, four on Lundy (Devon) from 23rd and one, very far north though not .unprecedented, trapped on Fair Isle on 29th — and fifteen Icterines H. icterina iFair Isle to Norfolk, and Sussex to Cape Clear Island, from 13th). Twenty Barred Warblers Sylvia nisoria, on Fair Isle and between Lincolnshire and Dorset, vcnly scattered during i3th-3ist, included an exceptional inland record of one rapped at Rye Meads (Hertfordshire) on 19th. A Dartford Warbler S. undata on Jape Clear Island on 15th was the third Irish record; while the first of an autumn rrop of at least six Greenish Warblers Phylloscopus trocbiloides was watched at Blakeney Point from 27th to 29th. Other unusual passerines were few and far between. Red-breasted Flycatchers :icedula parva were reported at East Mersea (Essex) on 14th and at Portland on .4th; Red-throated Pipits Anthus cervinus at St Ives on 24th and at Glimpsholm Orkney) two days later; a very' early Great Grey Shrike L anius excubitor at La Tarette, Icart (Guernsey), on 23rd; and Rose-coloured Starlings Stumus roseus t Virginia Water (Berkshire/Surrey) on 31st July and at Scourie (Sutherland) from 1 st August to at least 3rd September. A Hawfinch Coccotbraustes coccolhraustes on .undy on 18th was clearly a migrant; a Serin Serinus serinus was reported at Pinner 'Middlesex) on 14th; and four Twites Acantbis flavirostris at Sandwich Bay on 20th rere early. Up to six Scarlet Rosefinches Carpodacus erytbrinus on Fair Isle from 3rd and one on Fetlar (Shetland) during 29^-31 st obviously formed part of the lflux of eastern species in the anticyclonic weather of that period, as did a Yellow- reasted Bunting Ember i^a aureola on Fair Isle on 30th. Ortolan Buntings E. 496 decent reports — August bortulana occurred singly at Beddington (Surrey) on 22nd (this species is very unusual inland), at Portland on 25 th and 31st and at Holme also on the last date. Lastly, there were Red-headed Buntings E. bruniceps on Lundy on nth and at Portland during i}th-i9th, presumably of captive origin. SOME RARE BREEDERS At least one pair of Goldeneyes again bred in east Inverness-shire (cf. Brit. Birds, 64: 75): of nine young hatched in a nest box, six or seven were reared. The Ospreys at Loch Garten, whose clutch was taken in 1971, raised two chicks, while five other Scottish pairs brought the total reared to a record 14. On the other hand, the Snowy Owls Nyc/ea scandiaca on Fetlar were unsuccessful, although all four of their eggs hatched during 2oth-26th June. Temminck’s Stints were again present at a recently discovered breeding site in Ross-shire (see page 481). Farther south, in the English Lake District, a pair of Golden Eagles Aquila cbrysaetos raised one young for the third consecutive year, and 23 young Peregrines flew; while in the Midlands Honey Buzzards raised three young at a long- established site. Of 26 pairs of Red Kites that attempted to breed in central Wales, 15 succeeded and produced a total of 18 young. A male Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus bred with two females at Minsmere and two chicks fledged from each nest in July, while Montagu’s Harriers C. pygargus nested in Norfolk for the third successive year. Black-tailed Godwits bred in at least six areas (including Shetland), the principal one, as usual, being the Ouse Washes (Cambridgeshire/Norfolk) where 65 pairs were counted on 15th June; five to nine breeding Reeves Philomachus pugnax were noted there in late May and one juvenile was seen during the summer. Thirty-three out of 33 pairs of Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta at Minsmere hatched * about 65 young, and 20 km down the coast at Havergate about no pairs produced some 240 chicks. Three pairs of Savi’s Warblers Eocustella luscinioides apparently bred at Minsmere and an unmated singing male was also present there (see Brit. Birds, 65 : 229-232 for the situation in previous years) ; while at least one pair of Cetti’s Warblers Cettia cetti bred successfully in southern England. Finally, summering Firecrests Regulus ignicapillus were discovered in Somerset (young being fed), west Bedfordshire (a singing male and probably four other individuals), east Kent (two singing males) and Suffolk (three birds), while at the 1971 site in Buckinghamshire (Brit. Birds, 64: 473-475) 23 singing males had been located by the end of July. M f 1 )! Ei Wild Life and Nature Tours 73 — in the company of fellow enthusiasts BIRDS: Turkey, USSR, Portugal, Iceland, Norway, Malta, Majorca, Greece, Danube Delta, Camargue, Texel (Holland), Lake Neusiedl, Crete, and Fair Isle. FLOWERS: Swiss National Park (Zernez), Val d’- Aosta, Pyrenees, Heiligenblut (Austria), and Corsica. MALAYSIA: 18 days from 18th March. Led by Dr D. R. Wells, the School of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya. An exciting new ornithologi- cal tour to one of the richest corners of the world both in flora and in fauna. Write for your copy of our 1973 Wild Life Brochure to BB73 Academy Travel Ltd 10 BLOOMSBURY WAY, LONDON WC1 A 2SJ DIRECT TO YOU AT ENORMOUS DISCOUNTS i-.rand New, complete with Hide Case, Lanyard and Guarantee. Always 76 models ni stock, from £9.00 to £85.00. Binoculars make wonderful presentation or retire- • tent gifts: FOR EXAMPLE RETAIL OUR PRICE Swift Super Tecnar 8 X 40 £19.85 £14.85 Swift Audubon 8.5 X 44 Mk 11 £49.50 £33.00 Asahi Pentax 8 X 40 BWCF £38.54 £28.75 Ross Stepruva 9 X 35 £57.44 £39.00 Carl Zeiss 10 X 40B £119.62 £85.00 B. Nickel Supra 1 5 X 60 X 60 £63.50 £47.50 144-DAY FREE TRIAL OFFER. SEND CASH WITH ORDER tCD C C / Send for literature and revised price list, also copy of ‘YOUR GUIDE TO BINOCULAR/TELESCOPE OWNERSHIP' : hotographlc equipment: price list on request with discounts 25— 33i% ‘ .'allers welcome: Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. ■HERON OPTICAL COMPANY »EPT BB11/72, 15 SHORT CROFT, DO DDING HURST, fRENTWOOD, ESSEX. Telephone: Coxtie Green 73498 iii Tibet and its Birds by Charles Vaurie Dr Vaurie describes Tibet, then relates the history of its ornithological exploration, discusses its zoogeographic position and the distribution of its avifauna, and sum- marises the little that is known about migration. A second section lists all the birds collected or reported in Tibet and is based on the examination of virtually all the collections anywhere which contain Tibetan speci- mens, as well as on an exhaustive literature search. Royal 8vo 3 colour plates 24 black & white photos 400 pages bound in red buckram with gilt top £10 50 plus 25p postage Also available at £25 each are some of the half bound morocco edition limited to 65 numbered copies signed by the author H. F. & G. WITHERBY LTD 15 NICHOLAS LANE, LONDON EC4N 7BR BOOHS ON Bim Catalogue on request WHELDON & WESLEY LTD Lytton Lodge Codicote, Hitchin, Herts Small Advertisements 80p for 3 lines (minimum); 25p for each whole or part extra line. For the use of a box number there is a charge of 5p. Swans Big Game and Bird Safaris to East Africa. See page ii. Cemlyn Bird Observatory, Anglesey. Open all year: accommodation luxury caravan and annexe, electricity; short weekends welcome; conducted tours. Join and become Friend of Observ- atory, 75p (juniors 40p); 7 newsletters. Write for details to warden: D. H. Coggins, Swn-y-mor, Cemlyn Bay, nr Amlwch (phone Cemaes Bay 244). Ringers. Colourfast PVC flatbands: standard sizes or made to your speci- fications. Enquiries to Box NR610. For sale. British Birds, vols 35-44 (1941-51) bound; vols 45-65 (1952— 72) unbound. Phone Epsom 20409 evenings. iv fotice to contributors :tish Birds publishes material dealing with original observations on the birds ot itain and Europe or, where appropriate, on the species of this area as observed other parts of their range. Except for records of rarities, papers and notes are rmally accepted only on condition that the material is not being offered in whole in part to any other journal. Photographs (glossy prints showing good contrast) d sketches are welcomed. Proofs of all contributions are sent to authors before blication. \fter publication, 25 separates are sent free to authors of papers (two authors of e paper receive 15 each and three authors ten each); additional copies, for which harge is made, can be provided if ordered when the proofs are returned. Reprints notes and other short items have to be specially ordered and are charged for. Papers should be typewritten with double spacing and wide margins, and on one e of the sheet only. Shorter contributions, if not typed, must be clearly written 1 well spaced. ' sjotes should be worded as concisely as possible, and drawn up in the form in ich they will be printed, with signature in block capitals and the author’s address arly given in one line at the foot. If more than one note is submitted, each ould be on a separate sheet, with signature and address repeated. t Certain conventions of style and layout arc essential to preserve the uniformity any publication. Authors of papers in particular, especially of those containing tematic lists, reference lists, tables, etc., should consult the ones in this issue as a de to general presentation. English names of species should have capital ials for each word, except after a hyphen (e.g. Willow Warbler, Black-tailed dwit), but group terms should not (e.g. warblers, godwits). Both English and : :ntific names, and the sequence, follow A Species List of British and Irish Birds T.O. Guide 13, 1971). All scientific names should be underlined (but not put brackets) immediately after the first mention of the English name. Sub- : cific names should not be used except where they arc relevant to the discussion, is sometimes more convenient to list scientific names in an appendix. Dates >uld take the form ‘1st January 1972’ and no other, except in tables where they y be abbreviated to ‘1st Jan’, ‘Jan ist’, or even ‘Jan t’, whichever most suits layout of the table concerned. It is particularly requested that authors should attention to reference lists, which otherwise cause much unnecessary work. :se should take the following form: wnerman, D. A. 1954. The Birds of the British Isles. Edinburgh and London, vol 3 : 23-228. 1 :k, D. 1960. ‘Autumn “drift-migration” on the English cast coast’. Brit. Birds, 3 : 325~352> 379-397- r ricus other conventions concerning references, including their use in the text, uld be noted by consulting examples in this issue. ’ables should be numbered with arabic numerals, and the title typed above in style used in this issue. They must either fit into the width of a page, or be igned to fit a whole page lengthways. All tables should be self-explanatory. :igures should be numbered with arabic numerals, and the captions typed on a arate sheet. All line-drawings should be in indian ink on good quality, drawing >er (not of an absorbent nature) or, where necessary, on graph paper, but this st be light blue or very pale grey. It is always most important to consider how h drawing will fit into the page. Any lettering or numbering that is an integral t of a text-figure should be inserted lightly in pencil. 1973 ORNITHOLIDAYS Regd THE WESSEX TRA VEL CENTRE L. J Holidays organised by birdwatchers for birdwatchers MOROCCO Exciting safari-type Orni- tholiday to southern Morocco and the edge of the Sahara. Tour starts Marra- kech and covers the most interesting parts of the Haut and Moyen Atlas, and the desert beyond. Good hotel accommoda- tion, coach travel reduced to minimum consistent with good birdwatching. Departure 24th March. Maximum 20. FINLAND The last wilderness. Orni- thological safari through the lakeland and forests of Finland. Good accommo- dation, coach throughout. Departure 9th June. Maximum 20. ARCTIC NORWAY Another Ornitholi- days safari, this time to the top of Europe in search of arctic birds. Good hotel and guesthouse accommodation, road and air transport throughout. Departure 23rd June. Maximum 20. HOLLAND Autumn visit to Texel and the Polders. Pleasant hotel accommo- dation, air and road transport through- out. Departure 22nd September. Maxi- mum 16. YUGOSLAVIA Another exciting safari- type tour which will explore the marshes and hills of northern Yugoslavia, then head south for Lake Scutari and Met- kovic. Good hotel accommodation, coach throughout. Departures 14th April and 22nd September. Maximum each group 20. MALAWI Detailed exploration of Lake Malawi, Lake Chilwa, Lengwe Game Reserve, Zomba, etc. First-class hotel and good game-lodge accommodation, minibus transport. Departure 12th July. Maximum 14. ZAMBIA Exciting birdwatching at Kafue, Livingstone, Sumbu Reserve, etc. Good-class accommodation, air and minibus transport. Departure 9th October. Maximum 14. ETHIOPIA Repeat of our 1971 and 1972 tours to the Awash National Park, the Rift Valley Lakes, Lake Tana, the Blue Nile Gorge and the Menagesha State Forest. A fascinating country with outstanding birdlife. Departure 15th November. Maximum 22. Full details of costs and schedules for these and many other holidays on application: please send 3p stamp for 1973 programme LAWRENCE G. HOLLOWAY ORNITHOLIDAYS 44 ALDWICK ROAD BOGNOR REGIS, SUSSEX, P021 2PW Tel: Bognor Regis 21230 Printed in England by Henry Burt & Son Ltd, College Street, Kempston, Bedford Published by H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd, 15 Nicholas Lane, London F.C4N 7BR identification of Dusky and Radde's Warblers Johns and D. I. M. Wallace {tailed Warbler in Co. Cork: a species new to Britain and Ireland R. Sharrock if : adaptive features of seabird plumage types . L. Simmons (concluded) \ Iternative to mobbing as a measure of predator recognition U d Galloway N Reviews > s; and comment Letters Recent reports — September (part 1) ' jme 65 Number 12 December 1972 35p British Birds Editorial Address io Merton Road, Bedford Telephone 0234 67;;$ Volume 65 Number 12 December 1972 497 Field identification of Dusky and Raddc’s Warblers R. J. Johns and D. I. M. Wallace 501 Fan-tailed Warbler in Co. Cork: a species new to Britain and Ireland Dr J. T. R. Sbarrock Plate 77a 510 Some adaptive features of seabird plumage types Dr K. E. L. Simmons (concluded from page 479) 522 An alternative to mobbing as a measure of predator recognition David Galloway NOTES 527 Melanistic Manx Shearwater J. W. F. Davis and I. Packer 5 27 Osprey taking food other than fish Bernard King 528 Photographs of Kestrels and Barn Owls nesting in Greater London A. C. Parker Plate IV 528 Little Ringed Plovers nesting in mussel shell K. Van Scharcn Plate 77b 529 Little Stint incubating eight eggs J. F. Reynolds Plate 79 530 Photographs of Wilson’s Phalarope in Sussex in 1971 The Editors Plate 78 330 Partial albinism in skuas Michael Clegg REVIEWS 531 Production, Pollution, Protection by W. B. Yapp Dr J. J. M. Flegg 531 Wildfowl in Captivity by Richard Mark Martin Dr Janet Kear LETTERS 533 Migration at Hook Head, Co. Wexford, in October 1971 C. C. Moore 5 34 Flight call of Continental Song Thrush R. S. R. Fitter 535 The genus ‘Hesperiphona’ in North America Pierre Devillers 535 Cretzschmar’s Bunting in Sweden Roy H. Dennis 535 In defence of ‘Aves’ Miss J. M. Stainton REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION 536 Gulls attacking migrants at sea Miss Sheila Macdonald and Dr C. F. Mason 536 Summering Firecrests and Bramblings Leo Batten 336 News and comment Robert Fludson 538 Recent reports — September P.F. Bonham (parti) 340 Errata in volume 63 P. J. Grant drew the Fan-tailed Warbler (page 509), Robert Gillmor the winter and summer Black Guillemots (pages 520-521), and D. I. M. Wallace the Robin and Coal Tit (page 526) Editors Stanley Cramp, I. J. Ferguson-Lees, P. F. Bonham, M. A. Ogilvic and D. I. M. Wallace Photographic Editor Eric Flosking News and Comment Robert Hudson, B.T.O., Beech Grove, Tring, Hertfordshire Rarities Committee F. R. Smith, 117 Hill Barton Road, Exeter, Devon exi 3PP Year’s subscription for 12 issues £4.50 post paid (overseas rate £4.80) from H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd, 15 Nicholas Lane, London EC4N 7BR gK P l a t e I V. Above, male Kestrel Valeo tinnunculus and two young, Peckham, London, July 1971; the nest was in a window-box on the 16th floor of a 20-storey block of flats. Below, Barn Owl Tyto alba returning with prey to the oldest of three young, Essex, summer 1969; all three fledged successfully ( photos : A. C. Parker ) I— BIG GAME & BIRDS — , SAFARIS - 21 DAYS £450 VISITING THESE NATIONAL PARKS & GAME RESERVES Nairobi. Lakes Naivasha and Nakuru. Samburu, Tsavo. Lake Manyara. Ngorongoro. Serengeti and Mara, in Kenya and Tanzania DEPARTURES Jan 17, 24, 31 ; Feb 7, 14, 21, 28; Mar 7; June 27; July 18; Aug 8, 29; Sept 19; Oct 10, 31 GUEST LECTURERS accompany each Safari and their expert and personal knowledge of East Africa, its animals and birds, its history, peoples and customs, highlights your enjoyment brochure available from: SWANS SPECIALISED SAFARIS .237 (W1 2) Tottenham Ct Rd. London W1 P OAL Tel : 01 -636 8070 Tibet and its Birds by Charles Vaurie Dr Vaurie describes Tibet, then relates the history of its ornithological exploration, discusses its zoogeographic position and the distribution of its avifauna, and sum- marises the little that is known about migration. A second section lists all the birds collected or reported in Tibet and is based on the examination of virtually all the collections anywhere which contain Tibetan speci- mens, as well as on an exhaustive literature search. Royal 8vo 3 colour plates 24 black & white photos 400 pages bound in red buckram with gilt top £10 50 plus 25p postage Also available at £25 each are some of the half bound morocco edition limited to 65 numbered copies signed by the author H. F. & G. WITHERBY LTD 5 PLANTAIN PLACE, CROSBY ROW, LONDON SE1 1YN Irish Naturalists' Journal A quarterly magazine de- voted exclusively to the botany, geology and zoology of Ireland, and publishing bird records as a regular feature Edited by Miss M. P. H. Kertland Science Library Q.U.B. Lennoxvale Belfast BT9 5EQ Annual subscription £1 post paid 1 1973 ORNITHOLID A Y S Regd THE WESSEX TRA VEL CENTRE Holidays organised by birdwatchers for birdwatchers MOROCCO Exciting safari-type Orni- tholiday to southern Morocco and the edge of the Sahara. Tour starts Marra- kech and covers the most interesting parts of the Haut and Moyen Atlas, and the desert beyond. Good hotel accommoda- tion, coach travel reduced to minimum consistent with good birdwatching. Departure 24th March. Maximum 20. FINLAND The last wilderness. Orni- thological safari through the lakeland and forests of Finland. Good accommo- dation, coach throughout. Departure 9th June. Maximum 20. ARCTIC NORWAY Another Omitholi- days safari, this time to the top of Europe in search of arctic birds. Good hotel and guesthouse accommodation, road and air transport throughout. Departure 23rd June. Maximum 20. HOLLAND Autumn visit to Texel and the Polders. Pleasant hotel accommo- dation, air and road transport through- out. Departure 22nd September. Maxi- mum 16. YUGOSLAVIA Another exciting safari- type tour which will explore the marshes and hills of northern Yugoslavia, then head south for Lake Scutari and Met- kovic. Good hotel accommodation, coach throughout. Departures 14th April and 22nd September. Maximum each group 20. MALAWI Detailed exploration of Lake Malawi, Lake Chilwa, Lengwe Game Reserve, Zomba, etc. First-class hotel and good game-lodge accommodation, minibus transport. Departure 12th July. Maximum 14. ZAMBIA Exciting birdwatching at Kafue, Livingstone, Sumbu Reserve, etc. Good-class accommodation, air and minibus transport. Departure 9th October. Maximum 14. ETHIOPIA Repeat of our 1971 and 1972 tours to the Awash National Park, the Rift Valley Lakes, Lake Tana, the Blue Nile Gorge and the Menagesha State Forest. A fascinating country with outstanding birdlife. Departure 15th November. Maximum 22. Full details of costs and schedules for these and many other holidays on application: please send 3p stamp for 1973 programme LAWRENCE G. HOLLOWAY ORNITHOLID AYS 44 ALDWICK ROAD BOGNOR REGIS, SUSSEX, P021 2PW Tel: Bognor Regis 21230 Volume 65 Number 12 December 1972 British Birds Field identification of Dusky and iRadde’s Warblers R. J. Johns and D. I. M. Wallace INTRODUCTION Among the rare warblers that may confront British and Irish observers arc several pairs of species which have always been thought difficult tto distinguish from one another. In some cases, however, it is becoming .apparent that this is due largely to the fact that their appearance and ccharacter remain poorly documented or interpreted. This applies [particularly to the Dusky Warbler PhyUoscopus fuscatus and Radde’s Warbler P. sebwar^i. References to them in The Handbook were brief, ttending to stress similarities; although Williamson (1962) shed more positive light, field guides still offer markedly variable illustrations and . is much advice on caution as on diagnosis. From our own recent experience of both species, and from additional information made available by H. E. Axell and by the Rarities Committee, it is our belief t hat confusion between them in the field is not a real danger. This oaper summarises our reasons. ■GENERAL APPEARANCE ■Both share rather dark plumage and can appear darker and bulkier than i.ny European Phylloscopns. Initially even their generic identity can be obscure, particularly as both are inveterate skulkers and on migration end to feed in and around ground cover. Thus there is the possibility of confusion with unstreaked Acrocephalus warblers, and this is increased oy their generically atypical, clipped calls. We make these points immediately to indicate how different both species are from familiar European PhyUoscopus , particularly the Willow Warbler P. trochilus and ;ne Chiffchaff P. collybita. Under prolonged observation their true elationship is apparent from their actions while moving in cover and 498 Dusky and Radde’s Warblers feeding, and the long supercilia on both species (see below) should also help to prevent misidentification as unstreaked Acrocephalus. PLUMAGE AND BARE PARTS Several detailed descriptions of the two species have been published, but there are some discrepancies between those in The Handbook and Williamson, which are the most readily available. We have prepared the following list of comparisons from those works, from Alexander (1969), from our own notes, and from other descriptions recently accepted by the Rarities Committee, some of which have been pub- lished in journals (particularly Brit. Birds, 56: 420-421, plate 64; 59: 155-156; and Scot. Birds, 5 : 397). Attention must also be drawn to the fine series of photographs of Radde’s Warbler at the nest (Neufeldt i960). DUSKY WARBLER RADDE’S WARBLER bill: Quite long and fine, shape typical of genus ; dark horn above, pale horn or yellowish-brown below. head pattern : Brown, marked by fairly long, dull rusty-white supercilium reaching end of ear-coverts, dark brown eye-stripe and rusty cheek. Combination of head plumage and bill produces no striking appear- ance. eyes: Typical of genus. upperparts : Brown, with cold or warm tone accord- ing to light, virtually un- marked except for darker centres to tertials and paler fringes to other remiges. Essentially uniform in co- lour. underparts : Greyish or creamy white, palest on throat and yellowest under tail, washed rusty or olive- grey in most, notably along flanks. Rather dull and uni- form in colour. legs and feet . Quite long, but fine ; brown, tinged buff or yellowish. bill: Long, but also deep and rather blunt-ended, shape recalling Sylvia or Paras; blackish-horn above, bright flesh to orange-horn, with dark tip, below. Shape and bright tone of lower mandible together provide distinctive character. head pattern: Brown, strikingly marked by long, broad, creamy supercilium extending on to nape, bordered above by thin blackish eyebrow and below by prominent blackish eyestripe. Combination of head markings and strong bill produces very bold appearance. eyes: Atypical, appearing large: another notable feature of head pattern. upperparts: Variable, generally olive-brown in spring and greenish-olive in autumn. Some autumn birds look brown, especially at a distance, most being greenish on rump but some at least showing strong russet on uppertail-coverts, particularly in worn plumage. Wings and tail more olive than mantle, with bright fringes to remiges and rectrices. Some birds show bright wash throughout. underparts: Variable, generally yellowish-white in spring, with buff on sides of breast and on flanks, and orange-buff under tail; more strongly coloured in autumn with more buff or yellow (especially in first-year birds), white being evident only on throat. Strikingly bright combination of white, yellow and buff tones. legs and feet: Longest in genus, stout with thick joints; pale brownish-yellow, sometimes tinged bright straw or pinkish-orange. Size, and sometimes colour, striking and atypical of genus. Dusky and Radde’s Warblers 499 In the field Radde’s is much the more vividly plumaged of the two and even in brief glimpses shows its marks well, particularly the head pattern which, with the strong bill and legs and the yellow and buff underparts, forms the essential basis for separation from Dusky. Perhaps the best mark of the latter is its dull uniformity. STRUCTURE AND BEHAVIOUR The wings of both species are rather short and rounded (closer to a (Chiffchaff than a Willow Warbler) and, when folded, the primary tips do not extend beyond the uppcrtail-coverts. The shapes and lengths of their tails are also similar, though that of Radde’s is about 5% longer and can appear noticeably full in flight. In terms of bulk there is a clearer difference, most Radde’s weighing 20-30% more than Dusky. Radde’s certainly looks heavy in the field, whereas Dusky can seem slight, recalling Chiffchaff. As already mentioned, both species tend to skulk in low ground cover, but there is some evidence that, while Dusky Warblers fly and move like Chiffchaffs (also feeding and flycatching like them), Radde’s have a very different character, seeming more deliberate and purposeful in their actions. One watched for over two hours at Wells, Norfolk, on 20th October 1968 never indulged in flycatching but fed steadily rom leaf surfaces, sometimes lunging at prey while grasping a twig in only one foot. It froze for up to a minute when disturbed, showed a toticeably furtive lateral head movement, and seemed to prefer going ig. 1 . First-autumn Radde’s Warbler Pbylloscopus schnary (left) and first-autumn Husky Warbler P. fuscatus (right), based on field sketches made respectively on j tt Agnes, Isles of Scilly, on 24th October 1971 and at Dungeness, Kent, on nth ; I iovember 1967. Inset left, Radde’s feeding; right, heads of Radde’s (upper) and Dusky at distance (drawn by D. I. At. Wallace) joo Dusky and Radde’s Warblers to ground rather than breaking cover in an emergency, a habit noted by H. E. Axell in three other individuals. At least three of the Radde’s Warblers recently recorded in Britain have, when undisturbed, foraged in the open on grass, and one also on freshly ploughed land. This behaviour is characteristic of both adults and young in the U.S.S.R. (Dementiev and Gladkov 1966-68). Radde’s flies low and direct, rather like a small Hippolais, and has been noted flicking its tail in flight, recalling a Tocustella. A rather ‘knock-kneed’ stance, very evident in the Wells individual, may result from the length and stoutness of its legs. Once again, in behaviour as in plumage and build, it becomes apparent that Radde’s is the exceptional Phylloscopus. Fig. 1 attempts to portray the essential characters of the two species. VOICE Only the calls of autumn migrants are dealt with here, and a summary of transcriptions follows (data mainly from The Handbook, Williamson, Dementiev and Gladkov, and notes as already cited). DUSKY WARBLER RADDE’S WARBLER monosyllabic : chek, cbak, tek, tack, tscbeck, loud, hard, definite; sometimes repeat- ed, but rarely more than twice; also a Chiffchaff-like note. multisyllabic : tsek-tsek, tscheck-tscheck, tr-tr-tr-chek- chek, staccato, chattering alarm ; chi-chiree, recalling Red-breasted Flycatcher Muscicapa parva. monosyllabic: quip, twit, tvit, treet, nervous, soft, delicate, whistling; tcbwick, cbik, cbak, tack, sak, hard, sharp, short, clipped, worried, nervous, quiet; sok, trock, soft; tic, given in hand, soft and sharp; all these often repeated more than twice and regularly in series ; other qualifications compare with whiplash and with call of Quail Coturnix coturnix. multisyllabic: chirp with Irock-trock in musical series, soft and varying in pitch; trr-trick-trrilt, scolding and also recalling Red-breasted Fly- catcher ; gibout-gibout . It is difficult to analyse the above or to advance standard transcriptions. Clearly to some observers’ ears the sounds of both species have an identical character in both consonants and vowels. Although Hollom (i960) implied, from a condensation of the comments in The Handbook, that the call of Radde’s was louder than that of Dusky, we have found no real evidence to support this and our own combined experience of the notes of two of the former and four of the latter lead us to conclude, for the time being, that the opposite is in fact the case. It is, above all, the frequency of the calls of Radde’s and the state of nervous alarm conveyed by them that stick in our memories. CONCLUSIONS There appears to be no good reason why the field distinction of Radde’s and Dusky Warblers should have been so hedged with caveats. Even the limited British and Irish experience of the two shows clearly [Dusky and Kadde's Warblers 501 : :hat, while both are dark Phylloscopus whose calls are atypical of that \ ^erius. Dusky is rather poorly marked, in which respect and in its ictions it recalls the Chiffchaff, whereas Radde’s has very striking : read markings, a Sylvia- like bill, stout legs, yellow underparts, an ipparently constant nervous quality in its calls, and certain distinct oehaviour patterns. With close views the danger of confusion between hem is much less than in the still severe test of telling some Chiffchaffs rom some Willow Warblers. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We are very grateful to H. E. Axell for his helpful comments on an early draft, >articularly with respect to Radde’s Warbler. We also thank the Rarities Committee or allowing us to consult its files and the instructive comments of its members on hem. t tEFERENCES Alexander, H. G. 1969. Some No/es on Asian Leaf-warblers ( Genus Phylloscopus). Privately published, pp 11-14. (Updated from Brit. Birds, 48: 351-353.) [ Dementiev, G. P., and Gladkov, N. A. 1966-68. Birds of tbe Soviet Union. Israel Program for Scientific Translations, Jerusalem, vol 6. Iollom, P. A. D. i960. Tbe Popular Handbook of Rarer British Birds. Ixjndon. pp IIO-III. ^euff.ldt, I. ‘Studies of less familiar birds. 104. Radde’s Bush Warbler'. Brit. Birds, 53: 117-122, plates 13-18. Williamson, K. 1962. Identification for Ringers. 2. Tbe Genus Phylloscopus. B.T.O. Field Guide 8. pp 48-50, 52-53, plate II. C J. Johns, j Sandlers End, Crofthill Road, Slough, Buckinghamshire 0. I. M. Wallace, 9 Woodhill Rise, Heads Lane, Hessle, Hull, Yorkshire I TUI 3 OHZ 1 -‘an-tailed Warbler in Co. Cork: u species new to Britain and Ireland /I. T. R. Sharrock )n 23rd April 1962, by East Bog on Ballyieragh, the western part of iape Clear Island, Co. Cork, an unfamiliar call attracted my attention, traced it to a small warbler in some sedges and during the next 20 minutes was able to watch the bird continuously. It remained motion- cess in the sedges, occasionally calling ‘tew’, until approached within bout 1 5 metres when it either fluttered weakly to another clump or Lew to a height of about three metres and then, with a bouncing. 502 Fan-tailed Warbler in Co. Cork hovering action (somewhat similar to that of an agitated Stonechat Saxicola torquata ), uttered a repeated ‘chip chip chip . . before dropping almost vertically into the sedges. After watching it for several minutes in good light (though no sun) and completely calm conditions, I strongly suspected that it was a Fan-tailed Warbler Cisticola juncidis , a species I had seen in Spain seven months previously, and further observation confirmed this. Stationary in a sedge clump, it was hunched and looked rather like a Wren Troglodytes troglodytes , this resemblance being enhanced by the cocking of its tail. Climbing about in sedges, it appeared more like a small, short-winged, short-tailed Acrocephalus warbler. Flying from one clump to another, it looked dark rufous and its short tail seemed very narrow, but as it dived into the next clump its tail was widely fanned and sometimes also cocked; in the bouncing song-flight it was always fanned. The bird looked smaller than a Chiffchaff P/jyl- loscopus collybita seen a few minutes earlier, but the only direct com- parisons were with Meadow Pipits Anthus pratensis and a Reed Bunting Emberi^a schoeniclus. The most conspicuous plumage characters were a rufous-buff back heavily streaked with dark brown — rather reminiscent of an Aquatic Warbler A. pa/udicola but with a less sandy base colour — and a bright buff crown with dark rufous streaks. From the side there seemed to be a narrow, faint, pale creamy-buff supercilium, wider behind than in front of the eye, but a view from above showed that this was just one of several pale lines running the length of the crown. The wings looked rounded, both in flight and at rest; the primaries, secondaries and coverts were all orange-buff-brown, each feather edged slightly paler, but without distinct wing-bars or panels. The rump was un- streaked huffish. At rest the bird usually held its rufous-brown tail tightly closed, but when it dived into sedges whitish tips showed on at least two or three of the outer feathers, and all the feathers were increasingly dark from base to tip, being darkest immediately before the whitish spots. The underparts were whitish with a noticeable orange-buff wash on the breast and flanks. The eyes were dark, with a complete pale creamy orbital ring, the legs pale pinkish-fawn and the bill short, weak and pale — the upper mandible fawn and the lower pale pinkish. (A full account, including an exact transcript of my field notes, was published in Cape Clear Bird Obs. Rep., n: 38-39.) Having obtained a field description, I decided to fetch other ob- servers. When I returned 40 minutes later with my wife and Robert Gillmor, however, we could not relocate the bird, nor was it found during intensive searches of this and adjacent areas later in the day. Thus I was, unfortunately, the only observer. The bird had arrived with light south-easterly winds and coincided with a small influx of Willow Warblers P. trochilus, Chiffchaffs, Swallows Hirundo rustica , Fan-tailed Warbler in Co. Cork 503 Sand Martins Riparia riparia and House Martins Delicbon urbica (Sharrock 1962). The Records Committee of the British Ornithologists’ Union 1 rejected this record when it was first submitted in 1962. P. A. D. Hollom, then the honorary secretary, wrote {in litt. to J.T.R.S., quoted in Cape Clear Bird Obs. Rep., 5 : 3) of the ‘difficulty of the genus [Cisticola], the apparently rather sedentary nature . . the lack of vagrant records [of the Fan-tailed Warbler] north of the breeding range . . These points are discussed below at some length. After subsequent correspondence with D. I. M. Wallace, I resubmitted the record in 1969 and, partly because of new evidence that the species is not as sedentary as was formerly thought, it was then accepted (Ibis, 1 13: 420-423; Irish Bird Report, 17: 52). IDENTIFICATION AND WORLD BREEDING RANGE There was no doubt that the bird was a grass-warbler Cisticola, but it was with some horror that I later realised that Lyncs (1930) had recognised 40 species and 154 races within this genus. Two species are about the size of a Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria, however, and a further 23 are larger than a Whitethroat S. communis or a Garden '.Warbler S. borin. This leaves 1 5 ranging in size from a Pallas’s Warbler P. proregulus to a Willow’ Warbler, but four of these have plain backs, two more have bright red tops to their heads, another has a plain black upperside to its tail without the whitish spots at the end, and a further : five have very short tails (three-fifths of the wing length or less) as w’ell .1 is, in four cases, plain red or black tops to their heads. Thus the dentification was narrow’ed on plumage and structure alone to three sspecies— -juncidis, cherina and haesitata — all with backs patterned, head i :ops strongly brown-streaked, and tails three-quarters of the wing Length or longer and tipped with white on both uppersides and under- ;ides. Turning to voice, the song flight of the bird on Cape Clear Island :losely resembled those of juncidis and cherina, but was quite different from that described for haesitata. It was also quite different from those if aridula, brunnescens, ayresii and exilis — four species which, although 1 lready eliminated on at least one plumage feature, are sufficiently imilar in appearance to merit reconsideration. Lynes noted that the labits of cherina are ‘like juncidis and the “call” so similar that the bird ;as the same onomatopoeic vernacular name Tin-Tin as juncidis has in > pain’; cherina is closely allied to juncidis and ‘season for season and sex or sex, differing from that bird by little more than its colder coloration n summer, brownish not reddish rump and relatively shorter and more ounded wing’. It is, however, confined to Madagascar, w-here it is tedentary, and haesitata is similarly found only on Socotra. White 1(960) has even suggested that cherina and haesitata may merely be well- 5°4 Van-tailed Warbler in Co. Cork marked insular races of juncidis rather than distinct species. Thus the bird on Cape Clear Island can be positively identified as either C. juncidis or C.{j.)cherina and the latter may be eliminated on geographical grounds. C. juncidis has a south Palearctic, Ethiopian, Oriental and Australian breeding distribution, extending from Iberia and France east to Japan and south to South Africa and northern Australia (Voous i960) (fig. 1, inset). It is the only Cisticola in Europe or north Africa. Lynes recog- nised 13 races and Vaurie (1969) 15, five of them Palearctic but only two European: C.j. cisticola (which breeds in Iberia, Balearic Islands, and France on the coasts of both the Atlantic from Vendee southwards and the Mediterranean, as well as north Africa from Morocco to Tunisia) and C. j. juncidis (which intergrades with C.j. cisticola on the Mediterranean coast of France and otherwise breeds in Italy, Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia, southernmost Yugoslavia, Albania, Greece and western Turkey). Racial determination can be firmly established only by direct comparison with skins, but the dark coloration of the Irish Fig. 1. Breeding distribution of Fan-tailed Warblers Cisticola juncidis in France (based on a preliminary map produced for the French Atlas Ornithologique and other references cited in the text). Inset, world distribution with the breeding range shown in black (modified from Voous i960) ¥ an- tailed Warbler in Co. Cork 5°5 bird and other features suggest that it is more likely to have been C.j. cisticola. DISTRIBUTION IN FRANCE In France, the headquarters of the Fan-tailed Warbler are on the Mediterranean coast from Pyrenees-Orientales to Alpes-Maritimes, where Blondel (1969) considered this to be one of only four completely sedentary birds in the Camargue. Even there, however, the population is not static: it was nearly wiped out in a cold spell at the end of the winter of 1955/56 and the species was then almost absent during 1956 and 1957, but after that it rapidly reappeared and was abundant in all suitable localities by 1958. Guichard (1959) attributed this to recolonisation from Iberia and North Africa. Fan- tailed Warblers were recorded in Gironde in 1913 (Mayaud 1956) and during 1936-39 they colonised parts of the Atlantic coast between Basses-Pyrenees and Vendee. They were wiped out there in the hard winter of 1939/40, but were found again in Vendee in 1959 and in Basses-Pyrenees in 1962 at localities where they had been absent in 1956 and i960 respectively (Roux 1959, Mayaud i960, 1963). They were present in spring and autumn 1959 well inland in Haute-Garonnc (Afire i960), and in 1937 and 1953 breeding occurred even farther from the coast in Ain (Meylan 1937, Laferrere 1954). In 1970 and 1971 fieldwork for the French Atlas Ornithologique showed the presence of breeding Fan-tailed Warblers along the Medi- terranean coastal strip, in Haute-Garonne, in inland as well as coastal Aude, and throughout the whole coastal area of Vendee and Charente- Maritime, but not on the Atlantic coast south of this, nor in Ain (L. J. Yeatman in litt.). In 1972 there was a further strong expansion of range to the north, with breeding proved near Quibcron and probable south of Brest (both Brittany) and with birds also present on the north- west coast of Brittany and near Calais, a mere step from south-east England (L. J. Yeatman and D. I. North in litt.). Thus there is a pattern in France of widespread distribution in the 1930’s, near-extinction in the hard winter of 1939/40, breeding well north of the Mediterranean area in 1953, near-extinction even on the Mediterranean coast in the hard winter of 1955/56, a rapid recovery by 1958, and firm colonisation, which is still being maintained, in the northern part of the Atlantic coast since 1959 (fig. 1). In Spain, too, the species was particularly abundant in the northern Costa Brava in 1960-62 (Wallace and Sage 1969), while there are now many observa- tions for the north coast province of Santander and other parts of ( Cantabria (Dr F. Bernis per J. D. R. Vernon in litt.). The 1962 Irish record, therefore, appears to have coincided with a phase of expansion and also, of course, with the spread northwards and westwards of other species such as Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti and Penduline Tit Rem:\ 506 Fan-tailed Warbler in Co. Cork pendulinus (summarised in Ferguson-Lees 1964 and in Raines and Bell 1967). EVIDENCE OF MIGRATION Apart from C.j. tinnabulans, which is mainly a summer visitor to the lower Yangtze basin (Lynes 1930), all the races of the Fan-tailed Warbler are usually considered to be sedentary. The species was, how- ever, described as scarce on Malta in early September during the 19th century and four were recorded there in June 1967 (De Lucca 1967). At Gibraltar, Lathbury (1970) noted a pronounced movement in autumn (when up to four or five were seen in a day during August- October), but little evidence of any in spring (though there were four there in spring 1968, the last on 20th April), and he considered that this indicated an irregular passage across the Straits of Gibraltar to and from North Africa. The widespread world distribution suggests that this is a successful and dynamic species. The northward expansions in the wrest of its range are matched by southward movements in Australia: after tem- porary colonisations near Normanton, Queensland (Mathews 1914) and Darwin, Northern Territory (Givens and Hitchcock 1953) — the areas shown by Voous (i960) — a more extensive population was discovered at six localities between Townsville and Proserpine on the Pacific coast of north-east Queensland in 1964 and 1965 (Lavery and Seton 1967 ) — the area shown in fig. 1 (inset). The following records of Fan-tailed Warblers on board ships result from an inexhaustive search of the literature: (1) One with 19 other assorted landbirds, including a White-spotted Bluethroat Luscinia svecica cyanecula and a Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans, on S.S. Josepb-F rering at 34°i4'N, n°i9'W — 350 km WNW of Casablanca, Morocco, and 400 km south-west of Cape St Vincent, Portugal — on 14th March 1961 (Tuck 1961). (2) One on board a ship 3 km south of Pantellaria in the Sicilian Channel on 24th July 1963 (Cheke 1967). (3) One on S.S. Beaverpine off Cape St Vincent on 30th July 1964 (Tuck 1965). It is clear that, as well as being prone to rapid extensions of range when the population is at a high level after mild winters, Fan-tailed Warblers are not as completely sedentary as was once supposed. Records of vagrants (usually males) beyond the breeding range are to be expected in a species in the process of expansion. BEHAVIOUR AND VOICE The striped plumage and neutral colouring of Fan-tailed Warblers, together with the skulking and secretive behaviour of all except the singing males, make them difficult to observe. The species can creep through grass with the agility of a mouse or remain motionless with the head withdrawn — an almost invisible little bundle of feathers — Fan-tailed Warbler in Co. Cork 507 and its tail may be depressed or cocked. When flushed, it may make short, low flights or shoot off at some height and then plummet to earth again. In the song flight, the male rises to a maximum of 30 metres and, with the tail fanned, executes in one place a ‘dance* of small vertical bounds interspersed with short dips; the monotonous song itself consists of distinct notes — variously written as ‘zipp’, ‘zit’, ‘tzit’ and ‘dzeep’ — uttered at half- to two-second intervals at each bound or dip. When the bird is excited or alarmed, a similar note — ‘zit’ or ‘tsipp’ — is rapidly repeated, occasionally without the accom- panying acrobatic flight. A further alarm note is of a lower tone than the song— a single ‘zipp’ or ‘tew’. Where song-posts are available, particularly telegraph wires, the song may be delivered from these without any aerial flight. It may be terminated by a series of five hard ‘plick’ notes uttered very rapidly. (Data from Lynes 1930, Guichard 1959, Peterson et al. 1966, Pringle 1968, Rogers 1968, and Blondel i969>) HABITAT AND BREEDING Throughout the range, the breeding habitat includes grass or waste lands and edges of cultivation, often in or close to damp spots. In the Camargue Fan-tailed Warblers favour the vicinity of tamarisks, elms and other trees at the edges of unmaintained ditches within the sea-lavender sward, though in most other areas they tend to avoid trees. They do not nest in reeds Pbragmites or areas with mud and glasswort Salicornia. The habitats in Australia arc open coastal plains behind sand dunes, subject to flooding by extremely high tides, and the species also breeds commonly in such areas in north-east Spain. The main requirement appears to be the presence of soft, narrow- bladed grass for nest construction. Various grasses or club-rush Scirpus are suitable, but usually not sedge Carex or rush Juncus , the leaves of which arc not supple enough (though in the Coto Donana, Spain, the species is stated to nest commonly in clumps of these plants fringing the marismas). Although frequently feeding in crops, Fan-tailed Warblers seldom breed there, but aberrant nests have been found in clover Trifolium. This may be due partly to disturbance and destruction (four to five weeks are needed from nest-building to fledging), but mainly to the unsuitability of crop plants for nest construction. In South Africa ten pairs were located in 60 acres (24 ha) of grass- land, but the nearest nests were only 90 feet (27.5 metres) apart. The song flights of neighbouring males often cross with no sign of competition and there seems to be no proper territory, the adults defending only the area within about a dozen metres of the nest. The nest itself is almost invariably made from living grass leaves, which are folded to provide a foundation and then sewn together with Van-tailed Warbler in Co. Cork 508 cobweb fixed to each leaf horizontally to give a chain effect. Up to 80 or more leaves from one clump are knitted together in this way, some being pierced by the bill and the cobweb passed through the hole. The adhesive from the web is also used as a glue. The base sometimes consists of small dry grass stalks, even grass mowings, and the lining is of more cobweb, often mixed with plant down or tiny fragments torn from the vegetation. Wool has been used in sheep-farming areas, but feathers are not incorporated. The completed nest is ‘soda bottle’ or ‘tear’ shaped, 12-15 cm high with a maximum width of 6 cm. It is built a few centimetres down from the top of the grass and, therefore, may be 15-75 cm off the ground. The entrance hole is at the top, sometimes slightly extending down one side. The nest may be inclined at up to io° from the vertical and in such cases the entrance faces away from the prevailing wind (for example, north or north-east in South Africa and west in Australia). The whole structure looks fragile, but is, in fact, very solid and can withstand considerable impact. The grass continues to grow and the nest, looking like a large moth cocoon, is almost invisible beyond five metres, the cobwebs hardly showing against the living stems. Both adults build, and take eight to ten days to complete the construction. The three to six eggs — very thin-shelled and plain blue or white, or blotched reddish, black or brown — are laid at daily intervals, usually in the morning. The female alone incubates, for about twelve days. The nestlings are fed by both parents and hiss when disturbed; fledging takes about 13 days. Three broods are normal and in Europe clutches are usually completed in mid- April, the first week of June and the second week of August. The nests are readily deserted if there is disturbance from human beings or domestic stock. There seem to be few natural predators, flooding and fire being the chief hazards to the nests and cold weather the main cause of mortality in the adults. (Data for this section from Lynes 1930, Jourdain and Lynes 1936, Nicholson et al. 1957, Hoffmann 1958, Valverde 1958, Guichard 1959, Comins 1964, Lavery and Seton 1967, and Pringle 1968.) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I should like to thank Robert Hudson and I. J. Ferguson-Lees for helping to obtain the journals listed in the references; my wife for translating the foreign papers; D. I. M. Wallace for providing much useful information on the species and for his support of the Irish record which led to its ultimate acceptance; L. J. Yeatman for kindly producing a provisional map of Fan-tailed Warbler distribution in France during 1970-71 from data supplied to the Atlas Orni/bologique ; and Miss Karen Rayner for redrawing the maps in fig. x. REFERENCES Affre, G. i960. ‘Observations du Cisticole des Jones a Toulouse’. Oiseau, 30: 86-87. Blondel, J. 1969. Synecologie des Passereaux Residents et Migrateurs dans le Midi Mediterraneen Franfais. Marseilles. Fan- tailed Warbler in Co. Cork 509 Cheke, A. S. 1967. ‘Further notes on land birds over the Mediterranean and Red Seas’. Ibis , 109: 442-444. Com ins, D. M. 1964. ‘Nesting materials used by Cisticola jtmcidis (Rafinesque)’. Bull. B.O.C., 84: 141-142. De Lucca, C. 1967. ‘ Cisticola jtmcidis in Malta’. Ibis, 109: 623. Ferguson-Lees, I. J. 1964. ‘Studies of less familiar birds. 129. Cetti’s Warbler’. Brit. Birds, 57= 357-359- Givens, T. V., and Hitchcock, W. B. 1953. ‘ Cisticola jtmcidis (Raf.) in the Northern Territory’. Emu, 53: 193-200. Guichard, G. 1959. ‘Notes sur la biologic du Cisticole des Jones ( Cisticola jtmcidis cisticola Temm.)’. Oiseatt, 29: 88-95. Hoffmann, L. 1958. ‘An ecological sketch of the Camargue’. Brit. Birds, 5 1 : 321-350. Jourdain, F. C. R., and Lynes, FI. 1936. ‘Notes on Egyptian birds, 1935’. Ibis, 1936: 39-47. Lai-errFre, M. 1954. ‘A propos de la Cisticole — Cisticola juncidis (Rafinesque) — au Marais des Echets’. Alauda, 22: 215-217. Lathbury, G. 1970. ‘A review of the birds of Gibraltar and its surrounding waters’. Ibis, 1 12: 25-43. Lavery, H. J., and Seton, D. 1967. 'Cisticola jtmcidis (Rafinesque) in north-east Queensland’. Emu, 67: 1 25-1 32. Lynes, H. 1930. ‘Review of the genus Cisticola’. Ibis, supplement. Mathews, G. M. 1914. ‘Additions and corrections to my list of the birds of Australia’. Austral. Avian Record, 11: 83-107. Mayaud, N. 1956. ‘Notes d’ornithologic frangaise. Supplement 4 la Liste des Oiseaux de France’. Alauda, 24: 53-61. i960. ‘Notes d’omithologie frangaise. Nouveaut6s et misc au point’. Alauda, 28: 287-302. 1963. ‘Notes d’ornithologic frangaise’. Alauda, 31: 36-51. Meylan, O. 1937. ‘La Cisticole dcs Jones Cisticola jtmcidis dans l’Ain’. Alattda, 9: 222-223. Nicholson, E. M., Ferguson-Lees, I. J., and FIollom, P. A. D. 1957. ‘The Camargue and the Coto Dofiana’. Brit. Birds, 50: 497-519. PJC, 5io Fan-tailed Warbler in Co. Cork Peterson, R., Mountfort, G., and Hollom, P. A. D. 1966. A Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe. London. Revised and enlarged edition. Pringle, J. S. 1968. ‘The Common Fantail Cisticola Cisticola juncidis terrestris (Rafinesque)’. Boktnakierie , 20: 45-46. Raines, R. J., and Bell, A. A. 1967. ‘Penduline Tit in Yorkshire: a species new to Britain and Ireland’. Brit. Birds, 60: 517-520. Rogers, M. J. 1968. ‘The song of the Fan-tailed Warbler’. Brit. Birds, 61: 230. Roux, F. 1959. ‘Reapparition de Cisticola juncidis en Vendee’. Oiseau, 29: 251-252. Sharrock, J. T. R. 1962. ‘Chronological report’. Cape Clear Bird Obs. Rep., 4: 4-8. Tuck, G. S. 1961. ‘Reports of land birds at sea — analysis’. Sea Swallow, 14: 31-40. 1965. ‘Reports of land birds at sea’. Sea Swallow, 17: 40-51. Valverde, J. A. 1958. ‘An ecological sketch of the Coto Donana’. Brit. Birds, 51: 1-23. Vaurie, C. 1959. The Birds of the Palearctic Fauna: Passeriformes. London. Voous, K. H. i960. Atlas of European Birds. London. Wallace, D. I. M., and Sage, B. L. 1969. ‘Las aves de la Costa Brava (Cataluna). Part 2’. Ardeola, 14: 143-157. White, C. M. N. i960. ‘The grassland species of the genus Cisticola' . Bull. B.O.C., 80: 124-128. Dr J. T. R. Sharrock, 19 Curlew Crescent, Bedford Some adaptive features of seabird plumage types K. E. L. Simmons {Concluded from page 479) 8. PLUMAGE TYPE IN THE BROWN BOOBY AND OTHER SULIDAE The Brown Booby, unlike many of its family, is a type-i seabird. Both sexes of most races and populations are dark brown, with white restricted to the lower breast and belly and to the wing lining, though males of the eastern Pacific forms have the head whitish or greyish to varying degrees. At Ascension, although it often has to feed far from land when food is scarce inshore, the Brown Booby is particularly adept at feeding close to the coast, at times in rough water. The species specialises in plunge-diving obliquely, often from a low height, and also in what I have called ‘torpedo-diving’ — plunging from more or less level flight very close to the surface and progressing horizontally only just under the water. Both methods are used in shallow water and close to rocks. While both sexes can dive into very shallow water, the smaller and more manoeuvrable male specialises in diving close to rocks in rough seas, while the larger and heavier female is capable of Seabird plumage types 5 1 1 diving deeper from a higher and steeper plunge. Brown Boobies attend large shoals of fish gregariously, but also hunt well-dispersed prey individually. They are particularly skilled in the capture of flying- fish (Exocoetidae) : a single fish is pursued in the air as it skitters over the surface and then either seized while still flying or, more usually, followed in a torpedo-dive when it resubmerges. Brown Boobies at Ascension were also seen habitually to rob one another and particularly Masked Boobies Sula dactylatra of food; they have been recorded robbing even frigatebirds in Australia (Serventy et al. 1971)- The ^rger Masked Booby, a white type-3 seabird with blackish-brown on wings and tail, usually feeds far out in the open ocean, where it specialises in steep, gannet-like plunge-diving from a good height. It, too, will hunt individual flying-fish, but by diving deeply after them when they resubmerge. Thus the Brown Booby has the advantage when hunting inshore and in taking prey close to the surface, while the Masked Booby comes into its own in deep water where it can obtain fish swimming beyond the range of other local seabirds, especially those feeding at or above the surface. To some extent, however, its advantage over the Brown Booby in such condi- tions may be offset by that species’ elepto-parasitism. Judging from my observations at Ascension, the predominantly dark plumage of the Brown Booby over most of its range is probably an adaptation both for hunting camouflage and for social incon- spicuousncss. First, dark plumage may enable the bird to approach its prey (or victim) more closely in air-to-air and air-to-surface encounters, particularly when it is pursuing flying-fish in the air, catching prey at surface level, or robbing other birds of food. Any disadvantage to the Brown Booby through its lack of basically light or plunge-diver plumage for hunting camouflage in air-to- water situations may largely be mitigated when it attends dense shoals of fish or plunge-dives obliquely from low heights. In both cases, the need for a white frontal aspect is minimal. Secondly, dark plumage would answer the need for reduced conspicuousness when individual Brown Boobies engage in skilled hunting on dispersed or undisturbed prey. In this way, birds of the same or other species would be less likely to be attracted to the first-finder at such critical times. Finally, non-adults and particularly juveniles, which might well specialise in food piracy on both their own and other species, have — even more than the adults — the dark plumage of the habitual avian clepto-parasite. Although the Brown Booby does not really specialise in social feeding (having no food-call, for instance), there are many occasions when it too can congregate with advantage at large shoals of fish. The species may, therefore, have retained some white areas ventrally for limited social conspicuousness when diving from a greater height sand at a less acute angle than when engaged in the lower level and 512 Seabird plumage types more skilled hunting movements for which it is particularly well adapted. (The same white areas are, of course, more or less concealed during these latter movements.) On the other hand, it may simply have a conventional swimmer-pattern to camouflage it against underwater predators when it is settled on the surface. The plumage adaptation of the Masked Booby has clearly gone in entirely the opposite direction from the Brown’s. Its predominantly white coloration probably bestows hunting camouflage in air-to-water situations and, especially, makes it socially conspicuous, thus facili- tating congregation and co-operative fishing. Anyone observing Brown and Masked Boobies at sea in the tropics would have no doubt about the greater conspicuousness of the latter, both individuals and groups being much easier to see over longer distances. The attracting plumage characters of the Masked Booby are enhanced by its special food-call when diving (see Simmons 1967b for further details). In the remaining Sulidae, we find that (1) all three forms of the gannet superspecies — the northern Sula {Moras') bassana, the Cape S. capensis and the Australian S. senator — have predominantly white type-3 plumage; (2) three species of boobies — the white phase of the polymorphic Red-footed Booby, the Peruvian Booby S. variegata and Abbott’s Booby S. abbotti — have predominantly white plumage like the Masked Booby and the gannets (though Peruvian and Abbott’s have much of the dorsal surface dark); (3) a fifth species pf booby — the Blue-footed S. nebouxii — is also largely white (it has a dark head and neck, but the feathers there are tipped with white); and finally (4) the remaining forms of the Red-footed Booby are dark type-i birds like the Brown Booby. No Sulidae have intermediate type-2 plumage. Considering the light forms first, all are white birds with con- spicuously contrasting blackish areas on the wings or tail, or both; this pattern could well be adapted for social conspicuousness, as already discussed for the Masked Booby and other light seabirds. Then, most or all of the Sulidae fall vertically at times when plunge-diving; here, especially, their white frontal aspect probably functions as hunting camouflage in certain circumstances. Phillips pointed out that, for all-white birds like the gannets in particular, the steep descent exposes both the dorsal and ventral plumage to the prey. As we have seen, however, it is doubtful if white hunting camouflage is really important when the birds dive from extreme heights and into dense shoals of fish, especially if these are near the surface. I suspect, rather, that it functions chiefly in other situations where individual skill counts more, for example when the fish are dispersed. This applies particularly if the bird is plunge-diving from a low height (when, according to Phillips, it has more difficulty in making allowances for refraction than when plunging from a greater height), or if the fish lie deeper below the surface. Seabird plumage types j i * The dark forms of the Sulidae — which include not only the adult Brown Booby and the brown and grey adult phases of the Red-footed Booby, but also the juveniles of several species — pose greater diffi- culties and were inadequately treated by Phillips. Considering the adults first, there is no reason to believe that their dark plumage makes them any less efficient in hunting than the adults of light species. This was, however, suggested by Phillips for the Brown Booby at Ascension where he claimed, apparently misunderstanding the then unpublished data of Dorward (1962), that it suffered a greater chick-loss through starvation during 1957-59 than the ‘all-white’ Masked Booby, evidently because it lacked the advantage of white hunting camouflage when plunge-diving; in fact, both species were affected more or less similarly by the food shortage operating at the time. Then, as the dark adult forms of boobies do not occur in the typical cold current areas, I cannot join with Phillips in explaining away their dark plumage as the result of a relaxation in the selection pressure for white plumage where food is superabundant (see section 2). Indeed, the only indigenous booby in the cold Humboldt Current off the west coast of South America — the Peruvian — is a largely light seabird with typical plunge- diver plumage. It is hard to believe that the Brown Booby, which occurs widely in ‘blue water’ areas (impoverished seas with a low density of surface plankton and, therefore, of surface-living prey fish) where the food supply is often critical, could have survived with dark plumage if this were really a disadvantage in food-getting. Still harder to explain on this premise is the evolution of both light and dark forms in the Red- footed Booby, another ‘blue water’ species. The conclusion seems inevitable that the dark plumage of these birds is an adaptation to the feeding situation. The dark plumage of many Red-footed Boobies is probably correlated, like that of the Brown, with skilled, solitary fishing — for this species, too, is known to pursue flying-fish in the air (Gifford 1913); also, as it is reputed to be a feeder on squid in poor light, one may predict that its dark plumage bestows hunting camouflage for specialist prey-catching in critical conditions. It is a further possibility, judging from evidence on the Brown Booby, that the plumage of these dark boobies is also partly an adaptation for food piracy and for social inconspicuousness, as discussed previously. The hunting habits of the Red-footed Booby are, however, little known and it would be especially instructive to study these in different populations in order to account for the polymorphism that varies geographically in the proportions of light and dark morphs (see section 9). Another intriguing problem concerns the peculiar forms of the Brown Booby in the eastern tropical Pacific, where the males have light heads. I wonder if this situation could be the result of a shift in 5 14 Seabird plumage types the balance of factors determining the optimum feeding method used, perhaps due in part to competition with the indigenous Blue-footed Booby there, for the latter species is even more of a specialist inshore fisher. The plumage adaptations of the Blue-footed Booby itself are somewhat puzzling in that it has largely the plunge-diver pattern but a darkish head which, however, is flecked with white, suggesting that the pattern of this species is partly a compromise for both kinds of hunting camouflage. Juvenile Sulidae have dark plumage not only in species in which the adults are dark, but also in some of those in which they are light. (The most striking exception is Abbott’s Booby, in which Nelson 1971 found that the juvenile closely resembles the white adult male.) Thus, the juveniles of the Brown Booby are entirely dark while those of the gannets are mainly dark with only a restricted light mottling. If dark plumage is disadvantageous in food-getting situations, it is extremely unlikely that natural selection would have favoured it at that critical time in the young bird’s life when it is learning to feed itself — especially in the gannets which, unlike the boobies, are no longer fed by the parent after fledging. It must be concluded, therefore, that such a plumage type is of adaptive significance either outside food-getting or actually within it. I believe the latter to be true and, although the exact details of the adaptation have yet to be demonstrated, these are likely to involve hunting camouflage or social inconspicuousness, or both, as in dark adult Sulidae, with the emphasis possibly on food piracy. In Phillips’s view, however, the dark plumage of juvenile gannets is disadvantageous in food-getting within the breeding ranges of the three species but offset, at least to some extent, by the young birds’ spending much of their immature life away in cool current areas where the food supply is rich. On the other hand, Nelson (e.g. 1964) believed that, while the dark plumage of the juvenile northern Gannet may be disadvantageous for feeding, this is more than offset by its appeasing function with respect to the very aggressive site-males, for the latter would almost certainly press home lethal attacks on near- fledglings, particularly their own, if these developed adult-like plumage. Nelson thought that the young Gannet would benefit from the presence of some ventral white for hunting camouflage in the plunge-diving situation, but held that this was prevented by the overriding selection pressure of parental aggressiveness. If the latter were indeed the only factor favouring wholly dark plumage, then it would be hard to under- stand why some compromise plumage type has not been evolved — sufficiently unlike the adult’s not to release hostility, while retaining a white ventral area such as is found, for instance, in the juvenile Masked Booby. It seems to me that there has also been selection for the dark plumage in the feeding situation, as discussed earlier. Seabird plumage types 5 1 5 9. SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION In summary, I think it likely that seabird plumage types have been evolved chiefly in relation to feeding in the following ways: (1) In many seabirds, selection for social inconspicuousness has been a major factor in the evolution of dark or mainly dark plumage (type-i) which functions to reduce competition and interference with, for example, skilled solitary hunting by con- specifics and also by other species with similar or piratic feeding habits. Alterna- tively, in some other seabirds, selection of type-i plumage for bunting camouflage in air-to-air, air-to-surface and, in some circumstances, water-to-water feeding situa- tions may have been more important. In certain cases, of course, both these selection pressures may be operating. (2) Selection for social conspicuousness has been a major factor in many species in the evolution of light or mainly light plumage (type-}) which functions in promoting gatherings at food sources, including those that are patchily dispersed, and subse- quent co-operative feeding, mainly on a very simple level. Alternatively, in some other species, this kind of plumage may have been evolved for bunting camouflage, mainly in the plunge-diver situation and primarily in critical feeding conditions. Again, in certain cases, selection for both social conspicuousness and hunting camouflage may be involved. It is also probable that plumage evolved primarily for hunting camouflage, for example in species that do not co-operate when feeding (even on the crudest level), has secondarily acquired an ‘obligator)’’ food-showing function in the way suggested by Phillips (1962), but perhaps simply through individual learning. (}) Plumage that is intermediate (type-2), that is with light and dark areas more or less equally distributed, is nearer to type-} in adaptive significance. In particular, it may in certain circumstances, through countershading, bestow hunting camouflage during underwater feeding. Such a broad overview is obviously an oversimplification and not inclusive. Other selection pressures may well be involved in many cases, including those for specific distinctiveness (especially among closely related, sympatric species), for display markings, for protective camouflage outside the feeding situation, and so on. I am aware, for instance, that the black distal markings on the wings and tail of some seabirds have other functions besides that of providing colour contrast for social signalling in the feeding situation (see section 4). As is well known, melanin-pigmented feather areas are more resistant to wear than are white ones (Averill 1923, van Tyne and Berger 1959, see also Bourne 1971) and this is particularly important in maintaining aero- dynamic efficiency. Again, however, this is not the whole story, for even a cursory examination of wing-tip patterns in a variety of species reveals that the dark areas are by no means invariably located at the ends of the feathers which may, in fact, be white. Wing-tip patterns tend mostly to be species-characteristic, particularly in sympatric JLarus gulls, and Smith (1966) has demonstrated in certain arctic species (Glaucous Gull L. hjperboreus, Iceland Gull L. glaucoides , Herring Gull L. argentatus and Thayer’s Gull L. thajeri) that they act as a supplementary factor in species recognition. It remains likely, too, that differences in the colour of the back and dorsal surface of the 5 1 6 Seabird plumage types wings may also be related to species recognition — for example, in the case of the Herring Gull and the Lesser Black-backed Gull L. fuscus in their area of overlap — but this has yet to be demonstrated. Then there may at times be conflict, both within and outside the feeding situation, between the selection pressures for dark plumage and light. Certain ‘hooded’ gulls, for instance, though mainly light outside the breeding season, have dark heads during it: this is probably due to selection for threatening coloration (R. F. Mash cited by Tinbergen 1964 for the Black-headed Gull L. ridibundus). A similar explanation may be applicable to the black caps of some maritime terns, for instance Common Sterna hirundo and Arctic S. paradisaea (Cullen 1956), whose foreheads become white outside the breeding season, thus completing their white frontal aspect. (The foreheads of some other species, e.g. Little Tern S. albifrons , stay white throughout the year.) There is also the presence of light (usually white) marks on plumage that is otherwise dark. In some species, such as the noddy terns, restricted white markings — in their case on the crown — may function in aggressive situations in much the same way as the black caps of pale-backed Sterna terns (Cullen and Ashmole 1963). But here, too, there may have been selection for limited social conspicuousness of a highly species-characteristic (or even genus-characteristic) type in situations where co-operative feeding is advantageous at times — although, as we have seen, the dark colour may have evolved primarily for hunting camouflage and perhaps also for protective camouflage against food pirates. In other cases, restricted white marks on the dorsal or ventral surface, or sometimes both, may serve as species- characteristic ‘recognition marks’ (Phillips), especially in such groups as the storm-petrels with numbers of rather similar, sympatric species. In some seabirds light areas in the plumage may impart protective camouflage. For instance, in immature gulls these produce a speckled effect which is potentially concealing both when they are still flightless (Tinbergen 1953) and when they are feeding mainly on the shore (Phillips). Then there are species with the typical swimmer-pattern in the sense of Phillips, which have the white more or less restricted to the ventral parts that show below the water when the bird is on the surface; here, such a pattern probably does effect a measure of con- cealment against aquatic predators. Finally, birds that are more or less countershaded may similarly be protected when swimming underwater or when feeding from the air very close to the surface. As suggested by Tinbergen (1964) for the Snow Petrel Pagodroma nivea and the Ivory Gull Pagophila eburnea, the largely or wholly white plumage of a few seabirds could well be a procryptic adaptation against predators in arctic and antarctic ice areas. Such an explanation does not, of course, apply to all seabirds of this type — for example, the tropical Fairy Tern (see section 7). Further, Gillham (1963) has suggested that the white Seabird plumage types 5 1 -7 coloration of at least certain south polar seabirds is for heat conserva- tion rather than camouflage. Selection for plumage adaptation in relation to feeding seems to be primary in many cases of intraspecific variation in plumage colour and pattern, such as those to do with season, age and true polymorphism. I have touched on the last problem when considering the light and dark phases of the Red-footed Booby in section 8. Polymorphism is by no means uncommon in seabirds, especially among petrels, shearwaters and skuas. The interesting fact is that two or more variants (forms or morphs) often occur together in the same population: while one may be intermediate or light in plumage type, another is frequently dark, and the proportions of the different morphs often vary geographically. Two species, the Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus and the Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis, provide classic examples (Southern 1945, Fisher 1952): both have light and dark forms and intermediates between the two. Attempts to correlate the trends in variation with environmental factors, such as temperature and humidity, have been only partly successful. Correlations found in one area break down in another and those found for one of the species may be contradicted in the other. Thus, darkness tends to go with increasing humidity and temperature in the Arctic Skua (as would be expected from Gloger’s Rule), but with decreasing temperature in the Fulmar; indeed, opposing trends were found in Atlantic and Pacific subspecies of the latter. I suggested that selection pressures for different methods of feeding might be responsible for the different plumage types in the Red-footed Booby, and I believe that a similar explanation could well apply to other polymorphic seabirds. As feeding conditions probably vary geo- graphically through the influence of environmental factors, such as water temperature, degree of salinity and the richness of the plankton, this would go a long way to explain the variation in the proportion of the morphs at different stations. In the case of the Arctic Skua, dark plumage probably favours food piracy, as we have seen, and light plumage certain other forms of feeding. Murton (1971a) and Recher (1972) have discussed the relation between plumage -polymorphism and feeding behaviour in a non-seabird family, the herons (Ardeidae). Seasonal changes in plumage are not uncommon among seabirds, particularly species of the colder waters, and are probably often connected in some way with changes in feeding biology. I have already touched on this problem with respect to the partial or total loss of dark head marks in certain gulls and terns outside the breeding season — when, for instance, food is presumably more difficult to obtain and the need for maximum feeding efficiency, and hence for complete plumage adaptation, is greatest. As the birdwatcher knows to his cost, while certain related and sympatric species look quite different from one another in breeding dress (when the need for specific distinctiveness is 5x8 Seabird plumage types also important), they can appear confusingly alike in winter. In some seabirds the seasonal change in plumage is very dramatic, even involv- ing a move from one plumage type to another, as in the Black Tern Chlidonias niger : during the breeding season, when it feeds largely on invertebrates in and from the air, this species is dark type-i; but in winter when, presumably, the shift in habitat, range, kind of food taken and hunting method make white plumage more effective, it becomes light type-3. Similar trends are found in other marsh terns. Another striking example is provided by the Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle, which is largely dark during the breeding season but mainly white outside. The black summer plumage certainly correlates with inshore fishing on bottom-living (benthic) prey by diving-from- surface, as in certain cormorants (see the last part of section 6), but the significance of the light winter plumage is not immediately obvious. Many Black Guillemots continue, as much as possible, to feed close inshore during winter; in arctic regions, however, their habitat is considerably modified by the presence of frozen water and the light plumage may be related to feeding among the ice and snow (see also Gillham 1963), at times in deeper water near the edge of the pack-ice where they pursue swimming crustaceans and other prey. Light plumage may bestow either protective or hunting camouflage, or both, in such conditions. In summer the white patches on the dorsal surface of the wings contrast conspicuously with the black of the rest of the breeding dress : their primary function may be as display marks, for they figure in the social postures and movements of the species (see Storer 1952, from which I have drawn most of the information in this paragraph). In winter, though these patches are retained, they blend in with the rest of the light plumage. Plumage differences between the various age-classes of a species are often striking. While there may at times be social reasons for such differentiation, especially in seabirds with a long delayed maturity, I believe that they are likely to be correlated mostly with differences in feeding behaviour, as suggested for boobies (section 8). Future workers should bear this possibility in mind along with others, such as the need for protective coloration during those life stages when the young bird is particularly vulnerable to predators. In seabirds which have little or no plumage difference between the feathered young and the adults (e.g. penguins, auks and certain terns), there is presumably uniformity, more or less, in feeding behaviour among the age-classes, and strong selection pressure for plumage adaptation to enhance feeding efficiency can assert itself immediately, especially if there is no great need for protective coloration of a different type. Much the same explanation may be invoked to account for the extreme rarity of sexual dimorphism in plumage type among seabirds, as noted in the intro- duction to this paper. Plati: 77. Fan-tailed Warbler Cisticola jtmeidis, Spain, May 1957: note the short tail and streaked upperparts (pages 501-510) (photo: Uric l locking). Below, four eggs of Little Ringed Plover Cbaradrius dub ins on pad of water crowfoot in shell of freshwater mussel, Belgium, June 1972 (pages 528-529) (plmlo: K. I an Scbartn) Plate 78. Wilson’s Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor, Sussex, October 1971 (page 530). Both photos show well the grey-brown and w'hite winter plumage with darker flight- feathers, also the thin black bill, small head, and long neck and body. This was one of ten or more found in Britain and Ireland in 1971 ( photos : J. F. Reynolds ) Platk 79. Little Stint C.a/idris m inula Norway, June 1971. This was a very ea females. Three eggs were removed by appeared (page 529). Note the light \ trying to cover eight eggs (shown below) arly clutch and doubtless the product of twt a predator and later the remaining five dis on the bird’s back ( photos : J. i. Reynolds Plate 8o. Second-year Glaucous Gull L arus byperboreus, Cornwall, April 1972. The plumage is very pale, almost uniformly cream with faint brown flecking apart from broader barring on the undertail-coverts; the pinkish bill is dark-tipped. Houses make an unusual setting for this arctic species ( photos : J. B. and S. Bottomley) Seabird plumage types 5 1 9 In conclusion, I should like to call for detailed studies of the biology of many more seabirds, so that the adaptive significance of plumage types may be better understood and the ideas presented here better tested. Further experimental studies are also required and attention may be drawn to the recent work of Cowan (1972) which appeared while the present paper awaited publication. He demonstrated that, under various conditions of light, cloud cover and position of sun, a mounted seabird model with white underparts does indeed contrast less against the sky when viewed from below than does one with black undersides, thus confirming the chief conclusion of Phillips. Cowan’s other findings — for example, on the relative conspicuousness of seabirds that are wholly white or only partly white below in relation to the horizontal bearing of the sun — are more puzzling and will have to be further assessed by future investigation. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS In addition to acknowledgements already made in Simmons (1967a, b, 1970), I thank Robert Gillmor for his drawings; G. V. Adkin, J. B. and S. Bottomley, D. F. Dorward, Eric Hosking, the late Niall Rankin, F. Roux, David and Katie Urry, and John Warham for their photographs; and the editors of British Birds for constructive help with the preparation of this paper. 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A. 1942. ‘The fishing activities of Double-crested Cormorants on San Francisco Bay’. Condor, 44: 13-21. Bourne, W. R. P. 1971. ‘The wing-tip patterns of gulls’. Brit. Birds, 64: 287-288. Carthy, J. D., and Ebling, F. J. 1964. Tbe Natural History of Aggression. London and New York. Cott, H. B. 1964. ‘Adaptive coloration’ in A New Dictionary of Birds, edited by A. Landsborough Thomson. London, pp 139-142. Cowan, P. J. 1972. ‘The contrast and coloration of sea-birds: an experimental approach’. Ibis, 114: 390-393. Craik, K. J. W. 1944. ‘White plumage of sea-birds’. Nature (London), 153: 288. Cullen, J. M. 1956. ‘A study of the behaviour of the Arctic Tern Sterna macrura' . D. Phil, thesis. University of Oxford. and Ashmole, N. P. 1963. ‘The Black Noddy Anous ienuirostris on Ascension Island. Part 2. Behaviour’. Ibis, 103b: 423-446. 5 20 Seabird plumage types Dorward, D. F. 1962. ‘Comparative biology of the White Booby and the Brown Booby Sula spp. at Ascension’. Ibis, 103b: 174-220. Feare, C. J. 1967. ‘Feeding enhancement in the family Laridae’. Seabird Bull., 3: 45-46. Fisher, J. 1952. The Fulmar. London. Frings, H., Frings, M., Cox, B., and Peissner, L. 1955. ‘Auditory and visual mechanisms in food-finding behavior of the Herring Gull’. Wilson Bull., 67: 155-170. Gifford, W. E. 1913. ‘The birds of the Galapagos Islands, with observations on the birds of Cocos and Clipperton Islands (Columbiformes to Pelecaniformes)’. Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. (4), 2: 1-132. Gillham, M. E. 1963. Instructions to Young Ornithologists. IV. Sea-birds. London. Griffin, D. R. 1965. Bird Migration. London. and Hock, R. J. 1949. ‘Airplane observations on homing birds’. ExoIoq\ 30: 176-198. Hall, E. R. 1925. ‘Pelicans versus fishes in Pyramid Lake’. Condor, 27: 147-160. Halle, L. J. 1971. ‘Pelagic birds and marine predators’. Brit. Birds, 64: 510. Harris, M. P. 1969. ‘Food as a factor controlling the breeding of Puffinus Iherminieri’ . Ibis, 11 1 : 139-156. King, B. 1972. ‘Feeding and aerial diving by Shags’. Brit. Birds, 65: 480-481. King, W. B. 1967. Seabirds of the Tropical Pacific Ocean. Preliminary Smithsonian Identification Manual. Washington. 1970- ‘The Trade Wind Zone Oceanographic Pilot Study. Part VII. Observa- tions of sea birds March 1964 to June 1965’. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Scientific Report — Fisheries, no. 586. Murphy, R. C. 1936. Oceanic Birds of South America. New York. Murton, R. K. 1971a. ‘Polymorphism in Ardeidae’. Ibis, 113: 97-99. 1971b. ‘Why do some bird species feed in flocks?’. Ibis, 113: 534-536. Nelson, J. B. 1964. ‘Fledging in the Gannet’. Scot. Nat., 71: 47-59. 1965. ‘The behaviour of the Gannet’. Brit. Birds, 58: 233-288, 313-336. 1971. ‘The biology of Abbott’s Booby Sula abbot tP . Ibis, 113: 429-467. Palmer, R. S. 1962. Handbook of North American Birds. New Haven and London, vol 1. Phillips, G. C. 1962. ‘Survival value of the white colouration of gulls and other seabirds’. D. Phil, thesis. University of Oxford. 521 Seabird plumage types Rand, A. L. 1954. ‘Social feeding behavior of birds’. Fieldiana Zool., 56: 1-71. Recher, H. F. 1972. ‘Colour dimorphism and the ecology of herons’. Ibis, 114: 552- 555- >Serventy, D. L., Serventy, V., and Warham, J. 1971. The Handbook of Australian Sea-Birds. Sydney. 'Simmons, K. E. L. 1967a. ‘Ecological adaptations in the life history of the Brown Booby at Ascension Island’. Living Bird, 6: 187-212. 1967b. ‘The role of food-supply in the biology of the Brown Booby Sula leucogaster at Ascension Island’. M.Sc. thesis, University of Bristol. 1968. ‘Occurrence and behaviour of the Red-footed Booby at Ascension Island, 1962-64’. Bull. B.O.C., 88: 15-20. 1970. ‘Ecological determinants of breeding adaptations and social behaviour in two fish-eating birds’. In Social Behaviour in Birds and Mammals, edited by J. H. Crook. London and New York, pp 37-77. Smith, N. G. 1966. ‘Evolution of some arctic gulls ( Larus ): an experimental study of isolating mechanisms’. A.O.U. Ornithological Monographs, no. 4. sSouthern, H. N. 1943. ‘The two phases of Stercorarius parasiticus (Linnaeus)’. Ibis, 85: 443-485. SStonehouse, B. i960. Wideawake Island. London. 1962. ‘Ascension Island and the British Ornithologists’ Union Centenary Expedition 1957-59’. Ibis, 103b: 107-123. :-Storer, R. W. 1952. ‘A comparison of variation, behavior and evolution in the sea bird genera Uria and Cepphus'. Univ. Calif. Publ. Zool., 52: 121-222. 1'hayer, G. H., and Thayer, A. H. 1909. Concealing-coloration in the Animal Kingdom. New York. 1 Tinbergen, N. 1953. The Herring Gull's World. London. I 1963. ‘The work of the Animal Behaviour Research Group in the Department of Zoology, University of Oxford’. Anim. Behav., 11: 206-209. — — 1964. ‘On adaptive radiation in gulls (tribe Larini)’. Zool. Meded., 39: 209-223. 1 p/an Tyne, J., and Berger, A. J. 1959. Fundamentals of Ornithology. New York and London. Dr K. E. L. Simmons, Department of Psychology, The University, Leicester < LEI 7RH An alternative to mobbing as a measure of predator recognition David Galloway How do birds recognise and protect themselves against potential pre- dators? One way we can investigate this is by placing a model or stuffed predator in a bird’s territory and then noting the reaction. Frequently the bird mobs the model, even striking it with beak and wings. Edwards et al. (1949, 1950) studied the reactions of certain passerines to a stuffed Cuckoo Cuculus canorus placed close to their nests. Stuffed birds and models were similarly used by Goodwin (1953), Altmann (1956) and Curio (1963, 1969). An advantage of this technique is that it can be adapted to study the mobbing responses of a particular species to different objects. For instance, Hinde (1954) found that a model Tawny Owl Strix aluco with eyes and beak attracted much more mobbing from hand-reared and experimentally naive Chaffinches Eringilla coelebs than one without. There are, however, four reasons why mobbing has restricted value as an indicator of predator recognition. First, an object may be per- ceived as frightening without attracting mobbing. Second, the initial reaction declines relatively quickly, birds becoming accustomed to objects which at first attracted mobbing. Moreover, habituation be- tween objects can be a problem: one bird may mob a piece of wood covered with fur, while another which has become accustomed to a stuffed cat may not react. Third, outside the breeding season it is difficult to ensure that the birds find the objects; even in the breeding season, it is hard to investigate the reactions of more than one species at a time. Fourth, there may be seasonal variations in the intensity of mobbing: for example, in the experiment described in this paper no mobbing was observed. An alternative indicator would therefore be useful, and the habit of several species of regularly visiting bird tables suggested one possibility. Casual observations at a garden bird table in Oxford showed that a stuffed civet Viverra sp placed beside it had a strong deterrent effect on six of the eight passerine species which had been visiting the table regularly. The only exceptions were the Robins Erithacus rubecula and the Coal Tits Parus ater. An experiment was therefore devised with three aims: (1) to determine whether useful data on predator recognition could be obtained by recording the effects of certain objects, such as a stuffed cat Felis sp, on the frequency of different species’ visits to a bird table; (2) to see whether the previously observed avoidance of a stuffed civet would also be evoked by a stuffed cat; and (3) if so, to establish whether this was due only to a novelty 522 An alternative measure of predator recognition 525 effect (avoidance of a civet or a cat could possibly be a generalised reaction against any new object in the feeding area). METHODS 1 [Limited quantities of bread and peanuts were supplied at the bird table at about 09.00 hours each morning on eight days during the 1 second half of February 1969. The bread and some of the peanuts were ' - scattered on the ground and more nuts were suspended from the table, bbut no food was placed on the table itself. Each morning’s trial con- sisted of a record of the number of visits which individuals of each species made to the food in the presence of three different objects and also, as a control, when no object was present. The three objects were: (1) a stuffed cat; (2) a white box measuring 60 x 30 x 31 cm, vith a white cylindrical tin 1 5 cm in diameter and 1 1 cm long stuck )n the end as a crude ‘head’; and (3) a coloured box of the same size iut without a head, painted with red, blue, green, yellow and orange olotches. In each case the object was placed beside the food and left here for ten minutes. Visits were recorded for the first 9^ minutes .md the object changed in the final half minute. A visit was recorded mly if a bird actually pecked at the food. No new visit was noted anless the bird flew or hopped at least twelve feet (3.7 metres) from he base of the table before feeding again, but the rare occasions when the bird fed from the ground and then flew up to the nuts were l counted as two visits. If food was taken after being dropped outside 1. radius of six feet (1.8 metres) from the base of the table, this was not ecorded. The order in which the three objects and the control period was presented was arranged so that each appeared first in two of the light trials and each last in two. I 11ESULTS 1 iight species, listed in table 1, each made at least ten visits in the 1 ourse of the experiment. As would be expected, the tits and the able r. Number of feeding visits (all trials combined) by each species in the presence of each object, Oxford, February 1969 White Coloured Stuffed No box box cat object r-reat Tit Purus major 3 5 O 2 luc Tit Parus caeruleus 12 6 O 7 oal Tit Parus ater 12 S 4 5 lackbird Turdus merula 7 15 O 9 obin Erithacus rubecuta 8 12 10 8 arling Stumus vulgaris I 2 O IO reenfinch Carduelis cbloris 19 26 O 28 ousc Sparrow Passer domesticus 2 3 O 37 64 79 14 106 5 24 An alternative measure of predator recognition Table 2. Number of feeding visits (all species combined) in the presence of each object during each trial, Oxford, February 1969 White Coloured Stuffed No box box cat object Trial 1 4 l6 I 25 Trial 2 5 II I 17 Trial 3 20 12 I 3 Trial 4 6 5 2 12 Trial 5 5 14 2 18 Trial 6 l6 12 2 13 Trial 7 5 3 I 3 Trial 8 3 6 4 *3 64 79 14 106 Greenfinches Carduelis chloris favoured the hanging nuts, while the others fed from the ground. Tables 1 and 2 show the number of visits in the presence of each object: in table 1 these are given for each species (all trials combined) and in table 2 for each trial (all species combined). As in the casual observations with a stuffed civet, the stuffed cat apparently deterred all species from feeding except Coal Tits and Robins. The only birds apparently affected by the white or coloured boxes were House Sparrows Passer domesticus and Starlings Sturnus vulgaris. Blackbirds Turdus mrrula, Blue Tits Parus caeruleus. Great Tits P. major and Greenfinches were deterred by the stuffed cat, but not by the boxes. Although Coal Tits made fewer visits in the presence of the stuffed cat than at other times (table 1), the difference was not significant. For House Sparrows and Starlings, analyses of variance were carried out on the three columns for which visits were recorded, to see whether either box deterred approach to a significant extent. For the House Sparrows both boxes had clear deterrent effects (Pco.oi), but for the Starlings they just failed to reach significant levels. Nevertheless, the trend was plainly towards fewer visits when either box was present. An analysis of variance on table 2 indicated that significantly fewer visits were made while the stuffed cat was beside the table than in the other observation periods (P IJearn something from their first, unsuccessful attempt to breed on 'rather marshy soil, or whether the use of a shell was just an accident, fc’or empty shells were quite numerous there. I have been unable to fiSnd any records in the literature of similar nests or of the use of so I much plant material by this species. K. Van Scharf.n Steemveg op Leuven 84, 1980 Tervuren, Belgium LLittle Stint incubating eight eggs On 1 5th June 1971, in the Vadso- Wardo area of Varanger Fjord, Norway, Dr B. Richards, R. Tullock, my son and I found a Little Stint Calidris minuta incubating eight eggs irn a nest close to the road and about 100 metres from the shore. Assuming that this clutch was the product of two hens, the first egg must have been laid not later than 1 ith June. D. A. Bannerman (1961, , IT he Birds of the British Isles , 9: 268) stated that the earliest recorded Norwegian nest had contained one egg on 13th June and that ‘as many as seven eggs have been found in a Little Stint’s nest, clearly the produce of two females’. During several days’ observations we saw only one bird at or near he nest. It was completely indifferent to our presence, not only : :ontinuing to brood but returning confidently after leaving the nest every half-hour or so for a few minutes’ feeding. As shown on plate •'9, the bird could not cover all the eggs. After three eggs had been emoved by an unknown predator, the Little Stint continued to brood he remaining five for some days, but the nest was empty when we re- visited it on 28th June. J- F. Reynolds \0. Box 40484, Nairobi, Kenya 53° Notes Photographs of Wilson’s Phalarope in Sussex in 1971 The photo- graph of a Wilson’s Phalarope Fhalaropus tricolor at Sidlesham Ferry, Sussex, in autumn 1971, which we reproduced as plate 50b with the ‘Report on rare birds’, should have been credited to Dr G. H. Fisher, to whom we apologise for this omission. Two more photographs of the same Wilson’s Phalarope, by J. F. Reynolds, appear on plate 78 in this issue. Eds Partial albinism in skuas Two major papers on albinism and melan- ism by Bryan L. Sage (Brit. Birds, 55: 201-225 ; 56: 409-416) listed only one record of albinism in the Great Skua Stercorarius skua and none in the Arctic Skua S. parasiticus. On 24th June 1971, during a crossing of the Pentland Firth from Orkney to Caithness, the boat on which I was travelling was accom- panied from near St John’s Head, Hoy, almost to Thurso by a Great Skua which had prominent white patches extending above and behind each eye. The white formed a solid cockade, reminiscent of the head markings of a Gentoo Penguin Pygoscelis papua. The Handbook states that Great Skuas often have a few white feathers on the head, but does not imply such a prominent patch as this. On the other hand, Kenneth Williamson (1965, Fair Isle and its Birds ) mentioned a Great Skua with white eyebrows, which was ringed as a chick on Fair Isle in 1950 and retrapped there as a breeding adult in 1956. On 2 1 st August 1971, at West Haven, Carnoustie, Angus, one of eleven Arctic Skuas that I was watching, a light-phase adult, had white outer primaries on its right wing. Exactly a year later, on 21st August 1972, I saw a light-phase adult at West Haven with one of the long primaries on the right wing white. Again Williamson (op. cit.) offered interesting parallels from Fair Isle, where a dark-phase female had white leading edges to the wings, and white spots on the chin and belly and below the eyes ; this bird, which was under observation each summer during 1948-55, produced ‘white-winged’ young in three years out of five. Williamson also traced specimen records of Arctic Skuas with exceptional amounts of white in their wings from Caithness, Orkney, Shetland, the Faeroes, Norway, Greenland and the United States (Massachusetts). It is interesting to note that, as in the case of the two at West Haven, it was on the right wings of these birds that white feathers appeared to be more numerous. Michael Clegg City Museums and Art Gallery, Albert Square, Dundee ddi ida Bryan L. Sage comments that abnormal white feathering (partial albinism) may well be more frequent in Great and Arctic Skuas than the published data suggest. Nevertheless, since his second paper appeared in 1963, he had come across only one additional published record, involving a partly white Arctic Skua (in W. E. H. Pudsley, 1891, Notes 53* The Birds of Devonshire). He adds that an hereditary basis for the pro- duction of the ‘white-winged’ young on Fair Isle could only be speculative, unless the mating pattern of the adults were known, Eds Reviews Production, Pollution, Protection. By W. B. Yapp. Taylor & Francis, London, 1972. x -f- 184 pages; 9 black-and-white photo- graphs; 10 line drawings. £2.75 (hardback), £2.00 (paperback). The aim of each book in the Wykeham Science Series is the introduc- :ion of the present state of a science to school leavers or young under- graduates. This latest title is a fascinating one that should tempt a far wider readership from the many millions now expressing some concern ’ "or their environment. The topics are dealt with in just four extensive rhapters, and in each the thread of contact with the environment is maintained. With a field so vast, it is hardly surprising that many of the biological examples selected are highly personal choices : one would express egret if the opposite were the case, for most are both interesting and ; opposite. Ornithologists, normally conservatively entangled in the problems of auks or Peregrines, should note the many references to other biological fields and learn from them (which is where this \easonably compact book has its charm and why it can be suggested as 1 raluably broadening reading). They should not be discouraged by the jather indigestible wealth of detail in a few sections — notably micro- biology and chemistry — from assimilating the author’s thesis that ‘The danger now is not so much, as was thought at one time, that the 1 world’s population will outrun the food supply, as that long before hat happens the world will no longer be worth living in.’ J. J. M. Flegg Wildfowl in Captivity. By Richard Mark Martin. John Gifford, .ondon, 1972. 157 pages; 32 colour photographs. £1.75. 'he keeping of a few wildfowl has recently become quite common- lace. Ducks in captivity can look better than almost any other birds, : nee a cage is unnecessary and a small pond appears so much their i atural element that, even when flightless, they are often neither bviously unhappy nor unsightly. A thoroughly modern book, giving ractical advice on ‘ornamental’ ducks, geese and swans, had been 1 eking, and Wildfowl in Captivity is certainly nicely illustrated and leasantly wrritten by someone who clearly enjoys his birds. It is also . :asonably cheap and short — I think too short. Mr Martin should surely not have tried to cover the whole wildfowl Reviews 532 group, since many of the species he lists are unavailable to his readers; more space could then have been given to the popular ones. The advice is necessarily so brief as to be sometimes misleading. For example, a number of species are said to be ‘seen to advantage if kept full-winged, should not stray’. As a generalisation, this is true only if the birds are reared in the place where they fly or have a few relatives pinioned on the ground. It would be a pity if his advice led someone to think that a full-winged whistling duck, taken far from home and friends, would not stray upon release. Then, a nesting wigwam for geese and ducks is illustrated and the author says of the structure, ‘built well, will last for many years’. This may be so, but if a bird’s clutch is removed from it for artificial incubation (a possibility men- tioned), then, as a nest site for that female, it has been predated and often ruined forever. A newcomer to the field might well think, ‘She laid there last year, she obviously likes it, the structure is sound, there should be no need to supply anything else’, and have no idea why she never lays there again. These and other aspects of waterfowl husbandry need fuller explana- tion, so that the natural logic is obvious and aviculturists are encouraged to see things from their birds’ viewpoint. There are a few errors: Bejvick’s Swan does not lay the largest egg of all wildfowl, and ‘aberrant’ does not mean ‘akin to’. Someone keeping a few ducks in the garden will certainly find things to interest him here. The real beginner might also try to borrow a copy of the M.A.F.F. Bulletin Ducks and Geese which gives much additional basic knowledge, although, unfortunately, it is now out of print. Janet Kear ALSO RECEIVED All Colour Book of Birds. Octopus Books, London, 1972. 99P. Birds of Prey. By John Rignall. Purnell, London, 1971. £1.00. Flight and Nature. By M. W. Saunders. Privately printed, Chaldon, 1972. £3.00. Fugletraekket og dets Gader. By F. Salomonsen. Munksgaard, Copenhagen, 1972. Re- vised edition. Kr. 77.05. Gifts of an Eagle. By Kent Durden. Harvill Press, London, 1972. £2.25. How to Talk to Birds. By Richard C. Davids. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1972. $6.95. The Storm Petrel and the Owl of Athena. By Louis J. Halle. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey, 1970. £3.60. The Treasury of Birds. Octopus Books, London, 1972. £1.25. Also the following titles in the series ‘Die Neue Brehm-Biicherei’, A. Ziemsen Verlag, Wittenberg Lutherstadt, East Germany: Die Eiderenten. By S. M. Uspenski. No. 452, 1972. 7.80 M. Vogelfang und Vogelberingung. By Hans Bub. Part I, no. 359, 1970, 15.20 M.; part 2, no. 377, 1972, 14.00 M.; part 4, no. 409, 1971, 15.20 M. Letters 'Migration at Hook Head, Co. Wexford, in October 1971 I found D. I. M. Wallace’s paper on events on St Agnes, Isles of Scilly, in October 1971 (Brit. Birds, 65: 208-220) extremely interesting, since fairly similar results were obtained during observations from 4th to 1 6th of that month at Hook Head, Co. Wexford, 250 km north by west of St Agnes. The following is a brief summary. On 4th the winds were light south-easterly and movement of the commoner migrants towards the south and east was evident; a fine male Hen Harrier Circus cjaneus spent most of the day chasing small birds in the low-hedged fields. Over the next few days small numbers of Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur, Redstarts Phoenicurus phoenicurus. Black Redstarts P. ochruros. Pied Flycatchers Ficedula bypoleuca and Redwings Turdus iliacus arrived and departed. By 8th the wind had swung to the west and increased in strength, bringing in Goldcrests R egulus regulus , Redpolls Acantbis flammea. Linnets A. cannabina and a Merlin Y'alco columbarius. Some Twites A. flavirostris passed through on the following day. Meanwhile sea-watching was proving interesting: two Cory’s Shearwaters Calonectris diomedea on 9th, Great Skuas Stercorarius skua on 9th and 10th, a Pomarinc Skua S. pomarinus on 10th and a Grey Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius on 11th. By 1 2th, the day the Nighthawk Cbordeiles minor was found on St Agnes, the gale-force winds had petered out and a ridge of high roressure extended from Greenland to Rockall. From early morning to dusk White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons were passing over the Head n small parties from the west and north-west. In the late evening 5,500 Golden Plovers Pluvialis apricaria and two Merlins came in from tbhe north, 1,000 of the plovers remaining until the following day. It vwas, however, a small yellow and buff passerine which really caused the pulses to race on 12th. It spent most of its time dipping into a bushy 1 angle of scrub and re-emerging to watch its disturbers, or buzzing tround the periphery of the beet fields looking remarkably like an elongated Kingfisher Alcedo atthis. It proved to be an American Bobolink Dolicbonjx orygivorus, the first recorded in Ireland. The 14th was a quiet day, with only three Barnacle Geese Branta eucopsis, some Whinchats Saxicola rubetra and a Carrion Crow Corvus orone corone to liven the scene. Nonetheless, spirits were high as the iwind veered from north-east to south; the situation seemed perfect or a fall. In the event, the ‘avalanche’ that occurred proved almost overwhelming, and many frustrating ‘hoodwinks’ were recorded in he blinding rain and mist. Probably the worst of these involved a small hat with a wavering, flycatcher-like flight, which momentarily lashed an orange flank before flicking into cover almost at the ob- 533 534 'Letters server’s feet. The views were far too brief to allow even working notes, but the incident is mentioned here for the sake of completeness, since Mr Wallace reported a possible ‘Bluetail’ also on 15 th. Despite the frustrations, however, there was at the end of the day quite a respectable list of interesting migrants: a Short-eared Owl Asio flam- mem and a Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio, 5 5 Fieldfares T. pilaris, 65 Redwings, six Firecrests R. ignicapillus, large numbers of Goldcrests, Robins Erithacus rubecula and Phjlloscopus warblers (including a Chiffchaff P. collybita apparently of one of the northern races), six Bramblings Eringilla montifringilla and a phenomenal no Siskins Carduelis spinus. The 1 6th, the last day, dawned clear and balmy and it was obvious that very many birds had departed ; only four of the Siskins remained. Yet eight Firecrests were noted, three of them restlessly flying up from the elder bushes and heading west. Time was running short, but a quick check of the apple trees revealed some Blackcaps Sylvia atricapilla and an immature Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva. At about 10.00 hours a raptor streaked into view, perched briefly and was gone, gliding fast and low into the sunken fields behind the Old Well. A trail of birds marked its passage, leaving the observer to scribble furiously a description of a Goshawk Accipiter gentilis. At midday observations ceased. Thus it appears that in the first half of October 1971 an extensive northward displacement occurred along a defined corridor from Scilly to Co. Wexford; it might prove very interesting to correlate data from the Irish Sea stations and the Isles of Scilly to attempt to ascertain the limits of this movement and its European origins. It should be added that all rarity records have been accepted by the Irish Records Panel. C. C. Moore 89 Put ter field Park, Kathfarnham, Dublin 14 Flight call of Continental Song Thrush I was glad to see J. N. Hollyer confirm that migrant Song Thrushes of the Continental subspecies Turdus p. philomelos make a ‘seeh’ call like that of Redwings T. iliacus (Brit. Birds, 65 : 170). I recorded this note myself from migrant Song Thrushes at Burford, Oxfordshire, on 15th October 1950, and included it among the voice characters for the species in The Pocket Guide to British Birds (1952). I have noted it twice since then, at Burford again on 26th September 1952, and near Marlow, Buckinghamshire, on 9th October 1967. Apart from my own writings, a quick (though admittedly incomplete) check of other identification books shows it only in the ever reliable T. A. Coward’s The Birds of the British Isles and their Eggs (1920, vol 1). But, as Mr Hollyer said, how many wrong identifications of Redwings it must have caused. It only goes to underwrite the wisdom of the advice given me long ago by Dr David Letters 535 Lack, that new facts should always be recorded in papers, not books, which obviously nobody ever reads! R. S. R. Fitter Drifts, Chinnor Hill, Oxford The genus ‘Hesperiphona’ in North America In N. Picozzi’s recent paper on the occurrence of an Evening Grosbeak Hesperiphona vespertina on St Kilda (Brit. Birds, 64: 189-194), Dr Charles Vaurie is said to treat the eastern and western forms of the Evening Grosbeak as two distinct species. This evidently springs from a misinterpretation of his comments in A New Dictionary of Birds (1964). When he stated ‘ Hesperiphona consists of 2 North American species, 1 of which ranges south to Guatemala’, he was naturally — and quite clearly — referring to H. vespertina and the equally beautiful and striking H. abeillei, the Hooded Grosbeak or Abeille’s Grosbeak, of the highlands of Mexico and Guatemala, and not to the eastern and western races of H. vespertina. ( Hesperiphona is now often merged in Coccothraustes — for example, by Mayr and Short, Publ. Nut tall Orn. Club, 9.) Pierre Devillers Inst i tut Royal des Sciences Nature lies de Belgique, 31 Rue Vautier, I Bruxelles 4, Belgium Cretzschmar’s Bunting in Sweden From 10th to 20th June 1967 a Cretzschmar’s Bunting Emberi^a caesia was present on Fair Isle, Shetland (Brit. Birds: 62: 144-148); this is the only British and Irish 1 record of the species and at the time I concluded, from a search of the literature, that it was the only 20th century record for north-west I Europe. Recently, however, I was very interested to note, in the I : Swedish journal Var Fdgelvarld (28 : 252), that a Cretzschmar’s Bunting was seen near Ottenby (56°i 5'N, i6°i 5'E) on 29th and 30th May 1967. lit was studied under good conditions and the photographs taken I (confirmed the identification. The closeness to the British dates is particularly interesting. Roy H. Dennis The Old Manse, Rotbiemurcbus, Aviemore, Inverness-shire lln defence of ‘Aves’ As an amateur, I must write to take issue with Robert Hudson over his criticisms of the latest ‘Aves’ section of The Zoological Record (Brit. Birds, 65 : 360-361). It is precisely to the amateur that the new system of cross-referencing is most important. For instance, I have long been collecting references to birds bathing, and such subject headings are becoming increasingly vital for anyone whose particular interests arc still largely ignored in the indices of most periodicals. I am not competent to pronounce on the economics of the rise in price, but surely it is not disputed that scholarship ought to be paid cor: what an octogenarian may have chosen to do in retirement is ' rreally irrelevant. Libraries are there to be used, and it seems to me that Letters 536 to press for a less adequate or less comprehensive publication, so that we can afford to keep our personal copies cosily in our own homes, would be a serious mistake. J. M. Stainton 14 Warwick Square, London swiv 2AB Requests for information Gulls attacking migrants at sea Both published and unpublished records of gulls attacking migrants at sea are being collected by Miss Sheila Macdonald and Dr C. F. Mason, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NOR 88C, and they would be grateful for any such observations. These should in- clude, so far as possible, the date, location, weather conditions, species of gulls and migrants involved, methods of attack and capture, whether lone birds or flocks were attacked, and so on. It is hoped eventually to summarise all the records in a paper in this journal. Summering Firecrests and Bramblings The breeding of Firecrests Kegulus ignica- pillus in the New Forest, Flampshire, at least since 1962 and near Wendover, Buck- inghamshire, in 1971 has already been published {Brit. Birds, 59: 240-246; 64: 473- 475). These two areas were again occupied in 1972 and, in addition, young were seen in Somerset, while other birds summered in Bedfordshire, Kent and Suffolk (see ‘Recent reports’, page 496). There may be still more breeding season observa- tions of this elusive species and we appeal for all such records (which should include details of the habitat) with a view to the publication of an up-to-date summary. Localities should be specified in order to prevent duplication, but will not be pub- lished beyond broad indications of county or region. Records should be sent to Leo Batten, British Trust for Ornithology, Beech Grove, Tring, Hertfordshire. Bramblings Fringilla montifringilla may soon be found nesting in England, since individuals summered at least in Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Yorkshire in 1972. We ask that breeding season records of this species should also be sent to Leo Batten. News and comment Robert Hudson Further pesticide controversy Although ornithologists now take it for granted that persistent toxic chemicals are largely responsible for decreases of certain bird species, with changed thyroid activity causing thinning of eggshells and ab- normal behaviour, it is as well to remember that some biochemists and others remain unconvinced. This was brought out by recent correspondence in Nature, in which Dr William Hazeltine of California attacked the whole concept, even going so far as to suggest that collecting research material (‘scientific persecution’) could be a major cause of reproductive failure; against the case for DDE affecting Brown Pelicans, he presented an obscure discussion of statistical treatment by previous authors (which requires an answer from those competent to enter that particular arena), but failed, significantly, to compare recent pelican eggshell thicknesses with corresponding data from the pre-DDT era. Another correspondent, D. L. Gunn, president of the Association of Applied Biologists, indicated his pro-pesticide attitude by accusing conservationists of distorting evidence and by suggesting that gamekeeping may be responsible for raptor population declines in Britain. Un- fortunately, neither gave objective consideration to the growing volume of evidence from experiments with birds breeding in captivity that DDE (a derivative of DDT) News and comment 537 can indeed cause eggshell thinning; and the delight with which The Times science correspondent received Dr Hazeltine’s paper (‘Pesticides: exploding the DDE myth’, 1 8th October) indicates how much anxiety there is in some quarters to undermine (the conservationists’ case against persistent chlorinated hydrocarbons. The web of relationships and processes linking environmental pollution with effects on populations of predators at the tops of food chains is enormously com- plex, a situation apparently unsatisfactory to certain laboratory-bound biologists, who expect opportunistic field sampling methods to produce data capable of sophis- ticated statistical analysis. The latest issue of Bird Study (September 1972) devotes 40 pages to a paper by Dr D. A. Ratcliffe on the Peregrine situation in Britain in 1971: this should be required reading for critics of the pesticide case. Bird strikes continue to make news A recent note by David Fairhall, air corres- pondent of Tbe Guardian, drew attention to a series of bird-aircraft collisions at •Heathrow Airport, London, on 10th October. Between 02.38 and 11.22, the pilots of six aircraft reported hitting birds during landing or take-off, and 300 birds, l mainly gulls, were killed. Two B.O.A.C. jumbo-jets sustained engine damage, neces- sitating turbine blade replacements, and a B.E.A. Vanguard was dented in five places. Bird strikes at this airport are normally recorded at an average rate of about one a week; the situation on 10th October was unusual in that veering winds caused the operational runways to be switched several times, while darkness and heavy rain made it difficult for bird-scaring patrols to locate the flocks. In view I 1 of the date it is not unlikely that immigrant gulls had become disoriented in overcast conditions and were attracted to the bright airport lights. With a Foulness airport now a virtual certainty, one may question, as did Mr Fairhall, how far bird-scaring t echniques can be relied upon and what degree of accident potential can be regarded as acceptable. The bird-strike hazard was one of the factors which led the Roskill * (.Commission to recommend an inland site for the Third London Airport; unhappily, ;he commission was overruled by a vote-conscious Government. >New Welsh National Park National Park status has been proposed for the (Cambrian Mountains of mid-Wales, within the counties of Brecon, Carmarthen, 1 (Cardigan, Montgomery and Radnor. The upland area designated (of 1,210 square Ucm, or 467 square miles) contains the sources of the rivers Severn and Wye, and Much well-known spots as Devil’s Bridge, the summit of Plynlimon and the Elan Valley reservoirs. The Countryside Commission believes that carefully planned p provision for recreation in this area could aid development of the Welsh tourist : ndustry, and that tourism, linked with farming, forestry and water storage, will make a useful contribution to the economy of central Wales. The designation has boeen submitted to the Secretary of State for Wales for confirmation ; if accepted, it swill be the eleventh National Park in England and Wales, and the first to be cstab- l. ished since 1957. Ir.ntemational Bird Census Conference Thanks to the splendid hospitality of the 1 institute of Ecology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, the International Bird l Zensus Committee was able to move into eastern Europe for its biennial conference i n early September. Previous conferences had been held in Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands, but the recent meeting at Dziekanow, near Warsaw, had the inestimable udvantage of bringing fellow-workers from Poland, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia and he German Democratic Republic (East Germany) into the discussions. It was particularly important that this should happen in 1972, since the I.B.C.C. invited the luropcan Ornithological Atlas Committee to include in the programme a full ■ ession on its work. Such innovations were so successful that the two committees lope to work again in tandem in Poland in two years’ time. In addition to the ountrics already named, Britain, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, 'X est News and comttient 538 Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Swit2erland and the United States were represented. A number of papers, some methodological and some with a conservation interest, dealt with breeding bird censuses in a variety of European habitats, and discussions took place on the usefulness of spot censuses (much favoured in France) and winter transect counts. The I.B.C.C. drew up recommen- dations for a standard method for winter bird census counts on an international scale, with the aim of establishing a year-to-year monitoring programme. It was encouraging to learn that no fewer than eleven European nations (since increased to twelve) now have atlases of breeding birds either at the planning stage or actually under way, all based largely on the projected Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland, the fieldwork for which has been completed this year. France and Denmark have found an unexpectedly enthusiastic response, and pro- visional maps were on display; Switzerland started in 1972, and Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden have plans for 1973 or 1974. In other continents, an ornithological atlas will be com- pleted next year in Montgomery County, Maryland, U.S.A., and one will begin in western Australia. Dr Soren Svensson (Lund University, Sweden) was re-elected chairman of the I.B.C.C., and Kenneth Williamson (British Trust for Ornithology) its secretary. The joint conveners of the E.O.A.C. are Dr J. T. R. Sharrock (B.T.O.) and T. Dybbro (Denmark). (Contributed by Kenneth Williamson.) Opinions expressed in this feature are not necessarily those of the editors of British Birds Recent reports — September P. F. Bonham These are largely unchecked reports, not authenticated records The weather during September was unusually settled, being dominated by a single anticyclone which drifted slowly south-west, then north and finally south-east, declining and slipping away over the Continent at the end of the month. Winds, generally very light, were mainly north-east or east until 8th, north-west during 9th-i3th, north during I4th-i9th, then variable (largely east to south over England and Wales, and south-east to south-west over Scotland and Ireland). It was cool and mainly dry, though fronts on 8th, 13th and I7th-i9th brought some heavy rain. SHEARWATERS TO STORKS There was a large passage of Sooty Shearwaters Puffinus griseus at Spurn (York- shire) during 23rd-25th, with day totals of 27, 94 and 24; the only other notable shearwater report concerned a Cory’s Calonectris diomedea off Hartlepool (Co. Durham) on 14th. A Gannet Sula bassana flying up the River Humber on 9th at Welton (Yorkshire) — 15 km west of Hull — was somewhat unusual. Purple Herons Ardea purpurea stayed at Rye Meads (Hertfordshire) from 2nd September until at least 30th and at Marden (Kent) from 9th to 19th; an immature Night Heron Nyciicorax nycticorax remained at Swanton Morley (Norfolk) from 25 th through to early November; and a Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia was seen at Elmley and in the Medway estuary (Kent) on 1st. The Purple Heron at Brent Reservoir (Middlesex) listed in Brit. Birds, 65: 493 occurred on 12th September, not 12th August. The Danish White Stork Ciconia ciconia with ring number 1353 that fell down a chimney in Somerset on 9th September 1971 (Brit. Birds, 65 : 4-5, 303-305) was kept at Rode Tropical Bird Gardens, Frome, until it flew off in early September 1972. It might account for some of the following sightings of White Storks: one at Ashton Keynes (Wiltshire) from 6th to 10th and two there on 14th (one ringed) and singles later at Keynsham and Bridgwater (both Somerset). A White Stork not previously mentioned was seen near Keith (Banffshire) on 4th-5th June. 539 Recent reports — September I DU C ICS TO CRAKES A Blue-winged Teal Anas discors at Maple Cross (Hertfordshire) on i ith was the sixth this year. Three Red-crested Pochards Ne/la rnfina at Draycote (Warwick- shire) and singles at Cheddar Reservoir (Somerset) and Brent Reservoir were probably of captive origin. A drake Ring-necked Duck Aytbya collaris also at Cheddar had almost certainly come from Blagdon, where one summered (Brit. Birds 65: 407, 45°)- Two Long-tailed Ducks Clangtda byemalis off Seaton Sluice (Northumberland) on 19th and a Goldeneye Bucephala clangula in Windmill Creek (Kent) on 24th were rather early. On Fair Isle (Shetland) geese were recorded as follows: three unidentified on 14th and 14 on 22nd; seven Greylags Anser anser on 1 8th and 22nd and one on 27th-28th; 29 Pink-footed A. braebyrbynebus on 20th; and three Barnacles Bran/a leucopsis on 29th. South of the Scottish border 24 Greylags headed south-west over Heddon (Northumberland) on u th ; ten Pink-footed flew south-east at Slimbridge (Gloucestershire) next day and 52 flighted over Leighton ' Moss (Lancashire) on 22nd; a single Barnacle at Benacre (Suffolk) on the early date of 8th was perhaps feral. Parties of three and 25 Light-bellied Brent Geese 13. bemicla brota were seen in Co. Londonderry as early as 10th, w hilc about ten reports of the Dark-bellied nominate subspecies from 15 th, totalling over 60 birds, came from scattered localities between Norfolk and Sussex. Two wild swans, perhaps more ikely to be Whooper Cygnus cygnus than Bewick’s C. bewickii, were seen off Lundy Devon) on the early date of 13th. Single Honey Buzzards Pernis apivorus occurred at Hayle (Cornwall) on 6th, at Walberswick (Suffolk) on 10th and at Beachy Head (Sussex) on 14th. The very sparse massage of Ospreys Pandion haliaetus mentioned in the August summary (Brit. Birds, l i) : 493) continued on the same level. Three other unusual raptors all appeared on oth: a Goshawk Accipiter gentilis at Boars Hill (Oxfordshire), a Hobby Fa/co 1: nbbideo on the Isle of Man (where this species is rare), and a male Red-footed < FFalcon F. vespertinus at Hayle. Another Red-footed Falcon occurred at Fairburn Yorkshire) on 27th and 28th. Up to four Quails Coturnix coturnix were present m Fair Isle; seven Spotted Crakes P organa por^ana were reported from Somerset, Dorset, Kent and Norfolk; and a Corncrake Crex crex was found at South Garc, ! Teesmouth (Yorkshire) on 6th and later trapped. HEADERS Wearctic species included a dowitcher Limnodromus sp at Rahasane (Co. Galway) on :22nd; Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes in Cornwall on the Camel estuary from 10th o 20th and at Hayle Kimbro Pool, Lizard, from 21st to 27th (perhaps the same); Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla and a Baird’s C. bairdii at Abcrthaw (Gla- morgan) on 2nd and 9th respectively; a White-rumped Sandpiper C. juscicollis at ' /lusselburgh (Midlothian) from 16th to 20th; Semipalmated Sandpipers C. pusillus tt Akeragh Lough (Co. Kerry) from 1st to 3rd and at Sandbach (Cheshire) from 30th 3 5th October; a Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngi/es subruficollis on Fair Isle from ■7th to 19th (trapped); and three Wilson’s Phalaropes Pbalaropus tricolor, at : airburn (Yorkshire) on 7th, in Dumfriesshire about the same time, and at Bedford eiwage farm from 12th to 16th. There were also Pectoral Sandpipers C. melanotos m widely scattered dates at Ballycotton and Kinsale (both Co. Cork), Ferrybridge LDorset), Selsey (Sussex), Cley (Norfolk), Ecton sewage farm (Northamptonshire) rad Blithfield Reservoir (Staffordshire). In view of the predominantly easterly winds, there were rather few of the rarer alearctic waders. A Kentish Plover Cbaradrius alexandrinus occurred at Sandwich ; ay (Kent) on 19th; single Temminck’s Stints Calidris temminckii at Cropston Re- tirvoir (Leicestershire) on 3rd and at Chew Valley Lake and Porlock (both Somerset) id Pitsford Reservoir (Northamptonshire) during I2th-i4th; and a Broad-billed andpiper L imicola falcinellus near Netherheld (Nottinghamshire) from 10th to 3 th . Great Snipe Gallinago media were reported from two places in Bedfordshire on 5 40 Recent reports — September 24th and Porthgwarra (Cornwall) on 29th. A total of 14 Dotterel Eudromias morinellus appeared at St Just (Cornwall), Porthgwarra, Lundy, Wisbech sewage farm (Lincolnshire/Norfolk), Gunthorpe (Nottinghamshire) and Spurn. Two Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta were seen at Sandwich Bay on 3rd and 4th, single Grey Phalaropes P.fulicarius in the Cley area during I2th-i4th and on 29th, and a Red- necked Phalarope P. lobatus at Gibraltar Point (Lincolnshire) from nth to 14th. A record of a Purple Sandpiper C. maritima at Peak Dale (Derbyshire) on 16th, if accepted, will be the first for that county for seven years and only the third ever. Coming to some of the commoner migrant waders, a Jack Snipe Eymnocryptes minimus on Fair Isle on 3rd was followed by at least 40 at a score of localities from 14th. There were several concentrations of 10-25 Little Stints C. minuta, but Wood Sandpipers Tringa glareola were only in scattered ones and twos. Curlew Sand- pipers C. ferruginea reached 97 at Akeragh Lough on 3rd, but most of the several flocks of 20-50 in Britain during the first half of September reflected simply a decline from the late August peaks ( Bri t. Birds, 65 : 494), as did the 1 30 in the Weaver estuary (Cheshire) on 9th. SKUAS TO AUKS On 9th 42 Arctic Skuas Stercorarius parasiticus and 24 Great Skuas S. skua flew west at Holme (Norfolk), and similar numbers were counted in the Wash on 18th, when four Great Skuas were seen heading south-west inland. Arctic Skuas far up the Thames estuary at Pur fleet (Kent) on 2nd- 3rd and at Cannock Reservoir (Stafford- shire) on 6th, and a Great Skua at Blithfield Reservoir on 21st, were all unusual. Two Long-tailed Skuas S. longicaudus passed Hilbre (Cheshire) on 9th and about five were reported on the east coast up to 17th. Seven or more Mediterranean Gulls Earns melanocepbalus included one inland at Blithfield Reservoir on 20th. Little Gulls L. minutus on autumn passage reached an unprecedented peak of 106 at Dungeness (Kent) on 9th, and 40 passed Beachy Head on 17th. Single Sabine’s Gulls L. sabini were seen at St Ives (Cornwall) on 7th, at Largo (Ayrshire) on 10th, at Spurn on 23rd and (perhaps the same) at Ald- brough (also Yorkshire) on 26th. Two White-winged Black Terns Cblidonias leucopterus stayed at Dungeness until 12th, and singles were identified at Covenham Reservoir (Lincolnshire) on 10th and at Pitsford Reservoir on 14th ; the former water was also frequented by an immature Gull-billed Tern Gelocbelidon nilotica from 16th September to 14th October, and much earlier another of this species had been re- ported at Selsey on 2nd. A Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia was seen at Kettle Ness (Yorkshire) on 29th August, and a Black Guillemot Ceppbus grylle at Cley on 16th September. (To be concluded in tbe next issue) Errata in volume 65 This list does not include obvious typographical errors, nor corrections to ‘Scarce migrants in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67’ by Dr J. T. R. Sharrock (to be listed at the end of that series) or to the ‘Report on rare birds in Great Britain in 1971’ (to be given at the end of the report covering 1972) or to ‘Recent reports’. PAGE CORRECTION 4 Line 33, transpose ‘number’ and ‘ringed’ 40 Move line 39 to between lines 18 and 19 48 Line 39, for ‘Iceland’ read ‘Ireland’ 158 Line 12, delete ‘of’ 233 Line 19, for ‘36F’ read ‘36G’ I Mr. John Gooders, the celebrated ornithologist and Editor of 'Birds of the World’, is seen using his new Zeiss 10 x 40B binoculars. Mr. Gooders writes: “ I stare through binoculars all day long for weeks on end without eyestrain - try that with any binoculars other than West German Zeiss. The 10 x 40B meets all my other needs too; high twilight power for birds at dawn and dusk, superb resolution for feather by feather examination, and wide field of view. With no external moving parts they stand the rough treatment that studying birds in marsh, snow and desert involves - 1 can even use them with sunglasses without losing performance. Zeiss binoculars are not cheap - but they are recognised as the best by every ornithologist I know. The 10 x 40B is the perfect glass for birdwatching’'. Details from the sole UK agents for Carl Zeiss, West Germany. Degenhardt & Co. Ltd., 31/36 Foley Street, London W1P 8AP. Telephone 01-636 8050 (15 lines) JohnGooders watchingTawny Eagles inThebes ISsasSI West Germany QJegenhardt iii The West Wales Naturalists’ Trust Ltd (formerly the West Wales Field Society) Membership of the Trust is open to all who are interested in the study and conservation of wildlife in Wales. The annual subscription of £2 entitles members to : (a) free issues of Nature in Wales, which appears half-yearly, and of the quarterly Trust Bulletin; (b) field excursions, lectures and meetings; (c) visits, without landing fees, to such island sanctuaries and nature reserves as Skomer, St Margaret’s, Skokholm and Cardigan Island. The activities of the Trust include the co-operative study of such animals as birds and seals and the recording of their distribution and habits. publications (post free): Skomer Island, 20p; Plant List of Pembroke- shire, 55p; The Birds of Cardiganshire, 55p; Plant List of Carmarthen- shire, 55p; Skokholm Bird Observatory Reports for each year to 1971, 25p each; Nature in Wales back numbers, 55p THE WEST WALES NATURALISTS’ TRUST LTD 4 Victoria Place, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire SITUATIONS VACANT Skokholm Bird Observatory warden to start on or soon after 1st January 1973. Biology degree and “A” Ringing Permit essential. Expected to take part in research conducted by Edward Grey Institute, Oxford. Salary £850 p.a. Free board and lodging on Skokholm, but in winter own accommodation must be found in Oxford. cook from March 1973 to cook for three staff and up to 14 visitors. Salary by arrangement. assistant warden to help in gen- eral duties. Salary by arrangement. Skomer National Nature Reserve assistant warden for May — June 1973. Salary by arrangement. Applications as soon as possible to the Hon. General Secretary, West Wales Naturalists’ Trust, 4 Victoria Place, Haverfordwest, Pembs. Small Advertisements 80p for 3 lines (minimum); 25p for each whole or part extra line. For the use of a box number there is a charge of 5p. Swans Big Game and Bird Safaris to East Africa. See page i. Cemlyn Bird Observatory, Anglesey. Open all year: accommodation luxury caravan and annexe, electricity; short weekends welcome; conducted tours. Join and become Friend of Observ- atory, 75p (juniors 40p); 7 newsletters. Write for details to warden: D. H. Coggins, Swn-y-mor, Cemlyn Bay, nr Amlwch (phone Cemaes Bay 244). Ornithological Society of Turkey. Re- port for 1968-69, £1.60 (post free). Check List of Birds of Turkey, 55p (post free). From R. F. Porter, c/o R.S.P.B., The Lodge, Sandy, Beds. Wanted. Subscriber requires British Birds, June and October 1971. Please write, stating price, to Box DR311. iv Notice to contributors British Birds publishes material dealing with original observations on the birds ot Britain and Europe or, where appropriate, on the species of this area as observed in other parts of their range. Except for records of rarities, papers and notes are normally accepted only on condition that the material is not lacing offered in whole or in part to any other journal. Photographs (glossy prints showing good contrast) and sketches are welcomed. Proofs of all contributions arc sent to authors before publication. After publication, 25 separates are sent free to authors of pipers (two authors of one paper receive 15 each and three authors ten each); additional copies, for which 1 charge is made, can be provided if ordered when the proofs are returned. Reprints af notes and other short items have to be specially ordered and are charged for. Papers should be typewritten with double spacing and wide margins, and on one side of the sheet only. Shorter contributions, if not typed, must be clearly written ;nd well spaced. Notes should be worded as concisely as possible, and drawn up in the form in which they will be printed, with signature in block capitals and the author’s address dearly given in one line at the foot. If more than one note is submitted, each .hould be on a separate sheet, with signature and address repeated. Certain conventions of style and layout are essential to preserve the uniformity >f any publication. Authors of papers in particular, especially of those containing ystematic lists, reference lists, tables, etc., should consult the ones in this issue as a uide to general presentation. English names of species should have capital nitials for each word, except after a hyphen (e.g. Willow Warbler, Black-tailed iodwit), but group terms should not (e.g. warblers, godwits). Both English and cicntific names, and the sc- pence, follow A Species List of British and Irish Birds B.T.O. Guide 13, 1971). All scientific names should be underlined (but not put n brackets) immediately after the first mention of the English name. Sub- 1 pecitic names should not be used except where they are relevant to the discussion, t is sometimes more convenient to list scientific names in an appendix. Dates hould take the form ‘1st January 1972’ and no other, except in tables where they lay be abbreviated to ‘1st Jan’, ‘Jan tst’, or even ‘Jan i’, whichever most suits he layout of the table concerned. It is particularly requested that authors should ay attention to reference lists, which otherwise cause much unnecessary work, 'hese should take the following form: 1 •annerman, D. A. 1 954. The Birds of the British Isles. Edinburgh and London, vol 3 : 223-228. ack, D. i960. ‘Autumn “drift-migration” on the English cast coast’. Brit. Birds, 53: 325-552. 379-397- arious other conventions concerning references, including their use in the text, lould be noted by consulting examples in this issue. Tables should be numbered with arabic numerals, and the title typed above in ic style used in this issue. They must cither fit into the width of a page, or be csigned to fit a whole page lengthways. All tables should be self-explanatory. Figures should be numbered with arabic numerals, and the captions typed on a : :parate sheet. All line-drawings should lie in indian ink on good quality drawing aper (not of an absorbent nature) or, where necessary, on graph paper, but this iust be light blue or very pale grew It is always most important to consider how ich drawing will fit into the page. Any lettering or numbering that is an integral art of a text-figure should lie inserted lightly in pencil. FRANK-NIPOLE BINOCULARS We stock all the better makes of binoculars, and we allow liberal discounts on them, but the ornithologist who insists on a good quality instrument at a reasonable cost will do well to consider any of the binoculars in the Frank-Nipole range. We have suffi- cient confidence in these fine instruments to guarantee them for a period of seven years, and the following pointers may be useful. The 8 X 30 model (priced at £12.50), which is approved by the Game Conservancy and also recommended by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, is both compact and light, and there- fore particularly suitable for the younger ornithologist and indeed for anyone to whom weight is of primary importance. Even smaller and lighter are two new Frank-Nipole models — the 10 X 40 (£16.80) and the 12 X 50 (£18.90); considering their high power and light transmission, they are remarkably light, compact and easy to handle. The dedicated ornithologist, however, unde- terred by a little extra size and weight, is inclined to remain loyal to our standard 10 X 50 model (£16.50). All these glasses are supplied complete with case and straps. There are now also three really large models available — the 9 X 63 (£30), the 12 X 65 (£32) and the 20 X 70 (£36); case, if required, £7 extra. The 9 X 63 and 12 X 65 can be hand-held but the 20 X 70 requires to be tripod-supported; a suitable tripod can be supplied for about £5. An invitation is extended to all readers of British Birds to apply for our free catalogue and a complimentary copy of Tell me, Mr Frank', a booklet which tells you everything you want to know about binoculars. FREE TEST We extend an invitation to readers of 'British Birds' to test any of the Frank-Nipole bi- noculars under field conditions without any obligation whatso- ever. CORRECT ALIGNMENT A binocular NOT in correct alignment can cause head- aches and eyestrain. It is safer to purchase from a specialist — we test and guarantee every binocular we sell. We accept your old binoculars in part exchange and extend credit facilities CHARLES FRANK LTD Binocular specialists and telescope makers for three generations 145 QUEEN STREET GLASGOW Cl 041-il' 6666 EWWW’BBMMHIMWTBBPSHE III Printed in England by Henry Burt & Son Ltd, College Street, Kempston, Bedford Published by H. F. & G. Withcrby Ltd, 15 Nicholas Lane, London EC4N 7BR LI i a g ■ 3 ft r v ritish Birds |(omprehensive index volume 65 1972 35P >1 ™ v m ncs for binding should be sent not to the publishers but direct to the binders, P. G. an & Co. Ltd. Full instructions are given on pages 2 and 4 of this cover and these are tme as on the short index. Please note that the pagination of the short index is the as that of the first six pages of the comprehensive index, as the latter is intended to :e the former. The short index will therefore not be included in bound volumes which a comprehensive index unless the binders are specifically asked to do so. Nevertheless , tort index should be sent to the binders with the comprehensive index (but only one ig form completed) as the title page and list of illustrations will need to be taken from it. Binding Volumes for binding should be sent not to the publishers but direct to the binders, P. G. Chapman & Co Ltd. The charge is £2-00 per volume, which includes the cost of packing and return postage. The binding will be in the same style as in previous years and earlier volumes can also be bound at this rate. Please complete the form on the back cover and send it with all the parts and the correct money to: P. G. Chapman & Co Ltd Kent House Lane Beckenham Kent BR.3 ild Please complete the binding form on the back cover and note that orders for binding are not to be sent to the publishers Kir 5 JUi Comprehensive index j ^ Compiled by Airs N. D. Blamire Entries are in a single list with references to: (1) every significant mention of each species, not only in titles, but also within the text of papers, notes and letters, including all those appearing in such lists as the ‘Report on rare birds in Great Britain in 1971’, but excluding those in ‘Requests for information’, ‘News and comment’ and ‘Recent reports’; (2) scientific nomenclature under generic names only and following A Species List of British and Irish Birds (B.T.O. Guide 13, 1971); (3) authors of all papers, notes, reviews and letters, and photographers; papers are referred to by their titles, other contributions as ‘note on’, ‘review of’, etc.; (4) a few subject headings, i.c. ‘Breeding’, ‘Editorials’, ‘Field-characters’, ‘Food’, ‘Migration’, ‘News and comment’, ‘Obituary’, ‘Rarities Committee’, ‘Recent reports’, ‘Recorders’, ‘Requests for information’ and ‘Voice’; (5) ‘Reviews’, which arc listed together under this heading in alphabetical order of authors reviewed. Acanthis jlammea, sec Redpoll rostrata , sec Redpoll, Green- land Accipiter gen/ilis, sec Goshawk nisus, see Sparrowhawk Acrocephalns aedon, see Warbler, Thick- billed agricola, sec Warbler, Paddyfield arundinaceus , see Warbler, Great Reed dumetorum, sec Warbler, Blyth’s Reed pa/udico/a, sec Warbler, Aquatic seboenohaenus, see Warbler, Sedge scirpaceus, sec Warbler, Reed Adkin, G. V., photograph of Black- browed Albatross, plate 76b Aegiibalos caudatus, see Tit, Long-tailed Aegolius fun ere us, see Owl, Tengmalm’s Aegypius monaebus, see Vulture, Black Agelaius pboeniceus, see Blackbird, Red- winged Alauda arvensis, see Skylark Albatross, Black-browed, plumage type, plate 76b , Sooty, plumage type, 467 , Wandering, plumage type, 467 Alca tor da, see Razorbill Allsopp, E. M. P., Veery in Cornwall: a species new to Britain and Ireland, 45-9, plate 9; correction, 265 Anas acuta, see Pintail americana, sec Wigeon, American crecca carolinensis, see Teal, Green- winged discors, sec Teal, Blue-winged penelope, see Wigeon platyrhyncbos, sec Mallard Anderson, Andrew M., photograph of Barn Owl, plate 37 Andrews, John, review of Barrington: The Bird Gardener’s Book, 35-6 Anous stolidus, see Noddy, Brown tenuirostris, see Noddy, Black Anser albifrons, see Goose, White- fronted braebyrhynebus, see Goose, Pink- footed erytbropus, sec Goose, Lesser White- fronted Antbus campestris, see Pipit, Tawny cervinus, see Pipit, Red-throated godleuskii, see Pipit, Blyth’s gustari, sec Pipit, Pechora novae see landiae, see Pipit, Richard’s pratensis, see Pipit, Meadow spinoletta petrosus, see Pipit, Rock spinoletta, see Pipit, Water trivialis, see Pipit, Tree Apus apus, see Swift melba, see Swift, Alpine Aquila ebrysaetos , see Eagle, Golden 54* 542 Aquila clanga, see Eagle, Spotted heliaca, see Eagle, Imperial nipalemis, see Eagle, Steppe pomarina, see Eagle, Lesser Spotted Archilochus colubris , see Hummingbird, Ruby-throated Ardea cinerea, see Heron, Grey herodias, see Heron, Great Blue purpurea, see Heron, Purple Ardeola ralloides, see Heron, Squacco Asia flammeus, see Owl, Short-eared otus, see Owl, Long-eared Athene noctua, see Owl, Little Atkin, Keith, photograph of Wood- cock, plate 40a; of Long-billed Dowitcher and three Snipe, plate 49a; of Squacco Heron, plate 50c Auk, Little, in Isles of Scilly October 1967, 80; voice in winter, 397-8 Axell, H. E., and Jobson, G. J., Savi’s Warblers breeding in Suffolk, 229-32 Aythya collaris, see Duck, Ring-necked see Duck, Tufted Bagnall-Oakeley, R. P., note on Great Spotted Woodpeckers excavating holes in autumn, 399 Bar/ramia longicauda, see Sandpiper, Upland Bee-eater, accepted records 1971, 339 Beven, Geoffrey, review of Simms: Woodland Birds, 175-7; note on Dunnock feeding aphids to nestlings, 357 Birkhead, T. R., note on Carrion Crows mobbing Grey Heron, 356-7 Bittern, American, crossing Atlantic, 426 , Least, crossing Atlantic, 426 , Little, accepted records 1971, 327; accepted record 1970, 350 Blackbird, taking flatworms, 82 ; autumn passage in Isles of Scilly, 213; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276-7, 286; deaths at lighthouse, 277; num- bers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 293 ; feeding response in presence of stuffed predator, 523-5 , Red-winged, record over North Atlantic, 431, 433, 436 , Rusty, record over North Atlantic, 433. 436 Blackburn, Frank V., photograph of Grey Wagtail, plate 33a Blackcap, deaths from Dungeness power Comprehensive index lines, 276, 286; numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 292; passage at Hook Head, October 1971, 534 Blewitt, R. J. C., photograph of Tawny Owl, plate 40b Bluetail, Red-flanked, breeding in Fin- land, 159; accepted record 1971, 341 Bluethroat, Red-spotted, breeding in Finland, 161, plate ia , White-spotted, on board ship oft' Morocco, 506 Bobolink, accepted records 1971, 347; probable record over North Atlantic, 433. 43 5 -6; at Hook Head, October 197 1, 533 Bomby cilia cedrorum, see Waxwing, Cedar garrulus, see Waxwing Bonham, P. F., recent reports, see Recent reports Booby, Abbott’s, plumage type, 512, 5M , Blue-footed, plumage type, 512, 5M , Brown, plumage type and feeding methods, 467-8, 475, 477-8, 510-4, plate 76a , Masked, plumage type and fishing methods, 475, 477, 51 1-4 , Peruvian, plumage type, 512-3 , Red-footed, plumage type and feeding methods, 475, 477, 512-4, 517 Botaurus stellaris, see Bittern Bottomley, J. B., Danish White Storks in south-west England, 4-5 ; two photographers in Finland, 158-164, plates 25-31 Bottomley, J. B. and S., photographs of juvenile White Storks from Denmark, plates 1-3 ; of Great Northern Divers, plate 33b; of Lesser Golden Plover, plate 49b; of immature Black-eared Wheatear, plate 51b; of Common Terns, plate 75b; of Glaucous Gull, plate 80 Bourne, W. R. P., letter on Woodcock and thrushes breeding in open and Snipe among trees, 178; review of Bannerman and Bannerman: Hand- book of the Birds of Cyprus and Migrants of the Middle East, and of Stewart and Christensen: A Check-list of the Birds of Cyprus, 224-5 > letter on large gulls with grey wing-tips, 265 Brackbill, H., note on Starlings grounded by drenched plumage in Comprehensive index cold weather, 82-3 Brambling, breeding in Finland, 159; autumn passage in Isles of Scilly, 213 ; deaths from Dungcness power lines, 276, 286; feeding from suspended nut-basket, 445 ; passage at Hook Head, October 1971, 534 Breeding: Ptarmigan, 6-26, plates 4-8; Moorhen, 248-56. Nests: Kestrel, 256-8; Woodcock, 30-1 ; Little Ringed Plover, 528-9, plate 77b; Blue Tit, 170; Goldcrest, 303; Spotted Fly- catcher, 172; Tree Sparrow, 83-4. Fledging: Spotted Flycatcher, 127 Breiting, Sorcn, photograph of Spotted Eagle, plate 12a Brewer, A. D., letter on the ageing of the Vccry in Cornwall, 359 Brooks, D. Neil, note on Tawny Owl plunging into water, 444-5 Brown, B. J., note on voice of Little Auk in winter, 397-8 Bubo bubo, see Owl, Eagle Bubulcus ibis , see Egret, Cattle Bucepbala clangula, see Goldeneye Bullfinch, reaction to model predator, 525; photograph, plate 54 Buhreria bulwerii, see Petrel, Bulwcr’s Bunn, D. S., regular daylight hunting by Barn Owls, 26-30 Bunting, Black-headed, accepted records 1971, 348 , Corn, in Isles of Scilly, 213; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 286 , Crctzschmar’s, in Sweden, May 1967. 535 , Indigo, record over North Atlantic, 429, 432, 436, 438 , Lapland, breeding in Finland, 161-2, plate lb; autumn passage in Isles of Scilly, 216; records over North Atlantic, 433, 435-6 , Little, breeding in Finland, 163; in Isles of Scilly, 214; accepted records 1971, 348 , Ortolan, in Isles of Scilly, 209 , Reed, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 286; photograph, plate 55b , Rustic, breeding in Finland, 163; accepted records 1971. 348 , Snow, breeding in Finland, 161 , Yellow-breasted, accepted record 1971, 348 543 Burbinus oedicnemus, see Curlew, Stone Bu/eo buteo, see Buzzard l°g°pns, see Buzzard, Rough- legged Bu/eo lineatus, see Hawk, Red-shouldered Butler, Arthur, photograph of Whin- chat, plate 34a Butorides virescens, see Heron, Green Buzzard, numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 293 , Honey, nesting near Hawk Owl, 454 , Rough-legged, breeding in Fin- land, 162; prey of Eagle Owl, 482 Cadbury, C. J., see Scott, R. E. Calandretla cinerea, see Lark, Short-toed Calcarius lapponicus , see Bunting, Lapland Calidris alpina, see Dunlin bairdii, see Sandpiper, Baird’s canutus, see Knot ferruginea, sec Sandpiper, Curlew fuscicol/is, see Sandpiper, White- rumped melano/os, sec Sandpiper, Pectoral minutes, sec Stint, Little minutilla, see Sandpiper, Least pusilla, sec Sandpiper, Scmipal- mated temminckii, sec Stint, Temminck’s Calonec/ris diumedea, sec Shearwater, Cory’s Cannings, Patrick A. R., note on Great Spotted Woodpecker eating small mammal, 398 Capercaillie, roosting in snow holes, 26; breeding in Finland, 159, plate 27b Carduelis carduelis, see Goldfinch cbloris, see Greenfinch spinus, see Siskin Carlson, Kevin J. V., photograph of Rock Thrush, plate 34b Carpodacus erythrmus, see Roscfinch, Scarlet purpureus, see Finch, Purple Catbird, record over North Atlantic, 432> 436 Catharus fuscescens, see Vccry minimus, sec Thrush, Grey-cheeked ustulatus, see Thrush, Olive-backed Ceppbus gryl/e, see Guillemot, Black Certhia brachydactyla, see Trcccreepcr, Short-toed familiar is, see Treecreeper Cettia cetti, see Warbler, Cetti’s 544 Chaffinch, autumn passage in Isles of Scilly, 2x3; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276, 286; numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 293; records over North Atlantic, 434, 437; reaction to model Tawny Owl, 522 Charadrius asiaticus, see Plover, Caspian dubius, see Plover, Little Ringed hiaticula, see Plover, Ringed vociferus, see Killdeer Chat, Yellow-breasted, record over North Atlantic, 433, 435-6 Chiffchaff, autumn passage in Isles of Scilly, 210, 213, 220; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276-7, 286; deaths at lighthouse, 277 ; numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 292; bird of northern race at Hook Head, October 1971, 534 Cblidonias hybrida , see Tern, Whiskered leucopterus, see Tern, White-winged Black niger, see Tern, Black Chordeiles minor, see Nighthawk Christensen, Steen, et al., flight identi- fication of European raptors, part 3 : Aquila and White-tailed Eagles, 52- 78, plates 10-16; part 4: Harriers, 233-47, plates 41-44; part 5: vultures, 411-23, plates 61-68 , , and Nielsen, Bent Pors, photographs of Steppe Eagle, plate 15c, d Ciconia ciconia, see Stork, White Cinclodes antarcticus, see Tussock-bird Cinclus cinclus, see Dipper Circus aeruginosus, see Harrier, Marsh cyaneus, see Harrier, Hen hudsonius, see Hawk, Ameri- can Marsh macrourus, see Harrier, Pallid Pygargus, see Harrier, Montagu’s Cisticola juncidis, see Warbler, Fan-tailed Clafton, F. R., Desert Warbler in Dorset: a species new to Britain and Ireland, 460-4 Clamator glandarius , see Cuckoo, Great Spotted Clegg, Michael, note on partial albinism in skuas, 530-1 Coccotbraustes coccotbraustes, see Haw- finch Coccyzus americanus, see Cuckoo, Yellow- billed Comprehensive index Coccyzus crytbropbthalmus, see Cuckoo, Black-billed Colaptes auratus, see Flicker, Yellow- shafted Collis, G. M., letter on bill-licking by birds, 179-80 Columba livia, see Pigeon, Feral palumbus , see Woodpigeon Conder, Peter, letter on submission of records, 307-8 Cooke, D. A. P., photograph of Hen Harrier, plate 38b Coot, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276, 278, 286; photograph of flock, plate 57b Coracias garrulus, see Roller Cormorant, plumage type, 466-7, 470, 474 , Double-crested, fishing methods, 473 , Pied, plumage type, 467 Corncrake, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276, 286 Cornelius, L. W., letter on density of Collared Doves, 490 Corvus corone, see Crow, Carrion frugikgus, see Rook Cvturnix coturnix, see Quail Courser, Cream-coloured, photographic study, 120-4, plates 17-22 Coutts, Dennis, photograph of Steller’s Eider, plate 50a Cramb, A. P. D., note on Grey Heron squatting and being attacked by Carrion Crow, 167 Cramp, Stanley, review of British Ornithologists’ Union: The Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland, and British Trust for Ornithology : A Species List of British and Irish Birds, 262-3 > review of Yeatman: Histoire des Oiseaux d’ Europe, 402-3 , , and Reynolds, J. F., studies of less familiar birds: 168 — Cream- coloured Courser, 120-4 Crane, accepted records 1971, 331 , Sandhill, in Co. Cork in 1905, 427 Creeper, Brown, record over North Atlantic, 430, 432, 436 Crex crex, see Corncrake Crow, Carrion, attacking Grey Heron, 167, 356-7; attacking Barn Owl, 221; feeding on dead birds under power lines, 279; numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 293; at Hook Comprehensive index Head, October 1971, 533 Cuckoo, deaths from Dungeness lines, 286; reactions of passerine: stuffed, 522 , Black-billed, record over North Atlantic, 433, 435-6 , Great Spotted, accepted records 1971, }3» -, Yellow-billed, in Isles of Scilly, 49, 156; accepted record 1971, 338, plate 5od; accepted record 1969, 349; accepted record 1970, 351; records over North Atlantic, 430-3, 436 Cuculus canorus, see Cuckoo Curbcr, R. M., see King, Bernard Curlew, autumn passage in Isles of Scilly, 218; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 279, 286 , Stone, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 279, 286 Cursorius cursor, sec Courser, Cream- coloured Cyanocitta crista ta, sec Jay, Blue Cygnus bewickii , sec Swan, Bewick’s cygnus, see Swan, Whooper olor, sec Swan, Mute Dalton, Stephen, photograph of Barn Owl, plate 36 Danko, Stefan, photograph of Black Vulture, plate 62b Davis, J. W. F., and Packer, I., note on mclanistic Manx Shearwater, 527 Dawson, Rodney, note on Black-tailed Godwits fighting in autumn, 300-1, plate 45 ; photograph of wader with mixed characters of immature Com- mon and Spotted Sandpipers, plate 48a 1 Deans, I. R., note on Shags laying two clutches, 166-7 Delicbon urbica, see Martin, House Dendrocopos major, see Woodpecker, Great Spotted minor, see Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Dendrocopos villosus, see Woodpecker, Hairy Dendroica coronata, see Warbler, Myrtle magnolia, see Warbler, Magnolia palmarum, see Warbler, Palm petechia, see Warbler, Yellow striata, see Warbler, Blackpoll Dennis, R. H., note on Goldeneyes breeding in nestbox in Scotland, 7m 545 167-8; note on Temminck’s Stints nesting in Scotland, 481; letter on Cretzschmar s Bunting in Sweden, 535 "lers, Pierre, letter on the genus He sper iphona in North America, 535 Dickson, R. C., note on daylight hunting by Barn Owls, 221-2 Diomedea exu/ans, see Albatross, Wan- dering melanopbris, sec Albatross, Black- browed Dipper, diving from wing, 303 Diver, Great Northern, photograph, plate 33b Diving-petrel, Common, plumage type, 467 Dobbs, A., note on Nighthawk in Nottinghamshire, 302-3 Dolichonyx oryzivorus, see Bobolink Dorward, D. F., photograph of Black Noddies, plate 70c Dotterel, breeding in Finland, 161; in Isles of Scilly, 215 Dove, Collared, in Britain and Ireland 1965-70, 1 39-1 5 5 ; deaths from Dunge- ness power lines, 276, 286; tricho- moniasis in, 490 , Mourning, records over North Atlantic, 430, 432-6 , Stock, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276, 286; photograph, plate 39a -, Turtle, autumn passage in Isles of Scilly, 209; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276-7, 286; deaths at lighthouse, 277; record over North Atlantic, 434, 437; passage at Hook Head, October 1971, 533 Dowitchcr, problems of identiltcation, 305 ; accepted records 1971, 332 , Long-billed, on Isles of Scilly, October 1966, 171; accepted record I97* I> 332> Plate 49a Driver, J., note on Redpoll plucking dead Dunnock, 260; note on Little Gull dip-feeding over upland fields. Duck, Long-tailed, in Isles of Scilly, October 1967, 80 , Ring-necked, accepted records 1971, 329 , Tufted, photographed with flock of Coots, plate 57b Dumetella carolinensis, see Catbird Dunlin, deaths from Dungeness power 546 lines, 279, 286; migration routes, 368, 378 Dunnock, dead bird plucked by Red- poll, 260; numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 293 ; feeding young on aphids, 357 Durand, Alan L., landbirds over the North Atlantic: unpublished records 1961-65 and thoughts a decade later, 428-442 Eagle, Bonelli’s, photographed mobbing Griffon Vulture, plate 63b , Golden, flight identification, 52, 54-5, 58-60, plates 10-11 , Imperial, flight identification, 5 2, 56-7, 68-71, plates 15a, b , Lesser Spotted, flight identifica- tion, 52, 54-5, 65-7, plates I2b-i4 , Spotted, flight identification, 52, 55, 61-4, plate 12a , Steppe, flight identification, 52, 56-7> 72'5, P^tes 15c, d, e , White-tailed, flight identification, 52, 56-7, 76-8, plate 16 Editorials: changes in the editorial board, 1-3; European co-operation in ornithology, 137-8; birds and marine pollution, 317-9; field guides and identification, 409-10 Edwards, K. D., and Osborne, K. C., Hooded Warbler in the Isles of Scilly: a species new to Britain and Ireland, 203-5 Egret, Cattle, colonisation of New World, 426 , Little, accepted records 1971, 325-6; accepted record 1970, 350; Caribbean records, 426 Egretta gar^etta, see Egret, Little Eider, in Isles of Scilly, 2x3; photo- graph, plate 56b , King, accepted record 1971, 329 , Steller’s, accepted record 1971, 329, plate 50a Elgood, J. H., note on Shearwaters wheeling over sand dunes, 480 Elliott, Hugh F. I., review of Meyer de Schauensee: A Guide to the Birds of South America, 84-5 Elms, N. E. G., note on House Martins settling and roosting in reed beds, 126 Ember ixfl aureola, see Bunting, Yellow- breasted caesia, see Bunting, Cretzschmar’s Comprehensive index Emberi^a calandra, see Bunting, Corn citrinella, see Yellowhammer hortulana , see Bunting, Ortolan melanocephala, see Bunting, Black- headed pusilla, see Bunting, Little rustica, see Bunting, Rustic schoeniclus, see Bunting, Reed Emmett, R. E., et al., note on prey found in Eagle Owls’ nest in central Sweden, 482 England, M. D., photograph of White Pelicans and Lesser Flamingoes, plate 35b Engqvist, Erik, photographs of Pallid Harrier, plates 42b, 43b Erithacus rubecula, see Robin Eudromias morinellus, see Dotterel Euphagus carolinus, see Blackbird, Rusty Falco columbarius, see Merlin columbarius, see Hawk, Pigeon naumanni, see Kestrel, Lesser peregrinus, see Peregrine rusticolus, see Gyrfalcon sparverius, see Kestrel, American tinmnculus, see Kestrel vespertinus, see Falcon, Red-footed Falcon, Gyr, see Gyrfalcon , Red-footed, nesting with Rooks and Kestrels in U.S.S.R., 258; accepted records 1971, 330; accepted record 1970, 350 Ferguson-Lees, I. J., note on Kestrels nesting close together, 257-8 Eicedula hypoleuca, see Flycatcher, Pied parva, see Flycatcher, Red-breasted Field-characters: Black Vulture, 412-5, plate 62; Griffon Vulture, 412-3, 4x6-7, plates 61, 63-65, 66a; Lammer- geier, 412-3, 418-20, plates 61, 68; Egyptian Vulture, 412-3, 421-3, plates 61, 66b-6y; Golden Eagle, 52, 54-5, 58-60, plates 10-11; Spotted Eagle, 52, 54-5, 61-4, plate 12a; Lesser Spotted Eagle, 52, 54-5, 65-7, plates I2b-i4; Imperial Eagle, 52, 56-7, 68-71, plates 15a, b; Steppe Eagle, 52, 56-7, 72-5, plates 15c, d, e; White-tailed Eagle, 52, 56-7, 76-8, plate 16; Marsh Harrier, 233-8, plates 41a, b; Hen Harrier, 233-5, 239-41, plates 41c, 42a, 43a, 44a, b; Montagu’s Harrier, 233-5, 242-4, plates 42c, 43c, 44c; Pallid Harrier, Comprehensive index 233-5, 245-7, plates 42b, 43b; Ameri- can Marsh Hawk, 358-9; Caspian Plover, 124-5, plates 23-4; Franklin’s Gull, 81-2; Laughing Gull, 79-81; Dusky Warbler, 497-501; Radde’s Warbler, 497-501; Richard’s Pipit, 287-90, plate 48b; Tawny Pipit, 287-90, plate 48b Fieldfare, breeding in Finland, 159; autumn passage in Isles of Scilly, 210; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276-7, 286; deaths at lighthouse, 277; records over North Atlantic, 434, 437; passage at Hook Head, October i97i, 554 Finch, Purple, record over North Atlantic, 431, 433, 436 Firecrest, autumn passage in Isles of Scilly, 209, 213-4; passage at Hook Head, October 1971, 534 Fisher, G. H., photograph of Mediter- ranean Gull, plate Ila; of immature Sabine’s Gull, plate lib; of Wilson’s Phalarope, plate 50b Fitter, R. S. R., letter on flight call of Continental Song Thrush, 534-5 Flamingo, Lesser, photograph, plate 35b Flegg, J. J. M., review of Yapp: Production , Pollution, Protection, 531 Flicker, Yellow-shafted, records over North Atlantic, 430, 432-3, 436 Flycatcher, Pied, breeding in Finland, 159; autumn passage in Isles of Scilly, 219; numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 293 ; passage at I look Head, October 1971, 533 , Red-breasted, at Hook Head, October 1971, 534 , Spotted, reversal of normal moult sequence, 50-1 ; fledged young fed for 22 days, 127; nesting in sea cliff, 172; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 286; numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 292 Flycatchers, sequence of wing-moult, 50-1 Food: Bewick’s Swan, 394-5; Osprey, 527-8; Buff-breasted Sandpiper, 444; Eagle Owl, 482-3; Hawk Owl, 453- Go; Great Grey Owl, 31-2; Blackbird, 82; Goldcrest, 33; Dunnock, 357 Fratercula arctica, sec Puffin Fregata andrewsi, see Frigatebird, Christ- mas Island 547 Fregata aquila, see Frigatebird, Ascension magnificens, see Frigatebird, Magni- ficent minor, see Frigatebird, Great Fridzcn, Karl-Erik, photographs of immature Golden Eagle, plates 10, 1 id; of Montagu’s Harrier, plate 43c Frigatebird, Ascension, plumage type and feeding methods, 475, 477-8 , Christmas Island, plumage type, 467 , Great, plumage type, plate 72a , Magnificent, plumage type, 467 Fringilla coelebs , see Chaffinch monti/ringil/a, see Brambling Frith, H. J., letter on XVI International Ornithological Congress, 487-9 Frost, R. A., note on Blue Tits nesting in House Martin’s nest, 170; note on two pairs of Kestrels nesting on one electricity pylon, 256-7; note on White-winged Black Terns feeding over dry land, 355; note on Water Pipits roosting in greater recdniace and great pond sedge, 483-4 Frydenlund, Gunnar, photograph of Hen Harrier, plate 44a Fu/ica atra , see Coot Fulmar, light-phase plumage type, plate 74a; possible explanation of polymorphism, 517 Fulmarus glacialis, see Fulmar Gallinago gallinago, see Snipe media, sec Snipe, Great Gallinula cbloropus , see Moorhen Galloway, David, an alternative to mobbing as a measure of predator recognition, 522-6 Gannet, feather abnormalities, 87; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 286; plumage type, 467, 470, 472, 512, plate 76c; photograph, plate 56a , Australian, plumage type, 5 1 2 , Cape, plumage type, 512 Gar ruins glandarius, see Jay Gat’ia immer, see Diver, Great Northern Gelochelidon nilotica, see Tern, Gull-billed Geotblypis triebas, sec Yellowthroat Gilpin, Arthur, photograph of Guille- mots, plate 39b Glareola nordmanni, see Pratincole, Black- winged pra/incola, see Pratincole, Collared Godwit, Bar-tailed, breeding in Finland, 548 1 59> deaths from Dungeness power lines, 279, 286 Godwit, Black-tailed, fighting in autumn, 300-1, plate 45 Goldcrest, feeding young on crickets, 33; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 286; taking felt for nesting material, 303; trapped by threads of spider’s web, 483; passage at Hook Head, October 1971, 533-4 Goldeneye, breeding in nestbox in Scotland, 167-8 Goldfinch, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276, 286 Gooders, John, letter on submission of records, 129-31 Goose, Barnacle, at Hook Head, October 1971, 533 , Greenland White-fronted, feeding on potatoes, 395 , Lesser White-fronted, accepted records 1971, 330 , Pink-footed, photograph, plate 35a , White-fronted, passage at Hook Head, October 1971, 533 Goshawk, at Hook Head, October 1971, 534 Grackle, Common, record over North Atlantic, 433-4, 436 Grant, P. J., letter on feather wear in Guillemots and gulls, 86; letter on submission of records, 128; field identification of Richard’s and Tawny Pipits, 287-90, plate 48b Grebe, Great Crested, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 286; pellet- ejection by hand-reared young, 319-21 , Little, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 286; pellet-ejection, 319 , Pied-billed, pellet-ejection, 319 , Slavonian, pellet-ejection, 319 Green, Dennis, photograph of Stock Dove, plate 39a Greenfinch, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276, 286; feeding response in presence of stuffed predator, 523-5 Greenshank, breeding in Finland, 160 Grosbeak, Evening, distribution in U.S.A., 535 , Hooded, distribution, 535 , Pine, breeding in Finland, 159; accepted record 1971, 348 , Rose-breasted, bill-licking, 180 Comprehensive index Grouse, Black, roosting in snow holes, 26; breeding in Finland, 161 ; prey of Eagle Owl, 482 , Red, breeding behaviour com- pared with Ptarmigan, 8-26, 93-116; roosting in snow holes, 26 — — , Willow, breeding behaviour com- pared with Ptarmigan, 9-1 1, 15-19, 25, 98-105, 1 10-5 ; breeding in Finland, 161; prey of Hawk Owl, 458; prey of Eagle Owl, 482 Grus canadensis, see Crane, Sandhill grus, see Crane Guillemot, feather wear in, 85-7; photograph, plate 39b , Black, plumage type, 467, 518 Gull, Black-headed, large colony in Hampshire, 168; paired with Mediter- ranean gulls in Hampshire, 185-6; numbers killed by overhead wires, 274, 279> z86; plumage type, 516, plate 73c , Bonaparte’s, in Cornwall, October 1967, 80; accepted records 1971, 336 — — •, Common, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 279, 286 , Dusky, plumage type, 467 , Franklin’s, in Sussex, 81-2 , Glaucous, hybrid X Herring Gull similar to Kumlien’s Gull, 265 ; function of wing-tip patterns, 515; photographs, plate 80 , Great Black-backed, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 279, 286 , Hemprich’s, plumage type, 467 , Herring, mobbing juvenile White Storks, 4, plate 1 ; unusual breeding habitat in Hampshire, 168-9; hybrid X Glaucous similar to Kumlien’s Gull, 265 ; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 279, 286; function of wing coloration, 515-6 , Iceland, function of wing-tip patterns, 515 , Ivory, accepted records 1971, 336; adaptive feature of plumage type, 516 , Kumlien’s, identification prob- lems, 265 , Laughing, in Isles of Scilly, 79-81 , Lesser Black-backed, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 279, 286; function of wing coloration, 516; plumage type, plate 69a , Little, feeding association with Comprehensive index Razorbill, 259; dip-feeding over upland fields, 355 Gull, Mediterranean, attempted breed- ing in Hampshire 1970-1, 185-6, plate II; analysis of British and Irish records 1958-67, 187-92 , Ross’s, accepted record 1970, 350 , Sabine’s, in Cornwall, October 1967, 80; in Isles of Scilly, 213; photograph of immature, plate lib , Slender-billed, accepted records 1971, 336; in Kent, 395-7 , Thayer’s, identification problems, 265 ; function of wing-tip patterns. Gulls, feather wear, 85-7 Gygis alba, see Tern, Fairy Gypaetus barbatus, see Lammergeier Gyps fulvus, see Vulture, Griffon Gyrfalcon, accepted records 1971, 330; accepted record 1970, 350 Haematopus ostralegus, see Oystcrcatchcr Haliaeetus albicilla, sec Eagle, White- tailed Harding, B. D., Scarlet Tanager in the Isles of Scilly: a species new to Britain and Ireland, 155-8; note on Nighthawk in the Isles of Scilly, 301-2 Harrier, Hen, in Isles of Scilly, 211; swooping on Barn Owl, 221; flight identification, 233-5, 239-41, plates 41c, 42a, 43a, 44a, b; numbers killed by overhead wires, 274; at Hook Head, October 1971, 533; photo- graphs, plates 38b, 58b , Marsh, flight identification, 233-8, plates 41a, b , Montagu’s, flight identification, 233-5. 242-4, plates 42c, 43c, 44c , Pallid, flight identification, 233-5, 245-7, plates 42b, 43b Harries, S., see Richmond, D. Harris, David, photograph of Cream- coloured Courser, plate 22b Harrison, James Maurice, obituary, 164-6, plate 32 Harrison, Pamela, photograph of James Maurice Harrison, plate 32 Haverschmidt, F., further evidence of the “portlandica” plumage phase of terns, 117-9 Hawfinch, sound produced in high- speed flight, 34-5 ; autumn passage in 549 Isles ot Scilly, 215; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 286 Hawk, American Marsh, eye colour of immature, 358-9 , Pigeon, record over North Atlan- tic, 436 , Red-shouldered, records over North Atlantic, 429, 432-3, 436 Helps, M. J., photograph of Imperial Eagle, plate 15a Hen, Hazel, breeding in Finland, 163, plate 27a; prey of Hawk Owl, 458; prey of Eagle Owl, 482 Heron, Great Blue, coming on board ships in mid-Atlantic, 426, 442-3 , Green, in Cornwall in 1889, 424-7 , Grey, attacked by Carrion Crows, 167. 356-7; bill-licking, 180; numbers killed by overhead wires, 274; Caribbean records, 426 , Night, accepted records 1971, 326; accepted record 1970, 350 , Purple, accepted records 1971, 325; accepted records 1970, 350 , Squacco, accepted record 1971, 326, plate 50c Hesperipbona abeiUei, see Grosbeak, Hooded vespertina, sec Grosbeak, Evening Hickling, R. A. O., review of Vaughan: Gulls in Britain, 402 Hieraaetus fascia/us, sec Eagle, Bonelli’s Himantopus himantopus, see Stilt, Black- winged Hippolais caligata, sec Warbler, Booted Hirtmdo daurica, see Swallow, Rcd- rumped rustica, see Swallow erytbrogaster, see Swallow, Barn spilodera, see Swallow, African Cliff Hollyer, J. N., note on flight call of Continental Song Thrush, 170 Homes, R. C., photograph of Montagu’s Harrier, plate 42c Hope Jones, P., succession in breeding bird populations of sample Welsh oakwoods, 291-9 Hosking, Eric, more examples of the best recent work by British bird- photographers, 206-7, plates 33-40; British bird-photographers: 15 — Wil- liam S. Paton, 392-4, plates 53-60; photographs of Marsh Harriers, 550 plate 41a, b; of Montagu’s Harrier, plate 44c; of Egyptian Vulture, plate 66b; of Lammergeier, plate 68b; of White Pelicans, plate 70a; of Brown Pelicans, plate 70b; of Great Frigatebird, plate 72a; of Red- billed Tropicbird, plate 72b; of Great Skua, plate 74b; of light-phase Arctic Skua, plate 74c; of African Skimmers, plate 75c; of Brown Booby, plate 76a; of Fan-tailed Warbler, plate 77a Hudson, Robert, Collared Doves in Britain and Ireland during 1965-70, 1 39_T 5 5 > Green Heron in Cornwall in 1889, 424-7; news and comment, see News and comment Hughes, S. W. M., note on Brambling feeding from suspended nut-basket, 445 Hummingbird, Ruby-throated, record over North Atlantic, 433-6 , Rufous, bill-licking, 179 Hunt, D. B., photograph of immature Nighthawk, plate 51a Hydroprogne tschegrava, see Tern, Caspian Hylocichla guttata, see Thrush, Hermit Icteria virens, see Chat, Yellow-breasted Icterus galbula, see Oriole, Baltimore Ixobrychus exilis, see Bittern, Least Jay, numbers breeding in Welsh oak- woods, 293 , Blue, records over North Atlantic, 428, 432> 436 , Siberian, breeding in Finland, 161 Jensen, Arne, photographs of Golden Eagle, plate nb, c Jobson, G. J., see Axell, H. E. Johns, R. J., and Wallace, D. I. M., field identification of Dusky and Radde’s Warblers, 497-501 Johnson, A. R., photograph of Black Vulture, plate 62c Junco hyemalis, see Junco, Slate-coloured Junco, Slate-coloured, records over North Atlantic, 430-3, 436, 439 Kear, Janet, review of Martin: Wildfowl in Captivity, 531-2 Kennedy, R. J., letter on feather wear in Guillemots and gulls, 86-7 Kestrel, nesting close together, 256-8; numbers killed by overhead wires. Comprehensive index 274; feeding on dead birds under power lines, 279; numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 293; nesting in Greater London, 528, plate IVa Kestrel, American, record over North Atlantic, 431, 433, 436 , Lesser, in Isles of Scilly, 217-8; in Cornwall, 220; accepted record 1971, 331; plumage variations, 443-4 Killdeer, accepted record 1971, 331 King, Bernard, note on Swift clinging to another which was perched on edge of roof gutter, 32-3; note on Spotted Flycatchers feeding fledged young for 22 days, 127; note on food of Buff-breasted Sandpiper in the Isles of Scilly, 444; note on feeding and aerial diving by Shags, 480-1; note on Osprey taking food other than fish, 527-8 , , and Curber, R. M., note on Great Blue Herons coming on board ships in mid-Atlantic, 442-3 Kinglet, Golden-crowned, record over North Atlantic, 430, 432, 436 , Ruby-crowned, record over North Atlantic, 431, 433, 436 Kite, Black, accepted records 1971, 330 , Red, in Isles of Scilly, 215 Kittiwake, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 279, 286; plumage type, 466-7 Knot, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 279, 286 Kop, P. P. A. M., pellet-ejection by hand-reared Great Crested Grebes, 319-21 Ladhams, D. E., note on artificial nest- sites for Treecreepers, 223 Lagopus lagopus, see Grouse, Willow mutus, see Ptarmigan scoticus, see Grouse, Red Lammergeier, flight-identification, 412- 3, 418-20, plates 61, 68 Lanins collurio, see Shrike, Red-backed minor , see Shrike, Lesser Grey senator, see Shrike, Woodchat Lapwing, autumn passage in Isles of Scilly, 217; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 279, 286 Lark, Short-toed, in Isles of Scilly, 209; accepted records 1971, 339 Larus argentatus, see Gull, Herring atricilla, see Gull, Laughing Comprehensive index Lams canus, see Gull, Common fuliginosus , sec Gull, Dusky fuscus , sec Gull, Lesser Black- backed genei, see Gull, Slender-billed glaucoides kumlieni, sec Gull, Kum- lien’s hemprichii, see Gull, Hemprich’s byperboreus , see Gull, Glaucous marinas, see Gull, Great Black- backed melanocephalus, sec Gull, Mediter- ranean minutus , see Gull, Little Philadelphia, see Gull, Bonaparte’s pipixean, see Gull, Franklin’s ridibimdus, see Gull, Black-headed sabini, see Gull, Sabine’s thayeri, see Gull, Thayer’s Lid, Gunnnr, photograph of White- tailed Eagle, plate 16b Limicola falcinellus, sec Sandpiper, Broad- billed L imnodromus scolopaceus, sec Dowitcher, Long-billed Limosa lapponica, see Godwit, Bar-tailed limosa, sec Godwit, Black-tailed Linnet, passage at Hook Head, October i97L 553 1 L ocustella luscinioides, sec Warbler, Savi’s naevia , sec Warbler, Grasshopper Lord, J., letter on submission of records, Hi Lulltda arborea, see Woodlark Lunda cirrbata, sec Puffin, Tufted Luscinia luscinia, sec Nightingale, Thrush megarbynebos , see Nightingale svecica cyanecula, sec Blucthroat, White-spotted svecica, see Bluethroat, Red- spotted. Lymnocryples minimus, see Snipe, Jack ' Lyrurus tetrix, see Grouse, Black Magpie, deaths from Dungencss power lines, 286 Mallard, deaths from Dungencss power lines, 286; feeding on potatoes, 395; prey of Eagle Owl, 482 Martin, House, roosting in reed beds, 126; photograph, plate 58a , Purple, record over North Atlan- tic, 430, 432, 436 , Sand, Tree Sparrow nesting in colony, 83; roosting in reeds, 126 Meadowlark, Eastern, records over 5JI North Atlantic, 430, 433, 436 Melanitta nigra, see Scoter, Common perspicillata, see Scoter, Surf Melospiga georgiana, see Sparrow, Swamp lincolnii, see Sparrow, Lincoln’s melodia, see Sparrow, Song Merganser, Red-breasted, autumn pas- sage in Isles of Scilly, 217; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 286 Mergus serrator, see Merganser, Red- breasted Merlin, deaths from Dungencss power lines, 286; at Hook Head, October 1971, 533 Merne, Oscar J., note on Bewick’s Swans feeding on waste potatoes and other agricultural crops, 394-3 Merops apiaster, sec Bee-eater Metcalfe, J. W. W., note on plumage variations in a colony of Lesser Kestrels, 443-4 Migration: Ncarctic vagrants in Britain and Ireland, 37; White Stork, 4-5, plates 1-3; Curlew Sandpiper, 365-80; Wallcreeper, 36-7 Mikkola, Hcimo, note on food of Great Grey Owls in the Lapland Reserve, U.S.S.R., 31-2; Hawk Owls and their prey in northern Europe, 453-60 , , sec Emmett, R. E., et at. Ali/vus migrans, see Kite, Black milt’us, sec Kite, Red Minton, C. D. T., sec Stanley, P. I. Moniicola saxatilis, see Thrush, Rock Moore, C. C., letter on migration at Hook Head, Co. Wexford, in October i97i, 533-4 Moorhen, breeding biology on farm ponds, 248-56; deaths from Dunge- ness power lines, 276, 278, 286; completely submerging, 299-300 Alotaci/Ja alba yarrel/ii, see Wagtail, Pied cinerea, see Wagtail, Grey citreola, see Wagtail, Citrine flora ibunbergi, see Wagtail, Grey- headed Mummery, Len, see Emmett, R. E., et al. Aluscicapa striata, see Flycatcher, Spotted Needham, G. J. P., note on Great Spotted Woodpeckers excavating holes in autumn, 399 Neophron perenopterus, see Vulture, Egyptian 55* News and comment: Wader Study Group, Foulness, recent booklets, new warden for Lundy, pheasant conservation, 3 8-9; North Frisian Waddensee National Park, W.W.F. aid for Camargue, recent honours. National Cagebird Exhibition, R.S.P.B. Highland excursion, Antarc- tic wildlife recording, 87-9; ‘Blueprint for survival’, Rothschild Green Paper, schism in Cyprus O.S., B.T.O. con- ferences, 134-5; I.C.B.P. Golden Jubilee, Firth of Forth oil, Briinnich’s Guillemot mortality, Cliffe marshes threat, Sevenoaks wildfowl reserve, Thorburn and Lodge exhibition, obituary of Professor Dr Rudolf Drost, responsible photography, 180- 2; Walberswick N.N.R., oiled geese in Cromarty Firth, All-Ireland Con- ference on Bird Conservation, recent appointments, two recent publica- tions, 225-7; conservation priorities. Ascension birds. Seabird Report 1970, Wildfowl Trust presidency, new environmental journal, 266-7; Wild- fowl Trust expansion, R.S.P.B. award to George Waterston, conservation in Spitsbergen, Isle of May cull, R.A.F. bird strikes, a horticultural viewpoint, 309-10; U.N. Environ- ment Conference, R.A.F. bird strikes, ‘Spot-the-birds Day’, Clickimin Loch, B.B.C. Wildlife Sound Archives, price of Zoological Record, 359-61; Foulness study, Wildfowl Trust flamingos, captive-breeding raptors, partridge introductions, development of north Scottish coast, R.S.P.B. library, The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats, 405-6; Belgian bird protection, wildlife recording con- test, interest in stuffed animals, I.C.B.P. Bulletin, obituary of Walter E. Higham, straw-burning hazards, 448-50; development threat to Leigh area, four recent booklets, James Fisher Memorial, obituaries of John Markham and Geoffrey M. Tait, Bird Room move, 490-2; attacks on case against pesticides, more bird strikes, Cambrian Mountains National Park, International Bird Census Con- ference, 536-8 Newton, I., review of Scott and Wild- Comprehensive index fowl Trust: The Swans, 487 Nielsen, Bent Pors, see Christensen, Steen, et al. Nighthawk, in Isles of Scilly, 21 1-2, 301-2; in Nottinghamshire, 302-3; accepted records 1971, 338-9, plate 5 Ia Nightingale, accepted record 1971 of Luscinia megarhynchos hafisf, 341 Thrush, accepted records 1971, 341-2 Noddy, Black, plumage type and feeding methods, 470, 475-6, 478, plate 70c , Brown, plumage type and feeding methods, 475-6, 478 Nucifraga caryocatactes, see Nutcracker Numenius arquata, see Curlew phaeopus, see Whimbrel Nutcracker, accepted records 1971, 340 Nuthatch, numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 292 , Red-breasted, record over North Atlantic, 432, 436 — — -, White-breasted, record over North Atlantic, 432, 436 Nyctea scandiaca, see Owl, Snowy Nycticorax nycticorax, see Heron, Night Obituary: James Maurice Harrison, DSC, MRCS, LRCP (1892-I971), 164-6, plate 32 Oceanites oceanicus, see Petrel, Wilson’s Oceanodroma castro, see Petrel, Madeiran furcata, see Petrel, Fork-tailed Oenanthe hispanica, see Wheatear, Black- eared oenanthe, see Wheatear Oporornis Philadelphia, see Warbler, Mourning Oriole, Baltimore, record over North Atlantic, 433, 436-8 , Golden, breeding in Finland, 159 Oriolus oriolus, see Oriole, Golden Osborne, K. C., letter on submission of records, 1 29 ; photograph of Bonelli’s Warbler, plate 52b , , see Edwards, K. D. Osprey, food, 527-8 Otus scops, see Owl, Scops Ouzel, Ring, autumn passage in Isles of Scilly, 212; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276, 286 Owl, Barn, hunting in daylight, 26-30, 221-2; numbers killed by overhead 553 Comprehensive index wires, 274; nesting in Greater London, 528, plate IVb; photographs, plates 36-7 Owl, Eagle, food in central Sweden, 482-3 , Great Grey, food in Soviet Lap- land, 31-2; nesting near Hawk Owl, 454 ■ , Hawk, breeding in Finland, 159- 60, plate 25 ; food in northern Europe, 453-60; prey of Eagle Owl, 482 , Little, feeding on dead birds under power lines, 279; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 286 , Long-eared, prey of Eagle Owl, 482 , Scops, accepted record 197 1, 338 , Short-cared, nesting near Hawk Owl, 454; prey of Eagle Owl, 482; at Hook Head, October 1971, 534 • , Snowy, accepted records 1971, 538 , Tawny, plunging into water, 444-5 ; reaction of Chaffinches to model, 522; photograph, plate 40b , Tcngmalm’s, taken by 1 lawk Owl, 454; prey of Eagle Owl, 482 , Ural, nesting near Hawk Owl, 454 Oystcrcatcher, photograph, plate 57a Pacbyptila desolata, see Prion, Dove Packer, I., see Davis, J. W. F. Pagopbila eburnea , sec Gull, Ivory Pandion baliaetus , sec Osprey Parker, A. C., note on photographs of Kestrels and Barn Owls nesting in Greater London, 528, plate IV Partridge, plunging into w'atcr, 221; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 278, 286 Panda americana, see Warbler, Parula Paras ater, see Tit, Coal caerideus, see Tit, Blue cinctus, see Tit, Siberian major, see Tit, Great mon/anus, see Tit, Willow palustris, see Tit, Marsh Passer domesticus, see Sparrow, House monlanus, see Sparrow, Tree Passerculus sandndebensis, see Sparrow, Savannah Passerina cyanea, see Bunting, Indigo Paton, William S., study of photo- graphic work, 392-4, plates 53-60 Pedersen, Claus F., photographs of Lesser Spotted Eagle, plates 12b, 14 Pelagodroma marina, see Petrel, Frigate Pelecanoides urinatrix, see Diving-petrel, Common Pelican, American White, fishing methods, 473 , Brown, plumage type, 467, 470, plate 70b , White, plumage type, 467, plate 70a; photograph, plate 35b Pelecanus erytbrorbynebos, see Pelican, American White occidentalis , see Pelican, Brown onocrotalus, see Pelican, White Penguin, Adelie, plumage type, 467 Pennie, Ian D., review of Watson: Birds of Moor and Mountain, 485-6 Perdix perdix, see Partridge Peregrine, photograph, plate 53 Perisoreus infaustus, sec Jay, Siberian Perm's apivorus, see Buzzard, Honey Perrins, C. M., review of Brown: African Birds of Prey, 173-4 Petit, Pierre, photographs of I len Harrier, plates 41c, 42a, 43a, 44b Petrel, Bulwcr’s, plumage type, 467 , Fork-tailed, plumage type, 467 , Frigate, plumage type, 467, plate 71a , Madeiran, plumage type and feeding methods, 475-6, 478 , Snowy, adaptive feature of plum- age type, 516 , Wilson’s, plumage type, 467, plate 75a Phaetbon aetbereus, sec Tropicbird, Rcd- billcd Upturns, see Tropicbird, Yellow- billed Phalacrocorax aristotelis, see Shag auritus, see Cormorant, Double- crested carbo, see Cormorant varius, see Cormorant, Pied Phalaropc, Grey, off Hook Head, October 1971, 533 , Red-necked, breeding in Finland, 164, plate 30b , Wilson’s, accepted records 1971, 335, plates 50b, 78; omission, 530; accepted records 1970, 350 Pbalaropus fulicarius, see Phalarope, Grey iobatus, sec Phalarope, Red-necked tricolor, see Phalarope, Wilson’s 554 Pheucticus ludovicianus , see Grosbeak, Rose-breasted Philomachus pugnax, see Ruff Pboebetria fusca, see Albatross, Sooty Pboenicopterus minor , see Flamingo, Lesser Phoenicurus oebruros, see Redstart, Black phoenicurus, see Redstart Phylloscopus bonelli, see Warbler, Bonelli’s borealis, see Warbler, Arctic collybita, see Chiffchaff fuscatus, see Warbler, Dusky inornatus, see Warbler, Yellow- browed proregulus, see Warbler, Pallas’s schwarny, see Warbler, Radde’s sibilatrix, see Warbler, Wood trocbiloides, see Warbler, Greenish trochilus, see Warbler, Willow Pica pica, see Magpie Picoides tridactylus, see Woodpecker, Three-toed Picus viridis , see Woodpecker, Green Pigeon, Feral, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 286; records over North Atlantic, 439 Pinicola enucleator, see Grosbeak, Pine Pintail, feeding on potatoes, 395 Pipit, Blyth’s, possibility of occurrence in W. Europe, 290 , Meadow, breeding in Finland, 161; autumn passage in Isles of Scilly, 2 1 1 ; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276, 286; record over North Atlantic, 434, 437; roosting in reed grass, 484 , Pechora, accepted record 1971, 345 , Red-throated, in Isles of Scilly, October 1966, 17 1; in Isles of Scilly, October 1971, 217; accepted records I97L 345-6 , Richard’s, in Isles of Scilly, October 1966, 171; in Isles of Scilly, 212-3; field-characters, 287-90, plate 48b; accepted record 1970, 351; analysis of British and Irish records 1958-67, 387-92 , Rock, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 286 , Tawny, in Cornwall, 220; field- characters, 287-90, plate 48b; accepted records 1971, 345; accepted record i97°, 351; migration little affected by adverse weather, 391 Comprehensive index Pipit, Tree, numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 293 , Water, roosting in greater reed- mace and great pond sedge, 483-4 Piranga olivacea, see Tanager, Scarlet Platt, Donald, photograph of Arctic Skua, plate 38a Plautus alle, see Auk, Little Plectropbenax nivalis, see Bunting, Snow Plover, Caspian, photographs of im- mature, 124-5, plates 23-4 , Golden, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 279, 286; passage at Hook Head, October 1971, 533 , Grey, in Isles of Scilly, October 1971, 218 , Lesser Golden, in Cornwall, 215, 220; accepted records 1971, 331-2, plates Ilia, 49b , Little Ringed, unusual nest, 528-9, plate 77b , Northern Golden, breeding in Finland, 161 , Ringed, migration route, 368 , Sociable, accepted record 1971, 33 1 Pluvialis apricaria, see Plover, Golden altifrons, see Plover, Northern Golden dominica, see Plover, Lesser Golden squatarola, see Plover, Grey Podiceps auritus, see Grebe, Slavonian cristatus, see Grebe, Great Crested ruficollis, see Grebe, Little Podilymbus podiceps, see Grebe, Pied- billed Polysticta stelleri, see Eider, Steller’s Porter, R. F., photographs of Lesser Spotted Eagle, plate 12c, d; of Imperial Eagle, plate 15b , , see Christensen, Steen, ef at. Pounds, Hubert E., note on Woodcock nesting away from trees, 30-1 ; note on sounds produced by Hawfinches in high-speed flight, 34-5 ; note on two Red-backed Shrikes laying in one nest, 357-8 Pratincole, Black-winged, accepted records 1971, 335 , Collared, accepted record 1971, 335 Preston, K., see Sharrock, J. T. R. Prion, Dove, plumage type, 467 Progne subis, see Martin, Purple Prunella modularis, sec Dunnock Comprehensive index Ptarmigan, study of behaviour, 6-26, 95-117, plates 4-8 , White-tailed, roosting in snow holes, 25 Puffin, research on causes of decline in numbers, 319; plumage type, 467 , Tufted, plumage type, 467 P affirms griseus, see Shearwater, Sooty Iberminieri, see Shearwater, Audu- bon’s puffinus, see Shearwater, Manx Pygoscelis adcliac , sec Penguin, Adelie Pyrrhula pyrrbula, see Bullfinch Quail, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 286 Quiscalus quiscula, see Crackle, Common Rail, Water, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276, 286 Kallus aquaticus, see Rail, Water Rankin, Niall, photograph of Wilson’s Petrels, plate 75a Rarities Committee: report on rare birds in Great Britain in 1971 (with 1967, 1968, 1969, and 1970 additions), 322-54, plates III, 49-52; election announcement, 403 Razorbill, feeding association with Little Gull, 259; plumage type, plate 69b Recent reports: 40-4, 89-92, 135-6, 183-4, 227-8, 267-8, 311-6, 361-4, 406-8, 450-2, 492-6, 538-40 Recorders, county and regional, 269-72 Redpoll, breeding in Finland, 159; autumn passage in Isles of Scilly, 210; plucking dead Dunnock, 260; prey of Hawk Owl, 458; passage at Hook Head, October 1971, 533 , Greenland, southern occurrences in Britain, 172-3 ; in Isles of Scilly, 216 Redshank, Spotted, breeding in Finland, 1 60, plates 28b, 29 Redshaw, K., note on Lesser White- throat attempting to copulate with stone in autumn, 127; note on Slender-billed Gull in Kent, 395-7 Redstart, breeding in Finland, 159; numbers breeding in Welsh oak- woods, 292; passage at Hook Head, October 1971, 533 , Black, autumn passage in Isles of Scilly, 209, 213, 216; passage at Hook Head, October 1971, 533 555 Redwing, roosting in reed beds, 126-7; breeding in Finland, 159; autumn passage in Isles of Scilly, 212; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276-7, 286, deaths at lighthouse, 277; records over North Atlantic, 434] 437; prey of Hawk Owl, 458; passage at Hook Head, October 1971, 533-4 , Iceland, breeding in open, 178 Regulus calendula , sec Kinglet, Ruby- crowned ignicapillus, see Firccrcst regulus , see Goldcrest satrapa, see Kinglet, Golden- crowned Rclton, Judy, breeding biology of Moorhens on Huntingdonshire farm ponds, 248-56 Requests for information: colour- marked Mute Swans, Neotropical nest registry, 308; gulls attacking migrants at sea, 536; summering Firecrests and Bramblings, 536 Reviews: Bannerman and Banncrman: / land- book of /be Birds of Cyprus and Migrants of /be Middle Hast, 224-5 Barrington: The Bird Gardener's Book, 35-6 Benson, et al.\ The Birds of Zambia, 174-5 British Ornithologists’ Union: Tlx Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland, 262-3 British Trust for Ornithology: A Species Cist of British and Irish Birds, 262-3 Brown: African Birds of Prey, 173-4 Ferdinand: Storre Danske Euglelokali- teter, part 1, 263-4 llcinzel, Fitter and Parslow: The Birds of Britain and Europe with North Africa and the Middle East, 445-8 Martin: Wildfowl in Captivity, 531-2 Meyer de Schauensce: A Guide to the Birds of South America, 84-5 Schiiz: Grimdriss der Vogel^ugsktmde, 177-8 Scott and Wildfowl Trust: The Swans, 487 Simms: Woodland Birds, 175-7 Stewart and Christensen : A Clxck-list of the Birds of Cyprus, 224-5 Vaughan : Gulls in Britain, 402 556 Watson: Birds of Moor and Mountain, 485-6 Yapp: Production, Pollution, Protection, 53i Yeatman : Histoire des Oiseaux d’Europe, 402-3 Reynolds, J. F., photographs of Cream- coloured Courser, plates 17-223; of immature Caspian Plovers, 124-5, plates 23-4; of Wilson’s Phalarope, plate 78; note on Little Stint incu- bating eight eggs, 529, plate 79 , , see Cramp, Stanley Rhodostethia rosea, see Gull, Ross’s Richmond, D., and Harries, S., note on Partridge plunging into water, 221 Riparia riparia, see Martin, Sand Rissa tridactjla, see Kittiwake Roberts, L. J., see Scott, R. E. Robin, numbers breeding in Welsh oak- woods, 292; feeding response in presence of stuffed predator, 522-5; passage at Hook Head, October I97I> 534; photograph, plate 55a , American, records over North Atlantic, 428, 432, 436 Robson, R. W., note on dead White- throat in nest occupied by young Garden Warblers, 82; note on Tree Sparrow nesting in Sand Martin colony, 83-4; note on Moorhen completely submerging for more than a minute, 299-300; note on Dipper diving continuously from the wing, 303 Rogers, M. J., letter on Nearctic vagrants in Britain and Ireland, 37; note on Franklin’s Gull in Sussex, 81-2; letter on submission of records, 128-9 Roller, accepted record 1971, 339 Rolls, Julian C., note on Redwings roosting in reed beds, 126-7 Rook, mobbing juvenile White Storks, 4, plate 2b; Kestrels and Red-footed Falcons nesting round rookery in U.S.S.R., 258 Rosefinch, Scarlet, accepted records I97L 347-8 Roux, F., photograph of Cory’s Shear- water, plate 71b Ruck, A. T. M., note on Grey Wagtail singing in early July, 33-4 Ruff, breeding in Finland, 160-1; photograph of Reeve, plate 28a Comprehensive index Rynchops jlavirostris, see Skimmer, Afri- can nigra, see Skimmer, Black Sandpiper, Baird’s, accepted records 1971, 333-4, plate Illb , Broad-billed, breeding in Finland, 163-4, plate 26 , Buff-breasted, in Isles of Scilly, 209; accepted records 1971, 334-5; food, 444 , Common, problems of identifica- tion, 306, plate 48a , Curlew, unusual westward migra- tion autumn 1969, 365-80 , Least, accepted record 1971, 333 , Pectoral, in Isles of Scilly, 21 1 , Semipalmated, accepted record I97L 334 , Solitary, accepted record 1971, 332 .Spotted, in Isles of Scilly, 21 1; problems of identification, 306, plate 48a; accepted records 1971, 332; accepted record 1970, 350 , Terek, breeding in Finland, 159; accepted record 1971, 333 , Upland, accepted record 1971, 332 , White-rumped, accepted records I97L 334 , Wood, breeding in Finland, 160 Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied, record over North Atlantic, 436 Saxicola rubetra, see Whinchat torquata, see Stonechat Schiiz, Ernst, letter on Danish White Storks in south-west England, 304-5 Scolopax rusticola, see Woodcock Scoter, Common, deaths from Dunge- ness power lines, 286 , Surf, accepted records 1971, 329 Scott, R. E., letter on feather wear in Guillemots and gulls, 85; note on Little Gulls associating with feeding Razorbills, 259 , , Roberts, L. J., and Cadbury, C. J., bird deaths from power lines at Dungeness, 273-86 , , and Svensson, Lars, letter on emargination of the primaries of Cetti’s Warbler, 178-9 Seiurus noveboracensis, see Waterthrush, Northern Selasphorus rufus, see Hummingbird, Rufous Comprehensive index Serin, in Isles of Scilly, 215; accepted records 1971, 347 Strinus serinus, see Serin Shag, laying two clutches, 166-7; plumage type and fishing methods, 473, plate 72c; aerial diving, 480-1 Sharrock, J. T. R., the Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland, 13 1-2; scarce migrants in Britain and Ireland during 1958-67: part 7, Mediterranean Gull, White-winged Black Tern and Gull-billed Tern, 187-202; part 8: Yellow-browed Warbler and Richard’s Pipit, 381-92; note on White-throated Sparrow in Co. Cork, 222-3; Fan- tailed Warbler in Co. Cork: a species new to Britain and Ireland, 501-10 , , and Preston, K., note on Red-eyed Vireo in Co. Cork, 400-1 Shearwater, Audubon’s, plumage type and feeding methods, 475-6, 478-9 , Cory’s, in Isles of Scilly, October 1967, 80; accepted records 1971, 324-5; accepted records 1970, 349; plumage type, plate 71b; off Hook Head, October 1971, 533 , Manx, deaths at lighthouse, 277; plumage type, 466-7; melanistic fledgling, 527 , Sooty, autumn passage in Isles of Scilly, 213 Shearwaters, wheeling over sand dunes, 480 Shelduck, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 282, 286 Shrike, Lesser Grey, accepted records 1971, 346 , Red-backed, in Isles of Scilly, 212; two females laying in one nest, 357-8; at Hook Head, October 1971, 534 , Woodchat, accepted records 1971, 346; accepted record 1970, 351 Shrubb, M., letter on submission of records, 306-7 Simmons, K. E. L., some adaptive features of seabird plumage types, 465-79, 510-21, plates 69-76 Siskin, autumn passage in Isles of Scilly, 210; passage at Hook Head, October 1971, 534 , Pine, record over North Atlantic, 436 Sitta canadensis , see Nuthatch, Red- breasted 557 Sitta carolinensis , see Nuthatch, White- breasted europaea, see Nuthatch Skimmer, African, plumage type, plate 75C , Black, plumage type, 467 Skov, Henning, letter on Danish White Storks in south-west England, 303-4, plates 46-7 Skua, Arctic, plumage type of light- phase, 467, plate 74c; possible explanation of polymorphism, 517; partial albinism, 530-1; photograph, plate 38a , Great, plumage type, 467, plate 74b; partial albinism, 530-1 ; off Hook Head, October 1971, 533 , Long-tailed, breeding in Finland, 162, 164, plate 31 , Pomarine, in Isles of Scilly, 213; off Hook Head, October 1971, 533 Skylark, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276-8, 286; deaths at lighthouse, 277; double-yolked egg, 400 Smith, F. R., report on rare birds in Great Britain in 1971 (with 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970 additions), 322-54, plates III, 49-52 Smith, K. D., letter on Do some Wall- creepers migrate?, 36-7 Smith, S. C. H., note on Goldcrcsts feeding young with Oak Bush Crickets, 33 Smout, T. C., review of Ferdinand: Stone Danske Fup/e/oka/iteter, part 1, 263-4 Snipe, breeding in woodland in Scot- land and Scandinavia, 178; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 279, 286 , Great, accepted record 1971, 332 , Jack, breeding in Finland, 160; in Isles of Scilly, 217 Somateria mollissima, see Eider spectabi/is , see Eider, King Soper, Eileen A., note on displacement behaviour of Song Thrush, 259; note on Goldcrest taking felt for nesting material, 303 Sparrow, Field, records over North Atlantic, 436 , House, rate of removal of corpses under power lines by predators, 280-1 ; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 286; feeding response in 558 presence of stuffed predator, 523-5 Sparrow, Lincoln’s, record over North Atlantic, 433, 436 , Savannah, records over North Atlantic, 428, 432-3, 436 , Song, on Calf of Man, 260-1; accepted record 1971, 349, plate 52a; records over North Atlantic, 431, 433, 436 , Swamp, record over North Atlan- tic, 433, 436 , Tree, nesting in Sand Martin colony, 83 , White-crowned, records over North Atlantic, 433, 436 , White-throated, in Co. Cork, 222-3; accepted record 1971, 349; records over North Atlantic, 428, 432'3, 436> 439 Sparrowhawk, numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 293 ; nesting near Hawk Owl, 454 Spbyrapicus varius, see Sapsucker, Yellow- bellied Spinus pinus, see Siskin, Pine Spi%ella pusilla, see Sparrow, Field Stainton, J. M., letter in defence of ‘Aves’, 535-6 Stanley, P. I., and Minton, C. D. T., the unprecedented westward migration of Curlew Sandpipers in autumn 1969, 365-80 Starling, grounded by drenched plumage in cold weather, 82-3; autumn passage in Isles of Scilly, 217; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276-8, 286; deaths at lighthouse, 277; numbers breeding in Welsh oak- woods, 293; records over North Atlantic, 434, 437; feeding response in presence of stuffed predator, 523-5 , Rose-coloured, accepted records 1971, 346-7; accepted record 1970, 33i Stead, P. J., review of Heinzel, Fitter and Parslow: The Birds of Britain and Europe with North Africa and the Middle East, 445-8 Stercorarins longicaudus, see Skua, Long- tailed parasiticus, see Skua, Arctic pomarinus, see Skua, Pomarine skua, see Skua, Great Sterna albifrons, see Tern, Little fuscata, see Tern, Sooty Comprehensive index Sterna birundo, see Tern, Common maxima, see Tern, Royal paradisaea, see Tern, Arctic sandvicensis, see Tern, Sandwich eurygnatha, see Tern, Cayenne Stilt, Black-winged, accepted record I97L 335 Stint, Little, autumn passage 1969, 379; incubating eight eggs, 529, plate 79 , Temminck’s, breeding in Scot- land, 481 Stonechat, autumn passage in Isles of Scilly, 216 Stork, White, young birds in south- west England, 4-5, plates 1-3; previous history, 303-5, plates 46-7; accepted records 1971, 327-8 Streptopelia decaocto, see Dove, Collared turtur, see Dove, Turtle Strix aluco, see Owl, Tawny nebulosa, see Owl, Great Grey uralensis, see Owl, Ural Sturnella magna, see Meadowlark, East- ern Sturnus rosetts, see Starling, Rose- coloured vulgaris, see Starling Suetens, W., see Van Groenendael, P. Sula ahhotti, see Booby, Abbott’s bassana, see Gannet capensis, see Gannet, Cape dactylatra, see Booby, Masked leucogaster, see Booby, Brown nebouxii, see Booby, Blue-footed serralor, see Gannet, Australian sula, see Booby, Red-footed variegafa, see Booby, Peruvian Surnia ulula, see Owl, Hawk Svensson, Lars, see Scott, R. E. Swallow, roosting in reeds, 126; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276, 278, 286; congenital bill deformity in nestling, 355-6; record over North Atlantic, 434, 437 , African Cliff, bill deformity, 356 , Barn, records over North Atlan- tic, 43°, 432> 436 , Red-rumped, accepted records 1971, 340 Swan, Bewick’s, feeding on waste potatoes, 394-5 , Mute, numbers killed by over- head wires, 274, 276, 284, 286 , Whooper, unmated bird making nest in Finland, 163, plate 30a Comprehensive index Swift, clinging to another on perch, 32-3; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276, 278, 286 , Alpine, accepted records 1971, 339; accepted record 1970, 331 Sylvia atricapilla, see Blackcap borin, see Warbler, Garden cantillans , see Warbler, Subalpine communis , see Whitethroat curruca, sec Whitethroat, Lesser nana, see Warbler, Desert nisoria, see Warbler, Barred undata, see Warbler, Dartford Tadorna tadorna, see Shelduck Tanagcr, Scarlet, in Isles of Scilly, 49, 155-8; accepted record 1970, 352 Tarsiger cyanurus , sec Bluetail, Red- flanked Taverner, J. H., note on Herring Gull colony in unusual habitat, 168-9; Mediterranean Gulls in Hampshire in 1970-71, 185-6, plate II Taylor, M. P., note on congenital bill deformity in nestling Swallow, 355-6 Teal, feeding on potatoes, 395 ; prey of Eagle Owl, 482 , Blue-winged, accepted records 1971, 328 , Green-winged, accepted records 1971, 328; accepted record 1970, 350 Telmatody/es pa/ustris, see Wren, Long- billed Marsh Tern, Arctic, plumage type, 516, plate 73a , Black, feeding over dry land, 355; plumage type, 467, 518, plate 73b , Caspian, breeding in Finland, 159; accepted records 1971, 337; accepted record 1970, 351 , Cayenne, ‘portlandica’ plumage, 118 , Common, ‘portlandica’ plumage, 1 18; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 279, 286; plumage type, 467, 516, plate 75b , Fairy, plumage type and feeding methods, 475-6, 479, 516 , Gull-billed, analysis of British and Irish records 1958-67, 197-202; accepted records 1971, 337; accepted record 1968, 349 , Little, ‘portlandica’ plumage, 118; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 279, 286 559 I ern. Royal, ‘portlandica’ plumage, 118; accepted record 1971, 338 , Sandwich, relationship to Cayenne Tern, 118-9; photograph, plate 59 , Sooty, accepted record 1971, 337; plumage type and feeding methods, 475-6, 478-9 , Whiskered, accepted record 1970, 351 , White-winged Black, analysis of British and Irish records 1958-67, 192-7; accepted records 1971, 336-7; accepted records 1970, 350-1; feeding over dry land, 355 Tetrao urogallus, see Capercaillie Tetrastes bonasia, see Hen, Hazel l'cwnion, Alex, photographs of Ptar- migan, plates 4-8 Thomas, Audrey, note on Blackbird taking flatworms from the undersides of water-lily leaves, 82 Thomson, A. Landsborough, letter on a bibliographical curiosity, 38 Thrasher, Brown, probable record over North Atlantic, 430, 432, 436 Thrush, Grey-checkcd, distribution, 48; accepted record 1971, 341 , Hebridean Song, breeding in open, 178 .Hermit, distribution, 48; record over North Atlantic, 436 , Mistle, autumn passage in Isles of Scilly, 210; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276, 286; numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 293 , Olive-backed, distribution, 48 , Rock, photograph, plate 34b , Song, flight call of continental race, 170, 534-5; autumn passage in Isles of Scilly, 213, 220; displacement behaviour, 259; deaths from Dunge- ness power lines, 276-7, 286; deaths at lighthouse, 277; numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 293 ; records over North Atlantic, 434, 437; prey of Hawk Owl, 458 , White’s, accepted record 1971, 340 Ticbodroma muraria, see Wallcrceper Tit, Bearded, increase due to spread of reed-marshes, 230 , Blue, nesting in House Martin’s nest, 170; numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 292; feeding response in presence of stuffed 560 predator, 523-5; photograph, plate 60 Tit, Coal, numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 292; feeding response in presence of stuffed predator, 522-5 , Great, numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 292; feeding response in presence of stuffed predator, 523-5 , Long-tailed, numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 292 , Marsh, numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 292 , Siberian, breeding in Finland, 163 , Willow, numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 292 Toxosloma rufum, see Thrasher, Brown Treecreeper, artificial nest-sites for, 223 ; numbers breeding in Welsh oak- woods, 292 , Short-toed, re-assessment of records, 340 Tringa erytbropus, see Redshank, Spotted flavipes, see Yellowlegs, Lesser glareola, see Sandpiper, Wood hypoleucos, see Sandpiper, Common macularia, see Sandpiper, Spotted melanoleuca, see Yellowlegs, Greater nebularia , see Greenshank solitaria, see Sandpiper, Solitary Troglodytes aedon, see Wren, House troglodytes, see Wren Tropicbird, Red-billed, plumage type and feeding methods, 467, 475, 477, 479. Plate 72b , Yellow-billed, plumage type and feeding methods, 475, 477, 479 Tryngites subruficollis, see Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Tulloch, Bobby, photograph of White- tailed Eagles, plate 16a Tardus iliacus, see Redwing coburni, see Redwing, Iceland merula, see Blackbird migratorius, see Robin, American philomelos, see Thrush, Song pilaris, see Fieldfare torquatus, see Ouzel, Ring viscivorus, see Thrush, Mistle Tussock-bird, reaction to model preda- tor, 525 Tutt, H. R., note on Goldcrest trapped by threads of spider’s web, 483 Twite, passage at Hook Head, October 1971, 533 Tyto alba, see Owl, Barn Comprehensive index Uria aalge, see Guillemot. Urry, David and Katie, photograph of Lesser Black-backed Gull, plate 69a; of Razorbill, plate 69b; of Shag, plate 72c; of Arctic Tern, plate 73a; of Black Tern, plate 73b; of Black- headed Gull, plate 73c; of Fulmar, plate 74a; of Gannet, plate 76c Urry, Katie, photograph of Pink- footed Geese, plate 35a Vanellus gregarius, see Plover, Sociable vanellus, see Lapwing Van Groenendael, P., and Suetens, W., photograph of Lesser Spotted Eagle, plate 1 3 ; of White-tailed Eagle, plate i6d; of Black Vulture, plate 62a; of Griffon Vulture, plate 63a Van Scharen, K., note on Little Ringed Plovers nesting in mussel shell, 528-9, plate 77b Vaucher, Charles A., photograph of Egyptian and Griffon Vultures and Lammergeier soaring, plate 61; of Griffon Vulture, plates 63b, 64, 65, 66a; of Egyptian Vulture, plates 66c, 67; of Lammergeier, plate 68a, c Veery, in Cornwall, 45-9, 156, plate 9; correction, 265 ; accepted record 1970, 351; ageing of, 359 Vireo olivaceus, see Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Red-eyed, in Co. Cork, 400-1; possible ship-assisted Atlantic cross- ing, 438 Voice: Little Auk, 397-8; Song Thrush, 5 34-5; Grey Wagtail, 33-4 Vulture, Black, flight identification, 412-5, plate 62 , Egyptian, flight identification, 412-3, 421-3, plates 61, 66b-67 , Griffon, flight identification, 412- 3, 416-7, plates 61, 63-65, 66a Wagtail, Citrine, accepted record 1971, 346; 1968 record deleted, 349 , Grey, singing in July, 33-4; photograph, plate 33a , Grey-headed, breeding in Finland, 161 , Pied, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 286; roosting in greater reedmace and great pond sedge, 483-4 Wallace, D. I. M., note on Laughing Gull in the Isles of Scilly, 79-81; Comprehensive index note on Booted Warbler in the Isles of Scilly, 170-2; note on southern occurrences of Greenland Redpolls in Britain, 172-3; review of Benson, e t al . : The Birds of Zambia, 174-5; an October to remember on St Agnes in 1971, 208-20; letter on changes in Rarities Committee membership, 264- 5 ; letter on field identification of dowitchers, Spotted Sandpiper and Stints, 305-6, plate 48; letter on eye colour of immature American Marsh Hawk, 358-9; note on Northern Watcrthrush in Isles of Scilly, 484-5 Wallace, D. I. M., see Johns, R. J. Wallcreeper, possible migrations, 36-7 Wallratf, H. G., review of Schiiz: Gruttd- riss der Vogel^iigskimde, 177-8 Walters, J., note on double-yolked egg of Skylark, 400 Warbler, Aquatic, accepted records I97i. 343. P^tc 52c , Arctic, in Isles of Scilly, 210-1, 218-9; accepted records 1971, 344 , Barred, in Isles of Scilly, 210, 212 , Blackpoll, records over North Atlantic, 428, 432, 436 , Blyth’s Reed, breeding in Finland, 159 , Bonelli’s, in Isles of Scilly, 209- id, 215; accepted records 1971, 344, plate 52b , Booted, in Isles of Scilly, 170-2 , Canada, record over North Atlan- tic, 429, 432, 436 , Cctti’s, cmargination of primaries, 178-9; accepted records 1971, 342 , Dartford, in Isles of Scilly, October 1966, 171 , Desert, in Dorset, 460-4 , Dusky, field-characters, 497-501 , Fan-tailed, in Co. Cork, 501-4; distribution and breeding, 504-8; photograph, plate 77a , Garden, dead Whitethroat found in nest, 82; deaths from Dungcness power lines, 276, 286; numbers breeding in Welsh oak- woods, 292 , Grasshopper, deaths at lighthouse, 277 , Great Reed, accepted records 1971, 342 , Greenish, accepted records 1971, 344 561 Warbler, Hooded, in Isles of Scilly, 203-5 J accepted record 1970, 351 , Magnolia, records over North Atlantic, 430-436 , Mourning, record over North Atlantic, 436 , Paddyfield, accepted record 1969, 349 , Pallas’s, accepted records 1971, 344 , Palm, records over North Atlan- tic, 431, 433, 436 , Parula, records over North Atlan- tic, 430-3, 436 , Radde’s, in Isles of Scilly, 215-6; accepted record 1971, 344; field- characters, 497-501 , Reed, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276, 286 , Savi’s, breeding in Suffolk, 229- 32; accepted records 1971, 342; accepted record 1969, 349; accepted records 1970, 351 , Sedge, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276-7, 286; deaths at lighthouse, 277 , Subalpinc, accepted records 1971, 343 ; on board ship off Morocco, 506 , Thick-billed, accepted record 1971, 342 , Willow, breeding in Finland, 159; autumn passage in Isles of Scilly, 219; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276-7, 286; deaths at lighthouse, 277; numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 292; records over North Atlantic, 434, 437 , Wood, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276, 286; numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 292 , Yellow, records over North Atlantic, 429, 432, 436 , Yellow-browed, in Isles of Scilly, 212; analysis of British and Irish records 1958-67, 381-7 Warham, John, photograph of Frigate Petrel, plate 71a Waterthrush, Northern, in Isles of Scilly, 484-5 Watson, Adam, the behaviour of the Ptarmigan, 6-26, 93-117. plates 4-8 Waxwing, breeding in Finland, 163 , Cedar, record over North Atlan- tic, 430, 432, 436 Wentworth, B. M., photograph of 562 Yellow-billed Cuckoo, plate 50c Westerhoff, Gerald, see Emmett, R. E., et al. Wheatear, breeding -in Finland, 161; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 286 , Black-eared, accepted records I97C 34C Plate 51b Whimbrel, breeding in Finland, 160; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 279, 286 Whinchat, late passage in Isles of Scilly, 219; numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 292; passage at Hook Head, October 1971, 533; photo- graph, plate 34a Whitethroat, dead bird in Garden Warbler’s nest, 82; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276-7, 286; deaths at lighthouse, 277; numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 292 , Lesser, attempting to copulate with stone in autumn, 127; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276, 286 Wigeon, feeding on potatoes, 395 , American, accepted records 1971, 328 Wilkinson, R. B., photograph of Aquatic Warbler, plate 52c Williamson, Kenneth, reversal of normal moult sequence in the Spotted Fly- catcher, 50-1 Willis, Ian, see Christensen, Steen, et al. Wilsonia canadensis, see Warbler, Canada citrina, see Warbler, Hooded Woodcock, nesting away from trees, 30-1, 178; prey of Eagle Owl, 482; photograph, plate 40a Woodlark, autumn passage in Isles of Scilly, 219 Woodpecker, Great Spotted, map of breeding distribution in Great Britain, 132; numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 292; eating small mam- Comprehensive index mal, 398 ; excavating holes in autumn, 399-400 Woodpecker, Green, numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 293 , Hairy, record over North Atlan- tic, 436 , Lesser Spotted, excavating holes in autumn, 399-400 , Three-toed, breeding in Finland, 159 Woodpigeon, breeding in open in Orkney, 178; deaths from Dungeness power lines, 276-8, 286; deaths at lighthouse, 277; numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 293 Wren, deaths from Dungeness power lines, 286; numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 292 , House, records over North Atlan- tic, 436 , Long-billed Marsh, record over North Atlantic, 432, 436 , Winter, records over North At- lantic, 432, 436 Wright, Malcolm, note on Spotted Fly- catchers nesting in sea cliff, 172; note on Song Sparrow on the Calf of Man, 260-1, plate 52a Xenus cinereus, see Sandpiper, Terek Yellowhammer, numbers breeding in Welsh oakwoods, 293 Yellowlegs, Greater, accepted record I97I> 333 , Lesser, accepted records 1971, 333 Yellowthroat, records over North Atlantic, 433, 436 Zenaidura macroura, see Dove, Mourning Zonotricbia albicollis, see Sparrow, White- throated leucophrys, see Sparrow, White- crowned Zootbera dauma, see Thrush, White’s List of vignettes PAGE 44 Bearded Tits Panurus biarmicus (R. A. Richardsor 92 Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti (D. I. M. Wallace) 154 Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto (Robert Gillmor) 184 Male King Eider Somateria spectabilis (Robert Gillmor) 202 Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus , Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon miotic a and White-winged Black Terns Chlidonias leucopterus (R. A. Richardson) 228 Siberian Tit Paries cinctus (Robert Gillmor) 256 Moorhen Gal l inula c hi or opus (R. A. Richardson) 268 Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus { R. A. Richardson) 286 Dead Redwing Ttirdus iliac us (P. J. Grant) 299 Robin Erithacus rubecula (Robert Gillmor) 316 Hoopoe FJpupa epops (Robert Gillmor) 321 Young Great Crested Grebes Podiceps cristatus (Robert Gillmor) 354 Crane Grits grits and White Stork Ciconia cicottia (P. J. Grant) 364 Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus (D. I. M. Wallace) 380 Curlew Sandpipers Catidris Jerruginea (Robert Gillmor) 392 Richard’s Pipit Antbus novae seelandiae (Robert Gillmor) 426 Green Herons Bit/orides virescens (D. 1. M. Wallace) 442 Yellow-shafted Flicker Colaptes aura/us (D. I. M. Wallace) 452 Crossbills Loxia curvirostra (Robert Gillmor) 460 Hawk Owl Surnia alula (R. A. Hume) 464 Desert Warbler Sylvia nana (D. I. M. Wallace) 485 Northern Watcrthrush Seiurus wveboracensis (D. I. M. Wallace) 496 Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria (R. A. Richardson) ■ 509 Fan-tailed Warbler Cisticola jtmeidis (P. J. Grant) 520 Black Guillemots Cepphus grylle in winter (Robert Gillmor) 521 Black Guillemots Cepphus grylle in summer (Robert Gillmor) ! 526 Robin Erithacus rubecula and Coal Tit Paras ater (D. I. M. Wallace) 563 > ^ Please complete the binding form overleaf Receipt for British Birds binding IFrom P. G. Chapman & Co Ltd, Kent House Lane, Beckenham, Kent BR.3 ild We acknowledge with thanks receipt of your issues of British (Birds for binding , and your cheque / P.O. for £ tDate P. G. CHAPMAN & CO LTD BOOKS — Handle with Care If undelivered, please return to P. G. 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