Alpine Swift

Apodidae

Dec 7

Written By Keith Naylor

Tachymarptis melba (Linnaeus, 1758) (81, 14)

Photo © Kris Webb

Ex BBRC species 31/12/2005

STATUS

Palearctic, Afrotropic and Indomalaya. Polytypic.

OVERVIEW

Much confusion over the two early Kent records and the sequence that they occurred with the other records.

Jenyns (1835: 160) says: 'Shot within eight or ten miles of the south coast of Ireland in 1829, about Midsummer. A second individual has been since killed at Kingsgate, in the Isle of Thanet, and a third in Norfolk.'

RECORDS

1). 1830 Kent Dover, caught after flying indoors, 20th August.

(Thompson, 1845; Yarrell, 1845; Morris, 1856-62; Harting, 1877, 1901; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).

History Yarrell (1845 (2): 267, 2nd ed.) says: 'In a recent publication called the Notebook of a Naturalist, it is stated at p. 226, that on the 20th August 1830, a very fine specimen of the White-breasted Swift flew into the room of a friend at Dover, and was secured. The writer erroneously considers that his is the only record of the occurrence of this species in this country.'

Morris (1857 (2): 127, reissue) says: 'Another of these birds, a fourth recorded specimen, flew into a house, through a window, at or near Dover, as I am informed by Edward Cole, Esq., of Ryther [Rother ?], and was captured on the 20th of August, 1830.'

Harting (1872: 125) lists this as the first record, as he also does in (1901) in his Handbook, at p. 390. While Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 372-373, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'According to Mr. E. P. Thomson (Notebook of a Naturalist, p. 226) an example flew into a room at Dover, August 20th, 1830, and was secured; but this statement was not published till 1845.'

Accepted locally as the first for Kent (Ticehurst 1909: 226) who adds: 'It was afterwards obtained by him, and subsequently passed with the rest of his collection into the Dover Museum, where it now is, together with a second, which however lacks any history.'

Harrison (1953 (2): 28) says: 'The first Alpine Swift, which was captured at Dover on August 20th, 1830, was in the Thompson collection in the Dover Museum, but was lost during the war.'

2). 1831 Norfolk New Buckenham, shot, mid-September, now at Castle Museum, Norwich (Acc. No. NWHCM: 1865.21).

(D. Stock, Loudon's Magazine of Natural History 6: 286-287; T. Fulcher, Rennie's Field Naturalist 1: 172-173; Jenyns, 1835; Yarrell, 1845; J. H. Gurney & W. R. Fisher, Zoologist 1846: 1314; Newman, 1866; Stevenson, 1866; Anon., Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 1: 117; Dye, Fiszer & Allard, 2009).

History Daniel Stock of Bungay (1833) in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. VI. pp. 286-287, dated 2nd July, 1832, says: 'Sir, The following notice has been communicated to me, and I forward it to you, in the prospect of its proving interesting to your readers: - "About the middle of September, 1831, a bird was shot near New Buckenham church, Norfolk, of the swift kind, but larger, and of a lighter colour, and having the belly as well as the throat white; the neck and upper part of the breast have a collar of grey brown rather darker than the head and back.

The bird was stuffed, and is now in the possession of a gentleman at Old Buckenham; and, judging from the bulk of the bird, now it is stuffed, it must have weighed, at least, twice as much as our common swift. Its length is rather more than 8 in., and the breadth, from point to point of the expanded wings, 20 in.; they have a copper-coloured reflection in one light, and a green one in another. Its general colour is a dusky black, with the edges of the feathers paler; the quill feathers remarkably strong and pointed, darker than the back, and having a faint shot green cast; the tail consists of exactly ten feathers; the legs are stout, and feathered down to the toes, which are flesh-coloured". Is this the Hirundo melba and alpinus of Linnaeus, &c.?'

[The swift described is, without doubt, the Hirundo alpinus, L., and the Cypselus alpinus, of Temminck. It is figured on the same plate with the Common Swift (Cypselus murarius Temminck) in Part II of Gould's Birds of Europe, whence we learn as follows: - "Mr. Selby has, in the Transactions of the Northumberland Natural History Society, noticed the occurrence of the C. alpinus in Britain, and an individual has been killed on the estate, and is now in the possession, of R. Holford, Esq., Kingsgate, near Margate".]

T. Fulcher of Old Buckenham (1833) in Rennie's Field Naturalist, Vol. I. pp. 172-173, dated 19th Feb., 1833, says: 'On the 14th of October, 1831, a bird-stuffer, then living in the adjoining parish, showed me the skin of a species of swift which was shot in this village in the previous month of September, and was warm and bleeding when taken to him. I afterwards directed him to stuff it for me; and the specimen is now in my possession, but not in a very good state.

In measuring it, some allowance must be made for the shrivelled state of the skin. The length, from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail, is rather more than eight inches; breadth across the wings twenty inches ; it is much more bulky than the common swift (Cypselus murarius Temminck), and must have weighed, at least, as much again. Bill nearly two-fifths of an inch long, measured from the base of the upper mandible, curved and black; the colour of the irides unknown, but I believe it was dusky. The head, back of the neck, back, wings, and tail grey brown, and the edges of the feathers of a paler colour. Round the breast is a collar of grey brown. The throat, lower part of the breast, and the body to the commencement of the under tail-coverts white; the sides dusky, with a mixture of dull white ; under surface of the wings and tail, and the under tail-coverts dusky. The quill-feathers are darker than the back, and remarkably strong and pointed; the quills dusky white. The back, wings, and tail have copper-coloured and green reflections when viewed in particular lights. The tail is more than three inches long, forked, and consists of exactly ten feathers. Legs short and strong, flesh coloured, and feathered to the toes, which are all placed forward, as in the common swift; the claws strong and brownish black.

When I first looked at the bird I was puzzled to know what it was; but it soon struck me that it might be the bird referred to by White (Letters 40 and (51) under the name of Hirundo melba, or Great White-bellied Swift of Gibraltar; and on receiving from my friend before alluded to the description given by Latham in his Synopsis of that bird, I had no further doubt on the subject.

The Quarterly Review, in an article on American Ornithology, mentions a specimen having been shot off the coast of Ireland; but I am not at present aware that naturalists have noticed any other as having been seen in the British Isles

I find no notice of it in your valuable edition of Montagu. Latham gives the length eight inches and a half, and weight two ounces five drachms. He says the species is not numerous; that it builds in the holes of the rocks in the mountainous parts of Spain, and is found at Gibraltar, and in Savoy, &c.'

Yarrell (1845 (2): 267, 2nd ed.) says: 'The second bird in order of date, was shot near Buckenham Church, in Norfolk, on the 13th October 1831, and is now in the possession of the Rev. Thomas Fulcher of Old Buckenham, near Attleboro', Norfolk.'

John H. Gurney & William R. Fisher (1846) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. IV. p. 1314, say: 'A specimen of the Alpine Swift was taken at Old Buckenham in Norfolk, in September, 1831.'

Stevenson (1866 (1): 346-347) says: 'But one specimen of the White-bellied Swift is known to have occurred in Norfolk, of which I am enabled to give the following particulars through the kindness of the Rev. Thomas Fulcher, of Old Buckenham, who has recently presented this most interesting bird to the Norwich Museum: - "There is a slight inaccuracy (he writes) in Yarrell's notice of it. It was shot in Old Buckenham, in the field between the old castle and New Buckenham parsonage, in the latter part of September (not 13th of October), 1831.

The gentleman who shot it left it, whilst still warm and bleeding, with a bird-stuffer in New Buckenham, but neither of them knew the value of it. After a few weeks it was offered to me, and I had it preserved. A friend of mine sent an account of it to "Loudon's Magazine" the same year.

In February, 1833, I made a pen and ink sketch of the bird, natural size, and sent it with a full description to Professor James Rennie, who inserted a reduced copy of the figure with my description in The Field Naturalist (Vol. I. No. iv, p. 172).

The following are the dimensions of this specimen as given in the above journal, although, as Mr. Fulcher remarks, "in measuring it some allowance must be made for the shrivelled state of the skin": - "The length, from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail, is rather more than eight inches; breadth across the wings twenty inches; it is much more bulky than the Common Swift, and must have weighed, at least, as much again. Bill nearly two-fifths of an inch long, measured from the base of the upper mandible, curved and black; the colour of the irides unknown, but I believe it was dusky. The head, back of the neck, back, wings, and tail grey brown, and the edges of the feathers of a paler colour. Round the breast is a collar of grey brown. The throat, lower part of the breast, and the body to the commencement of the under tail-coverts white; the sides dusky, with a mixture of dull white; under surface of the wings and tail, and the under tail-coverts dusky. The quill feathers are darker than the back, and remarkably strong and pointed; the quills dusky white. The back, wings, and tail have copper-coloured and green reflections when viewed in particular lights. The tail is more than three inches long, forked, and consists of exactly ten feathers. Legs short and strong, flesh coloured, and feathered to the toes, which are all placed forward, as in the Common Swift; the claws strong and brownish black".'

Anon. (1869-74) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. I. p. 117, says: '...recently presented to the Norwich Museum by the Rev. Thomas Fulcher.'

3). Pre 1832 Kent Kingsgate, Thanet, shot, undated.

(J. Gould, Proceedings of the Zoological Society 1832: 130; Jenyns, 1835; MacGillivray, 1837-52; J. Pemberton Bartlett, Zoologist 1844: 623; Yarrell, 1845; Newman, 1866; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1877; Ticehurst, 1909).

History Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart. (1832) in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society, Vol. II. p. 130, Chairman at the meeting held on 12th July 1832, says: 'Mr. Gould also stated, that he had recently seen a fine specimen of Cypselus alpinus, which had been shot by the gardener of Mr. Holford, at Kingsgate, near Margate. This fine Swift, which has rarely been known to range westward of the European continent, had been only once previously observed in England.'

Macgillivray (1840 (3): 613) says: 'An individual is recorded to have been shot in the Isle of Thanet, in June, 1820.'

J. Pemberton Bartlett (1844) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. II. p. 623, says: 'The first example of this rare bird seen in England, was shot in the Isle of Thanet, in June, 1820, by the bailiff of Robert Holford Esq.; since which time three others have been shot in England, and one in Ireland.'

Yarrell (1845 (2): 266-267, 2nd ed.) says: 'The first of the four specimens was shot early in June 1820 by the bailiff of R. Holford Esq., at Kingsgate in the Isle of Thanet, and this preserved bird being now in the possession of R. B. Hale, Esq., M. P. of Alderley, to whom I am indebted for the use of a British killed Bee-eater, as mentioned at p. 219, that gentleman has most obligingly allowed me the use of the White-bellied Swift also for this work, and the figure at the head of the last page was drawn from it.'

Newman (1866) in Montagu's British Birds, also quoted the same story. Harting (1872) in his listing gives the 1830 Dover record as the first, quoting the Note-book of a Naturalist as his source and ignoring the 1829 Irish at sea record which was stated as the first by Saunders (1899) 2nd edit. Five years later Harting (1877) now states the 1820 Kingsgate record as the first with the 1830 Dover record now second.

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 372, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'A second specimen, "since", according to Mr. Jenyns (Br. Vert., p. 160), killed at Kingsgate in the Isle of Thanet, was seen by Mr. Gould in 1832 (P.Z.S., 1832, p. 130), and, subsequently passing into the possession of Mr. R. B. Hale, was lent by him for the use of this work, the figure above inserted being drawn from it.'

Further, pp. 373-373, in a footnote, Newton adds: 'In former editions of this work the bird was said to have been "shot early in June 1820".' Mr. Jenyn's assertion above quoted indicates that herein was a mistake, and possibly 1830 was the year in which it occurred. Mr. Gould unfortunately did not give the date, and can throw no light on the matter.'

Ticehurst (1909: 226-227) says: 'The second specimen must have been obtained about the same time [1830], at any rate between the year 1829, when the first British example was secured, and 1832. It was shot by Mr. R. Holford's gardener at Kingsgate, in Thanet, and the occurrence was first made public by Jenyns (Brit. Vert., p. 169), and the bird was subsequently examined by Gould in 1832 and recorded by him (P.Z.S., 1832, p. 130).

In the earlier editions of Yarrell's British Birds the date of this occurrence was given as June, 1820, which, as Professor Newton pointed out in the fourth edition, was an obvious error, as Jenyns distinctly states that it was killed after the first British example. The present specimen passed into the possession of Mr. R. B. Hale, of Alderley, in Gloucestershire, and was lent by him for the purposes of the figure in Yarrell's British Birds.'

Harrison (1953 (2): 29) says: 'The second Kentish specimen [first was 1830 Dover] was shot at Kingsgate in Thanet; its occurrence was recorded by Jenyns (Brit. Vert., p. 160) and by Gould (Proceedings of the Zoological Society 1832: 130). It was used by Yarrell for the plate of this species, and as to the date, it is stated that it was killed after the first British example, which was in 1829.'

Comment In (2005) Kent Ornithological Society followed Harrison and counted this as the second for Kent.

4). 1834 Greater London/Surrey Garratt Copper Mills, seen, 30th April.

(E. Blyth, Loudon's Magazine of Natural History 7: 345; Yarrell, 1871-85; Bucknill, 1900; Self, 2014).

History Edward Blyth (1834) in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. VII. p. 345, says: 'April 30th. On this day I was informed, that among the numerous Swifts playing around the Garratt copper mills, on the Wandle, was one individual of a larger size, and rather paler than the rest, with a white line along the belly. This I immediately recognised to be the Cypselus alpinus, so took my gun, and went direct in search of it; but, ere I arrived at the place, all the Swifts had disappeared.'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 374, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, in a footnote, says: 'This species is said to have been observed on several other occasions, though the specimens were not preserved. Blyth says (Mag. N. H., VII. p. 346) that in May 1834 he saw some examples in company with the common species in Surrey, but as high as to be out of gunshot.'

Bucknill (1900: 147-148) says: 'Writing on April 30, 1834, Mr. Blyth says: "On this day I was informed that among the numerous Swifts playing around the Garratt Copper Mills on the Wandle was one individual of larger size and rather paler than the rest, with a white line along the belly. This I immediately recognised to be Cypselus alpinus, so took my gun and went direct in search of it; but ere I arrived at the place all the swifts had disappeared". And again, "I went several times to try and find Alpine Swifts, for as many as three or four were one day seen sailing in company with the common species - saw them once but out of gunshot".'

Comment Although Blyth was only 24 at this time he was highly regarded as a ornithologist and it would be seven more years before he became curator of the Asiatic Museum in India. However, 'a white line along the belly' sounds strange.

Newton, under the 1838 Cambridgeshire record states that to be the sixth example, so, only admitting the one seen on 30th April. The later sight records are dismissed.

5). c. 1835 Suffolk Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds, shot, undated.

(W. Bilson, Journal of the Suffolk Institute 46, and MS.; Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932).

History Babington (1884-86: 236) says: 'One shot by Mr. Thirtle on the Angel Hill, Bury St Edmund's, about 1835 (Bilson in Journ. Suff. Inst., 46, and MS.).' It was accepted locally (Ticehurst 1932: 194).

Comment Bilson was Curator of the Ipswich Museum in 1849 at least. Previously a taxidermist.

6). 1838 Cambridgeshire Hinxton, picked up dead, July, now at Cambridge University Zoology Museum.

(Jenyns MS.; MacGillivray, 1840; Yarrell, 1845; Newman, 1866; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1877; Christy, 1890; Harting, 1901; Marr & Shipley, 1904; Glegg, 1929; Lack, 1934; Bircham, 1989).

History MacGillivray (1840 (3): 612) says: '...a third was found near Saffron Walden in Essex, in July 1838.' While Yarrell (1845) 2nd ed. Vol. II. p. 267, says: 'A fourth [British bird] was picked up dead, near Saffron Walden, in Essex, in July, 1838, as communicated to me by Joseph Clarke, Esq.'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 373, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'The sixth example was picked up dead at Hinxton, near Saffron Walden, in July 1838, as communicated to the Author by Mr. Joseph Clarke.'

Christy (1890: 145) adds: '...near Hinxton, which is in Cambridgeshire, just beyond the Essex boundary.'

A. H. Evans (1904) under 'The Birds of Cambridgeshire' in Marr & Shipley's Handbook to the Natural History of Cambridgeshire, p. 91, says: 'Jenyns ('Fauna Cantabrigiensis' MS. in the University Museum of Zoology) records a specimen killed between Cambridge and Grantchester in September, 1838.'

Locally, Glegg (1929: 107) in his Birds of Essex states that it was found on the Cambridgeshire side. It was accepted locally for the latter county (Lack 1934).

Comment J. S. Clark (2004) in the Cambridgeshire Bird Report, p. 140, lists two records for Cambridgeshire in 1838: one at Hinxton in July, the other between Cambridge and Grantchester in September. However, I believe them to be one and the same. Yarrell (1845) and again in the 4th edition of that works along with Harting (1901) only list the one record.

7.0). 1841 Greater London Brent Reservoir, Middlesex, seen, August; also in Surrey.

(Harting, 1866; Clark Kennedy, 1868; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1877; J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1889: 415-416; Bucknill, 1900; Glegg, 1935; Self, 2014).

History Harting (1866: 128-129) says: 'One day in August, 1841, a White-bellied Swift was seen sporting with a number of the common species over the Reservoir at Kingsbury. The following day a bird of this species was shot near Reading, and Mr. Bond obtained it for his collection. It is conjectured that this was the same bird seen at our reservoir.'

Clark Kennedy (1868: 181) adds: 'I am informed by Mr. J. E. Harting, who has seen the bird, that in the month of August, 1841, a specimen of the White-bellied Swift was shot near Reading, Berks, and was obtained by his friend Mr. Bond, in whose collection it is still preserved. This was in all probability the same bird which had been observed the previous day sporting with a number of the Common Swifts, over the reservoir at Kingsbury, Middlesex.'

Harting (1877: 200) says: 'One seen at Kingsbury Reservoir, Aug, 1841.'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 374, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, in a footnote, says: 'This species is said to have been observed on several other occasions, though the specimens were not preserved. One is said to have been observed at Kingsbury in August 1841, which may possibly have been the bird soon after killed at Wokingham.'

J. E. Harting (1889) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIII. p. 415-416, on Frederick Bond's bird collection, says: 'In the same case (Case 114) is a specimen of the Alpine Swift, Cypselus melba, which is stated erroneously, in The Birds of Middlesex (p. 129), to have been shot at Reading in August, 1841. It was received by Mr. Bond from Mr. Wheeler, of Reading, in October, 1841, but was shot in the previous month of August at Chobham, in Surrey. It is quite possible that this may have been the bird seen shortly before at Kingsbury Reservoir, but this is merely inferred from the infrequency with which this species has been observed in England.'

Pidsley (1891: 58) says: 'A specimen of this large Swift, sold at Stevens, May 22nd 1890, was killed in Surrey on the 8th of October, 1841, i.e. four days later than the Devonshire bird.'

Accepted locally for Middlesex (Glegg (1935) and for the Greater London area (Self 2014).

Comment This is the bird killed at Wokingham in the parish of Chobham. See Surrey record below.

7.1). 1841 Surrey Chobham, shot, August; same as Greater London individual.

(Yarrell, 1845; C. S. Round, Morris and Bree's Naturalist 7: 96; Harting, 1866; Clark Kennedy, 1868; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1876: 5046; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1877; J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1889: 415-416; Pidsley, 1891; Harting, 1901; F. W. Frohawk, Field 19th Nov., 1925: 879).

History Yarrell (1845 (2): 267, 2nd ed.) says: 'A fine specimen of this bird was killed at Oakingham [sic], on the 8th October 1841. I saw it before it was skinned, Mr. Gould having brought the bird to London to preserve it for his friend who shot it.'

Harting (1866: 128-129) says: 'One day in August, 1841, a White-bellied Swift was seen sporting with a number of the common species over the Reservoir at Kingsbury. The following day a bird of this species was shot near Reading, and Mr. Bond obtained it for his collection. It is conjectured that this was the same bird seen at our reservoir.'

J. H. Gurney, jun. (1876) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. XI. p. 5046, says: '...and also that the example referred to in the Birds of Middlesex, (p. 129) as shot near Reading in August, 1841, is the same which Yarrell records as being killed at Oakingham on the 8th of October, of that year (Preface to British Birds 1st ed. ix).'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 373, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'On October 8th, 1841, an example, killed at Wokingham, was seen by the Author before it was skinned, Mr. Gould having brought it to London to preserve. It is now in Mr. Bond's collection.' While Harting (1877) p. 201, says: '...one shot near Reading the next day [Aug. 1841].'

Pidsley (1891: 58) says: 'A specimen of this large Swift, sold at Stevens, May 22nd 1890, was killed in Surrey on the 8th of October, 1841, i.e. four days later than the Devonshire bird.'

Bucknill (1900: 148) says: 'A specimen which was for many years in the collection of the late Mr. F. Bond was erroneously stated to have been shot at Reading in October 1841. As a matter of fact it was killed in August of that year, by a Mr. Mumford, in the parish of Chobham, Surrey. It was preserved by Mr. Gould, and was in the collection of Mr. John Wheeler, of Wokingham, from whom it was received by Mr. Bond. When it was in Mr. Wheeler's collection, it was seen and correctly recorded by Mr. C. S. Round, in the Naturalist, Vol. VII. p. 96, i.e. 1857. Mr. Harting recorded it later incorrectly in the Birds of Middlesex, p. 129, but the "data" were finally settled in a memoir of Mr. Bond, written by Mr. Harting, which appeared in the Zool., 1889, on pp. 415 and 416.'

F. W. Frohawk (1925) in The Field of 19th Nov., Vol. CXLVI. p. 879, says: 'On November 10th last, the disposal took place at Stevens' Auction Rooms, Covent Garden, of the first portion of the very remarkable collection of British birds, formed by the late Sir Vauncey Harpur Crewe, Bart., during about fifty years of his life....There was also an American Purple Martin, one of two birds shot at the Kingsbury Reservoir during the first week of September, 1842, and recorded in Yarrell's British Birds, first edition. This bird, a white Sand Martin and a White-bellied or Alpine Swift, shot at Chobholm, Surrey, October, 1841, mounted in same case, went for £7.10s.'

8). 1842 At sea Sea area Sole, 40 miles off Land's End, caught exhausted, c. 10th June, now at Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro.

(West Briton 12th June 1842; Couch, 1844; E. H. Rodd, Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society 1850: 415; E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1870: 2240-41; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1880; Penhallurick, 1978).

History E. H. Rodd of Penzance (1850) in the Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society, dated May 1850, p. 415, says: 'One example taken near the Lizard, and afterwards preserved by Mr. Jackson, of Looe.'

Harting, Editor (1880: 70-71) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'Many years ago, the late Mr. Jonathan Couch received a specimen of this rare bird which was shot near the Lizard, and was preserved by Mr. Jackson of Looe.'

Further, pp. 221-222, Rodd under 'Annual Summary' for 1860 which was read to the Royal Institution of Cornwall, adds: 'The late Mr. Jackson of Looe, I think, once obtained a specimen in his neighbourhood and preserved it; if so, you probably have a Cornish killed specimen of this rare bird in you museum, as the principal part of his collection was bequeathed by Mr. Jackson to the Institution of Cornwall.'

Further, p. 310, Rodd under 'Appendix' adds: 'The Alpine Swift stated to have been shot near the Lizard, was caught by flying on board a vessel off the Lizard.'

E. H. Rodd (1870) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. V. pp. 2240-41, adds: '...one example taken near the Lizard, and afterwards preserved by Mr. Jackson, of Looe.'

Penhallurick (1978: 154-155) adds: '1842. An exhausted bird was taken on a boat about 40 miles west of Land's End c. 10th June. The specimen was bequeathed to Truro Museum by Clement Jackson of Looe.'

9). 1842 Cumbria Low Mill House, Egremont, shot, 4th July, now at Tullie House Museum, Carlisle.

(Carlisle Patriot 8th July, 1842; Macpherson, 1892; H. A. Macpherson, Zoologist 1896: 294; E. Blezard, Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society 6: 62; Hutcheson, 1986).

History In the Carlisle Patriot of 8th July 1842, it says: 'On Monday [4th July], at Low Mill House, Robert Brisco, Esq., shot a fine specimen of that very rare bird, the Cypselus alpinus.'

Macpherson (1892: 164) says: 'T. C. Heysham heard of it at once, for he wrote to Henry Doubleday on the 23rd of July: "I have recently been told that a specimen of the White-bellied Swift was obtained about ten days ago in the west of Cumberland, not far from Egremont".

James Cooper wrote to Heysham on the 4th September that year: "I had a letter from Mr. Reeves in which he mentioned the Swift you alluded to in your note of the 8th August, and from what he says I am inclined to think it may be the Alpine one, as he says it first attracted attention from the largeness of its size before they noticed its white belly".

Mr. Robert Brisco, afterwards, Sir Robert Brisco, Bart., deposited this bird for a time in the Carlisle Museum, as shown by an entry in the old catalogue. It is now in the possession of Sir Musgrave Brisco, Bart., of Crofton.'

H. A. Macpherson of Carlisle (1896) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XX. p. 294, says: '...but we have the promise of the loan of a local Alpine Swift [from the National Collection].'

Ernest Blezard (1943) in the Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society, Vol. VI. p. 62, adds: '...it is now in the Carlisle Museum.'

10). 1851 Somerset Axbridge, killed, before 23rd September, now at Taunton Castle Museum.

(Yeovil Times; G. B. Clarke, Morris and Bree's Naturalist 1: 234; C. Smith, Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society 29: 14; Anon., Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society 76: 89; F. L. Blathwayt, Report on Somerset Birds 1952: 26; Somerset Ornithological Society, 1988).

History G. B. Clarke of Woburn (1851) in Morris and Bree's edition of The Naturalist, Vol. I. p. 234, dated 13th October, 1851, says: 'In the Yeovil Times newspaper, of September 23rd, I see an account of the anniversary of the Somersetshire Archaeological and Natural History Society, at which meeting a Mr. B. Fry, of Axbridge, exhibited a specimen of the Alpine Swift, a very rare bird in this country, which was shot by S. L. Fry, Esq.'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 373, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'In the same year [1851] an example was exhibited to the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society (Nat., 1851, p. 234) as having been killed in that county - near Axbridge, as Mr. Cecil Smith, who has since seen it, believes.'

C. Smith (1883) in the Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society, Vol. XXIX. p. 14, says: 'The Alpine Swift which occurred near Axbridge was shown in the temporary local Museum at two of the Meetings of this Society.'

Anon. (1930) in the Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society, Vol. LXXVI., p. lxxxix, says: 'The Alpine Swift, Apus melba melba (L.), in case, killed in the neighbourhood of Axbridge, circ. 1851. - Given by Mr. H. W. Mapleton-Bree.

It was bought by the donor's father, the Rev. H. M. Mapleton, of Badgworth Rectory, some time in the sixties at the sale of the effects of Bruges Fry of Cheddar, to whose father it belonged.'

F. L. Blathwayt (1952) in the Report on Somerset Birds, Vol. XXXIX. p. 26, adds: 'The only previous Somerset record is of a specimen obtained near Axbridge in, or about, 1851, and for many years now in the County Museum at Taunton.'

11). 1859 Cornwall Mylor parish, near Falmouth, adult male, shot, summer.

(E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1860: 6808; E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1870: 2241; Harting, 1880; Penhallurick, 1978).

History E. H. Rodd of Penzance (1860) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XVIII. p. 6808, dated 1st December, 1859, says: 'A few weeks since a capital specimen of this rare species of swift was obtained in the parish of Mylor, near Falmouth. The bird has passed into my hands, and as far as I can judge, it is an adult bird. The whole of the upper parts are of a dull brown, and the under parts similar to descriptions given by authors. The length from the carpal joint to the end of the quill feathers, about 8½ inches. I rather think that it is not the first instance of its occurrence in Cornwall, as Mr. R. Q. Couch has more than once told me that his father obtained a specimen at or near Looe, some years since, but whether the bird was preserved by the late Mr. Jackson, and formed a part of his collection I do not know.'

E. H. Rodd (1870) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. V. p. 2241, adds: 'This specimen is in my cabinet.'

Harting, Editor (1880: 71) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'Shot by Mr. Allen Daniell in the parish of Mylor in the summer of 1859, is now in my collection.'

Further, p. 222, under 'Annual Summaries' read to the Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall for 1860, Rodd adds: 'The individual killed last year has all the characteristics of an adult bird.'

Comment The mention of one near Looe is ignored for lack of details.

12). 1860 Greater London Finchley, Middlesex, shot, early August, now at Mansfield Museum.

(W. J. Sterland, Field 13th Mar., 1875: 247; W. J. Sterland, Zoologist 1879: 489; Yarrell, 1871-85; O. V. Aplin, Naturalist 13: 200; Glegg, 1935; Self, 2014).

History W. J. Sterland (1875) in The Field of 13th Mar., Vol. XLV. p. 247, says: 'The visits of the Alpine Swift to this country are so seldom, that I have thought it well to send you a note of one hitherto unrecorded, although it occurred some years since, but has only just come to my notice.

The bird in question was shot at Finchley in the beginning of August, 1860, by Mr. Bates, in whose possession it now is. He saw it come soaring along at a great height, and, with its enormous stretch of wings, looking like a hawk, which he at first took it to be. The bird is in capital plumage, and could not have been hit by more than a single pellet, as no trace of a wound could be discovered; but it has been unskilfully set up. It is somewhat singular that we should not have more frequent visits from a bird of such untiring wing, but only about twenty have been recorded altogether.'

W. J. Sterland of New Southgate (1879) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. III. p. 489, says: 'I have lately received full particulars relating to the occurrence of an Alpine Swift, which was killed at Finchley during the first week in August, 1860, by Mr. Bates, farmer of that place. He tells me that he was looking for a hawk which he had previously seen, and was standing with his gun in his hand, when he saw the bird coming towards him at a great height. From the great length of its wings and its way of soaring, he mistook it for the hawk for which he had been waiting, and as soon as it had passed overhead he fired at it. The shot took effect, and the bird slowly fell to the ground in Islington Cemetery, in the Finchley Road, about a hundred yards from where it was shot.

He had the bird set up, and it is still in his possession, but he did not know what it was until I told him, on my attention being called to it by a friend who had seen the bird, but was equally ignorant of the species.'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 373-374, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'In August 1860, a specimen, now the property of Mr. Whitaker, was shot at Finchley, as stated by Mr. Sterland (Zool., 1879, p. 489).'

O. V. Aplin, (1887) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XIII. p. 200, under 'A Visit to Rainworth Lodge', says: 'The most remarkable among the historical specimens of British-killed rarities are examples of the Alpine Swift, Finchley, 1860.'

Accepted locally for Middlesex (Glegg (1935: 91) and for the Greater London area (Self 2014).

Comment Published 15 years later. The specimen is now at Mansfield Museum, Nottinghamshire, with the Whitaker Collection.

13). 1863 Greater Manchester St Mary's Church, Hulme, Lancashire, seen, 16th to 18th October, when picked up exhausted.

(S. Carter, Zoologist 1863: 8846; Dr. Alcock, Zoologist 1864: 8955; Newman, 1866; Yarrell, 1871-85; Saunders, 1892; Oakes, 1953).

History S. Carter of Manchester (1863) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXI. p. 8846, dated 26th October, 1863, says: 'On the 17th inst., a large swift was seen flying about St. Mary's Church at Hulme. On the following day it was flying for some time inside the church, but eventually fell down and was captured by Mr. Jones, the organist. It died shortly afterwards in his hand, and he presented it to a friend, Mr. Jones, who is a collector, and sets much value on his prize. The bird was in fair condition, but the intestines were empty. The sex, unfortunately, was not ascertained.'

Dr. Alcock (1864) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXII. p. 8955, adds: 'At a meeting of the Manchester Natural History Club, held the 26th October, 1863, a stuffed specimen of Alpine Swift was lent for exhibition by Mr. C. R. Jones; it was taken during service in St Mary's Church, Hulme, Manchester, on Sunday, October 18th. It had been observed since the previous Friday, and on Sunday while flying about it suddenly fell and was taken up dead.'

Howard Saunders (1892: 102, 2nd ed.) in the revised edition of Mitchell's Birds of Lancashire adds: '...now in the possession of Mr. Peter Sefton, of Baxenden'. While Oakes (1953) adds: 'Reported by S. Carter to the Manchester Natural History Club and later in The Zoologist 1863: 8846.'

14). c. 1869 Yorkshire Oughtibridge, near Sheffield, obtained, undated.

(Nelson, 1907; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 280; Mather, 1986).

History Nelson (1907 (1): 265) says 'The first on record was obtained at Oughtybridge about the year 1869, as I am informed, by Mr. A. E. Hutchinson, of Derby.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 280, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

Comment A. S. Hutchinson was a taxidermist at Derby. He also set up the Seebohm collection at Sheffield. The "E" could have been misread under poor light by Nelson for an "S".

15). 1870 Yorkshire Hornsea Mere, seen, 2nd June.

(Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Nelson, 1907; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 280; Mather, 1986).

History Clarke & Roebuck (1881: 37) say: 'Hornsea Mere, one seen by Mr. F. Boyes.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 280, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

16). 1870 Suffolk Aldeburgh, caught, 8th September.

(N. F. Hele, Field 17th Sept., 1870: 249; N. F. Hele, Zoologist 1870: 2344; H. Stevenson, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 1: 117; Yarrell, 1871-85; Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932; Payn, 1978).

History Henry Stevenson (1869-74) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. I. p. 117, says: 'On the Suffolk coast, Mr. N. F. Hele, of Aldeburgh, recorded in The Field, of September 17th, 1870, the capture of an immature specimen in a room at the Brudenhall Hotel, at Aldeburgh, which, with a companion that escaped, had been seen fluttering against the window.'

Locally, Babington (1884-86: 236) adds: 'Now in the possession of Mr. Greenwood of Aldeburgh', and later, Ticehurst (1932: 194) adds: '...now in Hagen collection', while Payn (1978: 174, 2nd ed.) accepts just the one bird.

Comment The "companion" is dismissed through lack of detail. Not acceptable.

17). 1871 Essex Near Colchester, seen, 8th June.

(C. R. Bree, Field 17th June 1871: 488; Harting, 1872; Gurney, 1876; Yarrell, 1871-85; Christy, 1890; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984).

History C. R. Bree of Colchester (1871) in The Field of 17th June, Vol. XXXVII. p. 488, says: 'The Alpine Swift (Cypselus melba) was seen flying over Colchester three separate times on Thursday, the 8th inst., by Col. Delmé Radcliffe.

There were only four or five instances recorded of this bird's appearance in England when the third edition of Yarrell was published, and in part 16 of Gould's Birds of Great Britain, this number was only extended to six.

Col. Radcliffe being a good and accurate observer, I am quite content about the identity of the bird he saw, and with which he was well acquainted in India and Crimea.'

Admitted nationally (Harting 1872: 126).

Gurney (1876: 275) says: 'During the preceding month [June] examples had been observed in Kent, Essex and Norfolk.'

According to Mr. Harting an example is said to have been observed at Colchester June 8th, 1871.'

Christy (1890: 145) says: 'Another Essex record is by Dr. Bree, who says that on 8th June 1871, Col. Delme Radcliffe thrice saw this Swift on the wing near Colchester, but the specimen was not obtained.'

Accepted locally (Glegg 1929; Hudson & Pyman 1968; Cox 1984).

18). 1871 Norfolk Near Norwich, seen, June.

(H. Stevenson, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 1: 117; Yarrell, 1871-85; Gurney, 1876).

History Henry Stevenson (1869-74) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. I. p. 117, says: 'I may here add, that on two occasions during the last week in June, 1871, I remarked a gigantic swift, in flight with others of the ordinary species, passing over my garden close to the city, which I believe to have been of this species.'

Gurney (1876: 275) says: 'During the preceding month [June] examples had been observed in Kent, Essex and Norfolk.'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 374, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, in a footnote, says: 'This species is said to have been observed on several other occasions, though the specimens were not preserved....In the same [June, 1871] it is believed to have been seen twice near Norwich by Mr. Stevenson (Trans. Norf. and Norw. Nat. Soc., ut supra).'

19). 1871 Co. Durham Near Souter Point, seen, 24th July.

(G. E. Crawhall, Field 5th Aug., 1871: 111; Eds., Zoologist 1871: 2767; Gurney, 1876; Yarrell, 1871-85; Chapman, 1889; Temperley, 1951).

History George Edward Crawhall (1871) in The Field of 5th Aug., Vol. XXXVIII. p. 111, and in The Zoologist (1871) 2nd series, Vol. VI. p. 2767, quoting from The Field of 12th August, 1871, it says: 'I beg to notice the occurrence of a very rare bird on the Durham coast, on Monday last (July 24th), namely, an Alpine Swift.

I was walking with three friends from Marsden Rock to Whitburn, and had reached South Point, when we noticed the bird flying northwards along the cliffs. It passed us, at an easy pace, within twenty-five yards, and was at once recognizable from our common Swift by its size, greater length of wing, and white belly.

On reference to Yarrell, I find only six specimens recorded as having been procured or observed in the British Isles, and MacGillivray remarks "Not having seen this species alive, or obtained recent individuals, I have taken my descriptions from preserved skins". Bewick does not mention the bird.'

Gurney (1876: 275) says: 'One seen at South Point, near Durham, July 24th, 1871, by Mr. G. E. Crawhall (Field newspaper, Aug. 5th). During the preceding month examples had been observed in Kent, Essex and Norfolk.'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 374, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, in a footnote, says: 'This species is said to have been observed on several other occasions, though the specimens were not preserved....July 24th at Souter Point on the coast of Durham (Zool., p. 2767).'

Chapman (1889: 48) says: 'Perhaps the most remarkable feature in connection with "rare birds", is that they should so often come across people who are able to recognize them. On July 24th, 1871, an Alpine Swift, 500 miles out of his latitude, was slowly hawking along the coast of Durham. Such a bird might easily spend a month there, without anything unusual being noticed; but on that particular day, Mr. Crawhall chanced to be walking along the cliffs, near Souter Point (with my Father and myself), and instantly recognized the species of the wanderer, not a score of which have ever been obtained in Great Britain.

Since then, I have seen Alpine Swifts in dozens, at various places, and on Gibraltar have admired their superb dashing flight, making one dizzy as they hurl themselves over the 1,400 ft. mural precipice that fronts the Mediterranean.'

Temperley (1951) adds: 'Abel Chapman was accompanied by his uncle, George Crawhall, who was already very familiar with the species abroad and therefore had no difficulty in identifying it.'

20). 1872 Norfolk Long Marsh, Breydon Water, immature male, shot, 9th September, now at Castle Museum, Norwich.

(J. G. Overend, Field 28th Sept., 1872: 301; H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1872: 3319; H. Stevenson, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 1: 117; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1876: 5046; Yarrell, 1871-85; Patterson, 1905; Riviere, 1930; Allard, 1990).

History J. G. Overend (1872) in The Field of 28th Sept., Vol. XL. p. 301, says: 'A fine specimen of this bird was shot on what is called the Long Marsh, Breydon Walls, by Mr. Alfred Andrews, on the 9th inst., and secured for my collection. This, it appears, is the second killed Norfolk bird. Mr. Andrews states that it was quite alone, no other bird being near at the time.'

Henry Stevenson of Norwich (1872) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VII. p. 3319, says: 'September. Alpine Swift. A fine specimen was shot from the long marsh at the back of Breydon Wall, near Yarmouth, on the 9th, and is the second example only that has been procured in this county. No other birds were observed at the time.'

H. Stevenson (1873) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. I. p. 117, says: 'A specimen of this fine swift, a straggler from southern Europe, was killed on the 9th of September, by a man named Alfred Andrews, as it flew over the long marsh at the back of Breydon Wall, and is now in the possession of Mr. J. Overend, of Yarmouth, to whom I am indebted for the above particulars. No other swifts were observed at the time.'

J. H. Gurney, jun. (1876) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. XI. p. 5046, says: 'The Alpine Swift mentioned by Mr. Stevenson (Zool., s.s. 3319) has now passed into my possession, and I am able to tell you that, like the other Norfolk one, it is in immature plumage; so at least, I judge from their dark colour, and from the fine white edging to some of the feathers, more particularly the secondaries. It is a male, and was shot by Mr. Alfred Andrews, of York.'

Patterson (1905: 151) says: 'An example of this rare swift was shot in Smith's Marsh, Breydon walls, by Alfred Andrews, on September 9th, 1872. John Overend gave the men half a crown and a bag of oatmeal for the bird, "in the flesh". It was badly stuffed by Harvey, restuffed by Carter, and again re-stuffed by Gunn; and is now in the collection of Mr. J. H. Gurney.'

Riviere (1930: 89) says: 'According to MS. diary of Mr. G. Smith, the Yarmouth dealer, this bird was shot by Mr. Andrews and purchased by J. H. Gurney, and is now in the collection of Mr. G. H. Gurney.'

21). 1872 Yorkshire Ripponden, near Halifax, caught, autumn.

(Rawson MS.; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Nelson, 1907; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 280; Mather, 1986).

History Clarke & Roebuck (1881: 37) say: 'Ripponden, near Halifax, one caught by the late Mr. Priestley, in the autumn of 1872, is now in his widow's possession (Rawson, MS.).'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 280, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

22). 1876 Devon Near Ilfracombe, three, seen, one immature shot, 4th October.

(H. E. Rawson, Zoologist 1880: 108; Yarrell, 1871-85; D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; Moore, 1969).

History H. E. Rawson of The Vicarage, Bramley Common (1880) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. IV. p. 108, says: 'When out shooting along the coast with my brother, on the 4th October, 1876, he shot a young specimen of the Alpine Swift (Cypselus melba, Illigeri), which was flying with two others in company with C. apus, of which there were about a score [twenty]. We thought they would lodge on the cliff for the night, but nothing was to be seen of them next morning. Unfortunately the other two never came within gunshot. I have the skin in my possession.'

[The occurrence in the British Islands of this fine swift - which is found in Central and Southern Europe, Western Asia and Africa - has been recorded some score of times, during the months of March, May, June, July, August, September and October. The 4th October is a late date at which to find the Common Swift still here, but not unprecedented.

An Alpine Swift procured in Norfolk was shot on the 13th October, 1831, and another was obtained at Hulme, near Manchester, on the 18th October, 1863. Yarrell, in his Preface to the first edition of his British Birds, refers to one killed at Oakingham on the 8th October, 1841. - Ed.]

Accepted locally (D'Urban & Mathew (1892: 107; Moore 1969).

Comment The Oakingham bird was actually killed at Chobham in August; see that record for the corrections published.

25). 1879 Lancashire & North Merseyside Near Preston, killed, August, now at Towneley Museum, Preston.

(Hardy, 1941; Oakes, 1953: 152, 364).

History Hardy (1941) states one for Preston, August 1879 (Liverpool Museum). While Oakes (1953) states that this specimen passed into the collection of P. Sefton of Baxenden. Further, p. 364, under 'Addenda' he adds: 'The Preston specimen of 1879 (P. Sefton) is now in the Towneley Museum, Preston.'

26). 1880 Yorkshire Scarborough, seen, at least 17th April.

(L. H. West, Zoologist 1880: 407; L. H. West, Field 1st Nov., 1890: 668; Nelson, 1907; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 280; Mather, 1986).

History L. H. West of Glenrock, Brough (1880) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. IV. p. 407, says: 'On April 17th I saw an Alpine Swift at Scarborough, the first of the Swallow tribe I saw this year. It was about at intervals for a fortnight or so, after which I saw it no more.'

Clarke & Roebuck (1881: 37) say: '...In a letter to me, Mr. West so accurately describes the bird as to leave no doubt as to its identification.'

L. H. West of Glenrock, Brough (1890) in The Field of 1st Nov., Vol. LXXVI. p. 668, says: 'I notice in The Field of Oct. 10 a record of the occurrence of the Alpine Swift at Scarborough, with an expression of the writer's belief that this is the first specimen which has been taken there. I may mention that I saw one at Scarborough in 1880 near Oliver's Mount School, and the occurrence is recorded in The Handbook of Yorkshire Vertebrata, and in The Zoologist, 1880, p. 407.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 280, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

27). 1880 Surrey River Mole, near Charlwood, seen, 10th October.

(A. Jones, Field 27th Nov., 1880: 805; Bucknill, 1900).

History Bucknill (1900: 148) says: 'A writer (Mr. Algernon Jones) in The Field November 27, 1880, p. 805, states that on October 10 of that year he observed a specimen fly over his head on the banks of the Mole, near Charlwood, and that there could be no doubt as to its identity.

Comment Wheatley overlooked this record. E-mail reply from Wheatley says: 'I knew about that one. It should have gone in.'

28). 1881 Yorkshire Kirkburton, near Huddersfield, female, picked up exhausted, 1st June, now at Yorkshire Museum, York.

(W. E. Clarke & W. D. Roebuck, Naturalist 1883-84 (9): 168; W. E. Clarke & W. D. Roebuck, Zoologist 1884: 176; Nelson, 1907; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 280; Mather, 1986; Denton, 1995).

History W. E. Clarke & W. D. Roebuck (1883) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. IX. p. 168, and The Zoologist, (1884) 3rd series, Vol. VIII. p. 176, say: 'Alpine Swift. Additional occurrence: Huddersfield, a female brought in the flesh to Mr. S. L. Mosley, on the 2nd of June, 1881, which had been found in an exhausted condition a day or two before (Mosley, M.S.).'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 280, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

29). 1881 Suffolk Wickhambrook, shot, June.

(Tearle MS; Bury Free Press 2nd July 1881; Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932).

History Babington (1884-86: 236) says: 'Shot at Wickhambrook, June 1881 (Tearle MS., Bury Free Press July 2nd, 1881).' Accepted locally (Ticehurst 1932: 194).

30). 1882 Northumberland Boulmer, shot, 18th July.

(Alnwick Mercury; H. T. Archer, Field 29th July 1882: 176; G. Bolam, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1899: 69; Bolam, 1912; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83).

History H. T. Archer of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (1882) in The Field of 29th July, Vol. LX. p. 176, says: 'A specimen of this rare bird was shot last week near Alnmouth by Wm. Rogerson, Esq., of Croxdale Hall.

The bird (which is being preserved by Mr. Duncan, of this city) measures 9¼ in. in length, and 21 in. across the wings.

I believe this to be the only recorded instance of the bird in either Northumberland of Durham.'

G. Bolam of Berwick-on-Tweed (1899) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. VIII. p. 69, says: 'Except the specimen shot on the Northumbrian coast, near Boulmer, on 18th July 1882, there is no record for the district.'

Bolam (1912: 223) says: 'Shot by Mr. William Rogerson of Croxdale Hall, near Boulmer Point, on the Northumberland coast, on 18th July, 1882. It was referred to in the Alnwick Mercury at the time; and was examined by Mr. Hancock.'

31). 1886 Hampshire Near Basingstoke, two, seen, 28th April.

(J. Salter, Field 15th May 1886: 640; Kelsall & Munn, 1905; Cohen & Taverner, 1972).

History James Salter (1886) in The Field of 15th May, Vol. LXVII. p. 640, says: 'On the 28th of April I saw two specimens of this rare visitant (Cypselus melba) flying over a pond about a mile east of Basingstoke. I first saw them from a distance, and was attracted by their enormous expanse of wing. The Swallows flying near them looked mere pygmies. Upon going to the edge of the pond, I was able to examine their plumage very clearly. They were quite fearless, and came near to where I was standing. There could be no doubt about the species. Their flight was very gentle and peculiarly graceful. They were occupied in picking insects off the surface of the water, and this they accomplished by a series of short, slow, curving stoops of a few yards, made very deliberately.'

Accepted locally (Kelsall & Munn 1905: 100; Cohen & Taverner, 1972).

33). 1887 Norfolk/Suffolk Cobholm Marshes, Great Yarmouth, Suffolk, seen, 13th September.

(W. Pycraft, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 4: 458-459; J. A. Harvie Brown, J. Cordeaux & W. E. Clarke, Migration Report 9: 32; Ticehurst, 1932; Allard, 1990; Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999; Piotrowski, 2003).

History W. Pycraft (1884-89) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IV. pp. 458-459, says: 'I saw one of the rare birds on September 13th, 1887, about seven p.m. with a quantity of Swifts (C. apus). It was hawking round Mr. Press's flour mill, the back of which adjoins Breydon marshes. It had been noticed by several people during the afternoon, its superior size and white breast rendering it a very conspicuous object.'

J. A. Harvie Brown, J. Cordeaux & W. E. Clarke (1888) in the Report on the Migration of Birds in the Spring and Autumn of 1887, 9th report, p. 32, say: 'September 13th. Yarmouth, Alpine Swift, afternoon and evening, flying with about thirty Common Swifts; was subsequently shot.'

Accepted locally Ticehurst (1932: 194) who adds: 'Seen by Mr. Pycraft flying over the marshes on the Suffolk side of Breydon.'

Comment Seen on the Suffolk recording side which since 1974 is in Norfolk.

34). 1890 Norfolk Cromer, seen, 29th September.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1891: 137; Riviere, 1930).

History J. H. Gurney, jun. (1891) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XV. p. 137, says: 'Mr. R. J. Purdy, on Sept. 29th, saw an Alpine Swift hawking along the edge of Cromer Cliffs with some Martins: he watched it at intervals for more than half-an-hour, sometimes within a few yards of him. According to a Norfolk paper, one was killed a few days afterwards in Essex, but Mr. Christy cannot trace its whereabouts, and on the 24th of the same month another was picked up on Scarborough Spa, Yorkshire.'

35). 1890 Yorkshire Scarborough, picked up dead, 24th October.

(J. Chapman, Field 18th Oct., 1890: 599; L. H. West Field 1st Nov., 1890: 668; Nelson, 1907; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 280; Mather, 1986).

History J. Chapman of Scarborough (1890) in The Field of 18th Oct., Vol. LXXVI. p. 599, says: 'A few days ago a lady and gentleman were sitting on the spa at Scarborough, when they noticed a bird of uncommon appearance approaching from seaward. It no sooner got over the land than it dropped to the ground. The gentleman picked it up, and found that it was quite dead. Not recognising it as a bird with which he was familiar, he determined to have it stuffed, and sought the aid of Mr. Morley, taxidermist, of Morley Street, who informed him that the bird was the Alpine Swift (Cypselus melba), and a remarkable rarity in the British Isles.

According to Yarrell, only eighteen specimens have ever been taken in the British Isles; and there is no record, we believe, of any prior specimen having ever been taken in Yorkshire, certainly not at Scarborough.'

I may mention that I saw one at Scarborough in 1880 near Oliver's Mount School, and the occurrence is recorded in The Handbook of Yorkshire Vertebrata, and in The Zoologist, 1880, p. 407.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 280, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

36). 1891 Kent Dover, picked up exhausted, 6th July.

(S. Webb, British Association Handbook to Dover, 1899; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).

History Ticehurst (1909: 227) says: 'After a lapse of over sixty years another specimen was obtained at Dover. It is recorded by Mr. Sydney Webb in an article on birds contributed to the British Association's Handbook to Dover in 1899, as having been picked up in an exhausted condition on July 6th, 1891.'

Harrison (1953 (2): 29) says: 'This bird was picked up in an exhausted state at Dover on 6th July, 1891, and recorded by Mr. Sydney Webb in the British Association's Handbook to Dover in 1899.'

Comment Both Ticehurst and Harrison quote the British Association as the source of this record but I cannot find the reference to it in there at all!

37). 1892 Yorkshire Langsett, 15th May.

(Nelson, 1907; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 280; Chislett, 1952; Mather, 1986).

History Nelson (1907 (1): 265) says: 'And, lastly, an immature male was taken on the moors at Langsett, near Penistone, in 1892, and was purchased by Mr. W. E. Brady, and presented by him to the Barnsley Naturalists' Society on 15th May 1893 (E. G. Bayford, in litt.).'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 280, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

Not accepted locally (Wilson & Slack 1996) but seven are listed for Yorkshire (Witherby 1920-24).

38). 1892 Ayrshire Muirkirk, caught, 25th August, released 26th August.

(A. Fairbairn, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1897: 152; Witherby, 1920-24; Paton & Pike, 1929; McWilliam, 1936; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

History Archibald Fairbairn (1897) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. VI. p. 152, says: 'A bird of this species was caught, apparently exhausted, at a high window on 25th August 1892. I kept it overnight and allowed it to escape in the morning. On comparing it with good illustrations and descriptions of the Alpine Swift, I have no doubt whatever as to its proper identification.'

Richmond Paton & Pike (1929) say: 'Mr. A. Fairbairn, head gamekeeper at Muirkirk, writing to us recently, gives the following particulars: "A bird of this species was caught, apparently exhausted, at a high window, on 25th August 1892. I kept it overnight and allowed it to escape in the morning. On comparing it with good illustrations and descriptions of the Alpine Swift I have no doubt whatever as to its proper identification.'

McWilliam (1936) adds the reference for the record as the ('Annals of Glenfield Ramblers', 1901-04, p. 65), but square-bracketed the record. But since then it has been accepted nationally (Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007 (2): 942).

39). 1895 Greater London/Surrey Staines, Middlesex, seen, 19th May.

(E. E. Pettitt, Field 15th June 1895: 885; G. W. Kerr, Zoologist 1906: 232; Glegg, 1935; Self, 2014).

History E. E. Pettitt (1895) in The Field of 15th June, Vol. LXXXV. p. 885, says: 'It may interest your ornithological readers to know that I saw an Alpine Swift (Cypselus melba) at Staines on May 19. There can be no doubt as to the correct identification, for this bird, when once seen, cannot be mistaken for any other. It was in company with several common Swifts.'

[Since this species was first noticed at Dover in August, 1830, some thirty instances of its occurrence in this country have been recorded at long intervals. The last we remember to have heard of was seen at Alnmouth, in Northumberland, in July 1882, as reported in The Field of July 29 in that year. - Ed.]

G. W. Kerr (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 232, under the 'Birds of Staines', says: 'One occurred on spring migration, 1895.'

Glegg (1935: 91) says: 'On 19th May 1895 one was observed with other Swifts at Staines.'

40). 1902 Kent Bromstone, Thanet, obtained, 21st October.

(H. S. D. Byron, Field 1st Nov., 1902; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 280; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).

History Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 280, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899.'

Ticehurst (1909: 227) says: 'The most recent example was shot on Mr. H. S. D. Byron's property at Bromstone, in Thanet, on October 21st, 1902 (Field, Nov. 1st, 1902).

In response to my inquiries, Mr. Byron kindly furnished me with the following details: - "The bird was in good plumage, and when first seen, on the afternoon of October 21st, was flying in wide circles, after the manner of the Common Swifts, at a considerable height. The day was clear and bright, with a slight wind from the westward, but the previous day was wet, with rather rough wind at times. I should have hardly recognised the bird on the wing, although I saw a good number when in Switzerland, but that was many years ago. However, I knew what it was as soon as I had it in my hand".

The specimen is now in Mr. Byron's collection of Thanet birds.'

41). 1904 Sussex Isfield, seen, 4th September.

(Walpole-Bond, 1938; des Forges & Harber, 1963).

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 140) says: 'Nothing more is heard of this species in Sussex until 1904, when on September 4th that keen observer Mr. S. Morris (in litt.) identified an example at Isfield, near Lewes.'

42). 1906 Devon Withycombe Raleigh, Exmouth, two, seen, August.

(H. C. Adams, Field 22nd Sept., 1906: 540; Moore, 1969).

History Herbert C. Adams of Exmouth (1906) in The Field of 22nd Sept., Vol. CVII. p. 540, says: 'Two Alpine Swifts were observed close to Withycombe House, about a mile form Exmouth, last month. They seem to have been about there for some days, for in July their strange notes were heard in the evenings and not recognised until the birds themselves were actually seen later.

According to Messrs. Mathew and D'Urban (Birds of Devon), the Alpine Swift is a decidedly rare visitor to this country.'

44). 1908 Pembrokeshire Angle Bay, shot, 20th November.

(T. W. Proger & D. R. Paterson, Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society 1908: 51; C. J. P. Cave, British Birds 2: 381; Witherby, 1920-24; Lockley, 1949; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).

History T. W. Proger & D. R. Paterson (1908) in the Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Vol. XLI. p. 51, say: 'We are indebted to Mr. W. E. de Winton, Orielton, Pembrokeshire, for this record, which is, we believe, the first for South Wales. Two birds of this species frequented Angle Bay during the autumn of 1908. One was shot in November, and is now in the possession of Colonel Mirehouse, of The Hall, Angle.'

Charles J. P. Cave (1909) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 381, says 'An Alpine Swift (Cypselus melba) was shot on November 20th, 1908, on the land of Colonel Mirehouse on the east side of Angle Bay, Pembrokeshire. The gamekeeper said that he had seen a pair of them in the neighbourhood for some time previously.'

[In connection with the above record we have received further interesting particulars from Lieut. W. Maitland Congreve, R.A., who writes as follows: - "The bird was shot by one of a number of guns (who nearly all fired at the bird, thinking it was a Hawk), the guests of Colonel Mirehouse. The bird was sent to Mr. W. E. de Winton, of Orielton, who at once pronounced it to be an Alpine Swift.

It is now stuffed and in the possession of Colonel Mirehouse, and I saw it some weeks ago. The bird is particularly remarkable for the enormous span of the wings. The back is of a dull brown colour; throat white, then a brown band and belly white. It is not in the least like an ordinary Swift, owing to the white, its size, and the span of its wings".' - Eds.]

Accepted locally (Lockley 1949: 49) and nationally for Wales (Lovegrove, Williams & Williams 1994).

Comment Strange how the sight record of another is not mentioned by the Lieut. in his further details. As with numerous other records the number seen appears to grow with the story to impress. Only the specimen is acceptable.

45). 1909 Norfolk Cromer, seen, 25th to 31st July.

(D. W. Mussel-White, British Birds 3: 163; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1910: 130; Riviere, 1930).

History D. W. Mussel-White (1909) in British Birds, Vol. III. p. 163, says: 'The appearance of an Alpine Swift (Cypselus melba), during a recent stay at Cromer, may be worth recording. The bird could be seen any day flying up and down the cliffs up to the date of my departure, July 31st. The differences between this bird and the Common Swift were very marked, the Alpine Swift having a more powerful flight, being larger in size, having white under-parts, and being generally browner in appearance.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1910) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XIV. p. 130, says: 'July 25th. Between the 25th and the 31st an Alpine Swift was identified by Mr. Mussel-White on several occasions; it was flying up and down the Cromer cliffs, just the same place where one was seen in September, 1890.

This species usually follows coast-lines, which is perhaps the reason why it has only been once obtained in Heligoland.'

46). 1911 Hampshire Brockenhurst, seen, 28th May.

(R. S. Mitford, Zoologist 1911: 278; Eds., British Birds 5: 84; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 30: 186; Cohen & Taverner, 1972).

History R. S. Mitford of South Kensington (1911) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XV. p. 278, says: 'I recently saw an Alpine Swift (Cypselus melba) at Brockenhurst, and the appearance of this rare visitor to our country is perhaps sufficiently interesting to be recorded in The Zoologist.

It was on the morning of Sunday, May 28th, that my friend Mr. E. A. Waterhouse and I saw the bird flying at no great height close to Brockenhurst Bridge. I fact, it was flying only sufficiently high to clear the thorn-trees and high bushes by the river, the course of which it appeared to be following from west to east. As the bird was coming towards us in bright sunshine, we were able to see it distinctly, and its white breast was conspicuous, so that we had no doubt of the species. Indeed, it was so obviously a large Swift that it was impossible to mistake it for any other bird.'

In an Editorial (1911) in British Birds, Vol. V. p. 84, they say: 'Mr. R. S. Mitford records (Zool., 1911, p. 278) that he saw an Alpine Swift (Cypselus melba) at Brockenhurst (New Forest) on May 28th, 1911.'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1912) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXX. p. 186, on the unexpected occurrences for 1911, says: 'One seen, Brockenhurst (Hampshire), May 28th.'

47). 1915 Dumfries & Galloway Whithorn, Wigtownshire, seen, 30th July.

(H. Holmes, Field 21st Aug., 1915: 349; G. Holmes, Scottish Naturalist 35: 308; Eds., British Birds 9: 95, Eds., British Birds 9: 189; Witherby, 1920-24; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History H. Holmes of Ravenstone Castle, Whithorn (1915) in The Field of 21st Aug., Vol. CXXVI. p. 349, says: 'In view of the announcement that a number of Alpine Swifts have been recently observed in Kent (Field, July 31), it may be worth noting that one was seen here during the first week of August.'

Gilbert Holmes of Whithorn (1915) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXV. p. 308, says: 'Readers of the Scottish Naturalist may be interested to learn that I saw an Alpine Swift (Micropus melba) here on the 30th July last. I am quite certain I could not have been mistaken, as the bird came right over me, just skimming the trees. Its larger size and the white markings on the throat and abdomen made it very distinguishable from the Common Swift.

I noticed in The Field of 31st July that a flight of about a hundred of these birds had been seen in Kent on the 15th of that month, also five in the same locality on the 22nd. Possibly the one I saw was a straggler from the same lot.'

[In the B.O.U. List (p. 121) it is stated that no Alpine Swifts have been captured in Scotland. But Mr. Archibald Fairbairn recorded in the Annals of Scottish Natural History for 1897 (p.152) that he examined and released one which was captured at Muirkirk, Ayrshire, on the 25th May 1892, while Mr. John Paterson, in the Fauna of the Clyde Area (1901, p. 162), refers also to this example and records another seen near the same locality on the 28th July 1900. - Eds.]

In an Editorial (1915) in British Birds, Vol. IX. p. 85, they say: 'In The Field for August 21st, 1915, Mr. H. Holmes records the presence of an Alpine Swift at Whithorn, Wigtownshire, during the first week of August, 1915.'

In an Editorial (1915) in British Birds, Vol. IX. p. 189, it says: 'The date on which the Alpine Swift was seen in Wigtownshire by G. Holmes is now given (Scot. Nat., 1915, p. 308) as July 30th, and not early in August, as stated in our previous note (antea, p. 95).'

48). 1916 Kent Hythe, nine (six & three), seen, 16th May.

(H. M. Wallis, British Birds 19: 132; Harrison, 1953; P. Chantler, British Birds 98: 259-260).

History H. M. Wallis (1925) in British Birds, Vol. XIX. p. 132, says: 'When in Norfolk recently I came upon the record of an incursion of Alpine Swifts (Apus m. melba) during May, 1916. Miss Margaret Barclay, of Hanworth Hall, Norfolk (eldest daughter of Col. H. A. Barclay, himself an ornithologist, and herself, of recent years, a keen watcher of birds), was during the war nursing at Hythe and lodged in a lofty house, the end of a row, overlooking the town and Channel. Among other lodgers was a Mr. O. B. Hake.

One evening in May, 1916, Miss Barclay on reaching her room heard a sound of scraping and fluttering against the glass of her open window, and found three very large brown Swifts with white undersides flattened against the lowest pane of glass. She gave them their liberty, noticing their "hugeness", their white under surfaces, how bulky they seemed in the hand, and when they flew their wide spread of wing. Her fellow-lodger, Mr. Hake, found six of the same sort of bird in his room the same night.

At my request the lady has written to Mr. Hake, who endorses her story, adding very little except that he remembers their size and brown backs and white underparts. He is not an ornithologist.

I may say that in the hall at Hanworth is a well-stuffed Alpine Swift (history unknown). Miss Barclay was unaware of the value of her record at the time, nor knew that there was such a bird, having taken no especial notice of birds until after the war. On her return home from nursing she recognised that the birds which had invaded her room at Hythe (Kent) were exactly like her father's Alpine Swift, having been brown above, not sooty, and white beneath. Also that their size, bulk and spread of wing exceeded any Swifts she had seen then, or since.'

Comment Col. Henry Albert Barclay (1858-1947) was aide-de-camp to King Edward VII and King George V.

57). 1917 Herefordshire Staunton-on-Arrow, seen, 16th July.

(S. C. Watkins, Field 28th Jul., 1917: 143; Gilbert & Walker, 1954; Walker & Smith, 1975).

History S. Cornish Watkins of Staunton on Arrow Vicarage (1917) in The Field of 28th Jul., Vol. CXXX. p. 143, says: 'On July 16 I was watching the swifts which had already begun to leave us, when my notice was attracted by one with conspicuously white under parts. My first impression was that it was an ordinary swift carrying a large white feather in its claws. It passed over my garden at a considerable height, flying S.W., and did not linger with the others that were circling round in the air. This is one of those tantalising cases in which one cannot be quite certain of a species, but I feel convinced it must have been Cypselus melba. The occurrence, at any rate, is worth recording in case the bird should be seen elsewhere.'

[It is quite likely that the bird was an Alpine Swift. We have noted five-and-thirty instances of its occurrence in other localities, and it probably escapes more frequent observation from the height at which it flies. - Ed.]

Gilbert & Walker (1954: 25) say: 'A single bird of this species seen by Rev. S. Cornish Watkins flying overhead at Staunton-on-Arrow on 16th July, 1917. He identified it by its size and white underparts.'

58). 1923 Dumfries & Galloway Corsewall Lighthouse, Wigtownshire, small party (three), seen, mid-September.

(M. Bedford, Scottish Naturalist 44: 84; Eds., British Birds 18: 114; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 44: 107; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History Mary, Duchess of Bedford (1924) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLIV. p. 84, says: 'About the middle of September last a small party of Alpine Swifts remained for some days in the neighbourhood, i.e., about the buildings of the Corsewall Lighthouse, Stranraer. One bird settled on the open window of one of the rooms in the Lighthouse, and the lightkeeper's wife at once noted the large size, lighter colour, and white chin and belly. They were seen many times during their visit.'

In an Editorial (1924) in British Birds, Vol. XVIII. p. 114, they say: 'Wigtownshire. - The Duchess of Bedford records (Scot. Nat., 1924, p. 84) that a "small party" of Alpine Swifts (Apus melba) appeared about the middle of September, 1923, at Corsewall Lighthouse, Stranraer. The birds stayed for several days and were many times seen about the buildings by the lightkeeper and his wife who, we are informed by the Duchess, are well known to her as reliable observers and know Common Swifts perfectly.'

Admitted by E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1924) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLIV. p. 107, in the annual report.

Comment The Duchess (1865-1937) owned a property and moored her yacht in the Region. She visited Fair Isle with Wm. Eagle Clarke.

61). 1924 Devon Start Point, shot, 14th April.

(C. R. H. Edwards, Field, 8th May 1924: 636; Eds., British Birds 18: 114; Moore, 1969).

History C. R. H. Edwards (1924) in The Field of 8th May, Vol. CXLIII. p. 636, says: 'On April 14th I and three friends were looking for a Buzzard's nest to photograph at Start Point when, passing over the promontory on which the lighthouse s situated, I noticed a swift fairly high, and hawking around. Remarking to my friends how early it was, we stood watching it.

Presently it dropped to within 20 yards of us, and I noticed that its spread of wings was unusually large, also that it had a white throat and belly. We watched it for a quarter of an hour, and as it showed no inclination to go very far away, I walked to a farm about half-a-mile away and borrowed a shot gun and cartridges off Mr. Cole, the tenant.

It was nearly 20 minutes later when I got back, but the bird was still flying around. I fired two shots in quick succession but missed, so great was the bird's speed. However, at the third shot, which, to my surprise, he allowed me to get, I brought him down. It was a fine specimen of the Alpine Swift.

The measurements were as follows: Wing tip to wing tip, 21 inches; wing 9.5 inches; tip of beak to end of tail, 9 inches.'

[We publish this account to put on record the occurrence of a rare visitor to our shores. Nevertheless we strongly disapprove of the shooting of the specimen. Judging from the measurements, the bird was exceptionally large. - Ed.]

In an Editorial (1924) in British Birds, Vol. XVIII. p. 114, they say: 'Mr. C. R. H. Edwards states (Field, 8.v.1924, p. 636) that he shot an Alpine Swift (Apus melba) on April 14th, 1924, at Start Point.'

62). 1925 Dorset River Frome, near Moreton, seen, 25th to 26th May.

(F. L. Blathwayt, British Birds 19: 52; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History Society and Antiquarian Field Club 47: 170; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 181; Boys, 1973; Prendergast & Boys, 1983).

History F. L. Blathwayt (1925) in British Birds, Vol. XIX. p. 52, and (1927) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History Society and Antiquarian Field Club, Vol. XLVII. p. 170, says: 'The Rev. S. E. V. Filleul of Sandford, near Wareham, informs me that on May 25th, 1925, he and his keeper saw an Alpine Swift (Apus m. melba) hawking for may-flies in company with Common Swifts over the River Frome near Moreton. The bird constantly passed quite close to them and the pure white throat and under-parts were very conspicuous. The keeper saw it again on May 26th.

This appears to be the first Dorset record.'

Admitted by F. L. Blathwayt (1934) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LV. p. 181, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset'.

63). 1925 Sussex Hove, seen, 23rd June.

(Walpole-Bond, 1938; des Forges & Harber, 1963).

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 140) says: 'A bird seen consorting with common Swifts by the Author's wife on June 23rd, 1925, at West Hove can from her careful and clever description have been nothing else but an "Alpine".'

64). 1927 Wiltshire River Wylye, near Stapleford, seen, 27th October.

(N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 21: 178-179; Buxton, 1981).

History N. F. Ticehurst (1927) in British Birds, Vol. XXI. pp. 178-179, says: 'On October 27th, 1927, at Stapleford in the Wylye Valley, I saw an Alpine Swift (Apus melba). It was hawking over the river and water-meadows some twenty or thirty feet from the ground and I had it under observation for several minutes. During that time it came directly over me, and I finally watched it out of sight down the valley. A Swift on that date would attract one's attention at once, but the conspicuously large size, the general impression of brown, not black, coloration and, when it came over me, the light, almost white, under surface, left no doubt in my mind as to this bird's identity.'

65). 1930 Devon Newton Ferrers, picked up dead, 11th March.

(D. Seth-Smith, British Birds 23: 306; W. Walmesley White, H. G. Hurrell & V. C. Wynne-Edwards, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1930: 383; Moore, 1969).

History David Seth-Smith (1930) in British Birds, Vol. XXIII. p. 306, says: 'On March 13th, 1930, I received by post from Mr. W. R. Leycester, of Ennisbeg, Newton Ferrers, S. Devon, a very fresh specimen, in good condition, of the Alpine Swift (Apus melba), with a letter stating that it had been picked up at 8 a.m. on March 13th, a few feet away from my correspondent's house. This appears to be a very early date for this species, which is a rarity at any time in this country.'

66). 1930 Northumberland Holy Island, two, 12th July.

(Bolam, 1932; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 26: 282; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83).

History Bolam (1932) says: '...two seen hawking together over Holy Island by Mr. W. G. Watson on July 12th, 1930.'

H. F. Witherby (1933) in British Birds, Vol. XXVI. p. 282, in a Review of G. Bolam's A Catalogue of the Birds of Northumberland, says: 'Of migrants, Mr. Bolam has a good many to add, chiefly by the work of Mr. W. G. Watson, on Holy Island. Most of those were published at the time in our pages, but we notice...two Alpine Swifts on July 12th, 1930, of which we have no note.'

Comment Witherby visited Holy Island in 1912 and 1913. Geoffrey Watson worked the same island in the early 1920s then decided to live there about 1925 until his death in 1931 (Kerr, 2003).

68). 1930 Essex Dovercourt, seen, 17th to 19th August.

(H. E. W. Braund, British Birds 24: 192; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984).

History Harold E. W. Braund (1930) in British Birds, Vol. XXIV. p. 192, says: 'On August 17th, 1930, at Dovercourt, Essex, I noticed, among a small flock of Swifts, one bird of a totally different type. This was much larger than the Common Swifts; its upperparts were a deep brown instead of black; its throat was a noticeable greyish-white, and its belly was a pure white from the breast almost down to the under tail-coverts (so it appeared to me).

The habits of this bird seemed to be very similar to those of the Common Swift, and it remained with these birds until about the 19th or 20th, when all of them disappeared. I should much like to know whether I am right in thinking this bird was an Alpine Swift (Apus melba).'

[We think Mr. Braund's description could not apply to any other bird than the Alpine Swift. - Eds.]

Accepted locally (Hudson & Pyman 1968: 68; Cox 1984: 190).

69). 1930 Norfolk Near Hunstanton, seen, 25th September.

(P. H. Ball, Field 8th Nov., 1930: 654; B. B. Riviere, British Birds 24: 314).

History P. H. Ball of Minna Lodge, Hunstanton (1930) in The Field of 8th Nov., Vol. CLVI. p. 654, says: 'On September 25th I observed an Alpine Swift hawking for insects in company with Swallows and House Martins over a stream running through the fresh marshes near Hunstanton. On that day there was almost a gale from the S.W., which changed to N.W. the following day and the bird had disappeared.'

B. B. Riviere (1931) in British Birds, Vol. XXIV. p. 314, in the 1930 Norfolk Bird Report, says: 'As already reported, one was seen near Hunstanton on September 25th (P. H. Ball, Field, November 8th, 1930).'

70). 1931 Isle of Man Port St Mary, late May.

(P. G. Ralfe, British Birds 29: 71; Cullen & Jennings, 1986).

History P. G. Ralfe (1935) in British Birds, Vol. XXIX. p. 71, says: 'Mr. C. F. Butterworth, who was familiar with the bird in Bohemia, reports seeing one May 17th, 1933, at Ballacreggan, Pt. St. Mary, with Swallows. He believes that another was seen in May, 1931, and a third in May, 1934; all the observers had met with the species on the Continent.'

71). 1933 Isle of Man Ballacreggan, Port St Mary, 17th May.

(P. G. Ralfe, British Birds 29: 71; Cullen & Jennings, 1986).

72). 1934 Isle of Man Niarbyl, two, 18th May.

(P. G. Ralfe, British Birds 29: 71; Cullen & Jennings, 1986).

74). 1934 Pembrokeshire St David's, two, seen, 14th September.

(C. M. Acland, British Birds 28: 174; Lockley, 1949).

History Clemence M. Acland (1934-35) in British Birds, Vol. XXVIII. p. 174, says: 'On September 14th, 1934 at 5.30 pm, at St David's, Pembrokeshire, I saw two Alpine Swifts flying at first at a considerable height above the cliffs. I had them under observation with field-glasses for about twenty minutes, when they descended at times to a lower level. Their larger size, though this is difficult to judge when there is no other bird near by for comparison, mouse-brown upper-parts, white throat, brown breast-band, and white breast and belly, were very apparent.

The weather was hot, sunny, with considerable haze, and a light southerly breeze. They were not seen again during a stay of several days, and the weather changed to a hard south-westerly gale.'

Accepted locally (Lockley 1949: 49). Nationally, there is no mention of two individuals (Green & Roberts 2004).

Comment This description could fit Sand Martin apart from its large size which is multiplied with binoculars.

76). 1935 Norfolk Hickling Broad, seen, 3rd September.

(S. H. Long, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 14: 97; S. H. Long, Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1935: 17, 20; Eds., British Birds 30: 53).

History S. H. Long (1935) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. XIV. p. 97, and in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, pp. 17, 19-20, says: 'We are indebted to Mr. Jim Vincent, the head keeper for the following notes...My other new bird was an Alpine Swift, seen on September 3rd. It was in the company of hundreds of Common Swifts, which were flying low over the reeds, but the Alpine never came down below thirty yards. Its white breast was very conspicuous when it flew overhead or banked, and it made the other swifts look very small.'

In an Editorial (1936) in British Birds, Vol. XXX. p. 53, in a Review of the Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society 1935, they say: 'At Hickling...Mr. Vincent identified...an Alpine Swift on September 3rd.'

77). 1938 Yorkshire Near Whitby, seen, May.

(Proceedings of the Whitby Naturalists' Society 1938; L. Beckett, Countryside 1938 autumn; R. Chislett, Naturalist 65: 13; Chislett, 1952; Mather, 1986).

History Ralph Chislett (1940) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXV. p. 13, says: 'On the last day of the visit of the B.E.N.A., near Whitby, an Alpine Swift was seen, distinguishable from the Common Swifts by the white chin and underparts. Leslie Beckett, F.Z.S. in Countryside, Autumn No., 1938, and Proceedings of Whitby Naturalists' Society 1938.'

Chislett (1952: 129) adds: 'The Proceedings of the Whitby Naturalists' Society for 1938 include a note of an Alpine Swift distinguished by its white chin and underparts seen near Whitby, at Whitsuntide 1938, during a visit of the British Empire Naturalists' Society (and see L. Beckett in Countryside, Autumn Number for 1938.'

78). 1938 Devon Lympstone, seen, 2nd October.

(F. C. Butters, E. W. Hendy & H. G. Hurrell, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1938: 27; Eds., British Birds 33: 144; Moore, 1969).

History F. C. Butters, E. W. Hendy & H. G. Hurrell (1938) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, p. 27, say: 'Lympstone. Oct. 2nd. Excellent view of one obtained for several minutes. (R.G.A.).'

In an Editorial (1939) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIII. p. 144, in a Review of the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, for 1938, they say: 'There are a number of interesting items in this Report, but some of the records are very unsatisfactory as no details of identification are given. An Alpine Swift is reported at Lympstone on October 2nd but without a word of description. R. G. Adams.'

79). 1942 Leicestershire & Rutland Swithland Reservoir, seen, 13th April.

(A. E. Jolley, Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society Ornithological Report 1942: 24; Hickling, 1978; Fray et al., 2009).

History A. E. Jolley (1942) in the Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society Ornithological Report, p. 24, recording the record in square-brackets, says: 'On April 13th H.W. reported having seen at the North end of Swithland Reservoir a bird answering to the description of the above.

It was easily picked out from its accompanying Swallows and Martins by its large size, shape, and gliding flight. Against the wind the wings were practically motionless, but with the wind the wings were in action and the short tail spread to check the flight. The bird was brown on the back, like a Sand Martin, as also was its head, breast and tail, with a distinct white belly from its breast to its brown under tail-coverts.'

[The following day A.E.J. scoured the district but could find no sign, but against this a junior member (B.B.) reported a Swift, flying high, at Mountsorrel on April 6th, less than two miles from the above spot, a report that was unknown to the above observer, but was considered inaccurate on account of its early date. – Eds.]

However, locally, it is now acceptable (Fray et al. 2009).

80). 1946 Hampshire Leckford, near Stockbridge, seen, 18th July.

(P. Scott, British Birds 40: 21; Cohen & Taverner, 1972).

History Peter Scott (1947) in British Birds, Vol. XL. p. 21, says: 'At about 6.30 p.m. on July 18th, 1946, Mr. Terry Jones and I were looking at the ornamental waterfowl on the water meadows of the Test on Mr. Spedan Lewis's estate at Leckford, near Stockbridge, when we observed amongst a number of common Swifts Apus apus, which were hawking up and down the river, a substantially larger bird with a white belly.

During the next half hour this bird frequently passed within 10 yards of us in excellent light, so that its identification as an Alpine Swift Apus m. melba was absolutely certain.

The most noticeable features of the bird were its large size (about one third as large again as the common Swifts), its stronger and more purposeful flight with much slower wing beats, and its brilliant white belly. When the bird banked towards us, the tawny colour of the back, much paler than that of the common Swift, was observed. The white chin was not at all prominent and was only seen when the bird was at its very closest.

For the half hour that it was under observation the bird was apparently entirely silent. It was feeding in exactly the same way as the 50 or 60 common Swifts in the same area.

The Handbook gives "about 40" records for the Alpine Swift in England.'

81). 1947 Kent Reculver, seen, 26th April.

(T. M. Gullick, British Birds 40: 250; Harrison, 1953).

History T. M. Gullick (1947) in British Birds, Vol. XL. p. 250, says: 'At 3.50 p.m. (G.M.T.) on April 26th, 1947, I was walking towards Birchington along the Reculver's Sea Wall, when I saw a large powerfully built swift approaching. As soon as I picked it up with my glasses, the pure white belly, large size and white chin showed that it was, without doubt, an Alpine Swift Apus m. melba. The bird was flying west along the coast, and passed about twenty feet over my head. I did not observe any other swifts that day.'

1950-57 RECORDS

82). 1950 Dorset Durlston, Swanage, 22nd May.

(G. B. Gooch, British Birds 44: 23; K. B. Rooke, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 72: 158; Prendergast & Boys, 1983).

History G. B. Gooch (1951) in British Birds, Vol. XLIV. p. 23, says: 'On May 22nd, 1950, at 14.00, my wife and I saw an Alpine Swift (Apus melba) at Swanage. It flew and circled around, in brilliant sunshine, with about a dozen other Swifts (Apus apus) for ten minutes. The white belly first attracted attention, but the paler brown upper parts were almost as striking when seen at close range, as were the conspicuous white chin and brown breast-band. The larger size, however, though obvious enough when the two species flew side by side, or the rarer bird came close to us, was often masked when the birds spread over a large area of the sky, for then their apparent size varied according to their distance, so that the Alpine Swift was lost in the crowd.'

83). 1950 Dorset Wareham, 29th May.

(R. C. Cooney, British Birds 47: 354; K. B. Rooke, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 75: 199; Prendergast & Boys, 1983).

History R. C. Cooney (1954) in British Birds, Vol. XLVII. p. 354, says: 'On May 29th, 1950, I watched an Alpine Swift (Apus melba) hawking with common Swifts (A. apus) over the River Frome at Wareham, Dorset. The bird was in sight for at least 20 minutes, often at ranges down to 20 or 30 feet, sometimes even closer, and from the brown, instead of black, upper-parts and the white underneath, as well as the much greater size and noticeably larger wing-span than the other Swifts, I am quite certain of the identification.

[It is of interest to point out that an Alpine Swift had been seen at Swanage, Dorset, a few days earlier (May 22nd, 1950), by Mr. G. Bernard Gooch (antea, Vol. XLIV. p. 23). - Eds.]

84). 1951 Surrey Ash Vale, 25th April.

(J. F. Burton, British Birds 45: 330).

History J. F. Burton (1952) in British Birds, Vol. XLV. p. 330, says: 'At. 15.00 on April 25th, 1951, I saw an Alpine Swift (Apus melba) at Ash Vale. Its loud and long twittering, not un-musical, call first attracted my attention as it wheeled and circled low over some army huts near by, closely followed by the local pair of Swallows (Hirundo rustica).

In flight it looked twice the size of the latter. The white belly and chin, brown upper-parts and breast band were all seen, as the bird flew low all the time I had it under observation. After about ten minutes it continued its solitary journey E.N.E. along the Ash Vale to Waterloo railway.

The Handbook states that melba is silent on migration. The bird I saw used on three or four occasions the cry described above, which resembled that stated by The Handbook as being used in the breeding-haunts.'

[I have heard Alpine Swifts call when apparently on migration. W.B.A.]

85). 1951 Borders Near Hawick, Roxburgh, 3rd August.

(W. S. Medlicott, British Birds 45: 331; Murray, 1986).

History W. S. Medlicott (1952) in British Birds, Vol. XLV. p. 331, says: 'At 18.30 on August 3rd, 1951, I watched an Alpine Swift near Hawick, Roxburghshire, for quite 10 minutes, hawking about, often only 20 yards from me and never higher than 40 to 50 feet up. I was able to see the white belly and lower breast and forked tail, clearly with x 8 prism glass. It was in company with our Swifts (A. apus) and all three species of our hirundinidae, about 100 all told, and after a thunderstorm some miles south; wind south and very warm.'

86). 1952 Somerset Wembdon, near Bridgwater, 2nd November.

(M. L. Colthurst, B. C. Palmer, C. D. Palmer & E. M. Palmer, British Birds 46: 218-219; F. L. Blathwayt, Report on Somerset Birds 1952: 26; Somerset Ornithological Society, 1988).

History M. L. Colthurst, B. C, Palmer, C. D. Palmer & E. M. Palmer (1953) in British Birds, Vol. XLVI. pp. 218-219, say: 'Somerset. - It may be of interest to relate that exceptionally good views of an Alpine Swift (Apus melba) were obtained at Wembdon, near Bridgwater, Somerset, on November 2nd, 1952.

The bird was first seen at 12.55 p.m. by M.L.C., and then by her husband, Mr. W. B. Colthurst, circling high above their house for over ten minutes, once coming down low. Later it was located again by all of us, and Jeffery Davey, a mile to the east over some marshy pasture lands known as Wembdon Fields. Very satisfactory views were obtained as it circled overhead, sometimes swooping down low, sometimes disappearing northward and then reappearing behind one of the many parties of Redwings (Turdus musicus) and Fieldfares (T. pilaris) passing south that day.

It was in fact under observation over Wembdon Fields at intervals during a period of more than an hour and a half.'

87). 1954 Caernarfonshire Aberdesach, 27th June.

(J. G. Hughes, British Birds 48: 90-91; W. M. Condry, Nature in Wales 1: 11; Jones & Dare, 1976).

History J. G. Hughes (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. pp. 90-91, says: 'For some thirty minutes on 27th June 1954, my daughter and I were fortunate enough to see an Alpine Swift (Apus melba) at Aberdesach, about eight miles from Caernarvon on the Pwllheli road about half-a-mile back from the sea. We were watching Swallows (Hirundo rustica) and Swifts (A. apus) wheeling over a field when this giant swift suddenly appeared. We noted that it was much lighter brown above than the Swifts, and then we saw the white throat and belly, separated by the brown breast-band.'

W. M. Condry (1955) in Nature in Wales, Vol. I. p. 11, says: 'One seen by J. G. Hughes and daughter on 27th June 1954 at Aberdesach, Near Pwllheli. It was described as "A giant swift...much lighter brown than the other swifts, with white belly and throat and brown breast band".'

88). 1954 Somerset Porlock, 5th October.

(M. Brooks-King, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1954: 34; Allen, 1971; Somerset Ornithological Society, 1988).

History M. Brooks-King (1954) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXVII. p. 34, says: 'Porlock, Oct. 5, one seen, large size noted also light colour and white belly seen as it twisted and turned. It approached from NE and passed overhead then continued westward. (G.M.C-H.).'

89). 1955 Berkshire Silwood Park, Ascot, 7th June.

(E. E. Green, British Birds 48: 457; Radford, 1966; Fraser & Youngman, 1976).

History E. E. Green (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 457, says: 'On 7th June 1955 at 1900 hours I identified an Alpine Swift (Apus melba) feeding over a small lake at Silwood Park, Ascot, Berkshire. Good views were obtained of the bird when it made three attempts to drink from the lake at a distance of thirty yards from me. It was much paler than a Swift (Apus apus), in fact in the strong sunlight quite brown; chin and belly were white with breast-band like a Sand Martin (Riparia riparia). The impression I had was that the bird was slower and more graceful than a Swift. After about 10 minutes, in which time I had many good views of it, the bird left in a westerly direction. This is the first record for Berkshire.'

90). 1955 Essex St Osyth, 9th June.

(G. A. Pyman, Essex Bird Report 1955: 27; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984).

History G. A. Pyman (1955) in the Essex Bird Report, p. 27, says: 'St Osyth: one flew E. over the millpond in the early evening of June 9th (R.W.A.). Noticeably larger and paler than feeding Swifts, prominent white belly, divided from white chin by dark breast band. This occurrence appears to constitute the second record for Essex.'

Accepted locally (Hudson & Pyman 1968; Cox 1984).

91). 1956 Breconshire Llanfrynach, 30th June.

(Massey, 1976).

History Massey (1976) says: 'One was seen at Llanfrynach pool on 30/06/56 (J.G.).'

92). 1956 Cornwall Lower Tregantle, Antony, 26th September.

(Penhallurick, 1978).

History Penhallurick (1978) says: 'One was seen at Lower Tregantle, Antony, on 26th September 1956 by S. G. Madge who has since seen many abroad and remains convinced his identification is correct.'

93). 1957 Cumbria Grange-over-Sands, 17th June.

(E. Blezard, Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society 9: 20; Hutcheson, 1986).

History E. Blezard (1958) in the Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society, Vol. IX. p. 20, says: 'On 17 June 1957, Master H. A. F. Thompson and two school friends were watching circling Swifts at Grange-over-Sands. A sudden sound of wing-clapping overhead drew all attention to a bird whose larger size and white underparts distinguished it from the other birds as an Alpine Swift.'

94). 1957 Norfolk Cromer, 13th to 15th July.

(R. A. F. Cox, British Birds 51: 36-37; M. J. Seago, Norfolk Bird Report 1957: 37).

History R. A. F. Cox (1958) in British Birds, Vol. LI. pp. 36-37, says: 'At 10.00 hours G.M.T. on 13th July 1957, at Cromer, Norfolk, I was watching a large number of Swifts (Apus apus) hawking along the cliffs, when I noticed among them a bird which I had no hesitation in identifying as an Alpine Swift (A. melba). This bird was larger and paler than the other Swifts, its head, back and wings being light brown in colour. The under-parts were pure white except for a brown band across the chest, as in a Sand Martin (Riparia riparia). The under tail-coverts were very dark brown, almost black. The very large size of the bird was, perhaps, its most noticeable feature, but its flight was more powerful and interspersed with more frequent periods of gliding. The bird was also watched by A. C. Church who saw it again on 15th July, but a search by numerous observers on 16th July failed to reveal it. It is interesting to note that there was a very large influx of Swifts at Cromer on 13th July. These birds gradually disappeared during the 16th and 17th.'

95). 1957 Isles of Scilly Porth Hellick, St Mary's, 19th September.

(B. H. Ryves, H. M. Quick & J. E. Beckerlegge, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1957: 37; Penhallurick, 1978).

History B. H. Ryves, H. M. Quick & J. E. Beckerlegge (1957) in the Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXVII. p. 37, say: 'September 19th. One was watched for five minutes at Porthellick, St. Mary's. It was gliding about over the lake and above us; we saw it beautifully and were struck at once by its large size and large patch of white on the belly with dark on chest and beneath the tail. M.H.'

NOT PROVEN

0). 1820 Kent Kingsgate, Thanet, obtained, June.

(J. Gould, Proceedings of the Zoological Society 1832: 130; Yarrell, 1845; Eds., Field 5th Aug., 1871: 111; J. E. Harting, Field 21st Oct., 1871: 340; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1877).

[Not in Harting, 1872; Ed., Field 15th Jun., 1895: 885; Not in Harting, 1901].

Yarrell (1845 (2): 266, 2nd ed.) says: 'Four examples of the White-bellied Swift are now recorded as having been obtained in the British Islands, and a fifth may be referred to, which was killed a few miles from land off Cape Clear, on the south-west point of the coast of Ireland.

The first of the four specimens was shot early in June 1820 by the bailiff of R. Holford, Esq. at Kingsgate in the Isle of Thanet, and this preserved bird being now in the possession of R. B. Hale, Esq. M.P. of Alderley, to whom I am indebted for the use of a British-killed Bee-eater, as mentioned at page 219, that gentleman has most obligingly allowed me the use of the White-bellied Swift also for this work, and the figure at the head of the last page was drawn from it.'

In an Editorial (1871) in The Field of 5th Aug., Vol. XXXVIII. p. 111, he says: 'As some misapprehension seems to exist regarding the number of instances in which this bird has been recorded to have been met with in Great Britain (see letter from Dr. Bree in The Field of the 17th of June last), we have taken some pains to collect the records, which, arranged in order of date, are as follows: One, Kingsgate, Isle of Thanet, June, 1820; Yarrell, History of British Birds, ii. p.266.'

J. E. Harting (1871) in The Field of 21st Oct., Vol. XXXVIII. p. 340, admits to this record being the first for Great Britain. Harting (1872: 125) lists the first record of Alpine Swift as 'One, Dover, 20th Aug. 1830.' Then in the second edition of Our Summer Migrants (1877) Harting still says: '...not more than a score of individuals have been met with since the first specimen was captured in 1820. In that year a bird of this species was killed at Kingsgate, in the Isle of Thanet, during the month of June.' However, by 1901 when his new and revised edition of the Handbook of British Birds was published, he omitted this record again (pp. 390-392) quoting the Dover record as the first.

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 372, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'A second specimen, "since", according to Mr. Jenyns (Br. Vert. p. 160), killed at Kingsgate in the Isle of Thanet, was seen by Mr. Gould in 1832, (P.Z.S., 1832, p. 130), and subsequently passing into the possession of Mr. R. B. Hale, was lent by him for the use of this work, the figure above inserted being drawn from it.'

Further, pp. 372-373, in a footnote, he adds: 'In former additions of this work the bird was said to have been "shot early in June 1820.' Mr. Jenyn's assertion above quoted indicates that herein was a mistake, and possibly 1830 was the year in which it occurred. Mr. Gould unfortunately did not give the date, and can throw no light on the matter.'

In an Editorial (1895) in The Field of 15th June, Vol. LXXXV. p. 885, says: '...Since this species was first noticed at Dover in August, 1830...

Comment Harting was the Editor of The Field from January 1871 and he also became the Editor of The Zoologist (1877-96), so he was aware of most of the records for any species. For a first record for Britain it is shrouded in a lot of doubt about when it occurred. Not acceptable.

0). 1839 Leicestershire & Rutland Leicester, seen, 23rd September.

(MacGillivray, 1837-52; Newman, 1866; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1877; Harting, 1901).

[M. Browne, Zoologist 1886: 20; Browne, 1889; Not in Hickling, 1978; Fray et al., 2009].

History MacGillivray (1840 (3): 613) says: 'Mr. Harley, of Leicester, informs me that between five and six o'clock of the evening of the 23rd of September 1839, he saw an individual of this species, which he says he could not possibly have mistaken. "The stretch of the wings having been much too great for the Common Swift, probably not less than eighteen or twenty inches. The throat, breast, and belly, down as low as the vent, appeared white. The evening was serene, and the bird was gliding gently along, at the height of fifteen to twenty yards. Its motion in passing overhead was just like the shoot of the Windhover through the air".

Further, pp. 661-662, in a Catalogue of the Land Birds of Leicestershire, by Mr. James Harley, it is added: "Alpine Swift. On the 23rd Sept., 1839, at half-past five in the evening, I saw, to my astonishment, a bird of this species, gliding along in a southerly direction, at the height of fifteen or twenty yards. From the stretch of its wings and the white colour of its lower parts, it could not be mistaken".'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 374, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, in a footnote, says: 'This species is said to have been observed on several other occasions, though the specimens were not preserved. According to MacGillivray, Mr. Harley of Leicester saw an individual Sept. 23rd, 1839.'

Harting (1877: 200) says: 'One, Leicester, Sept. 23, 1839; MacGillivray, Hist. Brit. Birds, III. p. 613.'

Further, p. 201, he adds: 'In all the above instances the birds were shot, except where stated to have been seen only.'

Montagu Browne (1886) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. X. p. 20, says: 'Has been quoted in nearly every work since 1839 as having occurred in Leicestershire, on the authority of MacGillivray (Brit. Birds, III. p. 613), which, with Harley's MSS. to guide me, appears insufficient, the bird having been seen flying overhead, at some considerable distance from the ground. Mr. Harting, at page 201 of Our Summer Migrants, allows it to be inferred that the above specimen (mentioned at page 200) was shot.'

Browne (1889: 97-98), now says: 'Harley was responsible for its insertion in the Leicestershire fauna; his exact words being: - "The author, in his remarks on the fauna of the County of Leicester has this note affixed to a fly leaf attached to Jenyn's Manual of British Vertebrate Animals. - 1839. September 23rd. Evening serene. Wind South-west. Time half-past five. Observed a White-bellied Swift cross my path, overhead, near to the Foss lane toll gate.

The bird was gliding gently through the soft air in a southerly direction, and at a height of 20 yards from the ground, thus enabling me to identify it correctly"...

Looking at the three statements dispassionately, it will, I think, be admitted that the first note was doubtless written by Harley on the spur of the moment, at the time, and was not altered in his subsequent MS. contained in a morocco-covered volume bearing this inscription on the fly leaf: - "A synopsis of the vertebrated animals of the County of Leicester, arranged according to the classification of Jenyns, to which is added remarks on the periodical arrival of several summer birds of passage, with notes and observations thereupon. 1840-1855".

In his letter to Macgillivray (p. 613), Harley appears, however, to have polished up his first statement, clinching it, as it were, by mentioning the stretch of the wings, "eighteen or twenty inches", adding also the particulars as to the whiteness of the under parts. Yet, in his Synopsis, he adheres to his first note on the subject - a somewhat singular occurrence, when it is taken into consideration how very much amplified from his original MS. notes - now in my possession - are the notes in the subsequently fair-copied volume of Synopsis. While acquitting Harley of any wish to make "rarities" - too often the case with county naturalists, - I would ask any ornithologist if he could distinguish one species from the other at a glance, when dashing along as these birds do, and, especially, if he could accurately measure the expanse of the wings at the same time?

As Harley never described the plumage of any bird, we do not know if he was aware of the fact that the birds of the year, of the Common Swift, differ from the adult by the possession of a large gular patch of white: or of the singular, and, I believe, but little-recognised fact that birds of shining black plumage - Rooks for instance - appear white in certain lights when flying.

Summing up the evidence with regards to the claims of this bird to be considered as one of the Leicestershire avi-fauna, I would say that any one knowing that seeing, in bird life, is not believing, would unhesitatingly refuse to acknowledge the Cypselus melba as "one of us".'

Not accepted locally (Browne 1889; Hickling 1978).

0). 1844 Cambridgeshire Cambridge, seen, 26th or 27th May.

(E. B. Fitton, Zoologist 1845: 1191; Morris, 1856-62; Yarrell, 1871-85; Lack, 1934; Bircham, 1989).

[J. S. Clark, Cambridgeshire Bird Report 2004: 140].

History E. B. Fitton (1845) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. III. p. 1191, dated 20th September, 1845, says: 'I was out shooting with a friend in some fields near Cambridge, on the 26th or 27th of May, 1844, when I saw a bird which I supposed to be a swift flying towards us, and as it approached my companion, he fired at but missed it. The report however caused it to swerve in its course, so that the brown back and white belly were distinctly visible.

I immediately went to the collection at the Philosophical Museum, and after examining the specimen there, I felt convinced that the bird I had seen was the real alpine swift.

Four months after this, I was talking about the birds in the neighbourhood of Cambridge to a friend who has a very fair knowledge of birds, and without my introducing the subject, he told me he thought he had seen a white-bellied swift flying about in the fields near Grantchester, about a mile and a half from Cambridge; and upon comparing notes, we found that he saw the bird about a week after my companion had fired at it: so that it is probable we both saw the same bird. It is not likely, I think, that two persons seeing a bird at different times, and both agreeing in their description of it, could be entirely mistaken in their conclusion: but of this I will leave you to judge.'

Morris (1857 (2): 127, reissue) says: 'A fifth was seen near Cambridge, by E. B. Fitton, Esq., on the 26th or 27th of May, 1845.'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 374, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, in a footnote, says: 'This species is said to have been observed on several other occasions, though the specimens were not preserved. In May 1844, one is supposed (Zool., p. 1191) to have been twice seen near Cambridge.'

Accepted locally by Lack (1934: 72) who says: 'Fitton gave a sound description of one seen near Cambridge, in May, 1844', however, in 2004 it was found unacceptable (Cambridge Bird Report 2004: 140).

Comment More mistakes from Morris. Published 16 months after the event. Not acceptable.

0). 1851 Sussex St Leonards-on-Sea, caught, early October.

(J. B. Ellman, Zoologist 1852: 3330; Harting, 1875; Borrer, 1891; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[des Forges & Harber, 1963].

History [J. B.] Ellman of Lewes (1852) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. X. p. 3330, dated 18th November, 1851, says: 'That a bird of this species was knocked down by a boy, while sitting on a rail, at St Leonard's, in Sussex; the bird was stuffed, and is now in the possession of Mr. Johnson, Chemist, of St Leonard's.'

Accepted locally (Borrer 1891: 164), while Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 140) adds: '...Millais (V.C.H., I. p. 283), methinks, from the manner in which he put things, misliked this record.'

Not accepted locally (des Forges & Harber 1963).

0). c. 1853 Dorset Christchurch Harbour, Hampshire, killed, undated.

(Wise, 1863).

[KAN].

History Wise (1863: 315, 1st ed.) says: 'Mr. Hart informs me that a specimen was killed about ten years ago over Christchurch harbour.'

Comment Third-hand report with few details. Lacks a specific date for a scientific record. Not acceptable.

0). c. 1854 Dorset Holts, Bishops Caundle, seen, undated.

(Dale, 1878; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 181).

[KAN].

History F. L. Blathwayt (1934) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LV. p. 181, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset', says: 'According to C. B. Henning's MS. List (circa 1854) one was seen by Mr. S. Digby at the Holts by Bishops Caundle. This is probably the same record as in Dale's Glanvilles Wooton, p. 30 (1878), who adds that the bird was shot.'

Comment Third-hand report. No identification details of this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1856 Cheshire & Wirral Mouth of River Dee, obtained, undated.

(Byerley, 1856).

[Coward & Oldham, 1900].

History Coward & Oldham (1900: 109) say: 'Byerley, in his Fauna of Liverpool, mentions, on the authority of Mather, a Liverpool taxidermist, that an Alpine Swift was killed at the mouth of the Dee, many years ago, by Mr. Mostyn. He does not appear to have to have examined the bird himself; and as there is no evidence that it was submitted to a competent authority, it is, in our opinion, wisest to consider this occurrence as "Not proven".'

Comment Third-hand report. Lacks a specific date for a scientific record. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1859 Greater London/Kent Lewisham, shot, undated.

(Ticehurst, 1909; Self, 2014).

[Ticehurst, 1909].

History Ticehurst (1909: 227) says: 'Besides these four well-authenticated specimens, another is said by Collingwood, on the authority of a Mr. W. R. Morris, to have been shot at Lewisham prior to 1859, but beyond the bare statement no details are given.'

Comment Third-hand report. No identification details of this record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.

0). 1863 Gloucestershire Near Cirencester, killed, undated.

(Mellersh, 1902).

[Swaine, 1982].

History Mellersh (1902) says: 'One killed near Cirencester in 1863', however, it was not accepted locally (Swaine 1982).

0). 1866 Wiltshire Calne, female, caught, May.

(A. Sutton, Field 12th Aug., 1871: 137; A. Sutton, Field 26th Aug., 1871: 180).

[Eds., Field 26th Aug., 1871:180].

History A. Sutton of Shardlow Hall, Derbyshire (1871) in The Field of 12th Aug., Vol. XXXVIII. p. 137, says: 'I see in your last week's paper a list of Alpine Swifts quoted. I think an instance which came under my own notice may be interesting to some of your readers.

When staying at Calne (Wilts), in May 1866, I saw what I thought was an Alpine Swift disappear under an old roof of a house. Having procured a ladder, I caught the swift on her nest, and immediately identified it as a female Alpine Swift. She had then but two eggs, so I liberated her, hoping she would lay her full number of eggs; but she forsook the nest, and, although I made enquiries in the neighbourhood, I never afterwards heard of her. I have the two eggs in my collection; they are long and narrow.'

[We shall be extremely obliged if our correspondent will forward us one of the eggs for inspection. It shall be taken care of and returned immediately. - Ed.]

A. Sutton of Shardlow Hall, Derbyshire (1871) in The Field of 26th Aug., Vol. XXXVIII. p. 180, says: 'I send you, as requested, one of the Alpine Swift's eggs taken by me at Calne, as stated in The Field of Aug. 12.'

[We are obliged for a sight of the egg, which we have returned by post. We are sorry to say it is the egg of the Common Swift. The egg of the Alpine Swift, although the same shape and colour, is very much larger. - Ed.]

Comment Misidentified. Not acceptable.

0). c. 1869 Gloucestershire Seven Springs, Colesbourne, undated.

(Mellersh, 1902).

[Swaine, 1982].

History Mellersh (1902) says: 'One north of Colesbourne about 1869', however it was not accepted locally (Swaine 1982).

0). 1871 Kent No locality, seen, June.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1876: 5046; Gurney, 1876; Yarrell, 1871-85; Temperley, 1951).

[Ticehurst, 1909].

History J. H. Gurney, jun. (1876) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. XI. p. 5046, says: '...While writing on this species I may as well mention a specimen which has not been recorded, which was seen by Mr. Bartlett in Kent, in June, 1871.'

Gurney (1876: 275) says: 'During the preceding month [June] examples had been observed in Kent, Essex and Norfolk.'

Ticehurst (1909: 227) says: 'Besides these four well-authenticated specimens...Three others are said to have been seen in the county. One is recorded by Mr. J. H. Gurney (Zool., 1876, p. 5046) as having been seen by Mr. Bartlett in June, 1871, but no locality is given.'

Comment A. D. Bartlett (1812-97) was the Superintendent of the London Zoological Society's Gardens. No identification details of this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.

0). 1871 Norfolk Sheringham, seen, October.

(H. Stevenson, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 1: 117; Temperley, 1951).

[H. Stevenson, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 1: 117].

History Henry Stevenson (1869-74) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. I. p. 117, says: 'Mr. H. M. Upcher also informs me, that on the 5th of October of this year, a supposed Alpine Swift was seen at Sheringham.'

Comment Stevenson called it a "supposed Alpine Swift". Lacks adequate details. Not acceptable.

0). 1882 Northumberland Farne Islands, 19th August.

(P. Hawkey, Transactions of the Natural History Society of Northumbria 55: 180).

[Kerr, 2001].

History P. Hawkey (1991) in the Transactions of the Natural History Society of Northumbria, Vol. LV. p. 180, under 'The Birds of the Farne Islands', states that there has been two records: one on 19 August 1882 and one in 1972.

However, Bolam (1912) makes no mention of the record nor does Kerr (2001) in the latest county avifauna.

0). 1894 Hampshire Mottisfont, 9th to 10th September.

(Cohen, 1963; Clark & Eyre, 1993).

[A. G. Knox, Ibis 135: 320-325].

History Cohen (1963) says: 'One, together with many Common Swifts, was seen on 9th September 1894 at Mottisfont, and stayed two days (Meinertzhagen).'

Clark & Eyre (1993) state that Kelsall & Munn (1905) gave a record for 1886 but did not know about this record that Meinertzhagen claimed.

Comment Knox (1993) found Meinertzhagen to be untrustworthy. Also, why did this renowned naturalist not publish his record. Not acceptable.

0). 1900 Ayrshire Between Cronberry and Muirkirk, seen, 28th July.

(Paterson, 1901; Paton & Pike, 1929).

[McWilliam,1936; Witherby et al., 1940-52; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953].

History Richmond Paton & Pike (1929) say: 'The Rev. J. D. W. Gibson had no doubt that he saw one near Muirkirk on 28th July 1900.' However, McWilliam (1936) placed the record in square brackets.

0). 1908 Kent Ebony, between Rye and Tenterden, seen, 3rd August.

(E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 1: 206, 207; Harrison, 1953).

[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].

History E. N. Bloomfield (1909) in the Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. I. pp. 206, 207, says: 'We are again indebted to Dr. N. F. Ticehurst for a long list of rare birds which have occurred in our own and neighbouring districts, to which Mr. Butterfield has made some good additions. In neighbouring districts - Cypselus melba, L., Alpine Swift, one seen by Mr. Bristow between Rye and Tenterden, August 3rd, 1908.'

Harrison (1953) states that Bristow saw one on 3rd August 1908 at Ebony, between Rye and Tenterden. It was with some Common Swifts and had white underparts and looked almost the size of a Cuckoo.

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1908 Devon Lynmouth, seen, undated.

(T. H. Briggs, Zoologist 1908: 269).

[Eds., British Birds 2: 140].

History T. H. Brigg of Rock House, Lynmouth (1908) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XII. p. 269, says: 'My brother and I recently saw an Alpine Swift, between seven and eight p.m. It was flying at a low altitude over our house, flew along the sea-wall, and returned back over our heads; so we distinctly saw the grey under side. Our attention was drawn to it in the first instance by its size. There was a good deal of sea-fog at the time, and apparently it had lost its way.'

In an Editorial (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 140, under 'Supposed Alpine Swift in North Devon', he says: 'Mr. T. H. Briggs records (Zool., 1908, p. 269) that he saw "recently" a Swift which he identifies as Cypselus melba, flying low at Lynmouth. His attention was directed to the "size" of the bird - presumably the large size which is, of course, a very striking characteristic of this species; but Mr. Briggs goes on to say that he distinctly "saw the grey underside" of the bird as it flew over his head.

The Alpine Swift looks very white underneath when flying, and the use of the word "grey" in describing this distinctive characteristic makes us doubtful of the identification being correct. There was a sea-fog at the time.'

Comment Not fully identified. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1909 Greater London Stone Park, seen, undated.

(Ticehurst, 1909; Self, 2014).

[KAN].

History Ticehurst (1909) says: 'Mr. Farn informs me that another was seen in company with a number of the common species flying over Stone Park, near Green...'

Comment Lacks a specific date for a scientific record. No identification details of this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.

0). 1910 Northumberland Cullercoats, seen, mid-November.

(J. M. Charlton, Zoologist 1911: 311-312).

[J. M. Charlton, Zoologist 1911: 311-312].

History J. M. Charlton (1911) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XV. pp. 311-312, recording the record in square brackets, says: 'In the middle part of November, 1910, C. Swan, Esq., of Cullercoats, when walking along the banks at Tynemouth, saw a bird rise close before him which was undoubtedly a Swift, and had a white throat and belly, the rest of the plumage being brown. He informed my brother, and they went together to the Hancock Museum, where Mr. Swan immediately "spotted" this species as being that to which the bird he saw belonged. Although the evidence cannot be taken as quite complete where so rare a bird is concerned, yet it merits passing mention.'

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Unusual date. Not acceptable.

0). 1914 Sussex Winchelsea, two: adult female, shot, 10th June, male, shot, 14th June, both now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1962Z10.662 & 663).

(H. W. Ford-Lindsay, British Birds 8: 50-51; Walpole-Bond, 1938; Watson, 2010).

[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].

History H. W. Ford-Lindsay (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VIII. pp. 50-51, says: 'In the early part of June, 1914, a couple of Alpine Swifts (Apus m. melba) were noticed flying in company with common Swifts at Winchelsea, Sussex, the white under-parts being very conspicuous as the birds were flying low at this period. I saw one soon after it had been shot, on June 10th, which proved to be a female; the other was shot on June 14th, but I did not see it as the man who obtained it thought he would not trouble me.

Although I had been waiting to get information about the second bird, it was not until to-day (June 22nd), upon making inquiries, that I found it had been obtained. I understand it was a male.'

Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 140).

Watson (2010) in detailing the J. L. Auden collection in the Birmingham Museum lists a male and female specimens that were obtained at Winchelsea, Sussex, the female on 10th June 1914 and the male on the 14th, adding that the male was bought from Sir V. H. Crewe's collection, while the female was from J. B. Nichols collection who had bought it from G. Bristow during June 1914.

Comment Hastings rarities. Not acceptable.

0). 1915 Kent Kingsdown, about 100, 15th July.

(A. H. Mathew, Field 31st July 1915: 224; A. H. Mathew, British Birds 9: 95; Harrison, 1953).

[P. Chantler, Kent Bird Report 1999: 176-182; P. Chantler, British Birds 94: 332].

History Arnold H. Mathew of Kingdown, Deal (1915) in The Field of 31st July, Vol. CXXVI. p. 224, says: 'On July 15 during a heavy downpour of rain and hail about 100 Alpine Swifts passed over Kingsdown, near Deal, flying against a strong N.W. gale. They appeared to have crossed the sea from the direction of Dunkirk....The Alpine species, owing to its superior size and the white markings on the throat and lower abdomen, is very easily distinguished from the common Swift, which, by the bye, is extraordinarily abundant this year. I have never before observed the Alpine Swift in England, and it is curious that a flight of certainly not less than a hundred birds should appear as if migrating in the middle of July.'

Arnold H. Mathew (1915) in British Birds, Vol. IX. p. 95, says: 'On July 15th, 1915, in a heavy downpour of rain with some hail, a flight of about one hundred Alpine Swifts (Apus melba) passed over Kingsdown, flying low (about 40 or 50 ft. from the ground) and in a north-westerly direction, the wind being against them.

A few Common Swifts were with the flight. They appeared to settle on the ground after crossing a field, but I am uncertain as to this, the ground being undulating, and of course it would be unusual for these birds to alight on a flat surface. On July 22nd I saw five Alpine Swifts hawking flies, and on the same day an enormous flight of Common Swifts, numbering thousands, at Walmer. On August 3rd, passing over the Downs at their highest elevation, I again saw five Alpine Swifts, four of which were flying with two or three Common Swifts. The fifth flew up from a corn-field, within a few feet of where I stood, and must have been resting either upon the ground or on the stems of wheat.

Since that date I have not seen any example of either species. On each occasion that I saw these birds they were in company with a few Common Swifts, and were perfectly easy to identify both by their colouring and superior size.

Moreover I have seen numbers of these birds in their native haunts in the Alps, but have never met with them previously in this country, nor have I ever before seen a specimen alight on a horizontal surface.

The perpendicular sides of rocky elevations are always preferred, the bird's legs being very short, and its long and sharp hooked claws better adapted for clinging than for perching.'

P. Chantler (2001) in British Birds, Vol. XCIV. pp. 176-192, after thorough investigation of the facts finds the record unacceptable.

0). 1915 Kent Kingsdown, five, 22nd July.

(A. H. Mathew, Field 31st July 1915: 224; A. H. Mathew, British Birds 9: 95; Harrison, 1953).

[P. Chantler, Kent Bird Report 1999: 176-192; B. Scott & W. Dickson, British Birds 93: 505].

History Arnold H. Mathew of Kingdown, Deal (1915) in The Field of 31st July, Vol. CXXVI. p. 224, says: '...On July 22 I saw five of these birds amongst a number of common Swifts flying over the downs. The Alpine species, owing to its superior size and the white markings on the throat and lower abdomen, is very easily distinguished from the common Swift, which, by the bye, is extraordinarily abundant this year. I have never before observed the Alpine Swift in England, and it is curious that a flight of certainly not less than a hundred birds should appear as if migrating in the middle of July.'

Arnold H. Mathew (1915) in British Birds, Vol. IX. p. 95, says: '...On July 22nd I saw five Alpine Swifts hawking flies, and on the same day an enormous flight of Common Swifts, numbering thousands, at Walmer. On August 3rd, passing over the Downs at their highest elevation, I again saw five Alpine Swifts, four of which were flying with two or three Common Swifts. The fifth flew up from a corn-field, within a few feet of where I stood, and must have been resting either upon the ground or on the stems of wheat.

The perpendicular sides of rocky elevations are always preferred, the bird's legs being very short, and its long and sharp hooked claws better adapted for clinging than for perching.'

P. Chantler (1999) in the Kent Bird Report, pp. 176-192, after thorough investigation of the facts finds the record unacceptable.

0). 1915 Kent Kingsdown, five, 3rd August.

(A. H. Mathew, British Birds 9: 95; Harrison, 1953).

[P. Chantler, Kent Bird Report 1999: 176-192; B. Scott & W. Dickson, British Birds 93: 505].

History Arnold H. Mathew (1915) in British Birds, Vol. IX. p. 95, says: '...On August 3rd, passing over the Downs at their highest elevation, I again saw five Alpine Swifts, four of which were flying with two or three Common Swifts. The fifth flew up from a corn-field, within a few feet of where I stood, and must have been resting either upon the ground or on the stems of wheat.

The perpendicular sides of rocky elevations are always preferred, the bird's legs being very short, and its long and sharp hooked claws better adapted for clinging than for perching.'

P. Chantler (1999) in the Kent Bird Report, pp. 176-192, after thorough investigation of the facts finds the record unacceptable.

0). 1917 Sussex Winchelsea, shot, 2nd June.

(W. R. Butterfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 3: 77; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].

History W. R. Butterfield (1919) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 77, says: 'A fine male was shot at Winchelsea on June 2nd, and shown to me in the flesh by Mr. G. Bristow to whom it was sent.'

Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 140) says: 'Again at Winchelsea, on June 2nd, 1917, another melba paid tribute to the gunner. It was examined in the flesh by Mr. W. R. Butterfield (H.E.S.N., III. p. 77).

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1923 Sussex St Leonards-on-Sea, seen, 9th October.

(W. R. Butterfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 4: 3; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].

History W. Ruskin Butterfield (1924) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. IV. p. 3, says: 'Whilst I was watching Martins in Warrior Square, St Leonards, at 4.45 p.m. on October 9th, a large Swift suddenly appeared and remained over the Square for some minutes, mostly circling at a good height. Twice, however, it descended and flew about with the Martins, and I could distinctly see the light ventral parts. It was markedly larger than the Common Swift and also a more powerful flier. The vigour and speed with which it moved were surprising. I was able to identify it without hesitation as the Alpine Swift.'

Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 140).

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1925 Kent Potman's Heath, Wittersham, seen, early June.

(M. J. Nicoll, Field 11th June 1925; Eds., British Birds 19: 179-180; Harrison, 1953).

[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].

History M. J. Nicoll (1925) in The Field of 11th Jun., Vol. CXLV. p. 920, says: 'It may be of interest to record that my wife and I have just been watching an Alpine Swift (Apus melba) flying over a field opposite this house.'

In an Editorial (1925) in British Birds, Vol. XIX. pp. 179-180, they say: 'Kent. - The late Mr. Michael J. Nicoll stated (Field, 11.vi.25) that when he wrote he had just been watching an Alpine Swift (Apus melba) flying over a field opposite his house. The note in The Field gives neither date nor place, but Mr. Nicoll subsequently informed us that the bird was seen during the week preceding publication at Potman's Heath, Wittersham.'

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1946 Sussex Pett Level, seen, 8th July.

(N. F. Ticehurst, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 7: 57; Eds., British Birds 40: 383).

[des Forges & Harber, 1963].

History N. F. Ticehurst (1947) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. VII. p. 57, says: 'One seen for three or four minutes, Pett Level, July 8th. Identified by large size and white underparts with a dusky breast band (R.C.). Seventh record.'

In an Editorial (1947) in British Birds, Vol. XL. p. 382, in a Review of the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, for 1946, they say: 'An Alpine Swift was clearly identified on Pett Level on July 8th.'

Not accepted locally (des Forges & Harber 1963).

0). 1948 Cleveland/Co. Durham/Yorkshire Teesmouth, Durham, ten, seen, 25th July.

(R. Chislett, Naturalist 74: 63; Eds., British Birds 43: 62; Chislett, 1952).

[Stead, 1964; Mather, 1986].

History Ralph Chislett (1949) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXXIV. p. 63, under 'Annual Yorkshire Report for 1948', says: 'Alpine Swift. G. F. Williams and G. Twist for twenty minutes on July 25th watched about ten Alpine Swifts as they hawked above tipped ground at Teesmouth. They were obviously larger than Common Swifts and displayed the usual light underparts (J. B. Nicholson).'

In an Editorial (1950) in British Birds, Vol. XLIII. p. 62, in a Review of the above, they say: 'There are a number of interesting records of more or less rare species elsewhere. Of these might be mentioned, in 1948: a flock of no less than ten Alpine Swifts at Teesmouth on July 25th.'

Accepted locally for Yorkshire (Chislett 1952: 129), but not since (Mather 1986) or for Cleveland (Stead 1964).

0). 1950 Leicestershire & Rutland Beacon Hill, Charnwood Forest, two, 24th May.

(R. A. O. Hickling, Report on the Wild Birds of Leicestershire and Rutland 1950: 26; Hickling, 1978).

[A. J. Mackay, Leicestershire & Rutland Bird Report 1994: 69-70; Fray et al. 2009].

History R. A. O. Hickling (1950) in the Report on the Wild Birds of Leicestershire and Rutland, p. 26, says: 'Two reported from Beacon Hill summit on May 24th (H.H.) Identity was satisfactorily established.'

Accepted locally (Hickling 1978), however, in a review of certain records by A. J. Mackay (1994) it was found to be unacceptable.

0). 1953 Lincolnshire Gibraltar Point, 2nd September.

(A. E. Smith, Bird Observatory and Field Research Station Gibraltar Point, Lincolnshire Report for 1953: 19).

[A. E. Smith, Bird Observatory and Field Research Station Gibraltar Point, Lincolnshire Report for 1953: 19; Smith & Cornwallis, 1955].

History A. E. Smith (1953) in the Bird Observatory and Field Research Station Gibraltar Point, Lincolnshire Report for 1953, p. 19, recording the record in square brackets, says: 'A bird, probably of this species, on 2nd September during a passage of Swifts and hirundines. It was described as larger than the other Swifts. The throat and upper breast, belly and under tail-coverts were white, giving the effect of a broad black band across the lower breast. It flew over the observer's head at about ten feet.'

Smith & Cornwallis (1955) say: 'A bird, probably of this species, was seen at Gibraltar Point on 2nd September 1953. Only a brief view was obtained by one observer, however, it seems better to place it in square brackets.'

Comment Not specifically identified. Not acceptable.

AC Non-pass

Keith Naylor

Alpine Swift

Tachymarptis melba (Linnaeus, 1758) (81, 14)

White-throated Needletail

Great Bustard