American Bittern

Botaurus lentiginosus (Rackett, 1813) (28, 0)

Photo © Phil Palmer

STATUS

Nearctic. Monotypic.

OVERVIEW

Formerly known as the Freckled Heron.

In an Editorial in The Field of 14th January 1871, p. 19, is published a listing of this species records. A Scottish summary of records was carried out by H. S. Gladstone (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. pp. 70-74, under 'The American Bittern in Scotland'.

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RECORDS

1). 1804 Dorset River Frome, Puddletown, immature, shot, autumn.

(Montagu, 1813; Fleming, 1828; Selby, 1833; Jenyns, 1835; Yarrell, 1845; Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85; Prendergast & Boys, 1983).

History Montagu (1813) under 'Freckled Heron', says: '...The species now before us, shot in the west of England, does not in the least accord with the descriptions of either of those before mentioned, nor indeed sufficiently with any we can find described, to warrant a reference, or to assign it any synonyms at present, though it is probable it may prove a sexual distinction only of some species obscurely known.

The length is about twenty-three inches. Bill two inches and three-quarters long to the feathers on the forehead, rather slender, and both mandibles equally turned to form the point; the upper part of the superior mandible dusky; sides and lower mandible greenish yellow. The head is very small; the crown is chocolate-brown, shaded to a dull yellow at the nape, where the feathers are much elongated: the chin and throat white, with a row of brown feathers down the middle; at the base of the lower mandible commences a black mark that increases on the upper part of the neck on each side, and is two inches or more in length; the cheeks are yellowish, with an obscure dusky line at the corner of the eye; the feathers on the neck are long and broad, with their webs partly unconnected; those in front are pale dull yellow, with broad chestnut streaks formed by each feather having one web of each colour, margined, however, with dull yellow on the chestnut side; some feathers have the dark mark in the middle, especially the lower ones; these are all loose as in the Common Bittern; those at the bottom of the neck four inches long, and hang pendant below the breast; the hind neck is bare, and the feathers that fall over that part are pale yellow-brown; the feathers on the breast are also long, and of a and sides the same, but not quite so bright, the brown marks becoming speckled; the vent and under tail-coverts yellowish white; the back and scapulars are chocolate-brown with paler margins, minutely speckled and glossed with a tinge of purple in some particular lights; the coverts of the wings dull yellow, darkest in the middle of each feather, the margins prettily speckled; the first and second order of quills, their greater coverts, and the alulae spurtiae dusky lead-colour, with a cinereous dash; the primaries very slightly tipped with brown; the secondaries and the greater coverts tipped more deeply with the same, and prettily speckled on the light part; the tertials correspond with the lower order scapulars, which have their margins chestnut, with small dusky lines and spots; the tail is short, and in colour similar to the tertials; the wings when closed do not reach to the end of the tail; the legs are three inches and three-quarters in length from the heel to the knee; the toes long and slender; the middle one, including the claw (which is three-quarters of an inch in length, and pectinated on the inner side), is as long as the leg; the claws are not much hooked, but the hind one most so, and by far the longest; their colour dusky brown. The colour of the legs, and bare space above the knee (which last is about an inch), appears to have been greenish.

The bird from which this description is taken was shot by Mr. Cunningham, in the parish of Piddletown, in Dorsetshire, in the autumn of 1804. This gentleman relates that, when in pursuit of some Pheasants amongst the high banks between the broad ditches of some rich water-meadows, about half a mile distant from the river Froome, this bird rose, and he shot it. Mr. Cunningham further remarks that its flight was rather rapid, and that it made a noise something like the tap on a drum, which induced him to believe it was the Common Bittern, and as such sent it to Colonel George, of Penryn in Cornwall, who at that time was making a collection of birds. At the time Colonel George disposed of his collection this bird was marked in the catalogue Ardea minuta and was purchased for us as such, and is now in our collection. Thus an extremely rare and unknown bird in England, and apparently a nondescript, has been rescued by accident from oblivion.

Upon a communication with Colonel George on the subject, he was so obliging as to procure us the particulars from his friend Mr. Cunningham, whose account was most satisfactory, and amply detailed; from which the substance has been extracted as far as relates to the natural history of the bird. The bird was quite fresh when it arrived at Penryn, and was badly prepared by a foreigner, who did not notice the sex; the plumage is, however, in good preservation.

Our astonishment was very considerable at receiving this bird for the Little Bittern, to which it is no ways allied either in size or colour. It is in its general appearance more like the Common Bittern, but not much more than half the size, and the plumage altogether much darker, and the markings extremely different: but we are not surprised that a sportsman should be mistaken in supposing it to be the Common Bittern, if he had not before noticed the very superior size of that species. We at first thought this bird might be a different sex of the Ardea gardeni, but upon thorough investigation we do not find any information to induce that opinion. Nor is it in the least like the female Nycticorax in plumage; the shape of the bill, the toes, and the claws are quite different. In fact, we are at present unable to refer this bird to any known species, and yet it is probably a female of some one already described, perhaps of Ardea ferruginea or castania, both of which are European species, but their sexual distinction not clearly ascertained. Under these circumstances a specific title became necessary; and we trust this full description of the bird will render it impossible to confound the species, wherever it may hereafter be discovered.'

Fleming (1828: 96) under Squacco Heron, says: 'The Freckled Heron, A. lentiginosa, described by Montagu, in the Supplement to the Ornithological Dictionary, shot at Piddletown, Dorsetshire, by Mr. Cunningham, is probably an immature bird of this species. Lest this should not prove to be the case, it is considered expedient to give its description in detail. Ternminck appears to regard it as synonymous with A. minor of Wilson's Am. Orn., tab. 65. f. 3. and A.'

Selby (1833 (2): 34-35) says: 'In the Supplement to Montagu's Ornithological Dictionary a bird is described under the title of the Freckled Heron (Ardea leutiginosa); as the author was unable at that time to refer it to any known species, though he suspected it might be the female of some of the rarest European Herons. Subsequent investigation has proved it to be identical with the American Bittern described by Wilson in his admirable work on the Birds of North America, and the Hudson's Bay Bittern figured by Edwards, and referred to by Latham as a variety of Ardea (Botaurus) stellaris. This specimen, which was shot in the parish of Piddleton [sic] in Dorsetshire, in the autumn of 1804, passed into Montagu's possession, and is now, with the rest of his collection, deposited in the British Museum. No subsequent instance has occurred of its capture in England.'

Yarrell (1845 (2): 545-546, 2nd ed.) says: 'The bird from which Colonel Montagu's description and figure were taken was shot by Mr. Cunningham, in the parish of Piddletown, in Dorsetshire, in the autumn of 1804. Mr. Cunningham stated, that when in pursuit of some Pheasants, among the high banks, between the broad ditches of some rich water meadows, about half a mile distant from the River Froome [sic], this bird rose, and he shot it. The flight was said to be rather rapid, and the bird made a noise something like the tap on a drum, which induced him to believe it was the Common Bittern, and as such he sent it to Colonel George of Penryn, in Cornwall, who was at the time making a collection of birds. The specimen was quite fresh when it arrived at Penryn, where it was preserved; but the sex was not noted. When Colonel George disposed of his collection, this bird was bought for Colonel Montagu, and was afterwards, with his other birds, transferred to the British Museum, where this example is still preserved.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 213-214, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

Comment This is housed at the British Museum as the type specimen. Fleming's description was copied from Montagu. Puddletown was formerly known as Piddletown.

2). 1826 Essex Wendens Ambo, shot, spring, photo, now at Saffron Walden Museum (Acc. No. NB135).

(The Saffron Walden Gazette 1892; N. Green, British Birds 95: 93, plate 34; BOURC (2004), Ibis 146: 192-195; Wood, 2007).

History Nick Green (2002) in British Birds, Vol. XCV. p. 93, recorded a hitherto unknown record of the species as follows: - 'During research for a forthcoming Birds of Essex, the compilers visited Saffron Walden Museum, in December 1999. They immediately identified this specimen as of this species, although it was labelled Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris, and shot at Wenden, 1826. Wenden is now called Wendens Ambo. The plumage suggests it was killed in spring.

The specimen was donated from the collection of Jabez Gibson, a Trustee of the Museum, and was accepted as a female Great Bittern when the Museum opened in 1835. Robert Miller Christy came to the Museum in 1883 to re-catalogue the bird specimens and evidence suggests he suspected it of being an American Bittern, because in his The Birds of Essex, 1890, under the Great Bittern records he stated that 'it is by no means improbable that some of the following specimens would, on careful examination, prove to be the American Bittern, which has straggled to Britain. In the Museum's Catalogue it was seen by Henry Seebohm in 1891 where he confirmed it was this species. The record was announced in a local paper, The Saffron Walden Gazette in 1892.'

After being assessed on request it was found to be acceptable, and constitutes the second record for Britain (BOURC (2004) Ibis 146: 192-195). Accepted locally (Wood 2007).

3). 1829 Devon River Erme, Mothecombe, near Plymouth, shot, 22nd December.

(E. Moore, Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History 1: 320; Yarrell, 1845; Newman, 1866; Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85; Witherby, 1920-24; Moore, 1969; Tyler, 2010).

History Edward Moore of Plymouth (1837) in Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. I. p. 320, dated May 1837, says: '(See Montagu). I have been so fortunate as to obtain a specimen, shot at Mothecombe, near Plymouth, December 22, 1829.'

Yarrell (1845 (2): 546, 2nd ed.) says: 'Dr. Edward Moore, in his 'Catalogue of the Wading Birds of Devonshire' (Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. X. p. 320), besides referring to Montagu's bird, says: "I have been so fortunate as to obtain a specimen, shot at Mothecombe, Devon, on 22nd December 1829".'

Harting (1872) adds: 'This specimen cannot now be found, Dr. Moore's collection having been sold and dispersed; but the owner referred to it, in a local citation, as a specimen 'exactly corresponding with Montagu's description'.

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 214, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

Witherby (1920-24) admitted two for Devon, presumably this one and the one for 1875. Accepted locally (Moore 1969; Tyler 2010).

4). 1844 Dumfries & Galloway Dinwiddie Moors, near Jardine Hall, Dumfriesshire, killed, mid-October.

(Yarrell, 1845; W. Thompson, Annals & Magazine of Natural History 17: 94; Yarrell, 1856; Gray, 1871; Yarrell, 1871-85; Gladstone, 1910; H. S. Gladstone, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 70-74; Eds., British Birds 4: 31; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

History Yarrell (1845 (2): 546-547, 2nd ed.) says: 'At the end of October 1844, Sir William Jardine sent me word that a specimen of the American Bittern had been killed on the moor near his residence in Dumfriesshire, during the preceding week, and was preserved in his collection. Mr. Gould was on a visit at Jardine Hall at the time. This is probably the first example shot in Scotland.'

William Thompson of Belfast (1846) in the Annals & Magazine of Natural History, Vol. XVII. pp. 94, says: 'the only one obtained in Scotland - was killed on the property of Sir Wm. Jardine, Bart., in Dumfries-shire, and at a very appropriate time, when Mr. Gould, the well-known ornithologist, was on a visit at Jardine Hall: - where too, I lately had the pleasure of seeing the specimen.'

Admitted by Gray (1871: 280) and Howard Saunders (1884-85) in Yarrell's British Birds, 4th edition, Vol. IV. pp. 214-215.

Gladstone (1910) p. 238, says: 'This specimen is not mentioned in the Catalogue of the Birds contained in the collection of Sir William Jardine, but is recorded in a MS. note in his personal copy of the Naturalist's Library as 'killed at Dinwiddie [Moors, near Jardine Hall] in coll. W.J.'. It does not, however, seem to have been included in his collection of British Birds which was bought by the Edinburgh Museum for £200 in 1876, and is certainly not now in the Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh, whither this collection subsequently made its way.'

Admitted by H. S. Gladstone (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. pp. 70-74, under 'The American Bittern in Scotland'. Later, Gladstone (1923) says: '...and I could not trace it in Messrs. Puttick and Simpson's sale catalogue of Sir William's birds on the 17th June, 1866.'

In an Editorial (1910) in British Birds, Vol. IV. p. 31, he says: 'Mr. Hugh S. Gladstone gives (Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist., 1910, pp. 70-74) a very useful detailed summary of the seven occurrences of Botaurus lentiginosus recorded for Scotland. Full details are given regarding an example recorded as killed on Dinwiddie Moors near Jardine Hall, Dumfriesshire, in the middle of October, 1844, and this record seems to have escaped the attention of the authors of our standard works.'

Witherby (1920-24) admitted two records for Dumfriesshire, presumable this one, and the one for 1873.

Accepted nationally as the first for Scotland (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).

5). 1845 Lancashire & North Merseyside Near Fleetwood, male, shot, about 8th December.

(J. Cooper, Zoologist 1846: 1248; Newman, 1866; Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85; Witherby, 1920-24; Oakes, 1953; Spencer, 1973; White, McCarthy & Jones, 2008).

History James Cooper of Preston (1846) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. IV. p. 1248, dated 20th December, 1845, says: 'A beautiful specimen of the American Bittern was killed about the 8th instant in the vicinity of Fleetwood, and has since been presented to the Literary and Philosophical Society of this borough; the bird upon dissection proved to be a male.

The following particulars may be interesting to some of your readers, as differing a little or being altogether left out in the description of the bird by Mr. Yarrell. Extent of the expanded wings 42¾ inches, from the carpal joint to the end of the longest quill 11¾ inches, total length 27¾ inches; length of tarsi 3¼ inches; of middle toe and claw 4 inches; from the point of the bill to the frontal feathers 3 inches; to the angle of the mouth 4 inches. Front of the head very dark, the centre of each feather blackish-brown, margined with reddish-brown. The black space on each side of the neck below the ear 3 inches long by 1 broad; primaries and secondaries of the wing slate-black, the first four feathers slightly tipped with brown, all of equal length and the longest in the wing; legs yellowish-green; front of the shank and upper surface of the toes olivaceous brown; sole of the foot and under-surface of the toes yellow.'

Harting (1872: 151) adds: '...it was clearly identified by Mr. J. Cooper who recorded it in The Zoologist 1846: 1248, and is now at the Museum of the Literary and Philosophical Society, Preston.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 214, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds and (Witherby 1920-24).

Oakes (1953) adds: 'It is now at the Towneley Museum, Preston.' However, Spencer (1973) stated that while it was there in the museum he had examined and verified the specimen, while, White, McCarthy & Jones (2008) now add that it has since been destroyed.

6). c. 1851 Anglesey No locality, shot, December.

(J. H. Gurney, Field 20th Jan., 1866: 66; J. H. Gurney, Zoologist 1866: 145; J. H. Gurney, Field 21st Jan., 1871: 38; Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85; Forrest, 1907; Witherby, 1920-24; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994; Jones & Whalley, 2004).

History J. H. Gurney (1866) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. I. p. 145, quoting from The Field of 20th January, 1866, p. 66, says: '...I may add that I have only once seen this rare bird in the flesh, and that was in December, 1851, when a specimen, killed in Anglesey, was sent to London for preservation, and was shown to me before it was skinned.'

J. H. Gurney of Marldon, Totnes (1871) in The Field of 21st Jan., Vol. XXXVII. p. 38, says: 'Several years since, I saw an American Bittern in the flesh in the shop of Mr. Gardner, bird-preserver, Oxford Street, who informed me that it had just been sent to him to be mounted from Anglesey; it had evidently been recently killed.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 213-214, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

Forrest (1907) says: 'A. B. Priestley recorded in his 'Notes on the Birds of North Wales' printed in the Report of the Parliamentary Commission on Land In Wales (1896) that this specimen was shot by his brother in Anglesey many years ago. The specimen was examined in the flesh by Mr. J. H. Gurney.'

Admitted nationally (Harting 1872; Witherby 1920-24). Accepted nationally as the first for Wales (Lovegrove, Williams & Williams 1994).

7). 1854 North-east Scotland Balgownie Links, near Bridge of Don, Aberdeenshire, female, shot, November, now at University Museum, Aberdeen.

(Gray, 1871; Yarrell, 1871-85; H. M. Drummond Hay, Scottish Naturalist 8: 367; Sim, 1903; H. S. Gladstone, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 70-74; Witherby, 1920-24; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Phillips, 1997; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

History Gray (1871: 280) says: 'It was shot by Colonel William Fraser in November, 1854, near the toll-bar at the Bridge of Don, on the property of his cousin, H. D. Forbes, Esq., of Balgownie. This gentleman, having often shot the species during his residence in America, at once identified it. The specimen, after being stuffed by Mr. Mitchell, was presented to the King's College Museum...afterwards removed to the Aberdeen University Museum, where it now remains. Previous to being skinned, the bird was examined by the late John Longmuir, Esq., whose excellent notes [follow]...the bird obtained here was a female...'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 213-214, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

Admitted by H. M. Drummond Hay (1885-86) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. VIII. p. 367, in the Report of the East of Scotland Union. However, it was not accepted locally by Sim (1903: 140) who placed the record in square brackets.

H. S. Gladstone (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. I. pp. 70-74, gives the locality as 'Balgownie Links' and says: '...it is now in the University Museum, Aberdeen.'

Only one record admitted for Aberdeenshire (Witherby 1920-24). Accepted nationally for Scotland (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).

8). 1862 Caithness Latheronwheel, killed, 3rd November, now at Glasgow Museums Resource Centre (GLAMG.Z.1982.145.22).

("M.A.S." Field 6 Dec., 1862: 515; J. A. Smith, Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh 3: 182; Gray, 1871; Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1887; H. S. Gladstone, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 70-74; Witherby, 1920-24; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007; C. J. McInerny & R. Sutcliffe, Scottish Birds 40: 245-246, plate 164; C. J. McInerny & R. Sutcliffe, Scottish Birds 41: 37).

History "M.A.S." (1862) in The Field, of 6 Dec., Vol. XX. p. 515, says: 'I shot on the moors in Caithness, on the 3rd of last month, what I presume, from Mr. Yarrell's description, to be a specimen of the above. Could any of your readers inform me whether there have been any authenticated instances of this bird having occurred later than those mentioned by him as having been killed in 1804 and 1836?'

J. A. Smith (1864) in the Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh, Vol. III. p. 182, at the meeting held on 27th April 1864, says: 'Mr. R. I. Shearer, Ulbster House, informs me that a specimen of this very rare bird was shot at Latheronwheel, Caithness, by F. S. Bently-Innes [sic] of Thrumster, Esq., in the autumn of 1862. It is easily distinguished from the Common Bittern by its more freckled appearance; indeed it has been named by Montagu the Freckled Bittern, the black dash or stripe on the neck is larger and more distinct than in the Common Bittern, and begins a little farther back from the angle of the mouth. The bird is also less in size than the Common Bittern, which, it may be remarked, seems never to have been observed in the county of Caithness.

The American Bittern is only a rare straggler to Britain. Several instances have been recorded of its appearance in England. The only other instance known to me of its occurrence in Scotland, was one killed at Jardine Hall, Dumfriesshire, in October 1844, and described by Sir William Jardine.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 215, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, who says: '...killed by Mr. F. S. Bentley Innes.'

Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1887: 182-183) say: '...shot at Latheronwheel, and became the property of Major Stocks, late 1st Royal Dragoons, who was present when it was shot by Frederick Stocks Bentley Innes in 1863 [sic]. The bird rose out of a bunch of rushes, having been pointed by a pointer dog, and flew very heavily, as if exhausted. We saw this in Mr. Small's shop in Edinburgh, in September 1885, in fine preservation. Mr. Small had purchased it about 27 months previously at a sale at Dowell's Auction Rooms, and soon after sold it to the Earl of Haddington, in whose collection it is now. Full particulars of its capture are given on a label on the back of the case.'

Admitted nationally (Harting 1872), H. S. Gladstone (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. pp. 70-74, under 'The American Bittern in Scotland' and by Witherby (1920-24) who admits one for Caithness.

Accepted nationally for Scotland (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).

During, presumably early 2020, Richard Sutcliffe located this specimen at Kelvingrove Museum (GLAMG.Z.1982.145.22) in a glass case with label on the rear (photo - Scottish Birds 40: 246).

9). 1867 Sussex Pevensey, obtained, 26th November.

(J. Dutton, Zoologist 1868: 1098; Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85; Borrer, 1891; Witherby, 1920-24; Walpole-Bond, 1938; James, 1996).

History J. Dutton (1868) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. III. p. 1098, undated, says: 'On the 26th of November last a strange bird was flushed from one of the dykes in these marshes, and several people were soon in hot pursuit. Mr. Albert Vidler (who has contributed many rarities to the avifauna of East Sussex) came out with his gun, and soon succeeded in shooting it. It proved to be a beautiful specimen of the American Bittern, which exactly agrees with Morris's fine plate; indeed I never saw a more perfect resemblance. On comparing the two birds, the common and the American Bittern, there is a very great difference, the former being much larger and much paler than the latter, the difference being perceptible at a glance, even were it not for the greater size. The cere of the latter is pale green , while that of the former is flesh-colour. It was exhibited at the first meeting of our newly-formed Natural History Society, and excited a great deal of attention. The following are the measurements, &c., taken from the stuffed specimen: length 21 inches; tarsus 3 and a third inches; foot 6¼ inches. I may here remark that "the descending streak of black down the arch of the neck" is peculiarly striking.'

Harting (1872) adds: 'Passed into the collection of Sir John Crewe.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 214, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds and by Witherby (1920-24) who admitted three records for Sussex which presumably meant this one.

Accepted locally (Borrer 1891: 322; Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 350; Shrubb 1979; James 1996).

10). 1871 Yorkshire Kells Springs, Slingsby Carrs, near Malton, shot, 4th December.

(Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Yarrell, 1871-85; Nelson, 1907; Chislet, 1952; Mather, 1986).

History Clarke & Roebuck (1881: 51) say: 'Slingsby, one shot at Kell's Springs, Dec. 4, 1871, in the collection of Sir John Crewe (Brigham, MS.).'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 214, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

Locally, Nelson (1907 (2): 403) says: 'This example was obtained about 1873 at Kells Springs, near Slingsby, Yorkshire, by Robert Hicks of York, and identified by James Brigham. It was subsequently exhibited at a meeting of the York Naturalists' Club. It then went into Sir Vauncey Crewe's collection at Calke Abbey, Derbyshire.' However, (Chislett 1952) omitted this record, but later it was found to be acceptable again (Mather 1986).

Still accepted locally (Dobbs, Birds of Yorkshire in prep.).

11). 1872 Pembrokeshire St David's, killed, October.

(Land And Water 1872; C. Smith, Zoologist 1883: 341; Yarrell, 1871-85; Mathew, 1894; Witherby, 1920-24; Lockley, 1949; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).

History C. Smith of Bishop's Lydeard (1883) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VII. p. 341, says: 'I write a line to record the occurrence of the American Bittern at St. David's, in Pembrokeshire, in October, 1872. I saw it in May last in the possession of Mr. Greenaway, who shot it, but who, until he showed it to me, had always been doubtful as to its identity, though he had recorded it with doubt at the time in Land And Water.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 214, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds and by Witherby (1920-24) who admitted one for Pembrokeshire.

Accepted locally (Mathew 1894: 63; Lockley 1949: 53) and nationally for Wales (Lovegrove, Williams & Williams 1994).

12). 1873 Dumfries & Galloway Drumlanrig Castle, Carronbridge, Dumfriesshire, shot, 25th March.

(W. Elliot, History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 7: 525; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1876: 4929; Yarrell, 1871-85; Gladstone, 1910; H. S. Gladstone, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 70-74; Witherby, 1920-24; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

History Sir William Elliot (1873-75) in the History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club, Vol. VII. p. 525, says: 'William Hope told me that an American Bittern had been shot near Drumlanrig Castle on the 25th March, 1873.'

J. H. Gurney, jun. (1876) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. XI. p. 4929, writing from Edinburgh, says: 'A very good example of the American Bittern was shot at a small inland loch in Dumfriesshire on the 25th of March, 1873, which I believe has not yet been noted in The Zoologist. It was exhibited by Dr. J. A. Smith to the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh on the 25th of February, 1874 [see below], and has since, I am happy to say, found a place in my collection. Mr. Gray tells me that in the West of Scotland this species has occurred more frequently than our Common Bittern.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 215, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds and Saunders (1899: 385, 2nd ed.) who adds: '...with the exception of this one, all have been obtained between October and February.'

Gladstone (1910: 238) says: 'I have ascertained that this bird was shot by a gamekeeper on the Druid Loch or Swan Pond, within four hundred yards of Drumlanrig Castle [Dumfriesshire]. It passed into the hands of William Hope, birdstuffer, of Edinburgh, who sold it for £2 to Mr. J. H. Gurney, of Keswick Hall, Norwich, in whose possession the specimen still is....The date of Mr. Gurney's example (March 25th) is remarkable, all the other British specimens having been obtained between October and February, at which seasons in America this bird becomes migratory.'

Admitted by H. S. Gladstone (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. pp. 70-74, under 'The American Bittern in Scotland'. Witherby (1920-24) admitted two for Dumfriesshire, this record and another for 1844.

Accepted nationally for Scotland (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).

Comment Saunders (1899) quoted the year erroneously as 1878.

13). 1873 Cornwall Tresamble, Gwennap, shot, 4th November.

(J. Clark, Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall 17: 131; Witherby, 1920-24; Penhallurick, 1969).

History J. Clark (1907) in the Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall, Vol. XVII. p. 131, under 'American Birds in Cornwall', says: 'Dr. Bullmore saw one in the flesh that had been shot at Tresamble, near Gwennap, on the 4th November, 1873, and had been sent to Gill, the Falmouth birdstuffer.'

Witherby (1920-24) admitted two for Cornwall, this one and another in 1906.

Accepted locally (Penhallurick 1969).

14). 1875 Argyll Islay, shot, late October.

(J. Lumsden, jun., Field 22nd Jan., 1876: 84; Anon., Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow 3: 43-44; J. Lumsden, jun., Zoologist 1876: 4801; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1892; H. S. Gladstone, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 70-74; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

History James Lumsden, jun. of Arden House, Alexandria (1876) in The Field, of 22nd January, Vol. XLVII. p. 84, and The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. XI. p. 4801, says: 'A specimen of this bird [American Bittern] was shot on Islay in the last week of October [1875]: it is in splendid plumage. The sex was unfortunately not noted.'

[Will our correspondent kindly say whether the wing feathers of this bird are barred, or of a uniform brown colour? – Ed.]

Anon. (1875-78) in the Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow, Vol. III. p. 43-44, on 25th January 1876, it says 'At the November meeting of the Society Mr. Lumsden placed upon the table a Bittern, which had been killed in Islay in the previous month. At that time he could not confidently state to which species the bird belonged, not having had an opportunity before the meeting of comparing it with other specimens, or of consulting any work on the subject. Since then, however, he had carefully examined the bird, and he could now state that it is a specimen of the American Bittern. Mr. Harvie-Brown and Dr. Dewar also identified the specimen. It was killed about the last week of October on the shore at Islay, and is the fifth or sixth specimen recorded from Scotland.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 215, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, who erroneously stated it was obtained in January 1876 but that was the date it was published in The Zoologist.

Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1892: 119) say: 'We find a note in a MS. in our interleaved copy of Gray (1871), written by Mr. James Lumsden, to the effect that a specimen of this bird was shot on the sea-shore of Islay in October 1875. Harvie-Brown saw this bird in MacCulloch's shop in Glasgow along with Mr. Lumsden. It was shot by a visitor to the island, stuffed by MacCulloch, but has been quite lost sight of since. It was killed about the last week in October.'

Admitted by H. S. Gladstone (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. pp. 70-74, under 'The American Bittern in Scotland'. It was accepted nationally for Scotland (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).

15). 1875 Devon Near Parracombe, first-winter male, killed, late October.

(J. Gatcombe, Zoologist 1875: 4719; M. A. Mathew, Zoologist 1875: 4720; J. Rowe, Field 20th Nov., 1875: 561; M. A. Mathew, Field 4th Dec., 1875: 623; Yarrell, 1871-85; Moore, 1969; Tyler, 2010).

History John Gatcombe (1875) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. X. p. 4719, dated 18th November, 1875, says: 'Since my return from North Devon I have heard from my friend the Rev. W. S. Hore, of Barnstaple, that Mr. Rowe had received an American Bittern, in the flesh, I believe killed in the neighbourhood of Ilfracombe.'

Murray A. Mathew of Bishop's Lydeard (1875) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. X. p. 4720, dated 14th November 1875, says: 'Towards the end of October a fine example of the American Bittern was killed by Mr. Richards while shooting on some high moor ground near Parracombe: I have seen this bird, which I believe is to be presented to Earl Fortescue, as it was shot upon his Lordship's ground; it is a young bird of the year.'

James Rowe of Barnstaple (1875) in The Field, of 20th November, Vol. XLVI. p. 561, says: 'During the last week of October I received for preservation a male specimen of the American Bittern, which was shot in the neighbourhood of Barnstaple. It is a beautiful bird, and in perfect plumage.'

[The American Bittern has the primaries (or principal wing-feathers) of a uniform sooty brown colour. In the European Bittern the same feathers are barred alternately with black and buff. A similar difference is observable in the tail feathers of the two species. Perhaps Mr. Rowe will kindly look to this, and report again. - Ed.]

M. A. Mathew of Bishop's Lydeard (1875) in The Field, of 4th December, Vol. XLVI. p. 623, says: 'Mr. Rowe, gun-smith and bird-preserver, of Barnstaple, having asked me to certify the genuineness of an American Bittern, already announced by him in The Field (Nov. 20), I beg to state that I saw the bird at his shop about a fortnight since, and that it is an undoubted American Bittern, cleanly shot, in very good condition, and, I may add, very creditably mounted. I was told that it had been shot on some high ground in the neighbourhood of Parracombe. It corresponds very closely with an old bird shot by my brother in Canada, and may possibly be an adult.'

[It is satisfactory to find that Mr. Rowe's identification has proved correct, and we should like to see more of these certificates from competent naturalists, as nothing is more common than for correspondents to report the capture or occurrence of a common species under the name of a rare one. Only recently have we ascertained that a so-called Marsh Sandpiper was a Knot, a so-called King Duck an Eider, and a so-called Hawk Owl a Rough-legged Buzzard! After this we may be pardoned for being a little sceptical unless we know our informant to be a competent authority; and we feel sure Mr. Rowe will excuse our asking for such particulars as would place the identity of the bird beyond dispute. - Ed.]

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 214, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, who erroneously stated it was obtained in 'October, 1876'.

Accepted locally (Moore 1969; Tyler 2010).

16). 1876 Hampshire Woodside, Lymington, shot, January, now at Hampshire Cultural Trust, Chilcomb House, Winchester.

(Kelsall & Munn, 1905; Clark & Eyre, 1993; Clark, 2022).

History Kelsall & Munn (1905: 204) say: 'There is also a specimen in the Hart Collection, which was shot at Woodside, near Lymington, in January of the same year [1876].' Accepted locally (Clark & Eyre 1993).

Clark (2022) adds that it was shot by Mr. I. Bran and prepared by Francis Edwards?, later being restuffed by Edward Hart.

17). 1876 Hampshire Cadnam, New Forest, shot, February, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1924Z18.3986).

(E. Bidwell, Field 10th Mar., 1877: 276; Yarrell, 1871-85; Kelsall & Munn, 1905; Clark & Eyre, 1993; Watson, 2010).

History Edward Bidwell of Richmond (1877) in The Field, of 10th March, Vol. XLIX. p. 276, says: 'In February, 1876, a very richly marked specimen of the American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) was shot at Cadnam, in the New Forest, by Mr. G. R. Nunn, of Lyndhurst. Mr. Harting, in his Handbook of British Birds, enumerates several instances of this bird having been killed in England; but none of the specimens were obtained in Hampshire. The bird was set up by Mr. Harvey, of Lyndhurst, from whom I obtained it.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 214, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

Kelsall & Munn (1905: 204) say: 'One was shot by Mr. G. R. Nunn, of Lyndhurst, at Cadnam, in the New Forest, in February 1876, and was sold with Mr. Bidwell's collection in 1904.' It is still accepted locally (Clark & Eyre 1993).

Watson (2010) in detailing the R. W. Chase collection in the Birmingham Museum lists this specimen and quoting from his Notebooks adds that it was shot by Mr. G. R. Nunn of Lyndhurst. Purchased at Bidwell's sale on 12.05.1904, lot 239. It was formerly under a glass shade and was altered by Cullingford and remounted.

18). 1882 Yorkshire Harlsey Hall, Welbury, near Northallerton, female, killed, 27th October.

(W. E. Clarke & W. D. Roebuck, Naturalist 9: 169; C. D. Wolstenholme, Zoologist 1883: 128; J. Backhouse, jnr., Zoologist 1883: 180; W. E. Clarke & W. D. Roebuck, Zoologist 1884: 177; Yarrell, 1871-85; W. E. Clarke, Naturalist 10: 177; Nelson, 1907; Chislett, 1952; Mather, 1986).

History W. E. Clarke & W. D. Roebuck (1883) in The Naturalist, Vol. IX. p. 169, and (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. p. 177, say: 'American Bittern. Additional occurrence: Harlsey Castle, Welbury, near Northallerton, one shot by the Hon. W. Dawnay, October 27th, 1882, which was examined by Mr. J. Harrison, of Wilstrop.'

C. D. Wolstenholme of York (1883) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VII. p. 128, undated, says: 'The following uncommon birds have recently been obtained in the neighbourhood of York, are now in the hands of Mr. E. Allen, of Feasegate, in this city, for preservation, where I have had the opportunity of seeing them...an American Bittern, shot at Welbury.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 214, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

Locally, it was accepted by Nelson (1907 (2): 403) but Chislett (1952) omitted this record without comment. Mather (1986) says: 'A female American Bittern was killed by the Hon. W. Dawnay at Harlsey Hall, near Northallerton. It was examined by John Harrison of Wilstrop who found the remains of field mice in its gizzard.'

Still accepted locally (Dobbs, Birds of Yorkshire in prep.).

19). 1883 Sussex Amberley Wild Brooks, female, shot, 30th November, now at Booth Museum, Brighton (BoMNH 204081).

(W. B. Ellis, Field 8th Dec., 1883: 799; W. Borrer, Zoologist 1884: 68; Yarrell, 1871-85; Borrer, 1891; Booth, 1901; Walpole-Bond, 1938; James, 1996).

History W. B. Ellis of Arundel (1883) in The Field of 8th Dec., Vol. LXII. p. 799, says: 'A fine specimen of the American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) was shot here on Nov. 30 in a marshy track called Amberley Wild Brook. I believe that only nine specimens are on record as having occurred in the United Kingdom, this making the tenth. The bird is in beautiful plumage, but somewhat poor condition; I should think a bird of last year.'

[Many more than ten instances have been recorded of the occurrence of this American bird in Great Britain. See Harting's Handbook of British Birds, published by Van Voorst. - Ed.]

W. Borrer of Cowfold, Sussex (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. p. 68, says: 'A specimen of this bird was shot from a patch of reeds near Amberley, in this county, on November 30th last, by a man of the name Knight, who attempted to stuff it, but, making a mess of it, the bird was handed over to Pratt, the naturalist, of Brighton. It proved, on dissection, to be a female, and the stomach was quite empty. The flesh had not been taken out from the wings, and it was quite fresh when I saw it. It is now in my collection.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 214, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

Borrer (1891: 322) says: 'The second Sussex specimen was obtained on November 30th, 1879, from a patch of reeds in Amberley Wildbrook, by a person of the name of Knight, who sent it to Mr. Ellis, a naturalist of Arundel, by whom it was sold to Mr. Pratt, of Brighton, and it is now in my collection.'

Booth (1901: 217, 3rd ed.) adds: 'Shot by Mr. Knight on Nov. 30th, 1879, from a patch of reeds in Amberley Wildbrooks, [Sussex].'

Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 350) says: 'Secondly we have an example from Amberley Wildbrook, obtained on November 30th - in 1879 Borrer would have the readers of his book believe, though in The Zoologist previously he had himself named 1883 as the year, which I happen to know from the man who mounted the bird is the right rendering. This the Powers at the Dyke Road Museum, Brighton (where this lentiginosus has been lodged since 1901) would do well to lay to heart - at present they adhere to Borrer's faulty dating (cf. e.g., 5th ed. Cat. B. Dyke Rd. Mus., B'ton, p. 235). Incidentally, others have made the same mistake (See, e.g., Harting's H'book Brit. B., 2nd ed. (1901), p. 449).'

Accepted locally (James 1996).

Comment It would appear that Borrer and Booth have recorded the date erroneously as they do not state a correction to the original notice.

20). 1886 Bedfordshire Elstow, female, shot, 13th November, now at Bedford Museum.

(Steele-Elliott, 1901; Trodd & Kramer, 1991).

History Steele-Elliott (1901: 171) says: 'An example of this rare straggler from a far-off continent was shot by Mr. Cocking, from the brook by the old race-course at Elstow, 13th November, 1886, and in whose possession it still remains. Mr. Covington, in whose hands I saw the bird whilst being set up informs me that it was a female, and in very good condition, the stomach contained at the time, remains of three small dace and a water shrew.'

Accepted locally by Trodd & Kramer (1991: 44) who add that the specimen is now at the Bedford Museum as part of the Steele-Elliott collection.

Comment Another record far inland, but the specimen is at least extant.

21). 1898 Somerset Long Sutton, winter.

(Cage Birds, 18th February, 1902; Palmer & Ballance, 1968; Somerset Ornithologists' Club, 1988; Ballance, 2006).

History Accepted locally (Palmer & Ballance 1968; Somerset Ornithologists' Club 1988; Ballance 2006).

Comment This record is so far inland it deserves closer scrutiny. Could this record be one of those mentioned by the Rev. Blathwayt as killed in December, 1897 (see 1928 Somerset record).

22). 1903 Isles of Scilly Great Pool, Bryher, caught, 15th October, lived for three years in Tresco Abbey, photo, now at the Isles of Scilly Museum.

(R. Bowdler Sharpe, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 14: 32; J. Clark & F. R. Rodd, Zoologist 1906: 302; J. Clark, Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall 17: 131; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 349; Penhallurick, 1969; Flood, Hudson & Thomas, 2007: plate 22).

History R. Bowdler Sharpe, Editor (1903) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XIV. p. 32, at the 101st Meeting of the Club held on 16th December 1903 at the Restaurant Frascati, London, says: 'Mr. Digby Pigott, on behalf of Mr. Dorrien Smith, also reported the capture at the end of September (or early in October) 1903 of an American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus). The bird, which had been caught in a bramble-bush on Bryher, Scilly Islands, was at the time it was taken in a starved condition and very thin. It had been fed on eels and other fish, and was now living in the aviary at Tresco and in excellent condition. It was very tame, and would take fish from a feeder's hand.'

J. Clark & F. R. Rodd (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 302, under 'The Birds of Scilly', say: 'On Oct. 10th, 1903, an American Bittern was captured alive in a most exhausted and emaciated condition on the west side of Bryher. Under careful treatment it gradually recovered, and is still one of the attractions of the aviary at the [Tresco] Abbey.'

J. Clark (1907) in the Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall, Vol. XVII. pp. 131-132, under 'American Birds in Cornwall', says: 'On the 16th of October, 1903, the writer saw at Tresco Abbey, Scilly, a specimen that had been caught alive on Bryher the day before. It was in a most emaciated condition, but under careful treatment rapidly recovered and is still one of the ornaments of the aviary at Tresco.

In reply to various enquiries Miss Innes Dorrien-Smith, after interviewing the fortunate captor, wrote on the 18th of October - "John Jacob Jenkins, the man who caught it, said he first saw it in his onion bed, and then when he went after it flew into a bramble bush on the bank round the field. He saw it could hardly fly so went after it again and it flipped into a veronica hedge, where he managed to catch it by the leg. He said it would hold on to anything by its claws. It was right on the west side of Bryher, close to the sea, and not far from the fresh water pool there". (Miss Innis Dorrien-Smith in litt. 18th October, 1903).'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 349, under 'On the more important additions to our knowledge of British Birds since 1899', and accepted locally (Flood, Hudson & Thomas 2007).

Comment One can only assume the date discrepancy by the same person is a typo error or due to failing eyesight.

23). 1905 Pembrokeshire Trewellwell, near Dale, male, shot, 11th December, now at National Museum of Wales, Cardiff (Z.1932.517.046).

(Lockley, 1949; Donovan & Rees, 1994; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).

History Lockley (1949: 53) says: 'Dr. Mills records a male shot near Dale on 11th December, 1905.' Donovan & Rees (1994) state that it was shot by Dr. Mills and examined by (Bertram) Lloyd who noted in his diary that it was labelled from Trewellwell. Accepted nationally for Wales (Lovegrove, Williams & Williams 1994)

Comment It is housed at the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff (Z.1932.517.046).

24). 1906 Cornwall Porthcurno, male, killed, 12th November.

(J. Clark, Zoologist 1907: 285; J. Clark, Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall 17: 132; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 349; Witherby, 1920-24; Penhallurick, 1969).

History J. Clark (1907) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XI. p. 285, says: 'A male American Bittern was killed by two of the clerks in the employment of the Eastern Telegraph Company at Porthcurnow on the 12th November, 1906. The bird was first noticed on the footpath on the east side of the valley, and was chased down into a large clump of whins by the side of the stream and close to the beach, where it was secured with some difficulty. It proved to be a male with plumage in good condition, though the body was emaciated.'

J. Clark (1907) in the Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall, Vol. XVII. p. 132, under 'American Birds in Cornwall', says: 'A third example [for Cornwall/Scilly] now in the possession of the writer and seen by him in the flesh, was killed by two of the clerks in the employment of the Eastern Telegraph Company at Porthcurnow on the 12th November, 1906. The bird was first noticed on the footpath on the east side of the valley, and was chased down into the whins by the side of the stream just above the beach, where it was with some difficulty secured. One of the wings was broken, and though the plumage was good the body was in very poor condition.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 349, under 'On the more important additions to our knowledge of British Birds since 1899', and later by Witherby (1920-24) who admitted two for Cornwall: this one and another in 1873. It was accepted locally (Penhallurick 1969).

25). 1927 Cornwall Goss Moor, near Bodmin, shot, 28th November.

(F. W. Frohawk, Field 16th Feb., 1928: 256; B. H. Ryves, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1928; Eds., British Birds 22: 68, 117; Ryves, 1948; Penhallurick, 1969).

History F. W. Frohawk (1928) in The Field of 16th Feb., Vol. CLI. p. 256, says: 'I am indebted to Mr. E. W. Willyams for the following account of the particular bird here recorded, which has been set up by Messrs. Rowland Ward, through whose courtesy I have been able to examine it and make the accompanying drawing. "The bittern was shot on November 28th, on the Goss Moor, situated on the Bodmin-Truro Road, ten miles from Bodmin. I shot a snipe which fell some way off, and when I was going with my dog to retrieve it, the bittern rose about 15 yds. from me from some marshy grass behind a gorse bush. I had no idea what it was, although I did know it was not an ordinary Bittern. I would not have fired if it had been. It seemed to rise almost vertically, beak up and legs hanging down, and at the moment of firing my impression was that it was some enormous sort of landrail....On December 30th another American Bittern was seen on the moor. It rose off some ice, the moor being frozen at the time, and being identified was not shot. The stomach of the bird that was killed contained the remains of several smooth newts. This American Bittern is a smaller bird than ours and darker in colour, the pattern on the back being much less conspicuous; the sides of the neck are not streaked in the same way, and the flight feathers are tolerably uniform brown and not veined. The legs are green, the bill greenish-yellow, and the eyes golden".'

In an Editorial (1928) in British Birds, Vol. XXII. p. 68, they say: 'Mr. F. W. Frohawk records (Field, 16.ii.28, p. 256) that an example of Botaurus lentiginosus was shot by Mr. E. W. Willyams on November 28th, 1927, on Goss Moor near Bodmin....' Further, p. 117, the Editors with a Correction, add: 'Col. B. H. Ryves informs us that the example of Botaurus lentiginosis, recorded on p. 68 (antea), was shot by Major E. N. Willyams and not by Mr. E. W. Willyams as stated.'

Ryves (1948: 199) adds: 'One was shot on Goss Moor in October [sic], 1928.'

Accepted locally by Penhallurick (1969) who says: 'On November 28th, 1927 one was shot on Goss Moor.'

Comment The 30th December individual is unacceptable through lack of detail.

26). 1928 Somerset Ten Acre Common, near Catcott, remains only, 26th May, now at Bristol City Museum.

(F. L. Blathwayt, Report on Somerset Birds 1928: 8; S. Lewis, British Birds 23: 132; Palmer & Ballance, 1968; Somerset Ornithological Society, 1988; Ballance, 2006).

History F. L. Blathwayt (1928) in the Report on Somerset Birds, Vol. XV. p. 8, says: 'On May 26th the remains of an American Bittern which had evidently died from shot wounds were found by S.L. on the central levels. The bird had evidently been devoured by rodents as the remains were found in the bank of a ditch or rhine which was almost filled with silt and overgrown with coarse grass. S.L. states that the bird was fully identified, and we understand that fuller details will be published later.'

Stanley Lewis (1929) in British Birds, Vol. XXIII. p. 132, says: 'While visiting the Somerset levels with some friends on May 26th, 1928, I noticed feathers protruding from the rank grass in a silted-up ditch near a marshy enclosure known as Ten Acre Common, near Catcott. They proved to be a wing and other portions of a Bittern, which I felt confident was the American species. On sending the remains to Dr. P. R. Lowe he identified them as Botaurus lentiginosus. I have briefly recorded this occurrence in the Report on Somerset Birds, 1928, p. 8.

Possibly a small party of these birds visited the south-western counties in the late autumn of 1927, as one was reported as shot near Bodmin, Cornwall, on November 28th, and another is said to have been seen on December 30th. Many years ago I saw two American Bitterns stuffed and wired in the cottage of a birdstuffer named Haines at Glastonbury which had been obtained locally. I examined them on several occasions, but have failed to trace them. These are the birds referred to by the Rev. F. L. Blathwayt in the Victoria Hist. of Somerset, I. p. 154, as having been shot in December, 1897.'

Accepted locally (Palmer & Ballance 1968; Somerset Ornithologists' Club 1988; Ballance 2006).

27). 1932 Outer Hebrides Benbecula, adult male, shot, 27th December.

(C. G. Bird, Scottish Naturalist 53: 92; Eds., British Birds 26: 313; Cunningham, 1983; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

History C. G. Bird of Cambridge (1933) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LIII. p. 92, says: 'It may be of interest to record that an American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) was shot on the island of Benbecula, Outer Hebrides, on 27th December 1932. The weather previous to this had been extremely rough with gales from a southerly direction. On dissection the bird was found to be very fat and a vole, not identifiable, was found in the crop. The bird was an adult male.'

[This species of Bittern is an extremely rare visitor to Scotland, and has not previously been recorded from the Outer Hebrides. - Eds.]

In an Editorial (1933) in British Birds, Vol. XXVI. pp. 313-314, says: 'We learn on good authority that an American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) was shot on the island of Benbecula, Outer Hebrides, on December 27th, 1932. Previous to this date there had been southerly gales. The bird was a male in fat condition (weight 1Ib, 11½ oz.), and had the remains of a vole in the gizzard. There appears to be no previous record of the occurrence of this species in the Outer Hebrides.'

Accepted locally (Cunningham 1983) and nationally for Scotland (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).

28). 1946 Pembrokeshire Ramsey Island, seen, 19th October.

(J. L. Davies & R. M. Lockley, British Birds 40: 184-185; Lockley, 1949; Donovan & Rees, 1994; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).

History J. L. Davies & R. M. Lockley (1947) in British Birds, Vol. XL. pp. 184-185, say: 'On October 19th, 1946, R.M.L. almost stepped on an American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus, which he surprised as it stood among boulders on the shingle of Abermawr beach on the west side of Ramsey Island, Pembrokeshire, It flew with a slow and easy flight, circling towards the top of the cliff (about 180 ft. high) which it reached just as J.L.D. was about to climb down. On seeing him it sheered off and landed on a ledge of the cliff in full view of R.M.L. on the beach below, but it was not visible from the cliff-top. It remained on this ledge for a few moments and then flew slowly southward along the cliff face. It was not seen again, but there was unfortunately no opportunity to make a special search. R.M.L. especially noted brown and not black on the head, a black streak on the side of the neck, absence of distinct barring on the back and wings; the latter appeared to be uniform dark brown. The impression he gained of the upper-parts was of brown lightly speckled, but without any black striations. J.L.D. was struck by the black neck patch and the uniformly brown appearance of the back, and could see no difference between this bird and others of the species which he has watched in Canada.

In its native country this species is frequently seen in the open, as at Ramsey, away from swamps and marshes such as the Common Bittern Botaurus s. stellaris, usually frequents as a winter vagrant in this country. This is, we believe, the third recorded occurrence in Pembrokeshire.'

Accepted locally (Lockley 1949; Donovan & Rees 1994) and nationally for Wales (Lovegrove, Williams & Williams 1994).

NOT PROVEN

0). 1836 Dorset Christchurch, Hampshire, undated.

(Yarrell, 1845; Thompson, 1849-56).

[Harting, 1872].

History Yarrell (1845 (2): 546, 2nd ed.) says: 'I am indebted to the Rev. H. D. Fussell of Ellingham, near Ringwood, Hampshire, for the knowledge of the occurrence of a Freckled Heron, near Christchurch, in 1836. This gentleman obtained for me a description of this specimen from Mr. William Mott, of Christchurch, who preserved the bird, which is now in the collection of Mr. Sloman, in that neighbourhood.'

Thompson (1850 (2): 172) says: 'Notice of a third, obtained near Christchurch in 1836, was communicated to Mr. Yarrell.'

Harting (1872) says: 'This specimen turned out to be a immature Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax.'

Comment Misidentified. Not acceptable.

0). 1836 Isle of Man No locality, killed, undated.

(Yarrell, 1845).

[Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85; Cullen & Jennings, 1986].

History Yarrell (1845 (2): 546, 2nd ed.) says: 'From Mr. J. R. Wallace, of Douglas, in the Isle of Man, who possesses a considerable collection of preserved birds, and other subjects in Natural History, I have also received a letter, stating that a bird, which was believed to be the Freckled Heron of Montagu, had been killed on that island very recently.'

Harting (1872: 151) says: 'Doubtful', while Howard Saunders (1884-85) in Yarrell's British Birds, 4th edition, Vol. IV. p. 214, says: 'A bird believed to be of this species is recorded by Mr. J. R. Wallace, in the Isle of Man.'

It was not admitted nationally (Cullen & Jennings 1986).

Comment Identification not proven. Not acceptable.

0). 1848 Ayrshire Martnaham Loch, shot, early February.

("Ayr Observer" 22nd February 1848; H. S. Gladstone, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 70-74; H. S. Gladstone, Ibis 1911: 184; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

[McWilliam, 1936; I. J. Andrews & K. A. Naylor, Scottish Birds 23: 66].

History H. S. Gladstone (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. pp. 70-74, under 'The American Bittern in Scotland', says: 'Mr. J. A. Harvie-Brown recently drew my attention to a record of the American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) in Ayrshire in 1848. In looking through a large quarto scrapbook entitled 'Miscellanea Zoologica', formerly belonging to the late Sir William Jardine, and now in his possession, Mr. J. A. Harvie-Brown came across a cutting from the Dumfries Herald of 24th February 1848, quoting the Ayr Observer as to the recent occurrence of this rare bird in that county.

Reference to the newspaper files at the British Museum resulted in my finding the following in the issue of Tuesday, 21st February (sic) 1848. (The real date should have been Tuesday, 22nd February, 1848). "The American Bittern. - A very beautiful specimen of that rare bird the American Bittern has been brought to our office by Thomas Logan, gamekeeper to the Marquis of Ailsa. The bird, which is stuffed, and in fine preservation, was lately shot by the gamekeeper at Loch Martnaham. When killed, the stomach of the Bittern contained no less than NINE LARGE PERCH! - certainly a good meal.

This kind of bird is very rare in Scotland; the only specimen known is one which was killed, in 1844 on the moor near the residence of Sir William Jardine, in Dumfriesshire, and is preserved in his collection....Comparing the specimen shot by the Marquis of Ailsa's gamekeeper with the description given of the American Bittern, in Yarrell's History of British Birds, there is a perfect identity of appearance.

The whole length of the bird is about twenty-seven inches; and from the carpal joint to the end of the wing, eleven inches and a half. The beak is brownish yellow; from the forehead, before, over and behind the eye, a stretch of light brown-yellow; wing-coverts, rich brown, upper tail-coverts, buff, freckled with two shades of brown; tail-feathers, almost reddish brown; chin and front of the neck, a mixture of white, buff, and dark brown in streaks; ear-coverts and a line descending there from, yellow-brown; between this and the throat in front, an elongated descending streak of black; breast and belly buff - each feather with an elongated brown central patch. The legs and toes are of a greenish brown colour. Altogether, it is fine-looking bird, and decidedly nobler in appearance than the native breeds which haunt our fens and water-meadows. It has been, we understand, forwarded to Culzean Castle".

The Earl of Cassilis writes me from Culzean Castle (in litt. 19.xii.1909): "There are three Bitterns here...one shot in 1871 or 1872; another later; and the third shot in Albania by my father....There is nothing here of the American Bittern you wrote me about, as shot in 1848". This occurrence is not mentioned by Robert Gray in his Birds of Ayrshire and Wigtownshire, 1869, nor in his Birds of the West of Scotland, 1871. Howard Saunders does not refer to it in his Manual of British Birds, 1899; nor does Mr. J. E. Harting in his Handbook of British Birds, 1901. It is possible, however, that this record may not have been unknown to these authorities; but may have been purposely disregarded by them for some good reason of which I am not aware.'

H. S. Gladstone (1911) in The Ibis, Vol. LIII. p. 184, says: 'I see that on page 730 of Vol. IV. 9th series, 1910, of The Ibis, in a notice of the Annals of Scottish Natural History, you refer to a paper by me in the latter. I wish to point out to you that Loch Martnaham is in Ayrshire, not Dumfriesshire, and that the American Bittern is alleged to have been shot there in 1848, not 1898.'

Comment It is uncertain who identified this bird, and since the specimen could not be relocated, it is probably best square bracketed. Key features in favour of American Bittern are its size 27 in (68.5 cm) which is the high end for the species, close to the lower end for Eurasian Bittern, and the eye stripe before and after eye, but there is no mention of the black cap on the head which is to be found on the Eurasian Bittern. However, other key features are missing and the identification is unsure. It was certainly not published in the main literature of the time.

Not admitted in a review (I. J. Andrews & K. A. Naylor, Scottish Birds 23: 66). Not acceptable.

0). 1848 Norfolk Great Yarmouth, killed, undated.

(J. H. Gurney & W. R. Fisher, Zoologist 1848: 1965).

[Stevenson, 1870; J. H. Gurney, Field 21st Jan., 1871: 38; Harting, 1872; Not in Seago, 1977].

History J. H. Gurney & W. R. Fisher (1848) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VI. p. 1965, say: 'An example of the American Bittern, another interesting addition to the birds of Norfolk, has also been killed at Yarmouth; but not having seen the bird, we are not at present able to add anything to the bare mention of its occurrence.'

Stevenson (1870) and Harting (1872) regarded this record as doubtful.

J. H. Gurney of Marldon, Totnes (1871) in The Field of 21st Jan., Vol. XXXVII. p. 38, says: 'With reference to the list of supposed American Bitterns given in your last number as killed in the British Islands, I believe that not only the alleged Norfolk record should be erased, but also the one said to have been killed at Chudleigh, which I have been informed proved, on closer examination, to belong to the ordinary species, and not to the North American.'

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent ornithologist. No supporting details. Not acceptable.

0). c. 1854 Kent Near Canterbury, obtained, undated.

(J. H. Gurney, Field 20th Jan., 1866: 56; J. H. Gurney, Zoologist 1866: 145; J. H. Gurney, Field 21st Jan., 1871: 38; Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).

[Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1981].

History J. H. Gurney (1866) in The Field of 20th Jan., Vol. XXVII. p. 56, and in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. I. p. 145, quoting from The Field of 20th January, 1866, p. 66, says: 'I saw today a stuffed specimen of the North American Bittern in the shop of Mr. Craig, birdstuffer, at Canterbury, who appeared to consider it only a small example of the Common Bittern, and who informed me that it had been killed about twelve years ago, three miles away from the city of Canterbury. As I had no means of testing the accuracy of this statement, and as the specimen was in a bad order from dust and exposure, I did not inquire if it was for sale, but I think the circumstances of my having met with it worth naming, as it may give your ornithological readers in Kent an opportunity of inquiring further as to whether this specimen can be really identified as having been obtained in that county. I may add that I have only once seen this rare bird in the flesh, and that was in December, 1851, when a specimen, killed in Anglesey, was sent to London for preservation, and was shown to me before it was skinned.'

J. H. Gurney of Marldon, Totnes (1871) in The Field of 21st Jan., Vol. XXXVII. p. 38, says: 'I also saw, some years since, a mounted American Bittern in the shop of a birdstuffer at Canterbury, who told me that it had been killed near that city, which I believe was true, as he had no idea of the rarity of the bird, and supposed it to be merely a small specimen of the common Bittern.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 214, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

Ticehurst (1909: 317-318) says: 'The claims of this transatlantic wanderer to a place in the Kent avifauna rest on two specimens, one of which (and probably the other also) has now disappeared. The history of neither is altogether complete and satisfactory, but inasmuch as one has been accepted by the principal writers on British ornithology, I venture to include the species without brackets. The second is here recorded for the first time.

The first was recorded in The Field and in The Zoologist by Mr. J. H. Gurney...No one seems to have followed Mr. Gurney's suggestion, and the record has been accepted as it stands.'

Witherby (1920-24) admitted two for Kent, both of which have been rejected locally (Taylor, Davenport & Flegg 1981).

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

0). 1861 Devon Paignton Marshes, shot, undated.

("Western Morning News;" Eds., Field 20th Apr., 1861: 337).

[Tyler, 2010].

History In an Editorial (1861) in The Field of 20th Apr., Vol. XVII. p. 337, he says: 'A short time since Mr. W. Berry, in the Paignton Marshes, succeeded in killing, at a distance of 80 yards, a bird known as the American Bittern. Its legs are green, the claws of the feet and the bill very long and powerful, the plumage speckled, and, on the whole, a very handsome bird. Mr. B. has had it stuffed, and will kindly allow any naturalist or lady or gentleman to inspect the same at his residence, No. 4, Palace Place, Paignton. The last kind of the same species remembered to have been killed in the neighbourhood was shot on the same marsh in the year 1831 (Western Morning News).'

Comment Not accepted locally (Tyler 2010). Presumably, the 1831 record refers to the one of 1829, which has been generally accepted over the years.

0). c. 1861 Greater London/Kent Lullingstone Castle, shot, undated.

(Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).

[Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1981].

History Ticehurst (1909: 317-318) says: 'The claims of this transatlantic wanderer to a place in the Kent avifauna rest on two specimens, one of which (and probably the other also) has now disappeared. The history of neither is altogether complete and satisfactory, but inasmuch as one has been accepted by the principal writers on British ornithology, I venture to include the species without brackets. The second is here recorded for the first time....The second specimen was preserved for some time at Lullingstone Castle, but seems now to have disappeared. Sir W. Hart Dyke informs me that it was shot by a keeper in Lullingstone Park the year after the Little Bittern mentioned above was obtained [1860], and that its identity was thoroughly established at the time by reference to books and other means.'

Harrison (1953) adds: 'It was preserved in the Castle for sometime, but was not to be found at the auction sale on 9th and 10th December 1931.'

Witherby (1920-24) admitted two for Kent, both of which have been rejected locally (Taylor, Davenport & Flegg 1981).

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

0). c. 1861 Lothian Pentland Hills, Midlothian, obtained, undated.

("C.J.W." Field 4th Mar., 1871: 165; Gray, 1871; Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85; Bolam, 1912).

[Saunders, 1889; Harting, 1901; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 6: 133].

History "C.J.W." (1871) in The Field of 4th Mar., Vol. XXXVII. p. 165, says: 'I trust you will not consider it too late to add to the list of American Bitterns which you have lately published - namely, a remarkably fine specimen killed by John Kinnel, gamekeeper to Charles Cowan, Esq., of Logan House, about ten years ago, near the Compensation Pond in the Pentland Hills, Midlothian. It was in excellent feather and very well stuffed, and still forms one of the most interesting ornaments in Mr. Cowan's hall in a case of rare birds and animals killed on the estate.'

Gray (1871: 281) quotes from The Field of 4th March 1871, 'A remarkably fine specimen killed by John Kinkell, gamekeeper to Charles Cowan, Esq., of Logan House, about ten years ago, near the Compensation Pond in the Pentland Hills, Mid-Lothian...still forms one of the most interesting ornaments in Mr. Cowan's hall, in a case of rare birds and animals killed on the estate.'

Harting (1872: 152) states: 'In the collection of Mr. Cowan of Logan House.' Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85) in Yarrell's British Birds, 4th edition, Vol. IV. p. 215. However, Harting (1901: 448) adds: 'In the collection of Mr. Cowan, of Logan House; but this is a Common Bittern.'

Gladstone (1910) says: '...this specimen "is stated by Mr. William Evans to be a Common Bittern (Saunders 1899, p. 734)", but this reference is incorrect.'

H. F. Witherby (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 133, in a review of the Birds of Northumberland and the Eastern Borders, by George Bolam, 1912, says: 'But everyone is liable to error, and Mr. Bolam himself is not free from it; thus we find the record of a supposed American Bittern in the Pentland Hills in 1861 resuscitated, although Howard Saunders did his best to give it the death-blow in the appendix to the first edition of his Manual.'

Comment Misidentified. Not acceptable.

0). 1863 Sussex Barcombe, Lewes, shot, 29th October.

("M.C." Field 7th Nov., 1863: 460; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[Shrubb, 1979; James, 1996].

History "M.C." (1863) in The Field of 7th Nov., Vol. XXII. p. 460, says: 'An adult male specimen of the American Bittern (Botaurus, lentiginosus, Yarrell) was killed at Barcombe, near Lewes, on the 29th ult. It was in fine plumage and good condition. Its stomach contained a large roach, and two eels nearly ten inches long.'

Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 350) says: '...But since I have heard whisperings of wrong identification, her first specimen, shot at Barcombe, near Lewes, on October 29th, 1863, can, I think, only be taken on trust. Borrer, methinks, must have missed its obituary, else he had surely mentioned the matter in his Birds of Sussex.'

Not accepted locally (Shrubb 1979; James 1996).

Comment Methinks that Borrer left records out which he considered not worthy of a place as did des Forges & Harber (1963) later; whereas Mr. Walpole-Bond is cataloguing everything, whether a serious record or not. Not acceptable.

0). 1870 Cornwall Woodhill, Liskeard, shot, 4th December.

(J. Harris, Field 14th Jan., 1871: 19; Penhallurick, 1978).

[Harting, 1872, 1901; S. C. Madge, Birds in Cornwall 1983: 96].

History John Harris of Moorswater, Liskeard (1871) in The Field of 14th Jan., Vol. XXXVII. p. 19, says: 'A rare bird brought to Mr. J. J. Trathan, of Liskeard, for identification, has proved to be the American Bittern (Ardea lentiginosa, Montagu; Ardea minor, Wilson). It was shot at Woodhill, about a mile from Liskeard, on the 4th of December last; and this is believed to be the first well-authenticated instance of its occurrence in Cornwall. The bird is not included in Mr. Couch's Cornish Fauna, although Yarrell, after referring to one shot in Dorsetshire in the autumn of 1804, states that a second is said to have been taken in Cornwall; but neither date nor locality is given.'

Harting (1872: 152) says: 'Was examined and found to be a Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris.'

Penhallurick (1969) recorded five examples but not this one, but he had obviously overlooked that Harting had already rejected this one, and published it in (1978) on page 414.

S. C. Madge (1983) in Birds in Cornwall, Vol. LIII. p. 96, says: 'In his 'Supplement to the Birds of the Cornish Coast' included in The Birds of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, p. 44, Roger Penhallurick refers to a bird of this species being killed at Woodhill, Liskeard in 1871 as being an additional record for the county. However it does seem that a case of mistaken identity was involved as Harting in A Handbook of British Birds (1872), p. 152, refers to a specimen identified as American Bittern which was recorded at Woodhill, near Liskeard on 4th December 1870 but on examination proved to be a European Bittern. Obviously this record should be deleted.'

Comment After the article in The Field there followed an Editorial listing of records to date for the United Kingdom. Misidentified. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1871 Devon Chudleigh, shot, undated.

(Ed. Field 14th Jan., 1871: 19).

[J. H. Gurney, Field 21st Jan., 1871: 38; D'Urban & Mathew, 1895].

History In an Editorial (1871) in The Field of 14th Jan., Vol. XXXVII. p. 19, he lists all the occurrences including one for Chudleigh, Devonshire (Scott, Zoologist). Later, J. H. Gurney of Marldon, Totnes (1871) in The Field of 21st Jan., Vol. XXXVII. p. 38, says: 'With reference to the list of supposed American Bitterns given in your last number as killed in the British Islands, I believe that not only the alleged Norfolk record should be erased, but also the one said to have been killed at Chudleigh, which I have been informed proved, on closer examination, to belong to the ordinary species, and not to the North American.'

D'Urban & Mathew (1895: 194, 2nd. ed.) say: 'The specimen said to have occurred at Chudleigh, and preserved in Mr. Bower Scott's collection, was a Common Bittern, as that gentleman himself informed us.'

Comment Misidentified. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1871 Shropshire Oakley Park, near Ludlow, shot, undated.

(J. W. Lloyd, Field 28th Jan., 1871: 70).

[Hereford Times; Not in Hartert et al., 1912; Not in Witherby et al., 1940-52; Smith, 2019].

History James W. Lloyd of Kington, Herefordshire (1871) in The Field of 28th Jan., Vol. XXXVII. p. 70, dated 19th January, says: 'I have great pleasure in being able to add another instance of the occurrence of the American Bittern to those noted in The Field of 14th inst. Some few years back a notice appeared in the Hereford Times that a specimen of the American Bittern had been shot on the Oakley Park estate, near Ludlow, Salop. I have unfortunately mislaid the cutting from the paper, and am therefore unable to give full particulars. Perhaps some of the readers of The Field can furnish the exact date on which the bird was obtained.'

Comment Smith (2019) states that it was judged to be an error. Not acceptable.

0). 1888 Moray & Nairn Loch na Bo, male, shot, about December.

(J. B. Dunbar Brander, Field 25th Jan., 1890: 138; Harvey-Brown & Buckley, 1896; H. S. Gladstone, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 70-74; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

[I. J. Andrews & K. A. Naylor, Scottish Birds 23: 66].

History J. B. Dunbar Brander in Pitgaveny, Elgin (1890) in The Field of 25th Jan., Vol. LXXV. p. 138, says: 'Last year an American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) was got about four miles from this. A gamekeeper has it stuffed in his cottage. The back of the neck below the nape is quite bare.'

Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1896 (2): 99-100) say: 'About December 1888 a male of this species was obtained about two [sic] miles from Pitgaveny, and Captain Dunbar-Brander identified it. A gamekeeper got it stuffed, and when he went away it was sold amongst his affects for 7s. 6d. (Captain Dunbar-Brander, in litt. December 1889). Later on, Captain Dunbar-Brander writes in reply to inquiries: - 'The American Bittern was shot at Lochnabo, by the under-keeper there. The head keeper at Innes (Dempster) got the bird stuffed. When he left, it was sold at his sale, and bought by the Westerton keeper. The latter went to Ross-shire, and took the bird with him, and I tried to get the bird afterwards, but failed.'

Admitted by H. S. Gladstone (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. pp. 70-74, under 'The American Bittern in Scotland.' Not accepted in a review (I. J. Andrews & K. A. Naylor, Scottish Birds 23: 66).

Comment There is doubt that this specimen was ever seen by a competent ornithologist, and is therefore best listed as a possible, only. Also, some confusion exists with a Purple Heron recorded from the same place, same year. Not acceptable.

0). 1892 At sea North Atlantic, caught on board S.S. California, autumn.

(Anon., Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow 4: 131).

[H. S. Gladstone, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 74].

History Anon. (1892) in the Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow, Vol. IV. p. 131, says: 'Mr. Henry M'Culloch exhibited an American Bittern [Botaurus lentiginosus, Mont.) recently captured on board S.S. California when crossing the Atlantic.'

H. S. Gladstone (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. p. 74, says: 'Mr. Roderick Gillies, landlord of the Imperial Hotel, Oban, has in his possession a stuffed American Bittern which he bought from his predecessor, Mr. W. MacKenzie. This bird is said to have been caught about ten years ago at sea, aboard one of the North Atlantic liners, and cannot, therefore, be included in the list of the occurrences of those species in Scotland.'

Comment Caught outwith British waters. Not acceptable.

0). 1897 Somerset Near Glastonbury, two, shot, November.

(Blathwayt, 1906; S. Lewis, British Birds 23: 132).

[Blathwayt, 1906].

History F. L. Blathwayt (1906) in the Victoria County History of Somerset, Vol. I. p. 154, recording the record in square-brackets, says: 'Mr. Stanley Lewis of Wells informs me that he has examined two examples of the American Bittern, which were shot near Glastonbury in November, 1897.'

Stanley Lewis (1929) in British Birds, Vol. XXIII. p. 132, says: '...Many years ago I saw two American Bitterns stuffed and wired in the cottage of a bird-stuffer named Haines at Glastonbury which had been obtained locally. I examined them on several occasions, but have failed to trace them. These are the birds referred to by the Rev. F. L. Blathwayt in the Victoria Hist. of Somerset, I. p. 154, as having been shot in December, 1897.'

0). 1909 Sussex Upper Cottage, Hollingbury Park, Brighton, female, picked up alive, 24th October, died 25th October, now at Booth Museum, Brighton (BoMNH 204082).

(H. Langton, British Birds 3: 229; N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 5: 119; Walpole-Bond, 1938; des Forges & Harber, 1963; James, 1996).

[J. M. Collinson, British Birds 105: 325-331].

History Herbert Langton (1909) in British Birds, Vol. III. p. 229, says: 'Messrs. Brazenor Bros., the taxidermists, of Lewes Road, Brighton, showed me, on October 26th, an American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) in the flesh, which was caught in an exhausted and emaciated condition on the Downs to the north of Brighton on Sunday, October 24th. It lived till the next day. It was in splendid plumage and proved to be a female on dissection; the stomach contained a few small pellets of hair, probably from a mouse or vole.'

N. F. Ticehurst (1911) in British Birds, Vol. V. p. 119, in a review of the Catalogue of Cases of Birds in the Dyke Road Museum, Brighton. By E. T. Booth; with further notes by A. F. Griffith', says: 'The most important additions since the publication of the supplement, appear to be the American Bittern from Hollingbury Park.'

Accepted locally by Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 350) who adds: '...it is in the Dyke Road Museum, Brighton', and (James 1996) who adds that it is still in the Booth Museum, Brighton.

Comment Brazenor Bros, taxidermists, of Brighton were known to buy specimens from Leadenhall Market for stuffing (J. M. Collinson, British Birds 105: 325-331). "A short distance from where the Short-toed Lark was obtained [same year]" all sounds very suspicious. Not acceptable.

0). 1918 Sussex Rye, shot, 9th January.

(Anon., Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 3: 3; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

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

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 350) says: 'One now in Captain W. H. Andrews' collection was shot at Rye on January 29th, 1918 (H.E.S.N., III. p.3).'

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1927 Cornwall Goss Moor, near Bodmin, possibly another, seen, 30th December.

(F. W. Frohawk, Field 16th Feb., 1928: 256; Eds., British Birds 22: 68; Penhallurick, 1969).

[Penhallurick, 1969].

History F. W. Frohawk (1928) in The Field of 16th Feb., Vol. CLI. p. 256, says: 'I am indebted to Mr. E. W. Willyams for the following account of the particular bird here recorded [the one shot], which has been set up by Messrs. Rowland Ward, through whose courtesy I have been able to examine it and make the accompanying drawing....On December 30th another American Bittern was seen on the moor. It rose off some ice, the moor being frozen at the time, and being identified was not shot.'

In an Editorial (1928) in British Birds, Vol. XXII. p. 68, they say: 'On December 30th another Bittern, identified as of the same species, was seen on the same moor.'

Penhallurick (1969: 63) says: '...another, thought to be of the same species, was seen on 30th December.'

Comment Hearsay, with Penhallurick summing it up. Lacks adequate details. Not acceptable.

0). 1953 Cornwall Stratton, found dead, September.

(B. H. Ryves, H. M. Quick & A. G. Parsons, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1953: 17; I. C. T. Nisbet, British Birds 49: 408; Penhallurick, 1969).

[D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers, British Birds 99: 463].

History B. H. Ryves, H. M. Quick & A. G. Parsons (1953) in the Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXIII. p. 17, say: 'The body of a bird found near Launceston was sent to me, and I was able to identify it as of this species. H. J. Wain [non-member].'

I. C. T. Nisbet (1956) in British Birds, Vol. XLIX. p. 408, in a Review of the Cornwall Bird-Watching and Preservation Society, 23rd Report, says: 'An American Bittern found dead, apparently in September.'

D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers (2006) in British Birds, Vol. XCIX. p. 463, in a review of certain rarities during the period 1950-57, found this record to be unacceptable.