American Robin

Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 (0, 1)

Photo © G Youdale

STATUS

Nearctic. Polytypic.

OVERVIEW

W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 10, say: 'A difficult case of a highly migratory bird which is also a cage-bird and has been the subject of several attempts at introduction in Britain. Lord Northcliffe's attempt to introduce them near Guildford, Surrey, about 1910, was presumably responsible for the bird which appeared in Richmond Park in May 1912 and began to build a nest....The Shrewsbury bird appeared only two days before a Nighthawk in the Scillies. On the whole the pattern suggests that most are genuine migrants: all except two of the dated records are from September-December, and those two represent a possible return spring migration.'

BOU (1971) accepted two records for Devon but the 1955 individual was found not proven later (British Birds 99: 463).

---

1950-57 RECORD

1). 1952 Devon Lundy, first-winter, 25th October to 8th November, trapped 27th October.

(P. E. Davis, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 1 (9): 13-14; P. E. Davis, British Birds 46: 364-369, plate 59; P. E. Davis, British Birds 46: 437; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 10; BOU (1956), Ibis 98: 154; I. C. T. Nisbet, British Birds 56: 204-217).

History P. E. Davis (1953) in British Birds, Vol. XLVI. pp. 364-369, says: 'An American Robin (Turdus migratorius) was present on Lundy from October 27th to November 8th, 1952. It was probably first seen on October 25th, by one of the islanders.

Field observations: - On the morning of October 27th I found a strange thrush in a gully choked with sallows and brambles, on the terraced eastern slopes of the island. It was feeding avidly on blackberries, and tolerated my approach to within ten yards, remaining motionless when a few Redwings (T. musicus) flew out of the bushes. With its blackish head, dark olive-brown upper-parts, pale brick-red under-parts, rather rotund build, and upright stance, the bird somewhat resembled an oversized cock Stonechat (Saxicola torquata). There was an incomplete white ring around the eye. When disturbed the thrush gave a low "tchook, tchook, tchook" call hardly distinguishable to my ears from the notes of an uneasy Blackbird (T. merula). Dislodging the bird from the gully proved a difficult task, but eventually it flew southwards along the main terrace, and was taken in one of the Heligoland traps.

After examination and ringing at the Old Light, the Robin was shown to the other resident bird-watchers, F. W. and Miss Mary Gade, and John Ogilvie. Later, photographs were taken by Kenneth Monk (one of these is reproduced on plate 59), and the bird was afterwards released near the Hotel. The bird had returned to the terraces, half a mile from the Hotel, on the 28th, and remained there on the 29th, but subsequently it was seen only on the top of the island, near Quarterwall Pond.

Here it sought food on the close-cropped sward, with Redwings and Blackbirds. Earthworms seemed to be the main attraction. Though not confiding, the American Robin seldom flew as far as the other thrushes when people passed along the track. On one occasion F. W. Gade saw it join a party of Fieldfares (T. pilaris) flying away over the airfield, but soon it dropped out and returned to the Quarterwall. Another note was heard several times, a low "tseep" or "sssp", given in flight or from a vantage point on one of the stone dykes.

The following description was taken from the bird in the hand: Upper-parts: Head very dark brown, feathers with olive-brown, tips; a short patch above, and another below and behind the eye, white. Rest of upper-parts dark olive-brown, slightly greyer on the rump. Wings: dark brown, outer edges of primaries, secondaries, primary and greater wing-coverts pale greyish. Tail: dark brown, the two outer feathers on each side with small white tips. Under-parts: chin and throat white with dark striations, particularly at the sides. Upper breast, sides of lower breast, flanks, axillaries and under wing-coverts pale brick-red, rather paler on under-wing coverts; feathers with pale greyish tips on upper breast and flanks, whitish tips on sides of breast. Centre of lower breast and belly white; under tail-coverts white, feathers with grey-brown bases forming a patch in the ventral area. Soft parts: bill dark brown with yellow gape; eyes dark brown; legs and feet dark brown. Wing-formula: 1st primary 6 mm. shorter than primary coverts; 3rd and 4th longest, 2nd 7 mm. shorter 5th 2 mm. shorter, 6th 9 mm. shorter. 3rd to 6th emarginated on outer web. The outer rectrices were 5 mm. shorter than the other ten.

Measurements: Wing 130 mm.; tarsus 33 mm.; bill from feathers 18.5 mm.; weight 69.8 gms. at 12.30 hours. Judging from the colour of the upper-parts, the paleness of the breast, the ill-defined white orbital ring, the smallness of the white tips of the outer rectrices, and the colour of the bill, the bird was in first-winter plumage. The dark brown, but not blackish tail, suggests that this specimen was of the Eastern race (T. m. migratorius) rather than of the Northern (T. m. nigrideus). The former breeds north and east of a line from Alaska to Georgia, and although replaced by the northern form in north-east Quebec, Labrador, and Newfoundland, it extends as far east as Nova Scotia and New Brunswick (see Bent, 1949).'

K. Williamson (1952) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin, Vol. I (IX). pp. 13-14, adds: '...American Robins are normally still numerous in the Great Lakes region at this time but scarce in eastern Canada. Then on 23rd the warm sector of a depression over Hudson's Bay moved across the St. Lawrence Estuary, with west winds ahead of the cold front which could have drifted the bird out to sea. From there it would come into the westerly airstream flowing round the southern side of a great depression centred south of Iceland, with winds reaching force 8 for much of the way to Lundy.

This would involve a journey of 3,200 miles, with a minimum sea-crossing of 2,800 miles from Cape Race. The bird was probably flying for at least 35 hours.

The bird's condition must have been critical when it reached the island. When trapped at noon on 27th it weighed only 69.8 gm., over 20 gm. less than the weight of Blackbirds of similar build and size (wing 130, tarsus 33 mm.) migrating through Lundy in the autumn. The weight-loss sustained may well have been in the region of 40 per cent.'

Admitted nationally in their First Report as the first for Britain (BOURC (1956) Ibis 98: 154).

NOT PROVEN

0). 1876 Kent Dover, flew in off the sea, exhausted, April or May and kept in captivity for six months.

(J. E. Harting, Field 23rd Dec., 1876: 747; J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1877: 14-17; "W.F.S." Field 6th Jan., 1877: 19; Smart, 1886; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 10; Harrison, 1953).

[Ticehurst, 1909; Not in Hollom, 1960; BOU, 1971; BOU (1980), Ibis 122: 565].

History J. E. Harting (1876) in The Field of 23rd December, Vol. XLVIII. p. 747, and (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. p. 14-17, says: 'It is not a little remarkable that most of the specimens of North American birds which are recorded to have been found in Europe were taken in England. According to Professor Spencer Baird this has happened in fifty out of sixty-nine instances, and in nearly every case these specimens belonged to species which are abundant during the summer in New England and the Eastern Provinces of British America.

This computation, however, was made ten years ago (Ibis 1867, pp. 257-293), since which time the increased attention paid to Ornithology has resulted in the detection in Great Britain of several North American birds which had not been previously observed here, as well as many fresh instances of the appearance of species which had been already noted as occasional visitants to this country.

On referring to my Handbook of British Birds, (Introd. pp. X, XI.), I find that I had noted at the date of its publication, in 1872, the reported occurrence in the British Islands of 212 North American birds belonging to 42 different species. Omitting a few of these which have proved to be of doubtful authenticity, but adding some that I had overlooked, and a few others that have since occurred, we have in round numbers about 220 instances of the occasional appearance in Great Britain of North American birds. Of the forty-two species above referred to, five have been birds of prey, fourteen Passeres and Piciarae, one Columba, fourteen Grallatores, and eight Natatores. I have now to add another to the list of passerine birds, in the shape of the American Migratory Thrush (Turdus migratorius), familiarly known as the American Robin.

In the month of September last I received a letter from Lieut. Charles Pope, of the 24th Regt., then stationed at Dover, in which he informed me that a friend of his had in his possession, alive, a remarkably coloured thrush which he was unable to identify. It had been observed to fly in from the sea in a very exhausted state on a wet windy day during the previous month of April (or May, he was not sure which), and perching upon the first resting-place which presented itself, the balcony of a house facing the sea at Dover, had suffered itself to be frightened in through an open window and eventually caught. It lived in a small wicker-cage from April until September, when I first heard of it, and although the plumage became much soiled by confinement, it remained in good health.

From a description and sketch which Lieut. Pope forwarded, I had no doubt from the first that the bird was the North American Red-breasted Thrush, but it was not until two months later that I was enabled to pronounce with certainty upon the species. Being unable to refer to any of the works on American Ornithology to which I had referred him, Lieut. Pope prevailed upon his friend to forward the bird to me in London, and I duly received it on 6th November last. My surmise was correct: it was undoubtedly Turdus migratorius.

With the Secretary's permission, I at once placed it in the Western Aviary in the Zoological Society's Gardens, where it may still be seen in good health, and in much improved plumage. Now, how did this bird get to Dover? On my mentioning the circumstances of its capture to Mr. A. D. Bartlett, whose long experience as Superintendent of the Zoological Society's Gardens gives weight to his opinion in such matters, he was inclined to believe that it had escaped from some homeward-bound vessel in the Channel, and had made for the nearest land; a view which he thought strengthened by the fact that the bird when he received it was very tame.

In this I do not quite concur, for I imagine that most homeward-bound vessels from New York return to Liverpool, and not via Dover; while the bird's tameness is easily accounted for by the fact that when Mr. Bartlett received it into his care it had already been in captivity for about six months. I am thus disposed to regard this as a genuine case of involuntary immigration.

Many such cases are on record, and although this particular species is not known with certainty to have occurred here before, it has been met with on more than one occasion on the European continent, and, from its migratory habits, is just one of those birds which one would naturally expect now and then to arrive.

To account for the appearance of North American birds in this country is not so easy. I was at one time inclined to believe that the majority of them must find their way here from Greenland via Iceland, but the investigations of Professor Spencer Baird have led me to alter this opinion, and to concur for the present in his own view that their appearance here is due principally, if not entirely, to the agency of winds at the period of their migrations.

Prof. Baird's remarks on this subject are so extremely interesting and at the same time so instructive, that they may be here appropriately quoted. After some pertinent observations on zoological geography and the general principles of distribution to which he has been led by an examination of the large collection of specimens in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, he proceeds to deal in detail with the migration of North American birds, and referring to the species which are reported to have occurred in England, he says: - Birds of North America rarely, if ever, reach England from Greenland by direct spontaneous migration by way of Iceland, as shown by the fact that only three of the American birds occurring in Greenland are found in Iceland, and that few of the American species observed in Europe are found in Greenland at all.

Most specimens of American birds recorded as found in Europe were taken in England (about fifty out of sixty-nine), some of them in Heligoland, very few on the Continent (land-birds in only five instances). In nearly all cases these specimens belonged to species abundant during summer in New England and the Eastern Provinces of British America. In a great majority of cases the occurrence of American birds in England, Heligoland, and the Bermudas has been in autumnal months.

The clue to these peculiarities attending the interchange of species of the two continents will be found in the study of the laws of the winds of the northern hemisphere, as developed by Prof. Henry and Prof. Coffin. These gentlemen have shown that "the resultant motion of the surface atmosphere, between latitudes 32º and 58º in North America, is from the west, the belt being twenty degrees wide, and its greatest intensity in the latitude of 45º. This, however, must oscillate north and south at different seasons of the year with the varying declination of the sun. South of this belt, in Georgia, Louisiana, &c., the country is influenced, at certain seasons of the year, by the north-east trade winds, and north of the same belt by the polar winds, which, on account of the rotation of the earth, tend to take a direction toward the west.

It must be recollected that the westerly direction of the belt here spoken of is principally the resultant of the south-westerly and north-westerly winds alternately predominating during the year". "From these considerations and facts, therefore, we are entitled to conclude that the transfer of American birds to Europe, is principally, if not entirely, by the agency of the winds, in seizing them during the period of their migration (the autumnal especially), when they follow the coast, or cross its curves, often at a considerable distance from land, or a great height above it. Carried off, away out to sea, mainly from about the latitude of 45º (the line of greatest intensity of the winds), the first land they can make is that of England, whence the fact that most of the species have occurred in the British Islands as well as Heligoland, equally well fitted to attract stragglers and furnish them a resting-place".

In view of these observations from so competent an authority, it is not unlikely that the bird which forms the subject of this notice may have found its way to this country without the agency of man, and if this be so it deserves to be placed in the annually increasing catalogue of "Rarer British Birds".'

"W.F.S." (1877) in The Field of 6th January, Vol. XLIX. p. 19, says: 'With reference to the remarks in the last Field on the appearance at Dover of the American Red-breasted Thrush, commonly called the American Robin, I am inclined to think that it must have escaped from confinement, and had perhaps been brought over by a soldier lately serving in Canada. Soldiers are generally very fond of pets of all kinds, and anyone watching the disembarkation of a regiment on arrival from foreign service cannot fail to be struck with the number of birdcages stuck on the top of baggage wagons, or carried by men on baggage guard or their wives.

The inmates are of various descriptions, and, if examined more closely, will generally be found to be wonderfully tame, well trained, and amusing. They have probably served to help their owners pass many a weary hour in quarters on board ship. The men are generally much attached to their pets and cannot easily be induced to dispose of them.

When stationed in Nova Scotia with my late regiment about six years since, my servant, who was extremely fond of pets, got a young American Robin, which he made wonderfully tame, and when the regiment returned home, in the year 1870, he brought the bird with him. I don't think any money would have induced him to part with it. It certainly was the tamest and most attached bird I ever saw; the delight it showed on the approach of the owner was most surprising. He constantly took it out walking with him, when the bird would fly all about and pitch on the tops of houses and trees, but would come back on his head or his hand the moment he whistled or called to it.

On reading the account in The Field of the appearance of a bird of this species in the south of England it struck me that possibly it might be the same bird that belonged to my servant, for I have not heard what became of either the man or his bird since I left the regiment, and the former has lately been quartered in the south of England. I have never seen nor heard another tame bird of this species, nor do I think they are commonly made pets of. I forgot to mention that my servant taught his bird to whistle a variety of tunes in a very peculiar manner, which were most strange to listen to.'

[We have shown this note to Mr. Harting, who states that, as more than six years have elapsed since our correspondent's servant brought his bird to England, it is very unlikely that the one caught at Dover the other day was the same. He adds that the Dover bird was seen to fly in from the sea, and that it does not "whistle a variety of tunes". - Ed.]

Smart (1886: 17) says: 'This species whose capture at Dover is alluded to, in the B.O.U. List, as having "probably escaped from confinement"; but whose occurrence is not disputed; was captured under the following circumstances: and it appears to me that the likelihood of its being a natural, and not an "escaped" occurrence is quite as great as in the instance of the Black-throated Ousel; which, on a single occurrence, is shown above as admitted by our three authorities.

It was seen to arrive from the sea, on the coast of Dover, in so exhausted a condition, that it was driven into a house, and captured alive. The first theory was that it had escaped from some ship that was bringing birds from America to England, but then these arrive at Liverpool; then, when presented to the Gardens of the Zoological Society, London, Mr. Bartlett found it so tame that it was concluded to have been a caged bird escaped. But this theory is also shaken from the fact, that it had been caged six months before Mr. Bartlett received it. There is an account of its capture in The Zoologist for 1877.'

It was placed in square brackets due to what he believes was assisted passage (Ticehurst 1909: 10).

Not admitted nationally (BOU 1971).

0). 1893 Leicestershire & Rutland Leicester, caught, October.

(H. M. Langdale, Zoologist 1894: 459; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 10).

[BOU, 1915; Not in Hollom, 1960; BOU, 1971; BOURC (1980), Ibis 122: 565].

History H. M. Langdale of Compton, Petersfield (1894) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XVIII. p. 459, says: 'Agreeably to your request that I should furnish some particulars of the occurrence of Turdus migratorius in Leicestershire, to which I referred in my last letter, I have much pleasure in telling you all I know about it. The bird in question was captured near Leicester, in October, 1893, whilst in company with a flock of Redwings. Being in beautiful plumage, it was kept alive by the man who caught it, and soon became pretty tame. During the succeeding winter it came into the possession of my father-in-law, Mr. Jacob, of Royal Cliff, Sandown, Isle of Wight, and has ever since been kept in excellent health and feather. I have often seen it myself, and can answer for the particulars above given.'

[This makes the third reported instance of the occurrence of Turdus migratorius in England. See Zool., 1877, p. 14; and 1891, p. 219. - Ed.]

Not admitted nationally (BOU 1971).

0). 1894-95 Essex Near Southend, winter.

(Harting, 1901).

[Glegg, 1929; Not in Hollom, 1960; BOU, 197.

History Harting (1901: 348) says: 'One near Southend, Shoeburyness, winter 1894-95.'

Glegg (1929) quoting the Harting reference, says: 'Presumably an escaped bird.'

Not admitted nationally (BOU 1971).

0). 1909 Surrey Sutton Place, Guildford, 17, spring.

(J. E. Harting, Field 14th May 1921: 599).

[J. E. Harting, Field 14th May 1921: 599].

History J. E. Harting (1921) in The Field of 14th May, Vol. CXXXVII. p. 599, says: 'In the spring of 1909 seventeen of these birds were imported from the United States and placed in a large aviary belonging to Lord Northcliffe at Sutton Place, near Guildford. Early in June of that year several eggs were laid in old nests of thrushes and Blackbirds which were fixed up in the aviary. Some of the eggs were transferred to thrushes' and Blackbirds' nests in the grounds. Twenty-four young birds were known to have been hatched by the middle of July, and the local thrushes were constantly seen feeding them on the lawns.

After this the adult American Robins, with the exception of two or three pairs, were released from the aviary. Some of them paired and soon commenced nest-building. Two of the nests were built in cedars, and others were found in the wild garden by the River Wey, and in a copse in the park. They were composed chiefly of dry grass from a meadow just beyond the terrace. The cock birds were heard to sing finely.

These facts were published anonymously in a local newspaper by "A Bird-lover" in July, 1909. Since that date I have heard nothing of them, and it would be of great interest to learn whether any of the birds remained either in the neighbourhood where they were introduced (or further afield) or whether they followed their migratory instinct and disappeared. Perhaps some reader can give information on the subject.'

Comment Known introductees/escapees. Not acceptable.

0). 1910 Cumbria St Bees, Cumberland, pair, bred, April to July.

(J. R. Harding, Field 4th Jun., 1921: 710).

[J. R. Harding, Field 4th Jun., 1921: 710].

History J. Rudge Harding of Elms Park Gardens, London (1921) in The Field of 4th June, Vol. CXXXVII. p. 710, says: '...Subsequently Lord Northcliffe, as already stated, made an attempt on a large scale to acclimatise the American Robin at Sutton Place, near Guildford; but none of the birds returned. When, however, Mr. P. A. Bradley informed the Editor of this magazine [Country Side] of the arrival in April of a pair of American Robins at St Bees, in Cumberland, it occurred to him that these were probably two which had lived the previous summer in Surrey. Whether this was so or not, he subsequently heard from Mr. Bradley that they successfully brought up a brood. On July 28 Mr. Bradley wrote: "I saw one of the old birds two days ago, but I fear it is too tame for its own safety". I was also struck by the remarkable tameness of the bird I saw so often in Richmond Park in 1912.'

0). 1910 Cumbria Kendal, Westmoreland, seen, October.

(H. W. Robinson, Field 4th Jun., 1921: 710).

[H. W. Robinson, Field 4th Jun., 1921: 710].

History H. W. Robinson (1921) in The Field of 4th June, Vol. CXXXVII. p. 710, says: 'A bird reported at Kendal, Westmoreland, last October was probably, from the description, of this species. After perusal of bird books by the observers, they came to the conclusion that it was a Rock Thrush, but as their first description did not tally at all with this species I could not accept it, not knowing then of the liberation of Red-breasted Thrushes in Surrey.'

Comment I have presumed Robinson was talking retrospectively and that this record referring to October was the year following the 1909 release. Not acceptable.

0). 1912 Greater London/Surrey Richmond Park, seen, May.

(J. R. Harding, Field 4th Jun., 1921: 710; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 10).

[W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 10; Not in Hollom, 1960; BOU, 1971].

History J. Rudge Harding Of Elms Park Gardens, London (1921) in The Field of 4th June, Vol. CXXXVII. p. 710, says: 'Mr. Harting will no doubt be interested to know that about the middle of May, 1912, an American Robin appeared in Richmond Park, close to the Robin Hood Gate, where I saw it almost daily till the beginning of June, 1912. It collected mud for a nest high up in a lime tree in an adjacent garden. It was probably a hen bird, for I never heard it sing. It disappeared towards the end of June....In the Country Side of Jan. 16, 1909, Mr. A. B. Garland reported that an American Robin, which had visited his garden in the previous January, had returned to it on Christmas day 1908....I was also struck by the remarkable tameness of the bird I saw so often in Richmond Park in 1912.'

W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 10, say: 'Lord Northcliffe introduced some of this species near Guildford, Surrey, about 1910, and was presumably responsible for this bird which appeared in Richmond Park in May 1912 and began to build a nest.'

Comment The other report lacks adequate details (location). Not acceptable.

0). 1912 Warwickshire Near Stratford-on-Avon, pair, nested, spring/summer.

(W. E. Teschemaker, Field 28th May 1921: 685).

[W. E. Teschemaker, Field 28th May 1921: 685].

History W. E. Teschemaker of Teignmouth (1921) in The Field of 28th May, Vol. CXXXVII. p. 685, says: 'In reply to the Editor's query (p. 599), I saw a statement in the "Daily Mail" that several of these birds had been seen in the Eastern counties not long after the attempt to acclimatise them in Surrey; and, in 1912, a correspondent sent me from Stratford-on-Avon some very interesting particulars of the nesting of the species in that district. He forwarded a full account of the occurrence, published in a local paper, and he had himself caught one of the young birds. Speaking from recollection, there were two nests, but I cannot put my hand on my note on the subject at the moment.'

[Should our correspondent succeed in finding the report referred to we should be very glad if he would favour us with a sight of it. - Ed.]

Comment Known introductees/escapees. Not acceptable.

0). 1913 Staffordshire Engleton, pair, nested, May.

("E.H.C.L.D." Field 4th Jun., 1921: 710).

["E.H.C.L.D." Field 4th Jun., 1921: 710].

History "E.H.C.L.D." (1921) in The Field of 4th June, Vol. CXXXVII. p. 710, says: 'To the statistics already published may be added the fact that a nest of this bird containing four eggs was found at Engleton, Staffordshire, in May, 1913.'

Comment Known introductees/escapees. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1921 Worcestershire Severn Stoke, Worcester, seen, undated.

(J. R. Harding, Field 16th Jul., 1921: 100).

[J. R. Harding, Field 16th Jul., 1921: 100].

History J. Rudge Harding (1921) in The Field of 16th July, Vol. CXXXVIII. p. 100, says: 'I have received a letter from the Rector of Severn Stoke, Worcester, from which the following is an extract: "The keeper tells me he has seen a bird that puzzles him. He describes it as a redbreast about the size of a large thrush". The keeper is, no doubt, one employed by Lord Coventry, who owns the property there.'

[Gradually we seem to be acquiring information about the scattered birds that were reared at Sutton Place, Surrey. - Ed.]

Comment Probably a known escape. Not acceptable.

0). 1927 Shropshire Shrewsbury, 15th September.

(Anon., Caradoc and Severn Valley Field Club 1927: 12; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 10; Smith et al., 2019).

[Not in Hollom, 1960; BOU, 1971; BOURC (1980), Ibis 122: 565].

History Anon. (1928) in the Caradoc and Severn Valley Field Club, p. 12, says: 'T. migratorius (American Robin). Mrs. Geo. Thompson. Sept. 15, one in my garden, Belle Vue, Shrewsbury. Doubtless an escape.'

W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 10, state that the Shrewsbury bird appeared only two days before a Nighthawk in the Scillies.

Not admitted nationally (BOU 1971).

0). 1937 Greater London/Kent Sevenoaks Vine, 21st December.

(W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 10).

[Not in Hollom, 1960; BOU, 1971; BOURC (1980), Ibis 122: 565].

History W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 10, list one from Sevenoaks Vine, Kent, on 21st December 1937.

Not admitted nationally (BOU 1971).

0). 1955 Cumbria Brampton, near Carlisle, 2nd to 6th March.

(E. Blezard, Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society 9: 10; Hutcheson, 1986).

BOU, 1971; D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers, British Birds 99: 463].

History E. Blezard (1958) in the Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society, Vol. IX. p. 10, says: 'From 2 to 6 March 1955 an American Robin stayed about the garden to a house at Brampton, Cumberland, where it was constantly under close observation by Miss C. L. Murray and Miss K. S. Hodgson.'

Hutcheson (1986) says: 'Not submitted to British Birds.'

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.

0). 1955 Devon Braunton Burrows, 29th October to 7th November.

(M. Brooks-King, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1955: 45; Moore, 1969).

[BOU, 1971; D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers, British Birds 99: 463].

History M. Brooks-King (1955) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXVIII. p. 45, says: 'Braunton Burrows, Oct. 29, one feeding avidly on ripe blackberries, slightly larger than a Song Thrush on the same bush, its upper breast and throat was brick-colour, leading to a lighter colour chin; the head was darker than the wings which were similar in colour to those of a Blackbird; the bill was light brown and around the eyes were some lighter markings; the back was lighter than the wings which were carried in a drooping position as though the bird was distressed; it was feeding greedily and was being 'chivied' by the Song Thrush; the bird was gone the next morning (A.S.C.). This is the third American Robin to be recorded in Britain; its time of arrival and appearance corresponds very closely with the one which visited Lundy in October and November 1952.'

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.