Barred Warbler (1/2)

Sylviidae

May 23

Curruca nisoria (Bechstein, 1792) (171, 157)

STATUS

Western and Central Palearctic. Polytypic.

OVERVIEW

Arrival of this regular annual migrant begins early August to October, with some in November, chiefly in the northern isles, down the east and south coasts. Almost all are immatures. Wintering has occurred outwith this period.

RECORDS

1). 1884 Highland Near Broadford, Skye, Skye & Lochalsh, shot, 16th August.

(H. A. Macpherson, Field 18th Oct., 1884: 530; G.S. D. Lees, Field 1st Nov., 1884: 597; H. E. Dresser, Ibis 1885: 453-454; G. D. Lees, Field 27th Jun., 1885: 843; W. E. Beckwith, Field 4th Jul., 1885: 33; H. E. Dresser, Ibis 1885: 453; H. Seebohm, Ibis 1891: 585; Saunders, 1899; Harvie-Brown & Macpherson, 1904; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History H. A. Macpherson of Carlisle (1884) in The Field of 18th Oct., Vol. LXIV. p. 530, says: 'I must join with Lord Clifton in asking the owner of the warbler in question to favour your readers with further particulars. The island of Skye is not without its share of small summer visitors, including the Common Whitethroat, Willow Wren, Spotted Flycatcher (much on the increase), and the Sedge Warbler; but, even granting that the Broadford bird has been correctly identified (and I submit that it should be compared with skins before its record can be considered fully made out), it would still be interesting to learn whether the bird had been bred in the island, and on what date and with what winds it was obtained.'

George S. Dunville Lees of Woodhill, Oswestry (1884) in The Field of 1st Nov., Vol. LXIV. p. 597, replies: 'I have been from home, or I should have answered Mr. Macpherson's letter before this. The Orpheus Warbler was shot by me on Aug. 16. We were out after rabbits, when I saw a bird quite unknown to me; it was flying from small bush up a gully. I shot it, and made the best skin of it I could, and sent it to Shaw, of Shrewsbury; he was not at home at the time, but his grandson wrote saying he had received a Wheatear from me; and it was not for months that Shaw himself wrote to me saying what he considered the bird to be. I then went again to the place, but nearly all migratory birds had left. The bird is a young one of this year. I do not wish to send the bird to strangers, but if anyone really wishes to ascertain for himself, he can do so by going to Shrewsbury.'

H. E. Dresser (1885) in The Ibis, Vol. XXVII. pp. 453-454, says: 'On the 4th November last the Rev. H. H. Slater exhibited at the Zoological Society's Meeting a specimen of the Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria), shot by himself on the Yorkshire coast on the 28th August, 1884, and at the same time I exhibited one shot by Mr. Power at Blakeney, in Norfolk, on the 4th September, these being the second and third recorded occurrences of this Warbler in Great Britain.

When exhibiting the above bird, I mentioned that Mr. Shaw, of Shrewsbury, had written to me to say that a young Orphean Warbler shot at Broadford, Skye, had been sent to him for preservation, and on my asking him to send it to me for examination, as I thought it might possibly be a Barred Warbler, had replied that he was unable to do so; but that he felt sure it was really an Orphean Warbler.

Subsequently I met Mr. Shaw in London, and from his description of the bird I felt more and more convinced that he way wrong in his identification, and he kindly urged the owner of the bird, Mr. George Dunville Lees, of Woodhill, Oswestry, to let me examine it. Mr. Lees brought the bird to me, and I am now able to state positively that it is an immature Barred Warbler, closely resembling the bird exhibited by the Rev. H. H. Slater. Mr. Lees writes to me as follows: - "On the 16th August, 1884, I was out rabbit shooting near Broadford, in the Isle of Skye, when I saw a bird unknown to me flying up a ravine, and I followed it up and shot it. This is the bird you pronounced to be Sylvia nisoria. A friend of mine had previously drawn my attention (close to where I shot the young one) to the note of a bird which I did not know". From this it would appear that there was in all probability an adult Barred Warbler at Broadford, besides the young bird which Mr. Lees obtained. Thus it seems not improbable that this species may have nested in the Isle of Skye in 1884, and that all the above-named three specimens may have belonged to the same brood.'

George Dunville Lees (1885) in The Field of 27th June, Vol. LXV. p. 843, says: 'If you remember, in last September I wrote a letter from the Isle of Skye, saying I had shot the young of the Orpheus Warbler. The bird was identified by Shaw, of Shrewsbury, and Mr. Beckwith. I have now brought the specimen up with me to town, and taken it to Mr. Dresser, of 110, Cannon Street, who tells me it is not the Orpheus, but the Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria).'

William E. Beckwith of Eaton Constantine, Iron Bridge (1885) in The Field of 4th July, Vol. LXVI. p. 33, says: 'I am glad to see from Mr. G. D. Lees' letter that the bird he shot last September in the Isle of Skye proves to be a Barred Warbler. Mr. Lees, is however, hardly correct in stating that I identified it as an Orphean Warbler. I had very great doubts about its being that species, and wrote and asked him to forward it to Mr. Harting for examination.'

Saunders (1899: 51, 2nd ed.) says: 'In Scotland, one was shot at Broadford, Isle of Skye, on August 16th, 1884.'

Accepted locally (Harvie-Brown & Macpherson 1904: 62-63).

Comment See also under Orphean Warbler.

2). 1884 Yorkshire Spurn, first-year female, shot, 28th August.

(Anon., Proceedings of the Zoological Society 1884: 477; H. H. Slater, Zoologist 1884: 489; Eds., Zoologist 1884: 493; J. A. Harvie Brown, J. Cordeaux & W. E. Clarke, Migration Report 6: 45; Naturalist 10: 91; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History Anon. (1884) in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society, p. 477, at a meeting held on 4th November 1884, says: 'The Rev. H. H. Slater, F.Z.S., exhibited a specimen of the Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria) obtained on the Yorkshire coast by himself on the 28th August, 1884. The specimen was a female bird in immature plumage. It was found in an elder-hedge by a potato-garden on the sand-hills, and was very shy and difficult to see. The first British-killed specimen of this species was exhibited at a meeting of this Society on March 4th, 1879 (see P. Z. S. 1879, p. 219).'

H. H. Slater of Irchester Vicarage, Wellingborough (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. p. 489, says: 'An immature example of the Barred Warbler, Sylvia nisoria, was obtained by me on the Yorkshire coast on the 28th August last, and was exhibited at the evening meeting of the Zoological Society on November 4th. The bird is a female of the year; the wings and tail are much like those of the adult in markings, but a shade duller in tints; the rump is barred with white, and the faintest traces of dark bars appear on the flanks, back, and rest of under-parts unbarred: irides brownish yellow; feet and legs horn colour. It is much like an example shot in Sweden about the same time of year, and now in the British Museum. This makes the second occurrence of Sylvia nisoria in the British Islands. For the first record, near Cambridge, see Proc. Zool. Soc., 1879, p. 219.'

In an Editorial (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. p. 493, reporting on the Proceedings of the Zoological Society, of 4th November, 1884, it says: 'The Rev. H. H. Slater exhibited a specimen of the Barred Warbler, Sylvia nisoria, obtained on the Yorkshire coast.'

J. A. Harvie Brown, J. Cordeaux & W. E. Clarke (1885) in the Report on the Migration of Birds in the Spring and Autumn of 1884, 6th report, p. 45, say: 'Spurn, Aug. 28th, one, a female of the year, obtained by Mr. Slater (See Zoologist, 1884. p. 489).'

3). 1884 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, first-year female, shot, 4th September.

(Anon., Proceedings of the Zoological Society 1884: 477; Eds., Zoologist 1884: 493; J. A. Harvie Brown, J. Cordeaux & W. E. Clarke, Migration Report 6: 45; Gurney, 1884; Southwell, 1890; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1897: 126; J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 6: 507; Riviere, 1930).

History Anon. (1884) in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society, p. 477, at a meeting held on 4th November 1884, says: 'Mr. H. E. Dresser exhibited specimens of Sylvia nisoria and Hypolais icterina killed in Norfolk, and made the following remarks: - The Rev. H. H. Slater has just exhibited an immature specimen (the second on record as having been killed in England) of Sylvia nisoria, and I am glad to be able to place before you a third example of this Warbler, shot by Mr. F. D. Power, of Cold Harbour Lane, Brixton, on the 4th of September last, in some scrub at the base of Blakeney sandhills, Norfolk. This gentleman informs me that he saw no other bird at all resembling it on that day, though Garden Warblers were very numerous.

This specimen is a female in immature plumage, and closely resembles the bird exhibited by Mr. Slater. The first recorded occurrence was of a fully adult bird, which was also exhibited at a meeting of this Society by Professor Newton.'

In an Editorial (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. p. 493, reporting on the Proceedings of the Zoological Society, of 4th November, 1884, it says: 'Mr. H. E. Dresser exhibited specimens of the Barred Warred, Sylvia nisoria, and of the Icterine Warbler, Hypolais icterina, killed in Norfolk.'

Gurney (1884: 5) under 'Additions and Corrections' says: 'This interesting addition to the avifauna of Norfolk was shot by Mr. F. D. Power at Blakeney, September 4, 1884.'

J. A. Harvie Brown, J. Cordeaux & W. E. Clarke (1885) in the Report on the Migration of Birds in the Spring and Autumn of 1884, 6th report, p. 45, say: 'Cley, Norfolk, Sept. 4th, N.E., one, which was also an immature female, shot by Mr. F. D. Power.'

Southwell, Editor (1890 (3): 378) in Stevenson's Birds of Norfolk, says: 'On the 4th September, 1884, a female of this species, a bird of the year, was killed by Mr. F. D. Power, at Blakeney, during the visit which produced the Icterine Warbler, and will be found recorded in the paper referred to above.'

J. H. Gurney, jun. (1897) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. I. p. 126, says: 'The dates of the four Norfolk Barred Warblers, Sept. 4th, Sept. 10th, Sept. 10th, and Aug. 31st.'

4). 1888 Norfolk Blakeney, first-year male, obtained, 10th September.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1889: 135; Southwell, 1890; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1897: 126; J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 6: 507; Riviere, 1930).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1889) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIII. p. 135, says: 'In September the prevailing wind was E. on the 10th Mr. George Power, who was so fortunate as to obtain a Barred Warbler, Sylvia nisoria, on September 4th, 1886 (cf. Norwich Nat. Tr., iv. 37), shot another within half a mile of the same spot. Both of them were resting in thick bushes of the shrubby saltwort (Chenopodium fruticosum), which is such a characteristic plant at Cley and Blakeney, and in each case the bird when shot clung parrot-like to the branches; indeed for a Warbler its feet are thick and powerful.

This second example proved to be a male by dissection, and apparently a young bird; its dimensions were - length, 7.2 in.; expanse of wing, 10.3 in.; wing from carpus, 3.4 in. The colour of the beak was brown; base of the lower mandible and mouth flesh-colour; legs light blue. The contents of the stomach, microscopically examined by Mr. T. Southwell and Mr. J. Edwards, were considered to consist almost entirely of the remains of earwigs; also a small carabideous beetle, Acocephalus nervosus, one Philaenus spumarius, and one small shell of Littorina rudis.'

Accepted locally by Southwell, Editor (1890 (3): 378) in Stevenson's Birds of Norfolk

J. H. Gurney, jun. (1897) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. I. p. 126, says: 'The dates of the four Norfolk Barred Warblers, Sept. 4th, Sept. 10th, Sept. 10th, and Aug. 31st.'

5). 1892 Yorkshire Easington, first-year, shot, 19th October, now at National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.

(R. Bowdler Sharpe, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 1: 11; J. Cordeaux, Zoologist 1892: 424; Naturalist 19: 14; Mather, 1986).

History R. Bowdler Sharpe, Editor (1892) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. I. p. 11, at the 2nd Meeting of the Club held on 16th November 1892 at the Mona Hotel, Covent Garden, says: 'Mr. Seebohm likewise made some remarks on the occurrence of the Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria) in the British Islands, an example of the species having been obtained in Yorkshire about a fortnight ago. He gave details of all the authentic British captures of this Warbler, the chief interest being in the fact that four specimens had been captured in Great Britain within a few weeks of each other - one being taken in Ireland, one in Scotland, and two in England, only one previous occurrence in this country having been known.'

John Cordeaux of Eaton Hall, Retford (1892) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XVI. p. 424, says: 'Mr. Phillip Loten, of Easington, sends a skin of the Barred Warbler, Sylvia nisoria, a bird of the year, shot on October 19th, at Easington, by Mr. Jalland, of Hull. This is the second recorded for that locality.

The specimen was exhibited by Prof. Newton, at the meeting of the Zoological Society in London, on Nov. 1st, and has been purchased by Mr. W. Eagle Clarke for the Museum of Science and Art, Edinburgh.'

6). 1893 Yorkshire Kilnsea, first-year male, shot, 13th November.

(J. Cordeaux, Naturalist 1894: 15; J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1894: 58-59; J. Cordeaux, Zoologist 1895: 57; Mather, 1986).

History J. Cordeaux of Great Cotes (1894) in The Naturalist, Vol. XX. p. 15, dated 5th December 1893, says: 'On November 13th, Mr. Philip Loten, of Easington, received a young male of this species (Sylvia nisoria Bechstein) shot on that day by Mr. G. E. Clubley, at Kilnsea. This is the third occurrence of this straggler to England in that neighbourhood - the first obtained by the Rev H. H. Slater, at the Spurn, on August 28th, 1894; a second, October 19th, 1892, and this.'

J. E. Harting (1894) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XVIII. pp. 58-59, says: 'An example of the Barred Warbler, Sylvia nisoria, was shot at Kilnsea, in Holderness, By Mr. G. E. Clubley, on the 13th November last, making the third reported occurrence of this species in that district. The first was obtained at Spurn by the Rev. H. H. Slater on the 28th Aug. 1884 (Zool.,1884, p. 489), and the second at the same place on the 19th Oct. 1892 (Zool., 1892, p. 424). It was first added to the list of British birds by Prof. Newton on the acquisition of a specimen near Cambridge (Proc. Zool. Soc., 1879, p. 219), and it has also been met with twice in Norfolk (Zool., 1884, p. 493; 1889, p. 135), in Lincolnshire (Zool., 1892, p. 424), and in Co. Mayo (Zool., 1890, p. 310). Its occurrence, therefore, as a straggler from Europe to the British Islands seems to be fairly well established.'

J. Cordeaux (1895) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIX. p. 57, says: 'A third, an immature male, was shot at Kilnsea by Mr. G. E. Clubley, on Nov. 13th, 1893, and is now in Mr. J. H. Gurney's collection (Nat. 1894, p.15).'

7). 1894 Yorkshire Skirlaugh, first-year female, shot, 3rd September.

(F. Boyes, Field 29th Dec., 1894: 992; J. Cordeaux, Zoologist 1895: 57; Naturalist 21: 196; Naturalist 23: 201; Mather, 1986).

History F. Boyes of Beverley (1894) in The Field of 29th Dec., Vol. LXXXIV. p. 992, says: 'I have to record the capture of an immature female specimen of the Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria) on East Yorkshire. It was shot by Mr. Darley, the bird stuffer in Hull, near to the village of Skirlaugh on Sept. 3 last.'

J. Cordeaux (1895) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIX. p. 57, says: 'And in the same season [Autumn, 1894] Mr. F. Boyes, of Beverley, wrote, in The Field of Dec. 29th, that an immature Barred Warbler was shot near Skirlaugh by Mr. Darley, a birdstuffer in Hull, on Sept. 3rd. This makes five examples seen and four obtained in Holderness in ten years.'

8). 1894 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, first-year female, shot, 10th September.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1895: 99; J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 6: 507; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1897: 126).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1895) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIX. p. 99, says: 'September 10th. An immature female Barred Warbler, Sylvia nisoria, was shot at Cley by Mr. W. H. Connop. It had the under tail coverts a good deal barred, and the wing coverts edged a little with white. Six years ago one of these birds was shot, on the same date, at the same place; and on this occasion one had been shot only seven days before in Yorkshire.'

J. H. Gurney, jun. (1897) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. I. p. 126, says: 'The dates of the four Norfolk Barred Warblers, Sept. 4th, Sept. 10th, Sept. 10th, and Aug. 31st.'

9). 1896 Norfolk No locality, obtained, 31st August.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1897: 126; J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 6: 507).

History J. H. Gurney, jun. (1897) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. I. p. 126, says: 'The dates of the four Norfolk Barred Warblers, Sept. 4th, Sept. 10th, Sept. 10th, and Aug. 31st.'

10). 1896 Argyll Dubh Artach Light, first-year, killed, 8th September.

(J. A. Harvie-Brown & W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1897: 42; Saunders, 1899; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; ap Rheinallt et al., 2007).

History J. A. Harvie-Brown & W. E. Clarke (1897) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. VI. p. 42, say: 'Mr. William Davidson, principal keeper of the lighthouse on Dhu Heartach [sic] Rock (off the Argyllshire coast, 15½ miles S.W. of Iona), kindly forwarded to us the remains of an immature specimen of the Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria). This rare visitor was found dead at the foot of the lantern on the morning of the 9th of September last, and had been killed either early that morning or during the previous night. The Barred Warbler has only once before been recorded for Scotland, namely at Broadford, on Skye, on the 16th of August 1884.'

Saunders (1899: 51-52, 2nd ed.) says: 'In Scotland...and another was taken at Dhuheartach [sic] light, Argyll, on September 8th, 1896.'

11). 1897 Norfolk No locality, adult female, obtained, 27th August.

(H. H. Slater, Knowledge 20: 240; Eds., Knowledge 20: 257; R. Bowdler Sharpe, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 7: 8; J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 6: 507; Saunders, 1899; Riviere, 1930).

History Henry H. Slater (1897) in Knowledge, Vol. XX. p. 240, says: 'Finding myself now at an inconvenient distance from my old haunt on the Yorkshire coast, I have been trying a Norfolk hunting-ground between August 23rd and September 3rd of this year....Of migrant strangers I saw but few, though these were interesting. This scarcity was no doubt due to the persistent south-west winds, which I have never found to be very fruitful in Continental migrants.

On May 27th I had the pleasure of picking up the sixth British example of the Barred Warbler, which dodged out of a small bush in a high wind, and gave me a snap shot over a sandhill. Till I picked it up I believed it to be a Garden Warbler, as I did the one I obtained in almost exactly similar circumstances in Yorkshire on August 28th, 1884. This year's one is an adult female.'

In an Editorial (1897) in Knowledge, Vol. XX. p. 257, with a Correction, he says: 'In the Rev. Henry H. Slater's note of the occurrence of this bird in Norfolk this year, reported in the last number of Knowledge (page 240), the wrong date was unfortunately inserted. The date should have been "August 27th", not "May 27th".'

R. Bowdler Sharpe, Editor (1897) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. VII. p. 8, at the 46th Meeting of the Club held on 20th October 1897 at the Restaurant Frascati, London, says: 'The Rev. H. H. Slater exhibited and made remarks upon a sixth British example of the Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria), which he had obtained on the Norfolk coast on the 27th of August last. It was an adult female, which had evidently bred during the last season, as was shown by the condition of the ovary and oviduct. He thought that by careful search the Barred Warbler might be found to be a breeding species in the Eastern Counties.'

Saunders (1899: 755, 2nd ed.) under 'Appendix' says: 'One, in Norfolk, Rev. H. H. Slater, August 27th 1897.'

12). 1897 Lincolnshire Near North Cotes, first-year female, shot, 5th September.

(G. H. Caton Haigh, Knowledge 21: 277; R. Bowdler Sharpe, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 8: 6; Saunders, 1899).

History G. H. Caton Haigh (1898) in Knowledge, Vol. XXI. p. 277, says: 'On September 5th I shot an immature female of the Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria), at North Cotes. The bird was feeding on a bunch of brambles in a ditch not far from the coast. It was very wild, flying a considerable distance when flushed. The wind was east, very light, with fine hot weather. The only other migrants seen were a Willow-Wren and a young Spotted Flycatcher.'

[The Barred Warbler is an inhabitant of Central Europe. This is but the thirteenth example recorded in the British Islands, and all have been taken in autumn, from August to November.— H.F.W.]

R. Bowdler Sharpe, Editor (1898) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. VIII. p. 6, at the 55th Meeting of the Club held on 19th October 1898 at the Restaurant Frascati, London, says: 'Mr. Haigh also exhibited a specimen of a young female of the Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria), which he had shot near North Cotes on the 5th of September last. This was the thirteenth example obtained in the British Islands.'

Saunders (1899: 755, 2nd ed.) under 'Appendix' says: 'One near North Cotes, Lincolnshire, Mr. G. H. Caton Haigh, September 5th, 1897.'

13). 1898 Lancashire & North Merseyside Near Fleetwood, adult male, shot, 20th August.

(W. R. Butterfield, Naturalist 1899: 75; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 56; Oakes, 1953; White, McCarthy & Jones (2008).

History W. R. Butterfield of St. Leonards-on-Sea (1899) in The Naturalist, Vol. XXV. p. 75, dated 8th February 1899, says: 'I am permitted by my friend, Mr. Arthur P. Page, to place on record the occurrence of an example of the Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria Bechstein), near Fleetwood, on the 20th Aug. 1898. Mr. Page shot the bird with a "walking stick" gun in the presence of his sister, Mrs. E. Smythe, while walking along the edge of a small wood; and from a recent examination I believe it to be a male in adult plumage.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 56, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

Accepted locally (Oakes 1953; White, McCarthy & Jones 2008).

Comment Up to Oakes' book (1953) it was the only Lancashire record, however, W. R. Butterfield recorded a lot of species that have since proved to be involved in the 'Hastings rarities' fraud. It was recorded nearly six months later, possibly while Butterfield was on a visit, or supplying the said specimen. With under 20 adults recorded by 2000 they are extremely rare in Britain.

14). 1898 Oxfordshire Bloxham, first-winter male, obtained, 28th November.

(O. V. Aplin, Ibis 1899: 160-161; Saunders, 1899; O. V. Aplin, Zoologist 1900: 26; Radford, 1966).

History Oliver V. Aplin (1899) in The Ibis, Vol. XLI. pp. 160-161, dated 30th November, 1898, says: 'On the 28th November I obtained a specimen of the Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria) at Bloxham.

The weather had for some days been very inclement, with strong winds from S.E., and five inches of snow on the ground on the 23rd. The bird looked very miserable and dejected, and would not, I think, have survived a spell of severe frost. When I first saw it, it was feeding on the watery berries of the asparagus, which are almost, if not entirely, untouched by our native birds. After flying into a shrubbery, it returned to the asparagus.

The bird-stuffer who preserved the bird sent me the contents of its stomach, which consisted of merely the seeds and the remains of a few of these berries. Its weight was barely one ounce. It proved to be a male (bird-stuffer's report), and is in immature plumage; the under parts are of a plain greyish tint, suffused on the breast and lower belly with buff, and the characteristic crescent markings of the adult are wanting. The bright edges of the wing-coverts are, however, conspicuous; the flanks are obscurely barred; the under tail-coverts have dark centres; the rump is slightly barred, and the sides of the neck obscurely so. The general colour of the upper parts is ash-grey.

It may be worth while stating that, when seen at a little distance in life, the Barred Warbler looks like a plain grey-coloured bird. Its flight is heavy, and the wings in flight are somewhat depressed. This specimen measured 6.7 inches in total length; wing 3.4 inches. Pupil large; iris rather narrow, of a pale clay-brown; bill pale horn-colour, darker and browner at the tip and along the culmen; tarsi and toes strong, of a light lead-grey colour. This specimen (the sixteenth procured in these islands) has some claim to especial interest.

The original British-killed example, procured at Cambridge many years ago, and the bird now recorded, are the only specimens which have been obtained in one of our inland counties, and the present bird had wandered further inland than any of the other Barred Warblers which have straggled to our shores. Of the sixteen recorded British examples, five have been procured in East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, five in Norfolk, two in Scotland, two in Ireland, one in Cambridgeshire, and one in Oxon.

The last mentioned also occurred fifteen days later in the autumn than any of the others. Of the fifteen (i.e. leaving out the Cambridgeshire bird), the exact date of the capture of which is known, four have occurred in August, eight in September, one in October, and two in November.'

Saunders (1899: 755, 2nd ed.) under 'Appendix' says: 'One, Mr. O. V. Aplin, Bloxham, Oxon, November 28th, 1898.'

O. V. Aplin of Bloxham (1900) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IV. p. 26, says: 'Barred Warbler. Nov. 28th. Cold winds lately. Obtained an immature Barred Warbler, Sylvia nisoria, here [parish of Bloxham] (vide Ibis, 1899, p. 160).'

15). 1899 Lincolnshire Marshchapel, first-year female, shot, 17th October.

(G. H. Caton Haigh, Knowledge 1899: 278; G. H. Caton Haigh, Zoologist 1900: 202, 204; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 56).

History G. H. Caton Haigh (1899) in Knowledge, Vol. XXII. p. 278, says: 'I was fortunate enough to shoot, on October 17th last, an immature female of this species. It was on a nearly bare thorn bush, not far from the coast, at Marshchapel, and was not at all shy. A strong migration was in progress, grey crows, Rooks, larks, and Starlings, passing over to north-west all day, and the hedges and other cover along the coast were full of Robins, Goldcrests, Redwings, Great and Blue Tits, and other migrants. The weather had been fine, and the wind from the east since the 15th of October.'

G. H. Caton-Haigh (1900) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IV. p. 202, says: 'Among the rarer visitors may be numbered the second Lincolnshire example of the Barred Warbler.'

Further, p. 204, he adds: 'On Oct. 17th I shot a young female of this species. It was in a thorn-hedge not far from the coast at Marshchapel. The weather had been fair and bright since the 15th, with light east wind, and white frost at night.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 56, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

16). 1900 Outer Hebrides Eoligarry, Barra, first-year, obtained, 29th October, now at National Museums of Scotland.

(T. G. Laidlaw, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1901: 75; W. L. MacGillivray, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1901: 114; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 56; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History T. G. Laidlaw (1901) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. X. p. 75, in the annual report for 1900, says: 'Barred Warbler. Outer Hebrides. Barra - Eoligary, Oct. 29, one obtained.'

W. L. MacGillivray (1901) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. X. p. 114, says: 'On the 29th of October last I shot a Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria) in my garden at Eoligary, and Mr. John Paterson and Mr. Wm. Eagle Clarke, who have examined the specimen, pronounce it to be a young example. Mr. Eagle Clarke tells me that it is the third known Scottish example, and that all of them, singular to say, have been obtained in the western isles. I have presented the specimen to the Edinburgh Museum, to be incorporated with the fine collection of Scottish birds in that national institution.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 56, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

17). 1902 Norfolk Blakeney Point, obtained, 13th September.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1903: 133; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 56; Stoddart & Joyner, 2005).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1903) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VII. p. 133, says: 'September 13th. N., strong. The wind changed to north yesterday, and became very boisterous in the evening, a fact which may account for the presence of several interesting birds at different points on the coast. The following, I learn from Mr. Pashley, were identified to his satisfaction: - One Barred Warbler.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 56, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

18). 1902 Lincolnshire North Cotes, first-year female, 20th September.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1903: 134; G. H. Caton Haigh, Zoologist 1903: 363; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 56).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1903) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VII. p. 134, says: 'September 20th. W.N.W., light. Barred Warbler in North Lincolnshire (Caton Haigh). This species is becoming an annual visitant to the east coast.'

G. H. Caton Haigh (1903) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VII. p. 363, says: 'On Sept. 20th I shot a young female of this warbler at North Cotes. A light easterly wind had been blowing for about twenty-four hours, with fine weather. This is the third Lincolnshire record.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 56, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

19). 1905 Lincolnshire North Cotes, first-year, obtained, 4th September.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1906: 133; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 56; G. H. Caton Haigh, British Birds 2: 232).

History J. H. Gurney, jun. (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 133, under 'Ornithological Report for Norfolk', says: 'September 4th. Barred Warbler in Lincolnshire (C. Haigh).'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 56, under the title 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who add: 'Twenty-four occurrences in the British Islands of this species have now been recorded.'

G. H. Caton-Haigh (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p.232, says: 'I find I have omitted to place on record the occurrence of the Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria) in Lincolnshire in 1905. On September 4th in that year I shot an immature specimen of this species in a hedge near the coast at North Cotes. It is a shy and wild bird, and takes wing more readily than any of the other warblers.' [This example is referred to in Vol. I. p. 56, of this Magazine, but as only the bare record was given by Mr. Gurney in The Zoologist, from which the occurrence was taken, we are very glad to publish the details above. - Eds.]

Comment The twenty-four records to 1907 includes 'Hastings Rarities'.

20). 1907 Isle of May No locality, female, seen, 24th to 25th September when obtained.

(L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1908: 15; Eds., British Birds 1: 295-296).

History L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1908) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVII. p. 15, say: 'We put a bird of this species out of a turnip-patch on the 24th September (W. wind, light). It took fairly long flights when disturbed, but always returned to the turnips, slipping into them so quickly and quietly from behind a wall or other shelter, that it was most difficult to locate, though not at all hard to flush. It was shot at twice, but in spite of this was found in exactly the same place next day and secured; it proved to be a female.'

In an Editorial (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. pp. 295-296, they say: 'Miss L. J. Rintoul and Miss E. V. Baxter, two very keen and competent ornithologists, following Mr. Eagle Clarke's example, have spent a month (September 9th - October 8th, 1907) in bird-watching on an island. The Isle of May was the chosen station, and the results were really remarkable, as the following records will show. Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria) - a female was obtained on September 25th.'

21). 1908 Fair Isle No locality, first-year, obtained, 5th September.

(W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1909: 73; Clarke, 1912).

History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1909) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVIII. p. 73, says: 'Several birds of this species occurred in the autumn, and were for the first time identified beyond a doubt. I had seen the species during a previous visit, and though pretty certain of the accuracy of the observation I refrained from placing it on record.'

Clarke (1912 (2): 80) under 'A Year at Fair Isle' in George Stout's diary of 1908, says: '1908. 5th September. Barred Warbler, in first plumage, and the first of the species obtained on Fair Isle.'

22). 1908 Fair Isle No locality, adult male, obtained, 7th September.

(W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1909: 73; Clarke, 1912).

Clarke (1912 (2): 80) under 'A Year at Fair Isle' in George Stout's diary of 1908, says: '1908. 7th September. Barred Warbler, an adult male on the face of the cliff: it was very wild.'

23). 1908 Fair Isle No locality, seen, 11th to 16th September.

(W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1909: 73; Clarke, 1912).

Clarke (1912 (2): 80) under 'A Year at Fair Isle' in George Stout's diary of 1908, says: '1908. 11th September....and a Barred Warbler seen; the last-named took refuge among oats.' Further, p. 126, he adds: 'The latest appearance is 16th September.'

Comment Both statements presumed to refer to this record as there were none in 1909-1910, though quite possibly two records as he states several.

24). 1908 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, first-year, obtained, 11th September.

(E. C. Arnold, Zoologist 1908: 393; E. C. Arnold, British Birds 2: 200; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1909: 130; Stoddart & Joyner, 2005).

History E. C. Arnold of Eastbourne College (1908) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XII. p. 393, says: 'On Sept. 11th, Mr. H. A. V. Maynard, who was shooting with me at Cley, in Norfolk, secured an immature Barred Warbler. It was the only bird in the bushes, where it appeared about twelve o'clock, after a wet morning with north-west wind. It was a very conspicuous bird owing to it size and light colour. It showed no inclination to skulk, and its flight was buoyant.'

E. C. Arnold (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 200, says: 'On September 11th, Mr. H. A. V. Maynard, shooting with me in the Cley bushes, secured an immature specimen of the Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria). Its appearance in the bushes was very light, and it showed no inclination to skulk. The wind was N.W., and it had been raining all the morning, the bird making its appearance just after the clearing shower.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1909) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XIII. p. 130, says: 'September 11th. N., 1. Mr. E. C. Arnold has made the clever accompanying drawing (Plate II) of an immature Barred Warbler, shot on the 11th by a friend of his among the salt-wort bushes on the shore.'

25). 1908 Norfolk Wells, first-year female, shot, 12th September.

(F. G. Penrose, British Birds 2: 200; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1909: 130).

History F. G. Penrose (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 200, says: 'On September 12th T. Cringle, one of Lord Leicester's keepers, shot a young female Barred Warbler on the Wells Marshes. Unfortunately it was very badly damaged by the shot. There were only a few birds in the bushes on that day, one Common Whitethroat being the only other warbler recognised, but there was a distinct increase of Meadow-Pipits on the marsh, and I think there were some Rock-Pipits also.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1909) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XIII. p. 130, says: 'September 11th. N., 1. The next day another occurred at Wells to Mr. F. G. Penrose (British Birds, p. 200); wind still N., 1. It is hardly likely that these two were the only ones.'

26). 1909 Fair Isle No locality, female, obtained, 26th August.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 134, 196; Clarke, 1912).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. p. 134, say: '...while a female is recorded from Fair Isle in autumn.' Further, p. 196, they add: '...it was procured.'

Clarke (1912 (2): 126) says: 'There are, however, only four known instance of its occurrence in August (26th).'

Comment The other three August records were in 1911, so making this record the 26th August.

27). 1909 Isle of May No locality, male, obtained, 13th September.

(L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Annals Scottish Natural History 1910: 4-5; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 134, 196; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 28: 213; Bolam 1912).

History L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1910) in the Annals Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. p. 4, say: 'This autumn (1909) we again returned to the Isle of May, spending six weeks there from 13th September to 28th October....We landed on the island about 2 p.m. on 13th September and at once set out to see what birds were present. We found few kinds, but among them was a Barred Warbler (S. nisoria) male.'

Admitted by E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. p. 136 and p. 196, under the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology, 1909'.

28). 1910 Outer Hebrides St Kilda, seen, 1st September.

(Clarke, 1912; Eds., British Birds 6: 152; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History Clarke (1912 (2): 213) under 'The Birds of St Kilda', says: 'This was the first bird of interest that came under notice in 1910. A few minutes after we had landed, one flew out of the Manse garden and alighted on the rocks close to the water's edge. Here it was bullied by a Rock Pipit, and compelled to beat a retreat, and in doing so it flew past us at close quarters. Unfortunately we did not see it again, as we were busily engaged superintending the landing of our stores, etc.'

In an Editorial (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 152, under 'Additional records for Fair Isle and St Kilda', they say: 'In his Studies in Bird-migration, Mr. Eagle Clarke gives a good deal of hitherto unpublished information about the rarities observed in Fair Isle and St. Kilda, and a few new facts about those in the Flannans and Sule Skerry. The most important additions thus made to the details given in our Hand-List of British Birds are as follows: - St. Kilda: One seen September 1st, 1910.'

29). 1910 Anglesey The Skerries, killed, 10th September.

(W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 30: 268; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 6: 323; Forrest, 1919; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).

History W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1912) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXX. p. 268, on the unexpected occurrences for 1910, says: 'One killed Skerries Lt. (Anglesey), September 10/11th.'

H. F. Witherby (1913) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 323, says: 'A Barred Warbler (Sylvia n. nisoria) was killed at the Skerries Lighthouse (Anglesey) on the night of September 10th, 1910. This is a new bird to Wales.'

Forrest (1919) says: 'The B.O.C. Migration Report, 1911, 268, records a Barred Warbler killed at the Skerries lighthouse on the night of 10th-11th September, 1910. I learn from Dr. N. F. Ticehurst that it was identified by the wing and leg which were sent to him. This is a first record for Wales.'

30). 1910 Norfolk Blakeney Point, seen, 20th September; presumed same, obtained, 27th September.

(W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 27: 16; E. C. Arnold, Zoologist 1910: 393-394; C. Borrer, British Birds 4: 209; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1911: 168; S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 9: 787; Stoddart & Joyner, 2005).

History W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1910) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXVII. p. 16, at the 161st Meeting of the Club held on 19th October 1910 at Pagani's Restaurant, London, says: 'Mr. Clifford Borrer, on behalf of Mr. F. I. Richards, exhibited two of our rarer British visitors which had been obtained last month in Norfolk: ...the second was an immature Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria) procured on the 27th of that month [September].'

E. C. Arnold of Eastbourne (1910) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XIV. pp. 393-394, says: 'On Sept. 20th I had two good views of a Barred Warbler, once as it flew past me, when it looked much like a large Spotted Flycatcher, and again while it was seated in a hedge. It then, as the sun was on it, appeared a very light bird.'

C. Borrer (1910) in British Birds, Vol. IV. p. 209, says: 'On September 27th, 1910, an immature Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria) was shot in east Norfolk. Mr. E. C. Arnold states (Zool., 1910, p. 393) that he noticed a Barred Warbler on September 20th at the identical spot. I have communicated with Mr. F. I. Richards, who considers it unlikely that this was the individual that he was fortunate enough subsequently to obtain. I exhibited the specimen on behalf of Mr. Richards at the October meeting of the British Ornithologists' Club (cf. Bull. B.O.C., XXVII. p. 16).'

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1911) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XV. p. 168, says: 'September 20th. N.E., 3 at Blakeney. N., 4 at Yarmouth. Mr. E. C. Arnold saw a Barred Warbler, perhaps the same which was shot on the 27th, and subsequently exhibited at the British Ornithologists' Club.'

Admitted by S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere (1914) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IX. p. 787, under 'Additions to Part XI (Sixth List) 1909-13'.

31). 1911 Fair Isle No locality, 3rd August.

(Clarke, 1912; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 32: 279).

History Clarke (1912 (2): 126) says: 'The earliest date for its appearance is 3rd August....There are, however, only four known instance of its occurrence in August (3rd).'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1913) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXII. p. 279, on the unexpected occurrences for 1911, says: 'Single birds, Fair Isle (Shetland), on the 3rd August.'

Comment The first for Fair Isle was 5th September 1908.

32). 1911 Fair Isle No locality, 8th August.

(Clarke, 1912; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 32: 279).

History Clarke (1912 (2): 126) says: 'There are, however, only four known instance of its occurrence in August (8th).'

33). 1911 Fair Isle No locality, 16th August.

(Clarke, 1912; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 32: 279).

History Clarke (1912 (2): 126) says: 'There are, however, only four known instance of its occurrence in August (16th).'

34). 1911 Lincolnshire Cleethorpes, first-year, caught alive, 2nd September.

(W. E. Suggitt, British Birds 5: 132; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 32: 279; W. E. Suggitt, Transactions of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union 1920: 127).

History W. E. Suggitt (1911) in British Birds, Vol. V. p. 132, says: 'On September 2nd, 1911, I caught an immature Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria) at Cleethorpes, in one of my trap-cages; there was a light east wind at the time. The bird is caged and still in my possession.'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1913) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXII. p. 279, on the unexpected occurrences for 1911, says: 'Cleethorpes (Lincoln), September 2nd.'

W. E. Suggitt (1920) in the Transactions of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union, 1920: 127, says: 'Sylvia nisoria (Barred Warbler). One in immature plumage was caught in a trap at my Aviary, Cleethorpes, 2nd September 1911.'

35). 1911 Isle of May No locality, seen, 10th September.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 1912: 53-58; Eds., British Birds 5: 318; Bolam 1912; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 32: 279).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1912) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXII. p. 56, say: 'A few birds arrived on the 10th [September] (S.S.E. light); chief among these were a Barred Warbler and a few Pied Flycatchers.'

In an Editorial (1912) in British Birds, Vol. V. p. 381, they say: 'Miss E. V. Baxter and Miss L. J. Rintoul, to whose good work we have frequently referred, paid two visits to the Isle of May in 1911, viz. from April 27th to May 29th, and from September 8th to about October 6th. From their published results (Scot. Nat., 1912, pp. 53-58) which are given in a most inconvenient narrative form, we extract the following interesting records: Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria). - One September 10th.'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1913) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXII. p. 279, on the unexpected occurrences for 1911, says: 'Isle of May (Fife), on the 10th September.'

36). 1911 Fair Isle No locality, 22nd September.

(W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 32: 279).

History W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1913) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXII. p. 279, on the unexpected occurrences for 1911, says: 'Single birds, Fair Isle (Shetland), on the 22nd of September.'

37). 1912 Orkney Auskerry, obtained, 15th August.

(Eds., British Birds 7: 211; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 34: 270; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History In an Editorial (1913) in British Birds, Vol. VII. p. 211, in a Review of 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1912 including Migration', they say: '...a good many interesting items are here published for the first time and to the most important of these we draw attention below. All the dates are in the year 1912. Barred Warbler (Sylvia n. nisoria). - In addition to all those already recorded for 1912, one was procured at Auskerry on August 15th.'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1914) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXIV. p. 270, on the unexpected occurrences for 1912, says: 'Single birds were seen or shot as follows: - Auskerry (Orkney), August 15th.'

38). 1912 Fair Isle No locality, six, seen, between 22nd August and 28th September.

(M. Bedford & W. E. Clarke, Scottish Naturalist 33: 5, 26, 29; Eds., British Birds 6: 351; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 34: 270; Bedford, 1937).

History Mary, Duchess of Bedford & Wm. Eagle Clarke (1913) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIII. pp. 5, 26, 29, say: 'The following notes are based upon the daily records of our bird-watcher, Mr. Wilson; on personal observations made during the latter half of September and in October; and on contributions by Mr. George Stout, who spent an autumn holiday on his native island....on the 22nd [August], a Barred Warbler....on the 20th [September], a Barred Warbler....on the 26th, a Barred Warbler....on the 28th, a Barred Warbler.' Further, p. 29, they add: 'six observed between 22nd August and 28th September.'

Mary, Duchess of Bedford (1937: 37) says: 'September 22nd, 1912. Arrived Fair Isle at noon. Being Sunday...Mr. Eagle Clarke, who had landed on Wednesday, had seen a Scarlet Grosbeak and a Barred Warbler....September 24th, 1912. I shot a Barred Warbler. September 26th, 1912. A Barred Warbler came and sat on my window sill [Ortolan Cottage] at 6.30 a.m. to wish me 'Many Happy Returns of the Day'....The Barred Warblers show very little barring. Traces of bars are seen only on the flanks and undertail coverts. The feet are very course and light in colour and the bird looks very grey in flight. September 28th, 1912. Wind south-east. A number of migrants in. We found another Barred Warbler.'

44). 1912 Suffolk North Parade, Lowestoft, seen, 28th August.

(C. B. Ticehurst, British Birds 6: 220; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1913: 176; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 34: 270; Ticehurst, 1932).

History C. B. Ticehurst (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 220, says: 'On August 28th, 1912, I had on several occasions a good view of a Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria) on the Lowestoft Denes, Suffolk. The bird was shy and on near approach invariably dived into the thick brambles. The woodcut in Saunders's Manual of the young bird shows a very typical position.

On the 27th there was a gentle north-east wind following the hurricane of the previous day. The morning of the 28th was calm. On the same morning there was a fairly large influx of Wrynecks, suggesting that these had perhaps come in from the north-east with the Barred Warbler, which species is found in south Sweden and is not uncommon in parts of Denmark.

This is the first recorded occurrence in Suffolk.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1913) in The Zoologist, 4th series Vol. XVII. p. 176, says: 'September 3rd. …another was identified at Lowestoft by Mr. C. B. Ticehurst a few days before.'

Ticehurst (1932: 135) adds: 'I saw this stranger in some bramble and elder bushes on the North Parade, Lowestoft.'

45). 1912 Norfolk Blakeney, four: two, shot, 3rd September, another two, shot a few days later.

(E. C. Arnold, British Birds 6: 220; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1913: 176; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 34: 270; S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 9: 787; Riviere, 1930).

History E. C. Arnold (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 220, says: 'On September 3rd, 1912, my brother, G. F. Arnold, shot an immature female Barred Warbler at Blakeney. The wind was blowing from the north-west at the time, and in my experience this is usually the direction of the wind when Barred Warblers appear. The bird in flight looks like a large Spotted Flycatcher.'

[I understand that three more Barred Warblers in similar plumage were taken in the same locality, and about the same time as the one referred to by Mr. Arnold. One was obtained on the same day, September 3rd, and the other two a few days afterwards. - H.F.W.]

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1913) in The Zoologist, 4th series Vol. XVII. p. 176, says: 'September 3rd. N.W. to S.W., rain. As stated in British Birds (p. 220), a Barred Warbler - a species of which The Zoologist gave a good figure in 1909, by Mr. Arnold (Plate II) - was shot at Cley, which, with the projecting promontory of Blakeney, now purchased by the National Trust, acts as a concentration area for many rare birds.

Three more were seen there, and another was identified at Lowestoft by Mr. C. B. Ticehurst a few days before. Two also occurred in Yorkshire (l.c. p. 217), besides three in Shetland and two in the Isle of May (Scottish Naturalist, 1913, pp. 51, 67), and one in Ireland; so the British Isles were extensively visited by Sylvia nisoria in 1912. Even allowing for the great increase in observers, this species must surely be admitted to be more common than formerly.'

Admitted by S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere (1914) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IX. p. 787, under 'Additions to Part XI (Sixth List) 1909-13'.

49). 1912 Shetland Near Lerwick, Mainland, first-year, 3rd September.

(T. Kay, Scottish Naturalist 33: 67; Eds., British Birds 6: 351; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 34: 270).

History Theo Kay of Lerwick (1913) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIII. p. 67, says: 'It may be of interest to place on record the occurrence of three examples of the Barred Warbler near Lerwick last autumn. They were all found among a few trees at Mountfield, a place on the west boundary of the town. They were very wild and exceedingly difficult to approach. The first, a bird of the year, appeared on the 3rd September; the second, an adult, on the 9th; and the third, another bird of the year, on the 16th.'

In an Editorial (1913) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 351, they say: 'In recent numbers of the Scottish Naturalist interesting articles have appeared on migrants observed in 1912 by The Duchess of Bedford and Mr. Eagle Clarke, in Fair Isle, and by the Misses Rintoul and Baxter in the Isle of May. The rarer occurrences recorded are mentioned below...Three are recorded (p. 67) from near Lerwick, Shetland, by Mr. T. Kay, one on September 3rd...This autumn was remarkable for the number of Barred Warblers - twelve being recorded as above for Scotland, one for Ireland and seven for England, or twenty in all, which is nearly half the total number of previous records.'

Comment Another for Auskerry was recorded later making 21.

50). 1912 Shetland Near Lerwick, Mainland, adult, 9th September.

(T. Kay, Scottish Naturalist 33: 67; Eds., British Birds 6: 351; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 34: 270).

51). 1912 Yorkshire Spurn, first-year male, shot, 10th September.

(J. K. Stanford, British Birds 6: 217;W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 34: 270; Chislett, 1952; Mather, 1986).

History J. K. Stanford (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 217, says: 'On September 10th, 1912, after a rush of Pied Flycatchers, Redstarts and Common and Lesser Whitethroats, I obtained an immature male Barred Warbler. A strong west wind was blowing at the time, with heavy squalls of rain....There are four previous records for Yorkshire.'

52). 1912 Isle of May No locality, two, seen, 12th September.

(L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 33: 51; Eds., British Birds 6: 351; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 34: 270; Rintoul & Baxter, 1935).

History L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1913) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIII. p. 51, say: '‘On 12th September two Barred Warblers had put in an appearance, as well as a few Wheatears, a Redbreast, and a Merlin.'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1914) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXIV. p. 270, on the unexpected occurrences for 1912, says: 'Two arrived Isle of May (Fife), September 12th.'

54). 1912 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, immature female, obtained, 12th September, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1924Z18.3390).

(Watson, 2010).

History 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 John Betteridge. The accessories in the case are from the spot where it was killed with the branch being the identical one from which the bird was shot. Presented to me by Betteridge.

55). 1912 Yorkshire Spurn, first-year female, 12th to 14th September when shot.

(J. K. Stanford, British Birds 6: 217; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 34: 270; Chislett, 1952; Mather, 1986).

History J. K. Stanford (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 217, says: '...On the 14th near the same place I shot an immature female, which I had observed about for several days....'

56). 1912 Isle of May No locality, 13th September.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Ibis 1918: 268).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1918) in The Ibis, Vol. LX. p. 268, under 'The Birds of the Isle of May', say: 'The records are: 24 September 1907, 13 September 1909, 10 September 1911, and 12, 13, & 28 September 1912 - all single birds except 12 September 1912, when two appeared.

The flight of this warbler is heavy; it is very lethargic and fond of covert; its habits are skulking, and it will return again and again to the spot whence it is first flushed. What strikes one principally is the large size of its feet, which look proportionately big when seen perching and even when flying. It must be understood that these, and the other notes on habits, refer only to birds on migration, and are our own personal observation.'

57). 1912 Shetland Near Lerwick, Mainland, first-year, 16th September.

(T. Kay, Scottish Naturalist 33: 67; Eds., British Birds 6: 351; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 34: 270).

58). 1912 Isle of May No locality, 28th to 30th September.

(L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 33: 52; Eds., British Birds 6: 351; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 34: 270).

History L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1913) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIII. p. 52, say: 'We again spent a month in spring and another in autumn on the Isle of May...on the 28th [September]...During this rush there were some rare visitors; these comprised a Barred Warbler.'

59). 1913 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, two, obtained, 2nd September, one now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1954Z1.989).

(E. C. Arnold, British Birds 7: 172; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1914: 176; Riviere, 1930; Watson, 2010).

History E. C. Arnold (1913) in British Birds, Vol. VII. p. 172, says: 'On September 2nd, 1913, at Cley I shot an immature Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria) which appeared much darker on the wing than any I have seen before. Its flight was very like that of a Red-backed Shrike. Wind north-east.'

[We believe that another Barred Warbler was obtained in the same locality in September. - Eds.]

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1914) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XVIII. pp. 176-177, says: 'September 2nd. At 4. a.m., and probably much earlier, migration was in full swing with a gentle wind from the north-east...several migrants were noted by different people. So were others by Mr. E. C. Arnold at Blakeney, where the wind was the same as at Yarmouth, viz., N.E., 2, and these included the rare Barred Warbler. Another Barred Warbler was identified by Mr. Richards on or near the shore.'

Watson (2010) in detailing the W. R. Lysaght collection in the Birmingham Museum lists a male specimen obtained at Cley, Norfolk, on 2nd September 1913, without further detail.

61). 1913 Northumberland Holy Island, nine: three 2nd September, four, 15th September, one, 19th September, one, 25th September.

(H. F. Witherby, British Birds 7: 169; Bolam, 1932; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83).

History H. F. Witherby (1913) in British Birds, Vol. VII. p. 169, says: 'In our last Volume (pp. 202-10) I gave a few notes on the results of observations made at Holy Island in September and October, 1912. This year (1913) I watched for migrants there in the same way, from August 30th to October 3rd....Barred Warbler (Sylvia n. nisoria). - Of this species I saw no less than nine examples - three appearing on September 2nd, four on the 15th, one on the 19th, and one on the 25th.

When it is borne in mind that the greatest number of individuals of any warbler seen during my stay was sixteen, this number of Barred Warblers is certainly remarkable, and since Holy Island is not a point of concentration like Spurn or Blakeney, nor an isolated "haven of refuge" like Fair Isle or Heligoland, one may presume that large numbers of Barred Warblers must have landed this autumn on our east coast.

All the birds I saw had very little barring (some only the faintest indications of bars) and were no doubt birds of the year. Most of them were remarkably tame, and could be watched for a long time within a few yards without their moving, others were however decidedly wild. They flew strongly and straight, and they looked large and long tailed and pale coloured, and could not be confused easily with any other warbler except perhaps the Orphean which has, however, in my recollection a considerably darker appearance on the back and rump.'

Accepted locally (Bolam 1932; Galloway & Meek 1978-83).

70). 1913 Outer Hebrides Flannan Isles, 2nd September.

(H. F. Witherby, British Birds 8: 127; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History H. F. Witherby (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VIII. p. 127, in a Review of the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1913, including Migration', by Evelyn V. Baxter and Leonora Jeffrey Rintoul, says: 'This is the third annual Report on Scottish Ornithology to be issued separately. It is drawn up on the same excellent plan as that for the previous year...Many of the records in the Report have of course already been published, but there are a number of very considerable interest which appear here for the first time, and these with a few others which have not previously been referred to in our pages are noted below; all the dates are in 1913: - Barred Warbler (Sylvia n. nisoria).

In addition to the remarkable number already recorded for England and Scotland in the autumn of 1913, the following occurrences are here given: - One at the Flannans on September 2nd.'

71). 1913 Fair Isle No locality, 6th September.

(W. E. Clarke, Scottish Naturalist 34: 55; Eds., British Birds 7: 349; Baxter & Rintoul, 1914).

History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1914) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIV. p. 55, says: 'In addition to the birds specially treated of, the following uncommon species also occurred. In Autumn. Barred Warbler.' In an Editorial (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VII. p. 349, they say: 'The following interesting records have been published in recent issues of the Scottish Naturalist. All the references given refer to the volume for 1914. Barred Warbler. In 'autumn', 1913, at Fair Isle (W. E. Clarke, p. 55).' Baxter & Rintoul (1914) p. 52, under 'Notes on the Movements of Birds in 1913,' say: 'Single birds are recorded from Fair Isle on 6th September.'

72). 1913 Lincolnshire North Cotes, first-year, shot, 6th September.

(G. H. Caton Haigh, British Birds 7: 198-199).

History G. H. Caton-Haigh (1913) in British Birds, Vol. VII. pp. 198-199, says: 'On September 6th, 1913, I shot an immature Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria) from a hedge close to the sea-bank at North Cotes. The wind was E.N.E. with fine weather and a good many small birds were moving, although there was no "rush". Among others I observed Redstarts, Hedge-Sparrows, Willow-Warblers, Garden-Warblers, Blue Tits and Wheatears, all except the last-named in small numbers.

This I believe to be the sixth occurrence in the county.'

73). 1913 Orkney Auskerry, adult, 6th September.

(W. E. Clarke, Scottish Naturalist 34: 7; Eds., British Birds 7: 303; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1914) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIV. p. 7, says: 'On the 6th of September an adult was found amid some nettles. There is only one previously known visit to the Orkneys of this now not uncommon autumn visitor to our isles, namely, at this same island on 15th August 1912.'

In an Editorial (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VII. p. 303, they say: 'Mr. Clarke now (Scot. Nat., 1914, pp. 5-8) gives a remarkable list of other rare and interesting migrants noted on the island in the autumn of 1913. Of these the following are the most interesting: - Barred Warbler (Sylvia n. nisoria). - An adult on Sept. 6th.'

74). 1913 Argyll Tiree, Inner Hebrides, female, obtained, 9th September.

(A. C. Jackson, Scottish Naturalist 34: 44; Eds., British Birds 7: 349; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; J. Morton Boyd, British Birds 51: 108).

History Annie C. Jackson (1914) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIV. p. 44, says: 'Thanks to the kind permission of Lord Elphinstone, I was enabled to spend the month of September in Tiree, for the purpose of witnessing the autumn passage of birds through that island. The most interesting bird obtained was a female Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria), which was flushed from a plot of cabbages in a garden on 9th September.'

In an Editorial (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VII. p. 349, they say: 'The following interesting records have been published in recent issues of the Scottish Naturalist. All the references given refer to the volume for 1914. Barred Warbler. A female on Sept. 9th, 1913, on Tiree (A. C. Jackson, p. 44).'

75). 1913 Orkney Pentland Skerries, 19th September.

(H. F. Witherby, British Birds 8: 127; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

76). 1913 Shetland Near Lerwick, Mainland, shot, 19th September.

(G. W. Russell, Scottish Naturalist 34: 44; Eds., British Birds 7: 349).

History George W. Russell of Lerwick (1914) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIV. p. 44, says: 'The following records of birds procured in the vicinity of Lerwick during the year have at least local interest: 19th September, Barred Warbler; ...The others have been preserved, and are in the possession of Messrs. S. Bruce and Theo Kay, who have furnished the information contained in this note.'

In an Editorial (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VII. p. 349, they say: 'The following interesting records have been published in recent issues of the Scottish Naturalist. All the references given refer to the volume for 1914. Barred Warbler. One on Sept. 19th, 1913, near Lerwick, Shetland (G. W. Russell, l.c.).'

77). 1913 Outer Hebrides Flannan Isles, 26th September.

(H. F. Witherby, British Birds 8: 127; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

78). 1913 Fair Isle No locality, 3rd October.

(W. E. Clarke, Scottish Naturalist 34: 55; Eds., British Birds 7: 349; Baxter & Rintoul, 1914).

In an Editorial (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VII. p. 349, they say: 'The following interesting records have been published in recent issues of the Scottish Naturalist. All the references given refer to the volume for 1914. Barred Warbler. In 'autumn' 1913, at Fair Isle (W. E. Clarke, p. 55).'

Baxter & Rintoul (1914) add: 'Fair Isle on 3rd October.'

79). 1914 Shetland Lerwick, Mainland, seen, 14th June.

(S. Bruce, Scottish Naturalist 35: 143; Eds., British Birds 9: 98; Venables & Venables, 1955).

History Samuel Bruce of Lerwick (1915) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXV. p. 143, says: 'On the 14th June 1914 I had an excellent view of a Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria nisoria) in a garden at Lerwick. It was a fine bright day, and with the aid of a Ross's telescope I was able to see all the markings very distinctly; it was among small trees about 5 or 6 feet high.'

[This is an interesting record of Mr. Bruce's, it being the first time the Barred Warbler has been recorded in Scotland on its northward passage, though there are two spring records from Kent. The easterly winds which prevailed from the 8th to the 14th June doubtless account for the occurrence of this bird, and for that of a good many other uncommon visitors which are recorded about the same time. - Ed.]

In an Editorial (1915) in British Birds, Vol. IX. p. 98, they say: 'Mr. S. Bruce notes (Scot. Nat., 1915) the following as having occurred in 1914 at or near Lerwick: - Barred Warbler (Sylvia n. nisoria) on June 14th (p. 143), is especially noteworthy as it has seldom been observed in the British Islands on spring passage.'

80). 1914 Fair Isle Various localities, at least ten, between 22nd August and 21st September, four, 29th August.

(W. E. Clarke, Scottish Naturalist 35: 103-104; Eds., British Birds 9: 75; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 35: 154, 195).

History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1915) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXV. pp. 103-104, says: 'The systematic investigations on the migration of birds at Fair Isle in 1914 were carried out by Mr. Jerome Wilson, who has acted as observer for several years. To the information afforded by Mr. Wilson's daily register of ornithological events must be added a series of notes kindly contributed by the Duchess of Bedford, who visited the island in spring. Barred Warbler.

The numbers of this bird which visited the island in the autumn, and the frequency of their occurrence, were features of the fall migration. It appeared on 22nd August, and the passage continued at intervals until 21st September. During this period the bird was observed on no less than ten different dates, and on 29th August four different examples came under notice.'

In an Editorial (1915) in British Birds, Vol. IX. p. 75, they say: 'Mr. W. Eagle Clarke contributes an interesting paper on the more uncommon visitors to Fair Isle during 1914 (Scot. Nat., 1915, pp. 101-105). Mr. Jerome Wilson acted as regular observer - and apparently a very efficient one - during this year, while the Duchess of Bedford, who visited the island in the spring, added a valuable series of notes. We append below brief extracts of the more important records in this report, all being for the year 1914. Barred Warbler. (Sylvia n. nisoria). - Appeared on ten different days between August 22nd and September 21st, as many as four being seen on August 29th.'

E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1915) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXV. p. 154, in the annual report for 1914, say: 'Barred Warblers are again well represented....in August and September there are a good many records from Fair Isle.'

Further, p. 195, they add: 'Single birds are reported from Fair Isle on 22nd and 27th August, four there on 29th August, and again single birds at Fair Isle on 31st August, 1st, 3rd, 7th, 16th and 21st September, two there on 5th September.'

Comment I've estimated ten individuals.

90). 1914 Shetland Lerwick, Mainland, two: one, 26th August; another, 29th to 30th August.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 35: 154, 195).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1915) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXV. p. 154, in the annual report for 1914, say: 'Barred Warblers are again well represented.…two from Lerwick in August (G. T. Kay and S. Bruce).'

Further, p. 195, they add: 'Single birds are reported from Lerwick on 26th, 29th and 30th August.'

92). 1914 Outer Hebrides Butt of Lewis, 23rd September.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 35: 154; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 9:160; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1915) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXV. p. 154, in the annual report for 1914, say: 'Barred Warblers are again well represented....one from the Butt of Lewis on 23rd September (W. Eagle Clarke).'

H. F. Witherby (1915) in British Birds, Vol. IX. p. 160, in a Review of 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1914, including Migration', by Evelyn V. Baxter and Leonora Jeffrey Rintoul, says: 'Barred Warbler (Sylvia n. nisoria). - One at the Butt of Lewis (Outer Hebrides) on September 23rd.'

93). 1916 Lincolnshire North Cotes, shot, 20th October.

(G. H. Caton Haigh, British Birds 11: 280; F. L. Blathwayt, Transactions of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union 1916: 18).

History G. H. Caton Haigh (1918) in British Birds, Vol. XI. p. 280, says: 'I find I have omitted to place on record the occurrence of a Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus s. superciliosus) at North Cotes, on September 18th, 1915, and also of a Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria) at the same place on October 20th, 1916. Both species have appeared so frequently that they may be considered almost as regular visitors to this county, and would, no doubt, be found on any part of the East Coast if carefully watched for.'

F. L. Blathwayt (1916) in the Transactions of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union, 1916: 18, says: 'On October 12th, after very stormy weather, large numbers of Scoters were driven into the shelter of Grainthorpe Haven, and were on the sands by hundreds, which is most unusual. There were at least 700, of which about 100 were Velvet Scoters. On the same day were seen a Grey Crow and Glaucous Gull; 20th, Woodcock; a Barred Warbler, shot, (the seventh Lincolnshire example, of which I have a record).'

94). 1920 Shetland Lerwick, Mainland, 29th August.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 41: 142; Eds., British Birds 16: 30).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1921) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLI. p. 142, in the annual report, say: 'The note of one at Lerwick on 29th August arrived too late for insertion there.'

In an Editorial (1922) in British Birds, Vol. XVI. p. 29, in a Review of the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1920, including Migration', by Evelyn V. Baxter and Leonora J. Rintoul, they say: 'One at Lerwick on August 29th.'

95). 1920 Shetland Lerwick, Mainland, 16th September.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 41: 105-120; Eds., British Birds 16: 30).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1921) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLI. p. 107, in the annual report, say: 'A female Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria nisoria) visited Lerwick on 16th September.'

96). 1922 Isle of May No locality, 25th September.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 43; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 17: 195).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1923) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLIII. p. 68, in the annual report, say: 'A Barred Warbler visited the Isle of May on 25th September.'

H. F. Witherby (1924) in British Birds, Vol. XVII. p.195, in a Review of the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1922, including Migration', by Evelyn V. Baxter and Leonora J. Rintoul, says: 'One Isle of May, September 25th.'

97). 1926 Fair Isle No locality, female, obtained, 13th August.

(J. H. Stenhouse, Scottish Naturalist 47: 53; Eds., British Birds 21: 20; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 47: 135).

History J. H. Stenhouse (1927) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVII. p. 53, says: 'I revisited Fair Isle in the autumn of 1926, remaining on the island from 8th September to 6th October. Previous to my arrival there had been a small immigration of birds from the Continent, and three Barred Warblers were observed in August.'

In an Editorial (1927) in British Birds, Vol. XXI. p. 20, they say: 'Fair Isle. - Surgeon Rear-Admiral J. H. Stenhouse records (Scot. Nat., 1927, pp. 53-4) the occurrence of the following scarce visitors to Fair Isle in the autumn of 1926: - Barred Warbler (Sylvia n. nisoria). - A female on August 13th.'

E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1927) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVII. p. 135, in the annual report, say: 'Barred Warblers from 12th to 14th August.'

98). 1926 Fair Isle No locality, male, obtained, 14th August.

(J. H. Stenhouse, Scottish Naturalist 47: 53; Eds., British Birds 21: 20; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 47: 135).

E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1927) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVII. p. 135, in the annual report, say: 'Barred Warblers from 12th to 14th August.'

99). 1926 Fair Isle No locality, male, obtained, 27th August.

(J. H. Stenhouse, Scottish Naturalist 47: 53; Eds., British Birds 21: 20).

100). 1927 Fair Isle No locality, 2nd September.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 48: 108).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1928) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVIII. p. 108, in the annual report for 1927, say: 'A Barred Warbler on 2nd September.'

101). 1927 Fair Isle No locality, several (5), 8th September.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 48: 108).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1928) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVIII. p. 108, in the annual report for 1927, say: 'Several Barred Warblers on 8th September.'

106). 1927 Lincolnshire Coastal locality, obtained, 16th September.

(G. H. Caton Haigh, Transactions of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union 1927: 26).

History G. H. Caton Haigh (1927) in the Transactions of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union, 1927: 26, says: 'On the 16th [September], I obtained a Barred Warbler.'

107). 1927 Fair Isle No locality, 23rd September.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 48: 108).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1928) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVIII. p. 108, in the annual report for 1927, say: 'A Barred Warbler on 23rd September.'

108). 1927 Lincolnshire Coastal locality, obtained, 21st October.

(G. H. Caton Haigh, Transactions of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union 1927: 28; Lorand & Atkin, 1989).

History G. H. Caton Haigh (1927) in the Transactions of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union, 1927: 28, says: 'On the 21st [October], I obtained another Barred Warbler.'

Lorand & Atkin (1989) say: 'The first county record was of one shot at North Cotes on 5th September 1898. There were eight more records up to 1927...'

109). 1929 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, seen, 5th September.

(B. B. Riviere, British Birds 23: 284; S. H. Long, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 12: 680; Riviere, 1930).

History B. B. Riviere (1930) in British Birds, Vol. XXIII. p. 284, in the 1929 Norfolk Bird Report, says: 'One was identified by Mr. E. C. Arnold and Mr. H. A. Macpherson on Cley beach on September 5th.'

110). 1930 Lothian Bass Rock, 10th September.

(J. Bain, Scottish Naturalist; Rintoul & Baxter, 1935; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History Rintoul & Baxter (1935: 122) say: 'One was on the Bass Rock on 10th September, 1930, as recorded by Mr. Bain.'

111). 1931 Norfolk Blakeney Point, seen, 25th August.

(B. B. Riviere, British Birds 25: 347; W. B. Alexander, British Birds 27: 51).

History B. B. Riviere (1932) in British Birds, Vol. XXV. p. 347, in the 1931 Norfolk Bird Report, says: 'On August 25th one was seen at Blakeney Point by Miss M. Barclay.'

W. B. Alexander (1933) in British Birds, Vol. XXVII. pp. 50-51, says: '...The question of the colour of the iris interested me, especially as I was one of several observers who watched a bird of this species at Blakeney Point, Norfolk, on August 25th, 1931. On that occasion we had excellent views and all agreed that the eye looked completely dark, so that we hesitated to record it as a Barred Warbler in view of the general agreement of the text-books that the iris of this species is yellow.'

Comment First-year birds have a dark iris.

112). 1931 Isle of May No locality, seen, 26th and 28th August, two, 29th August.

(L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 51: 165-166; Eds., British Birds 25: 228-229; Rintoul & Baxter, 1935).

History L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1931) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LI. pp. 165-166, say: 'We were on the Isle of May this autumn (1931) from 26th August to 11th September...When we reached the island we found one Barred Warbler....On the 28th...a Barred Warbler was seen. The following day further arrivals took place including a second Barred Warbler....We had a wonderful chance, too, of watching one of the Barred Warblers. These birds are generally very skulking and difficult to observe, but this one was tempted into the open by the sunshine and sat sunning itself on the shaft of the wheelbarrow or on the dividing wall....On 31st no Barred Warbler was seen.'

In an Editorial (1932) in British Birds, Vol. XXV. pp. 228-229, they say: 'Miss L. J. Rintoul and Miss E. V. Baxter record (Scot. Nat., 1931, p. 165) that when they arrived on the Isle of May on August 26th, 1931, they found a Barred Warbler (Sylvia n. nisoria) and one was seen on the 28th. A second bird was identified on the 29th and on the 31st none were seen....'

114). 1931 Outer Hebrides North Rona, 1st September.

(Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History Baxter & Rintoul (1953 (1): 165) say: 'In the Outer Hebrides one occurred on North Rona on 1st September 1931.'

115). 1931 Isle of May No locality, six, seen, 2nd September, two, 3rd to 4th September.

(L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 51: 165-166; Eds., British Birds 25: 228-229; Rintoul & Baxter, 1935).

History L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1931) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LI. pp. 165-166, say: 'We were on the Isle of May this autumn (1931) from 26th August to 11th September...On the 1st of September the wind freshened from the east and there was a little movement, but on the 2nd with a strong east wind, rain, and an overcast sky a considerable arrival occurred. On this day and the following two days the strong wind and bad light made working very difficult. We saw, on 2nd September, at least half a dozen Barred Warblers, the greatest number we have ever seen in a day...The identification of birds was extraordinarily difficult; the light was very bad. As soon as the birds rose above the shelter of the walls they were caught up by the wind and whirled away at great speed, and the spray from the heavy seas dimmed our glasses and added to our difficulties.'

121). 1931 Lothian Bass Rock, 2nd September.

(J. Bain, Scottish Naturalist 52: 58; Eds., British Birds 26: 28; Rintoul & Baxter, 1935; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History In an Editorial (1932) in British Birds, Vol. XXVI. p. 28, they say: 'Mr. J. Bain (Scot. Nat., 1932, p. 58) saw, among other migrants at the Bass Rock on September 2nd, 1931, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria).'

Baxter & Rintoul (1953 (1): 165) say: 'Single birds have been recorded from the Bass, on 2nd September 1931.'

122). 1931 Outer Hebrides North Rona, 3rd September.

(Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History Baxter & Rintoul (1953 (1): 165) say: 'In the Outer Hebrides one occurred on North Rona on 3rd September 1931.'

123). 1931 Suffolk Lowestoft, seen, 18th September.

(F. C. Cook, Field 7th Nov., 1931: 698; Eds., British Birds 25: 229; Ticehurst, 1932).

History F. C. Cook of Lowestoft (1931) in The Field of 7th Nov., Vol. CLVII. p. 698, says: 'On September 16th I saw a Barred Warbler on the gorse-covered slopes at Lowestoft. It was an immature bird, and looked not unlike a Garden Warbler in colour and form, but was much larger, and had lighter markings on its wings. It was very wild, but I was able to secure one or two good glimpses of it through the glasses. It was in exactly the same spot that Dr. C. B. Ticehurst saw the first Suffolk specimen of this warbler on August 28th, 1912. These two birds, so far, constitute the only records for the county.'

In an Editorial (1932) in British Birds, Vol. XXV. p. 229, they say: 'Mr. F. C. Cook writes (Field, 7.xi.31, p. 698) that he saw a Barred Warbler near Lowestoft on September 16th.'

124). 1931 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, seen, 24th to 25th September.

(B. B. Riviere, British Birds 25: 347).

History B. B. Riviere (1932) in British Birds, Vol. XXV. p. 347, in the 1931 Norfolk Bird Report, says: 'On September 24th and 25th one on Cley beach by Miss Barclay and Messrs. E. C. Arnold and D. Lack.'

125). 1931 Isle of Man Ballamoar, Jurby, seen, 27th October.

(P. G. Ralfe, British Birds 27: 43; Cullen & Jennings, 1986).

History P. G. Ralfe (1933) in British Birds, Vol. XXVII. p. 43, says: 'Mr. W. Berry reports one seen near Ballamoar, Jurby, October 27th, 1931, "a very well-marked bird".' Accepted locally (Cullen & Jennings 1986).

126). 1931 Fair Isle No locality, a few (3), seen, autumn.

(G. Stout, Scottish Naturalist 52: 38; Eds., British Birds 26: 27-28).

History George Stout of Fair Isle (1932) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LII. p. 38, says: 'We did not have many birds on Fair Isle this autumn, owing to too much westerly wind, but I observed a few unusual visitors....a few Barred Warblers.'

In an Editorial (1932) in British Birds, Vol. XXVI. pp. 27-28, they say: 'Mr. George Stout (Scot. Nat., 1932, p. 38) states…Other rare birds recorded are: a ‘few’ Barred Warblers (Sylvia nisoria)...are also mentioned as having occurred, but no dates or particulars are given and it is a great pity that these interesting records are published in such an incomplete form.'

129). 1932 Northumberland Holy Island, first-year, trapped, 14th September.

(W. B. Alexander, British Birds 27: 50-51).

History W. B. Alexander (1933) in British Birds, Vol. XXVII. pp. 50-51, says: 'On the evening of September 14th, 1932, members of the Oxford Ornithological Society were netting the hedges on Holy Island in hopes of catching and ringing migrants, when a small bird flew out of the hedge by the Bungalow and dropped into the grass at our feet.

It was speedily captured, placed in a cage and taken into the house, where in the light its identity as a Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria) was completely established from text-book descriptions. It was then ringed and put back into the hedge and was not seen subsequently. It was presumably a bird of the year as its flanks were buff with only faint dark bars. The iris was black with a narrow yellow ring round the outside, whereas according to the books it should have been yellow. When held in the hand the bird made a low croaking note.

The question of the colour of the iris interested me, especially as I was one of several observers who watched a bird of this species at Blakeney Point, Norfolk, on August 25th, 1931. On that occasion we had excellent views and all agreed that the eye looked completely dark, so that we hesitated to record it as a Barred Warbler in view of the general agreement of the text-books that the iris of this species is yellow.'

130). 1935 Isle of May Low Trap, trapped, 11th September.

(Midlothian Ornithological Club, Scottish Naturalist 56: 127-130; Eds., British Birds 30: 297-298).

History Midlothian Ornithological Club (1936) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVI. p. 128, say: 'After this, owing to the southerly or westerly winds, little was recorded until the 11th [September], when a Barred Warbler was trapped and ringed.'

In an Editorial (1937) in British Birds, Vol. XXX. pp. 297-298, they say: 'The Midlothian Ornithological Club has organized a series of observers to keep watch and work their migration trap on the Isle of May in spring and autumn. The results of these observations for the autumn of 1935 and the spring of 1936 are now published in the Scottish Naturalist (1936, pp. 127-130 and 159-162).

To keep up these observations a considerable number of observers is necessary to cover the chief migratory periods and the Club will welcome volunteers for the purpose. In the autumn of 1935 there was unfortunately no observer on the island between August 24th and 30th when a very large migration was noted on Fair Isle, but during September and the first half of October a good many interesting birds were identified and still more in the spring of 1936. The chief of these are noted below. Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria). One trapped, September 11th, 1935.'

131). 1936 Outer Hebrides North Rona, 12th August.

(Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History Baxter & Rintoul (1953 (1): 165) say: 'In the Outer Hebrides one occurred on North Rona on 12th August 1936.'

132). 1936 Fair Isle No locality, eight, between 15th August and 23rd September.

(G. Waterston, Scottish Naturalist 57: 75; G. Stout & G. Waterston, British Birds 30: 226; Pennington et al., 2004).

History G. Waterston (1937) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVII. p. 75, says: 'Small numbers from mid-August until 23rd September.'

G. Stout & G. Waterston (1936) in British Birds, Vol. XXX. pp. 226-227, say: 'On September 3rd, 1936, George Stout obtained on Fair Isle, a Warbler which afterwards proved to be the Booted Warbler (Hippolais caligata) a species which hitherto has never been recorded in the British Islands.

This bird was obtained on a day of moderate S.E. wind, the weather on the preceding day being light east wind. It was the forerunner of a small rush of such species as Blue-headed Wagtails, a Northern Bullfinch, Bluethroats, Barred Warblers and Pied Flycatchers, which all appeared on September 4th.'

Pennington et al. (2004) state that Jimmy Wilson recorded eight on 15th August 1936.

140). 1936 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, seen, 27th August.

(R. M. Garnett, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 14: 181; R. M. Garnett, Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1936: 16; Eds., British Birds 31: 95).

History R. M. Garnett (1936) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. XIV. p. 181, and in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, p. 16, under 'Notes from the Kelling-Salthouse-Cley area', says: 'A Barred Warbler was found in the bushes on "The Hood" on August 27th. It was seen by Miss M. Barclay, H. Pease and myself.'

In an Editorial (1937) in British Birds, Vol. XXXI. p. 95, in a Review of the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, for 1936, it says: 'A Barred Warbler at Cley August 27th.'

141). 1936 Isle of May No locality, seen, 10th and 11th September.

(Midlothian Ornithological Club, Scottish Naturalist 57: 51-55; Eds., British Birds 31: 123).

History Midlothian Ornithological Club (1937) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVII. pp. 51-52, under 'Isle of May Bird Observatory Autumn Report for 1936', say: 'From the 9th to the 15th migrants were varied and increasing slightly in number. Noteworthy visitors during this period were a Barred Warbler on the 10th and 11th.'

In an Editorial (1937) in British Birds, Vol. XXXI. p. 123, they say: 'The Report by the Midlothian Ornithological Club of migration observations in the autumn of 1936 on the Isle of May (Scot. Nat., 1937, pp. 51-5) contains a number of interesting items. The members of the Club were assisted by some fourteen other observers.…single Barred Warblers on September 10th, 11th and 14th and two on the 18th.'

142). 1936 Isle of May No locality, 14th September.

(Midlothian Ornithological Club, Scottish Naturalist 57: 51-55; Eds., British Birds 31: 123).

In an Editorial (1937) in British Birds, Vol. XXXI. p. 123, they say: 'The Report by the Midlothian Ornithological Club of migration observations in the autumn of 1936 on the Isle of May (Scot. Nat., 1937, pp. 51-5) contains a number of interesting items. The members of the Club were assisted by some fourteen other observers....single Barred Warblers on September 10th, 11th and 14th and two on the 18th.'

143). 1936 Isle of May No locality, two, seen, 18th September.

(Midlothian Ornithological Club, Scottish Naturalist 57: 51-55; Eds., British Birds 31: 123).

History Midlothian Ornithological Club (1937) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVII. pp. 51-52, under 'Isle of May Bird Observatory Autumn Report for 1936', say: 'On the 17th, birds had increased and arrivals of particular interest were: - ...on the 18th, two Barred Warblers.'

In an Editorial (1937) in British Birds, Vol. XXXI. p. 123, they say: 'The Report by the Midlothian Ornithological Club of migration observations in the autumn of 1936 on the Isle of May (Scot. Nat., 1937, pp. 51-5) contains a number of interesting items. The members of the Club were assisted by some fourteen other observers....single Barred Warblers on September 10th, 11th and 14th and two on the 18th.'

145). 1936 Shetland Lerwick, Mainland, obtained, 14th October.

(G. Waterston, Scottish Naturalist 57: 28).

History G. Waterston (1957) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVII. p. 28, says: 'According to Samuel Bruce, this species is a regular passage migrant in autumn at Lerwick, but has only once been seen on spring passage. I examined a specimen which Samuel Bruce sent me which was obtained at Lerwick on 14th October 1936.'

146). 1937 Northumberland Holy Island, seen, 24th August.

(H. G. Alexander, British Birds 31: 196).

History H. G. Alexander (1937) in British Birds, Vol. XXXI. p. 196, says: 'On August 24th, 1937, Messrs. T. A. Willis, M. H. Rowntree and I saw a Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria) on Holy Island. We put it up from bushes in a small garden. It was reluctant to fly or to show itself, and as there was no other cover near, each time we succeeded in putting it out it came back again to the garden. Although it was difficult to get a good view of it except on the wing, it appeared to be an adult bird, with barring on the underside.'

147). 1937 Isle of May Low Trap, trapped, 12th to 15th September.

(Midlothian Ornithological Club, Scottish Naturalist 58: 104, 106).

History Midlothian Ornithological Club (1938) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVIII. p. 104, say: '12th [Sept]. - One Barred Warbler (Sylvia n. nisoria) which remained until 15th.' Further, p. 106, under 'Ringing' they add: 'Two Barred Warblers.'

148). 1937 Isle of May Low Trap, trapped, 2nd October.

(Midlothian Ornithological Club, Scottish Naturalist 58: 105, 106).

History Midlothian Ornithological Club (1938) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVIII. p. 105, say: 'One Barred Warbler.' Further, p. 106, under 'Ringing' they add: 'Two Barred Warblers.'

149). 1938 Isle of May No locality, nine, trapped, between 11th August and 9th September.

(Midlothian Ornithological Club, Scottish Naturalist 59: 84-85; Eds., British Birds 33: 55).

History Midlothian Ornithological Club (1939) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LIX. pp. 84, say: 'One 11th to 12th August, two, 21st, one 22nd, new one 23rd, one, 26th, one, 31st, three 2nd Sep, one 4th to 5th, new one 6th to 9th was trapped. Total number of birds ringed was 9.'

In an Editorial (1939) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIII. p. 55, they say: 'During August and September, 1938, one to three Barred Warblers (Sylvia nisoria) were seen on twelve days. It was difficult to be sure how many passed through, but nine were caught in the trap and ringed between August 11th and September 9th.'

158). 1938 Yorkshire Near Kilnsea, two, seen: one, 21st August, 7th to 9th September, two, 10th September.

(C. W. Mason, Naturalist 1939: 16; R. Chislett, Naturalist 1939: 39; Eds., British Birds 33: 29; Chislett, 1952; Mather, 1986).

History C. W. Mason (1939) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXIV. p. 16, Under 'Annual Report, 1938', says: 'Spurn. Barred Warbler. One was found at Kilnsea on August 21st. It resembled three others seen in Norfolk in previous years, and like those was probably a bird of the year. It was also seen on September 9th (R.M.G.).'

R. Chislett (1939) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXIV. p. 39, says: 'Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria) was first noticed by R.M.G. on August 21st; on September 7th, 8th, and 9th it was seen again. On the last date R.M.G. and R.C. were in doubt if there were not two birds, and on September 10th, R.M.G. saw two birds together. When preening in bright sunshine it appeared that each feather of breast and flanks was edged darker grey. The ear coverts were uniform with the crown, not dark as in Lesser Whitethroat. The outer tail-feathers were white. The bill was horn-grey and the eye dark. It chased away a Garden Warbler which was attempting to pull buckthorn berries near-by and looked larger (R.M.G.). The Barred Warbler swallowed the buckthorn berries whole. The bird looked very grey, with long tail and shrike-like flight, and was larger than any resident British warbler.'

In an Editorial (1939) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIII. p. 29, under 'Birds at Spurn, Yorks.', they say: 'We are glad to see that Yorkshire ornithologists are taking up regular watching and recording of migrants at Spurn Point, which years ago attracted many students of migration. Mr. Ralph Chislett contributes an article to the Naturalist (1939, pp. 37-42) on the results of visits paid by several ornithologists between July and November, 1938. Among the birds identified may be mentioned two Barred Warblers (Sylvia nisoria) between August 21st and September 10th.'

Chislett (1952: 98) says: 'R. M. Garnett identified one on 21st August near Kilnsea.'

160). 1946 Lothian Edinburgh, trapped, 10th August.

(C. K. Mylne, British Birds 40: 84; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History C. K. Mylne (1947) in British Birds, Vol. XL. p. 84, says: 'About August 10th, 1946, a bird was found by a friend of mine, Miss E. M. Murray, entangled in a strawberry net, in a garden in a district of Edinburgh close to the Firth of Forth. It was removed with some difficulty, examined in the hand, and released apparently none the worse for its experience. The main characteristics noted were that it was a largish warbler, distinctly grey in colour, with barred markings on its chest and a most noticeable staring yellow eye. It seems clear that it was an adult Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria). Unfortunately no ornithological authority was consulted at the time, but I am satisfied that the description given can be relied on.'

Baxter & Rintoul (1953 (1): 165) say: 'The only records from the mainland of Scotland are one caught in a strawberry net near Edinburgh about the 10th August 1946.'

161). 1946 Fife Fife Ness, two, seen, 5th September.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, British Birds 40: 84; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Smout, 1986).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1947) in British Birds, Vol. XL. p. 84, say: 'On September 5th, 1946, after a short spell of easterly wind, we went out to the East Neuk of Fife to see if any migrants had arrived there. In the whins we found two Barred Warblers (Sylvia nisoria), as well as some Whitethroats and a Lesser Whitethroat. We had good views of the birds, neither of which showed barring, being evidently young ones. We have often seen Barred Warblers on the Isle of May in autumn. This is the first time the Barred Warbler has been recorded from the mainland of Scotland, all the previous Scottish records being from islands.'

163). 1946 Yorkshire Spurn, trapped, 11th September.

(Chislett, 1952; Mather, 1986).

History Chislett (1952) says: 'Several Barred Warblers have been caught, ringed and recorded in the books of the Spurn Bird Observatory. The dates of the captures have been 11th September 1946...'

Mather (1986) says: 'Once that the Spurn Bird Observatory was operating from 1946, many migrants were caught in the traps and Barred Warblers featured in 1946.'

164). 1948 Yorkshire Spurn, trapped, 14th August.

(R. Chislett, Naturalist 74: 60; Eds., British Birds 43: 62).

History R. Chislett (1949) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXXIV. p. 60, says: 'Single birds were noted at Spurn on August 14th (ringed) and 15th (R.M.G., G.H.A., M.H.).'

In an Editorial (1950) in British Birds, Vol. XLIII. p. 62, in a Review of the above, they say: 'There are a number of interesting records from Spurn, namely in 1948, a Barred Warbler ringed on Aug. 14th.'

165). 1948 Yorkshire Spurn, seen, 15th August.

(R. Chislett, Naturalist 74: 60; Eds., British Birds 43: 62).

History R. Chislett (1949) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXXIV. p. 60, says: 'Single birds were noted at Spurn on August 14th (ringed) and 15th (R.M.G., G.H.A., M.H.).'

In an Editorial (1950) in British Birds, Vol. XLIII. p. 62, in a Review of the above, they say: 'There are a number of interesting records from Spurn, namely in 1948, a Barred Warbler Aug. 15th.'

166). 1948 Isle of May No locality, 10th October.

(H. F. D. Elder, Scottish Naturalist 62: 99).

History H. F. D. Elder (1950) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXII. p. 99, under 'Isle of May Bird Observatory Report', for 1948, says: 'Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria: 1 on 10th October.'

167). 1949 Yorkshire Spurn, trapped, 23rd August.

(R. Chislett, Naturalist 75: 12; G. H. Ainsworth & R. Chislett, British Birds 43: 209; Mather, 1986).

History R. Chislett (1950) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXXV. p. 12, says: 'Miss E. Crackles took full plumage details of a Barred Warbler trapped at Spurn on August 23rd. Barring was faint but distinct on the flanks; and very distinct on the under-tail coverts. A large shrike-like warbler, in general colour grey, with long fanned tail and with beak stout for a warbler; whilst being handled the bird indulged in much chattering and harsh scolding.'

G. H. Ainsworth & R. Chislett (1950) in British Birds, Vol. XLIII. p. 209, say: 'August 23rd, with wind direction east, was the date of the capture of a bird by Miss F. E. Crackles. This species has been recorded in several other years.'

168). 1949 Fair Isle No locality, 20th September.

(K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report 1949: 9).

History K. Williamson (1949) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report, p. 9, says: 'September....a Barred Warbler and Wryneck were seen on the 20th, and there were Turtle Doves on this and the following day.'

169). 1949 Isle of May No locality, seen, 6th October.

(H. F. D. Elder, Scottish Naturalist 62: 103; H. F. D. Elder, British Birds 43: 207).

History H. F. D. Elder (1950) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXII. p. 103, under 'Isle of May Bird Observatory Report', for 1949, and in British Birds, Vol. XLIII. p. 207, says: 'Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria: One on October 6th.'

170). 1949 Fair Isle No locality, 9th October.

(K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report 1949: 9).

History K. Williamson (1949) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report, p. 9, says: 'October. A Barred Warbler and Great Grey Shrike were seen on the 9th...'

171). 1949 Devon Lundy, first-year, 10th October.

(H. Boyd, British Birds 43: 215; H. J. Boyd, Lundy Field Society Report 1949: 11; M. Brooks-King, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1949: 20).

History Hugh Boyd (1950) in British Birds, Vol. XLIII. p. 215, says: 'One October 10th, probably immature, characterized by its large size, predominantly pale grey colouring and long, almost square-ended tail. The breast was apparently unbarred and greyish-white with a pronounced bluish bloom when seen from below.'

AC pass

Keith Naylor

Barred Warbler (1/2)

Curruca nisoria (Bechstein, 1792) (171, 157)

Savi’s Warbler

Barred Warbler (2/2)