Black-headed Bunting
Emberiza melanocephala Scopoli, 1769 (5, 4)
Photo © Bryan Thomas
STATUS
Western Palearctic. Monotypic.
OVERVIEW
The first record from Brighton, 1868, and the third from Dunfermline, 1886, have since been found unacceptable (Ibis 157: 189). Also, the BOU (1971) do not mention Devon as one of the acceptable counties, otherwise, records are as BOU.
RECORDS
1). 1884 Nottinghamshire Near Radcliffe-on-Trent, male, caught, June or July.
(J. Rhodes-Ashworth, Zoologist 1886: 73; Harting, 1901; Whitaker, 1907; Witherby, 1920-24; BOURC (2015), Ibis 157: 189).
History J. Rhodes-Ashworth, Newstead, Notts., (1886) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. X. p. 73, says: 'I have in my possession a specimen of the continental Black-headed Bunting, Emberiza melanocephala, which was given to me in June or July, 1884, by Mr. Stanley, taxidermist, of Trent Street, Nottingham.
This bird was brought to him in the flesh, about the date mentioned, by a man who stated that he had just shot it between Radcliffe and Bingham, in this county. I did not, when I first saw it, know what bird it was, but it has since been identified by Professor Newton, and by Mr. Whitaker, of Rainworth, who both consider its occurrence (I believe for the second time in England) worth recording.'
[This bird, which is not to be confounded with the Reed Bunting, also known as the Black-headed Bunting, Emberiza schoeniclus, was first noticed as a rare straggler to England from the European continent by the late Mr. Gould, who, in The Ibis for 1869 (p. 128), reported the capture of a specimen near Brighton, in November, 1868. The species has since been described and figured in the 4th edition of Yarrell's British Birds, Vol. II. p. 64. - Ed.]
Whitaker (1907: 105-106) says: 'A perfect specimen of this very rare bird was brought to the late J. Stanley, the Nottingham bird stuffer in the spring of 1886. The Rev. J. Ashworth saw it there, and noticing it was something out of the common, expressed a wish to have it; Stanley at once gave it him, little thinking how rare and valuable a specimen it was.
Professor Newton, of Magdalene College, Cambridge, was staying with me shortly after, and I took him over to see it, he at once confirmed my opinion as to its identity and was very pleased to have seen so scarce a British bird.'
2). 1907 Fair Isle No locality, female, obtained, 21st September, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1908.76).
(W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1907: 246; W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1908: 76; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 248; J. Paterson, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1908: 194; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 1: 383; Clarke, 1912; Witherby, 1920-24; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).
History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1907) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVI. p. 246, says: 'I have just returned from a five weeks' residence on Fair Isle...among the birds observed were several species of special interest...The rarer species that came under my notice during September and early October were - Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala).'
Wm. Eagle Clarke (1908) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVII. p. 76, says: 'A female example of this summer visitor to South-eastern Europe occurred on 21st September. When first observed it was perched on some thistles, to which it returned several times on being disturbed. The contents of its stomach were found to consist, according to Mr. Grimshaw to whom they were submitted, chiefly of fragments of the husks of grass, some seeds (probably of a species of Polygonum), fragments of an earwig, an entire phalangid (harvestman), and portions of the larva of a May-fly.
This species has only been chronicled as a visitor to the British Islands on five previous occasions. One of these, the Scottish record, cannot be regarded as entirely satisfactory, for the bird was discovered in a bird show in London in 1887, and was said to have been captured near Dunfermline in November of the previous year.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 248, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.
H. F. Witherby (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 383, says: 'A female of this species was obtained on September 21st, as already noted (supra, p. 248). It has only been obtained five times previously in the British Isles.'
Clarke (1912 (2): 113) under 'The Birds of Fair Isle' says: 'Black-headed Bunting - A female example of this summer visitor to South-eastern Europe occurred on 21st September 1907. It had been feeding on Phalangids, and on the seeds of grasses.'
Admitted by John Paterson (1908) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVII. p. 194, in the annual 'Report on Scottish Ornithology'.
3). 1910 Fair Isle No locality, immature male, obtained, 25th August.
(Clarke, 1912; Eds., British Birds 6: 150; Clarke, 1912; Witherby, 1920-24; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).
History Clarke (1912 (2): 113) under 'The Birds of Fair Isle', says: 'Black-headed Bunting - ...a young male, was obtained, 25th August 1910.'
In an Editorial (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 150, 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: - Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala). - Fair Isle: In addition to the one recorded in 1907 (which was a female) a young male was obtained on August 25th, 1910.'
4). 1929 Fair Isle No locality, adult male, obtained, 27th May, now at Leicester Museum.
(J. Wilson, Scottish Naturalist 49: 164; Eds., British Birds 23: 229; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).
History Jerome Wilson of Fair Isle (1929) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLIX. p. 164, says: 'A male example of the Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala) was obtained here on 27th May last. The skin is now in the possession of J. A. Armitage, Esq., 24, Swift Street, Barnsley.'
[This is the third recorded occurrence of this bird at Fair Isle, and the fourth in Scotland. It is the first which has been obtained in spring. - Eds.]
In an Editorial (1930) in British Birds, Vol. XXIII. p. 229, they say: 'A male Emberiza melanocephala obtained at Fair Isle on May 27th, 1929, is recorded by Mr. J. Wilson (Scot. Nat., 1929, p. 164), and the skin was kindly shown to us by Mr. J. A. Armitage in whose possession it now is. This is the third Fair Isle occurrence and the tenth British.'
5). 1949 Isle of May No locality, adult female, trapped, 22nd September.
(H. F. D. Elder, Scottish Naturalist 62: 101; H. F. D. Elder, British Birds 43: 205; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; W. J. Eggeling, Scottish Birds 8: 130).
History H. F. D. Elder (1950) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXII. pp. 100-101, under 'Isle of May Bird Observatory Report for 1949', and in British Birds, Vol. XLIII. pp. 205-206, says: 'One on 22nd September, identified in the hand. It was an adult female answering in plumage to every detail given in The Handbook except the wing length, which, at 94 mm., is a little longer than the maximum given for females, but shorter than the maximum for males. Only the top of the upper mandible was lead-blue: the lower part was the same as the lower mandible. Distinguished from female Red-headed Bunting E. bruniceps by (a) 5th primary being very slightly emarginated, indeed scarcely at all; (b) presence of chestnut on upper parts, noticeable on back and rump; (c) long length of wing.
The following field notes are by M. F. M. Meiklejohn; only rather poor views were obtained, e.g. the yellow on the underparts was not observed in the field: Appeared a large bunting, larger than Rock Pipit Anthus spinoletta, with bill much longer and more pointed than in native British buntings. General pale appearance, with which dark eye was in striking contrast; upper parts darker and streaked. No white on tail.
The bird suggested a large pale female House Sparrow Passer domesticus, a resemblance which Meiklejohn noticed the first time he saw a female of this species in Palestine. Uttered a shrill faint squeak in the hand and a sparrow-like chirp on being released. Twice seen consorting and feeding with Meadow Pipits Anthus pratensis and Rock Pipits - one of the latter, however, chivvied it. Although when captured it was in cover, it seemed to prefer open places. When disturbed flew up on to rocks and walls, as it does in Persian mountains above tree level. It perched both erect and flattened horizontally. The flight was undulating. The species has been recorded on four previous occasions in Scotland.'
1950-57 RECORDS
6). 1951 Fair Isle Busta, female, 13th September.
(K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 1 (4): 21-23; K. Williamson, Scottish Naturalist 64: 48-50; K. Williamson, British Birds 45: 229; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).
History K. Williamson (1951) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin, Vol. I (IV). pp. 21-23, says: 'During observation among crops at Busta on the morning of September 13th 1951, M. F. M. Meiklejohn, T. Yeoman and I. Wallace found a bird which they identified as a female Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala.
The bird was watched for a short time in the afternoon by Misses D. and P. Campbell, Miss P. Condliffe, Miss G. Johnstone, Ian Wallace and K. Williamson. It haunted standing corn close to the croft, with occasional excursions to nearby turnip and potato riggs....It perched on one occasion a few feet away from a Scarlet Grosbeak, thus affording excellent views for comparison of size....'
K. Williamson (1952) in British Birds, Vol. XLV. p. 229, says: 'A female was watched by a number of observers on the morning of September 13th.
The following account is taken from the Bulletin, number 4, pp. 21-22: "The general impression was of a large pale bunting bigger than either sparrow or Grosbeak, and approaching Corn Bunting (E. calandra) in its size and bulky appearance, the latter due to a habit of perching with the head sunk into the shoulders. The head and mantle were pale brown streaked with darker brown. A noticeable feature was the large dark eye contrasting with the paler lores; the prominence of this character was as strongly marked as in a female Black-headed Bunting watched by M. F. M. Meiklejohn on the Isle of May in September, 1949. The ear-coverts were darker brown than the lores. Good views were had of the rump and upper tail-coverts which were buff with a rusty tinge contrasting markedly with the duller mantle plumage. One observer likened the rump colour to that of the ripening corn. The wing-coverts appeared to be the same dull brown as the mantle, and the major-coverts and tertials showed buffish fringes and tips. The remiges and the rectrices were blackish brown and the latter showed no white, but the outer tail-feathers appeared to be paler brown than the rest. The under-parts were a uniform greyish white with a slight yellowish suffusion in certain lights; the under tail-coverts were noted as "lighter in colour" by one observer, but none of the observers recorded any yellow in this region. The bill was massive and steely grey and the legs were pinkish flesh.
It looked decidedly larger and heavier than a Red-headed Bunting which had been on the island less than four weeks previously; it also adopted a more thick-set posture on perching whilst the "tchup" call-note was quite different from the sharper, higher pitched "twip" of the Red-headed Bunting".'
7). 1951 Devon Salcombe Hill, Sidmouth, male, 4th and 6th October.
(T. J. Richards, British Birds 45: 406-407; M. Brooks-King, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1951: 9; Moore, 1969).
History T. J. Richards (1952) in British Birds, Vol. XLV. pp. 406-407, says: 'On October 4th, and 6th, 1951, I observed on the west slope of Salcombe Hill, Sidmouth, Devon, what I believe to have been a Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala).
On October 4th, the bird was seen feeding with Meadow Pipits (Anthus pratensis) amongst tufts of rough, dead grass, when the clear yellow under-parts attracted my attention. The next moment it rose and flew away from me towards a ploughed field, displaying a distinctly greenish rump, but no white in the tail.
Subsequently it was seen with binoculars, at a range of c. 100 yards, sitting on the far hedge bordering the field, but no details other than the dark head and the yellow under-parts could be distinguished. The weather was fine with a slight haze.
On October. 6th, near the same spot, the bird flew overhead uttering a flat, toneless "chup". It alighted at the top of a haw-thorn bush within 40 yards and remained for about half a minute while I examined it with x 8 binoculars.
The sun, somewhat obscured by haze, was behind me. Head and face were blackish with a narrow, yellowish collar extending round towards the nape. Under-parts were entirely bright yellow except for faint chestnut markings on either side of the upper breast. The upper-parts were brown, but no details were noted. While at rest the bird uttered notes like "chup-it" or "chip-it" before leaving the hawthorn and flying away inland across a root-field. On the wing its flight and heavy build recalled the Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra). The only points which did not agree with The Handbook description were the call-notes and the colour of the rump.'
[Because of the somewhat unusual description of the rump of this bird, we asked Mr. R. Wagstaffe, of the Liverpool Museum, for his comments after he had examined a series of skins of the Black-headed Bunting in the light of Mr. Richard's report. In his reply Mr. Wagstaffe says: 'As is well known, the colouration of the rump in this species is within certain limits variable, and, although it could not be described as "distinctly greenish" in any of our specimens, in some it is quite noticeably greenish-yellow - mustard-yellow, I think would be an apt description. Indeed when these specimens were examined outside the museum building, and under conditions similar to those described by Mr. Richards, I felt that Mr. Richards' observations left little to the imagination. Their rumps stood out greenish-yellow, and in fair, but quite marked, contrast to the rest of their upper-parts. Under these circumstances, I cannot regard as a serious discrepancy Mr. Richards' assessment of the colouration of the rump of the bird he observed, as I can well imagine that under certain lights, and particularly with the bird on the move, the rump would appear more greenish than yellowish.'
In view of these remarks we feel confident that Mr. Richards' record can be accepted. - Eds.]
However, Devon was not listed as one of the accepted counties (BOU 1971).
8). 1954 Shetland Skaw, Whalsay, shot, 5th October, photo., now at Shetland Museum.
(Pennington et al., 2004).
History Pennington et al. (2004) say: 'One shot by Sammy Bruce at Skaw, Whalsay, on 5th October 1954, resides in the Shetland Museum, and was previously unpublished.'
9). 1957 Devon Lundy, female or immature, 20th and 22nd September.
(B. Whitaker, Lundy Field Society Report 1957: 22; S. G. Madge, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1957: 52; Moore, 1969; Dymond, 1980).
History B. Whitaker (1957) in the Lundy Field Society Report, p. 22, says: 'A female believed to be of this race on September 20th and 22nd. The females of E. melanocephala and of the Red-headed Bunting, E. luteola, are said to be indistinguishable in many cases.
Skins of the two races were therefore examined in the British Museum and the bird seen on Lundy was placed as E. melanocephala on the following characters: (i) longer and larger bill. This was noticeable in the field as contrasting with the male E. luteola seen in 1956; (ii) lightly streaked upper parts with an interruption of streaking across the nape giving a collared effect; (iii) no yellow on the rump.
The Lundy birds lacked rufous tints on the upper parts, a condition said to be characteristic of E. melanocephala, but four of the nine specimens examined in the British Museum also lacked this feature.'
S. G. Madge (1957) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXX. p. 52, says: 'Lundy, one female, 20th and 22nd September (Lundy Field Society Report 1957).'
Accepted locally (Moore 1969), however, Devon was not listed as one of the accepted counties (BOU 1971).
Comment With Dymond accepting the record I think we can be assured of its credentials.
NOT PROVEN
0). 1868 Sussex Brighton Racecourse, adult female, shot, about 3rd November, now at Booth Museum, Brighton (BoMNH 208127).
(J. Gould, Ibis 11: 128; Yarrell, 1871-85; BOU, 1883; Seebohm, 1883-85; Witherby, 1920-24; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[BOURC (2015), Ibis 157: 189].
History John Gould of London (1869) in The Ibis, Vol. XI. p. 128, dated 30th December, 1868, says: 'I have now to inform you of the occurrence of Emberiza melanocephala, of which a very old female specimen, in perfect plumage, is now before me. It was brought to me by Mr. Robert Brazenor, of 23 Lewes Road, Brighton, by whom it was shot about the 3rd of November last, near Mr. Ballard's windmill, on Brighton Racecourse, while, as he stated, "it was following a flock of Yellowhammers". His two sons were with him at the time.
On an examination of the bird, a number of eggs were found in the ovarium. This is all the information I was able to obtain respecting it.'
Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 64-65, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'This is the third species of Bunting whose first appearance in England it has been Mr. Gould's fortune to bring to the notice of ornithologists.
He states (Ibis, 1869, p. 128) that a very fine old female specimen was submitted to him by Mr. Robert Brazenor of Brighton, who had shot it on the racecourse near that town about November 3rd, 1868, while it was following a flock of Yellowhammers. Unlike the two other species of the family admitted to this work in the present Edition, that which is now under consideration is far from possessing a high northern range, and its claims to recognition as a "British Bird" are of the slightest. Still the fact that it has reached Heligoland, where Mr. Gätke has obtained three specimens in as many successive years (Ibis, 1875, p. 183), favours the possibility of its voluntary appearance in England, though the season of the year at which the example recorded by Mr. Gould occurred proves that it must have been a chance wanderer, for even in the south-east of Europe it is only a summer visitant and in the south-west it seems never to show itself. The Heligoland birds were met with at the end of May or in June.'
Admitted nationally in their first List of British Birds (BOU 1883).
Seebohm (1884 (2): 165) says: 'The claim of the Black-headed Bunting to be considered a British bird rests upon a solitary example said to have been shot near Brighton. Its alleged appearance was recorded by the late Mr. Gould...Whatever doubt may rest upon this statement, the fact that the Black-headed Bunting has unquestionably occurred on Heligoland makes it probable that it has also visited our shores, and is sufficient excuse for including it in the present work.'
Accepted locally by Walpole-Bond (1938 (1): 143) who adds: 'The Booth Museum, Brighton, acquired this specimen from the collection of Mr. T. J. Monk on his decease.'
BOURC (2015) in The Ibis, Vol. CLVII. p. 189, stated that the Brazenor Bros. of Brighton frequently bought specimens from Leadenhall Market, London, for stuffing and the fact that he 'supposedly shot it himself' all point to it being very suspicious. Robert Brazenor was declared bankrupt in 1868. Not acceptable.
0). 1886 Fife Near Dunfermline, male, caught, 5th November.
(H. A. Macpherson, Zoologist 1887: 193; Witherby, 1920-24; Rintoul & Baxter, 1935; Smout, 1986; Thom, 1986).
[W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1908: 76; BOURC (2015), Ibis 157: 189].
History H. A. Macpherson of Carlisle (1887) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XI. p. 193, says: 'When visiting the Crystal Palace Bird Show on February 15th, I was surprised to find that, in Class 66, the first prize had been won by No. 1317, a male Black-headed Bunting, Emberiza melanocephala, in winter dress.
On enquiry its owner, Mr. T. Crossley, of Kendal, wrote to me at some length regarding the bird, which "was caught near Dunfermline, on or about the 5th of November last, while flying in company with some Snow Buntings". Mr. Crossley subsequently informed me that he purchased the bird from a dealer while on a visit to Scotland on the 3rd of January. Mr. Crossley amusingly maintains that his specimen is an immature Ortolan. He has no doubt as to its capture as above stated.'
W. E. Clarke (1908) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVII. p. 76, says: '...This species has only been chronicled as a visitor to the British Islands on five previous occasions. One of these, the Scottish record, cannot be regarded as entirely satisfactory, for the bird was discovered in a bird show in London in 1887, and was said to have been captured near Dunfermline in November of the previous year.'
Comment Although accepted by SOC it is probably safest to reject this record due to the late date, which is three weeks later than any other to date (2012) and the fact that it was purchased of an unknown dealer.
Wm. Eagle Clarke placed no faith in it. BOURC (2015) stated that it 'seems unlikely to be acceptable' (Ibis 157: 189).
0). 1894 Cambridgeshire Cambridge, female, obtained, 26th January, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1959Z29).
(Watson, 2011).
[BOU, 1971].
History Watson (2011) in detailing the general collection in the Birmingham Museum lists this female specimen from Cambridge, obtained on 26th January 1894, adding that it was presented by Betteridge.
Cambridgeshire was not listed as one of the accepted counties (BOU 1971).
Comment John Betteridge (1872-1951) was a Birmingham taxidermist and according to Watson this specimen was most probably unsold stock or part of his own private collection of which nothing is known. Because of the time lapse of the record being made public and a date suggestive of an escape, I find it unacceptable. Assumed to have been identified correctly.
0). 1894 Sussex Near Bexhill, adult female, picked up, 3rd November.
(W. R. Butterfield, Zoologist 1897: 278-279; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History W. Ruskin Butterfield of St Leonards-on-Sea (1897) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. I. pp. 278-279, says: 'Early in January of the present year, while looking over some birds in the possession of Mr. Daniel Francis, I recognized an example, in adult female plumage of the Black-headed Bunting, Euspiza, or, as it is more generally called, Emberiza melanocephala.
It was given to Mr. Francis on the morning of the Nov. 3rd, 1894 - the day on which, as Gould supposed, the first British example was killed twenty-six years before - by one of the men of the coastguard service, who had just picked it up it an exhausted condition close to the metals on the South Coast line of railway near Bexhill.
The bird had a shattered wing, and had probably been shot at while perched on the telegraph-wires. Through my friend's kindness the specimen is now in my possession.
The original British specimen was shot in this county in November, 1868, and is in the choice collection of Sussex birds formed by Mr. Monk, of Lewes. Since that year it has occurred twice in other parts of Britain, so that the present makes the fourth record.'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (1): 143).
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1900 Sussex Near Pevensey, seen, 25th December.
(Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History Walpole-Bond (1938 (1): 143) says: 'On Christmas Day, 1900, Mr. M. J. Nicoll observed an adult male near Pevensey.'
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1901 Greater London London, Middlesex, pair, released, 24th August.
(F. Finn, Zoologist 1901: 353).
[F. Finn, Zoologist 1901: 353].
History Frank Finn of the Zoological Society (1901) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. V. p. 353, says: 'On the same day [Aug. 24th] I let out, in the Zoological Gardens, a pair of Black-headed Buntings (Emberiza melanocephala), which I had procured from a London dealer. The cock was in perfect condition, and could not be recognised as a caged bird; the hen was moulting rather unkindly, but I thought her more likely to recover if turned out now.'
0). 1903 Denbighshire Towyn, female, obtained, undated, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1959Z28).
(Watson, 2011).
[KAN].
History Watson (2011) in detailing the general collection in the Birmingham Museum lists this female specimen from Towyn, Clwyd, in 1903, adding that it was presented by Betteridge.
Comment John Betteridge (1872-1951) was a Birmingham taxidermist and according to Watson this specimen was most probably unsold stock or part of his own private collection of which nothing is known. Because of the time lapse of the record being made public and little other information I find it unacceptable, although being found on the west coast fits in with the known spring migration. Assumed to have been identified correctly.
0). 1905 Sussex Little Common, Bexhill, adult male, 21st April, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1962Z10.233).
(J. B. Nichols, Zoologist 1905: 267; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 248; Walpole-Bond, 1938; Watson, 2010).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History J. B. Nichols (1905) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IX. pp. 267-268, says: 'On April 21st, 1905, a very fine cock Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala) was killed at Little Common, Sussex, in full adult yellow plumage. It was brought to Mr. Bristow, of St. Leonards-on-Sea, to be set up, and is now in my collection.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 248, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', and accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (1): 143).
Watson (2010) in detailing the J. L. Auden collection in the Birmingham Museum lists a male specimen that was killed by Collins at Little Common, Bexhill, Sussex, on 21st April 1903, adding that it was bought from the sale of J. B. Nichol's collection who had purchased it from G. Bristow during May 1905.
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable. Discrepancy in the year between the articles.
0). 1909 Sussex Near Westfield, adult male, 5th May, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1962Z10.234).
(E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 1: 207; J. B. Nichols, British Birds 3: 412; Walpole-Bond, 1938; Watson, 2010).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History E. N. Bloomfield (1909) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. I. p. 207, says: 'We are again indebted to Mr. N. F. Ticehurst for a long list of rare birds which have occurred in our own and neighbouring districts, to which Mr. Butterfield has made some good additions. In the Hastings district - Emberiza melanocephala, Scop., Black-headed Bunting, an adult male, Westfield, May 5th.'
J. B. Nichols (1910) in British Birds, Vol. III. p. 412, says: 'A male Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala) in full plumage was shot at Little Holm Farm, near Westfield, Sussex, on May 5th, 1909. The bird was examined in the flesh by Mr. W. Ruskin Butterfield.'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (1): 143).
Watson (2010) in detailing the J. L. Auden collection in the Birmingham Museum lists a male specimen that was shot by G. Bristow at Little Hollin Farm, Westfield, Sussex, on 5th May 1909, adding that it was bought from the sale of J. B. Nichol's collection who had purchased it from G. Bristow 1st June 1909.
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1910 Yorkshire Near Halifax, male, December.
(R. Fortune, Naturalist 41: 3; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 33: 133-134; Eds., British Birds 8: 55; BOU, 1915).
[Eds., British Birds 8: 244-245; Witherby et al., 1940-52].
History Riley Fortune (1915) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XLI. pp. 3-5, in the 'Notes and Comments' section under 'The Story of a "New" Bird', says: 'On May 13th last, two Black-headed Buntings were exhibited at a meeting of the British Ornithologists' Club, and were referred to in the Club's Bulletin No. CXCVIII. pp. 133-4. One had been caught at Halifax, Yorkshire, in December, 1910, and kept alive in an aviary at Hove until May, 1912, when it was killed by a Corn Bunting. The other had been shot at Battle (Sussex) in April, 1912.
We referred to the matter in the Naturalist at the time, and regretted that our Yorkshire specimen should have been mixed up with the Sussex bird, because rightly or wrongly, northern (and some southern) ornithologists have received with suspicion so many of the new bird records from the south. Our contemporary, British Birds [1914, p. 55], also referred to the record, but without comment.'
Further, p. 3, under 'A Yorkshire Record', Fortune says: 'The Yorkshire bird had been supplied by a Mr. Hamilton, herbalist, etc., of Halifax. As it was the first county record, Yorkshire ornithologists were anxious to verify it, and asked the Secretary of the Halifax Scientific Society to investigate. He called upon Mr. Hamilton, but that gentleman's mind seemed to be a blank; he knew nothing whatever about it!
Later, the Curator of the Museum at Hull wrote to Mr. Hamilton enclosing a catalogue of the birds in the Hull collection, and asking to be informed of any species in Halifax which were not at Hull. Particular mention was made of a Black-headed Bunting, which he had seen from the papers had been supplied to a collector in Sussex.'
Further, p. 4, under 'A Halifax Dealer', Fortune says: 'Mr. Hamilton nibbled. He wrote, "I could not say how long I might be getting one in the flesh, having now four on order, but I have very great facilities for offering rare and ordinary specimens and send to the Elite of Society and such. At the present time I can only supply two Black-headed skins for £1 and eggs 1/- each. Enclosed with this letter was a long list of skins recently supplied "some in the flesh, also eggs, and can still supply another lot of each".
Further, p. 4, under 'A Halifax Record', Fortune says, "In reply to a question as to the authenticity of the Halifax specimen, (which he had forgotten about when he was called upon), Mr. Hamilton replied, "The Black-headed Bunting was sent alive and not shot, and certainly not like those I also offer imported".
However, on October 1st, the Curator of the Museum at Hull wrote saying he was not wanting anything but Yorkshire birds, so the correspondence ended.'
Further, p. 4, under 'A Little Bunting', Fortune says: 'However, on October 11th, Mr. Hamilton sent a card: - "I have for disposal something few possess, viz., live Little Bunting caught near Ripon, grand condition on seed, lowest price 15/-, now or never. I give you first chance". He was requested to send the bird on, with an account. But Mr. Hamilton was too old a bird to be caught. He wanted cash with order as he had bought the bird from a friend, and could obtain much more by advertising. Further correspondence made it evident that the bird would not be sent before the money was received, as Mr. Hamilton later stated, "I have to pay beforehand". It was also apparent that for the moment he was short of money, though he volunteered the statement that he had a cheque of £50 to draw in three weeks.'
Further, p. 4, under "Sold", Fortune says: 'Anyway on October 20th, 15/- was sent for "Little Bunting", which arrived on the 27th, quite chirpy, and has been alive and well ever since in an ordinary canary's cage. Later, a receipt was sent for 15/- for the "Little Bunting". The bird was shown at a meeting of the Vertebrate section of the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union at Leeds, on November 21st, and, as might have been expected, proves to be no Little Bunting at all!"*
In a footnote is added * "Our Bradford friends are of the opinion that it is the Alario Finch (Alario alario, L., the 'Berg Canarie' of South Africa; and if caught wild, is probably new to Europe! We have compared this with the illustration and description in Butler's Foreign Finches in Captivity, and it is certainly this species.'
Further, p. 5, under 'Further Investigation', Fortune says: 'However, it was suggested that the Secretary of the Yorkshire Wild Birds' and Eggs Protection Committee should write to Mr. Hamilton, asking for the name and address of the person who caught the bird at Ripon, in order that proceedings might be taken against him!
In reply, Mr. Hamilton mentions his severe illness (pneumonia, three broken ribs, etc.), refers to the Kaiser and the Creator, and then states that as "already said to a caller, he had no knowledge of a Black-headed Bunting, neither have I supplied a Little Bunting from Ripon"!!
Further, p. 5, under 'A Memory', Fortune says: 'Here, then, we have at last an opportunity of investigating a case of a new record, seen "in the flesh;" a specimen supplied by a dealer who is probably not too well endowed with this world's goods, and who knows that a 'new record' for a part of this country is likely to bring him more profit than is a foreign bird, sold as such. From the correspondence before us he has obviously a very bad memory (possibly through no fault of his own). As we heard he had been consulting bird lists at the local public library it was evident he was anxious to know what was "rare" and what was not.'
Further, p. 5, under 'Value of Records', Fortune concludes "But is it fair to the science of ornithology to base new records on the evidence of a dealer with such a bad memory? And if one has been proved to have had a bad memory, surely it is possible others have also. We do not for a moment suggest that a dealer might be unscrupulous in his search for custom and gain. Some might make such a suggestion; we don't. We merely say it is unfortunate that in this one case we have been able to investigate, the dealer has had so bad a memory that he states in one letter the very opposite to what he wrote in another only a few days before"!
W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1913) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXIII. pp. 133-134, says: 'Mr. A. F. Griffith exhibited two examples of the Black-headed Bunting, which were believed to have been taken in a wild state in the British Isles. 1. An adult male caught in mature plumage near Halifax, secured the bird and sold it a few days afterwards for five shillings to Major Johnson, of Melrose House, Hove, Sussex.
The last-named gentleman kept it alive in his aviaries till the 31st of May, 1912, when it was killed by a "Clodbird" (Emberiza calandra).The specimen had been presented to the Booth Museum.'
In an Editorial (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VIII. p. 55, they say: 'At the meeting of the British Ornithologists' Club, held on May 13th, 1914, Mr. A. F. Griffith exhibited an adult male Emberiza melanocephala which had been caught near Halifax (Yorkshire) in December, 1910, and kept in an aviary by Major Johnson, of Hove, until May, 1912, when it was killed by a Corn-Bunting....This specimen has been presented to the Booth Museum (cf. Bull. B.O.C., XXXIIL. pp. 133-4).'
In an Editorial (1915) in British Birds, Vol. VIII. pp. 244-245, they say: 'In our July issue (antea, p. 55) we referred to a Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala) which was exhibited at a meeting of the British Ornithologists' Club by Mr. A. F. Griffith, who stated that the bird had been presented to the Booth Museum at Brighton and that it was said to have been caught near Halifax, Yorkshire, in December, 1910, and subsequently kept in an aviary at Hove by Major Johnson until its death in 1912.
Since the publication of the record in the Club's Bulletin, the editors of the Naturalist have been inquiring into its authenticity and have drawn the admission from the Halifax dealer who supplied the bird that his information regarding "localities" is, at all events sometimes, made for business purposes (cf., Naturalist, 1915, pp. 3-5 and 60).
The record must therefore be cancelled, and ornithologists will be duly thankful to the editors of the Naturalist for disposing of a bad record. The editors' conclusion (p. 60) that having proved this one record wrong therefore other recent "new records" from other sources should be deleted can scarcely be deemed judicial, to say the least.'
0). 1912 Sussex Battle, shot, early April.
(W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 33: 133-134; Eds., British Birds 8: 55; N. F. Ticehurst, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 4: 24; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1913) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXIII. pp. 133-134, says: 'Mr. A. F. Griffith exhibited two examples of the Black-headed Bunting, which were believed to have been taken in a wild state in the British Isles. 2. The second male exhibited was shot by Roland Oliver at Battle, Sussex, in the first week of April, 1912, and was taken, with other birds, to Mr. Bristow, of St. Leonards, to be mounted. Shortly after it had been set up, and while still soft, it had been sent to Mr. Griffith, who, having acquired it, presented it to the Booth Museum.'
In an Editorial (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VIII. p. 55, they say: 'At the meeting of the British Ornithologists' Club, held on May 13th, 1914...Mr. Griffith also exhibited a second adult male of the same species which had been shot at Battle (Sussex) in the first week of April, 1912. This specimen has been presented to the Booth Museum (cf. Bull. B.O.C., XXXIIL. pp. 133-4).'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (1): 143).
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1928 Sussex Seaford, female, seen, 5th November.
(Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History Walpole-Bond (1938 (1): 144) says: 'On 5th November 1928, from his description, a female, just out of juvenile plumage was seen by Dr. C. H. Bryant in the Cuckmere Valley, near Seaford.'
Comment No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.
0). 1931 Sussex Hove, seen, 18th October.
(Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History Accepted locally by Walpole-Bond (1938 (1): 144) who says: 'At Hove, on the 18th October, 1931, I myself observed one of these birds of which I have no doubt as to its identity, which gave out a thin, quiet note of "zit" or tzit, and later uttered a subdued "cheep"; I also heard another.'
Comment No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.
0). 1934 Shetland Skaw, Whalsay, seen, 17th March.
(Venables & Venables, 1955).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History Venables & Venables (1955) placing the record in square brackets, say: 'Bruce & Grierson (1899 et seq.) recorded a sight record by T. Bruce at Skaw, Whalsay on 17th March 1934.'
Comment Date is extremely early. No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.
0). 1946 Perth & Kinross Near Loch Lubnaig, male, 19th June.
(C. R. Brown, North Western Naturalist 21: 100).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History Charles Richmond Brown (1947) in the North Western Naturalist, Vol. XXI. p. 100, dated 28th June 1946, says: 'I wish to record that on 19th June 1946 I observed a male Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala Scop., near Loch Lubnaig, Perthshire.
The bird, as far as I could judge, was fully adult, and allowed me to approach it to within a few yards, and I was able to observe every detail of its characteristics. The deep yellow of the underparts in contrast to the markedly black head, afforded a combination which allowed of no confusion with any other British species.
After examining skins in the Yorkshire Museum, and experience of the living bird abroad, I am more than confident that my determination is correct, although I am at a loss to account for the appearance of this species in Britain at this time of the year.'
Comment Not one of the counties mentioned (BOU 1971). Not acceptable.
0). 1953 Clyde Ralston, Renfrewshire, 31st May.
(J. A. Gibson, Glasgow and West of Scotland Bird Bulletin 2: 32).
[J. A. Gibson, Glasgow and West of Scotland Bird Bulletin 2: 32; BOU, 1971].
History J. A. Gibson (1953) in the Glasgow and West of Scotland Bird Bulletin, Vol. II. p. 32, says: 'At 10 a.m. on 31st May 1953, Dr. J. A. Gibson saw a Black-headed Bunting in his garden at Ralston, near Paisley, Renfrewshire.
It was seen through a window from a distance of about ten feet, and was compared with the plates and description in The Handbook for at least ten minutes. There was no doubt of the identification.
Locally, there is a cage-bird club in Paisley and this was almost certainly an escape.'
Comment Not one of the counties mentioned (BOU 1971). Not acceptable.
