Common Crane

Gruidae

Nov 12

Grus grus (Linnaeus, 1758) (114, 41)

Photo © Kris Webb - Salakee, St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly, 3 April 2024

Ex BBRC species 31/12/1987

STATUS

Palearctic. Monotypic.

OVERVIEW

A. Buxton (1951: 10) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, says: 'Turner in Avium Historia speaks of the Crane as breeding in the country and an act of Parliament of 1553 made the taking of a Crane's eggs as a punishable offence with a fine of twenty pence. Apparently soon after this date Cranes ceased to breed in these islands.'

BOU (1971) stated that during the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries it was a rare visitor to Britain.

All 19th century Scottish records as per (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).

RECORDS

1). 1767 Wiltshire No locality, shot, undated.

(A. C. Smith, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 12: 54; Smith, 1887; Wiltshire Ornithological Society, 2007).

History A. C. Smith (1870) in the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, Vol. XII. p. 54, says: 'Mr. James Waylen has most obligingly furnished me with the following interesting anecdote of a Wiltshire Crane: "In 1783, it was recorded in the Salisbury paper that a gentleman shot a Crane, on whose leg was found a piece of copper which he himself had attached in the year 1767, after having caught the same bird by means of a hawk: the copper plate bore his initials, and the date 1767". I am afraid that I have no more modern instance of the occurrence of the Crane in Wiltshire.'

2). 1773 Cambridgeshire No locality, killed, undated.

(Pennant, 1776; L. Jenyns, Transactions of the Cambridge Philosophical Society 2: 313; Jenyns, 1835; Morris, 1868).

History Pennant (1776 (2): 629, 4th ed.) under 'Appendix' says: 'A single bird was killed near Cambridge about three years ago and is the only instance I ever knew of the Crane being seen in this island in our time.'

L. Jenyns (1827) in the Transactions of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Vol. II. p. 313, says: 'In the time of Ray, these birds appear to have visited our fens in large flocks regularly during the winter months, but they have long since deserted them; nor is it likely, from the altered state of the country in consequence of the improved system of drainage which is now carried on, that they will ever return thither.

According to Pennant (Brit. Zool., Vol. II. p. 629) a single specimen was killed near Cambridge about the year 1773. This I believe to, be the latest instance on record in which the species has been met with.'

Fleming (1828: 97) says: 'In more modern times, the visits of this species have been rare indeed. Pennant mentions a single instance of an individual shot near Cambridge (Brit. Zool., II. 629).'

Jenyns (1835: 185) says: 'Pennant makes mention of a single specimen which was killed in his time near Cambridge.'

3). 1794 Kent Near Burham, Medway, January.

(Latham, 1801, 1821-28; Jenyns, 1835).

History Latham (1801: 298, 2nd supp.) says: 'As far as relates to myself, I have only been able to ascertain three which have been met with in this island, viz. one shot near Cambridge; a second met with on the Kentish coast, communicated by Mr. Boys; and a third, on the shores of the Medway, mentioned to me by Sir William Bishop, in January 1794.'

Later, Latham (1824 (9): 350 adds: 'A third near Burham, on the shores of the Medway, in January 1794, mentioned to me by Sir Wm. Bishop.'

Jenyns (1835: 185) says: 'One or two others are said to have occurred in Kent.'

Ticehurst (1909: 403) says: 'The only other mention of the Crane in Kent is of two birds of which Latham, in 1801 (Synopsis, Suppl., II. p. 298), in enumerating the examples that had occurred in Britain, says: "...a third near Burham on the shores of the Medway [between Maidstone and Rochester] in January, 1794, mentioned to me by Sir William Bishop".'

4). 1797 Yorkshire Near York, shot, undated.

(Fothergill, 1799; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History Clarke & Roebuck (1881: 65) say: 'York, one shot in 1797 (Fothergill, Orn. Brit. 1799, p. 7)', which was accepted locally (Nelson 1907 (2): 547-548; Mather 1986).

5). 1807 Shetland Tingwall, Mainland, "small flock" (three), seen, autumn.

(Montagu, 1813; Latham, 1821-28; Fleming, 1828; Selby, 1833; Baikie & Heddle, 1848; Buckley & Harvie-Brown, 1891; Evans & Buckley, 1899; Venables & Venables, 1955; G. T. Kay, Scottish Birds 1: 12).

History Montagu (1813) says: 'A few years since a small flock appeared in the harvest time, at Tingwall, in Zetland, one of which was shot. They were observed to feed on corn, a very unusual food for such birds.'

Latham (1824 (9): 35) says: 'A few years since a small flock appeared in harvest, at Tingwall, in Zetland, one of which was shot.'

Fleming (1828: 97) says: 'A small flock appeared, during harvest, in 1807, in Tingwall, Zetland, as I was informed by the Rev. John Turnbull, the worthy minister of the parish, who added that they fed on grain.'

Selby (1833 (2): 5) says: '...It still continues equally rare, and appears to have permanently changed the line of its migrations, for (in addition to the above mentioned instance by Pennant) I can only cite a small flock that visited Zetland during the harvest of 1807, as recorded by Montagu and the Rev. Dr. Fleming, out of which one was shot.'

Buckley & Harvie-Brown (1891: 200) says: 'Dr. Fleming states that a small flock were seen at Tingwall in the autumn of 1807 (Baikie and Heddle, Fauna Orcadensis).'

Evans & Buckley (1899: 153) say: 'The Crane is first mentioned as having occurred in Shetland by Fleming [sic], who says: 'A small flock appeared during harvest in 1807, in Tingwall, Zetland, as I was informed by the Rev. John Turnbull, the worthy minister of the parish, who added that they fed on grain.'

Comment Estimated count of three.

8.0). 1826 Cornwall River Tamar, seen, September; also in Devon.

(J. Couch, Loudon's Magazine of Natural History 3: 177; E. Moore, Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History 1: 320; Jenyns, 1835; Clark, 1906; Penhallurick, 1969).

History J. Couch (1830) in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. III. p. 177, says: 'Crane. A specimen killed in 1828, in the collection of Mr. Drew, Davenport.'

Jenyns (1835: 185) says: 'So recently as in the year 1828, an individual is recorded to have been killed in Cornwall. This last is now in the collection of Mr. Drew, Devonport. (Loud. Mag. Vol. III. p. 177).'

E. Moore of Plymouth (1837) in Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. I. p. 320, dated May, 1837, says: 'In September, 1826, a fine specimen was shot in the parish of Buckland Monachorum, near Plymouth, which is now in Mr. Drew's collection; it was wounded in the wing, and made a most desperate resistance.'

J. Clark (1906 (1): 342) in the Victoria County History of Cornwall, says: 'A solitary specimen frequented the banks of the Tamar for some time in the autumn of 1826, and was ultimately shot on the Devonshire side of the river.'

Comment Formerly in Mr. Drew's collection it is now in E. H. Rodd's collection. I presume Moore's date to be correct, as he troubled to ascertain more details, with both articles referring to the same individual.

8.1). 1826 Devon Near Buckland Monachorum, shot, September; same as Cornwall.

(J. Couch, Loudon's Magazine of Natural History 3: 177; E. Moore, Transactions of the Plymouth Institution 1830: 322; E. Moore, Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History 1: 320; Jenyns, 1835; Yarrell, 1845; D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; Clark, 1906; Moore, 1969).

History J. Couch (1830) in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. III. p. 177, says: 'Crane. A specimen killed in 1828, in the collection of Mr. Drew, Davenport.'

Edward Moore of Plymouth (1830) in the Transactions of the Plymouth Institution, Vol. I. p. 322, says: 'The most recent of which was a fine male, shot in the parish of Buckland Monachorum, near Plymouth, in September, 1826, which is now preserved in Drew's collection.'

D'Urban & Mathew (1892: 288-289) say: 'A male was killed at Buckland Monachorum, on the borders of Dartmoor, in the autumn of 1826, and was preserved in Drew's collection at Plymouth (E.M., Trans. Plym. Inst. 1830; Rowe's Peramb. Dartmoor, 1848, p. 231).

Mr. E. H. Rodd says of this bird: - "A solitary Crane which for some time frequented the banks of the river Tamar, which divides Cornwall from Devon, was, after several ineffectual attempts to secure it, at length shot on the Devonshire side of the river, near Buckland Monachorum, and is preserved in my collection. This was in the autumn of 1826, since which time I have not heard of the occurrence of any other example of this bird in either Devon or Cornwall" (Birds of Cornwall, p. 126).

It is presumed that Mr. Rodd obtained his specimen from Mr. Drew; but in the collection of the late Mr. Marsh-Dunn, of Teignmouth, there is a Crane which was purchased at the sale of Mr. Bolitho, of Plymouth, and was supposed to have been the one killed near Buckland Monachorum (M. Marsh-Dunn in litt. Aug. 21st, 1883). Mr. J, Gatcombe, however, states (in litt. Sept. 3rd, 1883) that there is no doubt that Mr. Rodd's specimen is the genuine one.'

9). 1829 Oxfordshire River Isis, Chimneyford, female, shot, spring.

(Selby, 1833; A. & H. Matthews, Zoologist 1849: 2600; Morris, 1851-57; Newman, 1866; Aplin, 1889; Radford, 1966).

History Selby (1833 (2): 5) in a footnote, says: 'Since writing the above, I have received information that a Crane was killed in Oxfordshire, in December 1830.'

A. & H. Matthews (1849) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VII. p. 2600, under 'The Birds of Oxfordshire', say: 'In the spring of 1829 a very fine female Crane was shot at Chimney Ford, near Standlake, in the county.'

Morris (1856 (5): 66) says: 'In Oxfordshire, one in December, 1830, and another, it is said at Chimneyford, on the Isis, in December, 1831.' Accepted locally (Aplin 1889: 141; Radford 1966).

Comment Presumed both notices refer to this record.

10). 1831-35 Shetland No locality, two, shot, undated.

(Dunn, 1837; Morris, 1851-57; Saxby, 1874; Evans & Buckley, 1899; Venables & Venables, 1955; G. T. Kay, Scottish Birds 1: 12; Pennington et al., 2004).

History Dunn (1837: 84) says: 'On my first visit I arrived in Shetland on the 21st March 1831 and remained there between seven and eight months...In the spring of 1835 I again visited Shetland...This bird is an occasional visitor in severe winters or stormy weather; two examples were shot in Shetland in the interval between my first and second visits.'

Morris (1856 (5): 66) says: 'Mr. Dunn also mentions two having been shot in Zetland in 1831 and 1832.'

Saxby (1874) says: 'According to Mr. Dunn, one was killed in Shetland between the years 1831 and 1833.' Evans & Buckley (1899: 153) say: 'Dunn says that two examples were shot between his first and second visits to Shetland, 1831-1835.'

Comment Robert Dunn (1799-1859) from Hull who eventually lived in Shetland.

12). 1839 Dorset Poole, shot, 12th November.

(Mansel-Pleydell, 1888; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 207).

History Mansel-Pleydell (1888: 74, 2nd ed.) says: 'Stokes, the Poole gunner, shot one at Poole, November 12, 1839.'

Admitted by F. L. Blathwayt (1934) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LV. p. 207, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset'.

13). 1845 Cornwall Hendra Bridge, Menheniot, shot, 17th March.

(N. Hare, jun., Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society Report 14: 33; Penhallurick, 1969).

History N. Hare, jun., (1846) in the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society Report, Vol. XIV. p. 33, under 'Liskeard Ornithology' says: 'Common Crane. Rare, one shot at Hendra Bridge, 17th March, 1845.'

14). 1845 Suffolk Kirkley, Lowestoft, adult female, shot, April, now at Castle Museum, Norwich.

(J. H. Gurney & W. R. Fisher, Zoologist 1846: 1319-1320; T. Southwell, Hardwicke's Science Gossip 1869: 160; Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932; Payn, 1978).

History J. H. Gurney & W. R. Fisher (1846) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. IV. pp. 1319-1320, say: 'Common Crane. A bird of this species, ascertained by dissection, to be a female, was shot by a labourer at Kirkley, near Lowestoft, in Suffolk, in the month of April, 1845. It was walking slowly in a barley field, apparently intent on searching for food, and was killed without difficulty. We are not aware of any other recent instance of the occurrence of the Crane in this district.'

Babington (1884-86: 157) who admits to having seen the specimen, adds: '...given by Mr. Scales to Mr. J. H. Gurney', while Ticehurst (1932: 322) says: '...was given by Abraham Scales to J. H. Gurney; it is still preserved at Keswick Hall and is in perfect plumage.'

15). 1848 Shetland Near Hillswick, Mainland, seen, 14th August to 13th October when killed.

(J. Wolley, Zoologist 1849: 2352-53; Newman, 1866; Gray, 1871; Evans & Buckley, 1899; Venables & Venables, 1955; G. T. Kay, Scottish Birds 1: 12).

History John Wolley writing from Edinburgh (1849) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VII. pp. 2352-53, dated November, 1848, says: 'I saw one of these birds on the mainland of Shetland, on the 14th of August last. At that time it was very shy, and my only chance of getting a shot at it was spoiled by a Hooded Crow, which got up and gave the alarm; but I had a good view of it with my glass. I watched it for some time, during which it stood with its neck raised and the feathers pressed close to the body, just like a Heron when alarmed. It flew like the Stork and Spoonbill, with the neck stretched out; the wings did not appear so arched as those of the Heron. I had been looking for it several days; but it appears I was always too late, as it crossed a narrow arm of the sea usually towards the middle of the day, or after having been disturbed.

It frequented an isthmus of good pasture-land, called Hillswick Ness, on the west of the mainland, not very far from Ronas Hill. What its usual food was I do not know: the people about thought it grazed like a goose; but when first seen, some six or eight weeks before I was there, it was at the carcass of a sheep, and it flew several times around the head of the boy who disturbed it, screaming and frightening him much.

Curiously enough, when last seen, it was also "pecking the body of a dead sheep". This was on the 13th of October, moon full, As Mr. Gideon Anderson, the laird of Hillswick, has kindly informed me. A stay of so rare a visitor three or four months in the same neighbourhood is very interesting; if it were to return another year with a mate it would be still more so.

Willughby's authority, and the old law against taking their eggs, are conclusive as to the fact of their formerly frequenting the Cambridgeshire fens and breeding in this country.

Several years since one was shot in the island of South Ronaldsay, in the Orkneys, and one or two instances are recorded of its visiting Shetland. The people about had exaggerated stories of the great bird that had appeared at Hillswick.

Many had seen it, yet from their descriptions I had some doubts whether it was a Bustard or a Crane; one man had been near enough to see the red about the head.'

Gray (1871: 270) says: 'In Mr. Dunn's copy of Baikie and Heddle's work, a note in MS. by one of the authors states that a specimen was killed in Shetland in 1848.' Accepted locally (Evans & Buckley 1899: 153).

16). 1849 Sussex Westham, Pevensey Level, male, shot, May, now at Booth Museum, Brighton.

(J. B. Ellman, Zoologist 1851: 3234; Newman, 1866; Booth, 1901; Shrubb, 1979; James, 1996).

History J. B. Ellman of Lewes (1851) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. IX. p. 3234, dated 9th August, 1851, says: 'I have recently obtained a male specimen of this scarce bird, which was shot at the above place [Pevensey] in May, 1849.'

Booth (1901: 217, 3rd ed.) says: 'Shot at Westham, in Pevensey Level, in May, 1849, by Mr. Geering, a butcher, and at one time in Mr. Ellman's collection.'

Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 323-324) says: 'Mr. J. B. Ellman...parted with it to Borrer, whereby, on his death it went to the Booth Museum, Brighton. Is this the bird very loosely noticed by Mr. J. Dutton in the monthly above mentioned for the year 1864? Herein we read (p. 9100): "A Crane was shot in a chalk pit at Westham about ten years since", i.e., about ten years prior to 1864. Westham, it should be explained, adjoins Pevensey.'

James (1996: 224) adds: 'Now in the Booth Museum, Brighton (BoMNH 208191).'

17). 1849 Norfolk Martham, immature, shot, late December.

(J. H. Gurney, Zoologist 1850: 2771; Newman, 1866; T. Southwell, Hardwicke's Science Gossip 1869: 160; J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 4: 399).

History J. H. Gurney of Easton (1850) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VIII. p. 2771, dated 13th March, 1850, says: 'A specimen of the Crane was shot at Martham, in this county, about the end of last December. It appears to be a bird of the year; the sex was not noted.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell (1884-89) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IV. p. 399, say: 'Martham, February, 1850.'

Comment Discrepancy in the date with some lax recording.

18). 1849 Dorset Poole, shot, undated.

(Mansel-Pleydell, 1888; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 207; Prendergast & Boys, 1982).

History Mansel-Pleydell (1888: 74, 2nd ed.) says: 'Stokes, the Poole gunner, shot one at Poole...and another in 1849.'

Admitted by F. L. Blathwayt (1934) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LV. p. 207, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset'.

19). 1851 Nottinghamshire Gunthorpe, immature male, shot, January, now at Wollaton Hall, Museum.

(Felkin, 1866; Sterland & Whitaker, 1879; Whitaker, 1907).

History Felkin (1866: 52) says: 'In January, 1851, a young male was brought to Mr. R. Cutts to stuff, shot by a Nottingham man near Gunthorpe; he purchased it for me for 7s.6d.; it is now in my collection.'

Sterland & Whitaker (1879: 49) say: 'In our county one was shot by a Nottingham man on the Trent near Easthorpe, and bought of him for seven shillings and sixpence by Cutts the animal preserver, for Mr. Felkin. It was a young male in immature plumage.'

20). 1851 North-east Scotland River Dee, Aberdeenshire, immature male, shot, late May.

(J. Longmuir, Morris and Bree's Naturalist 2: 238; Gray, 1871; H. M. Drummond Hay, Scottish Naturalist 8: 372; Sim, 1903; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History John Longmuir, jun., (1852) in Morris and Bree's edition of The Naturalist, Vol. II. p. 238, says: 'This "occasional and very rare visitor", as Yarrell entitles it, has lately occurred in this neighbourhood. It was first seen about the end of May, in a field about eight miles up the River Dee, and remained some days in the vicinity before being shot. It was a young male, and is now in the possession of Mr. Alexander Mitchell.'

Gray (1871) says: 'One - an immature specimen - was killed on the banks of the Dee, in Aberdeenshire, in the end of May, 1851, by Mr. Francis Anderson, and is still in that gentleman's possession. This bird, as I have been informed by Mr. Angus, frequented a field contiguous to the river, for several days. It was wounded in the evening about dusk, and in the darkness escaped by flying into a neighbouring wood. It was, however, shot dead next morning, while roosting in a tree. The specimen was preserved by Mr. Mitchell, and shown by him to the late Professor MacGillivray shortly before his death: it was the only example of the species ever seen with flesh by that excellent ornithologist, and is now invested with a somewhat melancholy interest, as being the very last bird he examined.'

Admitted by H. M. Drummond Hay (1885-86) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. VIII. p. 372, under 'Report of the East of Scotland Union', and accepted locally (Sim 1903: 165-166).

21). 1852 Dorset River Stour, Christchurch, Hampshire, adult male, shot, undated, now at Horniman Museum, London (NH.83.3/237).

(A. P. Morres, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 21: 215; Kelsall & Munn, 1905; Green, 2004; Hart MS.; Clark, 2022).

History A. P. Morres (1884) in the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, Vol. XXI. p. 215, says: 'Another specimen stands recorded in Mr. E. Hart's notes (the well-known naturalist of Christchurch) as having been killed by a Mr. Bullock, of Iford, on the River Stour, in the year 1825.'

Kelsall & Munn (1905: 275) who wrote The Birds of Hampshire, say: 'In the Hart collection at Christchurch is a specimen shot at Iford by Mr. Bullock, in 1852.'

Edward Hart writing in May 1927 states that this cased adult male was shot on the River Stour, Christchurch in 1852 by Mr. Bullock of Iford, Christchurch and the specimen was mounted by my brother.

Comment Morres (or publisher) would appear to have transposed the year causing an error.

22). 1854 Sussex Pagham, shot, 18th October, now at Chichester Museum.

(Knox, 1855; W. Borrer, Zoologist 1854: 4512; Newman, 1866; Walpole-Bond, 1938; Shrubb, 1979; James, 1996).

History Knox (1855: 226, 3rd ed.) says: 'I have lately received the following communication from Mr. Hills, the indefatigable curator of the Chichester museum: "Chichester, Oct. 20th, 1854. Sir, - I take the first opportunity of informing you of the great acquisition we have made to the museum. I yesterday purchased a Crane, which was killed the day before at Pagham; it appears to be a young bird. I hope this information is not too late for insertion in the third edition of your work. I remain, Sir, yours very truly, Wm. Hills".'

W. Borrer of Cowfold (1854) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XII. p. 4512, dated October, 1854, says: 'On the 19th of this month I saw, at the Museum at Chichester, a specimen of the Crane, which had been shot the day before at Pagham.

It was in good condition, and apparently an immature female, the elongated plumes on the sides consisting of only two or three feathers, and the head and neck being much tinged with rusty brown. This was after a moderate gale from the west.'

Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 324) says: 'This bird was in the original Chichester museum until it was dismembered.' Still accepted locally (James 1996: 224).

Comment The bird or the museum, Mr. Walpole-Bond?

23). 1863 Borders Near Hawick, Roxburghshire, shot, May.

(Border Magazine; Gray, 1871; Evans, 1911; Bolam, 1912; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History Gray (1871: 270) says: 'I examined a very fine bird of this species, which was shot near Hawick, in May, 1863: the specimen is still in the possession of Mr. Forrest, gunmaker, Jedburgh.'

Bolam (1912: 502) says: 'I saw this specimen, still uncased, In Mr. Forrest's shop on 16th August 1895, when it was in a poor state. It had frequented a particular corn field for three days before it was killed.'

24). 1865 Norfolk Warham, seen, spring; presumed same, Sandringham, spring.

(T. Southwell, Hardwicke's Science Gossip 1869: 160; J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 4: 399).

History T. Southwell (1869) in Hardwicke's Science Gossip, Vol. V. p. 160, says: 'On the 1st of May two Cranes were seen by a crow-boy on a barley-field at Hemsby, in East Norfolk; he called a man, who followed them with a gun, and succeeded in killing one in a field in the adjoining parish of Summerton.

This bird was sent to London to Mr. Hume, the owner of the soil, for whom it has been preserved. A crane has since been killed on the Severn, which may possibly be the bird seen in company with the Summerton specimen.

Mr. Stevenson has kindly given me a list of the occurrences of the Crane in this district, as follows:- One killed at Feltwell, 1836; one killed at Kirkley, near Lowestoft, April, 1845; a bird of first year killed at Matham [sic], Feb., 1850; a Crane seen by Mr. H. M. Upcher, near Warhand [sic], afterwards seen in Sandringham Marshes, spring, 1865; two seen, one killed, at Summerton, May, 1869.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell (1884-89) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IV. p. 399, say: 'The following is believed to be the complete list of the modern occurrences in Norfolk of this accidental visitant, which it is likely enough bred in this county in olden days: - No. 3. Warham, spring 1865.'

25). 1865 Cleveland/Co. Durham Dyke House Farm, near Hartlepool, Durham, shot, May.

(J. T. T. Reed, Naturalist 1887 (12): 77; House, 1899; Temperley, 1951; Bowey & Newsome, 2012).

History J. T. T. Reed (1887) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XIII. p. 77, under 'Local Specimens of Rare Birds in the Museum at Newcastle-on-Tyne', says: 'Crane. Specimen from the Old Museum. Dyke House Farm, near Hartlepool; shot in May, 1865, by Mr. J. Smith. Presented by Mr. J. E. Robson, of Hartlepool.'

Howse (1899: 90) in his Index-Catalogue of the Birds in the Hancock Collection, says: 'Case 80. Shot at Dyke House Farm on the Hart Estate, Hartlepool, May, 1865, by Mr. J. Smith. Presented by J. E. Robson, Esq., Hartlepool, May, 1876. From the Old Museum Collection.'

26). 1865 Shetland Unst, four, seen, mid-June, one shot, Haroldswick, Unst, mid-June, another, shot, Cliff, Unst, 18th July, one now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1865.24).

(H. L. Saxby, Zoologist 1865: 9767; R. Tate, Hardwicke's Science Gossip 1865: 184; Saxby, 1874; Gray, 1871; Evans & Buckley, 1899; Venables & Venables, 1955; G. T. Kay, Scottish Birds 1: 12; Pennington et al., 2004; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

History H. L. Saxby of Shetland (1865) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXIII. p. 9767, dated 31st July, 1865, says: 'Two of these rare birds have just been killed here: I will add particulars in a postscript.'

Same page he adds in the postscript: 'In the preceding communication I mentioned the occurrence of the Crane in the island of Unst, at the same time proposing to give some further particulars in my next. To those of my readers who are acquainted with the crane in its wild state my remarks may perhaps appear trivial, but here I would observe that if The Zoologist is to continue to be what it has been for many years, the most complete record in existence of the habits of birds, not merely a dry list of captures, no fact which contributes even in a small degree to the great end in view can be deemed unworthy of notice. Moreover, it seems only just that he who is instrumental in causing the scarcity of a species should also make the only amends in his power to his brother naturalists, by allowing them to avail themselves to the utmost of every advantage, however slight, which, as a rule, he has gained by accident alone. One evening about the middle of last June, four large birds, uttering loud cries, which were described as resembling those of the wild swan, were observed flying across Baltasound in a southerly direction, and, slowly descending, they became lost to view against the hills. Some days afterwards a large bird, said to be one of the four, was shot at Haroldswick, in a meadow near the sea, and brought to Mr. Thomas Edmondston, of Buness, where it was identified as a specimen of the crane, and soon afterwards the skin was sent to Edinburgh to be stuffed.

No red colour was observed upon the top of the head, but as that fades soon after death it might easily have been overlooked. From all that I can hear, the bird seems to have been in the plumage of its second year. The measurements, which were taken before skinning, have been given to me as follows: - Length, from middle claw to tip of bill, 4 feet 10 inches; length, from tail to tip of bill, 3 feet 10 inches; expanse of wings, 6 feet 9 inches; Bill to gape, 4½ inches. On my return to Shetland, early in July, I was informed that one of these birds was supposed to be still remaining in the island; but nothing further was ascertained until the 13th, when it was observed near the Loch of Cliff, sometimes upon the wing, but more frequently walking about in the corn-fields. The last time it was seen that day it was standing in the little holm, far out of shot from the shore. Next day diligent search was made for it without the smallest success; but a man who lives near the deserted village of Cliff assured us that the bird had of late been almost constantly seen in that neighbourhood, and his description convinced me that it was not a heron - a bird which here, as elsewhere, is often called the crane. He said that it was at least as high as a pony, that it never went very near the water, but preferred the meadows and the fields of young corn, in which it walked about with slow steps, now and then "picking at the ground, for all the world like a hen".

On the 17th, as I was crossing the hills above Cliff, the man ran to me in great haste with the news that the crane had just gone down near the loch, upon the steep slope which faces the north. Wishing to make quite sure as to the species before going home for a gun, I crept among the long grass to the top of the hill and peeped over, but as the sun dazzled me, the bird rose before I was aware of its presence. It got up, with a low guttural cry; sailed off with outstretched neck towards the loch, then turned facing the wind, and soon afterwards alighted upon the same slope, some three hundred yards distant from where it had just risen. As it flew the ends of the quills could be seen widely separated, giving the wings a peculiar fringed-like appearance. Very carefully withdrawing from sight, I hastened to Baltasound, about a couple of miles distant, for a gun, but, as is usual in such cases, a party of visitors had called during my absence, and carried off both guns and ammunition. More than an hour was spent in searching for another, but at last I succeeded in procuring a tremendously heavy old single-barrel, a little loose powder and some rabbit-shot; and thus provided I hurried back.

On my arrival the bird was nowhere to be seen, and I was about to leave, when it came sailing back, in a sneaking sort of way, under shelter of the hill, and went down near the old spot. I got nearer, without being observed, and was just wondering how to proceed next, the last sheltering patch of weeds having been reached, and the bird still far distant, when the latter, which until then had been walking slowly about with neck retracted and shoulders humped, - exactly in the position chosen by Yarrell for his figure of the heron, - suddenly stretched its neck to the full extent, ran several steps, and then took wing, uttering the same peculiar croaking sound as before. I fired instantly, but seeing that no serious effect was produced, threw myself flat among the long grass, and the bird, changing its course, flew directly over me, and so close that I could distinctly see its eye. Then, while I was reloading, it took a long flight, circling about in various directions, sometimes sweeping close to the ground, as if about to alight, and then rising so high in the air as to be almost out of sight. At length it settled upon the opposite side of the loch, whither I followed it, and was nearly within shot, when a sheep-dog caught sight of it and drove it up. Then for upwards of three hours I continued the pursuit, the bird keeping an exceedingly sharp look out, sometimes alighting in corn-fields or moist places, occasionally walking about and feeding, but always flying off for half a mile or more as I approached. Then I lost sight of it for nearly an hour, and was far on my way home, when I caught a momentary glimpse of its wings as it went down near the old place. It remained there for a few minutes, and then went off to a field surrounded by a rough wall, two feet high, where it remained feeding so contentedly that I made sure of success at last. Crawling among the stones and long grass I managed to gain a cross-wall, which would have exactly answered my purpose, but, at the very moment when I was passing the only gap, the bird, raising its long neck, caught sight of me, and was off in an instant. Having watched it fairly out of sight, I went home greatly disappointed.

Next morning, being provided with my own gun, I went again in pursuit, this time accompanied by my brother-in-law, Mr. Thomas Edmondston, jun. Two riders were seen making for the very spot where we expected to find the bird; but, after a smart race, we intercepted them just in time, and, almost breathless with anxiety and haste, we peeped over the brow of the hill, very cautiously indeed, for the extreme wariness of the bird was by that time well known, then we rose to our knees, next to our feet, but not a feather was to be seen. We were about to descend the hill, and had already proceeded some steps, when, catching sight of the bird on a level place at the foot of the hill, and about three hundred yards distant from us, we immediately dropped behind a friendly hillock, and, making a wide sweep inland, returned to the top of the hill, as nearly as possible above the desired spot. Reckoning that the bird would be far out of shot from the nearest concealment, we agreed that our only chance was to creep along the ground as far as possible, and then run in at once. This we did, and as the bird got up we ventured a very long shot with B B as it flew towards the loch. On receiving the shot it sailed steadily for a few seconds, and then, dropping upon its feet in shallow water, ran for the land so rapidly that we could scarcely overtake it, and even then the furious thrusts which it delivered with its bill rendered its despatch a matter of no small difficulty. It was only then that we became aware that we had both fired, the two shots having occurred so precisely at the same moment that only one report was perceptible. In consequence of the great size of the bird neither of us could carry it alone without injuring it as a specimen, therefore we bound it lengthwise with our handkerchiefs to the longest gun, and thus brought it in triumph home.

During the pursuit on the previous day I noticed that the bird never rose without first running several steps, and that as soon as it became aware of danger it never failed to utter the peculiar guttural cry already mentioned. It rarely circled immediately before, alighting, but, with outstretched motionless wings, sailed gradually closer to the ground and dropped rather suddenly. Then it would pause to tuck its large wings comfortably away, very soon afterwards beginning to walk about slowly in the position already described, occasionally stopping to raise its head and look around, or to pick up something from among the grass. On taking wing, and generally when descending previously to alighting, it stretched out the neck in a line with the body; but when rising in full flight it kept the neck retracted and the head withdrawn to the shoulders. When it was high in the air, and seemed bent upon a long flight, the wings were flapped slowly, but at regular intervals, rather longer than I have observed with the heron; at other times the wings were usually kept fully expanded, and only moved occasionally. The flight, though apparently heavy, was nevertheless very rapid, and, as far as I could observe, the bird preferred rising head to wind; indeed, even upon the ground, it nearly always exactly faced the quarter from which the wind was blowing.

On skinning the specimen, it was evident that the contents of both of our barrels had been well directed; one wing was broken, and other wounds were numerous; but I was surprised to find several shot lying loose beneath the skin of the back. Although the bird was evidently immature the tendons of the wings and legs were exceedingly strong, and in some situations even partly ossified. The stomach, which was large and very muscular, was filled with large black slugs and pieces of stone (principally quartz), some of them of considerable size, measuring about half an inch square. Most of the feathers composing the under wing-coverts presented a very peculiar appearance, large patches upon them being covered with what I take to be the ova of some kind of parasite, but not being certain upon that point I enclose some of the feathers for your opinion. The nature of the food probably accounts for the bird's preference for the north, or shady side of the hills.

Unlike the herons, the crane has a small neck, consequently it is necessary to slit the skin in order to clean the skull. I append a description of the specimen, not being able to find a similar one elsewhere.

Length, from middle claw to tip of bill, 4 feet 8 inches; length, from tail to tip of bill, 3 feet 8 inches; expanse of wings, 6 feet 7 inches; wing, from carpal joint to tip, 1 foot 9 inches; bill, from front to tip, 3⅞ inches; bill to gape, 4¼ inches; tarsus, 9 inches; middle toe and its claw, 3⅞ inches. Sex, male. Bill horn-colour, tinged with green, slightly darker along the ridge and palest at the tip. (After drying the whole of the bill becomes dark reddish brown.) Iris rich golden yellow, gradually becoming darker towards the pupil. Head and Neck - Crown and fore part of the head dull crimson, with scanty bristle-like feathers of very dark bluish grey; the feathers upon the lore similar in appearance but closely set, from the eye to the occiput an elongated patch of dirty white, the feathers of the occiput itself somewhat lengthened and pointed, dusky bluish grey, with their concealed portion dirty while; chin, throat, and upper two-thirds of front of neck dull lead-grey, the shafts of most of the feathers slightly darker; back of neck rather paler than the front, and very obscurely mottled with light brown, upon the sides of the neck the colours are still paler, lower third of front of neck pale greyish brown, the shaft lines of feathers considerably darker. Upper surface of body. - Upper scapulars and upper half of back dull lead-grey, each feather with a darker shaft and brownish tip; lower scapulars similar in colour, but darker, especially towards the tips; lower half of the back with less brown than the upper half; upper tail-coverts very dark bluish grey at the tips, their concealed portion brownish grey. Tail. - Shafts of the feathers white, except at the tips; in other respects these feathers resemble the upper coverts, but the dark colour occupying less space causes a lighter irregular transverse band. Wings. - Third quill slightly longer than the second and longest in the wing. Lesser coverts lead-grey, tinged in some parts with pale brown, the shaft lines nearly black; greater coverts of a browner hue, much elongated, and with the webs disconnected, the concealed portions of the inner ones brownish black; alula and primaries black, the latter brownish at the tips; secondaries and tertials black with white shafts and paler at the base, the innermost of the tertials brownish towards the tips. In the closed wing the tertials are longer than the primaries, and the last feathers of the tertiary coverts are longer than the tertials themselves. The long, drooping "plumes" are formed by the greater coverts alone, especially by those nearest to the body, and not by the tertials. Under surface of body indistinctly mottled with pale brownish grey and pale lead-grey, the shafts darker; at the upper part of the breast a few dirty white feathers are intermixed. Feet, tarsi, and bare part of tibiae brownish black, tinged with olive, the under surface of the feet paler; claws black.'

Ralph Tate (1865) in Hardwicke's Science Gossip, Vol. I. p. 184, says: 'During the latter part of the month of June three individuals of the Common Crane (Grus cinerea) had been observed in the island of Unst, Shetland; one of these was shot at Haroldswick on the 24th of June. It is now in the possession of Thomas Edmonston, Esq., of Buness, who is about to present it to the public museum at Lerwick. The height of the bird was 4 ft. 7 in.; the spread of the wings, 7 ft.; the length from the point of the tail to the bill was 3 ft. 10 in. There are records of the appearances of this bird in the Shetland Isles in the years 1807, 1831, and 1832; but it has not been seen so far north as in the present case.'

Gray (1871) says: 'Dr. Saxby mentions that two were shot in Shetland in 1865; one in July by himself, the other at Haroldswick, a few weeks previously.'

Evans & Buckley (1899: 153-154) say: 'In Small's trade-lists there appears the entry of a Crane, dated July 1st, 1865. Since the Crane mentioned by Saxby as having been shot at Haroldswick in 1864 was sent to Edinburgh to be stuffed, and since the bird sent to Small came from Unst, it seems probable that there is a mistake on one side or the other as to the exact year, or possibly the bird was skinned in Shetland and subsequently forwarded to Edinburgh to be properly preserved.'

Comment Small & Son were highly regarded taxidermists in Edinburgh. Presumably Evans & Buckley are referring to Saxby (1874) Birds of Shetland where he opens with 'One evening about the middle of June 1864...'

30). 1865 Somerset Stolford, near Bridgwater, immature female, shot, 17th October.

(C. Haddon, Field 2nd Dec., 1865: 396; C. Smith, Zoologist 1865: 9848; D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; A. P. Morres, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 21: 215; Palmer & Ballance, 1968; Ballance, 2006).

History Chas. Haddon of Taunton (1865) in The Field of 2nd Dec., Vol. XXVI. p. 396, says: 'On the 17th of October last I was shooting with a friend at Stolford Stogursey, near Bridgwater; as we were passing through the marsh close by the Bristol Channel, we fell in with a very fine specimen of the Crane, which I was fortunate to shoot. It proved to be a female, and in good plumage; the length from beak to toes [tail ?] measures 4 ft. 11 in., width of expanded wings 6ft. 10 in. The bird is now in my collection with some other rare specimens, also of my own shooting. Can any one inform me whether any other specimen of this bird has been recently obtained in England?'

Cecil Smith of Lydiard House (1865) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXIII. p. 9848, dated 21st October, 1865, says: 'I have received from Mr. Hadston the following particulars of a Crane, which was shot by him on Tuesday, the 17th of October, at Stallford [sic], near the Bristol Channel. It measured 4 feet 11 inches in length from the toes to the tip of the bill, and 6 feet 10 inches from tip to tip of the extended wings: the weight was 7¼ lbs. It is evidently a bird of the year.'

D'Urban & Mathew (1892: 288) say: 'The first of these was an immature bird, shot by Mr. C. Haddon, of Taunton, in company with another gentleman, on 17th October, 1865, at a place called Ham Sea Wall, half a mile west of Stolford, near Bridgwater. This Crane was observed feeding in the centre of an extensive pasture in company with some bullocks, and by keeping behind one of these, and driving it gradually towards the bird, Mr. Haddon and his friend succeeded in stalking and shooting it.'

31). 1869 Cumbria Allonby, seen, 29th April.

(Macpherson, 1892; Hutcheson, 1986).

History Macpherson (1892: 347) says: 'In the spring of 1869 a solitary Crane made its appearance in the neighbourhood of Allonby. It frequented some rough meadow lands in the neighbourhood of the Solway Firth. Its presence awakened a keen interest among the local sportsmen, each and all of whom were anxious to obtain a distinguished stranger. Mr. Matthew and Mr. Thomas Mann fired two shots at the coveted prize, but only succeeded in knocking some grey feathers out of the bird. This was on the 29th of April.'

32). 1869 Norfolk East Somerton, two, immature male shot, 2nd May.

(Eds., Field 15th May 1869: 413; H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1869: 1803; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1869: 1841-1842; T. Southwell, Hardwicke's Science Gossip 1869: 160; H. Stevenson, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 1: 60).

History In an Editorial (1869) in The Field of 15th May, Vol. XXXIII. p. 413, it says: 'A very fine specimen of Grus cinerea, or the Common Crane, as it is called, although now a very rare bird in this country, was shot in Norfolk on the 2nd of May, and has been preserved by Mr. Ward, the taxidermist, of 2, Vere Street, Oxford Street, where it may be seen.'

H. Stevenson of Norwich (1869) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IV. p. 1803, dated 15th June, 1869, says: 'On the 7th of May two Cranes were seen, and one, a young male, was shot in a barley layer at East Somerton, near Yarmouth.'

J. H. Gurney, jun. (1869) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IV. pp. 1841-1842, adds: 'The Spring migration of 1869 having been marked by an unusual number of Cranes, the Editor requested me to make a list of them. About the 7th of May my father saw a Crane at Mr. Ward's shop in Oxford Street, [London], the property of Mr. Hume, who informed him that on the 2nd a labourer saw two Cranes on a layer-field, near the border of the adjoining parishes in which his estate lies, viz., West Somerton and Winterton: the man shot one, and the other escaped; the one shot was a young male. Mr. Stevenson who dissected it, informs me that the stomach contained large sized pebbles, fragments of beetles' wing-cases, and fibrous matter not distinguishable. This bird was mentioned in The Field newspaper by Mr. Stevenson and Mr. Ward.'

Thomas Southwell (1869) in Hardwicke's Science Gossip, Vol. V. p. 160, says: 'On the 1st of May two Cranes were seen by a crow-boy on a barley-field at Hemsby, in East Norfolk; he called a man, who followed them with a gun, and succeeded in killing one in a field in the adjoining parish of Summerton [sic]. This bird was sent to London to Mr. Hume, the owner of the soil, for whom it was preserved....Mr. Stevenson has kindly given me a list of the occurrences of the Crane in this district, as follows: - One killed at Feltwell, 1836; one killed at Kirkley, near Lowestoft, April, 1845; a bird of first year killed at Martham, Feb., 1850; a Crane seen by Mr. H. M. Upcher, near Warhand, afterwards seen in Sandringham Marshes, spring, 1865; two, seen, one killed, at Summerton [Somerton], May, 1869.'

H. Stevenson (1869-74) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. I. p. 60, it says: 'About the 7th of May, a young male, which was seen in company with another, was shot in a barley layer on Mr. B. Hume's estate, near the borders of the two parishes of West Somerton and Winterton.'

34). 1869 Shetland Uyeasound, Unst, two, seen, 11th to 27th May, when a male was killed.

(H. L. Saxby, Zoologist 1869: 1763; H. L. Saxby, Zoologist 1871: 2533; Gray, 1871; Evans & Buckley, 1899; G. T. Kay, Scottish Birds 1: 12).

History Henry L. Saxby of Baltasound (1869) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IV. pp. 1763-1764, dated 31st May, 1869, says: 'On the 11th of May I heard that two Cranes were in the island, but my endeavours to obtain even a sight of one were unavailing until the evening of the 27th, when one of them was brought to me by a boy, who said that he had killed it near Uyeasound: he stated that, seeing some people chase it over the moors, he joined in the pursuit, and, being a swift runner, pressed it so closely that it turned and attacked him, upon which he threw two large stones, the second of which struck it upon the head and killed it; he then discovered that the wing had lately been broken, probably by a shot. Several men and boys have since told me that they saw the bird running over the moors, but were unable to overtake it.

The following measurements were taken before skinning: - Length, from middle claw to tip of bill, 4 feet 8½ inches; length, from tail to tip of bill, 3 feet 8½ inches; expanse of wings, 8 feet 6 inches; wing, from carpal joint to tip, 1 foot 9 inches; bill, from front to tip, 4½ inches; tarsus, 9¼ inches; middle to and its claw, 4¼ inches. Sex, male. Bill light greenish horn-colour, slightly darker about the middle of both mandibles; base of upper, and a larger portion of base under mandible brownish pink. Iris brownish orange, darker towards the pupil. Feet tarsi, and bare part of tibiae black, tinged with olive-green; the under surface of the feet paler; claws black. Bare parts about the forehead and eyes dull, pale crimson. The plumage is very similar to that of the last specimen (Zool. 9767), but less clouded with brown. In this individual, also, large patches on the feathers beneath the wings are covered with the ova of parasites.'

H. L. Saxby (1871) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VI. p. 2533, adds: 'A Crane, probably one of the two mentioned in The Zoologist (s.s. 1763), was observed in various parts of Unst as late as the end of June. It was most frequently seen upon the hill-sides facing the north, at Cliff and Watley. It was so extremely wild that not one of the numerous gunners who unweariedly followed it was able to obtain even a distant shot.'

Gray (1871) says: 'Dr. Saxby obtained a male on Unst at the end of May, 1869, where a pair had been seen on the 11th May.' It was accepted locally (Evans & Buckley 1899: 153).

36). 1869 Dorset Wareham, adult female, shot, mid-May.

(W. Hart, Zoologist 1869: 1803; Mansel-Pleydell, 1873, 1888; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 207).

History William Hart of Christchurch (1869) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IV. p. 1803, undated, says: 'On May 18th, we received from Wareham an adult female of the Common Crane.'

Mansel-Pleydell (1873: 27) says: 'Perhaps the only individual shot in this county was on the Wareham river in May, 1869, which is now in the possession of Mr. Paston of that town.'

Admitted by F. L. Blathwayt (1934) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LV. p. 207, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset'.

37). 1869 Gloucestershire Fiddington, near Tewkesbury, immature male, shot, 17th May.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1869: 1803; Field 5th June 1869: 468; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1876: 4843; Swaine, 1982).

History J. H. Gurney, jun. (1869) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IV. p. 1803, undated, says: 'On the 22nd May I received, in the flesh, a young male Crane, which had been shot on the 17th by Mr. Joseph Smith, at Fiddrington [sic], near Tewkesbury.' Later, J. H. Gurney, jun. (1876) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. XI. p. 4843, undated, adds: '...This bird is decidedly older than my Cheltenham example (s.s. 1803), which only weighed eight pounds and three quarters.'

38). 1869 Norfolk Manham, Thornham, immature female, wounded, 25th May to 5th June when it died.

(H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1869: 1803, 1910; T. Southwell, Hardwicke's Science Gossip 1869: 184; H. Stevenson, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 1: 60).

History H. Stevenson of Norwich (1869) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IV. p. 1803, dated 15th June, 1869, says: 'On the 25th of May another was shot and winged in the saltmarshes at Thornham, near Lynn, and kept in confinement till the 5th inst., when it died.'

H. Stevenson of Norwich (1869) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IV. p. 1910, adds: 'To the interesting account (s.s. 1841), of the Cranes killed this spring in Norfolk and other localities, I need only add, that the bird killed at Manham saltmarshes, on the 25th of May, proved to be a young female. The man who captured it kept it in confinement till the 5th of June, when it died and was stuffed for the Lynn Museum. It was fed on whelks, worms and mussels.'

T. Southwell (1869) in Hardwicke's Science Gossip, Vol. V. p. 184, says: 'In addition to the Crane recorded in Science Gossip for July, p. 160, as having been killed at East Somerton on the 7th of May, one has been shot on the marshes at Thornham, which is now in the Lynn Museum.'

H. Stevenson (1869-74) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. I. p. 60, it says: 'On the 25th of May a second [for Norfolk that year] was shot at and winged in a Salt Marsh at Thornham near Lynn, and was kept in confinement till the 5th of June, when it died.'

39). 1869 Norfolk South Pickenham, immature male, shot, 4th June.

("Lynn Advertiser" 12th June 1869; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1869: 1803; H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1869: 1803, 1910; T. Southwell, Hardwicke's Science Gossip 1869: 184; H. Stevenson, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 1: 60).

History J. H. Gurney, jun. (1869) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IV. p. 1803, undated, says: 'On Friday the 4th June, a specimen of the Crane, which is a very rare bird in this county - only a few instances being on record of its capture in Norfolk - was shot on the South Pickenham estate by John Hubbard, gamekeeper to E. A. Applewhaite, Esq.'

H. Stevenson of Norwich (1869) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IV. p. 1803, dated 15th June 1869, says: 'Again, on the 4th inst. another young male was shot at South Pickenham, near Swaffham, which, with the Burnham ones, were probably members of one flock dispersed over that part of the country. The occurrence of so many of these rare visitants in one season is the more remarkable, as I am not aware of more than four examples having been killed in Norfolk during the last half century.'

H. Stevenson (1869) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IV. p. 1910, adds: 'The young male shot at South Pickenham, on the 4th of June, had several white worms, about three inches long, in the stomach; also pebbles and small white Mollusca, about the size of peas.'

T. Southwell (1869) in Hardwicke's Science Gossip, Vol. V. p. 184, says: 'In addition to the Crane recorded in Science Gossip for July, p. 160, as having been killed at East Somerton on the 7th of May...and another killed at Pickenham, near Swaffham.'

H. Stevenson (1869-74) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. I. p. 60, it says: 'On the 4th of June, a young male was shot at South Pickenham, near Swaffham, which, with four, stated by a correspondent in The Field to have been seen at Burnham, of which two were said to have been killed, were probably members of one flock dispersed over that part of the county.'

40). 1869 Norfolk Burnham, four, two shot, June.

("Grus" Field 12th June 1869: 502; H. Stevenson, Field 19th June 1869: 514; H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1869: 1803; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1869: 1842).

History "Grus" of Burnham (1869) in The Field of 12th June, Vol. XXXIII. p. 502, says: 'Two Cranes were shot a short distance from this place a few days since, on the salt marshes. Two others were in company with them at the time. I have never before, during a long residence in this neighbourhood, known any to have been procured or ever seen. It is, I think, rather singular, and you may perhaps consider it of sufficient interest to many of your readers to notice it, for which reason I have been induced to forward particulars. It is more probable that the late strong easterly gales, that prevailed for so long, drove the birds over from Holland.'

H. Stevenson of Norwich (1869) in The Field of 19th June, Vol. XXXIII. p. 514, and in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IV. p. 1803, 15th June, 1869, says: 'If your correspondent "Grus" (Burnham), who announced in last week's Field the occurrence of four Cranes at Burnham, Norfolk, would kindly forward me any further particulars respecting them to 10, Unthank's Road, Norwich, I should feel greatly obliged. I should be glad to know the age and sex, if ascertained, of the birds shot, and what has since become of them; also, if noticed, the contents of their stomachs.'

J. H. Gurney, jun. (1869) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IV. p. 1842, adds: 'About this date [June] two are mentioned by an anonymous writer in The Field, as having been shot at Burnham, in Norfolk; but it has been suggested to me that one of these may have been the Pickenham specimen. Two others are said to have made their escape.'

44). 1869 Lincolnshire Hykeham Moor, immature male, killed, 20th July.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1869: 1842; Cordeaux, 1872; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1876: 4843; Smith & Cornwallis, 1955; Lorand & Atkin, 1989).

History J. H. Gurney, jun. (1869) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IV. p. 1842, dated 2nd August, 1869, says: 'As late as the 20th of last month (July) another young male Crane (but with the darker feathers of the adult plumage beginning to sprout in all directions) was killed on Hickham [sic] Moor, near Lincoln, by Mr. Shuttleworth. This one I purchased, and have skinned for my collection: it was a very heavy bird, and in active moult. Length 3 feet 8 inches; expanse 7 feet.'

Accepted locally (Cordeaux 1872: 100).

J. H. Gurney, jun. (1876) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. XI. p. 4843, undated, says: 'I shall make no apology for referring again to a short paper on the migration of the Cranes which marked the year 1869 (s.s. 1841) which I drew up at the request of the Editor, where I have stated that I received a very fine specimen - it weighed ten and a half pounds - in July, from Hickham [sic] Moor, near Lincoln.

This bird is decidedly older than my Cheltenham example (s.s. 1803), which only weighed eight pounds and three quarters. It agrees pretty fairly with a specimen in the Lynn Museum, which was one of the same flight, and which, though supposed at the time to be young female (s.s. 1910), is, I suspect, an old one in change, and also with a specimen in my collection which the late Dr. Saxby shot in Shetland in 1865, and of the chase and capture of which he has given me of the most graphic description I ever read (Zool. 9767-72); where, among other things, he mentions the ova of some kind of parasite on the axillary feathers; and, again, he observes the same thing on another specimen (Zool., s.s. 1764). Both mine were infested in this way.

According to the late Mr. Denny it would be the ova of Lipearus ebracus (Man. Auspl. Brit. 179, pl. xiii.) an opinion confirmed by Mr. Cocking, to whom I submitted them. Mr. Newcome, of Feltwell, has a Crane unlike any that I ever saw. It has a white neck and back, and is white spotted all over. It was shot, in 1836, and is the first one mentioned in the Birds of Norfolk (Vol. II. p. 128).'

45). 1869 Devon Near Start Point, seen, September.

(H. Nicholls, Zoologist 1869: 1866; J. H. Gurney, Zoologist 1871: 2683-84; Moore, 1969).

History H. Nicholls, jun., (1869) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IV. p. 1866, dated 13th September, 1869, says: 'A specimen of the Common Crane (Grus cinerea) has been frequenting the high-level fields near the Start Lighthouse, on five or six successive days: it was very shy and kept to the middle of the fields, frequently in company with sheep. A friend of mine shot at it twice, but without effect.'

J. H. Gurney (1871) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VI. pp. 2683-84, undated, says: 'Mr. Nichols, taxidermist, at Kingsbridge, informs me that a Crane was seen near Start Point, South Devon, in 1869, about the time when several others were recorded as having occurred in various parts of Great Britain, most of which were obtained in the month of May. The bird observed at Start Point was not shot, but from the description given to Mr. Nichols I have no doubt of its having been a genuine Crane. It was observed in a field, which lies at a considerable elevation, but in which is a pond for the use of cattle. Some sheep were pasturing in the field at the time.'

46). 1869 Highland Dundonnell Estate, Loch Broom, Ross & Cromarty, immature, shot, September.

(Gray, 1871; Harvie-Brown & Macpherson, 1904).

History Gray (1871: 270) says: 'A young bird, which I have seen and examined, was shot on Dundonnell Estate, near the head of Loch Broom, West Ross-shire, in September, 1869.'

Accepted locally (Harvie-Brown & Macpherson 1904: 280).

47). 1873 Norfolk East Wretham, immature male, 30th August to 1st September, when shot, now at Wretham Hall.

(H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1874: 3861; H. Stevenson, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 1: 83-84).

History Henry Stevenson (1869-74) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. I. pp. 83-84, and The Zoologist (1874) 2nd series, Vol. IX. p. 3861, with the same story, says: 'I am indebted to Mr. S. K. Gayford, of East Wretham, for the following particulars respecting a Crane killed on a farm in his occupation on Mr. Birch's estate. The presence of some such bird in the neighbourhood was first indicated by the appearance of footmarks on some arable land, quite a month before the bird itself was seen, and later still, Mr. Gayford observed a very large bird, as he describes it, "towering high in the air like a very big hawk".

The mystery was solved, however, on the 30th of August, when a Crane was seen by Mr. Gayford himself about a hundred yards from a flock of sheep, and some two hundred yards from the shepherds "page" who was tending the sheep feeding on a heath of about three hundred acres, with other large heaths and about two hundred acres of arable land adjoining. On that day Mr. Gayford spent several hours on horseback trying to get within shot of it, but learning from the "page" that early in the morning it had been at the sheep-fold and paid little attention to him, he left his gun with the head shepherd, who shot the bird on the following Monday, the 1st of September.

Mr. Newby, of Thetford, who stuffed it, informs me it was a male in immature plumage, and weighed ten pounds thirteen ounces. It is now preserved at Wretham Hall, with a White Stork shot by Mr. Gayford near the same spot some thirty-five years ago.'

48). Pre 1874 Borders Threepwood Estate, near Lauder, Roxburghshire, shot, undated.

(A. Kelly, History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 7: 305; Evans, 1911; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History A. Kelly (1873-75) in the History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club, Vol. VII. p. 305, says: 'A Crane was shot by the late Charles Simpson Esq., of Threepwood, on the Threepwood Estate.'

Evans (1911: 192) adds: '...shot by C. Simson, of Threepwood, on his estate [before 1874]. Threepwood, though near Lauder, is in the county of Roxburgh.' It was admitted nationally (Baxter & Rintoul 1953).

Locally, Murray (1986: 49) lists two old records: one seen at Lauder in 1863, and Hawick in 1874.

49). 1875 Somerset Wick Farm, Lympsham, South Brent, adult, shot, May.

(M. A. Mathew, Zoologist 1879: 128; M. A. Mathew, Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society 39: 126-127; Palmer & Ballance, 1968; Ballance, 2006).

History Murray A. Mathew of Bishop's Lydeard (1879) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. III. pp. 127-129, says: 'Having heard a report that a farmer had living on the flat had, not long since, shot a Crane, I called on him to gather what information he could give on the matter.

The Great Western Railway runs through the great Mid Somerset level, and where it is crossed by lanes these approach it by artificially constructed mounds supporting the bridges over the line, locally termed "tips". All the bridges, lanes, and tips are precisely alike, and it was with some difficulty, and not until one or two blunders, that I at last obtained the "correct tip", which brought me to Wick Farm, in the parish of South Brent, the abode of Mr. William Harris, who was reported to have shot the Crane.

Finding him at home, I received from him the following information: - One evening in May, 1875, just as it was getting dusk, he saw a large bird alight in a field near his house. He went home for his gun, and returning found the bird in the same place, and succeeded in getting near enough to shoot it. It was very different to what we call the Common Crane, he said (meaning the Common Heron), and was altogether a strange looking bird. The top of its head was red, and the feathers of its tail were like those of a cock; and he proceeded to give me a very good description of an adult Grus communis.

Asked what he had done with the bird, he replied that not knowing it was of any value he had given it to his labourers, and that since then some of his neighbours had very much blamed him for not having the bird preserved.'

50). 1875 Highland Inverernie, Inverness-shire, four, 6th to 8th November, when two shot (adult male and immature female), two remaining to 11th November.

(R. S. Hills, Field 4th Dec., 1875: 623; R. S. Hill, Zoologist 1876: 4763-64; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1896; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History R. S. Hill (1875) in The Field, of 4th December, Vol. XLVI. p. 623, and (1876) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. XI. pp. 4763-64, quoting from The Field, says: 'On the 6th of November four Cranes appeared in a field on the banks of the Nairn at Inverernie, about nine miles from Inverness. Two were shot by Mr. Hill's party on the 8th, the other two remaining in the neighbourhood till the 11th, when they appeared to leave for the west. Mr. Edwin Ward, of Wigmore Street, to whom I forwarded these birds for preservation, says: that one of them is a fine mature male specimen; the other a young female.'

Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1896 (2): 169-170) after quoting from the above, add: '...We saw the birds in Macleay's shop, and they passed into the possession of - Smithson, Esq. of Lentran.'

54). 1881 Isles of Scilly Tresco, adult female, shot, 13th April, now at Isles of Scilly Museum.

(W. H. Vingoe, Zoologist 1881: 213; R. W. J. Smart, Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society 1888: 173; Clark, 1906; J. Clark & F. R. Rodd, Zoologist 1906: 335; Penhallurick, 1969; Gantlett, 1985).

History W. H. Vingoe of Penzance (1881) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. V. p. 213, says: 'A Crane, Grus cinerea, has been forwarded to me from Scilly, and is being preserved for the Lord Proprietor of the Islands. It is an adult female, the ovary containing eggs about the size of a pea.'

Rev. R. W. J. Smart (1888) in the Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society, new series, Vol. II. p. 173, says: 'A beautiful specimen of the Common Crane was shot on Tresco by Mr. David Smith in the spring of 1881.'

J. Clark (1906 (1): 342) in the Victoria County History of Cornwall, says: 'Common Crane - one shot at Tresco, Scilly, 13 April, 1881.'

J. Clark & F. R. Rodd (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 335, under 'The Birds of Scilly', say: 'A fine example of the Common Crane was shot on the north side of the Long Pool, Tresco, on April 13, 1891, by David Smith, who had watched it coming in from the south-west.'

55). 1882 Lincolnshire Herringhill, near Spalding, immature, shot, 25th October.

(A. Thomson, Zoologist 1882: 463; A. Thomson, Field 4th Nov., 1882: 670; Smith & Cornwallis, 1955; Lorand & Atkin, 1989).

History A. Thomson (1882) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VI. p. 463, in the December 1882 issue, says: 'An immature specimen of the Common Crane Grus cinerea, was shot at Herringhill, near Spalding, on the 25th of October last. It is a bird of the year, and was seen about the neighbourhood several days before it was killed.'

Arthur Thomson of the Zoological Gardens, Regent's Park (1882) in The Field of 4th Nov., Vol. LX. p. 67, says: 'It may be of interest to your ornithological readers to know that I have received an immature specimen of the Common Crane (Grus cinerea) from Mr. Ernest Harrison, of Spalding, which was shot at Herringhill, on the Wash at Fosdyke, near Spalding. The bird is no doubt a bird of the year, and is probably the first specimen shot in England since those recorded as shot in Norfolk in 1869. At that time four were shot, and others seen.'

Locally, Lorand & Atkin (1989) erroneously state the year as 1881.

56). 1883 Norfolk East Wretham, adult, obtained, September.

(Eds., Field 24th Sep., 1887: 486).

History In an Editorial (1887) in The Field of 24th Sep., Vol. LXX. p. 486, they say: 'On the 12th inst. Messrs. Spelman sold by auction, at Norwich, the collection of Norfolk birds formed by Mr. H. Stephenson [sic], the well-known ornithologist. Among the buyers were Mr. T. Southwell, representing the Norfolk and Norwich Museum, and Mr. Tuke, representing the Saffron Walden Museum. Among the principal lots sold during the day the following may be mentioned: adult Crane, taken at East Wretham in September, 1883, £12.10s. (Mr. Southwell).'

57). 1888 Lancashire & North Merseyside Birkdale, seen, 4th May.

(S. J. White, Lancashire Bird Report 2014: 40).

History S. J. White (2014: 40) in the Lancashire Bird Report, says: 'A record has come to light via Alan Knox of one at Birkdale on 4 May 1888. It was described by the then 16 year-old Daisy Hamilton in her diary as "a bird larger than a Heron, with red on its head, in a swamp". Daisy Hamilton went on to become the country’s first female ringer.'

58). 1888 Norfolk Halvergate, female, shot, 29th May, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1954Z1.315).

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1889: 17-18; Allard, 1990; Watson, 2010).

History J. H. Gurney, jun. (1889) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIII. pp. 17-18, says: 'On the 29th [May] a female Crane was shot at Halvergate, near Yarmouth, and mounted by Mr. Pycraft, who found that it turned the scale at 7 lbs 7 ozs. I did not see it until set up, but it struck me as being a rather small bird: some years ago I weighed one, which was shot in Lincolnshire, and it turned the scale at 11 lbs 2 oz.'

Watson (2010) in detailing the W. R. Lysaght collection in the Birmingham Museum lists this specimen, adding that it was from the collection of Mr. W. W. Spelman, Brundall, Norfolk.

59). 1888 Essex Elmstead Hall Farm, near Colchester, eight, one immature shot, 9th November.

(W. Cole, Essex Naturalist 2: 271; H. Laver, Zoologist 1889: 34; Christy, 1890; Glegg, 1929; Hudson & Pyman, 1968).

History Henry Laver of Colchester (1889) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIII. p. 34, says: 'On November 9th a Crane Grus cinerea, was shot in a field at Elmstead, near Colchester, and has now come into my possession. It appears to be a bird of the year, as its wing-feathers (tertiaries) are not fully developed. Its rarity, and its being probably the first known to have been captured in Essex, makes it worth recording in The Zoologist.'

Christy (1890: 228) says: 'A modern record of its occurrence in the county is that by Mr. Henry Laver, who states (Zool., 1889, p. 34 and The Essex Naturalist, Vol. II. p. 271) that on Friday, Nov. 9th, 1888, eight large birds were observed in a field on Elmstead Hall Farm, about four miles east from Colchester. One of these being shot proved to be an immature specimen, without the red mark on the head, and with the wing-feathers which cover the tail not fully developed. It was secured by Mr. Laver, and after being preserved by Mr. J. Pettitt, of Colchester, it was, by the former gentleman, most generously presented to the Saffron Walden Museum, where it now is. The other seven flew away.'

Glegg (1929: 272) adds: 'The specimen was purchased by Dr. H. Laver and presented to the Saffron Walden Museum, but it is not there now. Mr. H. Collar has subsequently found an entry in the museum register to the effect that this specimen was destroyed, having become affected by moths.'

Comment There is just the bird shot mentioned in The Zoologist.

67). 1889 Essex Little Oakley, seen, 26th September to at least 14th October.

(G. F. Mathew, Zoologist 1889: 434-435; Christy, 1890; Glegg, 1929; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984).

History Gervase F. Mathew (1889) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIII. pp. 434-435, says: 'While shooting with a party, on Sept. 26th, in the adjoining parish of Little Oakley, I had the pleasure of seeing a fine specimen of the Common Crane.

We were sitting at lunch under a hedge, when, happening to look up, I noticed - as I at first thought - a large Heron flying towards us. It was then about a mile off. Presently I looked up again, and by that time it had come much nearer, and to my astonishment I observed that the bird held its head and neck stretched out in front of it, as Herons never do, and from its immense size there was no mistaking what it was. It still came gradually towards us, and appeared to be looking for a place whereon to alight, for it flapped its great wings several times over its back until they almost appeared to touch, and then glided on with outstretched pinions. This it repeated several times, and then pitched in the next field, and well in view from where we sat. It looked a grand bird as it stood upon the grass with the bright sun shining upon it. Unfortunately it was a long way out in the field, and out of shot from the hedge. However, I thought I would try and stalk it, so crept down by the edge of the field we were in, until I reached a gap near the bottom, which I crawled through into the next field, where I was well out of sight of it. I then went on until I arrived nearly opposite to where I supposed it to be standing, and then looked through cautiously and had a fine view of it. It was about 150 yards off, and appeared to be an old bird in perfect plumage.

Of course it was no use firing at it at such a distance but I thought if I went on a few yards further, and crawled through a gap, and ran in upon it, I might get within shot before it rose, or that it might fly towards me. But while I was thinking of this it took wing, and flew right away from me towards some salt marshes, where it pitched again. I followed to the bank, and, upon looking over, saw it about a mile off standing on some bare mud. Soon after it was fired at by some one from a boat which was in a creek near at hand; and it then flew off to the westward, and I lost sight of it.'

Christy (1890: 229) after quoting the above, adds: 'After this, I received several further reports of the bird, which was repeatedly seen on the marshes and mud-flats between Walton-on-the-Naze and Harwich for several weeks after. On Oct. 14th, Mr. Kerry reported its having been seen there in company with some Herons.'

68). 1889 Somerset Stolford, immature male, shot, 5th or 6th December.

(W. Bidgood, Field 21st Dec., 1889: 888; M. A. Mathew, Zoologist 1890: 75; M. A. Mathew, Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society 39: 126-127; Palmer & Ballance, 1968; Ballance, 2006).

History William Bidgood of the Museum, Taunton Castle (1889) in The Field of 21st Dec., Vol. LXXIV. p. 888, says: 'On the 6th inst. a specimen of the Crane (Grus communis) was shot near Stolford, Somerset, on the coast of the Bristol Channel. Twenty-four years ago Mr. Haddon, of Taunton, shot a Crane within a very short distance of the spot where the present one was killed, and it is still in his collection. The specimen now under consideration is a male, having almost completed its moult, only a very few tawny feathers being visible here and there among the beautiful grey plumage.

Its weight was just under 13 lb.; length from bill to toe, 5 ft. 0½ in; length from bill to tail, 4 ft.; expanse of wing, 7 ft.; from the carpal joint to tip of wing, 22½ in.; the tarsus, 10½ in.; bare space above it 4¼ in. I give these measurements, as the bird appears to be rather above the average size. The plumes on the wing are well developed, though one or two show signs that the moult had not been fully completed. Their "feathery" appearance reminds one of the Ostrich plumes.

The bird appears to have been shot while feeding, as food existed in an unbroken course from the mouth to the crop. This food consisted of beans, with a few field snails. The bird belongs to Sir Alexander Hood, Bart., of St. Audries.'

M. A. Mathew of Buckland Dinham, Frome (1890) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIV. p. 75, says: 'A fine specimen of the Crane, Grus communis, was shot at Country-Sea-Wall, one mile eastward of Stolford, near Bridgwater, on the 5th December last, by Mr. Richard Chilcott, of that place. It was taken to Sir Alexander Acland Hood, Bart., St Audries, for whom it has been preserved by Mr. Wm. Bidgood, Curator of the Taunton Museum. About twenty-four years ago another Crane was shot at Ham-Sea-Wall, half-a-mile westward of Stolford, which is now in the collection of Mr. Chas. Haddon, of Taunton. These particulars were communicated to one of the Taunton papers by Mr. James Rawlings.'

69). 1892 Yorkshire South Cliff Farm, Flamborough, immature, obtained, late February.

(J. Cordeaux, Naturalist 19: 203; J. Cordeaux, Zoologist 1895: 59; Nelson, 1907; Chislett, 1952; Mather, 1986).

History John Cordeaux of Eaton Hall, Retford (1893) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XIX. p. 203, says: '...When at Flamborough in May, I saw at the house of a fisherman a Crane (Grus communis) shot by Mr. John Huddleston, farmer, of that place, from a field near his house in the last week of February 1892. This had been skinned and set up by Mr. Jones, of Bridlington. It is, I think, a young bird of the previous year, and has feathers, and no red patch on the crown, and the hind plumes are short.'

Accepted locally by J. Cordeaux (1895) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIX. p. 57, who added this record to his Humber district Fauna, and (Nelson 1907 (2): 548), and later by Chislett (1952: 273) who added: '...that it was inspected by the late J. Cordeaux.'

70). 1893 Pembrokeshire Clegyr Issaf Farm, Solva, caught, 28th April.

(H. W. Evans, Field 10th June 1893: 872; Mathew, 1894; Lockley, 1949; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).

History H. W. Evans of Solva (1893) in The Field of 10th June, Vol. LXXXI. p. 872, says: 'On April 26 a Crane was captured near St. David's, Pembrokeshire. It measured 6 ft. 9 in. from tip to tip of wings, and weighed 11¾ lb. It had been feeding on the barley. I have never heard of one being seen in this neighbourhood before, and am having it preserved for my collection.'

Mathew (1894: 125) under 'Addendum' says: 'Mr. H. W. Evans, of Harbour House, Solva, possesses a very fine example, an adult in full plumage, of this rare occasional visitor to the British Islands, where, in ancient days, it was a regular summer migrant to the eastern counties. This specimen was captured April 28, 1893, on Vachelich Farm, between Solva and St. David's, and we have been informed by Mr. Evans that it weighed 11.75 lbs. in the meat, and measured 6 ft. 9 in. across the extended wings from tip to tip. "It had been seen on Clegyr Issaf Farm some days before, and was in grand plumage and condition". Mr. Evans justly regards this beautiful bird as the prize in his collection of British birds.'

Lockley (1949: 63) says: 'One preserved in the late Mr. H. W. Evans collection, was present for a few days before finally being caught on a farm near Solva on the 28th April, 1893.'

71). 1893 Suffolk Benacre Marshes, immature, shot, 27th June.

(E. Butler, Zoologist 1893: 313; Payn, 1978).

History E. Butler of Herringfleet, Lowestoft (1893) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XVII. p. 313, in the August 1893 issue, says: 'An adult Crane, Grus cinereus, in somewhat abraded plumage, but apparently a wild bird, was shot at Benacre Hall, near Lowestoft (Sir Allfred Gooch's place), on the 27th of June last, and is at present in the hands of Mr. Bunn, taxidermist, Lowestoft, for preservation.'

Ticehurst (1932: 32) says: 'On 26th June 1893, one, not adult, was shot by F. A. Harmer in the Benacre marshes, near Lowestoft and was preserved at Benacre Hall. It had frequented the marshes for about a week; strong easterly winds had prevailed for some time.'

Payn (1978: 110, 2nd ed) states the year erroneously as 1894, but adds that it is an immature and is preserved at Benacre Hall.

72). 1898 Norfolk River Glaven, Wiveton, four, seen, 7th April; same, Weybourne and Runton, four, seen, 7th April.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1899: 119; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 147; Pashley, 1925).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1899) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. III. p. 119, says: 'April 7th. Mr. Pashley, to whom these annual notes are always indebted, to-day announced the advent of four magnificent Cranes on their spring migration, which halted near the Glaven, and remained all the forenoon of one day (7th) in the same spot, and that within two hundred yards of a gang of men on the marsh side of the Wiveton bank.

Mr. Pashley had a good view of them as they were flying eastwards, and they were next reported as visiting a piece of water near the sea at Weybourne, where their great size attracted attention. They were again watched for several hours, and subsequently seen at Runton, after which they took their departure.

We have not had a visit from a Crane since April, 1888, but the number of occurrences is now brought up to seventeen, of which only two were in autumn.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 147, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

Pashley (1925) says: '1898. April 7th. 4 Cranes stopped on the marshes for two or three days. They were not at all shy, as they came close to some men who were repairing the sea-wall (Wiveton marshes) near the ruins (Old Chapel), who took them to be Black Swans from the lake at Bayfield Hall. They were flying easterly when I saw them. I watched them with my glasses till out of sight. They alighted at the Mill pool at Weybourne. The last I heard of them they were in Barningham Park. I did not here of any of them being shot.'

76). 1899 Norfolk Blakeney, nine, seen, 29th August.

(Pashley, 1925; Riviere, 1930).

History Pashley (1925) under 'List of Cley Birds', says: 'Flock of 9 seen on August 29th, 1899 (Mr. George Musters).'

85). 1903 Orkney Pentland Skerries, seen, 1st to 2nd May when shot.

(J. Tomison, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1903: 186; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2:147; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1985).

History J. Tomison (1903) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XII. p. 186, says: 'On the 1st of May a large bird was seen on the south side of the island, and on examining it with the telescope, I came to the conclusion that it was a Crane (Grus cinerea). It soon after rose on the wing and flew with its neck at full stretch, and not doubled up like a heron. It remained all day hunting over the island for food, but on Sunday morning we found that it had devoted the early hours to our gardens, in which it had created a great deal of damage. It could be seen all day keeping a respectful distance from the station. On Monday morning it again paid the gardens a visit, and so sentence of death was passed upon it, and, with some difficulty, was duly executed.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 147, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

86). 1903 Norfolk Near Cley-next-the-Sea, seen, 15th to 18th August.

(Pashley, 1925).

History Pashley (1925) says: '1903. August. A Crane was seen from the 15th-18th by several people on the enclosed marshes.' Further, under 'List of Cley Birds', he adds: 'One seen (H. A. Bishop).'

87). 1906 Norfolk Ormesby, seen, late March to 15th April; same, Caister-on-Sea, shot, May.

(J. E. Knights, Zoologist 1906: 194; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1907: 126; Patterson, 1907; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 147; Allard, 1990).

History J. E. Knights of Great Yarmouth (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 194, says: 'For about three weeks, until April 13th, a Crane (Grus communis) frequented some fields bordering two parishes not far from this town. Its plumage was immature, the long dark coloured inner secondaries only just showing. Why it remained so long I do not understand, as it appeared unhurt.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1907) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XI. p. 126, says: 'April 15th. For the last three weeks a fine Crane, but not adult, has frequented Ormesby marram-hills and adjoining fields in Caister, as I learn from Mr. Knights (cf. Zool., 1906, p. 194).'

Patterson (1907: 288) says: '1906. July 14th. Saw the Crane (at Lowne's) which was shot after two or three days' solitary ramble on the Caister sand-dunes in May. What forbearance and self-restraint local gunners must have exercised to allow it to remain unmolested so long even as that!'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 147, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

88). 1906 Outer Hebrides Stornoway, Lewis, shot, 14th May.

(N. B. Kinnear, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1907: 84; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 147; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Cunningham, 1983).

History N. B. Kinnear (1907) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVI. p. 84, says: 'Mr. D. Mackenzie tells me that on 14th May a Crane was shot near Stornoway. It had been seen in the district for about a week or ten days before it was killed. This bird is not known to have occurred before in the Outer Hebrides.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 147, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

89). 1906 Shetland Unst, seen, 16th May.

(T. Edmondston Saxby, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1907: 50; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 147; Venables & Venables, 1955; G. T. Kay, Scottish Birds 1: 12).

History T. Edmondston Saxby (1907) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVI. p. 50, says: 'Crane (Grus cinerea). one seen on 16th May.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 147, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

90). 1907 Essex Brightlingsea, shot, 2nd November.

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

History Glegg (1929: 272-273) says: 'This bird was shot by Mr. H. Griggs, skipper of the yacht of Colonel R. P. Davis, of Walton-on-the-Naze, into whose collection the bird passed. It had been preserved by Pettitt, who stated it to be a adult female and the feathers were in perfect condition, and could not be an escape. Mr. H. F. Witherby, however, states that aviculturists do not consider that to be proof.'

91). 1908 Anglesey Rhosneigr, female, shot, 16th May, now at Grosvenor Museum, Chester.

(H. S. Cole, Field 30th May 1908: 927; A. Newstead, British Birds 2: 62-63; Forrest, 1919; Witherby, 1920-24; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).

History Henry S. Cole of Rhosneigr (1908) in The Field of 30th May, Vol. CXI. p. 927, says: 'I am asked by Colonel Long, who lives close by here, to write to you that a Common Crane (Grus communis) was shot on his ground here on the 23rd inst. He sent it to the Grosvenor Museum at Chester, and the curator informs him that the specimen is apparently the first reported occurrence of this bird in North Wales. Its measurements were: Length, a little over 5 ft.; spread of wings, nearly 7 ft.; weight, 11 lb. He tells me that the strong oily odour of the bird caused him to take the measurements rather hastily.'

A. Newstead, Curator (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. pp. 62-64, says: 'A female Common Crane (Grus communis) was shot at midnight on the 16th May, 1908, at Rhosneigr, Anglesey, by the gamekeeper, on the estate of Colonel Thomas J. Long.

The plumage and feet of the bird are in most perfect condition, and there is no indication that it had been in captivity. Judging from the colour of the plumage it had not quite reached maturity; but the ovaries were well developed, the largest being about the size of a pea, and the red wattles on the head were well marked. The measurements were as follows: - Length, 44 inches; wing, 21 inches; tarsus, 8¾ inches; weight, 11 pounds. The stomach was completely filled with equal parts of pebbles and grit, and the remains of the large tipulid larva (Tipula oleracea), of which fifty-four examples were almost perfect, the largest measuring 1½ inches in length. Besides these, there were also the remains of four Elaterid beetles (Agriotes sp.) and a freshly caught larva belonging to the same group, but not, apparently, of the same genus; there were also fragments of the dung beetles Aphodius fimetarius and Geotrupes sp., and two oat glumes.

Colonel T. J. Long has very generously presented the specimen to the Grosvenor Museum, Chester, where it is highly valued, and forms an extremely interesting addition to the local collections preserved in this institution.' [Cranes of various kinds are often kept in semi-captivity with out, and not pinioned, wings (cf. ante, Vol. I. p. 91), and frequently escape when they grow new quill feathers, and then show no signs of captivity. We have, therefore, asked Mr. Newstead to make a more critical examination of the contents of the stomach of the bird above recorded, in the hopes that this might prove its origin.

Unfortunately, the contents of the stomach do not greatly help us. Mr. Robert Newstead kindly writes: 'As to the insects taken from the stomach, I can only confirm what my brother has stated in his letter to you. I have given these a most critical examination, and find that they are all indigenous species; and the majority had been captured by the bird within a few hours of its death. With the exception of the larva of the Agrotid beetle, they are all common and widely distributed species; and are as abundant in Anglesey as in any other part of the British Isles.... - Eds.]

Forrest (1919) says: 'An example of this large species was obtained at Rhosneigr, Anglesey, 16th May, 1908. It was seen in the evening by a man named David Owen, who, after stalking it for two hours, got within four yards of the bird as it stood in some flood-water on the common north of the Crigyll River. He hoped to capture it alive but his dogs refused to tackle it, so he shot it as it rose on the wing. He took it to Colonel Long who sent it to Chester Museum. He informed me that it had a strong, disagreeable oily odour. This is an addition to the Welsh fauna.'

92). 1908 Northumberland Greyside Fell, near Settlingstones, 20th October.

(Bolam, 1932; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83; Kerr, 2001).

History Bolam (1932) says: 'Mr. A. M. Allgood and his brother (who was well acquainted with Cranes abroad), together with the late Tom Robson, M.F.H., when riding across Greyside Fell on their way to hunt at Newbrough, on October 20th, 1908, observed a Crane upon the wing. It had evidently been disturbed by them from the little pond known as Park Dam, just north of Settlingstones. It was probably the same bird that was seen again by Mr. Robson, near his residence at Bridgeford some time subsequently.'

Comment Could this be the escaped Sarus Crane?

93). 1910 Norfolk Thornham, female, shot, 5th August.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1911: 167; Eds., British Birds 5: 82; S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 9: 792; Riviere, 1930).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1911) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XV. p. 167, says: 'August 5th. Mr. Hamon Lestrange informs me of a female Crane, shot at Thornham, which had been seen about the neighbourhood for a week or so before meeting its fate.'

In an Editorial (1911) in British Birds, Vol. V. p. 82, they say: 'A female Crane (Grus communis), shot at Thornham, is reported in August, but we have already several times given our opinion for suspecting Cranes to be "escapes".'

Admitted by S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere (1914) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IX. p. 792, under in the 'Additions to Part XI (Sixth List) 1909-13'.

94). 1913 Oxfordshire Near Adderbury, adult, shot, 10th March.

(O. V. Aplin, Zoologist 1913: 276; Radford, 1966).

History O. V. Aplin of Bloxham (1913) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XVII. p. 276, says: 'An adult Crane was shot near Adderbury on March 10th, 1913, and seen in the flesh by me. It is quite probable that it was an escaped bird, although the plumage showed no signs of this; the bird was, however, quite fat. I should be glad to hear if anyone lost a Crane about that time. This individual may be recognized by the following peculiarities, viz., the bill was slightly bent to one side near the tip, and the inner primary of one wing was white. I was only able to make rough measurements, and these were as follows: bill a bare four inches in length; tarsus, 8 in.; wing, 21 in.; total length to the end of the tail, 42 in.'

95). 1920 Dumfries & Galloway Cairnsmore, Kirkcudbrightshire, seen, at least 13th June.

(M. Bedford, Scottish Naturalist 40: 168; Eds., British Birds 14: 46; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 41: 109; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History Mary, Duchess of Bedford (1920) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XL. p. 168, says: 'When walking on the Cairnsmore Moor (Stewartry of Kirkcudbright) on the 15th June, I saw a Common Crane alight a short distance away. I watched it for a considerable time, feeding in the bog, mobbed by Lapwings, and believe that it was an immature bird, as the feathers on the neck and wing coverts still seemed somewhat brown. The bird was quite full-winged and flew at a great height, and remained about the moor for several days.

Enquiries having failed to elicit any information as to its being an escaped bird and the wind having been S.E. for several days and therefore favourable for rare visitors, I think it may be regarded as a genuine migrant.

As the collection of Cranes at Logan, Wigtownshire, is not far from Cairnsmore, it may well be to record that the Common Crane has never been kept there. Neither was it an escape from the Woburn collection, where young birds are left full-winged.'

In an Editorial (1920) in British Birds, Vol. XIV. p. 46, they say: 'The Duchess of Bedford writes that she saw a Common Crane (Megalornis g. grus) at no great distance on the Moor at Cairnsmore, on June 13th, 1920. The bird was full winged and apparently wild. The Duchess will be glad to know if any keepers of captive Cranes have lost any recently.'

Admitted by E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1921) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLI. p. 109, in the annual report.

96). 1922 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, seen, early September.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., British Birds 16: 238-239; Pashley, 1925; Riviere, 1930).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1923) in British Birds, Vol. XVI. pp. 238-239, in the Norfolk Annual Report, says: 'A Crane, as I am informed by Mr. Pashley, frequented the Cley and Salthouse marshes in the first week of September, but no ornithologist was able to get a view of it. It is rather curious that we do not have more Cranes in England, as they are not very rare on passage on the north coast of France (cf. Rev. Francaise d'Orn. II. p. 71), while in eastern Belgium they are occasionally seen in large numbers (Le Gerfaut, 1913, p. 176).'

Pashley (1925) under 'List of Cley Birds', says: 'One seen first week of September, 1922.'

97). 1930 Norfolk/Suffolk Fritton Lake, seen, 14th May; presumed same, Langmere, 26th May; presumed same, Northrepps, mid-June.

(B. B. Riviere, British Birds 24: 318; Payn, 1978).

History B. B. Riviere (1931) in British Birds, Vol. XXIV. p. 318, under 'Ornithological Report of Norfolk for 1930', recording the record in square brackets, says: 'Crane (? species). On May 14th a Crane was seen by Major A. R. Buxton flying N. over Fritton Lake. On May 26th one was seen by Sir Hugh Beevor flying E. over Langmere, and about the middle of June one was seen by Mr. C. Gurney flying E. over Northrepps. To what species this bird or birds belonged could not be ascertained.'

Payn (1978, 2nd ed.) in his Birds of Suffolk states that a Crane was seen in May 1930 at Fritton Lake (Brit. Birds).

Comment Not sure how Payn thinks it is a Common Crane.

98). 1930 Dorset Weymouth, adult, seen, 15th June.

(W. R. Thompson, Field 28th Jun., 1930: 965; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 52: 139; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 207; Prendergast & Boys, 1983).

History W. R. Thompson of Weymouth (1930) in The Field of 28th June, Vol. CLV. p. 965, says: 'At about 12.30 p.m. on June 15th, whilst on the road crossing the Backwater Bird Sanctuary here, my attention was attracted by a loud, clanging and (recently) unfamiliar call note, and looking up I observed a large heron-like bird in the air. It was considerably larger than the heron, several specimens of which were in sight at the time, and the grey colour of the plumage appeared to be somewhat darker and more uniform. It flew with its neck (and legs) outstretched, and the apparently large tail was very noticeable. I have very little doubt that this was a specimen of the Common Crane (Megalornis grus grus), with which I am familiar, and from its sharply contrasting grey and black plumage, I judge it to have been an adult. As I watched it, it circled higher and higher into the air, eventually disappearing in a westerly direction.'

F. L. Blathwayt (1931) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LII. p. 139, in the Annual Report for 1930, says: 'In The Field June 28th, 1930, p. 965, W.R.T. reports seeing a Crane at Weymouth on June 15th. He is sure of the species but the bird was possibly an "escape", though it is not possible to be sure of this. W.R.T. is familiar with the appearance of Cranes having seen them abroad.'

Admitted by F. L. Blathwayt (1934) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LV. p. 207, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset'.

99). 1937 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, two, 6th May.

(R. M. Garnett, Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1937: 8).

History R. M. Garnett (1937) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, p. 8, under 'Notes from the Kelling-Salthouse-Cley area', says: 'May, 1937. On the 6th two Cranes passed west along the coast-line but did not come down. A letter to The Times asking if anyone had lost birds of this species produced no evidence that they had escaped from a private collection.'

101). 1937 Northamptonshire Lilford Hall, pair, seen, 27th May.

(A. F. Moody, British Birds 31: 91-92; Taylor MS., 1959).

History A. F. Moody (1937) in British Birds, Vol. XXXI. pp. 91-92, says: 'On May 27th, 1937, a pair of Common Cranes (Grus grus) appeared at Lilford Hall. When first seen they were circling low and calling over an enclosure containing nesting examples of their own species. They were trying to alight, but evidently the trees or high fences prevented them from doing this, so they planed down and settled in a meadow across the river Nene. Here I had an excellent view of them at a distance of about 30 yards and much admired their perfect plumage and graceful flight. At the time I was under the impression that they were escapes, but after due inquiries think it possible that they may have been genuine wild examples. They stayed for about half an hour, were seen again at noon, but since then they have not been heard of.'

103). 1938 Norfolk Scolt Head Island, two, seen, 12th May.

(Anon., Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1938: 3).

History Anon. (1938) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, p. 3, under 'Scolt Head Island', says: On May 12th two Cranes were seen by the watcher flying from east to west along the island; they were calling loudly as they went along.'

105). 1939 Cornwall Walmsley Sanctuary, seen, 23rd to 25th April.

(B. H. Ryves & D. Valentine, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1939: 44-45; Ryves, 1948; Penhallurick, 1969).

History B. H. Ryves & D. Valentine (1939) in the Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report, Vol. IX. pp. 44-45, say: 'As a result of an urgent message from me, J.M.M., B.H.R. and Mrs. Ryves joined me on the Farm, on April 23rd, to view a Crane which was established in the Walmsley Sanctuary. By careful stalking, we got good views of the bird and watched its movements for a long period of time. Around it, as it marched sedately through the marsh herbage, the marsh was dotted with pairs of Shelduck and a little party of drake Mallards. Once the Crane encroached on a Lapwing's territory and was mobbed. At another moment, a Heron obligingly dropped close to the Crane giving us a fine comparison of respective sizes. The Crane towered over the Heron in height, and in bulk looked immense. We all felt certain that the Crane was a genuine wild bird. It was very wary and when two men with dogs were approaching, the Crane rose when they were far off and gave us a splendid sight of its immense size and great wing-span. A day or two later, I failed to get within 300 yards of it before it rose and flew away. T.J.W.'

Ryves (1948: 216-217) says: 'On April 23rd, 1939, my wife and I joined Mr. Willcocks and Mr. Macmillan and had splendid views of this huge bird at The Walmsley Sanctuary. It marched sedately through the marsh herbage where little parties of Sheld-Duck and Mallard were dotted about. Shortly after being mobbed by a Lapwing, a Grey Heron dropped close to it, giving us a fine comparison of respective sizes. The Crane towered over the Grey Heron and looked immense.

We all felt certain it was a genuinely wild bird. It was very wary and when two men approached, it rose when they were far off and gave us a thrilling sight of its immense size and great wing span. It is a slate-grey bird with a white streak on the side of its face and neck - tall and graceful with a long neck and long legs.'

Comment T. J. Willcocks of Wadebridge.

106). 1939 Norfolk Whiteslea Lodge, Hickling, seen, 21st May; two, seen, 23rd May.

(J. Vincent, Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1939: 17; Eds., British Birds 34: 71).

History J. Vincent (1939) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, p. 17, under 'Bird Notes from Hickling, 1939', says: 'A bird of this species flew past Whiteslea Lodge in the early morning of May 21st and alighted in a wheat field where I watched it for some time. It was very noisy. On the 23rd it had procured a mate and both birds were seen in flight near the coast by Mr. A. D. Sapsworth.'

In an Editorial (1940) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIV. p. 71, in a Review of the Transactions of Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, for 1939, they say: 'A Common Crane was seen at Hickling on May 21st and two on the 23rd.'

108). 1944 Devon Otter Estuary, three, seen, 10th September.

(F. C. Butters, E. W. Hendry, R. W. Howell & H. G. Hurrell, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1944 10; Eds., British Birds 38: 358; Moore, 1969).

History F. C. Butters, E. W. Hendry, R. W. Howell & H. G. Hurrell (1944) in the Devon Bird Watching & Preservation Society Report, Vol. XVII. p. 10, say: 'River Otter, Budleigh Salterton. September 10th. (Mr. G. C. L. Horrill). I.C.S. (retired) reports three (a pair and a single bird) seen on the saltings by Mrs. M. Browning and Mr. Bromage of the Indian Police, who knew the bird well in India. Mrs. Browning is also certain that it is the same bird illustrated by Thorburn in Coward's Birds of the British Isles, Vol. II. p. 103. Mr. Horrill thinks they may have been escapes, and Mr. Walmesley White also. On the other hand three travellers appearing briefly at this time of the year is what might be expected of wild birds on passage.'

Note by F.C.B. - Mr. S. C. Clarke of Stockland reported to me on September 10th that early in the morning that day he had seen three huge birds, not geese or swans, flying high on a course which could have taken them to the Otter saltings. Stockland is about 18 miles N.E. of Budleigh Salterton.'

In an Editorial (1945) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVIII. p. 358, in a Review of the Devon Bird Watching & Preservation Society Report, for 1944, they say: 'Of rarities, three Cranes on the Otter at Budleigh Salterton on September 10th, which may well have been wild as the escape of three full-winged captive birds seems rather unlikely.'

111). 1945 Norfolk Dreary's Marsh, Hickling, seen, 24th to 25th April.

(E. Piggin, Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1945: 9; Eds., British Birds 40: 31).

History E. Piggin (1945) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, 1945, p. 9, under 'Notes from Hickling', says: 'Common Crane. One on Dreary's marsh on April 24th and 25th.' In an Editorial (1947) in British Birds, Vol. XL. p. 31, in a Review of the Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, for 1945, they say: 'A Crane at the same place [Hickling] on April 24th and 25th.'

112.0). 1947 Suffolk Dunwich, two, 27th April; also in Norfolk.

(Payn, 1978).

History Payn (1978, 2nd ed.) says: 'G. B. G. Benson saw two arrive at a great height at Dunwich where they came in off the sea on 27th April 1947.'

112.1). 1947 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, two, 28th April; presumed same, between Breydon Water and Caister-on-Sea, two, 4th to 8th May; same as Suffolk.

(C. E. Gay, Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1947: 13, 30; R. Harrison, Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1947: 23; Allard, 1990).

History C. E. Gay (1947) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, 1947, p. 13, under 'Cley and Salthouse', says: 'April. Two Common Cranes were on the marsh on the 28th. These birds which flew off inland were almost certainly the two seen later by Dr. Ley at Yarmouth.'

Robin Harrison (1947) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, 1947, p. 23, says: 'Two were resting on a marsh close to the estuary wall on the evening of May 8th. These birds were first seen in the vicinity of Breydon by Dr. Ley on May 4th, on a marsh near Caister-on-Sea.'

Further, p. 30, C. E. Gay adds: 'An excellent view was had of two Common Cranes feeding on the Caister marshes near Yarmouth on May 4th. The birds were walking about all the time apparently feeding on the small frogs which abounded on the marsh. They were seen again on the 7th and 8th and seemed particularly fond of some stubble which had been submerged most of the winter. They were very alert all the time and gave the impression of being stray migrants rather than escaped birds. (Dr. L. Ley).'

114). 1949 Suffolk Near Blythburgh, 8th to 24th September.

(G. B. G. Benson, British Birds 43: 192-193; B. W. Tucker, British Birds 43: 193; J. M. Browton, Transactions of the Suffolk Naturalists' Society 7: 39; Payn, 1978).

History G. B. G. Benson (1950) in British Birds, Vol. XLIII. pp. 192-193, says: 'On September 8th, 1949, I saw a Common Crane (Grus grus) on the tidal flats near Blythburgh. I saw it first at 4 p.m. B.S.T. and left it still feeding at 7 p.m. The next morning it was disturbed by a gun-shot and was seen by Miss Coney, of Brampton, to rise to a considerable height and fly south. The bird was seen by several others. It showed a large patch of white on the cheeks rather than a line; we could not distinguish any red on the head with x 10 glasses at about 200 yards in good light; the bushy secondaries were most obvious. It fed entirely from the surface, mixed freely with Herons, Curlew, etc., and was entirely silent.'

B. W. Tucker (1950) in British Birds, Vol. XLIII. p. 193, adds: 'The Crane reported by Mr. Benson evidently did not leave the district when it was seen flying away on September 9th, as was assumed at the time. It probably merely dropped into the extensive reed-beds of the Westwood Marshes, not much more than a mile away, where it - or at any rate a Crane which it can hardly be doubted was the same - was seen on September 14th by some of Dr. E. A. R. Ennion's students from Flatford Mill Field Centre who were camping close to Blythburgh Lodge.

The camping site affords an excellent look-out over the marshes and thereafter the bird was seen repeatedly by the Flatford Mill observers - in fact, as Dr. Ennion kindly informs me, on every day from September 14th to 24th inclusive, except for a gap on September 18th and 19th. It was also very well seen by the writer on September 20th, 22nd, 23rd and 24th, as well as by Mr. J. Rigby and others.

The bird seemed to spend most of its time at or near one of the open lagoons in the Westwood reed-beds, but made excursions at times to the tidal flats of the Blyth, where it was seen originally. It was seen coming into or leaving the Westwood Marshes on the wing on various occasions and there was nothing in its behaviour to suggest that it was not a genuinely wild bird.'

Miss J. M. Browton of Walberswick (1949) in the Transactions of the Suffolk Naturalists' Society, Vol. VII. p. 39, says: 'There was a Crane among a large party of about fifty Herons of all ages upon the marshes just south of Blythburgh Lodge on 15 September, but I did not realise its presence till it flew a few yards. Then I noticed the greater wing-expansion and lighter colour; but, as it settled behind some reeds, I could not see it again. Nor should I have been certain of its identity if Dr. and Mrs Tucker had not told me that they had observed a Crane at that spot upon several occasions during the same month.'

1950-57 RECORDS

115.0). 1951 Suffolk Belton Marshes, 17th May to 8th July; also in Norfolk.

(P. R. Westell, Suffolk Bird Report 1951: 24; Payn, 1978).

History P. R. Westell (1951) in the Suffolk Bird Report, p. 24, says: 'An immature with injured left leg seen Belton Marshes, from May 17th , for several weeks, by a number of observers. Also seen flying over Breydon marshes May 21st, and Scroby Sands on July 8th, the injured leg clearly visible hanging in an unnatural position (L.F.C.).'

Comment Lowestoft Field Club.

115.1). 1951 Norfolk/Suffolk Breydon Water, 21st May; same, Belton and Burgh Castle area, Suffolk, early June; same, Waxham, immature, 9th June to mid-July.

(A. Buxton, Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1951: 10; Anon., Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1951: 34; Allard, 1990).

History A. Buxton (1951) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, p. 10, under 'Horsey', says: 'On June 9th Mr. G. Crees showed me and a visitor a Common Crane on the marshes near Waxham Cut. The bird was very shy and did not allow approach nearer than 400 yards. When it flew we could see that one of its legs was damaged. It was a young bird in brownish-grey immature plumage and it appeared to fly straight away over the sea.

However, at the beginning of July this same bird, recognised by its game leg turned up again and came every evening to a shallow pool of water on my marshes. It disappeared in mid-July and probably died, for it looked in poor condition.'

Anon. (1951) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, p. 34, says: 'First seen on May 21st flying over Breydon Water, mobbed by Lapwings, Redshanks and gulls. One leg was obviously injured. This bird was also seen in the Belton and Burgh Castle area in early June.'

116). 1953 Outer Hebrides Benbecula, 21st April to 22nd May; same, North Uist, 24th May and for a few weeks, returning to Benbecula until late September.

(J. W. Campbell, British Birds 49: 281-282; Cunningham, 1983).

History J. W. Campbell (1956) in British Birds, Vol. XLIX. pp. 281-282, says: 'On 20th May 1953, D. J. Mackinnon and I went in search of a large bird - "like a heron but much bigger" - which had been reported to have been frequenting the west coast of Benbecula since 21st April. We found the bird without difficulty, for it was very conspicuous, on the stretch of machair south-west of Castle Borve.

We had good views of it on the ground, where it was feeding, and in flight, under good conditions, but the bird, which was a Crane (Grus grus), was very alert and owing to the absence of cover we were unable to get nearer than about 200 yards. The next day, however, I had perfect views from within 70 yards. On the morning of 22nd May, it was feeding close to the main road, but when I returned three-quarters of an hour later with E. M. Nicholson and A. B. Duncan it had disappeared; we heard subsequently that it had been disturbed and had departed northward shortly before we arrived. On 24th May, when in North Uist, quite by chance we found the Crane again, on the machair west of Knockintorran, some ten miles north of its Benbecula haunt, and once more splendid views were obtained, Duncan stalking within 40 yards.

Details noted previously were confirmed; the bird was evidently not fully mature, for although the elongated, pendulous inner secondaries were well developed, there was no trace of red on the crown, and much of the upper-parts was a pale buff and not slate-grey. Apart from the absence of red on the back of the crown, head, neck and throat were as described for adult birds. The bill was whitish-horn in colour, and the legs and feet greyish-black. Whilst on the ground, the Crane appeared to provoke no hostile reaction in the abundant population of breeding birds on the machair, but whenever it took wing, which was fairly frequently, it was subjected to fierce mobbing.

In Benbecula, where the breeding population of Lapwings (Vanellus vanellus) is dense, its flight produced remarkable demonstrations, and once when it flew near the Castle loch it was attacked by a mob of Black-headed Gulls (Larus ridibundus) and Common and Arctic Terns (Sterna hirundo and macrura) which breed there.

The Crane was reported to have remained near Knockintorran, North Uist, for a few weeks, and then to have returned to Benbecula, where it was last seen at the end of September.

There is a previous record for the Outer Hebrides, one having been shot near Stornoway, Lewis, on 14th May 1906 (Annals of Scottish Natural History, 1907, p. 84).'

Accepted locally (Cunningham 1983).

117). 1953 Lincolnshire Sea Lane Farm, Humberston, nine, 25th October.

(S. A. Cox, Transactions of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union 13: 210-211; Smith & Cornwallis, 1955; Cornwallis, 1970; Lorand & Atkin, 1989).

History S. A. Cox (1953) in the Transactions of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union, Vol. XIII. pp. 210-211, says: 'On Oct. 25th Mr. H. Lambert and Mr. and Mrs. M. Marshall saw a flock of nine on Mr. Marshall's Sea Lane Farm at Humberston, and were able to approach within sixty or seventy yards by circling them in a land automobile and to examine them through binoculars. Mr. Lambert and Mr. Marshall are wildfowlers of experience and know all the usual marshland birds. They described them as "rather Heron-like but a little larger than a Heron, grey body with a white streak on side of neck and face, and a red patch on crown". On being shown a coloured plate, they unhesitatingly identified them as Cranes. The birds appeared very tired - some were asleep - and there was a noticeable variation in size, the smaller individuals being of a duller plumage. (B.A.P.). The possibility of them having escaped from captivity cannot perhaps be entirely ruled out, but the fact of there being so many together makes this seem rather unlikely and the record is accepted without square brackets.

The last time Cranes were recorded in Lincolnshire was in 1882.'

Accepted locally (Smith & Cornwallis 1955; Lorand & Atkin 1989).

126). 1954 Yorkshire Auburn, picked up dead, first-summer, 5th April.

(G. J. Brown, British Birds 48: 87; R. Chislett, Naturalist 80: 76; Mather, 1986).

History G. J. Brown (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 87, says: 'On 5th April 1954 a bird was picked up dead on the beach at Auburn, south of Bridlington, Yorkshire, by R. Little, who brought it to me on the 7th for identification.

It was a Crane (Grus grus) in first summer plumage. The skin was in too dishevelled a state for preservation, possibly due to the bird's having come down in the sea, or having struggled on the tide-line for some time before its death. It bore no rings or wing-tags, and so far as could be ascertained it had not escaped from captivity, though this cannot be ruled out.

The shape of the bill was rather different from that of the Plates in The Handbook, and it also varied in colour. The tip of the bill was horn-coloured, greying towards the nostrils. From the nostrils to the base of the bill was red, with slight black markings on both mandibles. The forehead was covered with strong black bristle-like feathers extending to the eye. On the crown red skin was visible through short, strong bristles. As a result of this, the red area on the head was above the eye instead of much further back as in the figures shown in The Handbook.'

[Miss Phyllis Barclay-Smith told us at the time that she did not know of any collection in Yorkshire from which a Crane might have escaped, nor did she hear of the loss of a Crane from anywhere else. Mr. Brown kindly sent us a sketch of the head, which showed various differences from the Plate in The Handbook, but it was possible to find a number of similar birds among the specimens in the British Museum (Natural History). - Eds.]

Accepted locally (Mather 1986).

127). 1954 Cumbria Brampton, 12, 23rd September.

(Hutcheson, 1986).

History Hutcheson (1986) says: 'A flock of twelve flying west over Brampton on 23 Sept., 1954 (H. R. Nicholl).'

139). 1955 Orkney Ingsay Farm, Birsay, Mainland, 17th to 27th May.

(E. Balfour, British Birds 49: 38; A. T. Macmillan, Scottish Bird Report 1969: 128; Balfour, 1972; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1985).

History E. Balfour (1956) in British Birds, Vol. XLIX. p. 38, says: 'A single Crane (Grus grus) stayed in the vicinity of Ingsay Farm, Birsay, Orkney, for some ten days in the spring of 1955, from about 17th to 27th May. I saw the bird on the 24th, when it was feeding on a field of oats at a range of a little over 100 yards from me.

The general colour of most of the body and lower part of the neck was of a lightish grey, much the same shade as is the Heron (Ardea cinerea). The upper part of the neck was blackish with a white stripe running down each side from the eye. The head was also dark, as was the stout, medium length bill. No red patch on the head could be distinguished. The bird's most outstanding character was the long, drooping blue-black plumes hanging over the tail. Its movements were graceful and deliberate, and when walking each foot was daintily lifted, and poised before being set down. The body was almost horizontal, and the neck was gracefully curved.

I did not put the bird up, but the farmer said that it would not stand too close an approach. He had seen it fly strongly with slow wing beats from field to meadow several times.'

Accepted locally (Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds 1985).

140). 1955 Suffolk Westleton Heath, 24th to 27th May.

(R. Wolfendale, British Birds 49: 38-39; F. K. Cobb, Suffolk Bird Report 1955: 25; Payn, 1978).

History R. Wolfendale, RSPB Warden (1956) in British Birds, Vol. XLIX. pp. 38-39, says: 'On 25th May 1955, having been informed that a strange bird had been seen on Westleton Heath, Suffolk, I made my way there and was rewarded at once by seeing it fly past me at a height of about 150 ft. The bird alighted some 200 yards away and gradually made its way in my direction until it was within 150 yards. In all I watched it for some 2¼ hours, and had no hesitation in identifying it as a Crane (Grus grus). In flight it appeared to be larger than a Heron (Ardea cinerea); its head and neck were fully extended, and its legs projected beyond its tail.

The general impression was of a black and grey bird. When it was on the ground I noticed the following points: bill, lightish and perhaps smaller than a Heron's; crown, dark; body, grey; wings, grey with black tips; tail, black and drooping; legs, darkish. There appeared to be a white stripe from behind the eye, and there was a black area from the chin to a point halfway down the front of the long neck. It was very alert all the time I was watching it, and in between intervals of feeding it used to stop and stand still, looking around it.

Later in the day it flew on to the Royal Society for Protection of Birds Reserve at Minsmere, where it was also seen by Col. and Mrs. Boyle, Mrs. E. M. Bale and G. R. Edwards.'

[Mrs. E. M. Bale tells us that with Miss M. S. van Oostveen she also saw the Crane between 8 and 9 a.m. on 26th May at Walk Barn Farm near Westleton Heath, about one mile inland from Minsmere; the men working on the farm reported that they had noted it during the two previous days. Mr. F. K. Cobb informs us that what was presumably the same bird was seen at Walberswick, Suffolk, on 25th May by Messrs. R. B. Barstow and G. S. Ralston. - Eds.]

141). 1956 Kent Manston, two, 9th April; same, Pegwell Bay, two, 10th April; same, between Birchington and St Nicholas, two, 12th April.

(E. H. Gillham, Kent Bird Report 1956: 17-18; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1981).

History E. H. Gillham (1956) in the Kent Bird Report, Vol. V. pp. 17-18, says: 'The following records for East almost certainly refer to the same birds: 2 at Manston on Apr. 9 (G.D.); 2 at Pegwell Bay in spartina on Apr. 10 (Mr. Young per V.C.W.L.) ; and 2 between Birchington and St. Nicholas in corn on Apr. 12 (D.G.W. per J.M.H.). It is interesting to note that two, possibly the same birds, were seen flying west along the Norfolk coast on Apr. 25 (cf. N. B. R. 1956). This is the first satisfactory record for the county for well over a hundred years though there is one occurrence of probable escapes some twenty years ago.

Details have been received from all observers and the notes and sketches of Mr. Young show that one was an adult and the other a first year bird which was browner on the back and lacking the "bushy tail" appearance of its companion. Size: about 5 feet-larger than Herons; the adult had grey back and wings (black primaries seen in flight); paler underparts; "bushy drooping tail" blackish; prominent white flash from eye to nape; blackish throat extended down to finish abruptly on neck ; neck extended fully in flight. The immature was similar except for the two main differences mentioned.'

143). 1956 Norfolk Blakeney Point, two, 25th April.

(M. J. Seago, Norfolk Bird Report 1956: 34; Stoddart & Joyner, 2005).

History M. J. Seago (1956) in the Norfolk Bird Report, p. 34, says: 'Two flying west along Blakeney Point, April 25th (J.F.P.). Details supplied.'

145). 1957 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, 13th March; same, Wells-next-the-Sea, 20th to 30th March; same, Holkham, early April; same, Blakeney, 13th April.

(M. J. Seago, Norfolk Bird Report 1957: 28).

History M. J. Seago (1957) in the Norfolk Bird Report, p. 28, says: 'One flying west at Cley, March 13th (R.P., M.P.) was seen at Wells, March 20-30th (per E.A.E.), R.G.T.) and frequently at Holkham in early April (filmed by R.P.B-O.). Last seen flying east at Blakeney, April 13th (H.H.).'

146). 1957 Greater London/Kent Longfield, near Gravesend, adult, 19th March; same, Gravesend, 20th March.

(E. H. Gillham, Kent Bird Report 1957: 15).

History E. H. Gillham (1957) in the Kent Bird Report, Vol. VI. p. 15, says: 'One at Longfield, near Gravesend, on Mar. 19, was seen nearer latter locality the following day (R.G.F., J.P. per R.G.F.); and two at Dungeness on Sept. 28 and 29 (N.G., S.C., L.B., et al.).

Full details received of these three birds which were adults. Among the points noted were: large size - 3½-4 feet tall; grey colouring with blackish, bushy, 'droopy tail' appearance; dark chin and throat and white cheek patch extending down long neck; and dark crown. These are only the second and third satisfactory records in the past hundred years.'

147). 1957 Essex/Greater London Rainham Marsh, immature, 19th July.

(G. Pyman, Essex Bird Report 1957: 14; F. H. Jones, London Bird Report 22: 14; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984; Self, 2014).

History G. Pyman (1957) in the Essex Bird Report, p. 14, says: 'Rainham Marsh: an immature on July 19th (B.P.H.). The first occurrence of the species in Essex for almost 50 years and the fourth Essex record. Enquiries as to whether this bird might have escaped from captivity have brought negative results. Description: larger and taller than Heron, the "drooped tail" effect of the elongated secondaries exaggerating the body size; neck long and straight; bill shorter, tarsus appeared thicker, than Heron's; general coloration grey; primaries very dark brown; the deep brown which extended from the head to a point mid-way along the neck was divided down the side by a buffish-white stripe beginning at the eye; no red visible on the nape which appeared a much paler buff-brown; base of bill pale flesh colour, tarsus a patchy slate-grey; flight slow with neck and legs extended; flight call "kurrr"; alert and wary.'

Self (2014) considers it the same as an escapee at Radlett.

148). 1957 Kent Dungeness, two, adults, 28th to 29th September.

(E. H. Gillham, Kent Bird Report 1957: 15).

History E. H. Gillham (1957) in the Kent Bird Report, Vol. VI. p. 15, says: …and two at Dungeness on Sept. 28 and 29 (N.G., S.C., L.B., et al.). Full details received of these three birds which were adults. Among the points noted were: large size - 3½-4 feet tall; grey colouring with blackish, bushy, "droopy tail" appearance; dark chin and throat and white cheek patch extending down long neck; and dark crown. These are only the second and third satisfactory records in the past hundred years.'

150). 1957 Yorkshire North Deighton, six, 17th November to 7th December.

(G. E. Sturdy, Yorkshire Post 2nd Dec., 1957; R. Chislett, Naturalist 83: 50).

History R. Chislett (1958) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXXXIII. p. 50, says: 'At North Deighton, near Wetherby, from November 17th to December 7th, six unusual birds, tall enough to look over a 3 ft. 6 in. fence, frequented the fields of barley stubble, undersown rye-grass and clover, of Mr. G. E. Sturdy, who wrote to the Yorkshire Post on December 2nd. Although informed too late to see the birds I asked A. F. G. Walker to investigate. Mr. Sturdy, who first thought the birds were herons, described them generally grey in colour, but as flying with both legs and neck extended; and having a "black bustle-like rump and tail".

They were shy and difficult to approach, but on December 1st, from a tractor he was driving, Mr. Sturdy passed them at c. 70 yards distance, and was able to see the red spot Cranes wear on the otherwise black and white head. All six birds always stood, fed and flew together, 'never more than about a yard apart.' They were seen by a number of other people who did not include a known ornithologist. After seeing Mr. Sturdy and inspecting the terrain, Mr. Walker has no doubt the birds were Cranes (Megalornis grus), with which I agree (R.C.).'

NOT PROVEN

0). 1696 Ceredigion No locality, two, May.

(Philosophical Transactions 27: 464).

[Latham, 1821-28].

History Latham (1824 (9): 35) in a footnote, says: 'In the year 1696, in the month of May, came into Cardiganshire, two strange birds, which, by the description, seemed to be Cranes, Phil. Trans., XXVII. 464.'

Comment Not specifically identified. Not acceptable.

0). 1792-94 Kent No locality, seen, undated.

(Latham, 1801; Jenyns, 1835; Ticehurst, 1909).

[KAN].

Jenyns (1835: 185) says: 'One or two others are said to have occurred in Kent.'

Ticehurst (1909: 403) says: 'The only other mention of the Crane in Kent is of two birds of which Latham, in 1801 (Synopsis, Suppl., II. p. 298), in enumerating the examples that had occurred in Britain, says: "Once on the Kentish coast, communicated by the late Mr. Boys....Since Boys does not include the Crane in the list of birds in his 'Birds of Sandwich', it seems probable that the first of these was obtained subsequently, i.e., between 1792 and 1794".'

Comment Lacks a precise date and locality for a scientific record. Not acceptable.

0). 1799 Greater London Hackney, Middlesex, flight, seen, November.

(Hone, 1832).

[Glegg, 1935; Self, 2014].

History Glegg (1935: 163) placing the record in square brackets, says: 'It is stated in Hone's Year Book, 1832, p. 1157, that Dr. Forster saw a flight of them in November 1799 at Hackney Middlesex; they flew at an immense height.'

0). c. 1815 Lincolnshire Gayton-le-Marsh, seen, undated.

(J. E. Mason, Naturalist 26: 156).

[Smith & Cornwallis, 1955; Lorand & Atkin, 1989].

History Jas Eardley Mason of Lincoln (1900) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XXVI. p. 156, dated 17th April 1900, says: 'About the year 1855, I was told by Jonathan Johnson, a cottage farmer at Rigsby, my birthplace, that when he was a young man (about 1815) the last flight of Cranes (presumably Grus grus) in that part of the county occurred at Gayton-le-Marsh. He used to visit that parish, which is about five miles away from Rigsby, courting the girl who was afterwards his wife. It is worth noting that Johnson spoke of the occurrence as "a flight of Cranes", which is the true technical term in sporting, as I understand it, although Dame Juliana Berners styles it "An Herde of Cranys". Herons he would have called "Herinsews".' Not accepted locally (Smith & Cornwallis 1955) or (Lorand & Atkin 1989).

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

0). 1822 Leicestershire & Rutland Groby Pool, shot, undated.

(M. Browne, Zoologist 1886: 238).

[Browne, 1899; Fray et al., 2009].

History Montagu Browne (1886) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. X. p. 238, says: 'In 1822 - according to Harley, a Crane was shot by Mr. Chaplin, of Groby, on the banks of Groby Pool. This is the only instance in which it is known to have occurred in this county.'

Browne (1889: 146) says: '...I have no corroboration of this, and it must be remembered that many keepers and some few sportsmen are in the habit of calling the Heron a "Crane" and, in Harley, amidst the mass of verbiage with which he delighted in surrounding his statements, did not state that he actually saw this specimen, the record must rest upon its merits.'

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

0). 1825 Dorset River Stour, Christchurch, killed, undated.

(A. P. Morres, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 21: 215).

[KAN].

Comment It would appear Morres (or the publisher) have transposed the year to cause an error for the 1852 record.

0). 1836 Norfolk Feltwell, shot, undated.

(T. Southwell, Hardwicke's Science Gossip 1869: 160; Stevenson, 1870).

[J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1876: 4843].

History T. Southwell (1869) in Hardwicke's Science Gossip, Vol. V. p. 160, says: 'On the 1st of May two Cranes were seen by a crow-boy on a barley-field at Hemsby, in East Norfolk; he called a man, who followed them with a gun, and succeeded in killing one in a field in the adjoining parish of Summerton. This bird was sent to London to Mr. Hume, the owner of the soil, for whom it has been preserved. A crane has since been killed on the Severn, which may possibly be the bird seen in company with the Summerton specimen. Mr. Stevenson has kindly given me a list of the occurrences of the Crane in this district, as follows: - One killed at Feltwell, 1836; ....'

J. H. Gurney, jun. (1876) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. XI. p. 4843, undated, says: '...Mr. Newcome, of Feltwell, has a Crane unlike any that I ever saw. It has a white neck and back, and is white spotted all over. It was shot, in 1836, and is the first one mentioned in the Birds of Norfolk (Vol. II. p. 128).'

Comment The species of Crane has not specifically been identified. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1848 Orkney South Ronaldsay, shot, undated.

(J. Wolley, Zoologist 1849: 2352-53).

[Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984].

History John Wolley writing from Edinburgh (1849) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VII. pp. 2352-53, dated November, 1848, says: '...Several years since one was shot in the island of South Ronaldsay, in the Orkneys.'

Not accepted locally (Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds 1984).

Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No supporting details. Not acceptable.

0). 1848 or 1849 Greater London Hyde Park, two, seen, early spring.

(Gould, 1862-73).

[Glegg, 1935; Self, 2014].

History Glegg (1935: 163) placing the record in square brackets, says: 'J. Gould states that Lord Lilford had seen two flying over Hyde Park, London, in the early spring of 1848 or 1849. A similar statement in fuller detail is repeated by A. G. Butler.'

0). 1862 Cleveland/Co. Durham Hartlepool, Durham, shot, 9th April.

(E. Newman, Zoologist 1862: 8005; "Blue Bonnet" Field 19th Apr., 1862: 350; Newman, 1866; Gurney, 1876).

[Bowey & Newsome, 2012].

History E. Newman, Editor (1862) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XX. p. 8005, says: 'Mr. Abbott, a birdstuffer, of Church Street, Hartlepool, has just received for preservation a fine and perfect specimen of the Crane. It was seen in an open field near that place and was killed at a distance of eighty yards. This magnificent, ornamental and most docile bird is in all respects adapted for the climate of England, and was formerly so abundant here that Archbishop Neville, as reported in Leland's 'Collectanea', served up two hundred and four Cranes at a single feast. Without asking why an Archbishop should have exceeded Heliogabalus in the extent and lavish prodigality of his banquets, we may ask why such a magnificent bird is killed whenever it sets foot on our inhospitable shore. Why should we perpetually seek to verify the satirical remarks of our acerb but truthful poet Rogers, who has said that whenever the sun happens to shine of a morning an Englishman exclaims, "See, here's a fine morning! let us kill something".'

"Blue Bonnet" of Hartlepool (1862) in The Field of 19th Apr., Vol. XIX. p. 350, dated 10th April, says: 'A fine specimen of the Crane (Ardea grus) was shot near this place yesterday in an open field, at the distance of about 80 yards with a cartridge. Dimensions: from tip to tip of wings 6 feet 6 inches, and 5 feet from tip of bill to toes - weight 10lb. It is now in the possession of Mr. Abbott, Church Street, West Hartlepool, for preservation and disposal.'

Gurney (1876: 277-278) says: 'Mr. Newman is the recorder of a Crane at Hartlepool (Zool., p. 8005), but he omits the date which, when the exact day is lost, is always worth giving approximately. Possibly by some strange mistake it may have been confounded with the Black Stork next to be noticed; for there is no mention of it in Mr. Hancock's catalogue.'

Bowey & Newsome (2012) state that the first well-documented record was the one in May, 1865.

0). 1865 Greater Manchester Stretford, killed, May.

(C. W. Devis, Zoologist 1865: 9697).

[Saunders, 1892; Oakes, 1953; B. T. Shaw & J. D. Wilson, Birds in Greater Manchester 1983: 17].

History C. W. Devis of Manchester (1865) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXIII. p. 9697, dated 19th June, 1865, says: 'Crane. A good specimen was killed in May (exact date not ascertained) in the neighbourhood of Stretford.'

Howard Saunders (1892: 206, 2nd ed.) in the revised edition of Mitchell's Birds of Lancashire says: 'I have not been able to gather any confirmation of this.' However, Oakes (1953: 310) says: 'Most occurrences are undoubtedly due to "escapes", for he only mentions a record for 1948.'

Not accepted locally for Greater Manchester (B. T. Shaw & J. D. Wilson, Birds in Greater Manchester 1983: 17).

0). 1867 Berkshire Near Sandhurst, seen, 1st May.

(F. W. Gibson, Hardwicke's Science Gossip 1867: 161).

[M. C. Cooke, Hardwicke's Science Gossip 1867: 161].

History F. W. Gibson (1867) in Hardwicke's Science Gossip, Vol. III. p. 161, in the July issue, says: 'On the 1st of May I saw that rara avis, the Crane, in the marshes near Sandhurst. Have any of your readers ever seen this bird at a place as far inland?' [Is our correspondent certain that he saw a veritable "crane" ? - Ed.]

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. No further notices found. Not acceptable.

0). 1868 Herefordshire Tripleton Farm, Shropshire, immature, killed, 14th July.

(W. E. Beckwith, Field 19th Dec., 1885: 876; Forrest, 1899; I. B. Evans, Herefordshire Ornithological Club Report 2000: 684).

[KAN].

History W. E. Beckwith of Wellington (1885) in The Field of 19th Dec., Vol. LXVI. p. 876, under 'Notes on Shropshire Birds', says: 'I do not think the Crane has ever occurred in this county, though on July 14, 1868, a young bird of this species was killed at Tripleton, Herefordshire, not far from the borders. Unfortunately, the farmer who killed it looked in a book of natural history, wherein he found it called the 'Common Crane!' so gave it to his servant to eat. As soon, however, as the late Mr. Rocke heard of it he asked him to come and look over the collection at Clungunford, when he immediately pointed out the Crane as the bird he had shot.'

Forrest (1899: 157) says: 'Mr. Rocke mentions a specimen of this rare and splendid bird, shot at Trippleton on the Teme, by Mr. Roberts of that place. It was cooked and eaten!'

I. B. Evans (2000) in the Herefordshire Ornithological Club Report, p. 684, states that the Common Crane was included in the list of Herefordshire birds whereby W. H. Hudson in his Rare Vanishing and Lost British Birds who was quoting H.E. Forrest's Fauna of Shropshire that one was shot on the Herefordshire border at Trippleton Farm on the Teme in 1859 by Mr. Roberts, a farmer who gave the body to his waggoner who cooked and ate it. The identification was confirmed by John Rocke (1817 - 1881) a well known ornithologist of that time.

However, in 1894, the County boundary was redrawn and Trippleton Farm, which was in Shropshire, became part of Herefordshire. The above was based on notes by Dr. C. W. Walker in the H.O.C.'s 1958 Annual Report. Dr. Walker had no hesitation in accepting this record for Herefordshire and the record is included in Herefordshire Birds by Walker and Smith 1975. However, the Crane was not included by Bull 1888, Home 1889, Hutchinson 1899, Cambridge Phillips 1908, Gilbert and Walker 1941 or Gilbert and Walker 1954.

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

0). 1868 North-east Scotland Near Gourdas, seen, 21st November.

(Sim, 1903; Phillips, 1997).

[Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007]

History Sim (1903: 166) says: 'One seen on 21st November, 1868; it was pursued and teased by a great number of Rooks and Jackdaws (George Sim, Fyvie, MS. list).' Not accepted nationally for Scotland (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).

0). 1870 Highland Torridon, Ross & Cromarty, seen, March.

(Gray, 1871; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

[Harvie-Brown & Macpherson, 1904].

History Gray (1871: 270) says: 'Another was seen in March, 1870, at Torridon, in the same county, by a keeper, who shot at the bird, but it made its escape. I obtained these particulars in the neighbourhood personally, about a month afterwards.'

Harvie-Brown & Macpherson (1904: 280) quoting from Gray, say: '...It remains not with me to say in how far the latter record is of any real value, in absence of more careful details.'

0). 1871 Surrey Carshalton, seen, February.

(J. A. Bucknill, Zoologist 1901: 249).

[J. A. Bucknill, Zoologist 1901: 249].

History J. A. Bucknill (1901) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. V. p. 249, says: 'He [Alfred Smee of Carshalton] also says: "A bird supposed to be a Crane (Grus cinerea) appeared in the park every evening for fifteen or sixteen days in Feb. 1871, but it was never absolutely authenticated" (p. 530). This is a pity, as it would have added another name to the county list.'

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.

0). 1884 Yorkshire Bolton-by-Bowland, Clitheroe, Lancashire, two, seen, 25th August.

(R. J. Howard, Zoologist 1884: 470-471; Saunders, 1892; Nelson, 1907).

[Mather, 1986].

History Robert J. Howard of Blackburn (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. pp. 470-471, says: 'Two of these birds have been seen near Clitheroe by Mr. R. Milne-Redhead, Bolton-by-Bowland, who has kindly furnished me with the following particulars: "On the 25th August last, about 4 p.m., he saw from his window, with the naked eye, a Crane, Grus communis, flying S.S.E., and on looking through his glass he distinctly saw a second travelling in the same direction. He made a note at the time, and entered the weather as "brilliantly fine and clear, air cooler; bar, 29.55". We had a prevalence of easterly winds for some time previously. He further states that he is perfectly familiar with the appearance of the bird, having often seen it in Germany, Alsace, &c.

Although the Cranes, when seen by Mr. Milne-Redhead, were not actually in Lancashire, their line of flight would in a few minutes have taken them over the boundary, and I think we may now consider Lancashire as one of the counties visited by this bird during the present century".'

Not accepted locally (Mather 1986).

0). 1903 West Midlands Knowle, Warwickshire, adult pair, shot, 1st December.

(E. H. Spicer, Field 9th Jan., 1904: 51; Norris, 1947; Harrison et al., 1982; Harrison & Harrison, 2005).

[H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 417].

History E. H. Spicer of Suffolk Street, Birmingham (1904) in The Field of 9th Jan., Vol. CIII. p. 51, says: 'On Dec. 1 a pair of Cranes (Grus cinerea) were shot at Knowle, Warwickshire. They are in my possession, and may be seen by anyone wishing to investigate the question whether they were genuine migrants or escaped specimens.

They are in perfect adult plumage. The male weighed 12½lb., and measured in length, from tip of beak to end of tail, 3ft. 9½in.; from tip of beak to end of toes when stretched out as in full flight, 5ft. 1½in.; from tip to tip of wing fully stretched out (the width of back included), 6ft. 9in. The female is much the larger bird. I regret that I did not weigh and measure it, but this did not occur to me as being important until after I had set it up. The sex of the birds as ascertained by dissection reversed the general opinion that the male is the larger. It is clear in this instance, at least, that this is not the case.'

H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1909) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 417, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', placing the record in square brackets, say: 'Two were shot on December 1st, 1903, at Knowle, Warwickshire, and were exhibited at a meeting of the Birmingham Nat. Hist, and Phil. Society (A. H. Duncalfe, in litt.). These seem likely to have been escaped birds.' However, they have since been admitted locally by Norris (1947: 70).

0). 1906 Suffolk River Ouse, Brandon, seen, 13th January.

(Country Side 1906: 123; Eds., Transactions of the Suffolk Naturalists' Society 1: 146).

[Ticehurst, 1932; Piotrowski, 2003].

History In an Editorial (1929-31) in the Transactions of the Suffolk Naturalists' Society, Vol. I. p. 146, he says: 'There was seen by one D. Warde, on the Ouse River near Brandon in Suffolk upon 13th January, 1906, a Crane (Grus communis, Bech.: teste Country Side 1906, p. 123): the third specimen noted in our county during the last century.'

Not accepted locally (Ticehurst 1932; Piotrowski, 2003).

0). 1907 Hertfordshire Hexton, two, one shot, 25th March.

(A. H. Foster, Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society 16: 189-220).

[Sage, 1959].

History Sage (1959: 79) placing the record in square brackets, says: 'On 25th March 1907 two of these birds were seen flying over Hexton, one being shot an preserved. Undoubtedly they were escaped birds (Foster 1917).'

0). 1914 Gloucestershire Minsterworth, obtained, August.

(Swaine, 1982).

[Swaine, 1982].

History Swaine (1982: 140) says: 'A specimen in Gloucester museum, supposed to be of this species, was identified as the White-naped Crane, Grus vipio, by J. D. Saunders in 1980. It bore the label "Minsterworth, Glos., August, 1914".'

Comment Misidentified. Not acceptable.

0). 1919 Ceredigion Locality in the South, shot, winter.

(G. Harries, Field 10th Jul., 1920: 67).

[Roderick & Davis, 2010].

History Gwendoline Harries of Gogarth, Llandinarn, Montgomeryshire (1920) in The Field of 10th July, Vol. CXXXVI. p. 67, says: 'I recently saw a specimen of the Common Crane (Grus cinerea) in the window of a local bird stuffer and, upon inquiry, I was told it was shot last winter during a snowstorm by a farmer in South Cardiganshire.'

Comment Lacks corroborative evidence. Not acceptable.

0). 1924 Greater London Kensington, several, 8th May.

(R. Meinertzhagen, Field 11th Apr., 1942: 384).

[A. G. Knox, Ibis 1993: 320-325].

History R. Meinertzhagen (1942) in The Field of 11th Apr., Vol. CLXXIX. p. 385, says: 'Herons have been seen passing over occasionally, but one of the most remarkable records for the garden, if not for London, occurred about midnight on May 8th, 1924, when my wife and I were returning from a theatre in a white fog. The unmistakable call of Crane was heard, not one but many, passing over at a great height. So penetrating is this call that when migrating it can e heard long before birds come into sight.'

A. G. Knox (1993) in The Ibis, Vol. CXXXV. pp. 320-325, under 'Richard Meinertzhagen - a case of fraud examined' explains how Meinertzhagen stole specimens from Museums and later claimed them from elsewhere, becoming notoriously unreliable with his statements.

0). 1927 Sussex Oving, two, seen, late September.

(Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[des Forges & Harber, 1963; James, 1996.

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 324) says: 'The above two Cranes [1849 and 1854 records] can certainly be treated as really feral immigrants. But for the wildness of the two seen by Mr. G. M. Furley (Rep. Proc. Nat. and Arch. Circ., Littlehampton, 1926-7, p. 13) near Oving towards the end of September, 1927, I at any rate would not like to answer.'

Not accepted locally (des Forges & Harber 1963; James 1996).

0). 1931 Cambridgeshire Earith Washes, Huntingdonshire, seen, April.

(Lack, 1934).

[Lack, 1934].

History Lack (1934: 110) recording the record in square brackets, says: 'E. Penke and others saw one in April, 1931 on the Earith Washes, which may have escaped from captivity.'

Comment Possible escape. Not acceptable.

0). 1931 Norfolk Salthouse, seen, 6th to 7th May; presumed same, Hickling, seen, 13th May.

(B. B. Riviere, British Birds 25: 354).

History B. B. Riviere (1932) in British Birds, Vol. XXV. p. 354, and in the 1931 Norfolk Bird Report, says: 'On the afternoon of May 6th a Common Crane arrived on Salthouse Marshes, where it was seen by Messrs. R. M. Garnett, S. H. Long, J. Vincent and others. It left again early next morning, flying away in an easterly direction (Holman). On May 13th, one, probably the same bird, appeared at Hickling (J. Vincent), after which it was seen no more. From information elicited by Mr. Garnett it would appear probable that this bird was one which had escaped from captivity in Sussex.'

Comment Known escape. Not acceptable.

0). 1932 Greater London/Hertfordshire River Colne, adult male, 9th and 11th May.

(C. Humbert, Field 11th Jun., 1932: 886; M. Bedford, Field 2nd Jul., 1932: 19).

[Sage, 1959; Self, 2014].

History Charles Humbert of Herts. (1932) in The Field of 11th Jun., Vol. CLIX. p. 886, says: 'On may 9th, having heard that a very large bird had been seen near the River Colne not far from my house, I went to investigate and found a Crane feeding in a rough field close to the river. The bird allowed me to approach to about 100 yards up the river. I hardly think it can have been a wild bird. More likely an "escape" from some zoo or private park. I saw it again on the evening of the 11th, at considerable distance, but did not disturb it.

I should perhaps mention that I have frequently seen Cranes in the south of Spain, so there can be no mistake. The bird was evidently an adult male with a large plume. Perhaps the above may be of sufficient interest to publish in The Field, and possibly through your paper it may be ascertained from where the bird has escaped (if it is not a wild bird). I may mention that I have taken what steps I can to prevent the bird being destroyed. The locality is a rather wild spot for so near London. Incidentally there were three herons in the same field as the Crane.'

Mary, Duchess of Bedford of Woburn Abbey (1932) in The Field of 2nd Jul., Vol. CLX. p. 19, says: 'Your correspondent, Mr. Humbert (Field, June 11th), does not mention the species of Crane which he saw. We have had full-winged Cranes here for many years, and it is possible that as the bird was seen so near here it was one of them. If very like a Stanley Crane, it is quite possible that it was a half-bred Stanley and White-necked Crane which was bred here many years ago, and leaves us occasionally for some months. We have also fully-winged Common and Sarus Cranes.

In any case, if it came from here we are grateful to him for protecting it.'

Sage (1959: 79) says: 'Charles Humbert saw an adult male by the River Colne on the 9th and 11th May 1932. It was suggested by the Duke of Bedford that it was one of their full-winged birds from Woburn Park.'

0). 1936 Sussex Near Eastbourne, two, seen, 12th May.

(R. Whitlock, South-Eastern Bird Report 1936: 42; N. F. Ticehurst, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 5: 204).

[des Forges & Harber, 1963; James, 1996].

History R. Whitlock (1936) in the South-Eastern Bird Report, p. 42, says: 'Two cranes were seen on marshes near Eastbourne on May 12th (E.C.A.). Dr. N. F. Ticehurst remarks that these were probably escaped birds.'

Not accepted locally (des Forges & Harber 1963; James 1996).

0). 1937 Hampshire Near Petersfield, seen, autumn.

(R. Whitlock, South-Eastern Bird Report 1937: 47).

History R. Whitlock (1937) in the South-Eastern Bird Report, p. 47, says: 'A Crane was seen on several occasions in autumn in water-meadows near Petersfield. Probably this was an escaped bird (J.P.D.).'

0). 1940 Leicestershire & Rutland Normanton Park, Oakham, Rutland, seen, 27th April.

(H. G. Bolam, British Birds 34: 20).

[Fray et al., 2009].

History H. G. Bolam (1940) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIV. p. 20, says: 'During the week ending April 27th, 1940, there was a Common Crane Grus grus frequenting Normanton Park, Oakham. I have seen it flying over and walking about several times, often feeding down by the River Gwash which runs through the park. Of course, this bird may possibly be an escape from some private collection, but as it is very wild, I am rather inclined to think it may be a genuine wild specimen. I have been within thirty yards of the bird when it was feeding and am very well acquainted with this Crane.

Fray et al. (2009) state the first record for the counties as occurring in 1996.

0). 1947 Greater London London, seen, undated.

(Anon., Country Life 10th Jan., 1947: 131).

[London Natural History Society, 1964].

History Anon. (1947) in Country Life, 10th Jan., Vol. CI. p. 131, it says: 'But for the distant rumble of traffic the London street I walked was quiet. A passing shower had left it glistening in the evening light. Above the wet roofs and chimney pots ragged wisps of low cloud still scudded by. Yet there was autumn magic in the air - a stir and an unrest. Even the dark trees rustled with an undertone of excitement, and, as though in answer to the agitated whisper of the leaves, there came a faint wild cry which, after a moment, was repeated louder, and then again. All at once a great, untidy bird loomed above the roofs and sped across the narrow space of sky on strongly beating wings. And what wings they were! Ragged, with numerous pinion and secondary feathers missing, it seemed...he dwindled southward above the smoking chimney pots - a Methuselah of herons, I thought. Quickly he vanished. Ninety minutes more and it would be dark; but long before the darkness fell he would be settled by some quiet stream, far beyond the outskirts of London. As though answering my thoughts, fading and far away, echoed the ghost of a last call. I walked on, and as I walked thought of the untidy bird as he parachuted down on hollow wings towards the still branches of an oak, tilting steeper and steeper to the wind as he stretched dangling feet for the twigs his long neck uncoiling from its arched flight position for better poise and view. Then, with a clumsy beat and rustle of barbs, he would settle, balance and stand for a moment inanimate but for a cautious turn of the plumed head above his long grey neck. That neck! Suddenly I realised what had been strangest of all about the passing bird. It was not the ragged wings, nor their light beat nor yet the strange cry that was so different from the usual guttural "krark" of the heron; no, it was the neck, outstretched like a swan's as he flew. No winging heron that I had seen held it like that, and often I had watched them from my aeroplane as they fished the dyked plains of Somerset. Within a few seconds of rising into the air each bird would hunch....'

Comment Anonymous records were unacceptable to ornithologists. Not acceptable.

0). 1948 Lancashire & North Merseyside Carnforth, seen, autumn, photo.

(White, McCarthy & Jones, 2008: photo).

[White, McCarthy & Jones, 2008].

History White, McCarthy & Jones (2008) say: 'Oakes omitted the Crane from the Lancashire list, believing that most occurrences related to "escapes", and that included a very tame individual seen near Carnforth in the autumn of 1948 for several weeks.'

0). 1949 Cornwall Penrose, seen, 4th September.

(B. H. Ryves & H. M. Quick, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1949: 34).

[B. H. Ryves & H. M. Quick, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1949: 34].

History B. H. Ryves & H. M. Quick (1949) in the Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report, Vol. XIX. p. 34, recording the record in square brackets, says: 'On September 4th, a very large Heron-like bird was seen flying high over Penrose. The neck was carried fully extended, but the legs were not trailed. The tail had a peculiar squarish appearance. Through a powerful telescope the underwing was seen to be grey, and the body rather darker. The wings appeared to be rather longer and narrower than an Heron's. The flight was measured and slow. It was in sight for about three minutes and disappeared on an approximated S.W. course at 6. 15 p.m. - A. G. Parsons.'

Comment Not specifically identified. Not acceptable.

0). 1950 Suffolk Thorpeness area, undated.

(P. R. Westall, Suffolk Bird Report 1950: 32).

[P. R. Westall, Suffolk Bird Report 1950: 32].

History P. R. Westall (1950) in the Suffolk Bird Report, p. 32, recording the record in square brackets, says: 'During the last two years, 1 [one] occasionally observed over Thorpeness area and is no doubt, an escaped bird (W.S.M.).'

0). 1952 Shetland Dunrossness, Mainland, two, spring; presumed same, Yell, spring.

(Pennington et al., 2004)

[Pennington et al., 2004].

History Pennington et al. (2004) states that this record is unacceptable to BBRC.

0). 1952 Northumberland Grindon Hill Farm, Barding Mill, 19th July.

(G. W. Temperley, Transactions of the Northumberland, Durham & Newcastle-upon-Tyne Natural History Society 10: 151).

[Kerr, 2001].

History G. W. Temperley (1952) in the Transactions of the Northumberland, Durham & Newcastle-upon-Tyne Natural History Society, Vol. X. p. 151, says: 'On July 19th one was reported from Grindon Hall Farm, north of Bardon Mill, N., by the farmer, Mr. A. Hall. It was identified by Col. R. Allen, of Haydon Bridge. It remained in the district for some days and was last reported from Paddaburn, Irthing Burn Head, about 12 miles further N.W.

It was at first thought to have been a truly wild bird; but it has since transpired that Cranes are kept in a unpinioned state at Pippingford Park, Nutley, Essex, and that some of these had lately been missed. By a strange coincidence the sole previous record of a Crane in Northumberland, which may also have been an escape, was a bird seen on October 20th, 1908, flying near Park Dam, which is within two miles of Grindon Hill Farm!'

Not accepted locally (Kerr 2001).

0). 1952 Sussex Hartfield, two, 14th August.

(Barrington, Field 6th Sep., 1952: 380).

[des Forges & Harber, 1963].

History Barrington of Hart Lane, Hartfield (1952) in The Field of 6th Sep., Vol. CC. p. 380, says: 'On August 14th, at between 4 and 5 p.m., two Cranes passed overhead at 200ft., or thereabouts, uttering their usual cry. They were going due south. Having lately returned from Natal, I know these birds well.'

Not accepted locally (des Forges & Harber 1963).

0). 1957 Shetland Loch of Huesbreck, Mainland, two, late May to 8th June.

(P. E. Davis, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 3: 193, 195; G. T. Kay, Scottish Birds 1: 12).

[Pennington et al., 2004].

History P. E. Davis (1957) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin, Vol. III. p. 193, says: 'Two reported flying over Haroldswick in the second week of June. (Two were in Dunrossness, S. Shetland, in late May-early June, and were reported at Mid Yell in mid-June; these are the first Shetland records since 1906 - Ed.).' Further, p. 195, he adds: 'Two at Huesbreck, Dunrossness, on June 8th. (K. & P.). (The birds had been present for some days prior to this date.'

G. T. Kay (1958) in Scottish Birds, Vol. I. p. 12, says: 'About the end of May 1957 a rumour reached Lerwick that two cranes had been seen in the parish of Dunrossness at the south end of Shetland. On 7th June I was told that the birds had been seen again in the same district, but that they were now bustards.

It was time to visit the spot, and the following morning with two friends I went down to Huesbrek [sic] in Dunrossness where the birds had been reported. I was having a talk with the croft folk at the door of the house and being told that the birds had been seen quite near the day before, when my friends at the car shouted that they could see the two birds. When I reached the car I could see them about 150 yards away on the other side of the road.

The first glimpse of these tall stately birds was sufficient to establish that they were cranes; and the fact that they were taller than a Heron - they were looking at us over the top of a wire fence-made it reasonably certain that they were Common Cranes Grus grus. I got my binoculars on to them at once, but unfortunately they took wings and my view of them was very fleeting before they were in the air. Looking at them against the light I was unable to see the head markings, nor, as they were in the act of getting on the wing, could the drooping feathers over the tail be seen.

While both birds were roughly the colour of a Heron, there was no similarity with a Heron when they were on the wing, with their long extended necks and legs stretched out horizontally. With a slow deliberate flight they flew away in a northerly direction, slowly gaining height, until they disappeared in the distance and were never seen again. It may be noted that Saxby recorded quite a number of this species in Shetland during the last century, viz.: a small flock in 1807, two between 1831 and 1835. one in 1848, four in 1864 and one in 1869.

According to Venables and Venables (1955), he also recorded one in Unst on 16th May, 1906.'

Pennington et al. (2004) states that it is unacceptable to BBRC.

0). 1957 Greater London/Hertfordshire Radlett, juvenile, 4th to 6th July.

(Sage, 1959).

[Sage, 1959].

History Sage (1959: 79) recording the record in square brackets, says: 'A juvenile was seen at Radlett on 6th July 1957, the details of which were supplied by Mr. L. B. Dyball (in litt.). It had been reported on the 4th July. It appeared tame and allowed a close approach so there was little doubt that it was an escape from captivity.'

AC Non-pass

Keith Naylor

Common Crane

Grus grus (Linnaeus, 1758) (114, 41)

Baillon's/Little Crake

Holboell's Red-necked Grebe