Common Rock Thrush
Monticola saxatilis (Linnaeus, 1766) (5, 0)
Photo © By Imran Shah from Islamabad, Pakistan - Rufous-tailed Rock-thrush (Monticola saxatilis), CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81864674
STATUS
Palearctic. Monotypic.
OVERVIEW
All five records accepted nationally (BOU 1971). Another supposed to be of the same species that was found with the 1910 Orkney individual has been found to be unacceptable.
RECORDS
1). 1843 Hertfordshire Therfield, adult male, shot, 19th May, now at North Hertfordshire Museums, Baldock.
(Yarrell, 1845; Gould, 1862-71; Newman, 1866; J. H. Gurney, jun., Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 4: 629; Saunders, 1899; Witherby, 1920-24; Sage, 1959; James & Sawford, 1983; Gladwin & Sage, 1986).
History Yarrell (1845 (1): 235-236, 2nd ed.) says: 'The beautiful specimen of the Rock Thrush figured above, was obtained on the 19th of May 1843, by Mr. Joseph Trigg who shot it at Therfield, near Royston, Hertfordshire, while it was sitting on an ash tree in the evening of the day mentioned. I saw the specimen before it was skinned for preservation by Mr. John Norman of Royston, and received the first notice of the occurrence from my friend Thomas Wortham, Esq., whose influence with Mr. Trigg obtained for me the loan of the bird for my use in this work, and I beg to return my best thanks to all the parties, for the opportunity thus afforded me of figuring and describing the first example of the Rock Thrush that has been known to occur in this country.'
J. H. Gurney, jun. (1884-89) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IV. p. 629, adds: 'Gould in his Birds of Great Britain, erroneously states that this unique specimen is in my father's collection. It passed into the possession of Mr. Thurnall, at whose sale it fetched seven pounds, and is now the property of Mr. F. D'Arcy Newcome.'
Sage (1959: 171) adds: 'It passed into the collection of Mr. F. D'Arcy Newcome, of Feltwell House, Norfolk. It then was procured by Lieutenant-Colonel T. S. N. Hardinge, who presented it to the Letchworth Museum, where it still remains.'
T. J. James & B. R. Sawford (1983: 38) say: 'One specimen: adult male in summer plumage, shot by Joseph Trigg at Therfield, 19 May 1843. It was mounted by John Norman of Royston, and had passed into the collection of Lord Braybrooke by 1885. It found its way into the collection of F. D'Arcy Newcome of Feltwell Hall, Norfolk, and was given to Letchworth Museum from there by Lt. Col. T. S. N. Hardinge, 20 May, 1941. It remains a perfect specimen.'
Locally, Gladwin & Sage (1986: 217) add: 'It is presently in the care of the Natural History Department, North Hertfordshire Museums, at Baldock.'
2). 1910 Orkney Pentland Skerries, adult male, shot, 17th May, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1910.87).
(W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 148-149; Annals of Scottish Natural History 1911: 135; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 4: 117; Witherby, 1920-24; BOU, 1971).
History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. pp. 148-149, says: 'I have received, in the flesh, for the Royal Scottish Museum, a fine adult male of this brilliantly plumaged and extremely rare visitor to the British Islands. It was captured on the 17th of May at one of the Orcadian light stations - the Pentland Skerries, a famous islet for the visits of migratory birds....only a single example has hitherto been captured in the British Isles, namely an adult male which was shot on the 19th of May, 1843, in Hertfordshire....other occurrences have, it is true, been recorded, but both Prof. Newton and Mr. Howard Saunders have regarded them as unauthenticated.'
H. F. Witherby (1910) in British Birds, Vol. IV. p. 117, says: 'Mr. W. Eagle Clarke records in the Annals of Scottish Natural History (1910, pp. 148-9) the occurrence of an adult male of the Rock-Thrush (Monticola saxatilis) at the Pentland Skerries lighthouse on May 17th, 1910. There is only one previous authentic record of this species in the British Isles, namely, the one shot on May 19th, 1843, in Hertfordshire. Probably both these occurrences were due to the birds getting out of their course during their spring-migration.'
3). 1931 Fair Isle No locality, seen, 8th November.
(G. Stout, Scottish Naturalist 52: 38; Eds., British Birds 26: 27; Williamson, 1965; BOU, 1971; Dymond, 1991).
History George Stout of Fair Isle (1932) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LII. p. 38, says: 'We did not have many birds on Fair Isle this autumn, owing to too much westerly wind, but I observed a few unusual visitors....On 7th November some Woodcock came in, and next day there was on the island a Rock Thrush, Monticola saxatilis (new to Fair Isle).'
In an Editorial (1932) in British Birds, Vol. XXVI. p. 27, they say: 'Mr. George Stout (Scot. Nat., 1932, p. 38) states … Other rare birds recorded are: a Rock-Thrush (Monticola saxatilis) on November 8th, 1931.'
However, P. E. Davis (Williamson 1965) states it as '...one reported seen 8th November 1931.'
4). 1933 Kent Dungeness, adult male, seen, 23rd June.
(H. G. Alexander, British Birds 27: 303; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1981).
History H. G. Alexander (1934) in British Birds, Vol. XXVII. p. 303, says: 'For a number of years past one of the R.S.P.B. bird-watchers at Dungeness, Mr. J. R. Tart, has made daily notes of the birds he has seen, and I have been privileged to see these notes at the end of each year. His knowledge of British birds, though not exhaustive, is extensive; and I have reason to know, after many days spent watching birds in his company, that he is a careful and accurate observer.
Therefore, although I have hesitated in the past to publish any of his records, I think the following observation of a Rock Thrush (Monticola saxatilis) is sufficiently thorough and exact to deserve publicity.
On July 3rd, 1933, Mr. Tart wrote to me: "I saw on Friday, June 23rd, between my house and the old targets, a real male Rock Thrush. I had a good view of it for an hour, it was so very tame. Its head, throat and neck were bluish-grey; upper back bluish-black, lower back white patch, tail rich chestnut; white patch and tail very conspicuous in flight...I have never seen one before, but of course nobody with me to confirm it".
In his diary for the day he wrote: "Saw on my way to Dengemarsh one Rock Thrush, chestnut tail-feathers being very conspicuous in flight. I had a good view of this bird as it flitted from bush to bush". Then follows the description of the colours, as above. In response to a request for further details, Mr. Tart has sent the following additional notes. Other colours he noted were: "Wings dark brown, under-plumage bright chestnut; Bill, legs and feet brown".
He also adds that it "was very tame, in my opinion quite tired out as though it had travelled a good distance. It just flitted from bush to bush resting on the leeward side; it did not go into the bushes nor settle on the bushes. It did not attempt to feed but just really wanted rest. I had good views of it from all quarters, back, front and sideways. I got within thirty yards and spent about an hour watching this beautiful creature. In my opinion it was not quite so large as our common Song Thrush, but more sturdy and plump".
It does not seem possible that the bird could have been anything but a Rock Thrush.'
5). 1936 Fair Isle No locality, male, seen, 16th October.
(G. Waterston, Scottish Naturalist 57: 75; Eds., British Birds 31: 124; Thom, 1986; Dymond, 1991).
History G. Waterston (1937) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVII. p. 75, under 'Bird Notes from Fair Isle, 1936', says: 'Rock Thrush. - A fine male was seen on 16th October by L. S. V. Venables. It was driven from the west cliffs by the SW gale and worked across the island to the more sheltered east cliffs. The only previous record of this species on Fair Isle is that of one recorded by G.S. (Scot. Nat., 1931: 38) on 8th November 1931.'
In an Editorial (1937) in British Birds, Vol. XXXI. p. 124, they say: 'Mr. George Waterston gives an account of a number of interesting birds observed at Fair Isle in 1936 (Scot. Nat., 1937, pp. 73-76). The more important of these are as follows: - a male Rock Thrush on October 16th.'
Admitted nationally (BOU 1971).
NOT PROVEN
0). 1852 Yorkshire Whitby, seen, June.
(T. Bedlington, Morris and Bree's Naturalist 6: 21; Yarrell, 1871-85; Cordeaux, 1872; Nelson, 1907; Saunders & Clarke, 1927; Chislett, 1952; Mather, 1986).
[Witherby et al., 1940-52].
History T. Bedlington (1856) in Morris and Bree's edition of The Naturalist, Vol. VI. p. 21, dated 5th October, 1855, says: 'In June, 1852, I saw a bird in the neighbourhood of Robin Hood's Bay that I was not acquainted with. I followed it for about two miles, and often got within a dozen yards of it, by creeping behind hedges. In its movements it was very like a thrush, but it was rather smaller in size. I had no gun with me, or I could very easily shot it. The bird got very shy at last, I having followed it up very closely. It finally disappeared in a plantation. The bird was a Rock Thrush. I was able to identify the species in a moment after seeing the coloured figure in Morris's 'British Birds'.'
Locally, it was admitted by Cordeaux (1872: 217) and Nelson (1907) Vol. I. pp. 21-22, who adds: 'The specimen figured by Morris is an adult male, a bird which is, perhaps, the most unmistakeable from its being the most showy of European species, and thus it appears there can be no reasonable doubt as to Mr. Bedlington's identification of it.'
Accepted locally (Chislett 1952: 110-111; Mather 1986). However, it is not admitted nationally (BOU 1971).
Comment Although Witherby rejected it because it was a sight record, Mather (1986) says: '...the record can neither be proved, or discounted...but the time of year was correct.' Not acceptable.
0). 1867 Isle of Wight Freshwater, two, shot, 14th May.
(H. Rogers, Zoologist 1867: 823, 912).
[Ed., Zoologist 1890: 187; Kelsall & Munn, 1905; Hollom, 1960; Not in BOU, 1971].
History H. Rogers of Freshwater (1867) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. II. p. 823, dated 18th May, 1867, says: 'On Tuesday, the 14th of May, I was in company with Mr. Brown, of Tongham, near Aldershot, and Mr. Gould, on our downs at Freshwater, shooting Herring Gulls. When near New Ditch, Mr. Brown saw a bird which he stated to be the Rock Thrush, and from the description he gave I had no doubt upon the matter, though I felt anxious to see so rare a species, to clear up any doubt with respect to it. My anxiety on this point was soon set to rest, for, as we were standing looking at the splendid arch in Scratchell's Bay, out came one of those beautiful birds from a niche in the rock, and although we could see the colours distinctly there was not time to fire at it, as it disappeared over the cliff: Mr. Bell, at the Needles, had seen the birds before, as also had a person of the name Larkham, and both gave a good description of them. Mr. Brown fired at one after this, but missed it; there cannot be a doubt as to the species: there are several persons trying for them, and I trust we may get one, so as to authenticate the species.'
Further, p. 912, of The Zoologist, dated 17th August 1867, Mr. Rogers adds: 'I have succeeded with great difficulty in obtaining both specimens of the Rock Thrush, which I mentioned in my last letter (s.s. 823). These birds were exceedingly shy, and one of them was almost blown to pieces.'
In an Editorial (1890) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIV. p. 187, it says: 'The last we heard of was reported to have been seen at Freshwater, Isle of Wight (Zool., 1867, pp. 823, 913); but the late Mr. Frederick Bond, who investigated the matter, pronounced it to be a mistake.'
Kelsall & Munn (1905: 11) placing the record in square brackets, say: 'The record of the occurrence of this bird in the Isle of Wight (Zoologist 1867) must be considered quite insufficient.'
Comment Probably misidentified. Not admitted nationally (BOU 1971).
0). 1868 East Glamorgan Near Lavernock Point, pair, seen, 21st August.
(Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society 16: 86; Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society 1900; Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society 1925: 55).
[BOU, 1971].
History Cardiff Naturalists' Society (1925) in the Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Vol. LVIII. p. 55, say: 'The late Mr. Robert Drane, F.L.S., records (Birds of Glamorgan 1900) that on August 21st, 1868, he saw a pair of birds, near Lavernock Point, which he had no doubt were of this species. The male seems to be quite unmistakeable, and it is very difficult to rule out the possibility of mistaken identification, as only one characteristic feature is mentioned.'
Comment Not admitted nationally (BOU 1971).
0). 1890 Cheshire & Wirral Overton Hills, near Frodsham, male, seen, 4th April.
(A. Fryer, jun., Zoologist 1890: 187).
[Coward & Oldham, 1900].
History Alfred Fryer, jun., of Warrington (1890) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIV. p. 187, says: 'On April 4th last I saw a specimen of the Rock Thrush, Turdus saxatilis, on the Overton Hills, near Frodsham, Cheshire. The bird did not appear to be very shy, and I was able to watch it for fully five minutes; the head, neck, and upper parts of the back were light grey, the wings and greater wing-coverts dark-brown; the lower part of the back nearly white, and speckled with grey; the tail very light brownish grey, with two or three dark grey feathers in the centre; the whole of the under side appeared to be a pale chestnut. From Yarrell's description of T. saxatilis I believe the bird to be a male specimen. Has this rare bird been recorded in England recently ? [The last we heard of was reported to have been seen at Freshwater, Isle of Wight (Zool., 1867, pp. 823, 913); but the late Mr. Frederick Bond, who investigated the matter, pronounced it to be a mistake. - Ed.]
Coward & Oldham (1900: 33) placing the record in square brackets, say: 'His description of the plumage, however, would apply to the Wheatear; and as the bird was not obtained, its identity cannot be considered established. In the absence of stronger evidence we do not feel justified in including this species in the Cheshire list.'
Comment Not admitted nationally (BOU 1971).
0). 1910 Orkney Pentland Skerries, another, seen, 17th May.
(L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1911: 135; Eds., British Birds 5: 200; Witherby, 1920-24; Thom, 1986).
[I. J. Andrews & K. A. Naylor, Scottish Birds 23: 99].
History L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1911) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XX. p. 135, say: 'The first Scottish specimen of the Rock Thrush (Monticola saxatilis) is recorded from the Pentland Skerries (Orkney), where a beautiful adult male was captured on 17th May, another bird of this species being seen there the same day.'
In an Editorial (1911) in British Birds, Vol. V. p. 200, they say: 'In addition to the male already recorded (antea, Vol. IV. p. 117), another is said to have been seen at Pentland Skerries, May 17th (p. 135).'
Comment Although part of the accepted records (BOU 1971), I. J. Andrews & K. A. Naylor (2002) have since deemed this sight record unacceptable (Scottish Birds 23: 99). J. H. Gurney pointed this out many years ago that when a rare species was obtained, the chances of another of the same species being seen with it went up astronomically, mainly for the kudos!
0). 1911 Sussex Pett, immature pair, shot, 1st and 2nd September, now at Booth Museum, Brighton.
(H. W. Ford-Lindsay, British Birds 5: 130; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 32: 279; E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist 2: 2; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR.
History H. W. Ford-Lindsay (1911) in British Birds, Vol. V. pp. 130,132, says: 'On September 1st, 1911, a specimen of the Rock-Thrush (Monticola saxatilis) was shot at Pett, Sussex. Another was obtained on September 2nd at the same place. I examined them in the flesh, and found they were both young birds.
Upon dissection, one proved to be a cock and the other a hen. This is the first record for Sussex, and I believe the first occasion this species has been obtained in the British Isles on the autumn migration.'
[Saunders (Manual, p. 17) only admitted the authenticity of one specimen, shot in Hertfordshire on May 19th, 1843; but more recently an adult male was caught at the Pentland Skerries, Orkneys, on May 17th, 1910, and another seen there on the same day (Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist., 1910, p. 148; 1911, p. 135; cf. antea, IV. p. 11). The above record is of extreme interest, as showing that Great Britain is occasionally visited by immature birds in autumn as well as by adults in spring. - Eds.]
W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1913) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXII. p. 279, on the unexpected occurrences for 1911, says: 'Immature pair shot, Pett (Sussex), September 1st and 2nd.'
Accepted locally by Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 79) who adds: '...now in the Booth Museum, Brighton.'
Comment Hastings rarities. Not acceptable.
