Coues's Arctic Redpoll

Carduelis hornemanni exilipes (Coues, 1862) (12, 0)

STATUS

Northern Eurasia, Alaska and North-west Canada.

OVERVIEW

All records as per Witherby (1952) 7th ed. with the exception that the sight record in Norfolk 1946 is additional and may not have been updated in this edition. Also, the 1910 record, again Norfolk, had an additional specimen, both of them at Natural History Museum.

RECORDS

1). 1894 Yorkshire Near Easington, obtained, January, C. h. exilipes.

(J. Cordeaux, Naturalist 20: 84; Nelson, 1907; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 183; Witherby, 1920-24; Mather, 1986).

History John Cordeaux of Great Cotes House (1894) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XX. p. 84, dated 8th February, 1894, says: 'The very considerable variations as regards measurement and coloration amongst the Arctic Redpolls, obtained from time to time on the east coast of Yorkshire in the autumn and winter, are suggestive of these little immigrants being drawn together, under the pressure of winter, from widely separate areas.

On February 25th, 1893 (as already recorded in The Naturalist), Mr. H. B. Hewetson and I, when on Kilnsea Common, saw a most beautifully-plumaged Redpoll, which appeared as large as a Linnet, clinging to a thistle, from its size and light colour, and having had it for some time under observation at the distance of a few feet, I had at the time no doubt in referring it to Linota hornemannii of Greenland, Iceland, Spitzbergen, and Eastern North America, an example of which from the Northumberland coast was described and figured by John Hancock under the name of Linaria canescens.

In the present winter, Mr. Hewetson was fortunate in obtaining a very light-coloured Redpoll from near Easington, and this he obligingly sent me for examination. The cinereous markings are in this example more pronounced than in the bird seen by us in 1893, and it is, although very light-coloured, distinctly darker on the upper surface. To judge also by the eye, without the opportunity of taking actual measurements, it is also smaller.

The Easington bird has been seen both by Professor Newton and Mr. H. E. Dresser, both of whom agree that it is referable to Linota exilipes, an Arctic and circumpolar species allied to L. hornemannii, but differing in its somewhat smaller size.

The difference between the two, Linota hornemannii and L. exilipes, appears to me, after seeing a large series of skins, to be one of size only, and in fact they appear hardly separable. If they are ever to be regarded as one species, as Professor Newton has pointed out, it is the former name that must be used. This occurrence of L. exilipes is new therefore as a record both for East Yorkshire and Great Britain. I have, however, evidence that others have been obtained in recent years in Holderness.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 183, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who say: 'Linota hornemannii exilipes. One obtained at Easington, Yorkshire, in the winter of 1893-4.'

2). 1898 Yorkshire Skeffling, two, shot, 30th December, C. h. exilipes.

(J. Cordeaux, Naturalist 1899: 35; J. Cordeaux, Naturalist 1899: 80; J. Cordeaux, Knowledge 22: 84; Nelson, 1907; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 183; Witherby, 1920-24; Mather, 1986).

History J. Cordeaux (1899) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XXV. p. 35, says: 'Linota linaria (L). Mealy Redpoll. 30th December. Two shot at Skeffling, Holderness, and taken to Mr. Loten.'

J. Cordeaux (1899) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XXV. p. 80, says: 'Since writing (Nat. 1899, p. 35) the note in connection with two Mealy Redpolls shot at Skeffling on 30th December, Mr. Loten has kindly submitted the birds to me, and now that I have them, have not the least hesitation in referring them to the Arctic and circumpolar Linota exilipes Coues. This differs only from the Greenland, Iceland and Spitzbergen L. hornemanni in being somewhat smaller. These Skeffling birds are identical in every respect with one from the same locality in 1894, which I sent to Mr. H. E. Dresser, and which was referred by him to L. exilipes (Nat., 1894, p. 84).'

Accepted locally (Nelson 1907 (1): 188).

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 183, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who say: 'Linota hornemannii exilipes. Two others obtained in the same district [Easington] on December 30th, 1898, were assigned by Mr. Cordeaux to this form (Birds of Yorkshire, Vol. I. p. 188).'

4). 1910 Fair Isle No locality, female, obtained, 26th October, C. h. exilipes, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1910.161.19).

(W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1911: 136; Clarke, 1912; Eds., British Birds 6: 150; Witherby, 1920-24; Saunders & Clarke, 1927; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 22: 46-47; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Dymond, 1991; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1911) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XX. p. 136, says: 'The observations on the movements of birds at this famous station have been systematically and successfully prosecuted throughout the past year by Mr. Jerome Wilson. Her Grace the Duchess of Bedford visited the island during both the spring and autumn passage periods, and contributed very materially to the results obtained....it is not proposed to do more than mention the new species which came under notice in 1910. These were the Hoary Redpoll (Acanthis exilipes).'

Clarke (1912 (2): 110-111) under 'The Birds of Fair Isle', says: 'Acanthis exilipes, Hoary or Coues Redpoll - During the great autumn invasion of Mealy Redpolls, which formed the outstanding feature in the ornithological retrospect of 1910, three immature specimens of this small race were obtained. Doubtless many others were present, for those captured were not sought for, and were unknown to their captor. These birds were a female obtained on 26th October...'

In an Editorial (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 150, under 'Additional records for Fair Isle and St Kilda', they say: 'In his Studies in Bird-migration, Mr. Eagle Clarke gives a good deal of hitherto unpublished information about the rarities observed in Fair Isle and St. Kilda, and a few new facts about those in the Flannans and Sule Skerry.

The most important additions thus made to the details given in our Hand-List of British Birds are as follows: - Coues's Redpoll (C. h. exilipes). - Fair Isle: Three, autumn (October 26th, November 3rd and 5th), 1910 (1900 in the Hand-List is a misprint).'

H. F. Witherby (1928) in British Birds, Vol. XXII. pp. 46-47, in a Review of W. E. Clarke's 3rd ed. of Saunders's Manual of British Birds, says: 'For years Howard Saunders's Manual was the standard authority for British ornithology until his last (1899) edition became too out of date to be so regarded. The present edition we fear falls short in the accuracy sustained in Saunders's own two editions....There are many details in the book to which we take exception, and there are also certain records which do not appear to have been published previously, and it must suffice to refer here to a few of these items....Coues's Redpoll is recorded from Fair Isle, May 5th, 1908, which appears to be a fresh record, while three obtained there in 1910 are put down as 1920.'

Pennington et al. (2004) adds: 'There is no trace of it.' However, Forrester & Andrews et al. (2007 (2): 1420) now add: 'Specimen now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1910.161.19).'

5). 1910 Norfolk North Denes, Great Yarmouth, two, 26th October, now at Natural History Museum, Tring, C. h. exilipes.

(C. B. Ticehurst, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 12: 263; B. B. Riviere, British Birds 20: 261; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 22: 46-47; Riviere, 1930; Ticehurst, 1932; Allard, 1990; Allard, email).

History C. B. Ticehurst (1926) in Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society under 'A New Norfolk Bird' Vol. XII. p. 263, says: 'Coue’s Redpoll (Acanthis hornemanni exilipes) has, so far as I can make out, never been recorded from Norfolk, though it must occur in every large visitation of Mealy Redpolls. I obtained one (a female) in the big Redpoll year of 1910 which was taken among many Mealy Redpolls on the North Denes at Yarmouth on October 26th, just about the same date that Dr. W. Eagle Clarke obtained three in Fair Isle....This bird may be distinguished by the fine bill, paler upper parts and pure white rump from the ordinary Mealy Redpoll).'

B. B. Riviere (1927) in British Birds, Vol. XX. p. 261, under the 1926 Norfolk Bird Report, says: 'Coues's Redpoll (Carduelis h. exilipes). - Dr. C. B. Ticehurst, in Vol. XII. of the Norf. & Norwich Nat. Soc. Transactions (p. 263), records a male Coues's Redpoll killed at Marsham on January 4th, 1926, and also a female obtained at Yarmouth on October 26th, 1910. This race of Redpoll had not previously been identified in Norfolk.'

H. F. Witherby (1928) in British Birds, Vol. XXII. pp. 46-47, in a Review of W. E. Clarke's 3rd ed. of Saunders's Manual of British Birds, says: 'For years Howard Saunders's Manual was the standard authority for British ornithology until his last (1899) edition became too out of date to be so regarded. The present edition we fear falls short in the accuracy sustained in Saunders's own two editions....There are many details in the book to which we take exception, and there are also certain records which do not appear to have been published previously, and it must suffice to refer here to a few of these items....Coues's Redpoll is recorded from...and two recorded from Norfolk in 1910 and 1926 are omitted.'

Email from Peter Allard (Jan, 2009) says: 'Reference the 1910 Yarmouth Arctic Redpoll of October 26th, I have discovered that there were in fact two birds trapped, not one as mentioned by Riviere. This is mentioned in Ticehurst's The Birds of Suffolk and I have traced both birds to Tring where Ticehurst's collection remains. They still have both birds.'

7). 1910 Fair Isle No locality, male, obtained, 3rd November, C. h. exilipes, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1910.161.20).

(W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1911: 136; Clarke, 1912; Eds., British Birds 6: 150; Witherby, 1920-24; Saunders & Clarke, 1927; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 22: 46-47; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Dymond, 1991; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1911) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XX. p. 136, says: 'The observations on the movements of birds at this famous station have been systematically and successfully prosecuted throughout the past year by Mr. Jerome Wilson. Her Grace the Duchess of Bedford visited the island during both the spring and autumn passage periods, and contributed very materially to the results obtained....it is not proposed to do more than mention the new species which came under notice in 1910. These were the Hoary Redpoll (Acanthis exilipes).'

Clarke (1912 (2): 110-111) under 'The Birds of Fair Isle', says: 'Acanthis exilipes, Hoary or Coues Redpoll - During the great autumn invasion of Mealy Redpolls, which formed the outstanding feature in the ornithological retrospect of 1910, three immature specimens of this small race were obtained. Doubtless many others were present, for those captured were not sought for, and were unknown to their captor. These birds were a male obtained on 3rd November...'

In an Editorial (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 150, under 'Additional records for Fair Isle and St Kilda', they say: 'In his Studies in Bird-migration, Mr. Eagle Clarke gives a good deal of hitherto unpublished information about the rarities observed in Fair Isle and St. Kilda, and a few new facts about those in the Flannans and Sule Skerry.

The most important additions thus made to the details given in our Hand-List of British Birds are as follows: - Coues's Redpoll (C. h. exilipes). - Fair Isle: Three, autumn (October 26th, November 3rd and 5th), 1910 (1900 in the Hand-List is a misprint).'

H. F. Witherby (1928) in British Birds, Vol. XXII. pp. 46-47, in a Review of W. E. Clarke's 3rd ed. of Saunders's Manual of British Birds, says: 'For years Howard Saunders's Manual was the standard authority for British ornithology until his last (1899) edition became too out of date to be so regarded. The present edition we fear falls short in the accuracy sustained in Saunders's own two editions....There are many details in the book to which we take exception, and there are also certain records which do not appear to have been published previously, and it must suffice to refer here to a few of these items....Coues's Redpoll is recorded from Fair Isle, May 5th, 1908, which appears to be a fresh record, while three obtained there in 1910 are put down as 1920.'

Pennington et al. (2004) adds: 'There is no trace of it.' However, Forrester & Andrews et al. (2007 (2): 1420) now add: 'Specimen now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1910.161.20).'

8). 1910 Fair Isle No locality, sex uncertain, obtained, 5th November, C. h. exilipes.

(W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1911: 136; Clarke, 1912; Eds., British Birds 6: 150; Witherby, 1920-24; Saunders & Clarke, 1927; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 22: 46-47; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Dymond, 1991).

History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1911) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XX. p. 136, says: 'The observations on the movements of birds at this famous station have been systematically and successfully prosecuted throughout the past year by Mr. Jerome Wilson. Her Grace the Duchess of Bedford visited the island during both the spring and autumn passage periods, and contributed very materially to the results obtained....it is not proposed to do more than mention the new species which came under notice in 1910. These were the Hoary Redpoll (Acanthis exilipes).'

Clarke (1912 (2): 110-111) under 'The Birds of Fair Isle', says: 'Acanthis exilipes, Hoary or Coues Redpoll - During the great autumn invasion of Mealy Redpolls, which formed the outstanding feature in the ornithological retrospect of 1910, three immature specimens of this small race were obtained. Doubtless many others were present, for those captured were not sought for, and were unknown to their captor. One of doubtful sex on 5th November.'

In an Editorial (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 150, under 'Additional records for Fair Isle and St Kilda', they say: 'In his Studies in Bird-migration, Mr. Eagle Clarke gives a good deal of hitherto unpublished information about the rarities observed in Fair Isle and St. Kilda, and a few new facts about those in the Flannans and Sule Skerry.

The most important additions thus made to the details given in our Hand-List of British Birds are as follows: - Coues's Redpoll (C. h. exilipes). - Fair Isle: Three, autumn (October 26th, November 3rd and 5th), 1910 (1900 in the Hand-List is a misprint).'

H. F. Witherby (1928) in British Birds, Vol. XXII. pp. 46-47, in a Review of W. E. Clarke's 3rd ed. of Saunders's Manual of British Birds, says: 'For years Howard Saunders's Manual was the standard authority for British ornithology until his last (1899) edition became too out of date to be so regarded. The present edition we fear falls short in the accuracy sustained in Saunders's own two editions.... There are many details in the book to which we take exception, and there are also certain records which do not appear to have been published previously, and it must suffice to refer here to a few of these items....Coues's Redpoll is recorded from Fair Isle, May 5th, 1908, which appears to be a fresh record, while three obtained there in 1910 are put down as 1920.'

Locally, Pennington et al. (2004) adds: 'There is no trace of it.'

9). 1923 Fair Isle No locality, adult male, shot, 22nd October, C. h. exilipes.

(W. E. Clarke & J. H. Stenhouse, Scottish Naturalist 44: 4; Eds., British Birds 18: 113; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 44: 107; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Dymond, 1991).

History W. E. Clarke & J. H. Stenhouse (1924) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLIV. p. 4, say: 'An adult male example of Coues's Redpoll, Acanthis hornemannii exilipes, was obtained by Mr. Jerome Wilson at Fair Isle on 22nd October. The bird arrived on the island along with a small number of Mealy Redpolls, Acanthis l. linaria. This is the first recorded occurrence in the British Isles of this wanderer from Arctic Europe since 1910.'

In an Editorial (1924) in British Birds, Vol. XVIII. p. 113, they say: 'Fair Isle - Surgeon Rear-Admiral J. H. Stenhouse, who paid a visit to Fair Isle from September 6th to October 4th, 1923, records (Scot. Nat., 1923, p. 173) having observed...In the same journal (1924, p. 4) it is recorded that an adult male Coues's Redpoll (Carduelis h. exilipes) was obtained on the island on October 22nd, 1923.'

Admitted by E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1924) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLIV. p. 107, in the annual report.

10). 1925 Yorkshire Scarborough, picked up injured, 18th December, C. h. exilipes, now at Yorkshire Museum, York.

(W. J. Clarke, Naturalist 51: 171; W. J. Clarke, British Birds 20: 23; Chislett, 1952; Mather, 1986; Denton, 1995).

History W. J. Clarke (1926) in The Naturalist, Vol. LI. p. 171, says: 'On Friday, December 18th, 1925, a small finch was picked up in a disabled and dying condition in Alma Square, close to the railway station at Scarborough. The finder, Mr. C. H. Hargreaves, very kindly brought it to me, but it was then dead. Judging from the large size, wing measurement, and unspotted white rump, I thought it to be an example of the Hoary Redpole, but lacking material for comparison to ensure correct identification, I sent the skin to Mr. R. Fortune, and afterwards to Mr. H. F. Witherby, who showed it to Dr. Hartert, and these authorities confirm my identification. The bird, on dissection, proved to be a male, probably adult, and had died from a fracture of the base of the skull. It is a native of the sub-polar regions of Europe and America, this being, I believe, the seventh record of its occurrence in Great Britain.'

[The Hoary Redpole has been previously obtained in Yorkshire on three occasions. One, Easington, during the winter of 1893-4, and two at Skeffling on December 30th, 1898. The other three specimens recorded were obtained on Fair Isle. - R.F.]

W. J. Clarke (1926) in British Birds, Vol. XX. p. 23, says: 'My friend, Mr. C. H. Hargreaves, picked up in his garden in Alma Square, very near the railway station at Scarborough, on Friday, December 18th, 1925, a small Finch in a disabled and dying condition. The bird was brought to me and proved on dissection to be a male, probably adult, the cause of death being a fracture of the base of the skull. From the large wing measurement and unspotted white rump I thought the bird might be Coues's Redpoll (Carduelis hornemannii exilipes). The skin was examined by Messrs. R. Fortune, H. F. Witherby, and Dr. Hartert, all of whom confirmed this identification.'

Chislett (1952: 48) says: 'Identified by W. J. Clarke, R. Fortune, H. F. Witherby and E. Hartert.'

11). 1926 Norfolk Marsham, male, killed, 4th January, C. h. exilipes.

(C. B. Ticehurst, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 12: 263; B. B. Riviere, British Birds 20: 261; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 22: 46-47; Seago, 1977).

History C. B. Ticehurst (1926) in Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society under 'A New Norfolk Bird' Vol. XII. p. 263, says: '…Last winter again there were a number of Mealy Redpolls in Norfolk and I received from Master R. L. Wathen another example of Coue's Redpoll (a male) obtained at Marsham on January 4th, 1926. It may be noted that one was recorded from Scarborough in December, 1925. This bird may be distinguished by the fine bill, paler upper parts and pure white rump from the ordinary Mealy Redpoll).'

B. B. Riviere (1927) in British Birds, Vol. XX. p. 261, under the 1926 Norfolk Bird Report, says: 'Coues's Redpoll (Carduelis h. exilipes). - Dr. C. B. Ticehurst, in Vol. XII. of the Norf. & Norwich Nat. Soc. Transactions (p. 263), records a male Coues's Redpoll killed at Marsham on January 4th, 1926, and also a female obtained at Yarmouth on October 26th, 1910. This race of Redpoll had not previously been identified in Norfolk.'

H. F. Witherby (1928) in British Birds, Vol. XXII. pp. 46-47, in a Review of W. E. Clarke's 3rd ed. of Saunders's Manual of British Birds, says: 'For years Howard Saunders's Manual was the standard authority for British ornithology until his last (1899) edition became too out of date to be so regarded. The present edition we fear falls short in the accuracy sustained in Saunders's own two editions....There are many details in the book to which we take exception, and there are also certain records which do not appear to have been published previously, and it must suffice to refer here to a few of these items....Coues's Redpoll is recorded from...and two recorded from Norfolk in 1910 and 1926 are omitted.'

12). 1945 Norfolk Stiffkey Greens, seen, 3rd to 4th November, C. h. exilipes.

(C. E. Hamond, Field 15th Dec., 1945; C. E. Hamond, British Birds 39: 151; C. E. Gay, Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1945: 16-17; Seago, 1977).

History C. E. Hamond (1946) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIX. p. 151, says: 'On November 3rd, 1945, on Stiffkey Greens, Norfolk, I observed a redpoll on the dead seed heads of the Sea Wormwood (Artemisia maritime). I was several times within a few feet of it and was struck by the white rump and underparts and the general light colour, of the bird.

The following day it was in the same place and I was able to study it in a better light. I am convinced that it was a Hornemann's Redpoll either of the typical form or of the Coues's race. It was very small, which seems to point to Coues's. I reported this in a letter to The Field, which was published on December 15th and I have since received from the keeper of the Yorkshire Museum three skins for comparison. They are Lesser, Mealy, and Coues's and I have no doubt or hesitation in picking out the Coues's as the one I saw. My bird was even whiter than the specimen skin and I suggest that this is attributable to the specimen having been shot in July, while my bird was seen in November recently out of its autumn moult. A significant, feature of my bird was that it did not mix with a flock of about 30 redpolls which were in its immediate neighbourhood.'

[It is inconvenient that there is no collective species name to cover the two races of Carduelis hornemannii, the so-called Hornemann's and Coues's Redpolls, and we have ventured to introduce the term Arctic Redpoll for the purpose. The characters noted by the recorder clearly establish the specific identifications, but we do not think the races can be safely differentiated in the field. We note that Commander Hamond's bird actually appeared noticeably small. We think it probable that the bird in this case was Coues's Redpoll; which breeds in Lapland and, North Russia, and the fact that the observation was made on the east side of England is consistent with this. - Eds., B. W. Tucker.]

C. E. Gay (1945) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, pp. 16-17, under 'Miscellaneous Notes', says: 'A bird believed to be of this species was seen by Commander and Mrs. C. E. Hamond on Stiffkey Greens on November 3rd. Although the light was failing the white rump was conspicuous as it rose from the seed-heads of Artemesia maritima. It alighted again a short distance away and was then approached within a few feet and the underparts and breast were also seen to be white.

On the following day the bird was again seen and in a much better light and, in checking the observations made previously, it was noted that the rump, breast and underparts were better described as off-white. The note was similar to that of a Greenfinch but weaker. The bird was very small, no bigger than a Lesser Redpoll and from this it was judged to be a Coues's Redpoll.'

NOT PROVEN

0). 1908 Fair Isle No locality, obtained, 5th May, now at National Museums of Scotland.

(Saunders & Clarke, 1927; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 22: 47; Witherby et al., 1940-52).

[Pennington et al., 2004].

History Saunders & Clarke (1927, 3rd ed.) under Coues's Redpoll, say: 'Fair Isle, 5th May 1908.'

H. F. Witherby (1928) in British Birds, Vol. XXII. pp. 46-47, in a Review of W. E. Clarke's 3rd ed. of Saunders's Manual of British Birds, says: 'For years Howard Saunders's Manual was the standard authority for British ornithology until his last (1899) edition became too out of date to be so regarded. The present edition we fear falls short in the accuracy sustained in Saunders's own two editions....There are many details in the book to which we take exception, and there are also certain records which do not appear to have been published previously, and it must suffice to refer here to a few of these items....Coues's Redpoll is recorded from Fair Isle, May 5th, 1908, which appears to be a fresh record, while three obtained there in 1910 are put down as 1920, and two recorded from Norfolk in 1910 and 1926 are omitted.'

Pennington et al. (2004) says: 'This specimen has recently been verified as a Mealy Redpoll by museum staff.'

Comment Misidentified. Not acceptable.

Carduelis hornemanni exilipes (Coues, 1862) (12, 0)

Common Rosefinch

Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll