Eurasian Scops Owl

Strigidae

Jul 29

Written By Keith Naylor

Otus scops (Linnaeus, 1758) (42, 5)

STATUS

Western and Central Palearctic. Polytypic.

OVERVIEW

Formerly known as the Little Horned Owl.

The confusion species, the Little Owl, was introduced to Walton Park, Yorkshire by at least 1842. Further introductions occurred but by the 1870s and 1880s breeding had occurred. By 1925 they had colonised most of central England to Yorkshire and Lancashire. So, care needed to assess if identified by a competent ornithologist.

BOU (1971) state eight since 1950, of which three, in a review of certain records during 1950-57, were found not proven.

RECORDS

1). 1805 Yorkshire Wetherby, shot, spring.

(Montagu, 1813; Bewick, 1821; Selby, 1833; Yarrell, 1845; Morris, 1856-62; Newman, 1866; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Bewick, 1885; Nelson, 1907; BOURC (2018), Ibis 160: 190-240).

History Montagu (1813) under 'Appendix' then 'Little Horned Owl', says: '...and that Mr. Fothergill, of York, has another which was shot in the spring of 1805, near Wetherby, in that county.'

Bewick (1821: 12-13) says: 'This is the smallest of the Owl kind; its bill is of a brown colour at the base, and paler at the tip; irides light yellow. The upper plumage appears of a brown colour, the under grey, but on nearer inspection the whole is prettily variegated with white spots, streaks, and bars of dusky brown, rufous and yellow, and almost every feather is speckled with white, brown, and grey; the circular feathers on the face are powdered with brown; the neck, head, and horns, or ear feathers, are much the same, but more distinctly marked with bars, streaks, and spots of white, yellow and brown; the back feathers and greater coverts of the wings are barred, streaked, and speckled with the same kind of colours, but are on their outer margins patched with spots of white; the greater quills are transversely barred on their outer webs with white and freckled brown, and barred on the inner webs to their tips with the latter colour; the tail is barred nearly in the same way. The legs are covered to the toes with yellowish soft feathers spotted with brown; the toes are without feathers, and are also brown.

The stuffed specimen of this rare and curious little bird, from which our figure and description were taken, was sent to the author by Mr. Charles Fothergill, late of York...'

Selby (1833 (1): 93) in a footnote, says: 'I have seen a specimen which was killed near York, and is now in the possession of that ingenious artist Mr. Bewick. The Foljambe Collection also possesses English specimens of this species.'

Yarrell (1845 (1): 121, 2nd ed.) says: '...a second, shot near Wetherby in the spring of 1805, is in the collection of Mr. Fothergill of York.'

Morris (1856 (1): 143, reissue) says: 'Another was shot near Wetherby, in the spring of 1805.'

Admitted locally (Clarke & Roebuck 1881).

Nelson (1907 (1): 310-311) says: '...and that Charles Fothergill of York, had another, shot in the spring of 1805, near Wetherby.'

Mather (1986: 392-393) says: 'The first instances of its occurrence in the British Isles included one believed to have been shot in Yorkshire, and another shot in the spring of 1805 near Wetherby which went to the collection of Charles Fothergill of York....The true origin of some of these old records must be in some doubt.'

Admitted nationally in the 9th edition of the Checklist as the first for Britain (BOURC (2018) Ibis 160:190-240).

2). c. 1821 Essex Audley End, two, obtained, undated.

(W. H. Hill, Loudon's Annals of Natural History 8: 573; J. Clarke, Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History 3: 100; Yarrell, 1845; Morris, 1856-62; Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85; Christy, 1890; Glegg, 1929; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984).

History Walter Henry Hill of Southminster Vicarage, Essex (1835) in Loudon's Annals of Natural History, Vol. VIII. p. 573, under 'Species of Birds seen in the immediate Neighbourhood of Southminster Vicarage, Essex; additional to those seen there noted in VI. 452', says: 'A longer residence here has introduced me to a few more. - Two specimens of the Strix Otus, the Horned Owl. One of them is now in my possession, a male bird, in full plumage; the markings of buff and brown are very beautiful: the wings are much crossed on the rump, extending beyond the tail.'

J. Clarke of Saffron Walden (1839) in Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. III. p. 99-100, dated 24th November, 1838, says: 'Seeing from time to time lists of birds shot in different counties, it has occurred to me that if such lists were procured from all parts of the kingdom, it would be as useful an index to collectors of British birds as could be formed. These lists might be much abridged by leaving out such species as are common to all parts of the country; they would greatly aid the British ornithologist, for innumerable are the difficulties which he has to encounter, and after all his exertions but very few are the birds he can procure with his own gun....But few of these rarities have come under my own observation. The Scops Owl was taken some years ago, and I have no doubt would have continued with us, but for the same cause, for the aforesaid gentry never trouble themselves to inquire whether such visitors may not do as much or more good than harm, it is enough for them to know that they are not game, and of course must be exterminated.'

Yarrell (1845 (1): 121, 2nd ed.) says: 'I am grateful to Mr. Joseph Clarke, of Saffron Walden, for the knowledge of the occurrence of two specimens on the estate of Lord Braybrooke, at Audley End in Essex.'

Morris (1856 (1): 143, 1st reissue) says: 'Two were shot near Audley End, in Essex, the seat of Lord Braybrooke.'

Alfred Newton (1871-74 (1): 174, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, adds: 'It was met with prior to November 1837.'

Christy (1890: 159-160) says: 'Mr. Clarke notes (MS.) that two were taken at the Aviary, Audley End, about the year 1821. One, being only slightly wounded, was kept alive for some time by Travis the keeper. The approximate date of the occurrence of these specimens has, not I believe, before been recorded.'

Glegg (1929) adds: 'In the annotated copy of Mr. E. A. Fitch's Birds of Essex, was a note stating that Mr. Joseph Travers stated that two of this species were shot at Audley End in April, 1847 by Mr. W. Travis, sen. Fitch considered them to be two different records, however, there is too much of a coincidence about it.'

Accepted locally (Hudson & Pyman 1968; Cox 1984) and by Wood (2007) who considered the two at the same site in 1847 (Christy 1890) to be the same record as this one and was published in error.

4). 1832 Yorkshire Boynton, shot, July.

(Allis, 1844; Yarrell, 1845; Morris, 1856-62; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History Thomas Allis (1844) under 'Report on the Birds of Yorkshire' prepared for the British Association meeting at York (unpublished, but held at the Yorkshire Museum, York), says: 'Arthur Strickland says: '...a beautiful specimen of this little bird appeared in July 1832, in the grounds at Boynton, and, from its loud and distinct note, attracted general attention; this note was like the sound of a single note on a musical instrument, repeated at about half-a-minutes' interval, and was so loud that it could be distinctly heard in the house when all the doors and windows were shut, and the curtains drawn, and when the bird was in some tall trees some distance from the house; after some time it was shot by firing at the sound, as it was too dark to see the bird - it is now in my collection.'

Morris (1856 (1): 143, reissue) says: 'One at Boynton, Sir George Strickland's, near Bridlington, in July, 1832.'

Accepted locally (Clarke & Roebuck 1881; Nelson 1907 (1): 311; Mather 1986).

Comment There are modern day records for July and at least the call rings true.

5). Pre 1833 Greater London Near London, Middlesex, obtained, undated.

(Selby, 1833; Yarrell, 1871-85; Glegg, 1935).

History Selby (1833 (1): 93) says: 'In consequence of a few well authenticated instances of this handsome little Owl having been lately taken in England, I have ventured to insert it as an occasional visitant, Occasional and to give a representation of one obtained, as I am assured, in the neighbourhood of London*.'

Further, in a footnote, he adds: 'I have seen a specimen which was killed near York, and is now in the possession of that ingenious artist Mr. Bewick. The Foljambe Collection also possesses English specimens of this species.' Further, pp. 93-94 he adds a description: 'Bill black. Irides king's-yellow. Head, face, and neck, smoke-grey, beautifully speckled with black and brown. Breast and belly ash-grey, barred and speckled with black and reddish-brown. Back chestnut, sometimes yellowish-brown, with a greyish cast, crossed by fine black zigzag lines. Quills having the outer webs alternately barred with white and mottled brown. The second and third quill-feathers the longest; the inner web of the first and second notched near the tip; the outer webs of the same slightly sinuated, and that of the first having the points of the barbs serrated, but not reversed. Tail barred and spotted with black, brown, and white. Tarsi feathered, of an ash-grey colour, speckled with brown; with the under part of the joint, and a small space below, naked. Toes naked, bluish grey, with the first joints reticulated, and the anterior ones scutellated. The outer toe capable of being turned backwards. Claws pale yellowish-brown. The feathers which compose the horns amount to six or eight on each side; and do not consist of a single feather, as Linnaeus and the early writers have asserted.'

Alfred Newton (1871-74 (1): 174, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'The example of this little Owl, which was figured by Selby, was taken near London. It was met with prior to November 1837.'

Accepted locally for Middlesex (Glegg 1935: 100).

Comment Possibly the same record as recorded for Buckinghamshire. Strange how Harting (1901) refers to the two at Audley End, Essex as occurring prior to Nov. 1837!

6). Pre 1833 Yorkshire Near York, shot, undated.

(Selby, 1833; Yarrell, 1845).

History Selby (1833 (1):93) in a footnote, says: 'I have seen a specimen which was killed near York, and is now in the possession of that ingenious artist Mr. Bewick.'

Yarrell (1845 (1): 121, 2nd ed.) says: 'A third example, also shot in Yorkshire, is recorded by Mr. Selby to have been in the possession of the late Mr. Thomas Bewick.'

7). 1847 Isles of Scilly Tresco, male, caught exhausted, killed, just before 12th April.

(E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1847: 1773; Gould, 1862-73; Newman, 1866; E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1870: 2200; E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1871: 2482; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1872, 1880; J. Clark & F. R. Rodd, Zoologist 1906: 298; Penhallurick, 1978; Flood, Hudson & Thomas, 2007).

History E. H. Rodd of Penzance (1847) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. V. p. 1773, dated 13th April, 1847, says: 'I received yesterday from Mr. James, the steward of the Lord Proprietor of the Scilly Isles, a very good specimen of the Scops Owl. It was reported to me to have been caught in the past week on the grounds of Mr. Smith, the Lord Proprietor in the island of Tresco, and I should imagine that it must have been disabled from flying, by exhaustion, after having performed a migratorial flight, as the bird does not exhibit any bodily injury. The finding of this bird at the present season of the year in such a locality, seems to confirm the supposition that this species visits Europe in the summer from Africa and warmer regions of the earth. Nothing can exceed the beautiful pencilled markings of its plumage, quite equalling the Nightjar in the delicate tints of brown, and exhibiting a similar arrangement of them, as in that bird, only in corresponding miniature.'

E. H. Rodd of Penzance (1871) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VI. p. 2482, dated 16th January 1871, says: '...the first, which I have, was killed in the Scilly Isles.'

Harting, Editor (1880) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'One captured at Scilly, in April 1847, has been figured by Mr. Gould in his beautiful folio work, The Birds of Great Britain. The specimen in question was sent to me by Mr. James, the steward of the Lord Proprietor of the Scilly Isles, on the 12th April 1847. It was reported to have been caught during the previous week, on the grounds of Mr. Smith, at Trescoe, and was probably disabled from flying by exhaustion on landing, as there was no appearance of any injury.'

Further, p. 260, under 'Annual Summaries' read to the Royal Institution of Cornwall for 1870, Rodd says: 'The first [Scops Owl] was sent from Scilly in 1847, and is the grey-plumaged bird figured by Gould in his Birds of Great Britain; the grey-plumaged specimens being males.'

J. Clark & F. R. Rodd (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 298, under 'The Birds of Scilly', say: 'The only specimen of Scops Owl known with certainty to have occurred on the islands was captured in an exhausted condition by Christian Holliday on Tresco on April 13th, 1847. It is figured by Gould in his Birds of Great Britain, and is one of the treasures in the collection at Trebartha Hall.'

Accepted locally (Flood, Hudson & Thomas 2007).

8). 1854 Highland Morvich, Sutherland, shot, late May.

(J. A. Smith, Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh 1: 4; Gray, 1871; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1887; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History J. A. Smith (1854) in the Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh, Vol. I. p. 4, at the meeting held on 22nd November 1854, says: 'This rare owl, which Dr. Smith exhibited, was shot in the latter end of last May, at Morrish, near Golspie. In the general colour and character of its plumage it reminded him very much of the Nightjar; and is distinguished from our other British owls by its small size, by the incomplete character of its facial disk, by its having tufts or horns, and also by its rather long and slender legs, closely covered with short mottled feathers, which terminate at the junction of the toes, leaving the toes entirely bare. There is also a series of spots along the edge of the scapulars, the outer half of these feathers being yellowish-white with dark brown tips, contrasting beautifully with the closely mottled and minutely spotted and striped character of the rest of the plumage. It is a bird more especially of the southern and eastern portions of Europe, and from thence it migrates to Africa. Several instances have been reported of its occurrence in England.'

Gray (1871: 56) says: 'A specimen of this owl, shot at Morrish [sic], near Golspie, in Sutherlandshire, in May 1854, was exhibited at a meeting of the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh in November following, by Dr. J. A. Smith of that city.'

Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1887: 163) say: 'We rejected this species from our previous list, but since then we find that this bird was exhibited by Dr. J. A. Smith in November 1854. It was shot in the latter end of May 1854 at Morvich, near Golspie (Proc. Royal Phys. Society, Edinburgh, Vol. I. p. 4), and Mr. Robert Gray writes that, he "knows nothing (up to the date of publication of the Birds of the West of Scotland) that would tend to throw the slightest doubt upon the authenticity of the Sutherlandshire Scops-eared Owl". Under the circumstances, we see no reason why we should not at least restore it to the list.'

9). 1861 Norfolk Cromer lighthouse, picked up dead, 27th November, now at Castle Museum, Norwich (Acc. No. NWHCM: 1935.15.11).

(H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1862: 7844; H. Stevenson, Ibis 4: 89-90; Stevenson, 1866; J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 4: 267; Patterson, 1905; Seago, 1977; Dye, Fiszer & Allard, 2009).

History H. Stevenson of Norwich (1862) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XX. p. 7844, dated 7th December, 1861, and a very similar story in The Ibis, Vol. IV. pp. 89-90, says: 'On the 27th of November an adult male of this pretty little owl was picked up dead near the lighthouse at Cromer, against which it had apparently flown with great force, attracted by the glare of the lamps. The head exhibited no marks of injury, and the plumage was perfect, but the flesh on the breast and the point of one wing showed symptoms of having sustained a severe blow. The stomach contained a mass of fur, about the size of a walnut, amongst which was discernible an almost perfect skeleton of a mouse, together with the heads and forceps of several earwigs, and three stout caterpillars nearly an inch in length. This rare species has previously occurred in this county in three or four authentic instances, but not of late years. The present specimen is now in the collection of J. H. Gurney, Esq., M. P., of Catton Hall.'

J. H. Gurney, jun. & T. Southwell (1884-89) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IV. p. 267, say: '...The only example obtained in the last fifty-eight years, and indeed the only one which can be implicitly relied upon, was picked up by a boy, in November, 1861, on the road which runs beneath the lighthouse at Cromer. G.'

Patterson (1905) says: 'Mr. J. H. Gurney has one caught at Cromer Lighthouse, November 1861.'

10). 1864 Perth & Kinross Scone, Perthshire, pair, shot, May, now at Perth Museum and Art Gallery (PERGM 1977.630-1).

(H. M. Drummond Hay, Proceedings of the East of Scotland Union of Naturalists' Societies 1886: 35; H. M. Drummond Hay, Scottish Naturalist 8: 365; W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1900: 184; Harvie-Brown, 1906; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

History H. M. Drummond Hay (1886) in the Proceedings of the East of Scotland Union of Naturalists' Societies, p. 35, says: 'A pair, male and female, were shot at Scone, in May, 1864; and are now in the possession of Mr. John Stewart, Perth.' H. M. Drummond Hay (1885-86) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. VIII. p. 365, in the Report of the East of Scotland Union, admits this record.

Harvie-Brown (1906: 178) says: 'Col. Drummond Hay, writing to me on 5th March - by internal evidence, 1885 - told me of a male and female Scops Owl having been shot at Scone in May 1864. This was after fresh inquiries, and he added: "I have since noted it down". These two specimens are in the Museum.'

Forrester & Andrews et al (2007 (2): 907) add: 'Presented c.1880 by J. Stewart to Perth Museum and Art Gallery (PERGM 1977.630-1).'

12). 1865 Suffolk Haughley, near Stowmarket, male, shot, undated.

(W. Bilson, Journal of the Suffolk Institute 1869: 23; Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932; Piotrowski, 2003).

History W. Bilson (1869) in the Journal of the Suffolk Institute, Vol. I. p. 23, says: 'The following is a list of the scarce Birds that have passed through my hands during the past few years, together with the localities where taken, and the dates, &c. Scops-eared Owl. Male; taken at Haughley Bushes, by Mr. Felgate, in 1865.'

Babington (1884-86: 232) says: 'A male bird taken by Mr. Felgate at Haughley Bushes in 1865, and stuffed by Bilson; it was for some time in Mr. Felgate's possession, but he parted with it a few years ago to a gentleman in the North of England (Bilson in Journ. Suff. Inst., 23, and in litt.; Felgate in litt.).'

Accepted locally (Ticehurst 1932; Piotrowski 2003).

13). 1866 Hampshire Wilverley Lodge, New Milton, female, obtained, July, now at Leicester Museum..

(A. P. Morres, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 17: 125; Kelsall & Munn, 1905; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 316; Clark, 2022).

History A. P. Morres (1878) in the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, Vol. XVII. p. 125, says: 'Mr. Hart told me that one of the forest keepers, Toomer by name, saw, not long ago, no less that five Scops Eared Owls, in the Forest at the same time, being apparently two old and three young birds of one family. One of these he killed, and Mr. Hart has it now in his own collection. And on another occasion, he writes, that the same keeper "saw a "Scops" one wet day, in the Forest, got quite close to it, and on returning to the place with his gun could not find it. He said he could not be mistaken, it being only a few yards distant".'

Kelsall & Munn (1905: 134) say: 'The Hart collection contains a specimen obtained at Wilverley Lodge, in July, 1866.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 316, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'. Clark (2022) adds that this female shot by gamekeeper Mr. Perkins is now at Leicester Museum.

Comment The Morres notice could refer to this record.

14). 1868 Pembrokeshire Near Pembroke, caught, spring.

(T. Dix, Zoologist 1869: 1671; Mathew, 1894; Lockley, 1949; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).

History Thomas Dix (1869) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IV. p. 1671, says: 'A beautiful specimen was caught by a labouring man, near Pembroke, last spring; he was trimming a hedge at the time, when it fluttered out the bottom: I saw it in Mr. Tracy's shop, but unfortunately he took no note of the sex or when it was taken to him.'

Accepted locally (Mathew 1894; (Lockley 1949).

15). 1868 Cheshire & Wirral Carden Park, near Tilston, shot, June.

(Gould, 1862-73; Yarrell, 1871-85; Coward & Oldham, 1900; Coward, 1910; Hedley Bell, 1962).

History Alfred Newton (1871-74 (1): 174, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'Mr. Gould mentions the occurrence of another more recently killed by Mr. J. H. Leche of Carden Park, Cheshire.'

Coward & Oldham (1900: 126) say: 'An example in the possession of Mr. J. H. Leche was shot by his gamekeeper in June, 1868, at Carden Park. The bird was heard on several evenings before it was obtained, uttering its peculiar cry of "kew, kew".'

Accepted locally (Coward 1910; Hedley Bell 1962).

16). 1871 Cornwall Trevethoe, near Hayle, caught, about 2nd January.

(E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1871: 2482; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1880; Penhallurick, 1978).

History E. H. Rodd of Penzance (1871) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VI. p. 2482, dated 16th January, 1871, says: 'A good plumaged specimen of this little owl was captured at Trevethoe, on our north coast, a fortnight since. This is the second specimen that has come under my notice from Cornwall; the first, which I have, was killed in the Scilly Isles.'

Harting, Editor (1880) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'In January 1871, a second specimen of the Scops Owl in good plumage was captured at Trevethoe, near Hayle, on the north coast of Cornwall, as recorded in The Zoologist for February of that year.'

17). 1873 Wiltshire Wilton Park, shot, spring.

(A. P. Morres, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 17: 125; Smith, 1887; Buxton, 1981; Wiltshire Ornithological Society, 2007).

History A. P. Morres (1878) in the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, Vol. XVII. p. 125, says: 'Of this most beautifully-pencilled little bird, I have several notices, I am glad to say. One of them was shot by Mr. E. Rawlence, in the spring of 1873, in Wilton Park, and presented by him to the Earl of Pembroke. This little bird had attracted the attention of several people some time previously by its peculiar and reiterated cry - and from never having learned that hard lesson of "holding its tongue", it met with its fate.'

Smith (1887: 104) says: 'Now, however, I have two more instances, as recorded by Mr. Rawlence: ...and the other shot by Mr. E. Rawlence in the spring of 1873, in Wilton Park, and presented by him to the Earl of Pembroke. It had attracted attention some time previously by its peculiar and reiterated cry....I may add, that several other instances of its occurrence in various parts of the county have reached me, but on examination the species proves in all these cases to have been mistaken.'

Locally, Pierson (1959: 27) adds: 'The two cases in the Rawlence collection said to have contained Scops Owl were probably the ones recorded by Smith.'

Accepted locally (Buxton 1981: 153; Wiltshire Ornithological Society 2007).

Comment Witherby only accepted one for Wiltshire, which was probably this record and would have the best credentials of the three 19th century records.

18). 1875 Cumbria Renwick, shot, 15th May, now at Mansfield Museum.

(T. J. Dryden, Field 22nd May 1875: 515; J. Whitaker, Field 20th Dec., 1879: 848; O. V. Aplin, Zoologist 1884: 50; O. V. Aplin, Naturalist 13: 200; Macpherson, 1892).

History T. J. Dryden of Renwick (1875) in The Field of 22nd May, Vol. XLV. p. 515, says: 'A fine specimen of this remarkable bird, one of the least of the owl genus, was obtained by me at Renwick, in Cumberland, on Friday night, May 15, 1875. This is the only specimen of Scops Eared Owl I have heard of in this part of Cumberland.'

J. Whitaker of Rainworth Lodge, Mansfield (1879) in The Field of 20th Dec., Vol. LIV. p. 848, says: 'In your issue of Nov. 22, under 'Birds of Prey in the English Lake District', I find the Scops Eared Owl is not included. I have one in my collection, shot on May 15, 1875, at Renwick, Cumberland.'

Oliver V. Aplin of Bloxham (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. p. 50, under 'Note of some Rare British Birds in the Collection of Mr. J. Whitaker' says: 'Scops Owl - Renwick, Cumberland, May 15th, 1875.'

O. V. Aplin (1887) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XIII. p. 200, under 'A Visit to Rainworth Lodge', says: 'The most remarkable among the historical specimens of British-killed rarities are examples of the Scops Owl, Renwick, 1875.'

Macpherson (1892: 176) says: 'When visiting Mr. Joseph Whitaker, of Rainworth, [Mansfield], in June, 1887, I examined an example of this small owl, shot near Renwick on the 15th of May, 1875, and acquired by purchase as soon as its occurrence was notified in The Field of May 22nd. In June 1889, Mrs. Dryden of Renwick pointed out to me an ash-tree, standing in the middle of the village, out of which this poor wanderer was shot. It was Mrs. Dryden who first observed the bird towards evening, when it was perching in this ash-tree. She at once told her sons what she had seen. One of them - not Henry Dryden, but another brother who has since died - ran out with a gun. He disturbed the bird, which flew out of the tree, but returned to it after a short flight, and was promptly shot. Henry Dryden, who was also present, independently confirmed the correctness of his mother's statement.'

Comment Rainworth Lodge, Notts., was the home of Whitaker. The specimen is now at Mansfield Museum, Nottinghamshire, with the Whitaker Collection.

19). 1884 Hampshire Stokes Bay, female, picked up dead, 10th June.

(W. Jeffery, Field 5th July 1884: 6; Land And Water, 1884; Kelsall & Munn, 1905; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 316).

History W. Jeffery of Gosport (1884) in The Field of 5th July, Vol. LXIV. p. 6, says: 'On June 10 a Scops Owl was captured by a boy near Stokes Bay, of whom I purchased it. It proved to be a female, in good plumage, but in a very emaciated condition, weighing barely 2 ounces. It had the remains of a few small beetles in its stomach. Its length was 7 in.; expanse of wing 1 ft. 8 in.'

Kelsall & Munn (1905: 134) say: 'Mr. Walter Jeffery, taxidermist, of Gosport, a relative of Mr. William Jeffery, the well-known naturalist of Ratham, in Sussex, had a female brought to his house on June 10th, 1884, which had apparently just reached our shores. The following particulars were kindly supplied by Mr. Jeffery and Mr. W. T. Pearce, of the Portsmouth Natural History Society. The bird was picked up on the shore at Stokes Bay by some boys who had been bathing; it appeared to be quite exhausted, and died in their hands, but it was still warm when Mrs. Jeffery bought it of [sic] them. It was in good plumage, but very emaciated, weighing barely two ounces, and contained only the remains of a few beetles in its stomach. Its length was seven inches, expanse of wings, one foot eight inches. Mr. Pearce possesses the sternum, and the skin is at Manchester. This occurrence was recorded in The Field and Land And Water.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 316, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

20). 1884 Hampshire Holmsley, male, killed, 29th October, now at Leicester Museum.

(Kelsall & Munn, 1905; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 316; Clark, 2022).

History Kelsall & Munn (1905: 134) say: 'The Hart collection contains a specimen killed near Holmsley on October 29th, 1884.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 316, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'. Clark (2022) adds that this male shot by gamekeeper Mr. Coles is now at Leicester Museum.

21). 1888 Essex Littlebury, shot, 11th June.

(W. C. Emson, Field 23rd June 1888: 901; Proceedings of the Essex Field Club 1888: 111; G. E. Lodge, Zoologist 1889: 30; Christy, 1890; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984).

History W. C. Emson of Home Hall, Littlebury, Saffron Walden (1888) in The Field of 23rd Jun., Vol. LXXI. p. 901, says: 'It may interest some of your readers to know that on Jun 11 I shot a specimen of the Scops Owl (Scops giu, Scopoli) in the parish of Littlebury, Essex. I have sent it to Mr. Travis, of Saffron Walden, to be stuffed.'

G. E. Lodge of Grays Inn, London (1889) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIII. p. 30, says: 'At Mr. Travis's shop...I saw, too, a good specimen of a Scops Owl, which was shot at Littlebury, in Essex, of which I read an interesting account in the Transactions of the Essex Field Club (1888, p. 111).'

Christy (1890: 160) says: 'Mr. Wm. C. Emson of Littlebury shot a male on June 11th, 1888, near a large wood in Littlebury parish, known as Howe Wood, in which it had for some time taken up its abode. Mr. Emson informs me that he believed there were at first two, as he shot at one about a week before and it appeared to fall among some clover, whither some boys ran to pick it up, but could not find it. Two are also said to have been hear previously. The bird used to commence its plaintive cry about half-past eight every evening, usually when perched on some high elms about half a mile from Howe Wood. The cry is described by Mr. Emson as somewhat resembling the loud croaking of a frog, and the village boys tried to imitate it by crying "chalk, chalk".

Its dismal cry was kept up the greater part of the night, and could be heard more than half-a-mile off. The country people got quite superstitious about the bird and regarded it as an evil spirit, especially as it was shot at several times before it was secured, and several of them even asked Mr. Emson whether he thought shot would penetrate it. That gentleman says that the Owl did not appear to mind his approaching it below the tree, but concealed itself against a branch, all the while keeping up its curious cry, which appeared to come from a place quite different from that at which the bird really was. Mr. Emson got a boy to climb the tree and shot it as it flew out.'

Accepted locally (Hudson & Pyman 1968; Cox 1984; Wood 2007).

22). 1891 Norfolk Near Walsingham Abbey, male, 21st May.

(H. W. Fielden, Zoologist 1891: 315; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1892: 59; Seago, 1977).

History H. W. Fielden of Wells (1891) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XV. p. 315, says: 'A male of this species, in good plumage and condition, was shot at Walsingham Abbey, by a keeper of Mr. Henry Lee Warner, on May 21st, 1891. The keeper mistook it for a "Blue Hawk" (i.e. male Sparrowhawk), as it flew down a glade, the afternoon being cold, dull, and rainy, otherwise it would not have been interfered with; for Owls receive careful protection from the proprietor of Walsingham Abbey.

The keeper at once took the bird to Mr. Lee Warner, who has preserved it. Messrs. Gurney and Southwell, writing of this species (List of Norfolk Birds, 1886), remark that: "The only example obtained in the last fifty-eight years, and indeed the only one that can be implicitly relied on, was picked up by a boy, in November, 1861, on the road which runs beneath the lighthouse at Cromer"....The capture of this species in Norfolk, at such opposite seasons as May and November, coincides with the migratory habits of this pretty little owl, for these months are likely periods for a straggler to arrive on our shores. The stomach of this specimen was entirely filled with the remains of beetles.'

J. H. Gurney, jun. (1892) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XVI. p. 59, says: 'On May 21st a male Scops Owl, Scops giu (Scopoli), was shot at Walsingham Abbey, as recorded by Col. Fielden (Zool., 1891, p. 315), and was sent by him to Norwich, where I had an opportunity of seeing it and examining its gizzard, which contained some insect remains, and what appeared to be filaments of moss....These two Scops Owls may be regarded as the rarest birds met with in Norfolk during the year.'

23). 1891 Norfolk Martham Broad, male, killed, 1st June.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1892: 59; A. H. Patterson, Zoologist 1900: 409; Patterson, 1905; Seago, 1977).

History J. H. Gurney, jun. (1892) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XVI. p. 59, says: 'On June 1st, another Scops Owl, a male, was killed in a market garden at Martham. Its gizzard contained beetles of a bronze colour. These two Scops Owls may be regarded as the rarest birds met with in Norfolk during the year.'

A. Patterson (1900) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. IV. p. 411, says: 'Norfolk is accredited with six occurrences - two at Yarmouth (Nor. N. S., Vol. IV. p. 267)....One killed at Martham, June 1st, 1891.'

Patterson (1905) adds: 'One was killed at Martham on 1st June 1891, and was preserved by Mr. W. Lowne for Mr. W. W. Spelman's collection.'

24). 1891 North-east Scotland Near Kintore, Aberdeenshire, female, found dead, 2nd September.

(G. Sim, Scottish Naturalist 11: 192; Sim, 1903; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History George Sim of Aberdeen (1891) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XI. p. 192, says: 'A fine female specimen of Scops giu was picked up dead, but in a perfectly fresh condition, upon the Great North of Scotland Railway, near Kintore, on September 2nd.

This is the second, so far as I am aware, on record for Scotland. The first having been shot at Morvich, near Golspie, May, 1854, as reported by Messrs. Harvie-Brown and Buckley (Vertebrate Fauna of Sutherland, Caithness and West Cromarty, p. 163). The example now noted weighed two-and-a-half ounces. Extent of wings, eighteen inches; beak to tail, six and-a-half inches. The stomach was crammed with earwigs and beetles.'

[Col. Drummond Hay recorded (Scot. Nat., Vol. II. new series, p. 365) a pair, male and female, shot at Scone, in May, 1846. - Ed.]

Accepted locally by Sim (1903: 121-122) who adds: 'It is now in the possession of Mr. J. Simpson, Aberdeen.'

Comment The Editor has erroneously interposed the last two digits; it should read 1864.

25). 1892 Orkney North Ronaldsay Lighthouse, caught but later died, 2nd June.

(A. Briggs, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1893: 71; L. W. Hinxman, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1893: 158; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History A. Briggs (1893) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. II. p. 71, says: 'A bird of this species was caught alive on 2nd June 1892, in an outhouse at the Lighthouse, by Mrs. Ross, wife of the head light-keeper. It lived for some days, but eventually choked over a piece of meat; when Mr. Ross had it stuffed, and it is now in his possession. This is, I believe, the first instance of this bird being recorded in Orkney.'

26). 1892 Norfolk Holt, female, killed, 18th November.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1894: 84; Seago, 1977).

History J. H. Gurney, jun. (1894) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XVIII. p. 84, says: 'Nov. 18th. A female Scops Owl was obtained near Holt (C. Dack), not so grey as the Cromer one of 1861. Anyone interested in Owls may see in the Norwich Museum a good series of the genus Scops, which is now divided and sub-divided into sixty-five species (not counting Heteroscops, Gymnoscops, and Pseudoscops), represented in the Museum by 243 specimens.'

27). 1898 Kent Broadstairs, caught alive, March.

(R. Bowdler Sharpe, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 12: 39; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 316; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).

History R. Bowdler Sharpe, Editor (1901) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XII. p. 39, at the 83rd Meeting of the Club held on 18th December 1901 at the Restaurant Frascati, London, says: 'Mr. Collingwood Ingram sent for exhibition a specimen of the Scops Owl (Scops scops) which had been caught alive in a coach-house at Broadstairs in March 1898, when a brisk S.E. wind was blowing. The bird was kept alive for some time, but ultimately died and came into Mr. Ingram's possession.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 316, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

Ticehurst (1909: 260-261) adds: '...I had the pleasure of examining it....'

28). 1900 Shetland Vaila, found dead, April.

(W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1901: 116; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 316; R. S. Bruce, Scottish Naturalist 53: 149; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History Wm. Eagle Clarke, (1901) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. X. pp. 116-117, says: 'In the Annals (1900, p. 184) I recorded the occurrence of a Scops Owl (Scops giu) in Foula, where the bird arrived late in April last. Mr. Frank Traill, who kindly furnished me with the particulars, and sent me a wing for identification, informs me that a second specimen was obtained in the western part of the main island about the same time. This bird was lost in the ill-fated St Rognvald, when on its way south to be mounted.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 316, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

R. Stuart Bruce (1933) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LIII. p. 149, says: 'I have been going over some notes made by the late Mr. Grierson of Quendale, Shetland; and Dr. Ticehurst, the editor of The Ibis, suggests that these may be of interest. I therefore append them, together with a few jottings by Mr. D. J. Williamson, Whalsay, Shetland. I may say that Mr. Grierson was a keen and very observant naturalist, an excellent shot, and was capable of taking a good basket out of a loch when no one else seemed able to get a trout. A few jottings on more recent happenings in Shetlandic bird life are added by myself. Scops Owl. One found dead in the garden of Mr. Anderton of Vaila by Mr. Eustace Bankart. Sent to be stuffed, April 1900, but unfortunately lost in the wreck of S.S. St Rognvald on her passage to Aberdeen. This is the first occurrence of the Scops Owl in Shetland. It was seen by Mr. Grierson, and there seems no doubt as to its identity.'

29). 1900 Shetland Foula, caught, late April.

(W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1900: 184; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 316; Scottish Naturalist 53: 149; E. E. Jackson, Scottish Birds 4: 43; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History William Eagle Clarke of Edinburgh (1900) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. IX. p. 184, says: 'On the 15th of May I received for identification a wing and a leg of a Scops Owl (Scops giu) which had been captured on the island of Foula. Mr. Francis Trail, who kindly sent the remains, informed me that the bird was first seen at the end of April, when a woman discovered it in her barn. Here it was eventually captured and kept in confinement, but soon died. The occurrence of this species in so remote an island is remarkable, and is special interest because the Scops Owl has not hitherto been known to visit the Shetland Islands. The recorded instances of this Owl in Scotland are very few in number. It was obtained in Sutherland in May 1854; a pair were shot at Scone in May 1864; one was found dead near Kintore in September 1891; and one was captured alive at North Ronaldshay, Orkney, in June 1892, as recorded in this magazine (Annals, 1893, p. 71).'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 316, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

30). 1900 At sea Sea area Forties, on a trawler 25 miles off Aberdeenshire, male, caught exhausted, October

(E. R. Paton, British Birds 2: 204; Annals of Scottish Natural History 1909: 57).

History E. R. Paton (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 204, says: 'It may be worth while to put on record that I have in my possession a male Scops-Owl (Scops giu), which was captured on a trawler about twenty-five miles off the coast of Aberdeenshire in October, 1900. This bird was in an exhausted state, and although the plumage was in fair condition it was much faded. From this arises another question: What is the nautical limit within which a bird may be called "British" ?'

Comment A median line of up to 200 miles between another country. Well within British waters but counted as At sea when over 5 miles from land.

31). 1902 Norfolk Sidestrand, seen, 6th April.

(S. J. G. Hoare, Field 12th Apr., 1902: 561; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1903: 127; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 316; Seago, 1977).

History S. J. G. Hoare of Sidestrand Hall, Cromer (1902) in The Field of 12th Apr., Vol. XCIX. p. 561, says: 'On Sunday last, April 6, I came upon a Scops Owl in a covert of ours near Cromer, about a mile and a half from the sea. Disturbed by a fox terrier from a young spruce tree, it flew only a few yards and alighted on the broken branch of another spruce about 10 ft. from the ground. It allowed us to approach to within 2 ft. or 3 ft. and to examine it at leisure. Its length was apparently between 6 in. and 7 in. After watching it for about a quarter of an hour we went home for a camera, but on returning to the covert we found that it had gone.

We looked in all the trees in the neighbourhood but without success. We told the keeper, however, to look out for it, and in the evening he found it in the tree from which it had originally been disturbed. He had already shaken the tree, and it was only by bending back the branches that he was able to see it sitting close to the trunk. He tried to catch it in his hand, but it was just out of reach. He then ran for his net, but on coming back he found that it had gone. He described the cry it gave as quite unlike that of the other owls, "very shrill and rather like a Wood Pigeon".

The covert in which it was found is noted for owls. Although it is only a few acres in extent, as many as thirty-five owls have been put out of it on a single occasion when covert shooting. This is, no doubt, due to the fact that no owls have been shot by the keepers for a considerable time. Besides examining the bird minutely, we made assurance doubly sure by referring to the works of Gould, Stevenson, and Howard Saunders, whose descriptions exactly correspond to what we noticed....A strong northerly gale had been blowing during the night of April 5, which may account for its appearance. I have given these details at length in order to show how careful was our examination of the bird, precluding any mistake as to its identity.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1903) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VII. p. 127, says: 'April 6th. A Scops Eared Owl clearly identified at Sidestrand by Mr. S. J. Hoare; it allowed close inspection, even at a distance of only a few feet, being probably exhausted by a northerly gale with heavy rain, which had prevailed the night before, and which may have blown it from somewhere, though it is not a northern species. When first seen it was a mile and a half from the sea, on a young spruce-fir, tightly drawn up against the stem of the tree; in the evening it was again seen on the same fir, and even when the tree was shaken by the keeper it did not move. He tried to catch it, but it fluttered away, and was not seen again.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 316, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

32). 1905 Shetland Muckle Flugga, Unst, caught, 20th August.

(T. Edmondston Saxby, Zoologist 1906: 35-36; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 316; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History T. Edmondston Saxby of Unst (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. pp. 35-36, says: 'On or about Aug. 20th a small Owl was caught on the Lighthouse Rock. It was kept a few days by the keepers, who fed it on flies and beetles. From the careful description given to me by the native who used to shoot birds for my father, this Owl could only have been an example of the Scops Owl. Unfortunately the bird died, and there were no means of sending it to me, and none of the keepers knew how to skin or preserve it, and it never occurred to them to keep a wing or even some feathers; so the bird was lost.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 316, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

33). 1907 Cornwall Near Ludgvan, male, shot, 2nd May.

(J. Clark, Zoologist 1907: 284;. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 316).

History J. Clark (1907) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XI. p. 284, says: 'On May 2nd of the present year a male example of Scops Owl was shot close to Ludgvan, apparently the second that has been obtained on the mainland.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 316, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

34). 1907 Cumbria Broomrigg, near Armathwaite, shot, 6th November.

(P. W. Parkin, Field 13th June 1908: 982; Eds., British Birds 2: 100; L. E. Hope, Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society 3: 30).

History P. W. Parkin of Penrith (1908) in The Field of 13th June, Vol. CXI. p. 982, says: 'I have a good specimen of the Scops Owl, which was shot at Broomrigg, near Armathwaite, by Capt. W. H. Parkin on Nov. 6, 1907. I believe this bird is extremely rare in England.'

[This diminutive species is the rarest of the smaller owls which occasionally visit us at irregular intervals, but the recorded instances of its occurrence in the British Islands now number about thirty. Of these one is reported to have been obtained at Renwick, Cumberland, in May, 1875, and will be found mentioned in The Field of May 22 of that year. - Ed.]

In an Editorial (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 100, they say: 'A specimen of a Scops Owl (Scops giu) is reported by Mr. P. W. Parkin (in whose possession the bird is) to have been shot on November 6th, 1907, at Broomrigg, near Armathwaite, by Captain W. H. Parkin (Field, 13.vi.08, p. 982).'

L. E. Hope (1923) in the Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society, Vol. III. p. 30, under 'Appendix' to 'Lakeland Ornithology' read on 1st February 1923, says: 'In Vol. II. page 100 of British Birds, is recorded the shooting of a Scops Owl, at Broomrigg, near Armathwaite, by Capt. W. H. Parkin, on November 6th, 1907.'

35). 1908 Fife Lundin Estate, Montrave, near Largo, female, shot, 16th May.

(W. Evans, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1908: 182-183; J. Paterson, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1909: 207; Eds., British Birds 2: 140; Rintoul & Baxter, 1935; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Smout, 1986).

History William Evans of Edinburgh (1908) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVII. pp. 182-183, says: 'Slowly but surely the list of "Forth" birds increases. The latest addition is the Scops Owl (Scops giu), a specimen of which was obtained in a small wood called "The Fluthers", on the estate of Lundin, near Largo, Fife, the property of Sir John Gilmour, Bart. of Montraive, on the 16th May last (1908).

The head keeper on the estate was walking through the wood when the bird flew over his head and he shot it. A few days afterwards I had the privilege of examining it in the bird-stuffer's shop in Edinburgh. It proved to be a female, and was in good plumage; length about 7½ inches, wing from flexure 6⅛ inches, base of bill to tip of ear-tufts, 1¾ inches. For the facts connected with the capture of this specimen I am indebted to Sir John Gilmour, who has kindly asked me to record it for him.

In the second edition of Saunders' Manual (1899) only five occurrences of this pretty little owl in Scotland are mentioned, namely: one in Sutherland in May 1854, two near Perth in May 1864, one in Aberdeenshire in September 1891, and one in Orkney in June 1892. Since then three have been reported from Shetland - two in April 1900, and one in August 1905; but only one of them can be said to have been identified with certainty (cf. Annals, 1900, p. 184 &c.).'

In an Editorial (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 140, he says: 'A female Scops giu was obtained near Largo. The Scops Owl has been recorded only eight times previously in Scotland. (W. Evans, Ann. S.N.H., 1908, 183).'

Admitted by John Paterson (1909) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVII. p. 207, in the annual 'Report on Scottish Ornithology.' Locally, Smout (1986: 171) erroneously states the year as 1909.

36). 1912 Norfolk Heacham, shot, 15th June.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1913: 173; Eds., British Birds 7: 122; S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 9: 786; Seago, 1977).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1913) in The Zoologist, 4th series Vol. XVII. p. 173, says: 'June 15th. A Scops Owl shot at Heacham. I learn from Mr. B. Lowerison, by whom its specific identity was established, that for a month previous its monotonous "kiu, kiu" - a sound to be often heard in the South of France - had been heard almost nightly in a grove near the river, an interval of about five seconds regularly intervening between each note. I am afraid this interesting visitor fell a victim to the irrepressible gamekeeper at last, unlike one which appeared at Sidestrand in April, 1892, which was fortunately protected. This makes six reliable occurrences for the county.'

In an Editorial (1913) in British Birds, Vol. VII. p. 122, this record was admitted.

Admitted by S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere (1914) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IX. p. 786, under 'Additions to Part XI (Sixth List) 1909-13'.

37). 1917 Cornwall Bude, seen, 4th May.

(R. A. Foster-Milliar, Field 19th May 1917: 725; not in Penhallurick, 1978).

History R. A. Foster-Milliar of Bude (1917) in The Field of 19th May, Vol. CXXIX. p. 725, says: 'It may interest some of your readers to know that a Scops-eared Owl has taken up its abode in my garden for the last few days. I have seen it several times on the wing thanks to the persistent attentions of a Blackbird, and by the same means I was able to discover it today (May 4) fast asleep in a macrocarpus. I was able to get quite close to it, and should think it was a female bird. So far as I know I have only seen one.'

[There is no mistaking this small owl for either of the two other small species which occur in the British Islands, namely, the Little Owl and Tengmalm's Owl. Its diminutive size (about 7½. in height), its prominent ear tufts, which neither of the other possess, and its naked, that is to say unfeathered toes, should make it recognisable at close quarters. - Ed.]

38). 1922 Norfolk Blakeney Point, seen, 6th October.

(B. B. Riviere, British Birds 17: 257; S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 11: 589; Seago, 1977; Stoddart & Joyner, 2005).

History B. B. Riviere (1924) in British Birds, Vol. XVII. p. 257, says: 'In taking up the record of Norfolk Ornithology at the point where, with tragic suddenness, it was interrupted by the death of Mr. J. H. Gurney, I do so in a very humble spirit, and with a keen appreciation of the difficulties which confront me. To Norfolk ornithology the loss of Mr. Gurney is an irreparable one. For twenty-nine years, first to the Zoologist and latterly to British Birds he has contributed his 'Annual Ornithological Report from Norfolk', and the amount of time which he was able to devote to ornithology, his keen powers of observation, his extraordinary energy in collecting information, and above all the peculiar literary charm of his writing enabled him to maintain in them a standard of excellence, which his successor must find it indeed difficult to approach....Mr. Gurney's Report (Brit. B., XVI. pp. 230-239) carries the history of Norfolk birds up to October, 1922. The notes completing this year I think it best to keep separate from those for 1923, especially as very few of the species referred to are the same....Mr. Pinchen reports having seen a Scops Owl at Blakeney Point on October 6th. Wind N.E. strong.'

Admitted by S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere (1924) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. XI. p. 589, under 'Additions to Part XI (Eighth List) 1919-23'.

Stoddart & Joyner (2005: 23) say: 'Seen by R. (Bob) Pinchen the watcher for the Norfolk Naturalists' Trust at Blakeney Point.'

Comment Little Owl, the next species in the Transactions of the NNT report, states that it is now very common throughout Norfolk.

39). 1926 Shetland Foula, female, found dead, 10th May, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1926.65).

(W. H. Greenaway, Scottish Naturalist 46: 68; Eds., British Birds 20: 206; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 47: 136; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; E. E. Jackson, Scottish Birds 4: 43; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

History Wm. Harry Greenaway of Foula (1926) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVI. p. 68, says: 'I have sent to the Royal Scottish Museum an example of a small owl handed to me on 10th May by a schoolboy, who stated that he had found it dead on the island. It has been identified as a Scops Owl.'

[The individual is a female Scops Owl, belonging to the typical race, Otus scops scops, which breeds in southern Europe, extending northwards to Switzerland and South France. - Eds.]

In an Editorial (1927) in British Birds, Vol. XX. p. 206, they say: 'An Owl, which has been identified by the authorities of the Royal Scottish Museum, where it now is, as Otus s. scops, was found dead on the island of Foula on May 10th, 1926, and reported by Mr. W. H. Greenaway (Scot. Nat., 1926, p. 68).'

Admitted by E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1927) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVII. p. 136, in the annual report.

Forrester & Andrews et al. (2007 (2): 908) add: '...now at National Musuems Scotland (NMSZ 1926.65).'

40). 1928 Shetland Cunningsburgh, Mainland, female, 4th April.

(Venables & Venables, 1955).

History Venables & Venables (1955) say: 'We have traced five records of this species in Shetland: 4th April 1928. Cunningsburgh, Mainland. Female received for mounting. (Russell: 1891 et seq.). Now in possession of A. A. St C. Pottinger.'

41). 1944 Dumfries & Galloway Gillhead, Kirkbean, Kirkcudbrightshire, caught, late April.

(O. J. Pullen, British Birds 38: 56; O. J. Pullen, Transactions of the Dumfries Natural History & Antiquarian Society 24: 96-97; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Thom, 1986).

History Olaf J. Pullen (1944) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVIII. p. 56, says: 'A Scops Owl was captured by Mr. Dickson, Gillhead, Kirkbean, Kirkcudbrightshire, at the end of April, 1944, and he sent it to me. He caught it rather cleverly with a snare on the end of a fishing rod and he found, as I am doing, that it feeds well on mice. It also takes any insects we give it. Mr. Dickson thought by its size that it was a Little Owl Athene noctua, but I find it has all the features mentioned by The Handbook as characteristic of the Scops Owl - the ear "horns", the slim build, the dark shaft-streaks on the feathers, and the vermiculations on its plumage. Its feet are of the type shown in a figure in The Handbook.' [Sir Hugh Gladstone informs us that he has also seen this bird. - Eds., BWT].

Olaf J. Pullen (1945-46) in the Transactions of the Dumfries Natural History & Antiquarian Society, 3rd series, Vol. XXIV. pp. 96-97, says: 'A bird of this species, the first ever recorded in the South-West of Scotland, was seen and caught by Mr. Dickson, Gillhead, Kirkbean, in May, 1944.

We kept it captive for some time at Wallace Hall Academy, and there was no doubt as to its identity. Mr. Dickson's attention was first drawn, to the bird when he heard it being "mobbed", as owls often are, by small birds like blackbirds. Noticing that it was an exceptionally small owl, he set about catching it and it was cleverly snared by a wire-loop at the end of a long fishing rod. It was a beautiful little bird with the characteristic facial disc of all owls, but in size, smaller than any British owl, being only about seven inches long.

On the head, above the eyes, it had very neat ear-tufts of feathers, or "horns". When erected these looked very much like the pointed ears of a cat, but when laid along- the head they were hardly noticeable. The neat plumage was prettily and delicately coloured with a general background colour of brown or brownish grey, and with black-brown central streaks on the feathers and black-brown wavy bars across many of them. Many of the feathers of the head and mantle had creamy patches, giving them a speckled appearance, and there was a distinct line of white patches along the shoulder region.

We released the bird in a classroom at Wallace Hall Academy and watched its typical owl-like or moth-like flight. In its cage it often drew itself up until the whole body appeared tall and slim. When angry or frightened it would often adopt a threatening attitude, puffing out its feathers to increase its size, and crouching, or swaying to and fro on rigid legs in a very menacing fashion.

Scops Owls are common enough in Mediterranean countries or even in France, where they are said to feed on insects - beetles, large moths, grasshoppers, and earwigs. We kept it alive by feeding it on mice. It refused to touch them by day, but they always disappeared before morning. Much of the flesh was torn off the head end and the, rest swallowed whole. As is the usual habit of Owls, it ejected the fur and bones in the form of pellets measuring less than an inch.'

42). 1948 Orkney Brough, Westray, male, picked up dead, 29th April.

(S. S. Thomson, Scottish Naturalist 60: 131; G. T. Arthur, British Birds 41: 348; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History S. S. Thomson of Westray, Orkney (1948) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LX. p. 131, says: 'On 29th April 1948 a bird which I considered to be a male Scops-owl (Otus scops scops) was found dead in a field at Brough, Orkney. I sent the bird to Mr. George T. Arthur, who confirmed the identification, and forwarded the specimen to the Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh, for preservation. The bird was found to be a male.'

[Mr. Thomson is to be congratulated on finding this bird. The Scops-owl has been recorded only once previously in Orkney, one having been caught alive on 2nd June 1892 in an outhouse at the lighthouse on North Ronaldsay. This bird died subsequently and was preserved (Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist., 1893, p. 71). - Eds.]

However, G. T. Arthur (1948) in British Birds, Vol. XLI. p. 348, says: '...picked up dead by J. Thompson on 30th April 1948.'

Baxter & Rintoul (1953) state the date as 30th April as do Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds (1984).

1950-57 RECORDS

43). 1953 Shetland Jarlshof, Sumburgh, Mainland, 6th June.

(L. S. V. Venables, J. Peterson & W. Kay, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 1 (11): 18; F. H. Jones, British Birds 47: 244-245; Thom, 1986).

History L. S. V. Venables, J. Peterson & W. Kay (1953) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin, Vol. I (XI). p. 18, says: 'One among the ruins at Jarlshof, Sumburgh, on June 6th.'

F. H. Jones (1954) in British Birds, Vol. XLVII. pp. 244-245, says: 'On June 7th, 1953, at Jarlshof, Sumburgh, Shetland, I flushed a small owl from the foundations of a stone hut. Shortly after, I found it sitting in a small shallow cavity in the wall of the Broch. It sat in an attenuated position facing me, with ear-tufts erected and eyes half open.

During the time I had it under observation (about 15 minutes) it did not move, until, after blinking a few times, it flew from the cavity and disappeared from sight over the wall. Although I searched the area subsequently, I failed to find it again. No birds were present for direct size comparison, but it was obviously smaller than a Little Owl (Athene noctua) and was a much slimmer bird. The forehead and crown were brown with dark streaking-. On either side of the crown was a broad buffish line with dark markings from the bill to the ear tufts. The feathers at the eye were brown, and the rest of the face greyish bordered by a rufous-brown "ruff". The breast and abdomen were whitish with fine greyish-brown vermiculations and narrow dark streaks. The vermiculations were browner and the streaks larger on the breast than on the abdomen. The vermiculations on the abdomen tended to be in broad bands separated by narrow bands of whitish. The legs were feathered, but not the feet, which were grey. The hooked bill was blackish grey with pale bristle-like feathers at the base. The iris was yellow.

Reference later to The Handbook confirmed that it was a Scops Owl (Otus scops). There are five previous records for Shetland.'

44). 1954 Shetland Northdale, Fetlar, found moribund, 16th to 17th June, when died, specimen in possession of Mrs. F. Henderson, Yell.

(Anon., Bird-Protection 1954: 30-31; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 95: 501).

History Anon. (1955) in Bird-Protection, Vol. LXIV. pp. 30-31, says: 'Fetlar. The following report is taken from the notes kept by Mr. Ian Petrie who is the Society's watcher on Fetlar...A Scops Owl was found on June 16th in a weak condition and it died on the following day.'

Pennington et al. (2004) say: 'A recently discovered record (2003) involved one at Northdale, Fetlar, on 23rd June 1954, which was found dead. The mounted specimen was retained by its finder, Laurence Brown and its provenance was recently established as the specimen is now in the possession of his niece on Yell.'

Comment It has been submitted to BBRC and referred to in a BBRC report, so is presumably included in the British total.

45). 1954 Norfolk Horsey, female, exhausted, 27th August, died 28th August, now at Castle Museum, Norwich.

(E. Hosking, British Birds 48: 90; Seago, 1977).

History E. Hosking (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 90, says: 'At 7 a.m. on 27th August 1954, as Douglas Galey cycled along the Horsey-Waxham road in Norfolk, he saw a small owl sitting by the road-side.

As it made no attempt to move at his approach he picked it up and found that although apparently uninjured it was extremely exhausted. During that evening he took it round to Mr. George Crees, Major Anthony Buxton's keeper, who identified it as a Scops Owl (Otus scops). It died during the night of 28th-29th August.

Mr. Crees showed me the body and I was able to confirm his identification, and arranged for it to be taken to the Castle Museum, Norwich. Here Miss R. M. Barnes had the skin preserved for their collection and she informed me that it was a female.'

46). 1955 Pembrokeshire Skokholm, trapped, 25th April.

(P. E. Davis, British Birds 48: 370-371; Betts, 1992; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).

History P. E. Davis (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. pp. 370-371, says: 'In the early afternoon of 25th April 1955, G. Stansfield and I were collecting driftwood from Little Bay, Skokholm, and H. Dickinson was on the cliff-top at the north side of this gully. The latter drew our attention to a small owl perching in a crevice in the opposite face. The bird was in shadow, and we took it for a Little Owl (Athene noctua) until we began to suspect that it had ear-tufts, and was rather small and slim. H.D. retired to bring other visitors, and shortly afterwards the owl flew over to a hollow below where he had been sitting. The hollow was barely six feet from the top, and by climbing up we were able to see the bird from a distance of about twelve feet. It was still in shadow, but the ear-tufts were plainly visible.

The face was remarkably cat-like, with a dark fringe, and a streak from the crown to the bill. The breast was pale grey-brown with dark striations, and the primaries were barred with dark brown. The upper-parts were not visible. H.D. then returned with my wife and seven other observers, who watched until G.S. had brought a trammel-net. We were agreed that the bird could only be a Scops Owl (Otus scops). This we were able to confirm in a few moments, for the net was weighted with stones, dropped over the mouth of the hollow, and the bird became entangled at once. In the hand it seemed very tiny. The ear-tufts were kept depressed. The most striking feature was the iris, pale lemon-yellow, but with bright orange in the lowest sector. After ringing and examination, the owl was photographed and released. It was not seen again.

This is the first record for Skokholm, and apparently the second for Wales, the previous specimen having been at Pembroke in the spring of 1868 (M. A. Mathew, The Birds of Pembrokeshire, 1894).'

47). 1955 Devon Slapton, 8th May.

(M. Brooks-King, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1955: 36; Moore, 1969).

History M. Brooks-King (1955) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXVIII. p. 36, says: 'Slapton, May 8, one seen at rest and in flight; about the size of a Great Spotted Woodpecker, it had two very prominent ear tufts, colour rather like that of a Nightjar, underparts slightly paler; head small, facial discs flattened and greyish, the eyes deep yellow with black centres; tail tapered and rather long for an owl, wings rather pointed; the bird seemed faster in flight than a Little Owl and lacked the undulating motion; it was smaller and browner, more slender and lacked the white spots on the back (M.R.E.). This is the first record for Devon.'

NOT PROVEN

0). Pre 1802 Yorkshire No locality, shot, undated.

(Montagu, 1813; Selby, 1833; Yarrell, 1845; Morris, 1856-62; Newman, 1866; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Nelson, 1907).

[BOURC (2018), Ibis 160: 190-240].

History Montagu (1813) under 'Appendix' then 'Little Horned Owl', says: 'It is with pleasure we have to announce this species of Owl as having been occasionally shot in Great Britain within these few years, upon undoubted authority. Mr. Foljambe, of Osberton, an accurate Ornithologist, assures us that he has a specimen in his collection that he believes was shot in Yorkshire.'

Selby (1833 (1): 93) in a footnote, says: '...The Foljambe Collection also possesses English specimens of this species.'

Yarrell (1838-41) says: 'One shot in Yorkshire, is said to be in the collection of Mr. Foljambe of Osberton.' Later, Yarrell (1845 (1): 120, 2nd ed.) says: 'This little tufted Owl, one of the smallest of the family, found in this country, was first noticed as a British bird by Colonel Montagu from specimens killed in Yorkshire, which are still preserved.'

Morris (1856 (1): 143, reissue) says: 'In Yorkshire, a specimen of this kind was recorded by J. S. Foljambe, Esq., to have formerly occurred.'

Clarke & Roebuck (1881: 42) say: 'Yorkshire, one in the possession of Mr. Foljambe, believed by him to have been shot in the county (Id.).'

Nelson (1907 (1): 310-311) says: 'The first instance of the occurrence of this beautiful little Owl in Britain was announced from Yorkshire by Mr. Foljambe of Osberton, an accurate ornithologist, who assured Colonel Montagu that a specimen in his possession had, he believed, been shot in this country...'

Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not known to have been seen by a competent ornithologist for a first for Britain. Not acceptable.

0). 1824 Norfolk Strumpshaw, shot, 17th June.

(Lombe MS.; Stevenson, 1866; Anon, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 3: 255).

[J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 4: 267; H. W. Fielden, Zoologist 1891: 315].

History Stevenson (1866 (1): 43) says: 'I have also a record in the late Mr. Lombe's notes of one killed at Strumpshaw in June, 1824.'

Anon. (1879-84) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. III. p. 255, quoting from the diaries of William Whitear, says: 'On the 17th of June, 1824, a specimen of the Strix scops was shot by Mr. George Wigg, at Strumpshaw, in Norfolk; and is now in the collection of John Dear, Esq., of Bradeston. Mr. Brown has seen it.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell (1884-89) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IV. p. 267, say: 'Norfolk is credited with six occurrences: - two at Yarmouth, one at Brundall, one at Bradeston, one at Strumpshaw, and one at Norwich. The last is not to be trusted; and it is more than likely that the so-called "occurrences" at Brundall, Bradestone and Strumpshaw, all refer to the same bird, these parishes adjoining one another, or one of them may be confused with a Little Owl killed at Blofield. G.'

H. W. Fielden of Wells (1891) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XV. p. 315, says: '...Gurney and Southwell, writing of this species (List of Norfolk Birds, 1886), remark that: 'The only example obtained in the last fifty-eight years, and indeed the only one that can be implicitly relied on, was picked up by a boy, in November, 1861, on the road which runs beneath the lighthouse at Cromer.'

Comment Not accepted nationally or locally (J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell, Trans., 4: 267).

0). 1828 Norfolk Bradestone, obtained, undated.

(Hunt, 1829; Stevenson, 1866).

[J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 4: 267].

History Hunt (1829) in his 'List of Norfolk Birds' in Stacy's History of Norfolk mentions: 'One obtained at Bradestone in 1828.' It was later accepted locally (Stevenson 1866 (1): 48).

Comment Not accepted nationally or locally (J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell, Trans. N. N. Nat. Soc., 4: 267).

0). Pre 1829 Norfolk Brundall, obtained, undated.

(Hunt, 1829; Lubbock, 1845; Stevenson, 1866).

[J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 4: 267].

History Hunt (1829) in his 'List of Norfolk Birds' in Stacy's History of Norfolk mentions: 'A Brundall specimen.'

Lubbock (1845) says: 'Mr. Penrice has in his collection, the same species, killed at Brundall.' Stevenson (1866) Vol. I. p. 48 adds: 'The Brundall specimen which Mr. Lubbock says formed part of the collection of the late Mr. Penrice.'

Comment Not accepted nationally or locally (J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell, Trans. N. N. Nat. Soc., 4: 267).

0). 1833 Buckinghamshire Near Brill, shot, spring.

(A. & H. Matthews, Zoologist 1849: 2596; Morris, 1856-62; Yarrell, 1871-85; Fraser & Youngman, 1976).

[Lack & Ferguson, 1993].

History A. & H. Matthews (1849) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VII. p. 2596, under 'The Birds of Oxfordshire', say: 'A bird of this species was shot by a farmer on the borders of Buckinghamshire, near Brill, in the spring of 1833, and taken to Mr. [J.] Forrest, [of Oxford, possibly a bird-stuffer] from whom we shortly after received information of its occurrence.'

Morris (1856 (1): 143, reissue) says: 'One near Brill, in Buckinghamshire, in 1833.'

Lack & Ferguson (1994) say: 'There is no published description of this bird, and no indication that it ever was seen by a competent ornithologist.'

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

0). Pre 1834 Worcestershire Fladbury, caught, undated.

(Hastings, 1834; Yarrell, 1845; Morris, 1856-62; Harting, 1872).

[Harthan, 1946].

History Hastings (1834: 65) says: '...is found at Fladbury, and the very rare little horned owl, Scops aldrovandi has been taken at the latter place.' Further, in a footnote, he adds: 'Mrs. Perrot says that this bird was brought alive to her residence, the Chantry, Fladbury, but unfortunately made its escape from the basket where it was confined.'

Yarrell (1845 (1): 121, 2nd ed.) says: 'Dr. Hastings in his Natural History of Worcestershire, notices one that was taken alive near Fladbury, and brought to the residence of the late Mrs. Perrot, at Chantry.'

Morris (1856 (1): 143, reissue) says: 'One in Worcestershire, near Fladbury.'

Harthan (1946: 52) placing the record in square brackets, states that it is rather unsatisfactory.

Comment Mrs. Perrot died in 1836. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.

0). c. 1835 Wiltshire No locality, obtained, undated.

(A. C. Smith, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 4: 30; Smith, 1887; Buxton, 1981; Wiltshire Ornithological Society, 2007).

[Harting, 1901; Witherby, 1941].

History A. C. Smith (1858) in the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, Vol. IV. p. 30, says: 'I have but one instance to record of its occurrence in Wiltshire, and that alas! is now destroyed, having been pulled to pieces by the grandchildren of its owner; it was killed about twenty years since in the south of the county. I may add, that several other instances of its occurrence in various parts of the county have reached me, but on examination, the species proves in all these cases to have been mistaken.'

Smith (1887: 104) says: 'Thirty years ago I had but one instance to record of its occurrence in Wiltshire, and that alas! is now destroyed, having been pulled to pieces by the grandchildren of its owner - it was killed nearly fifty years since in the south of the county, as I learnt from the Rev. G. Marsh.'

Buxton (1981: 153) adds: 'about 1835.'

Comment Rev. Marsh recorded the 1849 Wilson's Storm-petrel and a Northern Flicker, both claimed from Wiltshire, and both of which were rejected by the BOURC. Not known to have been seen by a competent ornithologist. Not accepted nationally.

0). 1838 Somerset Claverton, shot, undated.

(Terry, 1888).

[F. L. Blathwayt, Victoria County History of Somerset 1: 152].

History C. Terry (1888) under 'Aves' in the Zoology chapter in the Handbook to Bath, p. 255, says: 'Scops aldrovand - Scops-eared Owl, shot at Claverton in 1838.'

F. L. Blathwayt (1906 (1): 150) in the Victoria County History of Somerset, placing the record in square-brackets, says: 'A specimen is said to have been shot at Claverton in 1838 (vide the list of birds drawn up by Mr. Terry in the Handbook to Bath, 1888).'

0). 1838 Sussex Shillinglee, near Plaistow, shot, undated.

(Knox, 1849; Morris, 1856-62; Borrer, 1891).

[Knox, 1849].

History Knox (1849: 94-95, 1st ed.)says: 'Of the occurrence of that rare visitor the Scops-eared Owl, I can record only one instance in Sussex. It was shot some years ago at Shillinglee, the seat of the Earl of Winterton, and was subsequently in the possession of a member of the family.'

Morris (1856 (1): 143, reissue) says: 'One in Sussex, at Shillinglee, the seat of Lord Winterton.'

Borrer (1891: 32) says: 'The only notice I can find of this little Owl having been obtained in Sussex is that given by Mr. Knox...Now, Mr. Knox's own collection is at the present time at Goodwood, and in it there is a specimen of the Scops Owl; and in the MS. Catalogue it is thus referred to, in the handwriting of Mr. Knox: - "This bird is supposed to have been shot near Plaistow, as reported by the late Mr. Kidd (A. D. 1838), but I have no other authority for its being a Sussex specimen". For this information I am indebted to Mr. F. Dodman, who very kindly obtained it for me through Lord Walter Gordon Lennox.

Now, as Plaistow is very near to Shillinglee, there is a strong probability that this is the specimen to which Mr. Knox refers in his O. R.'

Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 222-223) says: '...there seems in the end to have been some doubt in Knox's mind about the specimen having been a county "kill"....Saunders evidently considered that it (they) could not, or he would have included the specimen(s) in his Manual. Millais (V.C.H., I. p. 284), however, treating the two accounts as one, let the bird "pass the censor". But why does he tell us that it "Died" in the year 1850?'

Comment Knox had no confidence in it being killed in Sussex. Not acceptable.

0). c. 1839 Yorkshire Near Driffield, shot, undated.

(Allis, 1844; Yarrell, 1845; Morris, 1856-62; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

[Mather, 1986].

Morris (1856 (1): 143, 1st reissue) says: 'One near Driffield, in 1839.'

Admitted locally (Clarke & Roebuck 1881; Nelson 1907 (1): 305) but Mather (1986) adds: 'The true origin of some of these old records must be in some doubt.'

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

0). Pre 1844 Yorkshire Ripley, near Harrogate, four: two adults and two immatures, shot, undated.

(Allis, 1844; Morris, 1856-62; Nelson, 1907).

[KAN].

History Morris (1856 (1): 143, reissue) says: '...and four, two old birds and two young ones, at Kipley, Sir William Ingleby's, which were for a fortnight nailed up to a house.'

Nelson (1907 (1): 311) says: 'Thomas Allis, 1844, wrote: - Two pairs have been shot at Ripley, near Harrogate some years ago; the birds shot at Ripley were a pair of old and a pair of young birds; when shot they were nailed to a house, and, after being there for a fortnight, and spoiled, were seen by Mr. Stubbs, animal preserver, of Ripon.'

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

0). Pre 1844 Yorkshire Womersley, shot, undated.

(Allis, 1844; Morris, 1856-62; Nelson, 1907).

[KAN].

History Morris (1856 (1): 143, reissue) says: 'Another is said to have been shot at Womersley, one of the seats of Lord Hawke.'

Nelson (1907 (1): 311) says: 'Thomas Allis, 1844, wrote: - F. O. Morris mentions this bird as having been met with at Womersley.'

Comment "Another is said". Third-hand report that lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1845 Kent Maidstone, shot, undated, now at Dover Museum.

(Ticehurst, 1909).

[Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1984].

History Ticehurst (1909: 260) says: 'The first two came under the personal observation of E. P. Thompson, the first being shot at Maidstone prior to 1845, while the second does not appear to have any history. Both are now in the general collection of birds at the Dover Museum.' They are not accepted locally (Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1984, 2nd ed.).

0). Pre 1845 Norfolk Near Norwich, killed, undated.

(Lubbock, 1845; H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1867: 749).

[Stevenson, 1866; J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 4: 267].

History Stevenson (1866 (1): 43) says: 'The specimen, however, belonging to Mr. Gurney, also noticed by Mr. Lubbock as "killed near Norwich", is, as far as I can ascertain its history, decidedly doubtful.'

H. Stevenson (1867) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. II. p. 749, says: 'Scops asio. Mr. Gurney informs me that some years back he purchased from the late Mr. Thurtell, then a nurseryman at Eaton (when selling off his collection of Norfolk birds), an adult specimen of this rare owl, said to have been killed near Yarmouth, but till then supposed to be only an European Scops Owl.'

Comment The note above from The Zoologist probably refers to this record as this is the only Norfolk bird known to be owned by Mr. Gurney, apart from the Cromer bird of 1862, which he owned from that year. Not accepted by Stevenson or Gurney and Southwell. Not acceptable.

0). 1846 Leicestershire & Rutland Near Duddington, Rutland, killed, undated.

(Lilford, Lord, 1895; Haines, 1907; Witherby et al., 1940-52).

[Fray et al., 2009].

History Lord Lilford (1895 (1): 57-58) says: 'I admit it to my list of Northamptonshire birds solely on the following evidence. In a list of birds in the neighbourhood of Stamford, kindly sent to me by Mr. A. C. Elliott, of that town, in February 1876, he states: - "One little Owl I saw fresh killed when a boy, quite thirty years ago, by H. Burbidge at the Dog-kennels or 'Life', close to Duddington; and it was stuffed by John Taylor, of Barrowden; I think it was Strix scops, having noticed it for years afterwards, but now lost sight of it". Mr. Elliot came to see me at Lilford a few days after I received his list above mentioned, and on my showing him the skins of various small Owls, immediately selected one of the present species, and declared that "this is the Bird".'

Haines (1907: 93) after quoting the above, says: 'I have ascertained that the Dog Kennels were within the Rutland border.'

Comment Although at one time a Northamptonshire record it has been proved that it was in Rutland. Not known to have been seen by a competent ornithologist. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1850 Lancashire & North Merseyside Boggart Clough, trapped, undated.

(Saunders, 1892).

[Oakes, 1953].

History Howard Saunders (1892: 120, 2nd ed.) in the revised edition of Mitchell's Birds of Lancashire, says: 'Mr. John Plant writes me that a specimen, now in the museum of Peel Park, Salford, and acquired by purchase in the year 1850, was stated to have been trapped in Boggart Clough some years previously.'

Oakes (1953: 176) in a footnote, says: '...it must be excluded owing to insufficient evidence.'

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

0). 1853 Argyll Islay, shot, February.

(Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1892).

[Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1892].

History Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1892: 100) recording the record in square brackets, say: 'In a copy of Fleming's History of British Animals, occurs the marginal note by Dr. J. D. Ferguson, "Shot at Islay, February 1853". But see also under Long-eared and Short-eared Owls: evidently a confusion.'

Comment Misidentified. Not acceptable.

0). 1854 Essex Paglesham, seen, undated.

(Christy, 1890).

[Wood, 2007].

History Christy (1890: 160) says: 'Dr. Laver informs me that "for several weeks in 1854 a bird of this species rested in a privet hedge at Paglesham".' Not admitted locally (Wood 2007).

Comment No supporting details of identification. Not acceptable.

0). 1858 or 1859 Oxfordshire Kingston Lisle, picked up dead, undated.

(Clark Kennedy, 1868; Gould, 1862-73; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1872; Radford, 1966).

[Brucker, Gosler & Heryet, 1992].

History Clark Kennedy (1868: 166-167) says: 'In 1858 or 1859, a second specimen was found dead inside a rotten turnip, which was lying in a field just above Kingston Lisle Park, the seat of Mr. Martin Atkins. The cause of its death can only be conjectured, for a more extraordinary tomb could hardly have been selected. The skin was fortunately preserved, and Mr. A. Collins, to whom I have previously referred, assured me that he saw it stuffed at a bird-fancier's shop in Wantage.'

However, Harting (1872) suggests that the one referred to by Gould (1862-73) as at Ashdown, Berkshire, 1858, are possible one and the same. Not accepted locally (Brucker, Gosler & Heryet 1992).

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

0). c. 1860 Worcestershire No locality, undated.

(Harthan, 1946).

[Harthan, 1946].

History Harthan (1946: 52) placing the record in square brackets, says: 'Tomes heard of this one which was brought to a Worcester bird-stuffer "freshly killed" about 1860.' Harthan states that it is rather unsatisfactory.

0). c. 1862 Herefordshire Fawley, two, undated.

(Bull, 1888).

[Bull, 1888].

History Bull (1888: 117) says: 'This small tufted owl has only once been met with in Herefordshire so far as is known. A pair of these birds, says Rev. Clement Ley, were liberated at Fawley about the year 1862, by Mr. J. Skyrme, of Ross, but nothing more was heard of them.'

Comment Introductees. Not acceptable.

0). 1865 Yorkshire Egton Bridge, near Whitby, caught, undated.

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

[Mather, 1986].

History Accepted locally (Clarke & Roebuck 1881: 42). However, Nelson (1907) says: 'Mr. Thomas Stephenson of Whitby writes that the late William Lister of Glaisdale had not the least doubt that this species was captured on the Egton estate in 1865. The bird was described to him as being a little mottled owl, only half the size of the Short-eared Owl, and having longer ears. Mr. Lister went to examine this bird, but unfortunately it had in the meantime come under the notice of a stranger, to whom it was sold.'

Mather (1986: 393) says: 'The true origin of some of these old records must be in some doubt.'

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

0). Pre 1873 Dorset Buckland Ripers, shot, undated.

(Mansel-Pleydell, 1873, 1888; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 183; Boys, 1973).

[F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 61: 148].

History Mansel-Pleydell (1873: 10) says: 'This little owl, the smallest of the family, and only first noticed as a British bird in or about the year 1805, was shot a few years ago at Buckland Ripers (Mr. Thompson).'

Admitted by F. L. Blathwayt (1934) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LV. p. 183, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset'.

Not admitted by F. L. Blathwayt (1940) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LXI. p. 148, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset', who now places the record in square brackets, asking the question "Was it critically examined?".

Boys (1973: 41) says: 'One or two in the 19th century, which perhaps should see the species omitted from the Dorset list.'

0). 1873 Suffolk Rougham, shot, undated.

(Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932; Piotrowski, 2003).

[Lack, 1934].

History Babington (1884-86: 232) says: 'One shot at Rougham in 1873 (Tearle MS. from Howlett).' It was accepted locally (Ticehurst 1932: 210). However, Lack (1934) called Howlett unreliable and didn't accept any record associated with him, but, it has been accepted locally (Piotrowski 2003).

Comment Lack (1934: 47) called Howlett notoriously unreliable. Not acceptable.

0). 1879 Essex Southend, shot, 25th September.

(G. H. Baxter, Field 25th Oct., 1879: 574).

[Wood, 2007].

History G. H. Baxter of Leytonstone (1879) in The Field of 25th Oct., Vol. LIV. p. 574, says: 'Whilst yachting I shot near Southend-on-Sea, on Oct. 7, a specimen of Richardson's Skua and a Pomatorhine Skua, and on Sept. 25, a Scops Eared Owl (Strix scops). They are now at Mr. Thos. Eedles, 40, Goldsmith's Row, Hackney, for preservation; he tells me they are rarely seen in this locality.'

[We should like to hear a little more about the owl. Under what circumstances, and in what situation was it found, and is it quite certain that the species has been correctly identified? - Ed.]

Not accepted locally (Wood 2007).

Comment As there was no further correspondence published, one assumes a rejection. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1886 Norfolk/Suffolk Burgh Castle, taken, undated.

(Ticehurst, 1932; Piotrowski, 2003).

History Ticehurst (1932: 210-211) says: 'In Lord Somerleyton's collection there are two Scops Owls labelled as from Burgh Castle and Fritton respectively, but there is nothing else on record about them.'

Accepted locally (Piotrowski 2003).

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

0). Pre 1886 Norfolk/Suffolk Fritton, taken, undated.

(Ticehurst, 1932; Piotrowski, 2003).

Accepted locally (Piotrowski 2003).

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

0). 1886 Essex Near Heydon Bury, seen, undated.

(Christy, 1890).

[Wood, 2007].

History Christy (1890: 160) says: 'In a letter, he [W. C. Emson, of Littlebury] adds: - "a neighbouring farmer says they nested two years in succession in a rabbit's hole, about four miles from here, on the borders of Cambridgeshire, but have disappeared this year".

As this species has on several occasions been met with in Britain in summer, and on no less than four occasions since 1805 in pairs, and as it has once been recorded (though erroneously) as having bred here, I thought it well to make further inquiry into this statement. The supposed breeding took place it seems, in 1886 and 1887, in Heydon Hill plantation, in the occupation of Mr. Wm. Jonas, of Heydon Bury, who informs me that he several times heard strange Owls in the plantation, making "a peculiar noise - something like a child crying".

It was, however, his gamekeeper, J. Ward, who first detected the birds in 1886, and consulted Mr. Joseph P. Nunn of Royston as to what species they were. From Ward's description of their size and colour, that gentleman came to the conclusion that they must be Scops Owls, in which he was confirmed when Ward, on being shown the cuts in Yarrell, selected that bird. Mr. Nunn offered Ward a handsome present if he could find their nest, but this he was unable to do until the following year, when he found two young birds, from six to eight inches high, on the ground in the plantation.

At the time, Ward had with him Mr. T. H. Wrycroft, of Heydon, who has independently informed me that he saw the birds, which were small, dark brown, and on the ground, though he could find no nest. They seemed to have a hood of down. No one disturbed them. Mr. Nunn believes all Ward's statements in the matter are reliable....Still none of those who saw the birds were really competent to identify them, and it is probable they were only young Long-eared Owls.'

Not accepted locally (Wood 2007).

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

0). Pre 1887 Wiltshire Kingston Deverell, shot, undated.

(Smith, 1887; Buxton, 1981; Wiltshire Ornithological Society, 2007).

[Harting, 1901; Peirson, 1959].

History Smith (1887: 104) says: 'Now, however, I have two more instances, as recorded by Mr. Rawlence: one in that gentleman's own collection, which was killed near Kingston Deverell...I may add, that several other instances of its occurrence in various parts of the county have reached me, but on examination the species proves in all these cases to have been mistaken.'

Pierson (1959: 27) adds: 'The two cases in the Rawlence collection said to have contained Scops Owl were probably the ones recorded by Smith.' Accepted locally (Buxton 1981: 153).

Comment Smith doesn't admit to having seen it and Pierson using the words "said to have" didn't have faith in the record either. Not acceptable.

0). 1887 Essex Near Heydon Bury, bred, undated.

(Christy, 1890).

[Wood, 2007].

History See the 1886 Essex record by Christy (1890: 160) which details this record; also where it was supposed to have bred. Not accepted locally (Wood 2007).

0). 1889 Essex Chesterford Park, heard only, March.

(Christy, 1890).

[Wood, 2007].

History Christy (1890: 160-161) says: 'It is very remarkable, that in March, 1889, Mr. G. W. Brewis, of Chesterford Park, about a mile distant [of Heydon Bury, see 1886 and 1887 records], noticed two singular Owls which remained for some weeks in a larch plantation close to his house. Though not seen, there is some probability that they were Scops Owls, for their note, which was described to me on the spot by both Mr. Brewis and his keeper, and which was heard every evening for half-an-hour, was not a hoot, being a metallic call, somewhat resembling the "toot" of a horn, pronounced regularly every half or quarter of a minute. The keeper (Harrington) is sure they were "Foreigners".

The evidence is not altogether unsatisfactory, as the reports more or less corroborate one another, and the birds were seen in four successive years, while one was shot in the third. Still none of those who saw the birds were really competent to identify them, and it is probable they were only young Long-eared Owls.'

Not accepted locally (Wood 2007).

0). c. 1890 Hertfordshire Offley Park, near Hitchin, shot, undated, now at Hitchin Museum.

(A. H. Foster, Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society 16: 204; H. H. S. Hayward, Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society 22: 193; Jenkins, 1958; James & Sawford, 1983).

[Sage, 1959].

History H. H. S. Hayward (1947) in the Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society, Vol. XXII. p. 193, placing the record in square brackets, says: 'One said to have been seen in Offley Park in February, 1908 (Trans. Herts. Nat. Hist. Soc., XVI. 204). This was a sight record by a gamekeeper, and not satisfactorily identified.'

James & Sawford (1983: 37) say: 'Confusion arises with the existence of two specimens. One, from Hitchin Museum, is recorded from Offley Park, c. 1890, donated by Foster in 1939. The other is also stated to have come from Offley, with no date, but given to Letchworth Museum by Hitchin Museum in 1939. No note of this second bird exists in the Hitchin Museum records. Further difficulties arise in any attempts to identify either (or both) specimens with the record of a bird seen by the gamekeeper A. King, at Offley in February 1908.

A note in the North Herts. Mail for February 1914, referring presumably to this record, despite the date being quoted as 1912, it says that King definitely did not shoot the bird, and that it was seen by him several times during the year. Despite this confusion, there seems to be a definite association between Offley Park and the Scops Owl over some period of time.'

Comment Originally, not accepted locally in 1947, or again (Sage 1959).

0). 1895 Lincolnshire Dunston, near Lincoln, obtained, undated, now at Lincoln Museum.

(F. L. Blathwayt, Transactions of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union 1915: 192).

[Lorand & Atkin, 1989].

History F. L. Blathwayt (1915) in the Transactions of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union, Vol. III. p. 192, says: 'A specimen is in the Lincoln Museum labelled "Dunston, 1895", from the collection of the late R. J. Ward, of Lincoln.'

Lorand & Atkin (1989) state that a specimen in Lincoln Museum was said to have been obtained at Dunston, near Lincoln in 1895.

Comment The wording does not give you confidence! Not accepted locally (Lorand & Atkin, 1989).

0). c. 1900 Essex Brundon, obtained, undated.

(H. Andrews, Transactions of the Suffolk Naturalists' Society 3: 210).

[Wood, 2007].

History Henry Andrews (1936) in the Transactions of the Suffolk Naturalists' Society, Vol. III. p. 210, says: 'Though not directly relating to our County's avifauna, it may be well to bring forward the apparently unrecorded fact that the taxidermist, Mr. Rose of Sudbury who died there at a great age during January 1935, possessed a specimen of Scops Owl (Otus scops, Linn.), which was killed just over our south border at Brundon about 1900.'

Not accepted locally (Wood 2007).

0). 1904 Greater London/Kent Chelsfield, shot, undated.

(Davis, 1907; Ticehurst, 1909).

[Harrison, 1953; London Natural History Society, 1964; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1981; Self, 2014].

History Ticehurst (1909: 261) says: 'The fourth occurrence is given by Mr. W. J. Davis on the authority of Mr. W. Blackwell, a bird-stuffer at Knockholt, who states that he received one for preservation in 1904 that had been shot in a wood at Chelsfield.' Not accepted locally for Kent (Taylor, Davenport & Flegg 1981) or the Greater London area (Self 2014).

0). Pre 1907 Yorkshire Marton, near Bridlington, pair, obtained, undated.

(Nelson, 1907).

[KAN].

History Nelson (1907 (1): 311) says: 'A pair in the Hull Museum is stated to be well authenticated as having been obtained at Marton, near Bridlington.'

Mather (1986: 393) adds: 'They were destroyed by bombs during the Second World War.'

Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Nelson obviously hadn't seen them. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.

0). 1918 Sussex Beckley, male and female, shot, 16th April.

(Anon., Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 3: 2; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].

History Anon. (1919) in the Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 2, says: 'Capt. W. H. M. Andrews has a male and female which were shot at Beckley on April 16th. Both birds were shown to me before they were skinned.'

Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 223) says: 'A pair of these Owls was shot at Beckley on April 16th, 1918, then passing into the possession of Captain W. H. Andrews (H.E.S.N., III. p. 2).'

Comment Hastings rarities. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1939 Staffordshire No locality, obtained, undated.

(Smith, 1939).

[Harrison et al., 1982].

History Smith (1939: 151) says: 'A Scops Owl in the collection of Mr. W. T. C. Gifford of Chillington Hall was locally obtained. It is apparently the only Staffordshire record.' However, it was not accepted locally (Harrison et al. 1982).

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

0). 1943 Hertfordshire Knebworth, seen, spring.

(W. P. Westell, Journal of the Letchworth Naturalists' Society 1943: 23).

[Jenkins, 1958; Sage, 1959].

History Sage (1959) says: 'I am not satisfied with the authenticity of any of the four records relating to the supposed occurrence of this species in Hertfordshire....W. P. Westell (1943) states that a Scops Owl was seen by the Rev. E. P. Whalley at Knebworth during the spring of 1943, but he gives no details of identification.'

0). 1950 Hampshire Totton, October.

(Cohen, 1963; Clark & Eyre, 1993).

[Cohen, 1963; Clark & Eyre, 1993].

History Cohen (1963) says: 'A bird reported at Totton in October 1950 had probably escaped after being brought back to this country by a seaman.'

0). 1951 Dorset Near Charmouth, late August to early September.

(K. B. Rooke, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 73: 190).

[K. B. Rooke, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 73: 190].

History K. B. Rooke (1951) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LXXIII. p. 190, recording the record in square brackets, says: 'Near Charmouth (MV), for several days in late Aug. or early Sept., a small owl began calling at dusk from high up in a tree, a regularly repeated "keeoo" new to the observer, who knows the Little Owl well. It was seen only once, perched for a few seconds on telegraph wires at dawn, before flying into the tree to roost. It looked a lighter colour than a Little Owl, and a different shape, especially about the head. Comparison with Coward's plate and description strongly suggest it was a Scop's Owl (Dr. Maurice Burton).'

0). 1952 Breconshire Llanhamlach, summer or autumn.

(Massey, 1976).

[Massey, 1976].

History Massey (1976) under 'Appendix I', says: 'Previously published records of species not included in the systematic list....The report of one at Llanhamlach in summer or autumn of 1952 was not supported by sufficient evidence to justify inclusion.'

0). 1952 Cornwall Tregonning Hill, Ashton, near Helston, 16th September.

(B. H. Ryves, H. M. Quick & A. G. Parsons, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1952: 15; Eds., British Birds 47: 94; Penhallurick, 1978).

[D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers, British Birds 99: 463].

History B. H. Ryves, H. M. Quick & A. G. Parsons (1952) in the Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXII. pp. 15-16, say: 'At Ashton, on the S.E. slope of Tregonning Hill (near Helston) on September 16th at 6.45 p.m. (with wind N.E., dying down), I was listening to variation of Little Owl's call, new to me, when a thrush-size bird passed by, landing on grass bank five yards off. It landed, wings expanded, looking pale grey brown, did not notice tail. When settled, wings closed, almost invisible being small and same colour as dry grass, but at once started the call I had listened to, a regular call at three seconds intervals.

Voice. KE-u (or in words key-you, or better, key-y-ou, almost in three parts). All weight on KE, both parts KE and u of same duration and unhurried. Sharp, loud, aggressive and owl-like, but with striking, rather pleasant, reedy quality. ("Reedy" is what Handbook calls mewing or grating, I think). Given every three seconds and no variations heard.

After half a minute, I think the bird saw me as it stretched up head and neck before taking off. Whole bird pale grey brown, fine dark markings. Outline of head hard to make out, but ear tufts may have caused confusion. It had to swing back overhead to clear wire netting on bank, looked like a rather deep-winged thrush with short tail. Body slim compared with owls I have seen on wing. Next perch, 15 yards off low down in ash tree, calling for two minutes (invisible). Next move, across open field, four feet up, rising to perch on low post on far side (40 yards flight), called for half minute. Had glasses on it then, it looked pale grey, but did not see upright position as it was about to take off. It rose to swing over next bank like Sparrow-hawk, vanishing towards coast. (Handbook description of voice rather vague, but in Coward's Birds of British Isles the Cheshire gamekeeper's description agrees exactly). R.G.H.'

D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers (2006) in British Birds, Vol. XCIX. p. 463, in a review of certain rarities during the period 1950-57, found this record to be unacceptable.

0). 1953 Cornwall Kilkhampton Wood, between Bude and Kilkhampton, 14th October.

(B. H. Ryves, H. M. Quick & A. G. Parsons, Cornwall Bird Watching & Preservation Society Report 1953: 15; I. C. T. Nisbet, British Birds 49: 408; Penhallurick, 1978).

[D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers, British Birds 99: 463].

History B. H. Ryves, H. M. Quick & A. G. Parsons (1953) in the Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXIII. p.15, say: 'October 14th. Between Bude and Kilkhampton, in a sheltered wooded valley, what I at first took to be a Little Owl was sitting on a telegraph wire, near to, but not tight against, the main pole. Its greyish-brown plumage was neatly pencilled and close inspection revealed small erect ear-tufts, and the face was the face of a Scops. Having seen this species in the South of France, I was positive in my identification. F.E.C.'

D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers (2006) in British Birds, Vol. XCIX. p. 463, in a review of certain rarities during the period 1950-57, found this record to be unacceptable.

0). 1956 Cumbria Near Kendal, 18th December.

(E. Blezard, Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society 9: 21-22; Hutcheson, 1986).

[D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers, British Birds 99: 463].

History E. Blezard (1958) in the Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society, Vol. IX. pp. 21-22, says: 'A small owl was noticed in a larch at the edge of a wood near Kendal, Westmoreland, on 18 December 1956, by J. W. Allen. After studying it for some minutes from various angles, he found that it had all the characteristics of a Scops Owl.'

D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers (2006) in British Birds, Vol. XCIX. p. 463, in a review of certain rarities during the period 1950-57, found this record to be unacceptable.

AC Non-pass

Keith Naylor

Eurasian Scops Owl

Otus scops (Linnaeus, 1758) (42, 5)

Northern Hawk Owl

Snowy Owl (1/3)