European Bee-eater

Merops apiaster Linnaeus, 1758 (139, 42)

Photo © Keith A Naylor - Glandford, Norfolk, 20 May 2012

Ex BBRC species 31/12/1990

STATUS

Palearctic. Monotypic.

OVERVIEW

Arrives in Britain between April and October, but mostly in the spring. Parties of up to twenty together have been recorded.

Breeding took place in Sussex during 1955.

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RECORDS

1). 1793 Norfolk Mattishall, twenty, one shot, June; same, small flock, seen, October.

(J. E. Smith, Transactions of the Linnean Society 3: 333; Latham, 1801; Fleming, 1828; Jenyns, 1835; Yarrell, 1845; Gurney, 1876; Yarrell, 1871-85; Gurney, 1884, 1921; Riviere, 1930).

History James Edward Smith (1794) in the Transactions of the Linnean Society, Vol. III. p. 333, in extracts from the minutes read on 2nd July, 1794, says: 'The President communicated an account of Merops apiaster, the Bee-eater, having been shot (for the first time in Great Britain), near Mattishall, in the county of Norfolk, by the Rev. George Smith. The identical specimen was exhibited, by permission of Mr. Thomas Talbot, of Wymondham. A flight of about twenty was seen in June, and the same flight probably (much diminished in numbers) was observed passing over the same spot in October following.'

Latham (1801: 149, 2nd supp.) says: 'The Bee-eater has been observed at Mattishall, in Norfolk, in a flock, about twenty in number; and one of them shot by the Reverend George Smith which was exhibited to the Linnean Society. This flock passed near the above place in June, and again, on their return in October following, 1793, but in reduced numbers.'

Fleming (1828: 90) says: 'An individual was shot at Mattishall in Norfolk, a notice of which was communicated to the Linnean Society, 2nd July 1794, by the Rev. George Smith: "A flight of about twenty was seen in June, and the same flight, probably (much diminished in numbers), was observed passing over the same spot in October following". Linn. Trans. III. 333.'

Jenyns (1835: 156) says: 'A flight of about twenty was observed near Mattishall in Norfolk, and one killed, in June, 1794.'

Yarrell (1845 (2): 217-218, 2nd ed.) says: 'No specimen of the Common Bee-eater of Africa appears to be recorded to have been killed in England till the summer of 1794, when a communication was made to the Linnean Society, and a specimen of this beautiful bird was exhibited by the President, Sir James Edward Smith, which had been shot out of a flock of about twenty near Mattishall, Norfolk, in the month of June, by the Rev. George Smith, and a portion probably of this same flight, much diminished in numbers, was observed passing over the same spot in the month of October following.'

Gurney (1876: 148) in a footnote, says: 'The first known British specimens of the Bee-eater were shot in Norfolk in 1794. One of them was given by Mr. Thomas Talbot of Wymondham to Sir J. E. Smith, who after lending it to Mr. Lewin to take its portrait (B. B. II. p. 28) and exhibiting it to the Linnean Society, gave it - according to the late Mr. Lombe's MS. - to Lord Stanley, and I suppose it is now in the Museum of Liverpool.'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 435-436, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, adds: '...shot at Mattishall in Norfolk, in June 1793, as Latham (Syn. Suppl. II. p. 149) says, out of a flight of about twenty, some survivors of which probably were observed at the same spot in the following October (Trans. Linn. Soc. III. p. 333). The specimen was figured by Lewin (Br. B. pl. 43), whose plate is dated "Nov. 7, 1793", and, having been given by Smith to Lord Derby, is now with the rest of his collection at Liverpool, as its curator Mr. T. J. Moore believes.'

Gurney (1884: 20) says: 'The first killed in England were two shot at Mattishall in 1793.' Gurney (1921) p. 229 in his Early Annals of Ornithology lists the first record for Britain as occurring in 1793 (Sir J. E. Smith).

21). 1807 Cornwall Madron, near Land's End, four, two shot, undated.

(Dougdale, 1819; Drew, 1824; J. Couch, Loudon's Magazine of Natural History 3: 176; Yarrell, 1845; E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1870: 2240; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1880; D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; Penhallurick, 1978).

History Drew (1824 (1): 585) says: 'In the parish of Madern [sic], in the year 1807, four birds of this species called the Bee-eater, were discovered. Two of them were shot, but the other two escaped.'

J. Couch (1830) in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. III. p. 176, says: 'In the parish of Madern [sic], in 1807, four of these birds were discovered, and two of them shot. Drew, Hist. Cornwall.'

Yarrell (1845 (2): 219, 2nd ed.) says: 'In Cornwall, according to Mr. Couch, four specimens occurred in the parish of Madern [sic] in 1807.'

E. H. Rodd (1870) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. V. p. 2240, says: 'The only instances of the occurrence of this bird in this county was...on the authority of Mr. Couch, of Polperro, four specimens were seen in the parish of Madron.'

Harting, Editor (1880: 69) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'Four others, according to Couch, were seen in the parish of Madron.' Further, p. 309, under 'Appendix' Rodd adds: 'Of the four Bee-eaters seen in the parish of Madron in 1807, two were shot. One of these was in the Plymouth Athenaeum, presented by Mr. G. S. Borlase; the other in Mr. [J. B.] Rowe's collection.'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 436, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'Drew states (Hist. Cornwall, I. p. 585) that four were seen, and two were shot, at Madern [sic], near the Land's End in 1807.'

25). 1818 Devon Leigham, Plymouth, shot, 1st April.

(Graves, 1821; E. Moore, Transactions of the Plymouth Institution 1830: 315; E. Moore, Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History 1: 180; B. R. Morris, Loudon's Magazine of Natural History 7: 513; Yarrell, 1871-85; D'Urban & Mathew, 1892).

History Graves (1821 (3): unpaged) says: '...and one instance has come to our knowledge of its been killed in Devonshire.'

Edward Moore of Plymouth (1830) in the Transactions of the Plymouth Institution, Vol. I. p. 315, says: 'In April, 1818, a fine specimen shot at Leigham, by Mr. T. E. Gosling.'

E. Moore (1837) in Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. I. p. 180, says: 'A fine specimen was shot at Leigham in April, 1818.'

Beverley R. Morris of Charmouth (1834) in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. VII. p. 513, dated 1st February, 1834, says: 'A few rather rare Birds that are met with in this neighbourhood: - Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)....In the Sherborne paper, another instance is mentioned of this bird having been shot, somewhere near Plymouth, on April 1, 1818. It is now, I believe, in the British Museum.'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 436, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'In Devon Dr. Moore in 1837 wrote (Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. ii. I. p. 180) that one was shot at Leigham in April 1818.'

Accepted locally (D'Urban & Mathew 1892: 118).

26). 1822 Devon Ivybridge, shot, undated.

(E. Moore, Transactions of the Plymouth Institution 1830: 315; E. Moore, Transactions of the Plymouth Institution 1830: 315; E. Moore, Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History 1: 180; Yarrell, 1871-85; D'Urban & Mathew, 1892).

History Edward Moore of Plymouth (1830) in the Transactions of the Plymouth Institution, Vol. I. p. 315, says: 'Another in 1822 near Ivybridge.'

E. Moore (1837) in Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. I. p. 180, says: 'A fine specimen was shot at...another at Ivybridge, in 1822.'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 436, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'In Devon Dr. Moore in 1837 wrote (Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. ii. I. p. 180), another [shot] at Ivybridge in 1822.'

Accepted locally (D'Urban & Mathew 1892: 118).

27). 1825 Norfolk Near Great Yarmouth, adult, shot, spring.

(R. Sheppard & W. Whitear, 1827; Lubbock, 1845; Yarrell, 1845; Stevenson, 1866; Gurney, 1884; Riviere, 1930; Ticehurst, 1932; Allard, 1990).

History R. Sheppard & W. Whitear (1826) in the Transactions of the Linnean Society, Vol. XV. p. 31, say: 'Another, shot near Yarmouth, is in the collection of Mr. Seaman of Ipswich. This is a smaller bird than the former [Blythburgh specimen].'

Gurney (1884: 20-21) says: 'Next [2nd], as regards Norfolk, is one shot at Yarmouth, which passed to a birdstuffer named Seaman.'

Ticehurst (1932: 196-197) says: 'The first record of this bird is the example mentioned by Sheppard and Whitear, and said to have been obtained "near Yarmouth" sometime in the last century, but whether on the Suffolk side or not we do not know.'

28). 1825 Suffolk Gisleham, Beccles, immature, killed, spring, now at Castle Museum, Norwich.

(Yarrell, 1845; Stevenson, 1866; Yarrell, 1871-85; Lubbock, 1879; Babington, 1884-86).

History Yarrell (1845 (2): 219, 2nd ed.) says: 'One killed at Beccles, in the spring of 1825, is in the possession of the widow of the Rev. H. F. Howman.'

Stevenson (1866 (1): 313) says: 'In the Museum collection (No. 156) is an immature bird killed many years back at Gisleham.'

Southwell, Editor (1879: 62, 2nd ed.) in Lubbock's Fauna of Norfolk, says: '...there is one in the Museum killed at Gislingham many years ago.'

Accepted locally (Babington 1884-86: 101). However, Ticehurst (1932: 197) in a footnote, adds: 'An adult in the Norwich Museum killed in the spring of 1825 has been recorded as obtained at Gisleham, Gislingham (Suffolk, between Diss and Stowmarket) or Gillingham (Norfolk). The latter seems to be the correct locality.'

Following Ticehurst, it is not accepted for Suffolk (Payn 1978: 174, 2nd ed.; Piotrowski 2003).

Comment Gisleham is about five miles east of Beccles, so presumed one and the same record. Ticehurst is speculating, because Yarrell and Stevenson seem to agree on the details. Maybe there were two: one, many years ago at Gislingham; one, spring of 1825 at Beccles.

29). 1825 Suffolk Blythburgh, shot, May.

(R. Sheppard & W. Whitear, 1827; Yarrell, 1845; Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932).

History R. Sheppard & W. Whitear (1826) in the Transactions of the Linnean Society, Vol. XV. p. 31, say: 'A Bee-eater, killed on a white-thorn at Blyburgh [sic] in the month of May, is now in the possession of Mr. Whittingham of Yoxford.'

Accepted locally (Babington 1884-86: 101; Ticehurst 1932: 197).

30). 1827 Kent Kingsgate, Thanet, shot, May.

(J. P. Bartlett, Zoologist 1844: 623; Yarrell, 1845; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).

History J. Pemberton Bartlett (1844) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. II. p. 623, says: 'A specimen of this rare bird was shot in the Isle of Thanet, in May, 1827.'

Yarrell (1845 (2): 219, 2nd ed.) says: 'The bird from which our figure was taken was shot in May, 1827, by the bailiff of Robert Holford, Esq., at Kingsgate, in the Isle of Thanet. This specimen is now in the possession of R. B. Hale, Esq., M.P. of Alderly, near Wooton-under-Edge, in Gloucestershire who obligingly allowed me the use of it for this Work.'

Accepted locally (Ticehurst 1909: 239-240).

31). 1828 Cornwall Near Helston, twelve, seen, eleven shot, May.

(West Briton 30th May 1828; Plymouth Herald 7th June 1828; E. Moore, Transactions of the Plymouth Institution 1830: 315; E. Moore, Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History 1: 180; Couch, 1838; Yarrell, 1845; Courtney, 1845; E. H. Rodd, Penzance Natural History Society Transactions 1: 414; E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1870: 2240; Yarrell, 1871-85; D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; J. Clark, Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall 15: 201; Penhallurick, 1978).

History Edward Moore of Plymouth (1830) in the Transactions of the Plymouth Institution, Vol. I. p. 315, says: 'A flock of eleven were seen near Helstone, in Cornwall, in 1828, and were all captured. (See Plymouth Herald, June 7th, 1828). One of these is in the museum of the Plymouth Athenaeum, presented by G. S. Borlase, Esq. - a specimen also in Mr. Rowe's collection.'

E. Moore (1837) in Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. I. p. 180, says: '...and a flock of eleven was seen at Helston, Cornwall, in 1828; all of which were captured.'

Yarrell (1845 (2): 219, 2nd ed.) says: 'A flock of twelve visited the neighbourhood of Helston in 1828, of which eleven were shot.'

Courtney (1845: 29) says: 'In 1828, eleven were shot near Helston; one is in the collection of Mr. Magor, Redruth.'

E. H. Rodd (1850) in the Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society, p. 414, dated May, 1850, says: The only instances of the occurrence of this bird in this county was the capture of a flock of twelve near Helston, in 1828, and which came into the possession of the late George Borlase, Esq., of that place.

E. H. Rodd (1870) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. V. p. 2240, says: 'The only instances of the occurrence of this bird in this county was the capture of a flock of twelve near Helston, in 1828, and which came into the possession of the late George Borlase, Esq., of that place.'

Harting, Editor (1880) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'In 1828, a flock appeared near Helston, and twelve which were killed came into the possession of the late Mr. George Borlase of that place.'

J. Clark (1902) in the Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall, Vol. XV. p. 201, under 'The Birds of Cornwall', says: 'A flock of twelve (eleven shot) at Helston in May 1828.'

Penhallurick (1978) adds: 'The West Briton for 30th May records that "a flock...was observed flying over the gardens in the vicinity of Helston last week. Some persons by whom they were noticed succeeded in shooting eleven of them...they have been very neatly stuffed by Mr. Paull of Helston". Only one bird escaped the ultimate fate (Couch, 1838).'

43). 1829 Sussex Near Chichester, shot, 6th May.

(Knox, 1849; Yarrell, 1871-85; Borrer, 1891; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

History Knox (1849: 216, 1st ed.) says: 'A specimen of this rare straggler was shot by Serjeant Carter, near Chichester, on the 6th of May,1829.'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 436, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'In Sussex Mr. Knox mentions one shot at Chichester, May 6th, 1829.'

Accepted locally (Borrer 1891: 170-171; Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 162).

44). 1832 Dumfries & Galloway Logan Gardens, Kirkmaiden, Wigtownshire, killed, 6th October.

(W. Thompson, Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History 2: 18; W. Thompson, Annals & Magazine of Natural History 9: 226; Yarrell, 1845; Yarrell, 1871-85; Annals of Scottish Natural History 1900: 48; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History William Thompson of Belfast (1838) in Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. II. p. 18, dated 2nd November, 1837, says: 'Of this species, which has so rarely occurred in the British Islands, I saw an individual in a recent state, that was shot on the 6th of Oct. 1832, by Capt. James McDowall, 2nd Life Guards, at his seat near the Mull of Galloway. It was sent to Belfast by my friend, Capt. Fayrer, R.N. to be preserved and set up for that gentleman.'

W. Thompson (1842) in the Annals & Magazine of Natural History, Vol. IX. p. 226, adds: 'I had the opportunity of examining in a recent state, the only one of these birds yet recorded as obtained in Scotland.'

Yarrell (1845 (2): 219-220, 2nd ed.) says: 'Mr. Thompson of Belfast has referred to one that was shot in October 1832 in the Mull of Galloway.'

Gray (1871: 203) says: 'The Bee-Eater has likewise been observed in Wigtownshire, a specimen having been procured in Logan Garden, parish of Kirkmaiden, in the summer of 1833.'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 437, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'Thompson recorded (Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 2. II. p. 18) an example, killed October 6th, 1832, near the Mull of Galloway.'

Baxter & Rintoul (1953 (1): 248) say: 'The oldest record [for Scotland] is of one shot on 6th October, 1832, near the Mull of Galloway.'

Comment First for Scotland. It would appear Gray (1871) got the date wrong.

45). 1833 Sussex Between Arundel and Worthing, found dead, undated.

(Borrer, 1891; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

History Borrer (1891: 171) says: 'The second, which does not seem to have been recorded in any journal, is thus mentioned in a note to the Catalogue of British Birds, sold at Goldalming in March, 1890: - "This rare bird was obtained from a person who found it on the sea-shore between Arundel and Worthing in 1833.'

Accepted locally by Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 162) who adds: 'I must point out that Arundel is not on the coast.'

46). Pre 1834 Dorset Chideock, shot, undated, now at Bridport Museum.

(B. R. Morris, Loudon's Magazine of Natural History 7: 513; J. C. Dale, Wood's Naturalist 1837: 177; J. C. Dale, Annals & Magazine of Natural History 8: 472; Yarrell, 1845; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 181; Prendergast & Boys, 1983).

History Beverley R. Morris of Charmouth (1834) in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. VII. p. 513, dated 1st February, 1834, says: 'A few rather rare Birds that are met with in this neighbourhood: - Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)....The Merops is now in the collection of Dr. Roberts, at Bridport: it was shot at Chidcock [sic] some years since.'

J. C. Dale (1837) in Wood's Naturalist, Vol. II. p. 177, says: 'Common Bee-eater. Shot at Chideock, and now in Bridport museum (late Dr. Roberts).'

J. C. Dale (1842) in the Annals & Magazine of Natural History, Vol. VIII. p. 472, says: 'Merops apiaster (Bee-eater), shot many years ago at Chideock near Bridport, is in the Museum there, belonging to the late Dr. Roberts, who suspected that the bird had escaped from some cage.'

Yarrell (1845 (2): 219, 2nd ed.) says: 'In Dorsetshire, a Bee-eater was shot at Chidcock [sic], and is now preserved in the Bridport Museum.'

Mansel-Pleydell (1888: 60, 2nd ed.) says: 'One said to have been shot at Chideock, Lyme Regis, is preserved in the Bridport Museum.'

Admitted locally by F. L. Blathwayt (1934) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LV. p. 181, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset'.

47). 1834 Sussex Icklesham, shot, August, now at Booth Museum, Brighton.

(J. B. Ellman, Zoologist 1850: 2953; Knox, 1850; Borrer, 1891; Booth, 1901; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

History J. B. Ellman of Lewes (1850) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VIII. p. 2953, dated 18th October 1850, says: 'A specimen of this scarce bird, shot at the above place [Icklesham], has recently come into my possession. It has only once been observed previously in this county.'

Knox (1850: 217, 2nd ed.) says: '...and Mr. Ellman, of Rye, has sent me word that he possesses an example which was killed at Icklesham.'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 436, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'Mr. Ellman in 1850 recorded (Zool., p. 2953) one killed at Icklesham, now in Mr. Borrer's collection.'

Borrer (1891: 171) says: 'The third was shot at Icklesham in August 1834, but not recorded in The Zoologist till 1850 (p. 2953). It was mounted by Mr. Martin, of Hastings, and purchased by Mr. Ellman, from whom it passed into my collection.'

Booth (1901: 216, 3rd ed.) in the Catalogue of Birds in the Dyke Road Museum, Brighton, adds: 'Shot at Icklesham, Sussex, August, 1834.'

Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 162-163) says: 'Our third Bee-eater was killed at Icklesham during August in - according to Borrer - the year 1834, and I think that 1836 in the 1909, 1911 and 1927 editions of the Catalogue of the Birds in the Dyke Road Museum, Brighton (where the specimen is installed) is a mistake. For in the 1901 edition (p. 216), which heralded the species first appearance in the Catalogue (before that it belonged to the Borrer family), the year is given as Borrer gave it. This specimen was originally recorded in the Zoologist, not until 1850; nor was any date assigned to its undoing therein. Knox, too, mentions it without date in the third edition of his Ornithological Rambles (1855, p. 219).'

48). Pre 1837 Surrey Godalming, shot, undated.

(W. Kidd et al., Entomological Magazine 4: 263-275; Yarrell, 1845; Yarrell, 1871-85; Bucknill, 1900).

History W. Kidd et al. (1836-37) in the Entomological Magazine, Vol. IV. pp. 270, say: 'A single specimen of this beautiful bird was shot in a garden in the town some years back, and is now in the possession of Robert Moline, Esq. W.K.'

Yarrell (1845 (2): 219, 2nd ed.) says: 'One example of the Bee-eater is recorded by Rusticus [Edward Newman] to have been shot in a garden in the town of Godalming in Surrey a few years back; and a specimen was shot during the autumn of the present year 1839.'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 438, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'One shot at Godalming, some years before 1837, rests on the authority of Kidd (Entomol. Mag. IV. p. 270).'

Bucknill (1900: 161) says: 'The Bee-eater has been recorded twice only from this county. It was one of the occasional visitors of the writers of the 'Letters of Rusticus', and they include it in their list on the authority of Mr. Waring Kidd, who says: "A single specimen of this beautiful bird was shot in Mr. Robert Moline's garden in Church Street (Godalming), and is now in the possession of that gentleman" (q. v., pp. 156 and 157). As this specimen is also mentioned in the Ent. Mag. for the year 1837 (Vol. IV. p. 270) by the same gentleman with the addition of the words "a few years back", the specimen was probably killed about 1830. At any rate no further date can be assigned to it. It is a well known record and is mentioned by Morris, Yarrell and in the Charterhouse Collection Catalogue and the Surrey Art Loan Exhibition Catalogue of 1884.'

Comment As two others were shot in Britain during 1834, this would seem the more likely year.

49). 1841 Isles of Scilly St Agnes, three, one shot, 9th May.

(J. Clark & F. R. Rodd, Zoologist 1906: 298; Penhallurick, 1978).

History J. Clark & F. R. Rodd (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 298, under 'The Birds of Scilly', say: 'In a copy of Carew's Survey, in the possession of the late W. J. Clyma, of Truro, among a number of notes in an unknown hand was one that ran as follows: - "Three of the remarkable birds called Bee-eaters were seen on St. Agnes, Scilly, by my boatman Hicks on the 9th of May (1841) one of which was shot and fell into the sea, but was recovered and brought to me. As far as I could ascertain, it was a young female, but the skin was so much damaged that I did not preserve it".'

52). 1844 Kent Lydd, adult, killed, undated, now at Dover Museum.

(J. P. Bartlett, Zoologist 1844: 623; Yarrell, 1871-85; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).

History J. P. Bartlett (1844) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. II. p. 623, says: 'There is also one in Dr. Plomley's collection, which was shot in the parish of Lydd.'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 436, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'As regards Kent, one killed at Lydd, was in 1844 in Dr. Plomley's collection (Zool., p. 623).'

Ticehurst (1909: 240) says: 'The second specimen, an adult bird, is now in the Dover Museum, and was shot by Plomley in the parish of Lydd prior to 1844, as mentioned by Pemberton Bartlett in the Zoologist for that year (p. 623). Two others, without data, are in the same museum from Thompson's collection.'

53). Pre 1845 Norfolk Great Yarmouth, shot, undated.

(Lubbock, 1845; Yarrell, 1871-85; Gurney, 1884; Lubbock, 1879; Babington, 1884-86; Riviere, 1930; Ticehurst, 1932).

History Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 437, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'Lubbock, in 1845, recorded one from the same neighbourhood [Great Yarmouth] more lately.'

Southwell, Editor (1879: 62, 2nd ed.) in Lubbock's Fauna of Norfolk, says: 'A specimen of the Bee-eater was killed lately at Yarmouth.'

Gurney (1884: 21) says: 'The late Mr. J. J. Gurney had one, killed near Yarmouth, which very likely is the same mentioned by Lubbock.'

Babington (1884-86: 101) says: 'Mr. Lubbock speaks of one in 1845, as killed lately at Yarmouth.'

Ticehurst (1932: 197) says: 'Lubbock mentions one as having lately been obtained at Yarmouth; this would be just prior to 1845, and J. H. Gurney, thought that this would be the bird which was in his grandfather's (J. J. Gurney) collection.'

54). 1850 North-east Scotland Ravenscraig Farm, near Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, three, one killed, undated.

(Sim, 1903; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Phillips, 1997; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

History Sim (1903: 117) says: 'In 1850, three were seen by Mr. Brand in his garden, Ravenscraig Farm, near Peterhead. One of these he killed, and I saw this specimen in Mr. Brand's house in June, 1890.'

Comment A spate of records for the north-east of Scotland: occurring every year between 1850 and 1853 and also in 1858.

57). c. 1852 North-east Scotland Between Huntly and Dufftown, shot, undated.

(T. Edward, Zoologist 1859: 6672; H. M. Drummond Hay, Scottish Naturalist 8: 364).

History T. Edward of Banff (1859) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XVII. p. 6672, says: 'I give this species a place here having heard that a greenish bird, somewhat less than a thrush, with a longish bent bill, and with two feathers of the tail longer than the rest, was killed in a garden between Huntly and Dufftown, about seven years ago.'

H. M. Drummond Hay (1885-86) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. VIII. p. 364, under 'Report of the East of Scotland Union', admits this record.

58). 1852 North-east Scotland Kinmundy, Aberdeenshire, shot, 4th June.

(T. Ferguson, Morris and Bree's Naturalist 2: 204; Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow 1852: 242; Gray, 1871; Yarrell, 1871-85; H. M. Drummond Hay, Proceedings of the East of Scotland Union of Naturalists' Societies 1886: 34; Sim, 1903; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Phillips, 1997).

History Thomas Ferguson of Glasgow (1852) in Morris and Bree's edition of The Naturalist, Vol. II. p. 204, dated 25th June, 1852, says: 'A fine specimen of this rara avis was shot about three weeks ago, (about June 4th), by the gardener at Kinmundy, (nearly the extreme north-east point of the county), and is at present in my hands: it was gorged with bees when shot. The plumage is remarkable brilliant and perfect.' [We have to apologise for the non-appearance of the above in the August number. It was overlooked in the confusion consequent on a change of residence. - B.R.M.]

Gray (1871: 203) says: 'A fine specimen was exhibited at a meeting of the Natural History Society of Glasgow in 1852 by my friend Mr. Thomas Ferguson; it had been shot a short time previously on his brother's estate, near Peterhead.'

Sim (1903: 117) says: 'One was shot by the late Mr. Wallace, gardener, Kinmundy, June 4th, 1852. A beautiful water-colour sketch of this specimen was made by Mr. Thomas Ferguson, for a sight of which I am indebted to W. Ferguson, Esq., LL.D., of Kinmundy.'

Comment B.R.M. is Beverly R. Morris, Editor.

59). 1854 Norfolk River Yare, Coldham Hall, pair, killed, 3rd June, now at Sheringham Hall, National Trust.

(H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1854: 4367; Stevenson, 1866; Yarrell, 1871-85; Eds., Field 24th Sep., 1887: 486; Riviere, 1930; B. B. Riviere, British Birds 33: 275; Seago, 1977; Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999).

History H. Stevenson of Norwich (1854) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XII. p. 4367, dated 16th June, 1854, says: 'About the 3rd of this month a pair of these rare and beautiful birds were shot on the river between Norwich and Yarmouth. I had the pleasure of seeing them in the flesh, and for brilliancy of plumage I never saw finer specimens. Both birds were in good condition; and on dissecting the stomach of the female I found the remains of no less than five large insects of the Hymenopterous order, apparently the wild or humble bee species; the stomach of the male also contained similar debris, but less distinguishable. The ovary in the female appeared on examination not to contain any eggs in a perceptibly advanced stage, which may probably indicate that the bird had already deposited her quota of eggs for this season, whilst the thinness of feathers on the breast seemed suggestive of her having been sitting.'

Stevenson (1866 (1): 314) says: 'These beautiful birds, now in my possession...They were both killed by a wherryman, who shot them from his craft as they were playing over the river, but although I devoted a whole day to the examination of the river's banks for a mile or two above and below the point where they were killed, I could find no trace of any probable nest-hole, nor were the banks in that neighbourhood at all suited to their purpose.'

In an Editorial (1887) in The Field of 24th Sep., Vol. LXX. p. 486, they say: 'On the 12th inst. Messrs. Spelman sold by auction, at Norwich, the collection of Norfolk birds formed by Mr. H. Stephenson [sic], the well-known ornithologist. Among the buyers were Mr. T. Southwell, representing the Norfolk and Norwich Museum, and Mr. Tuke, representing the Saffron Walden Museum. Among the principal lots sold during the day the following may be mentioned: a brace of Bee-eaters, killed near Coldham Hall on June 3, 1854, £19.19s. (Mr. Upcher).'

61). 1854 Essex Feering, shot, June.

(T. Catchpool, jun., Zoologist 1854: 4478; Yarrell, 1871-85; Christy, 1890; Glegg, 1929; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984).

History Thomas Catchpool, jun., of Colchester (1854) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XII. p. 4478, dated 14th September, 1854, says: 'A beautiful specimen of the Bee-eater was shot in the garden of a mill close by the river's side, in the parish of Feeting [sic], in this county (Essex), about midsummer day, which came into my possession, and is now at Mr. Harbour's, bird-stuffer, Reading, for preservation.'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 436-437, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, in quoting from the above also erroneously states Feeting [sic].

Christy (1890: 150) adds: '...in the parish of Feering, not Feeting.' While, Glegg (1929: 110) adds: 'It later passed to Mrs. Reed of Feering Bury.' It was accepted locally (Hudson & Pyman 1968: 68) and (Cox 1984: 192).

62). c. 1854 Pembrokeshire Near Johnston, killed, undated.

(Mathew, 1894; Lockley, 1949; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994; Green, 2004).

History Mathew (1894: 42) says: 'There is a specimen in the collection of Mr. H. Mathias, now with his other birds at the Tenby Museum. This was killed near the village of Johnston, about 1854.'

Accepted locally (Lockley 1949: 49) and nationally for Wales (Lovegrove, Williams & Williams 1994).

Comment First for Wales. Mathew moved to Pembrokeshire in 1886 due to health problems which later improved. Henry Mathias lived at Haverfordwest.

63). 1855 Isle of Wight Headon Hill Warren, near Freshwater, shot, June.

(J. Dutton, Zoologist 1855: 4870; Morris and Bree's Naturalist 5: 264; A. G. More, Zoologist 1860: 6854; Yarrell, 1871-85; Kelsall & Munn, 1905).

History John Dutton of Hammersmith (1855) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XIII. p. 4870, dated 15th September, 1855, says: 'Lieutenant E. J. B. Edwards, of the Royal Engineers, shot in June last, at Weston, Freshwater, a splendid specimen of the Bee-eater. This was communicated to me by Mr. Murrow, of the Royal Albion Hotel, Freshwater Gate, at whose house Lieutenant Edwards, was staying at the time, and who saw it in the flesh. I also saw the person who skinned it viz. Mr. Rogers, bootmaker and naturalist, Freshwater, Isle of Wight.'

A. G. More (1860) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XVIII. p. 6854, under 'Rare Birds recently observed in the Isle of Wight', adds: 'Once shot near Freshwater, in June, 1855 (Zool., 4870).'

Kelsall & Munn (1905: 113) say: 'Mr. A. G. More records one killed at Headon Hill Warren, near Freshwater, in June, 1885 [sic].'

64). Pre 1858 Somerset Near Bridgwater, obtained, undated.

(M. A. Mathew, Zoologist 1881: 309; M. A. Mathew, Zoologist 1888: 219; Ballance, 2006).

History Murray A. Mathew of Stonehall, Wolf's Castle, R.S.O., Pembrokeshire (1881) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. V. p. 309, says: 'Mr. H. Mathias, of Haverfordwest, has a small collection of Somersetshire birds which he purchased some few years ago at the sale of Mr. Spalding [sic], of Chilton Poldon, near Bridgwater, who was a collector of local antiquities and rare birds. Among these last were a...Bee-eater, all obtained near Bridgwater.'

Murray A. Mathew of Bishop's Lydeard (1876) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XII. p. 219, says: 'One obtained many years ago near Bridgwater, was in the collection of Mr. Straddling [sic], of Chilton Polden.'

Ballance (2006: 230) states: '...before 1858 and in the Stradling collection.'

Comment It was Mr. H. Mathias who owned the first specimen for Wales killed about 1854.

65). 1858 Devon Near Malborough, male, killed, 22nd May.

(H. Nichols, jun., Zoologist 1858: 6143; Yarrell, 1871-85; Pidsley, 1891; D'Urban & Mathew, 1892).

History H. Nichols, jun., of Kingsbridge (1858) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XVI. p. 6143, dated 22nd May, 1858, says: 'I have just received from a friend a male specimen of the Bee-eater, which he had shot in a newly ploughed field, apparently searching for insects, the remains of which I find its stomach to contain.'

Admitted by Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 437, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

Pidsley (1891: 63) says: 'Mr. H. Nicholls has written to inform me that he possesses a Bee-eater shot near Kingsbridge in the spring of 1854.' Accepted locally (D'Urban & Mathew 1892: 118).

66). 1866 Avon Stapleton, near Bristol, Somerset, four, three shot, early May, now at Bristol City Museum.

(G. Harding, Zoologist 1866: 271; M. A. Mathew, Zoologist 1867: 561; Yarrell, 1871-85; Swaine, 1982; Somerset Ornithological Club, 1988; A. H. Davis, Avon Bird Report 1994: 71).

History G. Harding of Stapleton (1866) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. I. p. 271, dated 5th May, 1866, says: 'I have to record the occurrence of this beautiful and rare visitor, four specimens having been shot in this neighbourhood during the present week, three of which are in my possession. The birds, when first observed, were hawking for bees round a number of fruit trees in blossom, and in the neighbourhood of a number of bee-hives. Their flight is most graceful and beautiful; at one time soaring in graceful circles at a great height, and darting with great velocity after their prey, which was often apparently some of the largest species of Bombus: when one of these was caught it would be carried at the point of the bill for a half minute or more, and then, with a sudden and peculiar turn of the head and neck, the insect would be swallowed entire: I noticed this repeatedly. At other times the birds would sit upon some dead branches of a large elm and of a cherry tree, and make short excursions after bees that might be flying past or gathering round the fruit flowers, sometimes returning to the same perch again, like the flycatcher, but oftener, circling round for a short time before settling again. The bees appear to be always swallowed while the bird is on the wing.'

Murray A. Mathew of Weston-super-Mare (1867) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. II. p. 561, dated 13th December 1866, adds: 'Several Bee-eaters appeared at Stapleton the beginning of last May, and three of them were shot. One killed on the 2nd of May came into the possession of Mr. Wheeler, birdstuffer, of St. Augustine's, Bristol, and was preserved by him.'

A. H. Davis (1994) in the Avon Bird Report, p. 71, says: '...three are mounted in Bristol City Museum.'

Comment Stapleton may have been in Gloucestershire.

70). 1866 Wiltshire Bishopstrow, male, killed, 4th May.

(A. C. Smith, Zoologist 1866: 346; A. F. Astley, Field 21st July 1866: 42; Yarrell, 1871-85; A. P. Morres, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 18: 314-315; Smith, 1887; Buxton, 1981; Wiltshire Ornithological Society, 2007).

History Alfred Charles Smith of Calne (1866) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. I. p. 346, dated 4th June, 1866, says: 'A very fine male specimen of the Bee-eater was shot, in the afternoon of the 4th of May, in the parish of Bishopstowe [sic], in this county [Wiltshire]. The bird was observed in an orchard amusing himself the whole day in hawking for insects, and he is reported to have been in the habit of returning to a certain tree, which he had selected as his station, and of knocking his bill smartly against the branch, previously to swallowing the insect he had captured. A man named Turner, in the employment of Mr. Temple, of Bishopstowe [sic], watched the bird from the top of a cottage where he was repairing the tiles, and being attracted by the beauty of the plumage, sent for a gun, and shot it from the spot he was working. I am informed that the bird was quite alone.'

A. F. Astley of Warminster (1866) in The Field of 21st July, Vol. XXVIII. p. 42, says: 'There has lately been shot in this parish - viz., Bishopstrow - a bird known as the Bee-eater. It was shot by its present possessor whilst in the act of attacking a bee-hive, and was seen to eat a dozen or more bees before it was shot. I have seen the bird stuffed. Is not this bird very rarely seen in England?'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 437, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: '...and, forming part, probably, of the same visitation [as Bristol], was a male killed, at Bishopstrowe [sic] in Wilts., May 4th, 1866.'

A. P. Morres (1879) in the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, Vol. XVIII. p. 314-315, says: 'There is a nearer occurrence, however, to be recorded of this species, which happened near Warminster. In May, 1866, a fine male specimen of this bird was shot by a mason named Turner, at Boreham, about a mile from the town above-mentioned. While at his work he observed a pair of these birds playing round an apple tree. He watched them for some time and then ran off to get a gun, and on his return he shot the male bird, which was in beautiful condition, and set up by King, of Warminster. It is still, I believe, in Mr. Turner's possession, who is quite alive to the value to be attached to an English-killed specimen of this rare bird.' It was accepted locally (Smith 1887: 294).

71). 1866 Buckinghamshire Dropmore, shot, undated.

(Clark Kennedy, 1868; Yarrell, 1871-85; Lack & Ferguson, 1993).

History Clark Kennedy (1868: 180-181) says: 'I am glad to be able to include the handsome Bee-eater in the present catalogue, and I am indebted to Mr. R. B. Sharpe for the notice of its occurrence. I cannot do better than give an extract from his letter to me on the subject. "In these days it is indeed hardly credible that such a rare and brightly-plumaged bird as the Bee-eater could have been allowed to proceed so far inland as Berkshire; how much more incredible, then, will it appear, when I tell you that one of these beautiful birds not only came so far, but actually lived for some time unmolested; yet Mr. Briggs informs me that Mr. Frost, head-gardener to the Hon. G. Fortescue, at Dropmore, informed him that a Bee-eater visited the gardens there in 1866, and remained there for some days. He would on no account allow the bird to be molested, and it used to sit on a bare twig, near a wasp's nest, whence it flew down and seized any insect which approached or left the nest. The bird was at last shot, having wandered from the neighbourhood of its kind protector".'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 437-438, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: "...and, forming part, probably, of the same visitation [as Bristol and Wiltshire]...as also, according to Mr. Sharpe's information to Capt. Kennedy (B. Berks. &c., pp. 180, 181), one seen for some days in the same year at Dropmore.'

Comment Newton considered it one of the same as recorded in Somerset and Wiltshire. I find that the three sites are about 20 miles from each other going west to east. At least four were at Stapleton, another at Bishopstrow and another at Dropmore. In the Avon account Murray stated several. Newton stated they were all from the same visitation, meaning at least six came over together.

72). 1868 Suffolk Brandon Heath, male, shot, undated, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1954Z1.790).

(Ticehurst, 1932; Watson, 2010).

History Ticehurst (1932: 197) says: 'Mr. Williamson of Heigham shot a male on Brandon Heath which was in the Connop Collection (Catalogue of Connop Collection, p. 18).'

Watson (2010) in detailing the W. R. Lysaght collection in the Birmingham Museum lists a male specimen from Brandon Heath, Norfolk, that was obtained during 1868, adding that it was shot by Mr. Williamson of Heigham, Norfolk.

73). 1869 Clyde Black Cart River, Walkinshaw, Paisley, Renfrewshire, August.

(Gray, 1871; Yarrell, 1871-85; Scottish Naturalist 35: 247; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History Gray (1871: 513) under 'Appendix' says: 'I have been informed by Mr. J. Bell of Paisley, that about the time the swallows were congregating in the neighbourhood of that town, at the close of August, 1869, Mr. W. Scott, keeper on the Walkinshaw estate, observed a Bee Eater flying in their company on the banks of the river Black Cart. On communicating a notice of the circumstance to Mr. Bell, he described the stranger as a bright green and yellow bird, with a forked tail, and stated that he had repeatedly seen it passing and repassing along with the swallows, and hawking for flies in the same manner, Mr. Bell afterwards showed the keeper the collection of British birds in the Paisley Museum, and was gratified on finding that he at once recognized the Bee Eater as the bird which he had seen.'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 437, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'Mr. R. Gray also states (B. W. Scotl. p. 513) that a bird believed to be of this species was seen at the close of August 1869 on the River Black Cart in Renfrewshire.'

74). 1869 Greater London/Surrey Oatlands, Walton-on-Thames, seen, November.

(W. C. Hewitson, Zoologist 1870: 2027; Yarrell, 1871-85; Bucknill, 1900; Self, 2014).

History W. C. Hewitson of Oatlands (1870) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. V. p. 2027, dated 26th January, 1870, says: 'Two months ago I had a Bee-eater here feeding upon the yew-berries.'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 438, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, adds: '...late autumn of 1869.'

Bucknill (1900: 161-162) says: 'In The Zoologist for 1870 (p. 2027) Mr. Hewitson at the end of a note on Starlings adds, "Two months ago I had a Bee-eater here feeding upon the yew berries". This was written at Oatlands, near Walton-on-Thames, on January 26. This would make the date of its appearance to have taken place in November, a very unusual time of year. It has, however, been recognised as a record, as it is referred to by Yarrell in the 4th ed. (Newton's) Vol. II. p. 438 of his British Birds.'

75). 1875 Herefordshire Kimbolton, pair, seen for about six weeks in summer.

(Hutchinson, 1899; Gilbert & Walker,1954; Walker & Smith, 1975).

History Gilbert & Walker (1954: 26) say: 'A pair frequented a garden at Kimbolton for about six weeks during the summer of 1875 (Hutchinson 1899).'

77). 1878 Isles of Scilly Tresco, seen, June.

(J. Clark, Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall 15: 201; J. Clark & F. R. Rodd, Zoologist 1906: 297-298; Penhallurick, 1978).

History J. Clark (1902) in the Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall, Vol. XV. p. 201, under 'The Birds of Cornwall', says: 'One repeatedly seen at Scilly, June, 1878.' J. Clark & F. R. Rodd (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. pp. 297-298, under 'The Birds of Scilly', say: 'In June, 1878, one was repeatedly seen by David Smith [gamekeeper] at Tresco.'

Comment Why did E. H. Rodd not know of this record ?

78). 1879 Derbyshire Stainsby House, near Mapperley, pair, shot, 10th June, now at Nottingham Museum.

(L. Lee, Midland Naturalist 1879: 188; "Merlin" Midland Naturalist 1879: 210; L. Lee, Midland Naturalist 1879: 235, 258; J. Whitaker, Zoologist 1879: 461; Yarrell, 1871-85; O. V. Aplin, Zoologist 1884: 51; Whitlock, 1893; Frost, 1978).

History L. Lee of Nottingham (1879) in the Midland Naturalist, Vol. II. p. 188, says: 'I exhibited a fine specimen of that very rare bird, Merops apiaster (Bee-eater) at our Society's meeting on June 11th. It was shot near Derby, the day before.'

"Merlin" (1879) in the Midland Naturalist, Vol. II. p. 210, dated 17th July, says: 'The note at page 188 of the occurrence of the Bee-eater in this county is very interesting. But if the writer would kindly tell us the precise locality of the specimen, whether male or female, whether any others were killed or seen, whether it bore any mark of captivity, by whom it was killed, and its destination, and any other particulars he may be able to give, the value of the note to future writers on the Ornithology of the county would be immensely increased.'

L. Lee, Naturalist and Taxidermist of Nottingham (1879) in the Midland Naturalist, Vol. II. p. 235, says: 'The Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) to which reference is made at pp. 188 and 210, was shot at Mapperley, near Derby, on June 10th, 1879. It was a male bird, in very fine plumage, and was set up by me for the person who shot it, but I afterwards purchased it for the Nottingham Free Museum, to which I am taxidermist. There was another bird shot before the one I had, which I did not see; probably a female. I shall be very pleased to give any further particulars of it to anyone who may call on me.'

Further, p. 258, he adds: 'In my late communication to you respecting the Bee-eater shot near Derby, I said that there were two shot. Since I wrote the second one has been purchased by a gentleman near Mansfield, and sent to me to be restuffed. It is now at my place, and I shall be willing to show it to anyone who may call.'

J. Whitaker of Rainham [sic] Lodge, Mansfield (1879) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. III. p. 461, undated, says: 'On the 4th May last a pair of these beautiful birds were shot in the gardens of Stainsby House, near Derby, by James Hawkins.

They were flying round some apple and cherry trees which were in blossom. The birds were in fine plumage, but rather damaged by the shot. One was purchased for the Nottingham Museum, and I obtained the other.'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 438, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, adds: 'In May 1879 a pair was shot near Derby (Zool., 1879, p. 461), one of which is in Mr. Whitaker's collection.'

Oliver V. Aplin (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. p. 51, under 'Note of some Rare British Birds in the Collection of Mr. J. Whitaker', says: 'Bee-eater - One killed at Stainsby Gardens, Derby, May 4th, 1879.'

Whitlock (1893: 115) says: 'In 1879 a small party of Bee-eaters wandered into Derbyshire, two or three appear to have been shot. The first, supposed to be a female, is now in the possession of J. Whitaker, Rainworth Lodge, now at Mansfield Museum. It was procured at Stainsby House gardens by a man named J. Hawkins, May 4th, 1879, and recorded in The Zoologist, 1879: 461.

The evidence regarding the third example is not so clear, but I learn from Mr. B. Rose, taxidermist, that it was shot at about the same time as the other two by a man named Charles Beer, then living at Mapperley, but the bird and man are untraceable.'

Whitaker (1907: 148) says: 'One of these very rare and beautiful birds was shot in the spring of 1878 on Mapperley Plains, near Nottingham, and preserved by Rose, of Mount Street, [Nottingham], where I saw it. Both of us have failed to find out where it now is. Curiously enough another was shot the next spring at Mapperley in Derbyshire. I mention this because it is confusing, and they might in years to come be taken for the same bird. This specimen is in the Nottingham Museum.'

Comment I believe all these articles relate to this record. The third bird is dismissed, although it was seen by Whitaker. A specimen is now at Mansfield Museum, Nottinghamshire, with the Whitaker Collection. Austen Dobbs, author of Birds of Nottinghamshire erroneously claimed this record for that county because there is a Mapperley in that county.

80). 1879 Lincolnshire Ingoldsby, near Grantham, shot, July, now at Mansfield Museum.

(J. Whitaker, Zoologist 1882: 148; O. V. Aplin, Zoologist 1884: 51; F. L. Blathwayt, Transactions of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union 1915: 211; Smith & Cornwallis, 1955; Lorand & Atkin, 1989).

History Joseph Whitaker, Rainworth Lodge, near Mansfield (1882) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VI. p. 148, says: 'I purchased of Stanley, a naturalist at Nottingham, a beautiful specimen of the Bee-eater, which was shot in July, 1879, in a pea-field at Ingoldsby, near Bowes, in Lincolnshire: though three years back, so rare a bird is worth recording.'

Oliver V. Aplin (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. p. 51, on 'Note of some Rare British Birds in the Collection of Mr. J. Whitaker', says: 'Merops apiaster - One killed at Ingoldsby, near Bowes, Lincolnshire, July, 1872.'

Smith & Cornwallis (1955: 101) say: 'July, 1879.'

Comment Some discrepancy in the date. On checking Aplin's statement (the visit undated in the Zoologist) his date recorded might be the correct one as he had probably seen the detail on the specimen. The specimen is now at Mansfield Museum, Nottinghamshire, with the Whitaker Collection.

81). 1880 Norfolk Billingford, seen, 19th May.

(H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1882: 370; H. Stevenson, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 3: 405; Riviere, 1930; B. B. Riviere, British Birds 33: 275).

History Henry Stevenson (1879-84) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. III. p. 405, says: 'The Rev. Kirby Trimmer, of Norwich, was informed by his brother, who resides at Billingford, near North Elmham, that, on the morning of the 19th of May, he saw an undoubted specimen of Merops apiaster alight, apparently in an exhausted state, on some iron railings in his garden. After resting for some little time it flew to a shrub that was in flower, passing from blossom to blossom, as if seeking for insects and then took wing, flying off in an easterly direction and was not seen again.'

Henry Stevenson of Norwich (1882) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VI. p. 370, after quoting exactly the same as above, adds: '....I know of no occurrence of this species in Norfolk since June, 1854; but it is worth notice, in connection with the above occurrence, that in The Field of July 3rd, 1880, a male Bee-eater is said to have been taken at Beverley, East Yorkshire, on the 5th June, and that, on the 16th of August, another was shot at Tetney Lock, near Grimsby, Lincolnshire, as recorded in the same journal for September 11th, 1880.'

Admitted by J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell (1884-89) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IV. p. 284, under 'Fauna & Flora of Norfolk'.

B. B. Riviere (1940) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIII. p. 275, says: '...the last record is of one seen on May 19th, 1880.'

82). 1880 Yorkshire Filey, male, caught exhausted, 5th June.

("F.B." Field 3rd July 1880: 38; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Nelson, 1907; Chislett, 1952; Mather, 1986).

History "F.B." of Beverley (1880) in The Field of 3rd July, Vol. LVI. p. 38, says: 'A beautiful specimen of this uncertain straggler (Merops apiaster) was captured on the 5th inst. Though in fine plumage it was in very poor condition, and it would seem that either the very cold weather or its passage had been too much for it. It was a male.' Clarke & Roebuck (1881) p. 39, say: 'Filey, a male picked up exhausted, June 9, 1880 (R. Richardson MS.).'

Nelson (1907 (1): 283) says: 'On 9th June 1880, the late R. Richardson, bird-stuffer, Beverley, received a splendid male specimen from Filey, said to have been caught alive in an exhausted state (Richardson MS.).'

Chislett (1952: 132) says: 'A male received from Filey by the late R. Richardson, bird stuffer, Beverley, on June 9th, 1880.'

Comment Nelson (1907) appears to have made two records of this individual - one on the 5th June near Beverley and one on 9th June at Whitby. I believe it was caught on the 5th June at Filey and sent to Beverley for preservation where it was received on the 9th June. On no occasion in the original sources does "F. Boyes" or Clarke & Roebuck announce two individuals. It was Nelson who started this with Chislett following on.

83). 1880 Lincolnshire Tetney Haven, seen, 15th to 16th August when shot.

("H.F.A." Field 11th Sept., 1880: 415; J. Cordeaux, Zoologist 1880: 511; Yarrell, 1871-85; T. Marshall, Field 16th May 1891: 738; J. Cordeaux, Zoologist 1891: 364; Smith & Cornwallis, 1955; Lorand & Atkin, 1989).

History "H.F.A." of Louth (1880) in The Field of 11th Sept., Vol. LVI. p. 415, says: 'On Aug. 16 a fine specimen of the Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) was shot at Tetney Lock, near Grimsby, by Mr. W. Stubbs. The bird is now in the hands of Mr. Kew, birdstuffer, of Louth, for preservation.'

John Cordeaux of Great Cotes (1880) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. IV. p. 511, says: 'On August 16th a Bee-eater, Merops apiaster, was shot at Tetney Haven, seven miles south of Grimsby, by William Stubbs, a professional shore-shooter. Stubbs had seen the bird on the previous day; on Monday he went out with his gun, and after a long chase succeeded in procuring it.'

Thomas Marshall of High Wycombe (1891) in The Field of 16th May, Vol. LXXVII. p. 738, says: 'In reply to your last week's correspondent, I would refer him to The Field of Sept. 11, 1880, which records the capture of a Bee-eater at Fetney [sic] Lock, Grimsby, by Mr. Stubbs on Aug. 16 of that year. It was set up by Mr. Kew, of Louth, and is now in my possession. The month of May, 1880, when the two Bee-eaters mentioned by your correspondent were killed, was very hot and dry...Bee-eaters, I believe, occasionally comes in flocks, and it would be interesting to know of the arrival of others (if any) about that period.'

John Cordeaux of Great Cotes (1891) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XV. p. 364, says: '...now in collection of Mr. T. Marshall, High Wycombe, Bucks.'

84). 1882 Kent Near Mereworth, seen, 24th June.

(J. W. Green, Field 1st July 1882: 24; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).

History J. Walter Green of Boro' Green, Kent (1882) in The Field of 1st July, Vol. LX. p. 24, says: 'On June 24, in the neighbourhood of Mereworth, Kent, in an orchard, I saw a very fine Bee-eater (Merops apiaster). Is not this very unusual? I mentioned to a friend, in describing the bird, that its flight resembled that of a Swallow, and he immediately said "That sounds like a Bee-eater". I referred to Morris's British Birds, and there found a good picture of the bird I had seen. It seemed quite tame, and remained for full ten minutes on an apple tree, within a few yards of the road where I was standing, before it flew away.'

[The Bee-eater is an irregular summer visitant to England, sometimes making its appearance in small parties; but it is by no means of common occurrence. - Ed.]

Ticehurst (1909: 240) says: 'The third was recorded by the late Rev. J. Walter Ewing in The Field of July 1st, 1882, and is also mentioned by him in the appendix to his Materials for a Flora of Wrotham. He says: "....". Since he states that he had it under observation for such a long time at such close quarters, there would not seem to be any reasonable doubt that his identification was correct.'

85). 1882 Hertfordshire Sherrards Wood, near Welwyn, obtained, undated.

(A. H. Foster, Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society 16: 203; H. H. S. Hayward, Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society 22: 191; Sage, 1959).

History Sage (1959) says: 'The first recorded was of a specimen obtained in Sherrards Wood, near Welwyn, about 1882. According to Foster (Trans. Herts. Nat. Hist. Soc. XVI: 189-220, 1917), this bird was procured by a Mr. G. J. Buller, of Hitchin, who had it mounted and placed in a case of specimens illustrating 'Enemies of the Honey Bee'. This case was exhibited at the Royal Show at Windsor in 1889, and Mr. Buller was complimented on his exhibit by Queen Victoria herself.

The case was subsequently purchased by Lord Carmichael and presented to the Midlothian Bee-keepers Association. Hayward (Trans. Herts. Nat. Hist. Soc. XXII: 173-226) says: "...this record seems to lack confirmation". I have been into the history of this record very carefully, and despite the fact that a precise date is lacking, I see no reason for casting doubt upon it.'

86). 1886 Warwickshire Red Hill, pair: female, shot, 29th May, male, shot, 2nd June.

("T.M." Field 5th June 1886: 744; Tomes, 1904; Norris, 1947; Harrison et al., 1982; Harrison & Harrison, 2005).

History "T.M." of Stratford-on-Avon (1886) in The Field, 5th June, Vol. LXVII. p. 744, says: 'A male specimen of the Bee-eater (Merops apiaster), a rare and uncertain visitor to the British Islands, was obtained near here on the 1st inst. It was in company with three other birds of the same species.'

Tomes (1904 (1): 198) in the Victoria County History of Warwickshire, says: 'In one instance only has the Bee-eater been met with in Warwickshire. Two were seen and one of them shot at Red Hill on the road between Stratford-on-Avon and Alcester on 29 May, 1886. The bird which was shot proved to be a female containing enlarged eggs, and had she been spared it is probable that she would have nested somewhere near.'

Accepted locally by Norris (1947: 34) who states a pair were shot at Red Hill: the female on 29th May and the male on 2nd June, also by Harrison & Harrison (2005: 327) who add: 'A female was shot at Red Hill, Warwickshire, on May 29th, and a male shot 2nd June, 1886 (Field, Tomes and John Morgan MS.).'

Comment This is the finest instance of how lax details were recorded. "T.M." states four birds and a male shot on the 1st June; Tomes says: "two birds with a female shot 29th May", while Norris states a female and male were shot 29th May and 2nd June respectively. Not one of the authors stated that this was a correction.

88). Pre 1888 Dorset Swanage, shot, undated.

(Mansel-Pleydell, 1888; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 181; Prendergast & Boys, 1983).

History Mansel-Pleydell (1888: 60, 2nd ed.) says: 'One shot at Swanage is in the possession of Mr. White, stone merchant, of that place.' Admitted by F. L. Blathwayt (1934) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LV. p. 181, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset'.

89). 1888 Dorset Iford, Christchurch, Hampshire, adult male, shot, 21st May, now at Horniman Museum, London (NH.83.3/100).

(Kelsall & Munn, 1905; Hart MS.; Clark, 2022).

History Kelsall & Munn (1905: 113) say: 'The Hart collection contains a male shot at Christchurch, on May 21st, 1888.'

Edward Hart writing in April 1927 states that this cased adult male was shot by Mr. T. Critchell in his garden near Sheepwash, Iford on 21st May 1888 and was mounted by me.

90). 1896 Pembrokeshire Near Milford Haven, three, seen, 13th May.

("F.H." Field 23rd May 1896: 813; Lockley, 1949).

History "F.H." (1896) in The Field of 23rd May, Vol. LXXXVII. p. 813, says: 'On May 13, while driving in Pembrokeshire, not far from Milford Haven, I saw sitting on the telegraph wire three Bee-eaters. I was able to get within fifteen yards of the birds, and so could make no mistake. Believing the appearance of these birds in England [sic] to be a very rare occurrence, I thought it worth while to record the fact in your paper.'

[In Mr. Mathew's lately published volume on the Birds of Pembrokeshire (London: Porter, 1894), the Bee-eater is included as "a very rare accidental visitor from the south" (page 42). One of these birds obtained in the county is preserved in the Tenby Museum, and another in the possession of Mr. Stokes, of Cuffern. - Ed.]

Accepted locally (Lockley 1949: 49).

93). 1897 Northumberland Haggerston Castle, near Berwick-upon-Tweed, seen, 29th April.

(C. J. Leyland, Field 8th May 1897: 721; G. Bolam, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1899: 70; Evans, 1911; Bolam, 1912; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83).

History George Bolam of Berwick-on-Tweed (1899) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. VIII. p. 70, says: 'In The Field newspaper of May 1897, Mr. C. J. Leyland writes that he saw a specimen at Haggerston Castle, about eight miles south of Berwick, on 29th April in that year, "and was able to observe it for some time".' Admitted by Evans (1911: 113).

Bolam (1912: 237) says: 'In The Field of 9th May, 1897, p. 721, Mr. C. J. Leyland, writing from Haggerston Castle, Northumberland, says: 'On 29th April I saw a Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) here and was able to observe it for some time. I hope it may not be shot.'

94). 1897 Caithness Langwell, two, seen, one shot, 12th May, one, seen, 14th May.

("J.H.T." Field 28th Aug., 1897: 389; "Rara Avis" Field 4th Sept., 1897: 392; L. Dunbar, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1897: 250; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History "J.H.T." (1897) in The Field of 28th Aug., Vol. XC. p. 389, says: 'In May last the gardener at Langwell noticed a strange pair of birds in the gardens, and on the 12th of that month shot one of them. It turned out to be a male Bee-eater. Can you or any of your readers say: if there is any record of a Bee-eater having been shot so far north? Have many been shot in Britain?'

[The Bee-eater, according to Messrs. Harvie, Brown [sic] and Buckley's Fauna of Caithness, is not known to have occurred in Caithness, but many have been seen and shot in England, especially in the southern counties. - Ed.]

"Rara Avis" (1897) in The Field of 4th Sept., Vol. XC. p. 392, says: 'I regret to see an account in The Field of the shooting of a Bee-eater in Caithness, in May, by a gardener, and in this instance there seems to have been a pair of birds, and therefore they might have bred. It seems a great pity that people allow their servants to kill anything they like, and J.H.T. appears also to be unaware that his gardener is liable to a prosecution under the Wild Birds' Protection Act for this.'

Lewis Dunbar (1897) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. VI. p. 250, says: 'A pair of Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster) were seen by Mr. Wm. MacPherson on the 12th of May last at Langwell; and one of them was seen two days afterwards attacking bees.'

96). 1899 Shetland Symbister, Whalsay, seen, early June, found dead, 5th June.

(Shetland Times 10th June 1899; Eds., Annals of Scottish Natural History 1900: 48-49; H. F. Dorset & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 282; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History In an Editorial (1900) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. IX. pp. 48-49, quoting from the Shetland Times, they say: 'For some days last week a strange bird was seen flying about at Symbister, and on Monday morning Mr. Arthur Adie found the bird dead on the top of a wall there. It was sent to Lerwick, where it was identified as the Bee-eater (Merops apiaster). The only specimens recorded as having been got in Scotland was one shot in the Mull of Galloway in October 1832. The bird is from ten to eleven inches long, and the plumage is exceedingly pretty. The Bee-eater was sent down to Mr. John Irvine, who is having it stuffed.'

[This bird has been seen or captured on about six occasions in Scotland. - Eds.]

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 282, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

Comment 10th June 1899 was a Saturday, so Monday would be the 5th.

97). 1899 Sussex Near Chichester, summer.

(Walpole-Bond, 1938).

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 163) says: 'During the summer of 1899 - the best date I could extract from Him - Mr. C. Fowler came across a Bee-eater near Chichester.'

98). 1901 Isles of Scilly St Mary's, two/three, immature male shot, October.

(J. Clark & F. R. Rodd, Zoologist 1906: 297; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 282; Penhallurick, 1978).

History J. Clark & F. R. Rodd (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 297, under 'The Birds of Scilly', say: 'Two or else three Bee-eaters appeared at Holy Vale, St. Mary's, in October, 1901, and one of them - an immature male - was shot.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 282, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

100). 1905 Yorkshire High Bentham, three, seen, adult male killed, 9th September.

(Yorkshire Weekly Post 23rd Sept., 1905; H. W. Robinson, Zoologist 1905: 389; H. W. Robinson, Field 7th Oct., 1905: 655; Nelson, 1907; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 282; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 411-412; Mather, 1986).

History H. W. Robinson of Lancaster (1905) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IX. p. 389, and in The Field of 7th Oct., Vol. CVI. p. 655, with a similar story, says: 'About the middle of the month (September) a gentleman at Bentham, on the borders of Yorkshire and Lancashire, observed three curious birds round his bee-hives, and saw one of them take up a position near the entrance to a hive and swallow eight bees in quick succession. One of the birds was killed, and proved to be a fine adult male of the very rare Bee-eater (Merops apiaster), which, on dissection, was found to have five working-bees in its stomach. This is, I believe, the fourth occurrence of this African species in Yorkshire, Spain being the nearest breeding place of the species to our islands.'

Nelson (1907 (1): 283-284) says: 'And for an account of the most recent occurrence I am indebted to Mr. G. W. Murdoch of Bentham, who, in a letter dated 13th September 1905, kindly supplies the following details: - "On the 9th inst. Mr. James Wilcock of Asperlands, High Bentham, informed me that he had been watching three small and very beautiful birds, which were quite new to him, and that they were very busy eating his bees. He described how one of the birds would take up its stand just at the mouth of the skep, and with its hard bill stab a bee as it emerged, and promptly swallow it. He saw one bird take eight bees in that way, and at least other two birds of a precisely similar build and colouration had been seen working in co-operation. Finally, he managed to secure one, caught in the very act of seizing and swallowing bees. That he brought to me, and it proved to be a male Bee-eater". The late date of the Bentham record, 9th September, and the statement that three of these birds had been seen working together, are very interesting facts.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 282, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'. Further, H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1909) in British Birds, Vol. II. pp. 411-412, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', add: 'The Yorkshire record should have been ascribed to Mr. G. W. Murdoch (cf. Birds of Yorks., p. 284, and Yorks. Weekly Post, 23.ix.05).'

103). 1905 Hertfordshire Hitchin, four, one caught alive, undated.

(W. P. Westell, Journal of the Letchworth Naturalists' Society 3: 18-26; H. H. S. Hayward, Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society 22: 191; Sage, 1959; Gladwin & Sage, 1986).

History H. H. S. Hayward (1947) in the Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society, Vol. XXII. p. 191, placing the record in square brackets, says: 'A record of a pair supposed to have nested at Letchworth about 1905 does not appear acceptable.'

Sage (1959) says: 'Westell (1943) states that four young birds of this species were seen at Hitchin in 1905, one being caught and kept alive for several months by Mr. B. Wallis of that town. During this period it was seen by T. Stratton, the well-known taxidermist of Hitchin.'

107). 1906 Isles of Scilly Tresco, immature male, shot, about 20th September.

(W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Zoologist 1906: 470; J. Clark, Zoologist 1907: 283-284; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 282; Penhallurick, 1978).

History W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 470, says: '...an example of the Greater Yellowshank (Totanus melanoleucus) was shot...on Sept. 16th, 1906....Capt. Arthur Dorrien-Smith, a few days later, obtained an immature specimen of the Common Bee-eater (Merops apiaster), which I had the pleasure of examining.'

James Clark (1907) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XI. pp. 283-284, says: 'An immature Bee-eater was obtained at Marazion on the 3rd of October, 1906, a few days after one had been shot at Scilly.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 282, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

Comment Ogilvie-Grant was the Assistant to R. B. Sharpe in the Bird Room at the British Museum.

108). 1906 Cornwall Marazion, immature, 3rd October.

(J. Clark, Zoologist 1907: 283; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 282; Penhallurick, 1978).

History J. Clark (1907) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XI. pp. 283-284, says: 'An immature Bee-eater, a rare accidental straggler to the county, was obtained at Marazion on the 3rd October, 1906, a few days after one had been shot at Scilly.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 282, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

109). 1915 Shetland Lerwick, Mainland, seen, 4th to 11th July.

(G. W. Russell, Scottish Naturalist 36: 24; Eds., British Birds 9: 304; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History George W. Russell of Lerwick (1916) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXVI. p. 24, says: 'A female Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) frequented the neighbourhood of Lerwick from the 4th to 11th of July last and appeared to be a female.'

In an Editorial (1916) in British Birds, Vol. IX. p. 304, they say: 'Mr. G. W. Russell states (Scot. Nat. 1916, p. 24) that a Merops apiaster (apparently a female) frequented the neighbourhood of Lerwick from July 4th to 11th, 1915.'

110). 1919 Highland Lentran, Inverness-shire, seen, 23rd August.

(L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 40: 101-102; Eds., British Birds 14: 239; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1920) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XL. pp. 101-102, in the annual report for 1919, say: 'At Lentran on 23rd August a Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) was observed by Mr. W. Berry being mobbed by Gulls.'

In an Editorial (1921) in British Birds, Vol. XIV. p. 239, in a Review of the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1919 including Migration', by L. J. Rintoul and E. V. Baxter, they say: 'Bee-eater (Merops apiaster). - One on August 23rd at Lentran (Inverness).'

111). 1920 Lothian River Esk, Musselburgh, Midlothian, pair, nested, 3rd June, female found exhausted on 11th June, died in captivity on the 15th June after laying one egg, male left 15th June, female now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1920.104).

(W. E. Clarke, Scottish Naturalist 40: 151-153; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 41: 108; J. Kirke Nash, British Birds 14: 56-58; Eds., British Birds 14: 96; Rintoul & Baxter, 1935; Kirke Nash, 1935; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Thom, 1986; Watson, 1988; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007; I. J. Andrews, Scottish Birds 35: 151-153).

History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1920) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XL. pp. 151-153, says: 'The present summer witnessed one of the most remarkable events ever recorded in the annals of British ornithology, namely, an attempt on the part of a pair of Bee-eaters to nest in Scotland - an essay, however, which most unfortunately was not achieved. The phenomenal nature of this attempt may be realised from the fact that the scene selected by these feathered adventurers lies only a little short of a thousand miles north of the accustomed nesting-quarters of the species in Western Europe. On the 3rd of June, Mr. David Hamilton discovered that a pair of these birds had taken up quarters on a sand-bank flanking the western side of the River Esk at Musselburgh. Mr. Hamilton at once informed his friend, Mr. Kirke Nash, of this most interesting fact, and the two had the birds under observation for nearly a fortnight.

A full and detailed account of their watchings was communicated to The Scotsman, in whose columns it appeared on the 18th of June. That the birds had fully established themselves for the season and fully intended nesting was obvious from their behaviour, and from the fact that they had selected a particular hole in the sand-bank. doubtless of their own excavation since a small heap of sand was found just below it. This hole was frequently visited and occupied at intervals by both birds, sometimes simultaneously. Circumstances, however, were unfortunately against them. The presence of such unusual and singularly beautiful visitors was liable to attract the attention of the public who continually traverse the much frequented footpath which skirts the river opposite the site chosen by the Bee-eaters. All, however, appears to have gone well until the 12th of the month, on which date the female was not observed, and the watchers surmised that she might be engaged in the duties of incubation, as the male was still present.

For the further particulars relating to the closer episodes in the history of this unfortunate pair of birds, I am indebted to official sources of information, and to the enquiries undertaken by my friends, Messrs. Richard and R. M. Tomlinson, of Inveresk.

As regards the fate of the female: on the evening of the 11th, Mr. Donald Marquis, the gardener to Admiral Sir A. Berkeley Milne, Inveresk Gate, in company with Police Constable Mitchell, observed a bird flutter down from one of the trees in the garden and fall among the grass. It appeared to be in an exhausted or injured condition and it allowed Mr. Marquis to pick it up. The bird was at once recognised as a rarity and thought to be a Kingfisher, and was put into one of the greenhouses and supplied with water and food. The bird being quite unknown to him, he, on the 14th, informed Mr. R. Tomlinson, who is much interested in bird-life, what had happened. Mr. Tomlinson at once went to see the bird, and Mr. Marquis learned from him that it was a Bee-eater and at once supplied the bird with honey bees, but unhappily it died on the following day. The day after its capture the bird laid an egg which was unfortunately broken. At Mr. Marquis's request Mr. Tomlinson presented the dead bird to the Royal Scottish Museum.

The mateless male remained in the vicinity until the 15th when it, too, disappeared. It has been stated that the bird had been captured and killed by a cat. This, however, was proved not to be the case, for on interviewing the owner of the cat, Mr. R. Tomlinson found that its victim had been buried in the garden. The body was exhumed in Mr. Tomlinson's presence and he was gratified to find that it was not the mate of the deceased Bee-eater but an Undulated Grass Parakeet or Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus).

The female Bee-eater was duly received at the Museum, and was to be in a very emaciated condition. A careful examination revealed no signs of external injury, nor was there any evidence of wounds or contusions on its body after the skin had been removed. On dissection a full-sized soft-shelled egg was found in the oviduct, and other ova were observed in less advanced stages of development.

At the instigation of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Procurator-Fiscal instituted an enquiry into the circumstances associated with the capture of the female bird. Evidence was obtained from the persons concerned and of those who had any personal knowledge on the subject. From this official enquiry it was clearly proved that no blame whatever could be laid to the charge of anyone, and that Mr. Marquis did his best to resuscitate the exhausted bird. It seems possible that the bird may have been injured in an attempt to capture her in the nesting hole, for the site is much visited by boys in quest of the eggs of Sand Martins which breed in the river-bank. Or, perhaps, the ungenial weather conditions may have been unsuited to the food requirements of birds accustomed to sunny climes at all seasons.'

J. Kirke Nash (1920) in British Birds, Vol. XIV. pp. 56-58, says: 'During the early days of June 1920 Mr. David Hamilton and the writer enjoyed the unique experience of keeping a pair of Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster) under daily observation for nearly a fortnight. The birds were first observed by Mr. Hamilton on the 3rd of the month, as they perched on a wire fence surmounting a small sand bank on a picturesque stretch of the River Esk, near Musselburgh, Midlothian. The weather was dull at the time, with a misty atmosphere which somewhat hindered clear observation, but the peculiar form of the birds, with their green breasts and chestnut backs, was sufficiently evident to assure the observer that he had two rather unusual strangers before him. He did not remain long in doubt, however, as one of them suddenly flew almost to the spot where he stood beneath some willows, and captured a large bee within a few yards of him. The insect was somewhat above the bird, which rose almost perpendicularly to seize it, and in doing so its tail with the characteristic elongated central feathers was spread out like a fan, the various colour patches also being clearly exhibited. Pressure of time prevented further observation on that day, but on being informed of their presence I visited the spot early the next morning and had the great pleasure of seeing both birds perched on the fence as when first observed. A raw east wind was blowing and as they faced it, and incidentally the spectator, they gave one the impression of sitting very close down, so that, when viewed from the opposite bank of the river, where a much-frequented footpath ran, they presented a very small front to the onlooker. This peculiar attitude we feel sure, saved the situation on many occasions. Possibly the east wind which prevailed here nearly all the month of June caused the birds to assume it.

On looking at a coloured plate of this species one would naturally conclude that its brilliant colours would bring it conspicuously before the notice of the most casual observer, but our experience proved that so long as the birds remained in the position described they attracted little attention, as the green breast harmonized so completely with the surrounding herbage, whereas the dark forms of the numerous Starlings, searching for food on a meadow in the background, stood out in clear relief. Viewed through glasses the birds were a perfect revelation. The chestnut head and upper-back merging into tawny-yellow or primrose on the lower-back; the white frontal patch; the black band passing across the eye to the ear coverts; the orange-yellow throat divided by the crescentic black line from the bluish-green or greenish-blue under-parts - in certain lights the green distinctly predominated - and the dark green tail with the elongated central feathers - a feature seen in no other bird on the British List - all attracted our attention.

Every now and then the birds made short flights in pursuit of some insect, returning each time to the fence after the manner of a Flycatcher. Twice on the first occasion I saw them I noticed each bird with a large bee in its possession. After repeatedly knocking it on the fence and moving it about in its bill it suddenly swallowed the insect whole. During the succeeding days we frequently saw this act performed. At intervals the birds mounted high into the air making rapid circling flights with an airy undulating motion - soaring at times and exhibiting a grace of action seldom seen in any of our native birds. Frequently as they rose into the air the beautiful tail assumed the fan shape. Keeping them under observation for several hours daily, we have no hesitation in saying that the Bee-eaters intended nesting, as we independently discovered on the 7th that they were frequenting a special hole in the sand bank and within three hours one afternoon in bright sunshine I counted fifteen visits, most of them being paid by the hen bird, which on some occasions remained within for about ten minutes.

At times both birds were in together. Although we did not see the birds commence to excavate the shaft we have little doubt they made it, as we could see a small pile of dry sand beneath it. Even the attitude of the birds as they sat together on the fence indicated a domestic interest, and on one occasion Mr. Hamilton saw the male bird present his mate with a large bee. We were further confirmed in our belief by the fact that from the time we observed them at the hole referred to they never approached any other of the numerous holes in the bank. They displayed great excitement as they neared it, giving utterance to their peculiar liquid notes, which are described as sounding like "quilp" - a poor representation in our opinion, as a liquid "r" undoubtedly enters into its composition. The sound somehow reminded one of a clucking note of the Blackbird (T. merula) blended with a certain trill of the Ringed Plover (Ch. hiaticula).

Before alighting they hovered with fluttering outspread wings, and, with so many passers-by, at these moments we experienced considerable anxiety, as this action made them very conspicuous, their backs shining in the bright sunshine like burnished gold, although when they actually settled the effect was quite reversed, as the colour of their backs blended beautifully with the sand. Also when the birds left the hole they were difficult to detect, as they shot out like an arrow high into the air. Watching the proceedings of the birds day by day we realized that we were the privileged observers of a great ornithological event, as this was the first occasion, so far as we knew, on which these rare visitors would almost assuredly nest in the British Isles. To obtain even a glimpse of a Bee-eater in this country would be an event forming a red-letter day in the life of any British ornithologist, but to see a pair of these birds for hours daily, making long flights or perching within fifty yards of where we stood, and every now and then darting after their insect prey or paying visits to the apparent nesting-site was a pleasure which we feel sure the most ambitious ornithologist could never have hoped to enjoy.

All appeared to go well until the 12th of the month, when the male bird alone was in evidence, and we somehow got the impression that it was more wary. Had the female actually commenced to incubate the eggs ? was the thought that came to us. The 13th passed without our paying a visit, and on the following day we only saw the male for a short interval. Visiting the spot early on the 15th we found it perched on the now familiar site, but it made off when we attempted to make a near approach, and we little thought at the moment that this would form our last view of these beautiful birds. Later on in the day we heard the sad news that the female had been captured on the 13th by a local gardener. It was put into a greenhouse, supplied with bread-crumbs, and died, we understand, within two days, though before doing so it laid an egg, which, unfortunately, was broken and lost. The sad climax of this little drama in bird life was reached in the course of another few days through the unfortunate survivor being caught and entirely destroyed by a cat near the spot where the hen-bird came to its untimely end.'

In an Editorial (1920) in British Birds, Vol. XIV. p. 96, they say: 'With reference to Mr. J. Kirke Nash's interesting article on this subject in our last number (pp. 56-58), we are informed that the bird mentioned by Mr. Nash as having been caught by a gardener has been presented to the Royal Scottish Museum.' Rintoul & Baxter (1935) say: 'Curiously enough, the only record of the Bee-eater in the area is that of a pair which made a gallant attempt to nest in a sand-bank by the River Esk near Musselburgh.

This pair of birds were first seen on 3rd June 1920 and were watched for nearly a fortnight, during which time it was noticed that they had selected a hole in the sand-bank which they frequently visited and occupied, sometimes simultaneously. Unfortunately, on 11th June the female bird was found in an exhausted or injured condition and, though every care was given her, she unhappily died on the 15th, on which day the male too disappeared. That the birds were going to breed is proved by the fact that the female laid an egg the day after she was caught, and a postmortem showed a full-sized, soft shelled egg in the oviduct and other ova in a less advanced state of development. This attempted breeding is all the more remarkable when we realise that the Bee-eater's nearest normal nesting place lies nearly a thousand miles away from Scotland.' Admitted locally by Kirke Nash (1935: 112-115) for Midlothian.

Watson (1988) stated that David Hamilton was a toolmaker by trade in Musselburgh and that he was rated the best field naturalist in the Lothians.

113). 1927 Buckinghamshire Skirmett, seen, late October.

(A. H. Cocks, Field 24th Nov., 1927: 857; B. W. Tucker, Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire 1927: 14; B. W. Tucker, Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire 1928: 29; Eds., British Birds 22: 171; Fraser & Youngman, 1976).

History A. H. Cocks (1927) in The Field of 24th Nov., Vol. CXLVIII. p. 857, under 'Bee-eater at Henley', says: 'It may interest your readers to know that a Bee-eater spent about a couple of hours on my lawn one day during the last week of October.'

B. W. Tucker (1927) in the Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, p. 14, says: 'One watched for about two hours on lawn at Henley-on-Thames in last week of October. (A. H. Cocks, Field, Nov. 24, 1927, p. 857).'

B. W. Tucker (1928) in the Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, p. 29, says: 'The record of a Bee-eater seen by Mr. A. H. Cocks on his lawn which appeared in The Field under the heading 'Bee-eater at Henley' and was quoted in the 1927 Report, p. 14, must be transferred to Bucks., the recorder's house being at Skirmett in that county. It appears to be the first recorded occurrence of the species in Buckinghamshire.'

In an Editorial (1928) in British Birds, Vol. XXII. p. 171, in a Review of the Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, 1927, by B. W. Tucker, they say: 'Bee-eater (Merops apiaster). - One was seen by Mr. A. H. Cocks in Buckinghamshire near Henley, in the last week of October.'

114). 1929 Dorset Bournemouth, five or six, seen, 11th May; same, Hampreston, one, 11th May.

(F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 51: 114; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 181; Prendergast & Boys, 1983).

History F. L. Blathwayt (1930) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LI. p. 114, in the Annual Report for 1929, says: 'Mr. M. J. Mansfield wrote to F.L.B. that he saw near his house in a Northern district of Bournemouth less than a mile from the Dorset border, a party of five or six Bee-eaters on May 11th, and getting a close view clearly made out the brilliant plumage.'

Admitted by F. L. Blathwayt (1934) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LV. p. 181, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset'.

Comment Seems contradictory to have a close view and not be sure of how many!

119). 1935 Highland Loth, Sutherland, seen, c. 12th September.

(J. T. Henderson, Scottish Naturalist 55: 174; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History James T. Henderson (1935) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LV. p. 174, says, 'A Bee-eater was found at Loth, in Sutherland, about 12th September 1935. It was in full plumage and was a most beautiful bird. I have been told on good authority that a pair were seen in that same county some forty years ago.'

120). 1939 Norfolk Gooderstone, adult male, killed, 12th June, now at Castle Museum, Norwich.

(B. B. Riviere, British Birds 33: 275; Seago, 1977).

History B. B. Riviere (1939) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIII. p. 275, says: 'An adult male Bee-eater which was killed at Gooderstone and sent in the flesh to Mr. F. Gunn, the Norwich taxidermist, on June 12th, 1939, has been presented to the Norwich Museum by Sir Samuel Roberts.'

121). 1940 Devon Lundy, six, 19th to 26th May, again, 2nd June.

(F. W. Gade, British Birds 34: 163; F. C. Butters, E. W. Hendy, R. W. Howell & H. G. Hurrell, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1940: 6; Moore, 1969).

History F. W. Gade (1940) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIV. p. 163, says: 'On May 19th, 1940, I saw six birds in the air which I knew at once I had never seen before. They were uttering a note resembling the thin pipe of a very young duckling. Their flight was somewhat like that of Starlings, except that they occasionally swooped, or planed, in an almost vertical glide. Their silhouette when flying was also reminiscent of Starlings. Seen against the sun their wings looked almost transparent, or as though covered with gold dust. Later on the same day Mr. H. A. Jackman had these six birds under close observation for nearly an hour, and had no difficulty in identifying them as Bee-Eaters Merops apiaster.

They stayed on the island for a full week, and I had many opportunities of observing them both in flight and perching. They were a wonderful sight. They liked to sit in the upper branches of trees or on wire fences, close together, rather resembling Kingfishers, and first one and then another would dart on, take a bee in the air with a graceful stoop, and return to the same perch. They were very sociable, by no means shy, and were not interfered with by other birds. They left the island on May 26th or 27th, and returned on June 1st, 2nd or 3rd, but not to stay. They merely crossed the island, coming from the north-east and disappearing towards the south-west.'

F. C. Butters, E. W. Hendy, R. W. Howell & H. G. Hurrell (1940) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. XIII. p. 6, quote from British Birds above.

127). 1940 Cornwall Locality on the South coast, four, seen, 27th May.

(W. D. Clague, British Birds 34: 47; Penhallurick, 1978).

History W. Douglas Clague (1940) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIV. p. 47, says: 'On the evening of May 27th, 1940, I had the pleasure of watching a party of four Bee-eaters Merops apiaster hawking for and catching bumble-bees. The situation was on the coast in South Cornwall beside a stream and they frequently perched on the tops of old gorse bushes. They did not seem to be shy and sometimes approached within 30 feet of me, when it was possible to see their brilliant colourings, and an excellent view was obtained with binoculars. The colouring agreed with the description of this species in The Handbook of British Birds except that I noted the throat as golden rather than yellow.'

131). 1946 Lancashire & North Merseyside Ainsdale, two, seen, 8th October to 7th November.

(L. Rigby, British Birds 40: 180-181; N. F. Ellison, A. C. Burd & P. Jones, North Western Naturalist 21: 248-249; Spencer, 1973).

History Leonard Rigby (1947) in British Birds, Vol. XL. pp. 180-181, says: 'On October 8th to November 7th, 1946, two Bee-eaters Merops apiaster frequented gardens at Ainsdale, on the coast of South Lancashire. I first saw them on the morning of October 8th, a mild sunny day after a period of S.E. wind, and at once recognized, them as Bee-eaters, birds with which I was familiar in Palestine, Egypt and Iraq during 1915-1919.

They flew with a small flock of Starlings Sturnus vulgaris, which occasionally made half-hearted swoops at them, and perched on willows and poplars, etc., from which they made frequent attacks on bees and similar insects feeding on Michaelmas daisies and other flowers. For several days they were present in my garden and that of a neighbour, where there were bee-hives, and fed on the bees. At noon each day they rested on a tree or a rose-pergola. They were then lost sight of for some days, but appeared again on October 19th, and remained until November 7th.

It was possible to examine them within four or five yards, and the following is a description of them: - In size somewhat larger than the Starlings with which they flew. When first seen the long middle tail feathers were present on one bird, but these feathers of the second were shorter. Later on both birds appeared to have lost these feathers except for a short projection beyond the main contour of the tail; when the tail was spread in flight, as when hawking insects, this could be clearly seen.

All details of plumage could be very clearly examined with binoculars, and generally agreed with the illustrations in The Handbook with the following exceptions: in full sun against a background of shrubs the general effect was brighter in tone; the bronze-brown nape is well suggested, but the mantle appeared greener; primaries brighter than in illustrations, except for tips, but this may be due to the draughtsman's having outlined the feathers in almost black colour. The Handbook description of male and female in winter plumage, in which the upper-parts are greener than in summer, corresponds closely with the plumage as observed; based on this I would suggest that they were male and female.

The birds were also seen by Mr. N. F. Ellison, Mr. E. Hardy, Mr. Burd and other competent observers. Mr. Ellison, who with Mr. A. C. Burd and Miss P. Jones watched them for two hours on October 22nd, also made full notes of their plumage and saw them taking bees at the hives, occasionally hovering with raised wings and expanded tail as they took a bee. He noticed that a cock Chaffinch, a House-Sparrow and Starlings occasionally attacked them, but that when the Bee-eaters perched the attacks stopped. The note I heard was a somewhat liquid "chuck", which Mr. Ellison records as a liquid "quilp" or a longer "quil-ip" uttered in flight and at rest. Mr. W. L. French also saw them on October 23rd. There is no previous record of the occurrence of the Bee-eater in Lancashire.'

133). 1947 Dorset Askerswell, seen, 5th to 6th May.

(C. E. Martin, British Birds 40: 250; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 68: 95).

History C. E. Martin (1947) in British Birds, Vol. XL. p. 250, says: 'On the evening of May 5th, 1947, I saw sitting on the electric wire crossing a road and orchard at Askerswell. Dorset, a bird which proved to be a Bee-eater Merops apiaster. It was about the length of a Mistle Thrush, with a longish tail and a long curved black bill, and its plumage, in certain lights, was of intensely bright colouring. It had a bib of bright yellow, surrounded by a black line. Its underparts were of metallic green, its back of bronze and yellow, and a dark green tail, with the two middle feathers longer and projecting beyond the others.

We watched it fly off swiftly many times and catch large insects which, on nearer view, proved to be bumble-bees. These it usually swallowed whole in the air or on returning to its perch, but sometimes it turned the bee round a time or two, as if it found difficulty in devouring so large a beakful. We watched the bird for about two hours that evening in the orchard and on the trees round the opposite field. Next morning, before 6 o'clock (G.M.T.) it was back on the wires again, catching bumble-bees. We watched it till 8 a.m., when it flew off in a N.E. direction. We have not seen it since. Friends who were with us in the evening saw the bird disgorge the remains of the bees a short time after swallowing them. It seems deserving of note that of six local people, hastily called to see this rare bird, two had previously known bee-eaters abroad, in two different parts of the world.'

F. L. Blathwayt (1947) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LXVIII. p. 95, in the Annual Report for 1946, says: 'On the evening of May 5th and morning of May 6th, 1947, one was watched, and very clearly seen, at Askerwell, by Revd. C. E. Martin and others. It was catching "Bumble Bees". The species does not seem to have been recorded from Dorset for over 60 years.'

134). 1949 Sussex Selsey, 30th April.

(N. H. Joy, British Birds 42: 390).

History Norman H. Joy (1949) in British Birds, Vol. XLII. p. 390, says: 'On April 30th, 1949, I was on the sands at Selsey, Sussex, close to the sea. The wind was from N.E. At 10.40 a.m., a strange bird, to me, came over the sea from S. It was calling "turruk, turruk", I could not guess what it was until it was right over me; - then the characteristic two prolonged, pointed inner tail-feathers of the Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) could be seen. As it flew to a tree in a garden its golden-bronze upper-surface became conspicuous. It rested there for a time and then kept on going after some flying insects. These turned out to be St. Mark's Fly, which the Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) were dealing with. It once got nearly a quarter of a mile away. At 11.45 a.m. it started its way back to France, on exactly the same route as it came.'

135). 1949 Devon Between Beer and Seaton, four, three weeks in June.

(M. Brooks-King, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1949: 28; Moore, 1969).

History M. Brooks-King (1949) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXII. p. 28, says: 'I learned from a R.A.C. Scout that for about three weeks in June four birds resembling "large Kingfishers", golden on throat, metallic green underneath, with long curved bills, haunted a spot between Seaton and Beer. He described their swift zigzagging flight, and easiness of approach to them, and I have no doubt he saw a small party of Bee-Eaters (F. C. Butters).'

139). 1949 Radnorshire Moel Fryn, near Rhayader, 3rd to 4th August.

(D. Stewart-Peter, British Birds 43: 156; Peers, 1985).

History Davina Stewart-Peter (1950) in British Birds, Vol. XLIII. p. 156, says: 'On August 3rd, 1949, at about 16:00, B.S.T., I was climbing down the north face of Moel Fryn, near Rhayader, Radnorshire, when a brilliantly-coloured bird rose from the heather in front of me. It seemed to be about the size of a Jackdaw (Corvus monedula), though the body was smaller, the wings relatively larger and the tail a good deal longer. I was able to note the following points: wings, curved like those of a Swallow (Hirundo rustica), brilliant sapphire-blue; back, reddish-chestnut; tail, green; bib, bright yellow, edged with brown or black. On the following day, at about the same time, my mother and I went to the same spot where I got another view of the bird from above. This time I saw that the two central tail-feathers were long and pointed. My mother, who was below the bird when it flew, saw it against the sky and so could not see much of the bird's colour; she was, however, able to confirm my impression of its size and shape and of the colour and shape of the wings, A further search for the bird proved unsuccessful, but there seems little doubt that it was a Bee-eater (Merops apiaster). This appears to be the first record of the species in Radnorshire.'

1950-57 RECORDS

140). 1951 Shetland Lerwick, Mainland, adult, 4th to 5th October.

(K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 1 (5): 11; G. T. Kay, Scottish Naturalist 64: 117; Venables & Venables, 1955).

History K. Williamson (1951) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin, Vol. I (V). p. 11, says: 'One was at Lerwick from Oct. 4-5th, the third record for Shetland. It fed much like a Swift, but at 30-50 feet up, with a considerable amount of gliding in its flight. (per G. T. Kay).'

G. T. Kay (1952) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXIV. p. 117, says: 'On 4th and 5th October 1951 a Bee-eater Merops apiaster was seen within the burgh boundaries of Lerwick. It hawked flies at a height of 40 to 50 feet in the manner of a Swift except that there was much intermittent gliding. The writer was able to get good views of the bird with binoculars at approximately 40 yards, first when it perched on a fence and later when it sat on an out-crop of rock in the middle of a field.

The long bill and long central tail feathers could be distinctly seen when the bird was on the wing, but the remarkable beauty of its plumage could be noted when it was at rest. The bird appeared to be in perfect adult plumage. The Bee-eater has been seen in Shetland on at least two earlier occasions.'

141). 1953 Isles of Scilly Abbey Gardens, Tresco and St Martin's, three, 13th to 20th April.

(B. H. Ryves, H. M. Quick & A. G. Parsons, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1953: 36; I. C. T. Nisbet, British Birds 49: 408; Penhallurick, 1978).

History B. H. Ryves, H. M. Quick & A. G. Parsons (1953) in the Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXIII. p. 36, say: 'From April 13th to 20th, three were present in Tresco Gardens. Evidently tired by their long flight, they were very tame, but as time went on they became more wild and used to take flight to a very high elevation, almost out of sight. They were last seen on April 20th, at a great height. A.A.D.-S. Bee-eaters were also reported from St. Martin's during this period. E.P.R.'

144). 1953 Greater London/Kent Near Sevenoaks, 15th May.

(J. G. Harrison, British Birds 47: 84-85; E. H. Gillham, Kent Bird Report 1953: 25; Harrison, 1953).

History J. G. Harrison (1954) in British Birds, Vol. XLVII. pp. 84-85, says: 'On May 15th, 1953, while driving my car along a country lane on the outskirts of Sevenoaks, Kent, I had a good view of a Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) that suddenly dashed

across the road about twenty yards in front of me, closely followed by a Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) that appeared to be pursuing it.  It was raining at the time and the colours did not show up particularly brightly, but sufficiently for me to see the brown on the back. The bird was flying with very rapid wing beats and made one characteristic twisting dive, while the long, pointed central tail feathers were easily seen, as well as the long pointed wings. I am familiar with the species in S.W. Europe.'

E. H. Gillham (1953) in the Kent Bird Report, Vol. II. p. 25, says: 'One near Sevenoaks on May 15 (J.G.H.), is the first record for Kent for about seventy years. Full details will be found in British Birds, Vol. XLVII. pp. 84-5.'

145). 1953 Sussex Newhaven Harbour, 30th May.

(G. des Forges & D. D. Harber, Sussex Bird Report 1953: 14).

History G. des Forges & D. D. Harber (1953) in the Sussex Bird Report, Vol. VI. p. 14, say: 'On May 30th A.R.L., who knows the Bee-eater well in the Middle East and East Africa, had no hesitation in identifying as such a bird which passed within 25 yards of where he and his wife were standing at Newhaven Harbour. It was flying westwards along the coast.'

146). 1954 Essex Felsted, 16th August.

(S. E. Linsell, British Birds 48: 332; G. A. Pyman, Essex Bird Report 1954: 29; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984).

History S. E. Linsell (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 332, says: 'On 16th August 1954 I identified a Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) at Felsted, Essex. The bird was first seen at 8.30 a.m. perched in the top of a dead oak-tree at the side of a road along which I was driving. Stopping the car some 20 yards away, I confirmed my first impression that it was a Bee-eater, a bird which I have seen many times in Africa. Through binoculars I clearly saw the long, decurved, black bill; the yellow throat with a faint dark line separating it from the blue-green under-parts; the chestnut back and rather darker head and nape; the blue-green wings with brown markings on the upper coverts; and the long, green tail with the elongated central feathers. I was particularly interested to observe the effect which this bird had on many Blue and Great tits (Parus caeruleus and major), several Chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs) and a few Yellowhammers (Emberiza citrinella). These birds were very excited by the presence of the Bee-eater, and were mobbing it as if it were an owl. Each time the Bee-eater flew in a circle from the tree, they all chased after it, chattering away. I never observed this in Africa. I watched the bird for fifteen minutes. When I returned in the afternoon there was no sign of it.'

147). 1955 Caernarfonshire Borth-y-gest, near Porthmadog, 12th May.

(W. M. Condry, Nature in Wales 1: 140; Jones & Dare, 1976).

History W. M. Condry (1955) in Nature in Wales, Vol. I. p. 140, says: 'One was seen at about twenty feet range perched on overhead power-wires at Borth-y-Gest on 12th May 1955. Though it was raining and the bird looked rather tired and weather-beaten its vivid colours stood out brilliantly: bright yellow throat, golden back, blue-green and brown wings, white forehead and long green tail. The long, curved and very pointed bill was also noted. Weather: Rain from S.W. barometer 30 ins., temperature 50° F (D. L. A. Bailey).'

148). 1955 West Midlands Near Minworth, Warwickshire, 14th May.

(J. Lord, West Midland Bird Report 1955: 32; Harrison et al., 1982; Harrison & Harrison, 2005).

History J. Lord (1955) in the West Midland Bird Report, Vol. XXII. p. 32, says: 'A bird seen near Minworth on May 14th was described as being larger than a Starling, had vivid blue-green on the breast, bright yellow on the back and gave a throaty whistling call as it flew (W. Breeden).'

Accepted locally as the second for their area of the West Midlands Bird Club (Harrison et al. 1982; Harrison & Harrison 2005).

149). 1955 Isles of Scilly Abbey Gardens, Tresco, four, 18th to 19th May.

(B. H. Ryves, H. M. Quick & A. G. Parsons, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1955: 36; Penhallurick, 1978).

History B. H. Ryves, H. M. Quick & A. G. Parsons (1955) in the Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXV. p. 36, say: 'May 18th. Four in Tresco gardens for two days. E.D.S.'

153). 1955 Suffolk Orfordness, seven, 2nd to 5th June.

(F. K. Cobb, Suffolk Bird Report 1955: 18; Payn, 1978).

History F. K. Cobb (1955) in the Suffolk Bird Report, p. 18, says: 'A party of seven were at Orford from June 2nd to 5th. First seen around the village allotments they spent most of their time afterwards in feeding around the edges of a mustard field and an orchard, coming into the village gardens each evening, perching on clothes-lines, etc., and retiring to roost in a fir tree promptly at 2045 hours. Frequently seen perched on the telephone wires in three pairs, with the odd bird slightly apart from the others, and one bird of each pair was seen to feed its partner on several occasions; food appeared to be mainly bees. They were last seen and heard at 0415 hours on the 5th, and apparently left the district at about this time (R.J.P.).'

Comment The most important detail is missing - identification!

160). 1955 Shetland Lerwick, Mainland, 3rd June.

(T. Henderson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 3: 24).

History T. Henderson (1955) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin, Vol. III. p. 24, says: 'One at Lerwick, June 3rd; there was an "invasion" of southern England about this time.'

161). 1955 Kent Sandwich Bay, 6th June.

(E. H. Gillham, Kent Bird Report 1955: 20, 25; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1981).

History E. H. Gillham (1955) in the Kent Bird Report, Vol. IV. p. 20, says: 'One seen well in flight swooping and diving over Sandwich Bay Estate on June 6. It was first seen at 20 yards range at 17.10 hours (J.N.H., J. Ross).'

162). 1955 Sussex North Lancing, 6th June.

(G. des Forges & D. D. Harber, Sussex Bird Report 1955: 16).

History G. des Forges & D. D. Harber (1955) in the Sussex Bird Report, p. 16, say: 'One at North Lancing on June 6th (R.J.S.).'

163.0). 1955 Sussex East Chiltington, three, 12th June; same, Streat Sandpit, five, 31st July; three pairs nested, two pairs bred seven young, summer; one brood left late August the other brood left early September; same, between Ringmer and Laughton, nine, 17th September; same, Plumpton, thirteen, 24th September; twelve also in Kent.

(Bird Notes 27: 34-43; G. des Forges & D. D. Harber, Sussex Bird Report 1955: 16; B. L. Sage, British Birds 50: 76; Country Side, Winter 1955: 315-318; Shrubb, 1979; Birding World 15: 327).

History G. des Forges & D. D. Harber (1955) in the Sussex Bird Report, p. 16, say: 'On 12th June three were seen in central Sussex (E. A. Packington per British Birds). On 31st July five were seen in a sand-pit about 2 miles from this locality by Mr. and Mrs. D. E. Kimmins and Miss M. Longhurst. Subsequent investigations (involving many observers) established the fact that three pairs had attempted to nest in this sand-pit. One nest had been accidentally destroyed but, thanks to the assistance of the RSPB, the other pairs succeeded in raising young, four from one nest and three from the other. When these were all on the wing 13 birds were present in the locality, where they were last seen (about a mile from the nesting site) on 24th September. On 17th September S.H.F. saw nine about eight miles from the nesting site. This is not only the first breeding record of the species for Sussex but the first successful breeding for Britain.'

B. L. Sage (1957) in British Birds, Vol. L. p. 76, says: '...Whilst watching the Bee-eaters in Sussex on 24th August 1955, I saw one of the adults catch a specimen of the large hawker dragonfly Aeshna cyanea in flight. The bird returned to its perch on some telegraph wires where it sat for some minutes repeatedly tossing the dragonfly into the air and catching it by the head, but making no attempt to remove the wings. Eventually it flew off towards the nesting-site still carrying the dragonfly by the head.'

Comment First ever proven breeding of Bee-eaters in Britain.

176). 1955 Greater London/Hertfordshire Old Parkbury, Radlett, 12th July.

(F. H. Jones, London Bird Report 1955: 26; Sage, 1959; Gladwin & Sage, 1986; Self, 2014).

History F. H. Jones (1955) in the London Bird Report, p. 26, say: 'H. Old Parkbury G.P., one flying low northwards on July 12th. Long curved bill; yellow throat, yellowish-brown back, rest of plumage blue, tinted green; long tail; flight like Swallow; call, a soft "cloop". Although it was sunny the colours were not bright (EHW).'

Sage (1959) adds: 'An undoubted Bee-eater was seen at Old Parkbury, Radlett, by Professor E. H. Warmington on 12th July, 1955. It may be coincidence that our native climate favoured us with a particularly fine summer that year, which was held responsible for the successful breeding of three pairs of these birds in Sussex.'

177). 1955 Worcestershire Kidderminster, two, 2nd September.

(J. Lord, West Midland Bird Report 1955: 32; Harrison et al., 1982; Harrison & Harrison, 2005).

History J. Lord (1955) in the West Midland Bird Report, Vol. XXII. p. 32, says: 'Two birds seen at Kidderminster from indoors on September 2nd making flights from a wireless aerial were from the description probably of this species (J. L. Jarvis). Long beak, long tail, dark brown marking on the side of face and neck, and light throat noted together with some yellow colouring which first attracted attention.'

Accepted by Harrison et al. (1982) who say: 'Two, probably of this species, were watched making flights from an aerial at Kidderminster on 2nd September 1955', and again by Harrison & Harrison (2005) as the first for Worcestershire and the third for their area of the West Midlands Bird Club.

163.1). 1955 Kent St Mary's Bay, Romney Marsh, twelve, 25th to 26th September; same as East Sussex.

(E. H. Gillham, Kent Bird Report 1955: 20-21, 25; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1981).

History E. H. Gillham (1955) in the Kent Bird Report, Vol. IV. p. 20, says: 'At St. Mary's Bay, near Dymchurch, from about 11.30 hrs, Sept. 25, about a dozen were watched for several hours and seen to fly up from overhead cables to catch insects (D.H. per H.E.A.). At 08.00 hrs., Sept. 26, H.E.A.'s son, who had previously spent a week at the Sussex Bee-eater colony, heard Bee-eaters calling over or near the garden while inside his home at St. Mary's Bay. It is likely that these were the birds from the Sussex colony whence 13 were last seen heading east at 10.00 hrs., Sept. 25 (per H.E.A.). Full details relating to both records have been received, and in addition to the distinctive plumage, which has been well described, the long greenish tails, long curved bills, and yellow throat with a black line bordering it below, were clearly noted.'

179). 1956 Sussex Between Lewes and Uckfield, 8th May.

(D. D. Harber, Sussex Bird Report 1956: 21; des Forges & Harber, 1963).

History D. D. Harber (1956) in the Sussex Bird Report, p. 21, says: 'On May 8th one flew low in front of a car driven by Mrs. L.A.C. between Lewes and Uckfield. The blue-green sheen of the wings and the projecting tail-feathers were distinctly seen. The observer saw the breeding birds of the previous year.'

180). 1956 Cornwall Chapel Porth, St Agnes, 19th May.

(B. H. Ryves, H. M. Quick & J. E. Beckerlegge, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1956: 12; Penhallurick, 1978).

History B. H. Ryves, H. M. Quick & J. E. Beckerlegge (1956) in the Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXVI. p. 12, say: 'May 19th. At Chapel Porth, one. S.W. & L.J. (Full details of plumage submitted to Editors).'

163.2). 1957 Sussex Streat Sandpit, near Plumpton, female, 29th May to 4th August; presumed one of 1955 party.

(D. D. Harber, Sussex Bird Report 1957: 17; des Forges & Harber, 1963; Shrubb, 1979).

History D. D. Harber (1957) in the Sussex Bird Report, p. 17, says: 'One frequented the 1955 nesting site and another sand pit not far off from May 29th to August 4th. It was seen by many observers, including N.C., P.J.C., D.D.H., R.J. W. On May 31st and June 1st P.J.C. saw it excavating small holes, but there is no acceptable evidence that more than one bird ( a female - D.D.H.) was present. It is quite likely to have been a bird hatched there in 1955.'

181). 1957 Lincolnshire Gibraltar Point, 2nd September.

(R. K. Cornwallis & A. E. Smith, Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory and Field Research Station Report 1957: 17; Cornwallis, 1970; Lorand & Atkin, 1989).

History R. K. Cornwallis & A. E. Smith (1957) in the Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory and Field Research Station Report, p. 17, say: 'GP., 2/9. This is the third Lincolnshire record and the first since 1880.'

Accepted locally (Cornwallis 1970; Lorand & Atkin 1989).

NOT PROVEN

0). 1829 Norfolk Hockering, shot, undated.

(Hunt, 1829; Gurney, 1884).

[Gurney, 1884].

History Gurney (1884: 21) says: 'In 1829, one is stated to have been shot at Hockering (Stacey's Hist. of Norf. Vol. II. p. 1352).'

Comment Gurney used the words "one is stated" placing no faith in the record. Not acceptable.

0). 1830 Devon Near Plymouth, undated.

(E. Moore, Transactions of the Plymouth Institute 1830: 315; E. Moore, Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History 1: 180; Harting, 1880; D'Urban & Mathew, 1892).

[KAN].

History E. Moore (1830) in the Transactions of the Plymouth Institute, p. 315, says: 'A specimen also in Mr. Rowe's collection.' E. Moore (1837) in Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. I. p. 180, says: 'A fine specimen was shot at Leigham in April, 1818; another at Ivybridge, in 1822; another is in Mr. Rowe's collection; and a flock of eleven was seen at Helston, Cornwall, in 1828; all of which were captured.'

Harting, Editor (1880: 69) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'Four others, according to Couch, were seen in the parish of Madron.' Further, p. 309, under 'Appendix' Rodd adds: 'Of the four Bee-eaters seen in the parish of Madron in 1807, two were shot. One of these was in the Plymouth Athenaeum, presented by Mr. G. S. Borlase; the other in Mr. Rowe's collection.'

D'Urban & Mathew (1892: 118) say: 'Another was in the collection of Mr. J. B. Rowe, of Plymouth, (E.M., Trans. Plymouth Inst. 1830, p. 315; Mag. Nat. Hist. 1837, p. 180; Rowe's Peramb. Dartmoor, 1848, App. p. 233).'

Comment A poor record with no actual date or location, and as Mr. Rowe has one in his collection from Madron, Cornwall, it may refer to that specimen. Not acceptable.

0). 1839 Dorset Christchurch, Hampshire, shot, autumn.

(Yarrell, 1845; Morris, 1856-62; Green, 2004).

[Yarrell, 1876-82].

History Yarrell (1845 (2): 219, 2nd ed.) says: 'A specimen was shot during the autumn of the present year 1839, at Christchurch, in Hampshire, for the knowledge of which I am indebted to the kindness of my friend T. C. Heysham, Esq., of Carlisle.'

Morris (1857 (2): 21-22, reissue) says: 'In Hampshire, one at Christchurch, in the autumn of 1839.'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 435-436, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, in a footnote, says: 'The example then said, on Heysham's authority, to have been shot at Christchurch in 1839, was, as Mr. Borrer informs the Editor, a foreign specimen.'

Comment Imported skin. Not acceptable.

0). 1840 Avon Widcombe, seen, undated.

(Terry, 1888).

[KAN].

History C. Terry (1888) under 'Aves' in the Zoology chapter in the Handbook to Bath, p. 255, says: 'Merops apiaster. Common Bee Eater, shot in Villa Fields in 1842; seen at Widcombe in 1840.'

Comment No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.

0). 1842 Avon Villa Fields, shot, undated.

(Terry, 1888).

[KAN].

History C. Terry (1888) under 'Aves' in the Zoology chapter in the Handbook to Bath, p. 255, says: 'Merops apiaster. Common Bee Eater, shot in Villa Fields in 1842; seen at Widcombe in 1840.'

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

0). 1849 Yorkshire Sheffield, obtained, undated.

(Morris, 1856-62; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Mather, 1986).

[KAN].

History Morris (1857 (2): 21, reissue) says: 'In Yorkshire one, described in the paper as a 'Beef-eater', was obtained near Sheffield, about the year 1849.'

Clarke & Roebuck (1881: 39) say: 'Sheffield, 1849 (Morris, B. Birds, I. 313).'

Accepted locally (Nelson 1907 (1): 283).

Comment Prof. Newton didn't like Morris' recording as some of his records lacked supporting details (Jenks 2004). Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.

0). 1851 Angus & Dundee No locality, Forfarshire, shot, undated, now in the Montrose Museum.

(J. Taylor, Morris and Bree's Naturalist 3: 139; Gray, 1871; H. M. Drummond Hay, Scottish Naturalist 8: 364).

[Harvie-Brown, 1906].

History James Taylor (1853) in Morris and Bree's edition of The Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 139, dated 3rd March, 1853, says: '...another was shot in Forfarshire, in 1851, now in the Montrose Museum.'

Gray (1871: 203) admits to having seen this specimen.

H. M. Drummond Hay (1885-86) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. VIII. p. 364, in the Report of the East of Scotland Union, admits this record, but it was not accepted by Harvie-Brown (1906: 168) who placed the record in square brackets.

0). 1851 Pembrokeshire Near Pembroke, picked up dead, undated.

(J. Tracy, Zoologist 1851: 3047; T. Dix, Zoologist 1869: 1675; Mathew, 1894; Lockley, 1949).

[Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994; Green, 2004].

History James Tracy (1851) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. IX. p. 3047, says: 'I picked up a specimen, on some high land near the sea-coast, which had not been long dead; I succeeded in skinning and setting it up, and I think it is in the collection of J. Stokes, Esq., of Cuffern.'

T. Dix (1869) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IV. p. 1675, undated, says: 'A specimen which I saw in Mr. Tracy's shop was killed near Pembroke; it was too much injured to tell if it was an old or young bird.'

Mathew (1894: 42) says: 'Mr. Tracy picked up a Bee-eater, he does not state in what year, on some high ground near the sea coast. It had not been long dead, and he succeeded in skinning and mounting it. It passed into the collection of the late Mr. John Stokes, of Cuffern, in whose hospitable house we have often seen it.'

Accepted locally (Lockley 1949: 49). However, nationally, Lovegrove, Williams & Williams (1994) state the first record as occurring in c.1854.

0). 1853 Moray & Nairn Lossiemouth, Moray, killed, October.

(Gordon, 1889; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1896; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

[Cook, 1992].

History Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1896 (2): 36) say: 'One killed at Lossiemouth in October 1853, as given in Fauna of Moray.' Cook (1992) says: 'Baxter & Rintoul (1953) gave a record of a Bee-eater killed at Lossiemouth in October 1853.

This, however, appears to be an error as Gordon (1889) made no mention of it and included instead a Hoopoe killed at Lossiemouth in that month.'

Comment Misinterpretation. Not acceptable.

0). 1858 North-east Scotland Hills of Boyndie, near Banff, Banffshire, seen, summer.

(T. Edward, Zoologist 1858: 6268; Gray, 1871; Smiles, 1889).

[Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007].

History Thomas Edward of Banff (1858) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XVI. p. 6268, dated 28th September, 1858, says: 'During the past summer a specimen of the Bee-eater was observed by three different individuals at a place called the Hills of Boyndie, about two miles from Banff.'

Gray (1871: 203) says: 'Mr. Edward has informed me that a specimen was obtained some years ago in Banffshire.'

Smiles (1889: 213-214) says: 'Many rare birds were sent to him [Thomas Edward] for examination, notices of which he recorded in the local paper....The Spoonbill and the Bee-eater - very rare birds - were also found at Boyndie. Of the latter bird, Edward says: "This is a splendid bird, as rare as the last, if not more so. If we accept the breast, which is of a bright yellow, encircled by a black ring, and some other orange and brown scattered here and there, it may be said to be of a beautiful verdigris green. The two middle tail feathers are about an inch longer than the others. The bill is longish and pointed".'

Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1896 (2): 36) say: 'Hypothetical occurrences at Hill of Boyndie and between Huntly and Dufftown are given by Edward.'

Not accepted nationally for Scotland (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).

0). Pre 1866 Greater London Between Kingsbury and Hampstead, obtained, undated.

(Harting, 1866; Self, 2014).

[Harting, 1866; Glegg, 1935].

History Harting (1866: 121) says: 'I have seen a stuffed specimen, said to have been killed many years ago between Kingsbury and Hampstead; but owing to the length of time that has elapsed since its capture, I have been unable to obtain any particulars respecting it.'

Glegg (1935: 93) placed the record in square brackets.

0). 1868 Leicestershire & Rutland Near Ketton, Rutland, pair, nested, summer.

(Lilford, 1895; Haines, 1907).

[Fray et al., 2009].

History Lord Lilford (1895 (1): 259) says: 'My sole authority for its occurrence is a letter from Mr. A. G. Elliot of Stamford, dated March 4th, 1876, who therein writes: - "A pair of these scarce birds built a nest in the bank of a pond close to Kelthorpe, a hamlet to Ketton, Rutland, in the summer of 1868;the nest was composed of bones, wings, &c.

A man in the employ of C. O. Eaton, Esq., shot one bird, which I stuffed for Mr. Andrews of Ketton; the young being able to fly, got away with the other bird". This story so much astonished me that I cross-examined Mr. Elliot (who called me shortly after writing the above letter) very closely; he confirmed every word of the statement most positively, and convinced me that a Bee-eater had been shot at the spot mentioned, and passed through his hands for preservation.

But as regards its nest, I must confess that I am still very sceptical: for besides the extreme improbability of the Bee-eater nesting in this country, the mention of bones in the said nest points at once to the Kingfisher, the present species being entirely insectivorous. The "wings" were, of course, those of insects; and so far their presence in the nest is in favour of the Bee-eater theory. It is, of course, not impossible that a Bee-eater might take possession of the nesting-hole of a Kingfisher; but I consider that this part of the story is, to say: the least of it, somewhat "mixed", though I have no doubt as to Mr. Elliot's perfect good faith, nor, as I have just stated, the fact of a Bee-eater having been seen by him "in the flesh".

I must add: that Mr. Elliot is perfectly well acquainted with the present species, and assured me that he often saw the two birds at the spot above mentioned. Mr. Andrews having migrated to Melton Mowbray, could not be found by Mr. Elliot, who at my request went thither to seek for him. I give the whole story as it came to me; and on this evidence I trust that my readers will consider at least that I am justified in recording the Bee-eater as having occurred in the district of which I am treating.'

Haines (1907: 82-83) says: 'It is a real satisfaction to be able to include this rare and beautiful bird among the birds of Rutland, on the unimpeachable authority of the late Lord Lilford's Birds of Northamptonshire and Neighbourhood, from which I make no apology for extracting the following: - "In a letter dated March 24, 1876, Mr. A. C. Elliot, of Stamford, writes: "A pair of these scarce birds built a nest in the bank of a pond close to Kelthorpe (or Kilthorpe), a hamlet of Ketton, Rutland, in the summer of 1868. The nest was composed of bones, wings, &c. A man in the employ of C. O. Eaton, Esq., shot one bird, which I stuffed for Mr. Andrews, of Ketton. The young, being able to fly, got away with the mother-bird". The late Mr. A. C. Elliot was a naturalist and taxidermist of equal intelligence and experience. We take it, therefore, that he could not have been mistaken in the species of a bird so unmistakeable, and one which he had actually set up for preservation".'

Not accepted locally (Fray et al. 2009).

Comment Elliot was a dealer cum bird-stuffer at Stamford who also picked up a freshly dead Woodchat Shrike in early January 1883 near Stamford and claims to have seen another in spring 1859, which would be highly lucky to find two of this species near Stamford. Misidentified. Not acceptable.

0). 1868 Suffolk Glemham Hall, seen, mid-June.

(A. Clark-Kennedy, Zoologist 1869: 1696; Yarrell, 1871-85; Ticehurst, 1932).

[E. Newman, Zoologist 1869: 1696; Yarrell, 1876-82].

History Alexander Clark-Kennedy of Little Glemham (1869) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IV. p. 1696, dated January, 1869, says: 'One of these rare and lovely birds was seen upon a cherry tree by several gardeners, while working in the garden at Glemham Hall, upon one of the early days of the present week [16th June]. The head-gardener, upon seeing the bird - which he knew to be very scarce - ran for his gun, but luckily the wary stranger made good its escape before he returned.' Further, in a editorial footnote, Newman adds: 'From my experience of gardener's Ornithology, I should be inclined to doubt their competency to identify a rare species. In this case their description of colour might apply to the Roller (Coracias garrula).'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 437, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'One is supposed to have been seen at Glemham in June 1868 (Zool., p. 1696).'

Babington (1884-86: 101) says: 'A bird presumed to have been of this species seen by several gardeners...With the exception of a somewhat doubtful case in 1868, it does not appear to have occurred in Suffolk since 1845.'

Ticehurst (1932: 197) quoting the original reference says: '...presumed to be this species'.

Comment Not fully identified. Not acceptable.

0). 1868 Suffolk Kelvedon, seen, undated.

(C. Denny, Hardwicke's Science Gossip 1868: 64).

[KAN].

History C. Denny (1868) in Hardwicke's Science Gossip, Vol. IV. p. 64, says: 'A beautiful specimen of this bird was noticed here some months since, which, to use a common expression, seemed "hard up", for it darted into the stream after pieces of bread, which it quickly swallowed. Its flight greatly resembled that of the Kingfisher.'

Comment Misidentified. Not acceptable.

0). 1871 Gloucestershire Shurdington, killed, undated.

(Mellersh, 1902).

[Swaine, 1982].

History Swaine (1982) says: 'Mellersh records a Bee-eater having been killed at Shurdington, near Cheltenham, about 1871. The only fully satisfactory record is of a bird at South Cerney, 31st May 1979.'

0). Pre 1872 Lincolnshire No locality, obtained, undated.

(Cordeaux, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85).

[Smith & Cornwallis, 1955].

History Cordeaux (1872: 71) says: 'Mr. Boulton had a beautiful specimen of this brilliant and rare visitant, which was shot some years since in Lincolnshire.'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 437, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'In Lincolnshire Mr. Cordeaux notices a specimen without locality or date some years before 1872.'

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

0). 1872 Clyde Paisley Moss, Renfrewshire, undated.

(J. Robertson & T. T. MacKeith, Scottish Naturalist 35: 247; McWilliam, 1936; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

[SBRC].

History J. Robertson & T. T. MacKeith (1915) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLI. p. 247, say: '...another example [to 1869] occurred at Paisley Moss about 1872 (Paisley MS. List).'

Comment Considered by Scottish Birds Records Committee (e-mail) to be the same as the 1869 record. Not acceptable.

0). 1875 Sussex Eastbourne, obtained, June.

(Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[KAN].

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 163) says: 'In June, 1875 - as I gather from Arnold's "Private Notes" - one of these birds was obtained by Mr. F. Wise at Eastbourne; and almost assuredly Mr. J. A. Howard's remark quoted in Bygone Eastbourne (1902, p. 312) by Mr. J. C. Wright about the "Bee-eater...being occasionally seen round here" bears directly on this specimen. At any rate I know of no other example from the town indicated or its neighbourhood.'

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

0). Pre 1880 Yorkshire No locality, obtained, undated.

(Nelson, 1907).

[KAN].

History Nelson (1907 (1): 283) says: 'Mr. T. Stephenson of Whitby states (MS. 1880), "Wm. Lister of Glaisdale says, several years ago a stuffed one was in possession of the late Wm. Keld Agar in Fryup.'

Comment Third-hand report. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.

0). 1881 Angus & Dundee Montrose, Angus, shot, undated.

(H. M. Drummond Hay, Proceedings of the East of Scotland Union of Naturalists' Societies 1886: 34; H. M. Drummond Hay, Scottish Naturalist 8: 364; Crighton, 1976).

[Baxter & Rintoul, 1953].

History H. M. Drummond Hay (1886) in the Proceedings of the East of Scotland Union of Naturalists' Societies, p. 32, says: 'One was shot near Montrose in 1881 (fide Mr. Barclay).' H. M. Drummond Hay (1885-86) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. VIII. p. 364, in the Report of the East of Scotland Union, admits this record. However, it was not accepted nationally (Baxter & Rintoul 1953).

0). Pre 1885 Essex/Greater London Wanstead, seen, undated.

(Buxton, 1885; Swann, 1893; Self, 2014).

[KAN].

History Buxton (1885) says: 'Observed at Wanstead by H.I.'

Swan (1893) says: 'It is also stated to have been observed at Wanstead, Essex (Buxton's Epping Forest).'

Comment No identification details for this sight record. Also, lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not acceptable.

0). 1888 Leicestershire & Rutland Loughborough, two, shot, May.

("R.H.T.D." Field 2nd May 1891: 641; R. H. T. Drummond, Field 9th May 1891: 675; T. Marshall, Field 16th May 1891: 738).

[Not in Fray et al., 2009].

History "R.H.T.D." (1891) in The Field of 2nd May, Vol. LXXVII. p. 641, says: 'I have recently obtained possession of the skins of two Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster), shot at Loughborough, in Leicestershire, in the month of May, 1880. I cannot find any trace of a single specimen having been shot in these islands of late years, so I write to acquaint you of this fact, although rather late in the day. I inclose [sic] my card, and shall be pleased to show them to anyone by appointment.'

R. H. T. Drummond (1891) in The Field of 9th May, Vol. LXXVII. p. 675, says: 'A slight error crept into my note last week referring to the capture of a pair of Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster). The printer made me state that they were shot in May, 1880. It should have been May, 1888, that is, just three years ago.'

Thomas Marshall of High Wycombe (1891) in The Field of 16th May, Vol. LXXVII. p. 738, says: 'In reply to your last week's correspondent, I would refer him to The Field of Sept. 11, 1880, which records the capture of a Bee-eater at Fetney [sic] Lock, Grimsby, by Mr. Stubbs on Aug. 16 of that year. It was set up by Mr. Kew, of Louth, and is now in my possession. The month of May, 1880, when the two Bee-eaters mentioned by your correspondent were killed, was very hot and dry...Bee-eaters, I believe, occasionally comes in flocks, and it would be interesting to know of the arrival of others (if any) about that period.'

Comment It would appear that Fray et al. (2009) were unaware of this record as they mention other unsuitable records, but state the first record as occurring in 1950. Not acceptable.

0). 1889 Devon Stoke Wood, near Exeter, seen, 17th July and 13th August.

(L. M. Kennaway, Zoologist 1890: 100-101).

[D'Urban & Mathew, 1892].

History Leonard M. Kennaway of Homefield, Exeter (1890) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIV. pp. 100-101, says: 'Perhaps it might interest some of your readers to know that twice during the summer of last year I saw a Bee-eater, Merops apiaster, in the neighbourhood of Exeter, namely, on July 17th and Aug. 13th. The first time I saw it, it was only for a moment, the chief thing which struck me about it being the rusty or chestnut-brown about the body. The second time I had a better view of it, and specially noticed that it had a long and slightly-curved bill, and a good deal of greenish blue about the chest, &c.; also a yellow throat divided from the breast by a black line, and wings somewhat like a Swallow's. Of course it may not have been the same bird each time; the second time I am sure it was a male, the throat being of a darker yellow than that of the female seems, by the accounts in books to be; but the first time I did not see it long enough to determine its sex. I should think that it was the same male each time; but the birds might possibly have been a pair, the first one being the female, and the second the male.'

D'Urban & Mathew (1892: 118-119) say: 'A bird supposed to be a male Bee eater was seen twice at Culmfoot, and at Stoke Wood, near Exeter, on July 17th and August 13th, 1889 (D. & E. Gazette, August 16th, 1889; M. Kennaway, Zool., 1889, p. 100).'

Comment D'Urban & Mathew used the word "supposed" placing no faith in the record. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1900 Pembrokeshire No locality, killed, undated.

(Lockley, 1949; Green & Roberts, 2004).

[KAN].

History Lockley (1949: 49) say: 'One picked up "on some high ground near the sea coast", without date.'

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

0). 1903 Sussex Burwash, obtained, 6th June.

(Walpole-Bond, 1938).

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

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 163) says: 'In 1903, on June 6th, one was procured at Burwash, as I was informed by Mr. J. B. Nichols, into whose possession it soon passed.'

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1903 Dorset Holdenhurst, Hampshire, seen, June.

(Kelsall & Munn, 1905; Clark, 2022).

[Clark & Eyre, 1993].

History Kelsall & Munn (1905: 113) say: 'Mr. Hart informs us...of one seen at Holdenhurst, in June, 1903.'

Not accepted locally (Clark & Eyre 1993).

0). 1905 Sussex Dallington, adult male, obtained, 31st May.

(E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist 1: 17-18; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 282; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

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

History E. N. Bloomfield (1906) in the Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. I. pp. 17-18, says: 'I am indebted to Messrs. N. F. Ticehurst and W. Ruskin Butterfield for the following notices of rare birds which have occurred in our own and in neighbouring districts. In the Hastings district - Merops apiaster, L., Bee-eater, Dallington, May 31st, 1905.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 282, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 163) says: 'May 31st. One at Dallington. This specimen passed into the Ashburnham collection.'

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1905 Sussex Burwash, adult male, shot, 5th June.

(E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist 1: 304, 305; N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 3: 294-295; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

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

History E. N. Bloomfield (1911) in the Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. I. pp. 304, 305, says: 'Dr. N. F. Ticehurst has sent me a long and very interesting list of rare birds which have occurred in our own and neighbouring districts, to which I have added a few others lately presented to the Museum by Mr. W. H. Mullens. In Sussex - Merops apiaster, L., Bee-eater, adult male, Burwash, June 5th, 1905, this is additional to the bird killed at Dallington, 31st June [sic] of the same year.'

N. F. Ticehurst (1910) in British Birds, Vol. III. pp. 294-295, says: 'The authorities in charge of the Booth Museum at Brighton have recently issued, under the. editorship of Mr. A. F . Griffith, a supplement to the third edition of the Catalogue of the collection. This consists of a description of a few of Booth's birds that were not included in that edition, together with a considerable list of additions made to the collection during the last fifteen years. Chief among these are the Borrer and Monk collections purchased in 1901 and 1905 respectively, and the collection of the late Bishop Wilberforce presented by his son in 1903. These three collections are all rich in local Sussex birds, and contain many of the rare and unique specimens recorded in Borrer's Birds of Sussex. Several of these specimens had already been mentioned in the third edition of the "Catalogue", but others do not appear to have been elsewhere recorded, and so were not included in the serial paper of "Additions" published in Vols. I. and II. of our Magazine. The most important appear to be as follows: - Bee-eater (Merops apiaster). An adult male, shot at Burwash, Sussex, on June 5th, 1905. This is said to have been one of three seen together.'

Accepted locally by Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 163) who adds: '...now in the Dyke Road Museum, Brighton.'

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1905 Sussex Near Ashburnham, obtained, 6th June.

(Walpole-Bond, 1938).

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

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 163) says: 'June. Three "in the Ashburnham district", but for two only - which are now in the Dyke Road Museum, Brighton - can I acquire full data. These read: Burwash, June 5th; and just Ashburnham district, June 6th.'

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1905 Sussex Burwash, obtained, 9th September.

(Walpole-Bond, 1938).

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

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 163) says: 'September 9th. One at Burwash.'

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1905 Sussex Brightling, obtained, 2nd October.

(N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 3: 294-295; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

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

History N. F. Ticehurst (1910) in British Birds, Vol. III. pp. 294-295, says: 'The authorities in charge of the Booth Museum at Brighton have recently issued, under the. editorship of Mr. A. F. Griffith, a supplement to the third edition of the Catalogue of the collection. This consists of a description of a few of Booth's birds that were not included in that edition, together with a considerable list of additions made to the collection during the last fifteen years. Chief among these are the Borrer and Monk collections purchased in 1901 and 1905 respectively, and the collection of the late Bishop Wilberforce presented by his son in 1903.

These three collections are all rich in local Sussex birds, and contain many of the rare and unique specimens recorded in Borrer's Birds of Sussex. Several of these specimens had already been mentioned in the third edition of the Catalogue, but others do not appear to have been elsewhere recorded, and so were not included in the serial paper of "Additions" published in Vols. I. and II. of our Magazine. The most important appear to be as follows: - Bee-eater (Merops apiaster). Another as having been seen at Brightling about the same time [late May-early June].'

Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 163).

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1910 Norfolk Mundesley, seen, 13th May.

(S. E. Holland, Field 28th May, 1910: 949; J. H. Gurney, Field 18th Jun., 1910: 1099).

[H. F. Witherby, British Birds 4: 126].

History S. E. Holland of Cook's Hill, Mundesley (1910) in The Field of 28th May, Vol. CXV. p. 949, says: 'I inclose a rough sketch of a bird seen by six or seven of us in front of this house in an osier bed. It remained all day, but was gone the next. We tried to trap it in vain. We thought it might be the European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster), but our bird had no yellow at all and no red, though there might have been one spot of red under the beak.'

[From our correspondent's description and the sketch kindly sent it is evident that the bird was a Bee-eater (Merops apiaster). - Ed.]

J. H. Gurney of Keswick Hall, Norfolk (1910) in The Field of 18th Jun., Vol. CXV. p. 1099, adds: 'As the dates of the occurrence of rare birds are always worth recording, I should like to say that it was on May 13 that the Bee-eater was seen at Mundesley by Capt. Holland.'

H. F. Witherby (1910) in British Birds, Vol. IV. p. 126, says: 'In the Field (28.v.1910, p. 949) there was a note from Captain S. E. Hollond concerning a bird which he and some friends had watched on May 13th, 1910, at Mundesley, Norfolk (cf. Field, 18.vi.1910, p. 1098). An editorial appended to the note pronounced that it was "evident" from Captain Hollond's description and a sketch which he had provided, that the bird was "a Bee-eater, M. apiaster".

As the only description of the bird given in the note was to the effect that it "had no yellow at all and no red", I did not feel satisfied with the identification, and wrote to Captain Hollond for further particulars. These he has most kindly supplied as fully as he is able, and has also sent me his original sketch, from which it is at once evident that the bird was not an example of Merops apiaster, since the whole of the upper parts of the bird are marked as being green, with the exception of the crown, which is marked "dark blue".

From the sketch and Captain Hollond's description of the bird's habits - "The flight was hawk-like; the wings were narrow. The bird took short flights, generally returning to the same tree" - it appears to have been a Bee-eater of some kind, and the colouring noted on the sketch fits that of Merops persicus very nearly, while the fact that "under the wings in flight could be seen rich chestnut", also points to the possibility that this was the species. I have sent skins of Merops apiaster and M, persicus to Captain Hollond, who writes me that "the bird was certainly not Merops apiaster", and that it was much like M. persicus, but appeared to differ in several details. It is impossible to say: what the bird really was, and I have discussed the subject in detail only to show that this cannot be accepted as a record of the occurrence of Merops apiaster in Norfolk.'

Comment Not specifically identified. Hollond or Holland? Not acceptable.

0). 1911 Sussex Pett, seen, 7th April; presumed same, Winchelsea, shot, 12th April.

(H. W. Ford-Lindsay, British Birds 4: 365; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 30: 186; E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist 2: 2; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

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

History H. W. Ford-Lindsay: (1911) in British Birds, Vol. IV. p. 365, says: "On April 7th, 1911, Mr. L. Cooke, of White Gate Farm, Pett, saw a specimen of the Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) in the orchard on his farm. Mr. Cooke told me that he was quite certain what it was, as it seemed very tame, and allowed him to get within a few feet. The bird eventually flew off to a wood some distance away. On April 13th a Bee-eater (no doubt the same bird) was brought to me in the flesh for examination. It had been shot the day previous (April 12th) at Winchelsea, a few miles only from the farm at Pett where it had been seen by Mr. Cooke.'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1912) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXX. p. 186, on the unexpected occurrences for 1911, says: 'One seen, Pett (Sussex), April 7th (shot, Winchelsea, 12th).'

Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 163).

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1929 Northamptonshire/Oxfordshire Between Oxford and Northampton, 20/30, seen, 4th September.

(B. W. Tucker, Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire 1929: 14).

[B. W. Tucker, Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire 1929: 14; Eds., British Birds 24: 231].

History B. W. Tucker (1929) in the Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, p. 14, recording the record in square brackets, says: 'We have received through the Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain a remarkable record of a flock of Bee-eaters seen on September 4th by Major Alexander Wise, who writes from Cairo as follows: "My wife and I were driving from Oxford on our way to Northampton about 7 p.m. on the 4th September last when a flight of some twenty or thirty (there may have been more) crossed the road, going from right to left, quite close up in the air....The recorder is familiar with Bee-eaters in Egypt, and adds that he knows their habits well, and was so surprised to see them in England that he drew his wife's attention to them. He heard no note, "but as it was getting late, that may not be unusual, as after dark (i.e. in Egypt) they are seldom heard".

The occurrence is so astonishing as to inspire some hesitation in accepting the identification, yet it is also difficult to believe that an error can have been made, when the distinctive appearance of the birds and the writer's previous familiarity with them are considered. Major Wise states that they were "the species found so plentifully out here", that is to say M. persicus, but this is improbable, since the species is not known to have occurred in the British Isles. The ordinary M. apiaster, of which quite a number have occurred in this country at different times, is more likely.'

In an Editorial (1931) in British Birds, Vol. XXIV. p. 231, in a Review of the Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire 1928-29, they say: 'A flock of twenty to thirty Bee-Eaters reported to have been seen from a car between Oxford and Northampton in the evening of September 4th, 1929, could scarcely have escaped detection elsewhere if correct.'

Comment Not specifically identified. Not acceptable.

0). 1945 Somerset Locality in the West, two, 18th April.

(M. Brooks-King et al., Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1945: 5; Eds., British Birds 39: 381).

[Ballance, 2006].

History M. Brooks-King et al. (1945) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, p. 5, says: 'W. Somerset. April 18th, two seen by observer who knows the species in Middle East. (Lt. Col. R. A. Olivier, per E.W.H.).'

In an Editorial (1946) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIX. p. 381, in a Review of the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, for 1945, they say: 'Two Bee-eaters in West Somerset on April 18th.'

Comment Not mentioned in any Somerset avifauna. Not acceptable.

0). 1953 Greater London Tooting Bec, 21st May.

(P. K. Line, Field 11th Jun., 1953: 1086).

[London Natural History Society, 1964].

History P. K. Line of Woodbourne Avenue, SW 16 (1953) in The Field of 11th Jun., Vol. CCI. p. 1086, says: 'I think your readers may be interested to know that, on the evening of May 21st (about 6.30), I was fortunate enough to see a Bee-eater in my garden. I fully verified its description - i.e. typical flight and colouring - in The Handbook of British Birds. Have any of your readers seen a Bee-eater so near Central London?'

London Natural History Society (1964) make no mention of the record - probably unaware of it.

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

0). 1955 Sussex Pett Level, 7th May.

(N. F. Ticehurst, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 8: 174).

[Not in Sussex Bird Reports; des Forges & Harber, 1963].

History N. F. Ticehurst (1956) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. VIII. p. 174, says: 'One, Pett Level, May 7th (R.C.).' Not accepted locally (des Forges & Harber 1963).

0). 1956 Isles of Scilly Abbey Gardens, Tresco, party, 14th May.

(B. H. Ryves, H. M. Quick & J. E. Beckerlegge, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1956: 31; Penhallurick, 1978).

[B. H. Ryves, H. M. Quick & J. E. Beckerlegge, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1956: 31].

History B. H. Ryves, H. M. Quick & J. E. Beckerlegge (1956) in the Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXVI. p. 31, recording the record in square brackets, say: 'May 14th. A party in Tresco gardens for half an hour - per G. Hartley (Tresco Abbey Head Gardener).'