European Crested Tit

Paridae

Jun 24

Lophophanes cristatus/mitratus (Linnaeus, 1758)/(Brehm, CL, 1831) (11, 1)

Photo © By Carlos Delgado - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41082033

Sub-species

STATUS

Western Palearctic.

OVERVIEW

BOU (1971) state that the one in Yorkshire, March 1872 was of the race P. c. cristatus and one from the Isle of Wight prior to 1844 was of the race P. c. mitratus.

Four other specimens said to have been collected in the 19th century are from Yorkshire, Suffolk (two) and Hampshire, are of the nominate cristatus. There are also a few sight records from southern England that were mainly in the 19th century.

Witherby et al. (1940-52) states that obtained records are: Thirsk (Yorks.) undated; near Christchurch (Hants.) 1846; Grange, Melton (Suffolk) about 1873; Suffolk about 1840. With sight records from Norfolk, Devon, Surrey, Wiltshire and Berkshire.

RECORDS

1). Pre 1844 Isle of Wight Near Yarmouth, obtained, undated, L. c. mitratus.

(C. A. Bury, Zoologist 1844: 639; Laishley, 1858; J. H. Gurney, Zoologist 1890: 211; Kelsall & Munn, 1905; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 5: 109-110; D. Seth-Smith, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 36: 42-43; Witherby et al., 1940-52; BOURC (1918), Ibis 60: 236).

History C. A. Bury (1844) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. II. p. 639, under 'The Birds of the Isle Wight', says: 'The Crested Tit has been once obtained by Mr. Butler in the neighbourhood of Yarmouth, and the specimen is still in his possession.'

Kelsall & Munn (1905) p. 40, say: 'Another was killed near Yarmouth, in the Isle of Wight, by Mr. Butler (Bury). Kelsall has seen this specimen in Mr. Butler's collection, and it is no doubt the bird mentioned by Laishley in his British Birds' Eggs (Zoologist 1890).'

H. F. Witherby (1911) in British Birds, Vol. V. pp. 109-110, says: 'The following examples of Crested Tits have been recorded as having been obtained in England from time to time: 2. One obtained near Yarmouth, Isle of Wight (Birds of Hants., p. 40)....Nos. 2 and 3 are the only ones I have examined, and the results are given below. The Central European Crested Tit, Parus cristatus mitratus, Brehm. Through the kindness of Mr. P. W. Munn, I have been able to examine the specimen, numbered 2 above. The history of this specimen, now in Mr. Munn's possession, is quite satisfactory, and it is the same as that mentioned by Bury in The Zoologist for 1844 (p. 639), so Mr. Munn informs me. The bird is an undoubted example of the Central-European form, Parus cristatus mitratus . This race, which breeds in central and western Europe south to the Pyrenees and Alps, differs markedly from the Scottish form (P. c. scoticus) and the Northern form (P. c. cristatus) by the buff-brown coloration of the upper-parts, and by the crest and cheeks being tinged with buff.'

Seth-Smith (1915) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club , Vol. XXXVI. pp. 42-43, at the 208th Meeting of the Club held on 8th December 1915 at Pagani's Restaurant, London, says: 'Mr. H. F. Witherby made the following observations: - "At the last meeting ápropos of the exhibition by Mr. Ogilvie-Grant of the three forms of Crested Tit, I asked if any member of the B.O.U. List Committee could say why Parus cristatus mitratus had been omitted from their List. Mr. Grant, while stating that he was unaware of the reason, suggested it might have been that my note on the subject in British Birds (Vol. V. p. 110) was ambiguous. I fail to see any uncertainty in my words, which were: "The history of this specimen, now in Mr. Munn's possession, is quite satisfactory, and it is the same as that mentioned by Bury in The Zoologist for 1844 (p. 639), so Mr. Munn informs me. The bird is an undoubted example of the Central European form, Parus cristatus mitratus". If this statement was not clear enough, it would have been perfectly simple for the Committee to have asked either Mr. Munn of me for further details. Neither of us has been consulted. The bird is not so much as mentioned in the B.O.U. List. Had the evidence been considered not satisfactory, surely the bird would have been placed in Appendix I.

Further, it is stated under Parus cristatus, Northern Crested Titmouse (p. 59), "other English records of Crested Tits probably relate to this form". This statement can surely only mean that while the Committee accept my identification (recorded on the same page of British Birds) of the Isle of Wight specimen as Parus c. mitratus.

If this is so, it seems to me rather an arbitrary action without examining the bird. I should like to add that it is stated in The Birds of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight that Mr. Kelsall (one of the authors) had seen this specimen in the collection of Mr. Butler, who shot the bird near Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. Mr. Munn, the other author of this work, obtained this specimen from Mrs. Butler, who stated that it was certainly the bird obtained by her husband. The Rev. C. A. Bury, writing in The Zoologist for 1844, on 'The Birds of the Isle Wight', states (p. 639), "The Crested Tit has been once obtained by Mr. Butler in the neighbourhood of Yarmouth, and the specimen is still in his possession". Mr. Munn sent the specimen to me, and I found it to be a very typical example of P. c. mitratus.'

Admitted nationally in the First List Report as P. c. mitratus as the first for Britain (BOURC (1918) Ibis 60: 236).

2). 1850 Co. Durham Sunderland Moor, two, shot, January.

(J. Duff, Zoologist 1850: 2766; Harting, 1872; Gurney, 1876; T. H. Nelson, Naturalist 17: 116; Temperley, 1951).

History Temperley (1951) says: 'A very rare visitor, of which there is only one record. In The Zoologist for 1850 (Vol. VIII. p. 2766) the following note appeared: "In the second week of January (1850) a male specimen of the Crested Tit was shot on Sunderland Moor and is now in the possession of Mr. Calvert of that place. - Joseph Duff, Bishop Auckland, March 11th, 1850".

It will be noted that this record by Duff was made only two months after the event, when the matter must have been still fresh in his mind. Duff contributed several other records of local birds to The Zoologist at about that time. Both he and his friend, Robert Calvert mentioned above, were collectors of birds. The latter was the author of The Geology and Natural History of Durham (1884) in which he wrote: "Crested Tit, Parus cristatus. In 1850 I saw a specimen of this little bird, which had just been shot on Sunderland Moor".

Duff's record was accepted by Harting, who quoted it in his Handbook of British Birds (1872). John Hancock, in 1873, when trying to trace the authenticity of this record, applied to William Proctor, of Durham, on whom he relied for information about the birds of the County. Proctor, in drawing up his list of 'Birds of Durham' for [Rev. George] Ormsby's Sketches of Durham (1846) had included the Crested Tit in his list, giving its status as "very rare", but this was written four years before the Sunderland Moor specimen was stated to have been shot.

As usual, Proctor could give no definite records, only referring to some vague reports that a man called Farrow had once seen, but not obtained, three or four birds near Witton Gilbert "some twenty years ago" (see Hancock's Catalogue page 76, for an extract from Proctor's letter).

This letter seems to have satisfied Hancock that a mistake in locality had been made, so he wrote: "It must be obvious that such authority as the above is insufficient to establish the occurrence of a species in this district". It will be noted that Hancock had not traced the Sunderland Moor record, but had been led off on a false trail by Proctor, who, presumably, had no information about the Sunderland Moor incident. However, Hancock seems to have made a further effort to trace the Sunderland Moor specimen, for the following note occurs in pencil in his copy of Harting's Handbook of British Birds - "Mr. Duff says he got one of the Crested Tits shot on Sunderland Moor, but cannot recollect how it came into his hands. Mr. D. had the bird fresh. Mr. D. does not remember sending any record". This is the first reference to the fact that more than one specimen had been obtained.

In 1890, J. H. Gurney wrote an article in The Zoologist entitled 'On the occasional appearance in England of the Crested Tit'. In the course of this article he wrote: "In the County of Durham it has been shot once on Sunderland Moor, in January, 1850, and the specimen is said (Zool., p. 2766) to be in the possession of a Mr. Calvert, whom I have tried to trace, but in vain". Gurney's failure to trace Calvert was due to the fact that the latter had removed from Sunderland to Bishop Auckland.

On reading this article, T. H. Nelson, who knew Calvert, got into communication with him. In The Naturalist for 1891, p. 116, he thus describes the result: "Knowing that he had lived in Sunderland. I inquired of Mr. Calvert if he had the bird in question; he replied in the affirmative, saying that two had been shot, and kindly presented one to me".

Mr. O. C. Hill, of the Dorman Memorial Museum, Middlesbrough, has very kindly searched the Nelson Collection of British Birds, now preserved in that Museum, and has looked through the Catalogue accompanying it, but has failed to find any trace or reference to this specimen. However, Nelson wrote quite definitely that he had the specimen, so he must have been satisfied with the record. That being so, we can admit it to the Durham list.'

Comment The reference to one prior to 1846 is inadmissable through lack of detail.

4). 1860 Greater London Kingsbury Reservoir, Middlesex, shot, spring.

(Harting, 1866; Glegg, 1935).

History Harting (1866: 56-57) says: 'Mr. W. Warner, the lessee of the fishery at Kingsbury, has a small collection of birds shot in that neighbourhood. On looking through this collection, I was agreeably surprised to find a specimen of the Crested Tit. This bird, he assured me, was shot in the spring of 1860 in a small spinney in Cool Oak Lane, Kingsbury. The person who shot it had large shot in his gun, so that the specimen in consequence was somewhat shattered; but it has been tolerably well preserved, and as a British-killed and local specimen, much interest attaches to it. With the exception of one shot a few years ago at Blackheath, by Mr. Engleheart, in his own garden, this is the only instance that has come to my knowledge of the Crested Tit having been found so far south in England.'

Glegg (1935: 56) adds: 'It was later seen by R. H. Read in the collection of J. Warner of the "Welsh Harp".'

5). 1861 Suffolk Aldeburgh, seen, summer.

(Hele, 1870; Harting, 1872; Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932; Piotrowski, 2003).

History Hele (1870: 82) says: 'We had the good fortune to observe a specimen of this bird in the garden, during the summer of 1861. Being close to it, there could not possibly have been any mistake. The crest was very prominent, and rendered this Tit a remarkably striking object.'

Babington (1884-86: 45) says: 'One distinctly and closely observed by Mr. Hele in a garden at Aldeburgh in the summer of 1861 (Hele, Ald., 82).' It was accepted locally (Ticehurst 1932: 124).

6). 1872 Yorkshire Near Whitby, obtained, March, now at Whitby Museum, L. c. cristatus.

(M. Simpson, Zoologist 1872: 3021; Saunders, 1899; Nelson, 1907; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 5: 109-110; BOU, 1915; Chislett, 1952).

History Martin Simpson of Whitby Museum (1872) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VII. p. 3021, dated 20th March, 1872, says: 'You may feel interested in knowing that we have obtained a Shore Lark, which was shot on the beach near Whitby, by our indefatigable friend, Mr. George Kitching; also a Crested Tit, which he got in a ravine six miles hence.'

Nelson (1907 (1): 115) says: 'Whitby, one March, 1872, on the Newton House estate, and now in the Whitby local Museum. Mr. T. Stephenson states that Parker (formerly the keeper at Newton House, where larch plantations are plentiful) saw the bird both in summer and winter (Stephenson MS. and Zool., 1872, p. 3021)....It is unfortunate that full details respecting these specimens are not available.'

H. F. Witherby (1911) in British Birds, Vol. V. pp. 109-110, says: 'The following examples of Crested Tits have been recorded as having been obtained in England from time to time: 3. One obtained at Whitby, Yorks., in March, 1872....Nos. 2 and 3 are the only ones I have examined, and the results are given below....The Northern Crested Tit. Parus cristatus cristatus, L. The specimen numbered 3 above is now in the Whitby Museum, and it has been sent to me for examination by the kindness of Mr. T. Newbitt, the curator. This bird is an old and much-worn specimen, but I think there is no doubt that it is an example of the Northern race Parus c. cristatus. This form breeds in Scandinavia, northern Russia, Poland, and eastern Germany. The upper-parts are brown with a greyish tinge, and the cheeks are white. The Scottish form is nearest to it, but is smaller and is darker on the upperparts. In this specimen the wing, though much worn, measures 64 mm., the upper-parts are as grey brown as any Scandinavian specimen, and there is but a mere tinge of buff on the flanks.'

Accepted locally (Chislett 1952: 77).

7). c. 1873 Suffolk Grange, Melton, shot, undated.

(Babington, 1884-86; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 5: 109-110; Ticehurst, 1932; Piotrowski, 2003).

History Babington (1884-86: 45) having seen the specimen, says: 'One shot on the lawn of the Grange, Melton, about 1873; in Mr. Phillips' Collection (W. P. T. Phillips MS.).'

Ticehurst (1932: 124) says: 'I have been unable to trace the specimen.'

8). Pre 1890 Dorset Morden, shot, undated.

(J. H. Gurney, Zoologist 1890: 212).

History J. H. Gurney (1890) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIV. p. 212, says: 'Mr. Edward Hart, the possessor of one of the best collections of British birds, has a Crested Tit which was shot in 1846 at Stanpit, near Christchurch, in a belt of fir-trees at the edge of a marsh by a man named Footner: this is the bird mentioned in Wise's New Forest, App. III.

Mr. Hart also tells me that the Rev. Mr. Pearce had one shot at or near Morden, in Dorsetshire, and which has not been recorded. There is not the slightest reason to doubt Footner's word; he showed Mr. Hart the place where he shot the bird, and if that is genuine Mr. Pearce's may well be so too.'

9). 1904 Greater London/Surrey Near Croydon, seen, 24th April.

(C. W. Colthrup, British Birds 16: 61; Parr, 1972).

History C. W. Colthrup (1922) in British Birds, Vol. XVI. p. 61, under 'Probable Crested Tit in Surrey', says: 'On April 24th, 1904, I watched a Crested Tit (Parus cristatus) flying about the tops of some tall trees near Croydon, with crest erect and uttering the notes "tur, ree-er, reerre".

I had never previously seen one alive, but knew it well from stuffed specimens. It was certainly a Tit and the crest was quite pronounced; the other species I am, of course, well acquainted with.'

10). 1945 Greater London/Surrey Godstone, seen, 10th April.

(London Natural History Society, 1964; Parr, 1972).

History London Natural History Society (1964, 2nd ed.) say: 'Miss D. Burridge saw a Crested Tit at close range on 10th April 1945 in trees on marshy ground near Godstone, Surrey. She was able to give full identification details and was able to compare it with the other tits that were present, and there seems to be no doubt as to the genuineness of the record (Bird Notes and News XXI: 100).' It was accepted locally (Parr 1972).

11). 1947 Devon Near Dawlish Warren, seen, 28th December.

(T. R. F. Nonweiler & L. V. A. Nonweiler, British Birds 43: 118; Moore, 1969; Tyler, 2010).

History T. R. F. Nonweiler & L. V. A. Nonweiler (1950) in British Birds, Vol. XLIII. p. 118, say: 'While watching a mixed flock of buntings and finches in some gorse bushes on the cliff edge between Dawlish and the Exe estuary, on December 28th, 1947, we were surprised by the appearance of what we believed was a Crested Tit (Parus cristatus), which flew from a bush and perched on an outstanding branch about a yard from us. We used glasses only part of the time; it remained side-on to us for about 10-15 seconds, practically motionless, with the sun shining on its back (from our left), before flying inland and out of sight.

The flight was like that of other tits, undulating, with rapid wing-beats. No other tits were seen in the immediate locality. The bill had the characteristic tit-shape and was dark grey - as also were the legs. The head had a greyish crest which extended beyond the nape, not curved but ragged at the rear-edge, which was marked with black. The face was white with a black line below the crest from the bill to the nape through the eye, another forming an inverted "V" from the nape round the cheeks, and a thin black collar joining into a black mark beneath the chin, as in the Blue Tit (P. camleus). Behind the collar the upper-parts were light brown shading into a dirty-white breast and belly. No wing or tail markings were noticed - both were brown. The rump was coloured light buff. The bird made no call. The size and general shape resembled that of the Blue Tit.'

1950-57 RECORD

12). 1954 Cumbria Derwentwater, 16th February.

(E. Blezard, Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society 9: 16; Hutcheson, 1986; J. Callion, Birds in Cumbria 1991: 66).

History E. Blezard (1958) in the Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society, Vol. IX. p. 16, says: 'An unmistakeable Crested Tit disclosed itself to Mrs. Enid J. Wilson at the head of Derwentwater on 16 February 1954. It was in an otherwise usual kind of mixed flock of Blue Tits, Long-tailed Tits and Treecreepers which were moving through a tangle of hazel and hawthorn bushes. The flock remained in very close view for at least five minutes, the Crested Tit being at one time almost within arm's length as it perched on a hazel.'

Hutcheson (1986) accepting the record, says: 'Mrs. E. J. Wilson, an eminent naturalist, watched this bird at close range for around five minutes on 16th February 1954 at the head of Derwentwater.'

NOT PROVEN

0). 1829 Essex Ashdon, two, killed, undated.

(Christy, 1890; Glegg, 1929; Wood, 2007).

[BOURC (1918), Ibis 60: 236].

History Christy (1890: 94) says: 'Mr. Joseph Clarke relates (MS.) that two were killed at Ashdon in 1829, one of which was in the possession of Joseph Stager (?), a birdstuffer.'

Not admitted nationally (BOURC (1918), Ibis 60: 236).

0). 1839 Surrey Near Claremont House, seen, autumn.

(Meyer, 1844; J. H. Gurney, Zoologist 1890: 211).

[Bucknill, 1900].

History Meyer (1844 (2): 180) says: 'In the autumn of 1839, during a rough gale of wind from the north-west, we observed in a fir-wood near Claremont House in Surrey, a small bird apparently of this species, but being unable to obtain the specimen, we could not ascertain the fact. It is possible that a Crested Titmouse might have been driven so much further south than its usual supposed limit by a strong wind.'

Bucknill (1900: 56-57) says: 'Its occurrence in Surrey rests on somewhat slender grounds, but it must be included, as there is no direct evidence to contradict the accounts.

Mr. Meyer, in his British Birds, Vol. II. p. 180, states that in the autumn of 1839 he saw, during a rough gale of wind from the north-west, a bird, apparently of this species, in a fir wood near Claremont House in Surrey.

The specimen was not obtained, and the record cannot, therefore, be considered as otherwise than open to some doubt (see Zool., 1890, p. 211).'

0). c. 1840 Suffolk Near Bury St Edmunds, obtained, undated.

(Babington, 1884-86; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 5: 109-110; Ticehurst, 1932; Piotrowski, 2003).

[J. H. Gurney, Zoologist 1890: 211].

History Babington (1884-86: 251) says: 'One taken about 1840 by Mr. Cambridge of Bury St Edmund's; it was preserved by himself (W. Bilson in litt.).'

J. H. Gurney (1890) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIV. p. 211, One about 1840, near Bury (l.c. p. 251), taken by Mr. Cambridge, preserved by Bilson. I am not satisfied about this last, but consider the occurrence of the other two established.'

Ticehurst (1932: 124) says: 'I have been unable to trace the specimen.'

0). Pre 1844 Yorkshire Thorne, seen, undated.

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

[Nelson, 1907].

History Thomas Allis (1844) under 'Report on the Birds of Yorkshire' prepared for the British Association meeting at York (unpublished, but held at the Yorkshire Museum, York), says: 'Parus cristatus. - Crested Tit. My friend J. Heppenstall states that one was seen in a garden at Thorne.'

Morris (1856 (1): 198, reissue) says: 'In Yorkshire, one is stated by Mr. Allis, on the authority of Mr. J. Heppenstall, to have been seen in a garden at Thorne, in the West Riding.'

Nelson (1907 (1): 115) says: '...It is unfortunate that full details respecting these specimens are not available.'

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

0). 1844 Essex Saffron Walden, killed, undated.

(Christy, 1890; Glegg, 1929; Wood, 2007).

[KAN].

History Christy (1890: 94) says: 'The late Mr. Chater of Saffron Walden also informed Mr. Clarke that one was killed in his Nursery in 1844.'

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

0). 1846 Dorset Stanpit Marsh, Christchurch Harbour, Hampshire, shot, undated, now at Horniman Museum.

(Wise, 1863; J. H. Gurney, Zoologist 1890: 212; Kelsall & Munn, 1905; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 5: 109-110; Hartert et al., 1912; Morrison, 1997).

[BOURC; Clark, 2022].

History Wise (1863: 314, 2nd ed.) under 'Appendix' says: 'Mr. Hart has once only received a specimen, killed in Stanpit Marsh, near Christchurch.'

J. H. Gurney (1890) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIV. p. 212, says: 'Mr. Edward Hart, the possessor of one of the best collections of British birds, has a Crested Tit which was shot in 1846 at Stanpit, near Christchurch, in a belt of fir-trees at the edge of a marsh by a man named Footner: this is the bird mentioned in Wise's New Forest, App. III.'

Kelsall & Munn (1905: 40) say: 'One was shot near Stanpit Marsh, Christchurch, by Mr. Footner, in 1846, and is in Mr. Hart's collection.'

H. F. Witherby (1911) in British Birds, Vol. V. pp. 109-110, says: 'The following examples of Crested Tits have been recorded as having been obtained in England from time to time: 1. One shot near Stanpit Marsh, Christchurch, Hants., in 1846....Of the specimens enumerated above, No. 1 is in Mr. Hart's collection at Christchurch, and I have not yet been able to examine it.'

0). c. 1854 Cumbria Gosforth, Cumberland, undated.

(J. Robson, Zoologist 1854: 4167; R. Birkbeck, Zoologist 1854: 4366; Harting, 1872).

[J. H. Gurney, Zoologist 1890: 211].

History Joseph Robson (1854) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XII. p. 4167, under 'A List of the Birds of West Cumberland', lists Crested Tit without further detail.

Robert Birkbeck of Norwich (1854) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XII. p. 4366, says: 'I am only expressing a desire which must be felt by every ornithologist in asking Mr. Robson to favour the readers of The Zoologist with some more information concerning the Swallow-tailed Kite which he states was shot in Eskdale, in the spring of 1853;...The Crested Tit apparently is considered in the same light as the other tits.'

Not admitted nationally (J. H. Gurney, Zoologist 1890: 211).

0). Pre 1866 Kent Blackheath, shot, undated.

(Harting, 1866, 1872).

[Harting, 1901; Balston, Shepherd & Bartlett, 1907].

History Harting (1866: 56-57) says: '...With the exception of one shot a few years ago at Blackheath, by Mr. Engleheart, in his own garden; this is the only instance that has come to my knowledge of the Crested Tit having been found so far south in England.'

Balston, Shepherd & Bartlett (1907: 103) say: 'The first notice of this bird in Kent is to be found in Mr. J. E. Harting's Birds of Middlesex, 1866...In his Handbook, 1872, this bird is again mentioned under Blackheath, Kent, but it is omitted from his last edition of that work (1901).'

0). 1870 Yorkshire Thornton Moor, near Bradford, seen, March.

(Clarke & Roebuck, 1881).

[Nelson, 1907].

History Clarke & Roebuck (1881: 24) say: 'Thornton Moor, near Bradford, March, 1870 (Butterfield MS.).'

Nelson (1907 (1): 115) says: 'The reported occurrences of this bird in March, 1870, and August, 1887, near Bradford and Keighley, mentioned in the Vertebrate Fauna of Yorkshire, (p. 24), and in The Naturalist (1888, p. 15), are, as I am informed by Mr. E. P. Butterfield, not authenticated by subsequent investigation.'

0). c. 1871 Yorkshire Near Thirsk, obtained, undated.

(Nelson, 1907).

[H. F. Witherby, British Birds 5: 109-110].

History Nelson (1907 (1): 115) says: 'Thirsk, one taken to Mr. Robert Lee, who preserved it "many years ago.' (Lee MS., 1880). It is unfortunate that full details respecting these specimens are not available.'

H. F. Witherby (1911) in British Birds, Vol. V. pp. 109-110, says: 'The following examples of Crested Tits have been recorded as having been obtained in England from time to time: 4. One taken to Mr. Robert Lee of Thirsk, many years ago...No. 4, Mr. R. Lee informs me, was obtained more than forty years ago, and he does not know where the specimen is or who has it.'

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

0). 1874 Devon Torquay, seen, 26th March.

(A. von Hügel, Zoologist 1874: 4063; D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 110)

[Moore, 1969; Tyler, 2010].

History Baron A. von Hügel (1874) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IX. p. 4063, says: 'Noticed one of these birds in Chelston Lane on the 26th of March, which allowed of such a close approach that I nearly succeeded in touching it with my walking stick. Parus cristatus has, I believe, never before been recorded from Devonshire, and only few instances of its occurrence in any part of England have been noticed.'

Saunders (1899: 111, 2nd ed.) says: 'Baron A. von Hügel observed a bird at Bournemouth on March 16th, 1874. For details, a careful paper by Mr. J. H. Gurney (Zool., 1890, p. 210) may be consulted.' However, Kelsall & Munn (1905) p. 40, say: 'The record in the second edition of Howard Saunders's Manual, is a mistake, the bird in question having been seen at Plymouth, not at Bournemouth.'

Accepted locally (D'Urban & Mathew 1892: 36).

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 110, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who add: 'The bird observed by Baron von Hügel in 1874 was at Plymouth and not at Bournemouth (Birds of Hants., p. 40).'

Moore (1969) says: 'Few of the occurrences can be considered reliable, as in most cases the data are incomplete with the records lacking conviction.'

0). 1886 Buckinghamshire Biddlesden Park, near Brackley, seen, November.

(Lord Lilford, Zoologist 1887: 250; J. H. Gurney, Zoologist 1890: 211).

[J. H. Gurney, Zoologist 1890: 211].

History Lord Lilford of Lilford Hall, Oundle (1887) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XI. p. 250, says: 'In two letters, dated respectively Nov. 9th and 16th, Lieut.-Colonel G. Morgan, writing from his residence, Biddlesden Park, near Brackley, very kindly informed me that "The late Dr. Leith Adams once spent three days here. He was especially pleased with the Crested Tits, Parus cristatus, which we then had here, but I have not observed them for four or five years past".

Curiously enough, my son saw one twice on Saturday last, and I believe I saw it myself on Sunday morning, but am not absolutely certain.' Colonel Morgan's house stands in Buckinghamshire, close to the River Ouse, which there forms our boundary, and as the post town (Brackley) is in Northamptonshire, I consider that I may fairly record this occurrence in these notes.'

J. H. Gurney, jun. (1890) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIV. p. 211, says: 'In The Zoologist for 1887 (p. 250) it is stated that a Crested Tit, or Tits, for the writer puts it in the plural, was seen by the late Dr. Leith Adams, at Biddlesden, in Buckinghamshire, and another by Mr. Morgan at the same place in November, 1886. The latter observer may have been in error, but Dr. Leith Adams was a good naturalist, and not very likely to be mistaken, and the communication comes through the hands of Lord Lilford.'

0). 1887 Yorkshire Keighley, shot, early August.

(E. P. P. Butterfield, Naturalist 14: 15; Saunders, 1899).

[Nelson, 1907; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 110; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 5: 119].

History E. P. P. Butterfield of Wilsden (1888) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XIV. p. 15, dated 20th September, 1887, says: 'A few weeks ago a person at Many-Wells expressed a wish that I should go and see what he described as a "strange" bird, but thinking it would be - what such examples usually turn out to be - a common species, I neglected paying a visit. The bird in question is a Crested Tit (Parus cristatus), and was shot by a farm servant near Keighley about the first week in August, and brought to a local birdstuffer. This is the second recorded occurrence of this species in this district, the other having been shot, I believe on Thornton Moor.'

H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 110, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who say: 'The reported occurrence of one near Keighley, Yorks., said not to be authenticated (Birds of Yorkshire, p. 115).'

H. F. Witherby (1911) in British Birds, Vol. V. p. 109, says: 'The Keighley example mentioned in Saunders's Manual is not authentic (Birds of Yorks., p. 115).'

0). 1888 or 1889 Norfolk Great Yarmouth, seen, autumn.

(A. H. Patterson, Zoologist 1900: 400; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 110).

[H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 110].

History Arthur H. Patterson of Great Yarmouth (1900) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IV. p. 400, says: 'In the autumn of 1888 or 1889 (date unfortunately lost), I saw a bird which was unmistakeably of this species among the firs on Caister Road. I had a gun at the time, and made two unsuccessful attempts to assassinate it with big shot. I followed it from tree to tree; becoming myself fast upon a nail protruding from a rail, it eluded me whilst endeavouring to extricate my nether garment. Has not hitherto been obtained in Norfolk. Has occurred, according to Babington, in Suffolk.'

H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 110, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who add: 'Has not yet been obtained in Norfolk.'

0). Pre 1891 Devon Kingskerswell, obtained, undated, now at Torquay Museum.

(Moore, 1969).

[Moore, 1969; Tyler, 2010].

History Moore (1969) says: 'Few of the occurrences can be considered reliable, as in most cases the data are incomplete with the records lacking conviction....In H. Coates' Catalogue of Devonshire Birds in the Torquay Museum, a specimen that was presented to the museum in 1931 was said to have been taken at Kingskerswell some time prior to 1891.'

0). 1930 Gloucestershire/Wiltshire Weston Birt, seen, December.

(A. L. Butler, British Birds 25: 83).

[M. W. Willson, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 45: 605].

History A. L. Butler (1931) in i>British Birds, Vol. XXV. p. 83, in a Letter dated 7th June 1931, Horsham, under 'Probable Crested Tit in Wiltshire', says: 'Sirs, - In conversation to-day Mr. Raoul Millais, thinking it would interest me, told me that in December last he saw, and watched for some time at close quarters, a single Crested Tit on a fir tree in the arboretum at Weston Birt, Sir George Holford's place on the Wiltshire-Gloucestershire boundary. Though not exactly an ornithologist (by which I mean that he does not study ornithological literature) Mr. Millais is a close observer of birds, and is quite familiar with the Crested Tit in Scotland, and I think his identification may be accepted as certain. It seems most likely that this bird would have been a straggler of one of the Continental forms, probably Parus cristatus mitratus, Brehm, and not the Scottish bird. See Mr. Witherby's article on English occurrences of Crested Tits in British Birds, Vol. V. p. 109.'

Not accepted locally (M. W. Willson, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 45: 605).

0). 1936 Berkshire Mortimer, three, seen, 28th November and 18th December.

(B. W. Tucker, Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, 1936: 12-13; Eds., British Birds 31: 93-94).

[Radford, 1966; Swash, 1996].

History B. W. Tucker (1936) in the Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, pp. 12-13, recording the record in square brackets, says: 'Mr. A. V. Percival, of Cottesmore, Mortimer, saw in his garden from Nov. 28 to Dec. 18 three birds which he believes were Crested Tits. Although no note was heard, the birds were frequently seen feeding at a bird table only 18 inches from a window, and thus gave ample opportunity of identification. Mr. Percival's identification was independently corroborated by his gardener, who, on being shown illustrations of various tits, at once picked out the Crested Tit as the bird he had seen.'

In an Editorial (1937) in British Birds, Vol. XXXI. p. 95, in a Review of the Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, 1936, they say: 'The systematic notes contain a large number of observations, of which we may mention the following: - three birds frequently visiting a bird table close to a window at Mortimer (Berks) between November 28th and December 18th were identified as Crested Tits.'

Not accepted locally (Radford 1966; Swash 1996).

0). 1938 Devon Bridford, seen, March.

(F. C. Butters, E. W. Hendy & H. G. Hurrell, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1938: 29).

[Moore, 1969; Tyler, 2010].

History F. C. Butters, E. W. Hendy & H. G. Hurrell (1938) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, p. 29, says: 'Bridford, near Exeter. March. A bird, probably of the Northern sub-species was seen at close quarters by Miss K. Hunt on two occasions in her garden. She noted, on the first occasion, an unfamiliar bird call and saw the bird on an apple tree and was subsequently able thoroughly to examine the markings and crest which, after reference to the illustrations in a bird book, she identified as a Crested Tit. (per W.N.B.).'

Not accepted locally (Moore 1969; Tyler 2010).

0). 1945 Devon Torquay, seen, 25th and 27th January.

(M. Brooks-King et al., Devon Bird Watching & Preservation Society Report 1945: 66; Moore, 1969; Tyler, 2010).

[Eds., British Birds 39: 382].

History M. Brooks-King et al. (1945) in the Devon Bird Watching & Preservation Society Report, p. 66, under 'Northern Crested Tit', says: 'Torquay. One seen by Mrs. Fordred Neale. Came to crumbs on her window-sill twice on January 25th, and once on January 27th. She had thus a close-up view of bird standing on the sill. Mrs. Neale and Dr. Sherwill Dawe compared a specimen labelled Crested Tit in Torquay Museum with figures in The Handbook and the difference between the Scottish Crested Tit (104) and the bird observed by Mrs. Neale confirmed the identification as Northern Crested Tit (per Dr. Sherwill Dawe).'

In an Editorial (1946) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIX. p. 382, in a Review of the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, for 1945, they say: 'A Northern Crested Tit is said to have come to crumbs on a window-sill at Torquay in January, but a glance at The Handbook or at skins should have convinced the Editorial committee that the idea of being able to differentiate between the races in such circumstances is quite fantastic, even if the specific identification is accepted.'

Moore (1969) says: 'Few of the occurrences can be considered reliable, as in most cases the data are incomplete with the records lacking conviction. Tyler (2010) accepts it as the second record for Devon.

Comment No identification details of this difficult species. Not acceptable.

0). 1945 Devon Paignton, seen, 24th May.

(M. Brooks-King et al., Devon Bird Watching & Preservation Society Report 1945: 66).

[Moore, 1969; Tyler, 2010].

History M. Brooks-King et al. (1945) in the Devon Bird Watching & Preservation Society Report, p. 66, says: 'Paignton. May 24th, one reported seen by Mr. G. D. Crowther (per E.W.H.).'

Moore (1969) says: 'Few of the occurrences can be considered reliable, as in most cases the data are incomplete with the records lacking conviction.'

0). 1947 Isles of Scilly Harry's Walls, St Mary's, seen, 15th September.

(B. H. Ryves & H. M. Quick, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1947: 38; Penhallurick, 1978).

[B. H. Ryves & H. M. Quick, Cornwall Bird Watching & Preservation Society Report 1947: 38; Witherby et al., 1940-52].

History B. H. Ryves & H. M. Quick (1947) in the Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report, Vol. XVII. p. 38, recording the record in square brackets, says: 'On September 15th, after a spell of westerly weather, a flock of Coal Tits arrived in the early morning, all very exhausted and so eager to feed that they could be very closely approached - I stood over some of them feeding in the shelter of the house. A Crested Tit was among them, giving me an excellent view at five yards range. It appeared very battered, but the crest was plainly seen, of a mottled darkish brown with very little white on it. There was a dark brown-black band around the neck, but under the chin was definitely the darkest portion. Above the band was light dirty brown; no mark was noticed at the eye. Upper parts were uniform brown, and under parts dirty white to fawn. The bird definitely looked a shade smaller in size than the Coal Tits, who looked normal in colour. - W.P.K.'

[The Scottish Crested Tit may be ruled out, but we think the bird may have been of the Northern or Central European form. - Eds.]

Comment W. P. Kennedy of Harry's Walls, St Mary's.

AC pass

Keith Naylor

European Crested Tit

Lophophanes cristatus/mitratus (Linnaeus, 1758)/(Brehm, CL, 1831) (11, 1)

Northern Nutcracker

Northern Willow Tit