Greater Spotted Eagle

Accipitridae

Aug 7

Clanga clanga (Pallas, 1811) (13, 0)

STATUS

Eurasia. Monotypic.

OVERVIEW

BOU (1971) stated that there are about 12 records (14 birds) but only recorded twice in the 20th century: Essex in April 1908 and Hereford in November 1935. Earlier there is a probable one from Scotland and two birds in Ireland.

An additional record is of one that came to light in 2003 that was in an office on the Elveden Estate in Suffolk.

RECORDS

1). 1860 Cornwall Hawks Wood, between Hawk's Tor and Kilmar Tor, Cheesering, immature male, 4th December.

("E.H.R." Field 15th Dec., 1860: 493; E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1861: 7311-12; E. H. Rodd, Ibis 3: 118; Newman, 1866; E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1870: 2196; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1880; H. E. Dresser, Zoologist 1885: 230-231; F. R. Surtees, Field 21st Nov., 1885: 742; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 14: 181; Penhallurick, 1978; BOURC (2005) Ibis 147: 246-250).

History "E.H.R." of Penzance (1860) in The Field of 15th Dec., Vol. XVI. p. 493, says: 'An immature male example of this rare eagle was shot on the 4th inst. at Hawk's Wood, near Trebartha Hall, the seat of Francis Rodd, Esq. There is a figure of this eagle in Yarrell's Supplement to his British Birds, but the plumage is represented there as having crescent-shaped tips to the wing coverts and scapularies, &c. In the present instance these spots are oval, varying in size, but quite distinct. The bird was very fat, and in very perfect plumage; weight, 4 lb. 1 oz.; extreme width from tip to tip 5 ft. 5. in.; length, 27 in.'

E. H. Rodd of Penzance (1861) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XIX. pp. 7311-12, dated 15th December, 1860, says: 'The capture of this rare eagle took place on the 4th instant, in the eastern part of Cornwall, at a large covert called Hawk's Wood, the property of Francis Rodd, Esq., of Trebartha Hall, adjoining the large moors between Hawk's Tor and Kilmar, and not very far from the well known Cheesering....it was observed first in a tree, and on the approach of the shooting party, instead of soaring, the bird shuffled down the tree and scrambled under some rocks; the condition of the bird was beyond the average of birds of prey, large masses of fat encircling the gizzard, which on dissection was entirely empty; one of the wing-bones was broken, but whether with shot or otherwise I cannot exactly determine; the body, wings, and other parts of the bird exhibited the most perfect form, but probably some injury at the time prevented the bird from taking flight.

The bird was sent to me in the flesh, and I had therefore a good opportunity of taking several particulars, which I will now proceed to give: - weight, 4 lbs. 1 oz.; extreme length, 2 ft. 3 in.; from carpal joint to the end of the longest quill-feather (5th), 1 ft. 8 in.; extreme width, 5 ft. 5 in.; length of tail 10 in. Cere bright yellow; eyes large, deep hazel; beak, at the base, blue horn, the centre and tip almost black; top of the head, throat, front breast and back liver-brown; the feathers on the occiput neck in front and behind detached, ciliated and loose, with paler points. Quill-feathers abruptly narrowed by indentations of both webs towards their ends, which are black; inner webs towards their base, in the widest part pale brown. Secondaries brown, broadly tipped with buff-yellow, forming a conspicuous bar. Greater and lesser wing-coverts ending in distinct oval elliptic spots, gradually diminishing in size over and to the ridge of the shoulders, and appearing at the extreme margin like small drop-shaped streaks, but distinct and separate. Tail deep brown, tip much worn, but paler; upper tail-coverts broadly edged with dull yellow; the colour of the feathers next to the tail almost white. From the breast downwards to the vent a mixture of dirty yellow and brown, the centre of the feathers being yellow, with the edges all round brown; the feathers on the vent buff-yellow. Thigh-feathers buff-yellow, the upper portion striped longitudinally with dark brown, terminating in uniform dull yellow. Tarsi feathered to the feet, which are bright yellow; claws dark brown, almost black; the toes ending in four well-defined plated scales, similar in form to those of the Golden Eagle. Sex male. In the first year's plumage.

On dissection it appeared that an injury to the elbow of the wing prevented the bird from taking flight. Mr. Vingoe informs me that the flesh in this portion of the wing was like jelly, and there can be no doubt that the bird had met with a recent blow in that part; the high condition of the bird is evidence that it could not have been of long standing, but the remarkable collapsed appearance of the gizzard, without a particle of food, shows that the bird had taken no prey for a day or two.'

E. H. Rodd (1861) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XIX. p. 7817, adds: '...that he owned this bird.'

Edward Hearle Rodd (1861) in The Ibis, Vol. III. p. 118, in a Letter, says: 'A good male specimen of the Spotted Eagle (Aquila naevia), with the elliptical spots on the wing-coverts, and scapularies well marked, was shot on the 4th of December, in the parish of Northhill in the eastern part of Cornwall. The occurrence is also mentioned in The Times of December 12th. This bird has only once, we believe, occurred previously in the British Islands, namely, in Ireland, in 1845, as recorded in the first Supplement to Yarrell's British Birds (p. 11) and other publications.'

H. E. Dresser of Farnborough, Kent (1885) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. IX. pp. 230-231, says: 'In his article on the Spotted Eagle (Hist. Brit. Birds, Vol. I. p. 107) Mr. Seebohm says: "In The Ibis for 1877 Mr. Gurney refers to the two Spotted Eagles killed in Cornwall, and recorded in The Zoologist for 1861 to Aquila clanga, the Larger Spotted Eagle. In Dresser's Birds of Europe this decision is quoted and endorsed. I believe, however, that I am in a position to prove that this is an erroneous one, and that it is the Lesser Spotted Eagle (to which species Dresser gives the name of Aquila pomarina, but which the great majority of ornithologists have called, and doubtless will still continue to call Aquila naevia which has occurred in Britain".

Mr. Seebohm then proceeds to argue from the measurements given by Mr. Gurney that the Cornish birds must be referable to Aquila pomarina, but he has never taken the trouble to examine either of the two specimens which have been obtained to test the question by a critical examination, as Mr. Gurney did before hazarding an opinion; and the consequence is that Mr. Seebohm has jumped to a wrong conclusion.

When in Cornwall, last November, I visited Trebartha Hall, where the late Mr. Rodd's collection is now placed, purposely to see the specimen of the Spotted Eagle in that collection. There had recently been a fire at the Hall, and the collection had been taken out of the museum-room; but Mr. T. Rashleigh Rodd (the late Mr. E. H. Rodd's nephew), the present owner of the place, most courteously gave me full access to it, and afforded me every facility for examining the birds. The glass of the case containing the Spotted Eagle had been broken in the hurry and confusion of removal at the outbreak of the fire, so that I could thoroughly examine the bird; and can now state without hesitation that it is referable to Aquila clanga, and not Aquila pomarina.

It is a very dark boldly-spotted bird, not having the rufous nuchal patch, and closely resembles the profusely-spotted specimens so many of which have been sent to this country from India by Mr. W. E. Brooks and the late Mr. Andrew Anderson.

I did not see the specimen shot at St. Columb when I visited the Truro Museum, and was told that it had been destroyed by moth; but Mr. Rodd assured me that it closely resembled the specimen in his collection in the large spots and profuse spotting, as also in the absence of the rufous nuchal patch, so that it may be safely inferred that it also was a specimen of Aquila clanga.'

Frederick R. Surtees of Boxley Abbey, Maidstone (1885) in The Field of 21st Nov., Vol. LXVI. p. 742, says: '...The one referred to by Mr. Harting as shot at Hawks Tor, Trebartha Hall, Cornwall, on Dec. 4, 1860, was figured in the Illustrated News at the time in a sketch by Mr. H. Weir, and showing the entire dorsal plumage with the white spots.

The Spotted Eagle may be taken as another illustration of the theory that during the present century many birds have been found migrating into countries where they were previously entirely unknown....'

H. F. Witherby (1920-21) in British Birds, Vol. XIV. pp. 180-183, says: 'While there is no clear proof that the Lesser Spotted Eagle (A. pomarina) has ever occurred in the British Islands, some of the records of Spotted Eagles are so wanting in essential details that it is impossible to say to which species they refer.

In the hope that further information may be forthcoming, or, better, that the doubtful birds may be sent for examination, I have discussed each record below. It seems to be generally supposed that the two species can always be separated by size, but unfortunately the measurements of males and females overlap, and in several cases the sex has not been ascertained. The considerably darker colouration of the upper parts of A. clanga at all ages, and in immature examples also the larger spots on the mantle than in A. pomarina are the best guides.

There are also differences in wing formula, but for this one must make certain that the wing-feathers are not in a state of moult, which is not so easy in a stuffed bird. The following are the recorded occurrences: 2nd: - Male, immature, December 4th, 1860, captured in Hawk's Wood, Trebartha, between Hawk's Tor and Kilmar Tor in eastern Cornwall (E. H. Rodd, Zool., 1861, p. 7311).

Rodd gives a good description which points to the bird being A. clanga, and the size of the wing "from carpal joint to the end of the longest quill-feather (5th), 1 ft. 8 in.". (= 507 mm.) is larger than any male A. pomarina I have measured.'

Penhallurick (1978) adds: '...it was shot by H. Couch and seen by H. E. Dresser at Trebartha in 1885.'

Comment Of course, "E.H.R." is E. H. Rodd of Penzance. In a review of the species it was found to be still acceptable as the first for Britain (BOURC (2005) Ibis 147: 246-250).

2). 1861 Cornwall Carnanton, near St Columb, immature male, early November, now at Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro.

(E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1861: 7817; E. H. Rodd, Field 16th Nov., 1861: 448; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1880; C. Smith, Zoologist 1885: 7; D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 14: 180, 209; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 15: 69; Penhallurick, 1978).

History E. H. Rodd of Penzance (1861) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XIX. p. 7817, dated 6th November, 1861, says: 'Another specimen of this rare eagle has made its appearance in Cornwall during the past week; it was shot in the parish of St Mawgan, near St Columb, and it was reported in the local paper as being the Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos.

The bird was sent to Mr. Vingoe for preservation, and in this way it has come under my immediate observation. I have examined it minutely this morning, and it is quite as good a specimen, and pretty nearly in the same state of plumage as the one shot at Trebartha in December last. Both are in the state of plumage, denoting them to be birds of the year, with the yellow spots and blotches on the quill and scapularies extending over a considerable portion of the feathers.

In the specimen now under notice, the yellow over the back and scapularies is even more predominant than in my bird, and there is also a greater amount of yellow mixed with brown on the belly and under parts, approaching to almost a pure buff-yellow on the under tail-coverts and the thighs; the ciliated feathers on the neck have the extremities rather paler than in my bird. The bird was gorged with horse-flesh, and in very low condition.'

E. H. Rodd of Penzance (1861) in The Field of 16th Nov., Vol. XVIII. p. 448, says: 'A specimen of this rare and beautiful eagle (Aquila naevia) in precisely the same state of plumage as the one killed at Trebartha, in December last, was obtained about a fortnight since from the parish of St Mawgan and St Columb. The only variation in the colour of the plumage is a rather more predominant tone of yellow blending with the brown on the under parts; its crop was gorged with carrion. Sex, male, in the first year's plumage; length 5ft. 3in. This specimen has been presented by Brydges Willyams, Esq., to the Museum of the Royal Cornwall Institution.'

Cecil Smith (1885) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. IX. p. 7, says: 'On the 26th [May] we left New Quay for Redruth, stopping for luncheon at Truro, where we saw the worst, least cared for, and I think the dearest museum I ever was in, not even excepting the Guernsey Museum (Zool., 1872, p. 2925). The few birds in it will soon be lost, if a little more care be not taken of them. Amongst others I noted the Spotted Eagle killed at St. Mawgan, near St. Columb, in November, 1861.'

D'Urban & Mathew (1892: 150) also state that they saw it whilst on a visit to Truro Museum.

H. F. Witherby (1921) in British Birds, Vol. XIV. pp. 180-183, says: 'While there is no clear proof that the Lesser Spotted Eagle (A. pomarina) has ever occurred in the British Islands, some of the records of Spotted Eagles are so wanting in essential details that it is impossible to say to which species they refer. In the hope that further information may be forthcoming, or, better, that the doubtful birds may be sent for examination, I have discussed each record below.

It seems to be generally supposed that the two species can always be separated by size, but unfortunately the measurements of males and females overlap, and in several cases the sex has not been ascertained. The considerably darker colouration of the upper parts of A. clanga at all ages, and in immature examples also the larger spots on the mantle than in A. pomarina are the best guides.

There are also differences in wing formula, but for this one must make certain that the wing-feathers are not in a state of moult, which is not so easy in a stuffed bird. The following are the recorded occurrences: - 3rd: Sex not stated, immature, November 1861, shot near St. Columb, Cornwall (id., t.c., p. 7817). Unfortunately the sex is not given and only the length of the bird, which is useless. From the description, in which it is stated that the yellow spots over the back and scapulars are even more predominant than in the 1860 example, it is evident that this bird was also A. clanga.

In his Birds of Cornwall (p. 5), Rodd states that this bird is in the Truro Museum, while the first appears to have been in his own collection.

With reference to these two examples, the late J. H. Gurney (senr.), an authority on the Accipitres, stated in The Ibis (1877, p. 332), that he had examined them both and found them to be examples of A. clanga. Dresser also examined the one at Trebartha and came to the same conclusion, stating that it is a "very dark boldly-spotted bird" and adds that the St. Columb specimen in the Truro Museum had been destroyed by moth! (Zool., 1885, p. 230.).'

Further, p. 209, Witherby says: 'With reference to the third example of the Spotted Eagle (St. Columb, November 1861) referred to on page 181, Mr. P. D. Williams kindly writes (January 6th, 1921) that the curator of the Truro Museum informs him that this bird is in excellent order, and that the statement that it was destroyed by moth is quite untrue.'

H. F. Witherby (1921) in British Birds, Vol. XV. p. 69, says: 'With reference to the Spotted Eagle, procured near St. Columb, Cornwall, in November 1861 (see Vol. XIV. pp. 181 and 209), the Rev. Canon H. Holroyd Mills has very kindly given me an excellent photograph of this bird, from which it is quite clear that it is an example of A. clanga.'

Accepted locally by Penhallurick (1978) who adds: 'It was shot by Mr. James Jones at Trevedras Farm, St. Mawgan-in-Pydar (Gazette 1.xi.1861) and is now at Truro Museum where he has examined it.'

Further, he adds that 'Bullmore (1866) recorded it in error as a Golden Eagle which was perpetuated by Harting (1880) with Clark (1906) listing the record under both species.'

3). 1872 Berkshire Wokingham, shot, 2nd October.

(B. W. Tucker & W. B. Alexander, Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire 1933: 26; Witherby et al., 1940-52; Radford, 1966; Swash, 1996).

History B. W. Tucker & W. B. Alexander (1933) in the Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, p. 26, say: 'The Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain informs us that a male killed at Wokingham on Oct. 2, 1872, is now in the possession of Mr. H. Whistler.'

It would appear that Witherby (1920-24) was not aware of this record as he did not mention it. However, Witherby et al. (1940-52 (3): 44) say: 'The one from Berkshire in October 1872 has been critically examined and identified as A. clanga.'

Accepted locally by Radford (1966) who says: 'Shot at Wokingham on 2nd October 1872' and (Swash 1996).

4). 1875 Cumbria Walney Island, Lancashire, tideline corpse, undated.

(J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1883: 219; W. A. Durnford, Zoologist 1883: 251; J. Watson, Naturalist 12: 345-346; H. A. Macpherson, Field 21st Dec., 1889: 888; Macpherson, 1892; Mitchell, 1892; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 14: 181; Oakes, 1953).

History J. E. Harting, Editor (1883) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VII. p. 219, under 'The Birds of Walney Island', Mr. W. A. Durnford has published a pamphlet with a list of 188 species, and says: 'Amongst the more remarkable species we find the Spotted Eagle, a specimen of which, picked up dead on the west shore of Walney in 1875, was examined by Mr. Durnford, who states that "not having been able to ascertain any other circumstances in connection with its occurrence, he does not feel justified in adding it to the list of British-killed specimens".'

W. A. Durnford of Tankersley Rectory, Barnsley (1883) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VII. p. 251, replies: 'As regards the appearance of the Spotted Eagle, I fail to see the inconsistency of recording the fact of one having been found dead on Walney Island, whilst refusing to admit it to the ranks of British-killed specimens. I do not feel capable of deciding whether the bird in question was a wild specimen, or whether it was one that had died on board ship, and been consigned to the deep, or whether it had escaped from captivity. All I can positively assert is that it is a genuine specimen of Aquila naevia, that it had not been very long dead when discovered, and that until recently it could at any time be seen at Barrow [-in-Furness].'

J. Watson (1886) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XII. pp. 345-346, says: 'Mr. W. A. Durnford examined a specimen of this rare species in 1875. It was picked up dead on Walney Island by a party of fishermen. We have grave doubts whether this was not an escaped bird from one of the Liverpool dealers, or from some of the show places in its vicinity. Certainly such birds were there about the time of the occurrence of this particular example.'

H. A. Macpherson of Carlisle (1889) in The Field of 21st Dec., Vol. LXXIV. p. 888, says: 'Another rare bird, which we have lost sight of, is the Walney example of the Spotted Eagle. Comparatively few years have passed since this specimen was found dead; but neither local enquiries nor advertising have as yet resulted in the discovery of its present whereabouts.'

Macpherson (1892: 186) says: 'The only occurrence of any form of Spotted Eagle that can be cited for Lakeland is that of a bird washed ashore on Walney Island in 1875. It was found by a fisherman named Richardson, who took the dead bird to Williams the blacksmith, of Barrow. At his house it was examined by my brother Ibis, Mr. W. A. Durnford, who referred the specimen to Aquila naevia. Accordingly, he recorded it as such in his 'List of the Birds found in the neighbourhood of Walney Island.'

Mr. F. S. Mitchell included the specimen in his Birds of Lancashire, as he told me afterwards, on the strength both of Mr. Durnford's notice, and of a private communication that passed between them. Mr. Williams, who mounted the bird, has often repeated to me that it became the property of a roan named Jackson. This individual kept the bird for a few years, but eventually got into difficulties, and was "sold up". I have never been able to ascertain who purchased this Eagle at Jackson's sale, though I advertised for information in a Barrow newspaper. The moral of which is, that all really rare or unique specimens of 'British Birds' should be deposited from the first in some public museum.'

There are also differences in wing formula, but for this one must make certain that the wing-feathers are not in a state of moult, which is not so easy in a stuffed bird. The following are the recorded occurrences: - 5th: One is stated to have been picked up dead on Walney Island, Lancashire, and examined by Mr. W. A. Durnford, in 1875, but there are no further particulars and it seems doubtful if the bird was preserved (Birds of Lancs., 2nd ed., p. 125.).'

Comment There is one in the Whitaker Collection, Mansfield Museum, Nottinghamshire, which may be this specimen, as Whitaker purchased the 1875 Cumbria Scops Owl in the same year.

5). 1875 Suffolk Elveden, shot, undated, now at Castle Museum, Norwich.

(Piotrowski, 2003).

History Piotrowski (2003: 121) says: 'This record was overlooked by previous authors of Suffolk avifaunas much to my amazement. The specimen is currently on display in the Elveden Estate Office, Suffolk, and bears a label saying "shot at Elveden 1875". Howard Mendel formerly of Ipswich Museum has examined the specimen and confirmed the identification.'

6). 1885 Northumberland River Lyne, Cresswell, immature, shot, 31st October, now at Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

(H. T. Archer, Field 14th Nov., 1885: 708; J. Hancock, Natural History Transactions of Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne 8: 217; H. T. Archer, Naturalist 1884-85: 387; Field 21st Nov., 1885: 742; J. A. Harvie Brown, J. Cordeaux & W. E. Clarke, Migration Report 7: 48; J. H. Gurney, Naturalist 12: 47; J. Aitchison, History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 11: 247; G. Bolam, History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 11: 258; Bolam, 1912; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 14: 181; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83; Kerr, 2001).

History H. T. Archer of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (1885) in The Field of 14th Nov., Vol. LXVI. p. 708, says: 'I have just seen (Nov. 6) in the possession of Mr. Duncan, to whom it is entrusted for preservation, a fine specimen of the Spotted Eagle, shot on the Northumberland coast a few days ago. I believe this to be the first authentic specimen which has occurred in England. Morris mentions two shot in Ireland in 1845. The dimensions of this bird are: Length, 28 in.; extent of wings, 5ft. 7 in.'

[Only one was shot in Ireland in 1845, near Youghal. Others were previously killed at Horn Head, in Donegal, in 1831; and on Valentia Island, Kerry, in 1840. In England it has several times occurred, though not since 1861. See Harting's Handbook of British Birds, pp. 83, 84, where seven British-killed specimens are mentioned. - Ed.]

J. Hancock (1885) in the Natural History Transactions of Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Vol. VIII. p. 217, says: 'A few days ago [31st Oct. 1885] I had the pleasure of examining, through the kindness of Mr. Robt. Duncan, a fine specimen of this interesting bird, which has not before been recorded as occurring on the Northumberland coast or in our district. It is a bird of the year, in very fine unworn plumage, and undoubtedly the same as the Indian form, of which I have examined many specimens. The length of this example, from the end of bill to end of tail, was 28 inches. The extent of wings, 67 inches. Eye hazel'

H. T. Archer of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (1884-85) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. X. p. 387, says: 'I have examined - in the possession of Mr. Duncan, to whom it is entrusted for preservation - a magnificent specimen of the Spotted Eagle, shot at Cresswell, on the Northumberland coast, on the 31st of October. The general colouration is deep brown, with spots of a yellowish white; eye, hazel. In length it is 28 inches, and the extent of the wings 5 feet 7 inches. It had noting but a little grass in its stomach when dissected; and Mr. Duncan considers the bird a young one. The figure in Morris's British Birds well represents it.'

[We wrote Mr. John Hancock, whom we were informed had examined it, for his opinion on its specific identity, and he kindly replied: - 'The Eagle shot in Northumberland is the Aquila naevia, or the true Indian form (a young bird of the year).' We believe this to be the eighth occurrence in Great Britain and Ireland, the fifth English specimen, but the first in the northern counties. - Eds.]

J. A. Harvie Brown, J. Cordeaux & W. E. Clarke (1886) in the Report on the Migration of Birds in the Spring and Autumn of 1885, 7th report, p. 48, say: 'The Spotted Eagle, Aquila naevia, was shot at Cresswell on the Northumberland coast on October 31st.'

J. H. Gurney of Northrepps (1886) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XII. p. 47, says: 'I believe that the Spotted Eagle which was killed at Cresswell, in Northumberland, on 31st of October, 1885, should also be referred to A. clanga, and that it is probably a male of that species; and I have formed this opinion from the following information which has been obligingly communicated to me by Mr. R. Duncan, of Newcastle, by whom the specimen has been preserved. Mr. Duncan writes "I could not ascertain the sex of the Spotted Eagle; it is undoubtedly a bird of the year; the length from the carpal joint to the tip of the wing is 20½ inches; the feathers on the nape of the neck are rufous-brown in the centre, decidedly differing in tint from the other brown portion of the plumage; I think the Eagle is an example of A. clanga, as the feathers with rufous centres are scattered over the whole of the back of the neck".'

John Aitchison (1885-86) in the History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club, Vol. XI. p. 247, says: 'A Spotted Eagle was shot at Cresswell, on the coast, on October 31. This specimen has been preserved by Mr. R. Duncan, Newcastle; and a description of it by Mr. J. H. Gurney will be found in The Naturalist for February 1886.

Mr. Gurney says: "I could not ascertain the sex of the Spotted Eagle - it is undoubtedly a bird of the year; the length from the carpal joint to the top of the wing is 20½ inches; the feathers on the nape of the neck are rufous-brown in the centre, decidedly differing in tint from the other brown portions of the plumage. I think the eagle is an example of A. clanga, as the feathers with the rufous centres are scattered over the whole of the back of the neck".

The record of the capture of this specimen is most interesting, as it is entirely new to the avifauna of Northumberland, and is perhaps the only well-authenticated instance of the occurrence of this species in British Islands.'

Bolam (1912: 273) says: 'A young bird, in first plumage, shot by Mr. Lionel Finlay on the banks of the Lyne, at Cresswell, on the Northumberland coast, on 31st October, 1885, which I examined shortly afterwards in the hands of Mr. Robert Duncan, taxidermist, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, who set it up for Mrs. Cresswell. It was in beautiful feather and condition, and measured in alar expanse 5 feet 7 inches, with a wing of 20½ inches, and length 28 inches. Colour deep rich brown conspicuously spotted with creamy white, iris hazel, cere yellow, nostrils round.'

There are also differences in wing formula, but for this one must make certain that the wing-feathers are not in a state of moult, which is not so easy in a stuffed bird.

The following are the recorded occurrences: - 6th: Sex not given, immature, shot October 31st, 1885, at Cresswell, Northumberland (Saunders, loc. cit., and G. Bolam, Birds of Northumberland, p. 273). Mr. Bolam examined this bird which was "deep rich brown conspicuously spotted with creamy white". He gives the wing measurement as 20½ inches (=52 cm.), which is larger than any A. pomarina, even a female, and from this and the description of the colouring and spots, there is no doubt this bird is A. clanga.'

7). 1891 Essex Elmstead, caught alive, 29th October, photo.

(H. Laver, Essex Naturalist 5: 218; H. Laver, Field 14th Nov., 1891: 758; H. Laver, Zoologist 1891: 470; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 14: 181, 209; Glegg, 1929; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984).

History Henry Laver of Colchester (1891) in the Essex Naturalist, Vol. V. pp. 218-219, says: 'Some time since I recorded the fact of a Crane having been shot in the parish of Elmstead near Colchester (see Essex Naturalist, Vol. II. p. 271), and now I am very pleased to announce the occurrence there of a Spotted Eagle - but with this welcome circumstance, that the bird was not killed, but is alive and apparently healthy. If these captures continue Elmstead will become celebrated in ornithological annals as the harbourage of rare birds. Mr. Pettitt, our local taxidermist, purchased the specimen from a gipsy, who had a few days before bought it of the captor, a farm-labourer of Elmstead. On October 29th, the man had noticed a strange bird, in an apparently exhausted state, alight in a field in which he was working. He immediately gave chase, and after the bird had taken a short flight he came up with it and succeeded in taking it alive and uninjured. The specimen appears to belong to the small race of the species, its size and markings corresponding to Mr. Saunders's description of this variety.'

Henry Laver of Colchester (1891) in The Field of 14th Nov., Vol. LXXVIII. p. 758, says: 'I saw today (Nov. 9) at Mr. Pettitt's, our local taxidermist, a living, healthy specimen of this, as far as Britain is concerned, rare eagle (Aquila naevia). The account he gave me of its capture was that it was seen by a farm labourer, on Oct. 29 last, to alight, in an apparently exhausted condition, in the field in which he was working, at Elmstead, near Colchester. On giving chase it flew about 100 yards, and then he came up to it, and after some difficulty succeeded in capturing it. After keeping it for some days he sold it to a gypsy, and he in turn sold it on Nov. 5 to the present owner, Mr. Pettitt. It is feeding well, and does not appear to have been injured. From its size and markings it probably belongs to what Mr. Saunders calls the smaller northern race.'

Henry Laver of Colchester (1891) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XV. p. 470, says: 'I have just seen (Nov. 9th) a live specimen of the Spotted Eagle, Aquila naevia, a rare straggler to the British Islands, which was captured on Oct. 29th, 1891, at Elmstead, near Colchester. It appears that on the day mentioned a farm labourer saw a strange bird, evidently in an exhausted condition, alight in the field in which he was working. On going after it, it rose again, and flew about a hundred yards. He soon came up to it, and, after some little difficulty, from its pugnacity, captured it alive and uninjured, and in a few days sold it to a gypsy, who in turn disposed of it to Mr. Pettitt, our local taxidermist. Its plumage appears to indicate good health, and its appetite certainly favours that idea, and, if any injury led to its capture, all marks of it have quite disappeared. From its size and markings it corresponds with Mr. Howard Saunders's description of the small northern race. Mr. Pettitt, who is taking great care of the bird, is willing to dispose of it if a purchaser can be found.'

There are also differences in wing formula, but for this one must make certain that the wing-feathers are not in a state of moult, which is not so easy in a stuffed bird.

The following are the recorded occurrences: - 7th, 8th and 9th, In October and November 1891, three or more Spotted Eagles were reported in Essex and Suffolk, as follows: - One caught October 29th, at Elmstead, near Colchester (H. Laver, Zool., 1891, p. 470), Male immature, shot November 4th, at Sudbourne, Wickham Market, Suffolk. Another bird had been seen in its company (Pratt and Son, t. c., 1892, p. 25). Another immature bird was shot at Leigh, Essex, on November 3rd (Miller Christy, t. c., 1892, p. 76). Mr. Miller Christy also states (Vict. Hist. Essex), that an Eagle seen about Bardfield, throughout the following December, was also probably of this species. The specimen captured at Elmstead, Mr. Miller Christy states (Zool., 1892. p. 76) is in the collection of the Hon. W. Rothschild, but it is not now at Tring and neither Lord Rothschild nor Dr. Hartert have any recollection of it. Of the Elmstead specimen Mr. Laver remarked "from its size and markings it corresponds with Mr. Howard Saunders's description of the small northern race". It seems certain, however, that all these birds came over together and it would be strange if the Suffolk bird were A. clanga and the Essex ones A. pomarina. It is important, however, that the Essex birds, if accessible, should be critically examined.'

Further, p. 209, Witherby says: 'Mr. Miller Christy has kindly supplied me with a photograph of the seventh (Elmstead, October 29th, 1891), and Dr. Hartert and I have compared this and the figure of the bird in Lilford's Coloured Figures of British Birds, Vol. I. pl. 4, with skins, and are satisfied that it was an example of A. clanga. Judging by the figure in Lilford I think this bird was about eighteen months old and not in juvenile plumage, as the figure shows no buffish-white tips to the tail nor white on the upper tail-coverts.'

Glegg (1929) says: 'Dr. H. Laver recorded that he saw at Pettitt's on 9th November 1891, a living specimen of this species, which had been captured at Elmstead on 29th October 1891. Dr. A. G. Butler states that this bird, alive, passed into the possession of the Hon. W. Rothschild, of Tring, who permitted Lord Lilford to have a drawing made from it by Mr. Thorburn, for his coloured plates of British Birds. Mr. Witherby, who tried to trace this specimen, states that it was not at Tring, and that neither Lord Rothschild nor Dr. Hartert had any recollection of it.'

8). 1891 Essex Leigh-on-Sea, juvenile, shot, 3rd November, photo, now at Southend-on-Sea Museum (Acc. No. SOUSM: 660).

(H. S. Rodd, Field 5th Dec., 1891: 883; W. Cole, Essex Naturalist 5: 218-219; Lord Lilford, Field 6th Feb., 1892: 177; R. M. Christy, Zoologist 1892: 76; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 14: 181, 209; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984; Wood, 2007, photo).

History H. S. Rodd of Chardstock House, Dorset (1891) in The Field of 5th Dec., Vol. LXXVIII. p. 883, says: 'On Nov. 3 a good specimen of the Spotted Eagle (Aquila naevia) was shot in the picturesque grounds, overlooking the Thames, of Leigh Rectory. The bird in question was one of the three eagles that have been lately seen in Essex. In a letter from my brother-in-law, the Rev. R. Stuart King, who shot the bird, he says that this eagle was apparently a bird of the year, the spots being very plainly marked on the back; the plumage was in very good order, but the bird was in low condition. The measurements were - length from tip of beak to tail, 2 ft. 0½ in.; and width from wing to wing, 5 ft. He did not weigh the bird, but should say it barely scaled 6 lb. weight.'

W. Cole (1891) in the Essex Naturalist, Vol. V. pp. 218-219, says: 'It was stated in the local papers that on Thursday, November 3rd, a "Golden Eagle" was shot at Leigh by the Rev. R. Stuart King. Having some doubts as to the species, I wrote to Mr. King, and he informs me that the bird he shot was the Spotted Eagle (Aquila naevia). It was first seen on the ground in the Rectory meadow at Leigh, and upon being alarmed by a lad, it flew up and settled on a tree. The lad, thinking it was a goose, fetched Mr. King, who, at once recognising it as an Eagle, procured a gun and shot it. Mr. King describes it as a young bird, the spots being very plainly marked. The measurements were: from tips of wings 5 feet, from beak to tail 2 feet half-an-inch. He adds: "The bird was evidently weak from want of food, and was very light. A gale from the N.E. had been blowing for two days, so 1 imagine that the bird had been carried out of its course. I find that it had been seen two or three days before I shot it".

[We, of course, give the names of the species on the authority of Dr. Laver and Mr. King. The Spotted Eagle appears to be one of our rarest birds, only six examples having been previously recorded in (Great Britain and Ireland (viz., two near Youghal in 1845; two in Cornwall in 1861; one in Lancashire in 1874; and one, in 1885, in Northumberland).

Its distribution is thus summarised by Mr. Saunders: - "It is probable that the specific name generally employed was originally intended for the small form which breeds in the forests of Northern Germany, and becomes numerous in Pomerania and the Baltic provinces of Russia; though rare on the eastern side of the Gulf of Bothnia, and only a straggler to Sweden and Lapland. Southward this can be traced through Poland and the marshy woods to the west of the Dnieper down to Bessarabia, as well as to the Caucasus.

A larger form, which slightly intrudes on this area, occupies the forest region to the eastward and southward as far as the steppes; beyond which it extends across Turkestan and Central Asia to Northern China, and to some parts of India, Persia, and Asia Minor. It nests in Turkey, the districts watered by and south of the Danube, and suitable localities in Italy and the islands of the Mediterranean; also, sparingly, in north Africa. In the south of Spain it is not common; but I frequently saw and heard it in the Pyrenees.

In France and Belgium it is rare, except on the wooded south-eastern frontier towards Switzerland and Luxemburg. In winter both races migrate entirely from their northern, and partially from their southern, haunts in Europe, numbers ascending the Nile valley to Abyssinia".

The late severe storms were doubtless the cause of these distinguished visitors' presence in Essex. Possibly they were blown from their course during migration. It is stated that the Elmstead specimen is a young male, in good plumage, the wings extending nearly six feet from point to point. Its appetite is very keen, it having disposed in three days of a large barn-door fowl, a rabbit, and the entire pluck of a sheep! If Dr. Laver is correct in referring the specimen to the small form, it is probably quite new to the British fauna, as Mr. J. H. Gurney stated that all the British examples he had seen were referable to the larger variety, which, he says, is the A. clanga of Pallas. The Elmstead specimen forms the subject of a large engraving in the Daily Graphic of November 18th. - Ed.]

Lord Lilford of Oundle (1892) in The Field of 6th February, Vol. LXXVIII. p. 177, says: 'Will you allow me to inquire, through your columns, what has become of the Spotted Eagle which was recorded in The Field some weeks ago (I have mislaid the reference) as having been captured at Leigh, near Southend. I am very anxious to ascertain to which race the four specimens recorded during this autumn and winter belong, with a view to figuring British specimens of this eagle in my work on British birds, now in course of publication. The owner of the Elmstead specimen has most courteously allowed me to have a drawing taken from his bird in life, and I know of the location of the two Suffolk specimens, but am anxious to have all particulars concerning the Leigh specimen above mentioned.'

[We are under the impression that the bird in question has been preserved for the Rev. Mr. King, of Leigh, who shot it. - Ed.]

R. M. Christy of Pryors Broomfield, Chelmsford (1892) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XVI. p. 76, says: 'I do not observe in the January number of The Zoologist any reference to a second specimen of the Spotted Eagle, Aquila naevia, recently procured in this county. It was shot at Leigh, near Southend, by the Rev. R. Stuart King, on Nov. 3rd, less than a week after the capture of the Elmstead specimen which is now in the collection of the Hon. W. Rothschild. According to information communicated to the Essex Naturalist, the bird had been seen about the locality two or three days before it was shot. It was first seen on the ground in the Rectory meadow. Upon being alarmed by a boy, it flew up and settled on a tree. The lad fetched Mr. King, who, recognizing it as an Eagle, procured a gun and shot it. I examined it whilst it was in the hands of the birdstuffer, and agree with Mr. King in regarding it as a young bird. Though Mr. King says it "was evidently weak from want of food and was very light", its plumage was in excellent condition and the spots showed very plainly. Mr. King gives the length as 24½ inches, and the expanse as 5 feet. The wing I found to measure 19 inches.'

There are also differences in wing formula, but for this one must make certain that the wing-feathers are not in a state of moult, which is not so easy in a stuffed bird.

The following are the recorded occurrences: - 7th, 8th and 9th, In October and November 1891, three or more Spotted Eagles were reported in Essex and Suffolk, as follows: - One caught October 29th, at Elmstead, near Colchester (H. Laver, Zool., 1891, p. 470), Male immature, shot November 4th, at Sudbourne, Wickham Market, Suffolk. Another bird had been seen in its company (Pratt and Son, t.c., 1892, p. 25). Another immature bird was shot at Leigh, Essex, on November 3rd (Miller Christy, t. c., 1892, p. 76). Mr. Miller Christy also states (Vict. Hist. Essex), that an Eagle seen about Bardfield, throughout the following December, was also probably of this species....Mr. Christy (l. c.) gives the measurement of the wing of the Leigh bird as 19 inches (= 482 mm.) which, if correctly measured, is too small for A. clanga. It is important, however, that the Essex birds, if accessible, should be critically examined.'

Further, p. 209, Witherby adds: 'Of the Leigh bird (No. 9 in my paper, p. 181) Lord Lilford writes (p. 4) that it was "nearly as beautiful" as the Sudbourne one. If one may assume that he was referring to the spotting it would seem clear that this was also A. clanga.'

Glegg (1929: 137) says: 'Obtained in the Rectory meadow at Leigh-on-Sea by the Rev. R. Stuart King on 3rd November 1891, in whose possession it still remains. Dr. A. G. Butler states that Mr. Thorburn also made a drawing of this bird.

A photograph of this mounted specimen, appeared in the Essex Review, Vol. XII. p. 157, and was determined as a juvenile.'

Wood (2007: 59) states that this specimen is in Southend-on-Sea Museum (Acc. No. SOUSM: 660), and in first-class condition (see opposite p. 64, for photo).

9). 1891 Suffolk Sudbourne Hall, Wickham Market, two, one immature male shot, 4th November, now at Castle Museum, Norwich.

(H. S. Harland, Field 28th Nov., 1891: 824; J. H. Gurney, jun., Field 5th Dec., 1891: 883; Pratt & Son, Zoologist 1892: 25-26; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 14: 181, 209; Ticehurst, 1932; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 26: 281).

History H. S. Harland of Brighton (1891) in The Field of 28th Nov., Vol. LXXVIII. p. 824, says: 'A Spotted Eagle (Aquila naevia) was shot on Nov. 4 by a keeper of Mr. J. Hornby's, in a wood near Sudbourne Hall, Wickham Market. It had been previously seen in company with another, but was alone when shot; and as a bird of the same species was captured alive at Elmstead, near Colchester, on Oct. 29, it is thought the birds were mates, driven over perhaps by the recent gales during their migration. I have just been to Messrs. Pratt and Sons, who have the bird in hand for preservation, and the following is its description: It weighed, when shot, 3½ lb. Its stomach contained the partly digested remains of a water rat and a partridge, including an entire leg of the latter. It proved to be a male bird, probably in its second year's plumage. There are three parallel rows of large white spots across the wing feathers, and the feathers on the back are spotted likewise; the large spots on the wings and those on the back, and graduate down in size. The neck feathers (or hackles) are lanceolate in form, and the legs are feathered down to the feet. It is a question whether it belongs to the larger or smaller race of this bird. Possibly some of your natural history correspondents will offer an explanation.'

[From the size and markings, it appears to correspond with the smaller northern race. - Ed.]

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1891) in The Field of 5th Dec., Vol. LXXVIII. p. 883, says: 'If the Spotted Eagle which has been shot in Suffolk belongs to the smaller species, Aquila pomarina, Brehm (= A. rufonuchalis and A. maculata), and is a young bird, it will, according to the formula given by my father (Naturalist, 1886, p. 46), have a patch of rufous on the occiput, and if this is absent, the wing measurements are the best criterion of its identity. The two Cornish specimens, the one in the museum of Trinity College, Dublin, and the Northumberland example, belonged to the larger species, A. clanga, so most likely the two which have been recently shot are the same.'

Pratt & Son of Brighton (1892) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XVI. pp. 25-26, say: 'We have recently (Nov. 21st) set up a specimen of the Spotted Eagle which was shot at the Sudbourne Hall Estate, Wickham Market, Suffolk, and has been sent to us for preservation by Mr. J. J. Hornby.

It proved on dissection to be a male, and its stomach contained the remains of a water rat and a partridge. It was killed on November 4th. Another bird had been seen in its company, and is probably the one that was caught alive at Colchester, as recorded by Mr. H. Laver (Zool., 1891, p. 470). The bird sent to us was in perfect plumage, beautifully spotted, and evidently in its second year; it weighed 3½ lbs.'

There are also differences in wing formula, but for this one must make certain that the wing-feathers are not in a state of moult, which is not so easy in a stuffed bird.

The following are the recorded occurrences: - 7th, 8th and 9th, In October and November 1891, three or more Spotted Eagles were reported in Essex and Suffolk, as follows: - One caught October 29th, at Elmstead, near Colchester (H. Laver, Zool., 1891, p. 470), Male immature, shot November 4th, at Sudbourne, Wickham Market, Suffolk. Another bird had been seen in its company (Pratt and Son, t. c., 1892, p. 25). Another immature bird was shot at Leigh, Essex, on November 3rd (Miller Christy, t. c., 1892, p. 76). Of the three obtained the Suffolk example is now in the Norwich Castle Museum, and Mr. Gurney, who has very kindly examined it carefully, informs me that it is quite a young bird, very dark and heavily spotted right up to the occiput and that he has compared it with skins of A. clanga and pomarina, with the former of which it agrees. It cannot be measured accurately as it is unfortunately a stuffed bird in a sealed glass case.'

Further, p. 209, Witherby adds: 'Mr. Miller Christy has kindly supplied me with a photograph of the seventh (Elmstead, October 29th, 1891), and Dr. Hartert and I have compared this and the figure of the bird in Lilford's Coloured Figures of British Birds, Vol. I. pl. 4, with skins, and are satisfied that it was an example of A. clanga. Judging by the figure in Lilford I think this bird was about eighteen months old and not in juvenile plumage, as the figure shows no buffish-white tips to the tail nor white on the upper tail-coverts. The figure of the Sudbourne, Wickham Market, bird (Plate 5), shows these clearly, and is evidently a juvenile.'

Ticehurst (1932: 222) adds: 'This bird had fed on a Water Vole and a Partridge. Examined by me at the Castle Museum, Norwich.'

H. F. Witherby (1933) in British Birds, Vol. XXVI. p. 281, in a Review of C. B. Ticehurst's A History of the Birds of Suffolk, says: 'Two examples of the Spotted Eagle, one on November 4th, 1891, at Sudbourne and the other on January 2nd, 1892, near Southwold, are stated to be Aquila clanga.'

Comment J. H. Gurney, jun., was recognised as one of the foremost experts on raptors during his time.

11). 1892 Suffolk Reydon, shot, 2nd January.

(S. Edwards, Field 2nd Jan., 1892: 2; Ticehurst, 1932; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 26: 281).

History Stanley Edwards of Mayfield, Halesworth (1892) in The Field of 2nd Jan., Vol. LXXIX. p. 2, says: 'It may be of interest to note that about Dec. 16 a specimen of the Spotted Eagle was shot by the keeper of the Rev. J. W. F. Ewen, of Reydon Hall, Suffolk. It was only slightly damaged in the wing, and they have it now alive. It seems tame, and from the somewhat worn appearance of the tail feathers, it has probably been in confinement before.'

[It would be of interest to know whether the Spotted Eagle which was reported to have been taken alive at Elmstead, near Colchester, on Oct. 29 last, contrived to escape and get shot, or whether the above-mentioned specimen is a different one. - Ed.]

Ticehurst (1932: 222) says: 'The second [for Suffolk] was shot at Reydon, near Southwold, on 2nd January, 1892, and was preserved at Reydon Hall. Two others were obtained about the same time in Essex.'

12). 1908 Essex Rettendon Place, Battlesbridge, immature male, seen, 10th and 13th April; same, Downham, shot, 14th April, photo.

(P. Meeson, Field 18th Apr., 1908: 666; R. M. Christy, Essex Naturalist 15: 272; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 14: 209, 237; Witherby, 1920-24; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984; Wood, 2007).

History Percy Meeson of Rettendon Place, Battlesbridge (1908) in The Field of 18th Apr., Vol. CXI. p. 666, under 'White-tailed Eagle in Essex', says: 'On April 10 I saw here what I believe to have been an immature White-tailed Eagle. At about 7.30 a.m. a workman came to tell me to bring my gun, as a large bird had settled in a tree half a mile from my house (the other side of Marks Farm Grove) while he was engaged in setting a stoat trap under the tree.

The bird appeared to be very tired, and on seeing him only flew into another tree about 100 yards off. When we got there we soon saw the bird, which puzzled me considerably, for, although the size of an eagle, it seemed to have only just strength enough to fly. We put it up several times, and it then seemed to be gaining strength. Once I approached unobserved to within fifty yards of it, and as it flew off the tree, saw every feather of its back. It was a very dark brown, the wings being nearly black. Some of the back feathers were lighter brown at the tips.

It afterwards rose to an elevation that could not have been far short of one mile, where it appeared as a mere speck in the sky. It was mobbed by a number of Rooks and a pair of Carrion Crows, but the Rooks had very soon to give up the chase; the Carrion Crows attained a height of possibly half a mile when they too abandoned the pursuit.

The eagle then lowered its flight, and flew due west to some woods. It had been flying due north, and the wind, being N.N.W., had evidently been to much for it.'

H. F. Witherby (1921) in British Birds, Vol. XIV. p. 209, says: 'Mr. Miller Christy also kindly points out that an Essex taken Spotted Eagle has been omitted from our Hand-List (1912) and from my article. This bird was exhibited at a meeting of the Essex Field Club on May 23rd, 1908, by Mr. Miller Christy and is recorded in the Essex Naturalist, Vol. XV. p. 272. It was a male and was picked up dead at Downham at the end of April 1908. It had been seen in the district for several months previously and appears to have died of shot wounds. This bird appears likely to have been A. clanga, but this should be confirmed by examination of the specimen, which, Mr. Christy tells me may still be at the De Beauvoir Arms, Downham.'

H. F. Witherby (1921) in British Birds, Vol. XIV. p. 237, says: 'Mr. P. M. Meeson, of Rettendon Place, Battlesbridge, Essex, kindly sends me further information about the Spotted Eagle of 1908, referred to on page 209 (antea). He saw it on April 10th when it appeared tired and could be approached to within fifty to one hundred yards. On April 13th it was seen four miles to the west feeding on a rabbit, and on the following day it was shot on the same rabbit. The bird is now in Mr. Meeson's possession.'

Glegg (1929: 137) says: 'Mr. Miller Christy exhibited this specimen, on behalf of its owner, Mr. T. Watts, "De Beauvoir Arms", Downham, at a meeting of the Essex Field Club, on 23rd May 1908. It had been preserved by Mr. C. Cable, of Stock, who described it as a young male. It then passed into the hands of Mr. P. M. Meeson, of Rettendon Place, Battlesbridge, Sussex.'

Wood (2007: 203) states it to be an immature male.

13). 1915 Herefordshire Near Brinsop Court, immature female, shot, 15th November, now at British Museum.

(J. E. Harting, Field 4th Dec., 1915: 935; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, British Birds 9: 186; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 14: 182; Witherby, 1920-24; Gilbert & Walker, 1954; Walker & Smith, 1975).

History J. E. Harting (1915) in The Field of 4th Dec., Vol. CXXVI. pp. 935-936, says: 'The recent capture of a Spotted Eagle in Herefordshire recalls the fact that this is the rarest of the three species of Eagle that are known to occur in the British Islands....The most recent specimen - now before us - makes the fourteenth which has been met with in the British Islands.

It was found by the gamekeeper of Mr. Hubert D. Astley, of Brinsop Court, Hereford, in one of his woods, in a helpless condition and with one wing badly broken by gunshot. As it was found impossible to remedy the fracture, the bird was mercifully put out of pain, and Mr. Astley kindly forwarded it to the Editor of The Field for examination and Report. It has since been presented in his name to the Natural History Museum, South Kensington, where doubtless ere long it will be available for inspection. On dissection it proved to be an adult female bird, and from the plumage and measurements it belongs apparently to the larger of the two allied forms which have been distinguished by naturalists....'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant (1915) in British Birds, Vol. IX. p. 186, says: 'On November 15th, 1915, a female Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga Pallas) in the immature spotted plumage as figured in Saunders's Illustrated Manual of British Birds, 2nd Edition, p. 325 (1899) was shot at Brinsop Court, Hereford, sent to the Field office by Mr. Hubert D. Astley, and subsequently forwarded to me in the flesh by Mr. J. E. Harting. Its large size indicated that it was a female and this conclusion was confirmed by an examination of the internal organs. The ovary was small and undeveloped, but the bird being still quite fresh the left oviduct was at once visible. The total length in the flesh was 28 inches, the expanse of the wings from tip to tip 66, the length of the wing 21, and the weight 4 lbs. 14 oz.

The occurrence of this fine Eagle in Britain is rare, only eleven examples having been previously recorded; nine in England, mostly in the southern counties, and two in co. Cork, Ireland.'

There are also differences in wing formula, but for this one must make certain that the wing-feathers are not in a state of moult, which is not so easy in a stuffed bird. The following are the recorded occurrences: - 10th: Female, immature, picked up wounded November 15th, 1915, at Brinsop Court, Hereford (W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, British Birds, IX. p. 186).

This is in the British Museum collection and is undoubtedly A. clanga.'

Witherby (1920-24) says: '...that this is the only British specimen we have examined which is in the British Museum.'

Accepted locally (Gilbert & Walker 1954; Walker & Smith 1975).

NOT PROVEN

0). 1840 Highland Dunvegan Castle, Skye, Skye & Lochalsh, shot, October.

(Harvie-Brown & Macpherson, 1904).

[Harvie-Brown & Macpherson, 1904].

History Harvie-Brown & Macpherson (1904: 140) recording the record in square brackets, say: 'Dunvegan Castle, Skye, October, 1850. It is not improbable that the Spotted Eagle has occurred in this island says Thompson, Nat. Hist. Ireland, App. p. 433, and he based this suggestion on the fact that Mr. Pack, who had been resident there fourteen years, eleven of them as keeper, described a "Spotted" Eagle - though he had never heard of a species being so called - having been killed by one of the shepherds of the late Mr. Macleod of Orbost, about the year 1840. Pack, and others who saw the individual which was shot considered it quite distinct from the Golden and Sea Eagles, and the Osprey, all of which are found there.'

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

0). 1858 Devon Lundy, shot, undated.

(M. A. Mathew, Zoologist 1861: 7380; G. F. Mathew, Naturalist 1866: 357; Harting, 1872; D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 14: 181).

[Not in Hartert, 1912].

History Murray A. Mathew of Barnstaple (1861) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XIX. p. 7380, dated 1st February, 1861, says: 'My friend Mr. Heaven, of Lundy, some years since, shot a specimen of the Spotted Eagle in the island; so Mr. Rodd's bird is not the first which has occurred in the west of England.'

G. F. Mathew (1866) in The Naturalist, Vol. II. p. 357, says: 'In 1863, A catalogue of the Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, and Amphibians, indigenous to, or observed in the county of Devon, was published by Van Voorst. Its author, J. Brooking Rowe, Esq., F.L.S., of Plymouth, is a gentleman well known in scientific circles, as one who has been, and still is, working hard at the Natural History of Devon. However, in this catalogue, which no doubt many of your readers have seen, several birds that have occurred in the northern division of the county are omitted, and other species which appear to be rare in the south are met with more frequently in the north, so perhaps, a list of these birds may not prove altogether uninteresting to the ornithological portion of your readers.

Spotted Eagle, Aquila naevia, Briss. I think it but right to state that this extremely rare bird, which was recorded in Zoologist, p. 7380, as having been shot by Mr. Heaven, on Lundy island, fell over the cliffs and was never obtained. It was only by collecting a few of the feathers which were blown inland that the species was determined.'

D'Urban & Mathew (1892: 149) who placed the record in square brackets, say: 'In the winter of 1858, Mr. Spencer Heaven, of Lundy Island, in turning a corner of the cliffs, came suddenly on an Eagle engaged in devouring a rabbit, and having a gun with him fired so it, when the bird, in its death-struggles, rolled over the edge of the cliff, and, falling into the sea below, could not be recovered. From some feathers which were picked up it was concluded that this bird was a Spotted Eagle in the same stage of plumage as two very fine examples soon after obtained in Cornwall - which also occurred in the winter.'

H. F. Witherby (1921) in British Birds, Vol. XIV. pp. 180-183, says: 'Murray A. Mathew subsequently wrote (Zool., 1861, p. 7380) that three years before Mr. Heaven had shot a Spotted Eagle on Lundy Island, but in his Birds of Devon he places the species in square brackets and states that the bird rolled over the cliff, fell into the sea, and was lost. From some feathers picked up it was thought to be of this species.'

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

0). 1861 North-east Scotland No locality, Aberdeenshire, shot, 20th September.

(H. M. Drummond Hay, Proceedings of the East of Scotland Union of Naturalists' Societies 1886: 35; H. M. Drummond Hay, Scottish Naturalist 8: 365; Saunders & Clarke, 1927; Phillips, 1997).

[Sim, 1903; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 22: 46; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953].

History H. M. Drummond Hay (1886) in the Proceedings of the East of Scotland Union of Naturalists' Societies, p. 35, under 'Lesser Spotted Eagle', says: 'One shot in Aberdeenshire, 20 Sept., 1861 (fide J. A. H. B. [Harvie-Brown]).'

H. M. Drummond Hay (1885-86) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. VIII. p. 365, in the Report of the East of Scotland Union, admits this record. Not accepted by Sim (1903: 124) who placed the record in square brackets.

Saunders & Clarke (1927: 373) say: 'One, in the Milner collection, shot in Aberdeenshire, 20th September 1861.'

H. F. Witherby (1928) in British Birds, Vol. XXII. p. 46, in a Review of W. E. Clarke's 3rd ed. of Saunders Manual of British Birds, says: 'For years Howard Saunders Manual was the standard authority for British ornithology until his last (1899) edition became too out of date to be so regarded. The present edition we fear falls short in the accuracy sustained in Saunders own two editions....In fact, he seems to have made no critical examination of existing specimens of this and other birds such as Spotted Eagles, one of which, stated to have been shot in Aberdeenshire September 20th, 1861, is additional to those listed in British Birds, XIV. pp. 180, 209.'

Baxter & Rintoul (1953 (1): 300) who square bracketed the record, add: 'It was shot by the then Speaker of the House of Commons. A specimen of the Spotted Eagle in the City Museum, Leeds, is believed to be this bird; it was in Sir William Milner's collection, and was deposited in the museum in 1877 or 1878. Unfortunately the specimen is not labelled with any data, but in the Philosophical and Literary Society Annual Report (Leeds) in 1881-82, in an appendix, the following occurs: - "Spotted Eagle shot in Aberdeenshire, September 20th, 1861, by the present Speaker of the House of Commons, F. E. Denison, Esq.".'

Phillips (1997: 59) adds: 'On further investigation, A. Norris, Assistant Curator of the Leeds City Museum, has said that the bulk of Milner's collection was destroyed by a bomb in May 1941, with this specimen being lost. He also states the above Annual Report was for the years 1880-81.'

Comment BOU (1971) called it a probable record. Most of Milner's collection was bought through David Graham of York, who has been (2004) discredited over the "Tadcaster Rarities" fraud (T. Melling, British Birds 98: 230-237), so this record is possibly suspect. Not acceptable.

0). 1861 Hampshire Near Somerley, male, shot, 28th December.

(Wise, 1863; J. E. Kelsall, Field 16th Feb., 1889: 232; Kelsall & Munn, 1905; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 14: 181).

[Cohen & Taverner, 1972].

History Wise (1863: 313, 1st ed.) says: 'A fine male specimen was shot, Dec. 28th, 1861, by a keeper of Lord Normanton's, in the plantations near Somerley. The bird had been noticed for some days previously hovering over the Forest. Mr. Rake, who saw it in the flesh, tells me that the wings measured six feet from tip to tip, and its weight was exactly eight pounds.'

J. E. Kelsall of Fareham (1889) in The Field of 16th Feb., Vol. LXXIII. p. 232, says: 'Having been asked by the Hants. Field Club to compile a briefly annotated list of the birds of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight...I should also like to know what value to attach to the record of the Spotted Eagle published in Wise's New Forest.'

Kelsall & Munn (1905: 152-153) say: 'The only example which has occurred within our boundaries is recorded by Wise: ...The bird is still in Lord Normanton's collection at Somerley, near Ringwood. This specimen is not noticed by Yarrell and Newton, and is only included in the second edition of Saunders Manual, though another specimen procured in Cornwall during the previous month is recorded in these works.'

There are also differences in wing formula, but for this one must make certain that the wing-feathers are not in a state of moult, which is not so easy in a stuffed bird.

The following are the recorded occurrences: - 4th: Male, December 28th. 1861, shot near Somerley. near Ringwood, Hants. (Wise, New Forest; Kelsall and Munn, Birds of Hants., p. 152; Saunders, Manual 2nd ed., p, 325).

Unfortunately no details are given, but the bird is in the collection of Lord Normanton at Somerley and should be critically examined.'

Cohen & Taverner (1972) say: 'The record of a Spotted Eagle included by Kelsall & Munn (1905) should be deleted, as this was an immature White-tailed Eagle shot near Somerley on 28th December 1861. Mackworth-Praed examined this specimen and there can be no doubt about the original error.'

Comment Misidentified. Not acceptable.

0). 1891 Essex Lindsell, Bardfield, Stebbing and Thaxted, seen November and December.

(W. Cole, Essex Naturalist 6: 42; Christy, 1903; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 14: 180-183; Glegg, 1929).

[Glegg, 1929].

History W. Cole, Editor (1892) in the Essex Naturalist, Vol. VI. p. 42, says: 'Mr. French, of Felstead, writes (December 5th): "An eagle has been seen (surrounded with a quantity of Rooks) at Lindsell within the last fortnight;" and, later (December 22nd), he reported that "the bird still haunts the locality, and evades all efforts, backed with a £5 reward, for its capture, dead or alive. It roosted several nights in Great Hall Wood, at Bardfield, and folks were quite unable to conjecture what it was, as its wings appeared to droop whilst perching.

The conclusion come to was that it was an "old sack", by some means transferred to the top of the tree. One person, name forgotten, is said to have seen it swoop down and take one of his hens. It was seen on Saturday last at Little Bardfield. Should not the county papers be asked to make an appeal for the preservation of this noble bird? At present the only care is to "bring it down".'

[It is probable that this is the bird referred to in the following paragraph in the Essex County Chronicle of December 11th: "A large eagle has been seen hovering over poultry-yards at Stebbing and other places in the neighbourhood during the last few days. Several fowls are said to have fallen a prey to this unusual visitor. The eagle is described as of a rusty-black colour. Attempts have been made to shoot it, but we have not heard that any one has succeeded".

The species has not been determined, but it is quite possible that the bird was a Spotted Eagle, two specimens of which have occurred in Essex - at Elmstead and Leigh (Essex Naturalist, Vol. V. p. 218). An unusual number of raptorial migrants have been seen in East Anglia during the winter. A Spotted Eagle was shot at Wickham Market, Suffolk, in November (see Field, November 28th), and the Rev. J. G. Tuck records (Zool., January and March, 1891) many Rough-legged Buzzards from Cambridgeshire and Suffolk, a Hen Harrier from Cambridgeshire, Peregrines, a young Merlin at Bury, and a White-tailed Eagle at Rushbrook, &c. Short-eared Owls have been abundant, and such an immigration of Rough-legged Buzzards has not occurred since 1876. - Ed.]

R. M. Christy (1903 (1): 244) in the Victoria County History of Essex, says: 'An eagle which was seen about Bardfield, Lindsell and Thaxted throughout the month of December [1891] following was probably of the same species.'

H. F. Witherby (1921) in British Birds, Vol. XIV. pp. 180-183, says: 'Mr. Miller Christy also states (Vict. Hist. Essex), that an Eagle seen about Bardfield, throughout the following December, was also probably of this species.'

Glegg (1929) says: 'Another Eagle, seen at Lindsell, Bardfield, Stebbing and Thaxted during November and December 1891, may have been of this species.'

Comment Not specifically identified. Not acceptable.

0). 1907 At sea Sea area Thames, 140 miles off Norfolk, caught on a boat, 17th October.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1908: 131; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 14: 182).

[Outside median waters, KAN].

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1908) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XII. p. 131, under 'Ornithological Repoort for Norfolk (1907)', says 'October 17th. [Eagle at Sea. - Capt. Allenby informs me that a Spotted Eagle, apparently dazzled by the lights on board ship, alighted on the deck of one of the Cruiser Squadron in lat. 54º N. long. 3º E., the wind being S., force 3, and being captured was subsequently forwarded to the Zoological Gardens, where its identity as Aquila maculata was ascertained. Capt. Allenby adds that a large number of other migratory birds were seen in the North Sea about that time, the distance from the coast of Norfolk being about one hundred and forty miles....]'

H. F. Witherby (1921) in British Birds, Vol. XIV. p. 182, says: 'A Spotted Eagle captured in the North Sea about 140 miles from the Norfolk coast on October 17th, 1907, was sent to the Zoological Gardens and identified as A. maculata (= A. clanga) (J. H. Gurney, Zool., 1908, p. 131).'

Comment It is not accepted due to it being outside British median waters, although it is listed locally in category E (Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling 1999).

0). 1934 Norfolk Hickling Broad, seen, 8th March; presumed same, Waxham, 18th March.

(B. B. Riviere, British Birds 28: 360-361).

[Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999].

History B. B. Riviere (1935) in British Birds, Vol. XXVIII. pp. 360-361, in the 1934 Norfolk Bird Report, says: '? Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga). - A bird which he believes to have been a Spotted Eagle was seen by Mr. Jim Vincent at Hickling on March 8th. In a letter to me, written on the same day, Mr. Vincent described it as being very dark brown in colour with a few light markings on the shoulders. "Tail short and head drawn in to body. No up-turned curve of primaries in soaring. Looked bigger than an Osprey, from which latter its soaring movements differed", I need hardly add that Mr. Vincent knows Ospreys extremely well, as also most Raptorial birds. A bird answering to the same description was seen early in February at Shadwell by Mr. Wilson, head keeper at Shadwell Court, who noted that it did not feed on rabbits but on "smaller stuff". A similar bird was also seen at Waxham on March 3rd (J. Vincent).'

Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling (1999: 526) placing the record in Category E, say: 'This immature reported at Hickling on 8th March 1934 by Jim Vincent, whose description of the bird in his diaries is rather unfortunately brief. The bird's size is recorded as larger than an Osprey Pandion haliaetus with all dark brown plumage except for some light golden marks on the shoulders. Wings noted as broad with openings between the primaries, and the tail was short. The head and neck were drawn into the body. He noted there was no upward sweep of the primaries. On 15th March Vincent visited South Kensington Natural History Museum and, after seeing skins, his diaries recorded that he was convinced the bird was an immature Spotted Eagle. On 18th March what was possible the same bird was seen at Waxham; Vincent was familiar with the White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla.'

0) 1946 Suffolk Near Bealings Parva, seen, about 9th November.

(G. Lempriere, Transactions of the Suffolk Naturalists' Society 6: 156-157).

[Not in Piotrowski, 2003].

History Mrs. Guy Lempriere of Little Bealings (1947) in the Transactions of the Suffolk Naturalists' Society, Vol. VI. pp. 156-157, dated 26th February, under 'A Possible Greater Spotted Eagle', says: 'One day, about the 9th November 1946, I was walking near Bealings Parva through bracken that was over four feet high, and looking as usual for any interesting animals. Suddenly a [sic] immense bird got up almost at my feet, taking me completely by surprise. It flew a few yards, and then went down among the tall cover. I recognised it as something very unusual by the huge size and vast wing-span. Slowly I followed and again flushed it, when I saw the colouring mostly all over was a tawny brown, having the wing-tips distinctly black-barred; the tail certainly was not white. This time if flew towards an oak-tree, whence a Kestrel Hawk, frequently sitting there, at once came towards it.

The Kestrel uttered a harsh cry of warning or fear, then made off still crying out. Next two Rooks attacked it; but the bird avoided them with quick manoeuvres, rising in circles higher and higher while all the time the Rooks mobbed it. Most fascinatingly the bird turned and dived like lightning to avoid them, seeming at times to even fly upon its back. Gradually it soared upwards to so great a height that all three of them were lost sight of in the brilliantly sunny blue sky. In reply to my query, the Editor of the Field considers that "This is quite obviously an Eagle, and almost certainly an immature Golden Eagle. The description, however, is not sufficiently complete to say with certainty".'

[No authenticated specimen of the Golden Eagle A. chrysaetus has ever been recorded in Suffolk...Note that the Spotted Eagle A. clanga, Pall., occurred near the Suffolk coast in both Nov. 1891 and Jan. 1892: the pale spots on the upper side of this dark brown bird would be invisible from beneath. - A corollary of the above proposition appears to be a paragraph in the Ipswich local paper on 5th June 1947, appended. - Ed.]

"A strange bird made its home on the Leiston battle-school last summer and, according to boys, picked up a terrier-dog. What may be the same bird is now attracting attention at the adjacent Leiston aerodrome, where Mr. A. Finbow, farming land between the runways, has seen a bird with very broad wing-span, like a huge grey seagull, with dark wing-tips. There he and others have seen it swoop and carry off a Leveret, Rabbits and Partridges. He is very certain that it is one of the Hawks; it has been suggested that it may be a White [-tailed] Eagle", Haliaeetus albicilla, Linn.

Mr. Finbow told Dr. D. G. Garnett on 20 July last that the bird's colour was a seagull's pale grey, with half its wings black, adding that the spotted one was probably the hen. Dr. Garnett himself saw the cock-bird, which he took to be Circus pygargus, L., over Leiston Abbey in the autumn of 1946; and says it does so much damage to game, upon one occasion picking up three young Partridges at once, that the farmer would be justified if he shot it". - Ed.

Not accepted locally (Piotrowski 2003).

AC Non-pass

Keith Naylor

Greater Spotted Eagle

Clanga clanga (Pallas, 1811) (13, 0)

Egyptian Vulture

Pallid Harrier