Gyrfalcon (1/2)

Falco rusticolus Linnaeus, 1758 (188, 15)

Photo © Rob Stonehouse

STATUS

Holarctic. Monotypic.

OVERVIEW

Baxter & Rintoul (1953) stated that some of the old records of the Falcons are so confused that we prefer not to include them.

In a review by the BOURC to find the first for Britain, all those prior to the 1835 Shetland adult male were found not proven.

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RECORDS

1). 1835 Shetland No locality, adult male, white-morph, obtained, November, now at National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh (NMS.Z 1835.2.1).

(MacGillivray, 1836; MacGillivray, 1837-52; Evans & Buckley, 1899; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; BOURC (2012), Ibis 154: 213).

History MacGillivray (1836: 467) under 'Appendix' says: 'I have lately seen two skins of this species sent to Professor Jameson from Shetland, the one of an old bird, the other probably of a young female.'

MacGillivray (1840 (3): 285-287) says: 'Male. The general appearance of this bird is indicative of the highest degree of activity and vigour, its form being remarkably compact and robust, its neck short, its head rather large, round, and flattened above. The bill is short, as broad as high at the base, with the dorsal line of the upper mandible decurved from the base, the sides convex, the edges thin and overlapping, with a slight festoon, and a distinct angular process, the tip trigonal, descending, acute, and rather short; the lower mandible with the angle formed by the separation of its crura very wide, the dorsal line convex, the back very broad at the base, the sides rounded, the tip directly truncate, with a nearly semicircular notch behind it on each side. Palate nearly flat, with two longitudinal papillate ridges; upper mandible with a prominent broad median ridge beneath; lower deeply concave. Cere of moderate breadth, and mostly bare. Nostrils basal, lateral, round, with a central prominent papilla terminating a ridge from the upper edge. Eyes large, with a bare projecting superciliary ridge; eyelids ciliated. Aperture of the ear rather large and roundish. Legs robust, rather short; tibia very muscular; tarsus feathered more than halfway down, its exposed part covered with scales, of which the anterior are larger, but not scutelliform; toes strong, of moderate length, padded and papillate beneath, scutellate above, unless toward the base, where they are scaly; the first too short, the second much longer, and nearly as long as the fourth, which is connected with the third by a rather large basal web. On the first toe are five, on the second ten, on the third eighteen, on the fourth ten scutella. Claws large, strong, well curved, somewhat compressed, flattened and marginate beneath, tapering to a fine point. The plumage is compact. The space between the bill and the eye is covered with short bristle-tipped plumelets. The wings are long and pointed, of twenty-five quills; the first quill ten-twelfths of an inch shorter than the second, which is longest, and exceeds the third by a quarter of an inch, the fourth two twelfths shorter than the first, which has the inner web abruptly attenuated toward the end; the second also attenuated, but without a notch, as is the third in a less degree. The secondaries are rather short, and most of the outer have a terminal sinus or slight notch on the inner web. Tail long, straight, slightly rounded, of twelve broad feathers, which at the end taper to a point. Bill very pale blue, at the end darker, at the base pale yellow; cere, superciliary ridge, and edges of eyelids yellow; feet pale yellow, the bases of the digital scutella blue; claws bluish black. The general colour of the plumage is white; the forehead, cheeks, throat, tibial feathers, abdomen, and lower and upper tail-coverts unspotted. On the rest of the lower parts each feather has a small guttiform greyish-brown spot. The tips of the bristles about the base of the bill are dusky. On the upper part of the head and neck each feather has a linear-lanceolate streak; on the back and wings each has a subterminal cordate, generally pointed, or sagittiform spot of dusky-grey. The quills and their coverts are barred with that colour ; the outer primaries greyish-black toward the end, and with the bars on their inner webs not extending to the margin. The tail is white, with the exception of seven spots toward the edges of both webs of the two middle feathers. These spots are not all exactly opposite to each other, some of them being alternate. Length to end of tail 21 inches; bill along the ridge one and five twelfths; wing from flexure 15½; tail 9; tarsus 2½; hind toe eleven twelfths, its claw 1¼; second toe one and four twelfths, its claw one and two twelfths; third toe 2, its claw 1; fourth toe one and four twelfths, its claw eleven twelfths. The above description is taken from the skin of an individual obtained in Shetland.'

Evans & Buckley (1899: 119) say: 'Greenland Falcon. An example marked 'Shetland, Nov. 1835', is in the Museum of Science and Art, Edinburgh.'

BOURC (2011) in The Ibis, Vol. CLIV. p. 213, say: 'It was presented to the museum by Mr. M. Cameron. In 1840, MacGillivray gave a detailed description, being resident in Edinburgh at the time, and we find that the adult male is acceptable as the first for Britain.'

Comment MacGillivray's statement would probably refer to this specimen as the 1835 record and this one are the only two known records prior to 1836 from Shetland.

2). 1837 Yorkshire Sutton-upon-Derwent, adult, white-morph, shot, 15th February.

(T. Allis, Wood's Naturalist 1837: 53, 163; Yarrell, 1845; Morris, 1856-62; W. E. Clarke, Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalist Union, 1877: 8-9; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Harting, 1901; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986; Wilson & Slack, 1996).

History T. Allis (1837) in Wood's Naturalist, Vol. II. p. 53, dated 21st February 1837, says: 'A fine adult specimen of the Jer Falcon, one of the rarest of the British Falconidae, was shot at Storthwaite, a few miles from this city, on the 15th instant, and is now in my possession. It is shot in each wing, but not wounded in the body. Like most birds of the family when captured, it sulked and entirely refused all food for the first four days; it now begins to eat a little, but will only feed on fresh killed birds. I am in hopes its life will be preserved.'

Further, p. 163, he adds: 'In a former communication (p. 53) I stated that a Jer Falcon had been shot at Storthwaite, near this city. I thought it had been so, as it was shot by one Storthwaite man, and brought to me by another. I now find that it was shot in the adjoining parish of Sutton-upon-Derwent; it is still alive, and seems likely to do well.'

Yarrell (1845 (1): 35, 2nd ed.) says: 'By the kindness of Mr. Allis of York, I have heard that a very fine adult specimen was shot within a few miles of that city on the 15th March 1837.'

Morris (1856 (1): 63, reissue) says: '...another was shot in the year 1837, March 13th, in the parish of Sutton-upon-Derwent, near York, and was kept alive for some months by Mr. Allis, of York, after refusing food for the first three or four days.'

Wm. Eagle Clarke (1877) in the Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalist Union, pp. 8-9, says: 'The first occurrence of this species of which we have any record was in 1837, and was communicated to Neville Wood's Naturalist (1837: 53 & 163) by Mr. Thomas Allis of York, of whose account the following is an abstract: - "A fine adult specimen of the Gyr Falcon was shot at Sutton-upon-Derwent by a man named Storthwaite, on the 15th February 1837, and passed into Mr. Allis's possession. It was shot in each wing, but not wounded in the body. Like most birds of the family when in captivity, it sulked and entirely refused all food for the first four days; it was still alive on the 26th April, and seemed likely to do well. That this was a Greenland Falcon we have high authority in Mr. John Hancock, the author who was the first to point out the distinction between this and the Iceland Falcon". In a letter to Mr. Thompson (Natural History of Ireland: Birds I. p. 32) Mr. Hancock says: "I know of one instance of the capture of F. greenlandicus in this country; it was a mature bird, and was in the collection of Mr. Ellis [Allis] of York, up to the time of the collection being sold; it was obtained in Yorkshire, and, to the best of my recollection, was shot about the year 1836".'

Accepted locally (Clarke & Roebuck 1881: 46; Nelson 1907 (1): 353; Mather 1986).

Comment Some discrepancy in the month it was obtained.

3). 1837 Cleveland/Yorkshire Normanby, near Guisborough, Yorkshire, first-year male, grey-morph, shot, mid-March, now at Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

(J. Hancock, Annals of Natural History 2: 159, 242; J. Hogg, Zoologist 1845: 1052; Morris, 1856-62; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1872; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Howse, 1899; Nelson, 1907; Stead, 1964; Mather, 1986; Blick, 2008).

History John Hancock (1839) in the Annals of Natural History, Vol. II. p. 159, says: 'A specimen of the Iceland Falcon (Falco islandicus) in first plumage was shot at Normanby, Yorkshire, March 1837; and another individual in the Newcastle Museum, which is a female and in the mature plumage, was shot in Northumberland a few years ago. These two instances are sufficient to rank the Iceland species as a British bird.'

John Hancock (1839) in the Annals of Natural History, Vol. II. p. 242, says: 'Afterwards I became possessed of another young bird which was shot in Yorkshire, March 1837. This has also the longitudinal markings on the under parts, and as might be expected, from the time it was taken, has commenced to shed its feathers, and has already got several new ones on different parts of the body. The fresh feathers are precisely similar to those of the bird from Iceland which I considered to be mature. This then was certainly the young of the Iceland bird.'

John Hogg (1845) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. III. p. 1052, says: 'I saw a fine specimen of this rare falcon, which had been shot, about the middle of March, 1837, on the moors near Guisborough. It was a young bird, having all the upper parts of a brown ash-colour, the white occurring on the edges of the feathers. The under parts white, with large longitudinal brown spots. Legs strong, blue, tinged with yellow. Bill blue, tipped with black. Wings nearly as long as tail. Length about 22 inches.

It well corresponded with plate 462 of the 'Planches Enluminees', which is named "Gerfault de Norwege", except that that plate represents the back of rather too dark a brown, and the orange-coloured iris is wrong, for the iris in the above specimen was brown.'

Morris (1856 (1): 63, reissue) says: 'Another in the year 1837, in the middle of the month of March, on the moors near Guisborough, in Cleveland. It was a young bird.'

William Eagle Clarke (1877) in the Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalist Union, p. 10, says: 'It was shot about the middle of March, in the year 1837 on the moors near Guisborough, as recorded by Mr. John Hogg, FRS, in his catalogue of the Birds of S.E. Durham and N.E. Cleveland (Zoologist 1845: 1052). It is there described as "a young bird, having the upper-parts of a brown ash-colour, the white occurring on the edges of the feathers. The under parts white, with large longitudinal brown spots". This specimen is referred to as being in its first-year's plumage, and in the collection of Mr. John Hancock, in a letter addressed by him to Mr. Wm. Thompson (Natural History of Ireland: Birds I. p. 32).'

Howse (1899: 11) in his Index-Catalogue of the Birds in the Hancock Collection, under 'Iceland Falcon' says: 'Case 32. No. 2 (centre). Male in first plumage. Normanby, Yorkshire, March, 1837.'

Nelson (1907 (1): 355) adds: 'It is now in the Hancock Collection at the Newcastle Museum, and in the official guide is described as "a male, in first plumage, shot near Normanby" (which is about four miles from Guisborough).'

Accepted locally for Cleveland (Blick 2008) and for Yorkshire (Clarke & Roebuck 1881: 46; Mather 1986).

4). c. 1842 Cumbria Winton, Kirkby Stephen, first-year female, grey-morph, shot, undated, now at Tullie House Museum, Carlisle.

(J. G. Goodchild, Transactions of the Cumberland & Westmoreland Association 6: 159-166; J. Watson, Naturalist 14: 201; H. A. Macpherson, Naturalist 14: 223; Macpherson, 1892).

History J. G. Goodchild (1880-81) in the Transactions of the Cumberland & Westmoreland Association, Vol. VI. pp. 161-166, says: 'The object of the present communication is to place the occurrence of another Jerfalcon on record. The example I refer to was shot at Winton, near Kirkby Stephen, by Mr. John Dodd, of Harcla, about the year 1842.

When first seen the bird was perched upright on a wall, apparently so intent upon the doings of some Magpies and other birds that had the temerity to mob it, that it was approached without difficulty and shot, and all chance of its remaining with us to breed effectually removed....It remains for us to decide what section the Winton specimen shall be referred to.

The description given below shows that this specimen belongs to the dark set with the barred flanks; it is therefore not what is commonly understood by the Greenland Falcon; while the unusually dark colouring of its plumage, the size of its moustache, and the traces of transverse markings on its leg-plumes, would seem to warrant us in referring it to the Norwegian Falcon set, rather than to the Iceland Falcon proper. They that believe, as I do, that the Norway Falcon is only a geographical race of the sub-species Falco islandus, will probably think it best to leave this bird under the name given at the head of this notice; and Falco gyrfalco, Falco islandus, is here recorded for the first time from any part of Cumberland and Westmorland.

Since this communication was laid before the Cumberland Association the skin of the bird has been submitted to Mr. R. J. Howard of Blackburn, and to Mr. John Hancock of Newcastle, who have identified it as the Iceland Falcon, while Mr. Hancock further states that the specimen is that of a female bird of the first year....The following description of the Winton specimen may serve, with the somewhat rough figure - which is drawn from living examples to about one-fourth the natural size - to convey some kind of idea of the general aspect of the bird when alive. The skin itself will be deposited in the Museum at Carlisle. Total length about twenty inches; wing fifteen-and a-half inches from carpal joint to the end of the longest primary; eleven-and-a-half to the end of the longest secondary; end of tail extending about two inches beyond the tips of the wings. The general dorsal aspect is dark hair-brown, glossed with plum-colour, quite subordinately spotted and edged with cream colour. The general ventral aspect is striped with cream-colour and dark hair-brown in about equal proportions. The bill is now horn-colour, deepening outwards to very dark sage-green. The cere, orbits, gape, and feet, shew traces of dirty greenish yellow, which may, however, be due simply to drying. The chin is cream-colour without stripes; gorget striped with feathers cream-coloured on one half and hair-brown edged with cream-colour on the other. The cream-colour encroaches on the darker tint most about the widest part of each feather, so that the cream-coloured spots cut the dark shade somewhat into the shape of a fiddle; and the transverse diameter of the spots becomes relatively larger as they extend downwards, so that on the flank feathers they appear as ellipsoidal markings extending inwards as far as the shaft of the feather. The flank feathers thus appear to be marked with more or less distinctly transverse bars. The tarsi are feathered rather more than half-way down; and the leg-plumes, which are long enough to extend to the sole of the powerful foot, are marked in much the same way as the flanks; that is to say, they exhibit traces of transverse bars as well as of longitudinal stripes. The under tail-coverts are cream-colour with dark centre-lines, which widen out somewhat near the extremity of each feather. The dorsal aspect may be thus described: Crown of the head dark hair-brown, with somewhat lighter edges and darker shafts to each feather. Moustache black. Over the eyes there is an indication of a lighter stripe, and the ear-coverts and the nape are lighter coloured than the parts around. A dark band can be traced from the hinder-angle of the orbits backward to below the lighter part of the nape. Neck feathers narrowly edged with cream-colour. Mantle and upper part of the scapularies dark hair brown with black shafts. Lower part of scapularies dark hair-brown, each feather being diversified with transverse rows of cream-coloured spots, which increase in number and tend more and more to become confluent, especially at the outer half of each feather, as they extend backwards from the head. These rows of spots range about half an inch apart, and they therefore increase in number with the length of each feather up to a maximum of six rows; but the cream-colour is quite subordinate to the darker tint. Wing coverts, tertiaries, secondaries, and bastard wing, dark hair-brown, diversified with cream-coloured spots and edges in much the same way, and exhibiting a decided tendency to assume a banded pattern. Primaries dark hair-brown, paler towards the margin, and flecked with small cream-coloured spots. On the inner webs the cream-colour occupies the whole of the inner margin and extends thence inward towards the shaft in gradually narrowing bands, which interdigitate with the spurs of the darker shade. The hair-brown tint predominates also on the lower part of the back, and on the upper tail-coverts, and also on the tail, which is subordinately spotted, barred, and edged with cream-colour of the same shade as prevails on other parts of the body.'

John Watson of Kendal (1888) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XIV. p. 201, says: 'Iceland Falcon. An immature female Iceland Falcon was shot by Mr. John Dodd, at Winton, Westmoreland, about 1842. Mr. Goodchild says that when first seen the bird was perched upright on a wall, and so intent was it upon the doings of some Magpies and other birds, that it was approached without difficulty and shot.'

H. A. Macpherson of Carlisle (1888) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XIV. p. 223, dated April, 1888, says: 'The skin of the Iceland Falcon, killed at Winton, was deposited some years ago in the Carlisle Museum by my friend Mr. J. G. Goodchild. There it remains, and only about six months ago I called Mr. Duckworth's attention to the fact that we had omitted this specimen from notice in the Birds of Cumberland. I was myself responsible for draughting our little book, and how I forgot this specimen, which was in my charge, I cannot say, but I was working under high pressure.'

Macpherson (1892: 207-208) under 'Iceland Falcon' says: 'Some few years ago an example of this Jerfalcon was discovered in a farm-house in Westmoreland by Mr. J. G. Goodchild, who ascertained that it had been shot by Mr. John Dodd of Harcla, at Winton, near Kirkby-Stephen, about the year 1842. Mr. Goodchild obtained possession of the specimen and tried to remount it, but was unsuccessful. Mr. Hancock pronounced it to be a female bird of the first-year. It has been figured as such. The skin is now preserved in the Tullie House Museum, Carlisle.'

5). 1842 Lothian Leith, Edinburgh, immature, white-morph, caught, January, now at Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

(Howse, 1899; Bolam, 1912).

History Howse (1899: 9) in his Index-Catalogue of the Birds in the Hancock Collection, under 'Greenland Falcon' says: 'No. 1 (left). Mature male. Remark. - Received alive from Edinburgh, Jan., 1842. It was caught off the Leith coast; when obtained was in first plumage. Died Sept. 1st, 1842.'

Bolam (1912: 292) under 'Greenland Falcon', says: 'A specimen in the Museum at Newcastle was caught off the Leith coast, in January, 1842. It was then in first-plumage, but lived in Mr. Hancock's possession until 1st September following, by which time it had acquired the mature dress.'

6). 1842 Wiltshire Ram's Cliffe, near Market Lavington, white-morph, seen, December.

(A. C. Smith, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 3: 344; Smith, 1887; Buxton, 1981; Palmer, 1991; Wiltshire Ornithological Society, 2007).

History A. C. Smith (1857) in the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, Vol. III. p. 344, and in Smith (1887: 68) says: 'I place it among the birds that have occurred in Wiltshire without the least hesitation, on the authority of Mr. Benjamin Hayward, of Easterton, than whom no one in the county has devoted more attention to, or has had greater experience of, the whole family Falconidae, as an out-door observer and accurate naturalist. From him I learnt that he saw this fine, and, when once known, unmistakeable species in the neighbourhood of Cliffe Hall, at a place called Ramscliffe, on the 9th December, 1842; but at the time, having never seen or heard of the Gyr Falcon, he mistook it for an albino variety of the Peregrine, and marvelled at its beauty and size. Further inquiry, however, proved to him beyond a doubt that it was a genuine Icelander.'

7). 1844 Outer Hebrides Benbecula, white-phase, shot, undated.

(Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1888).

History Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1888) under Appendix A., p. 247, say: ‘Since concluding the text, our friend the Rev. H. A. Macpherson has sent us a copy of Fleming's British Animals, which contains some notes on birds. These were mostly written by the late Dr. John D. Ferguson, a connection of Mr. Mackenzie, factor at Dunvegan, and who often goes over to St Kilda in the smack.

We give below the more important of such of these notes as relate to the O. H., many of which, however, bear internal evidence of having already been utilised by the Macgillivrays.

These notes are as follow:- … Dr. Ferguson considers the Greenland Falcon common in the Hebrides; one was shot in Benbeula in 1844.’

8). 1845 Northumberland Bellingham, first-year male, grey-morph, shot, 20th January, now at Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

(Anon., "Morning Chronicle" 6th February 1845; T. J. Bold, Zoologist 1845: 935; Yarrell, 1845; Hancock, 1874; Howse, 1899; Bolam, 1912; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83).

History Anon. (1845) in the Morning Chronicle of 6th February 1845, and with a copy in the Annals & Magazine of Natural History, Vol. XV. pp. 213-214, says: 'A specimen of the Iceland Falcon (Falco islandicus) was shot near the North Tyne last week. It was a young male bird of the last year. This species was for a long time considered identical with the Gyr Falcon of Greenland, until the difference was pointed out by Mr. J. Hancock, during the week that the meetings of the British Association for the Advancement of Science were held in Newcastle. It is a very rare species in England, few instances of its capture being on record. In Iceland it appears to be not very uncommon during the summer months, where it breeds, but its equatorial migrations do not generally bring it so far south. The flight of these birds is powerful in the extreme.

Montagu reckons that of the Peregrine Falcon (which is a closely-allied species to the present, but smaller) to be 150 miles an hour. At this speed, the distance from Iceland to this country would be easily performed. The present bird, which is now in the possession of Mr. Charles Adamson of this town, was in good condition, weighing 2.5 pounds.'

John Bold (1845) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. III. p. 935, dated 30th January, 1845, says: 'An immature male of the Iceland Falcon was shot in the vicinity of Bellingham, Northumberland, the beginning of last week; it is now in the collection of C. Adamson, Esq., of this town.'

[The following more detailed statement appeared in the Morning Chronicle of the 6th February: - 'A specimen of the Iceland Falcon was shot near the North Tyne, last week. It was a young male bird of the last year. This species was for a long time considered identical with the Gyr Falcon, of Greenland, until the difference was pointed out by Mr. J. Hancock, during the week that the meetings of the British Association for the Advancement of Science were held in Newcastle. It is a very rare species in England, few instances of its capture being on record. In Ireland it appears to be not very uncommon during the summer months, where it breeds, but its equatorial migrations do not generally bring it so far south. The flight of these birds is powerful in the extreme'.]

Hancock (1874: 9) says: 'An immature male of this rare casual visitant was shot, January, 1845, near Bellingham, North Tyne. The specimen is in my collection.'

Howse (1899: 11) in his Index-Catalogue of the Birds in the Hancock Collection, under 'Iceland Falcon' says: 'Case 32. No. 1 (left). Male in first plumage. North Tyne, Jan. 20th, 1845.'

It was accepted locally by Galloway & Meek (1978) who add that the specimen is now in the Hancock Museum, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

9). 1845 Sussex Mayfield, adult, grey-morph, shot, January, now at Booth Museum, Brighton (BoMNH 207231).

(J. B. Ellman, Zoologist 1851: 3233; Yarrell, 1871-85; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1884: 271; Borrer, 1891; Booth, 1901; Witherby, 1920-24; Walpole-Bond, 1938; Shrubb, 1979; James, 1996).

History J. B. Ellman of Lewes (1851) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. IX. p. 3233, dated 8th August 1851, says: 'I have obtained an immature specimen of this bird, shot at the above place [Mayfield, Sussex] during the severe month of January, in 1845.'

Alfred Newton (1871-74 (1): 49, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'Mr. Borrer possesses an adult Iceland Falcon shot at Mayfield, in Sussex, in January, 1845.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Northrepps, Norwich (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. p. 271, says: 'In The Zoologist for 1851 (p. 3233) Mr. Ellman recorded the occurrence, in January of that year, of a Gyr Falcon at Mayfield, in Sussex. This specimen subsequently passed into the fine collection of Mr. Borrer, of Cowfold, where I had recently the pleasure of examining it, and of identifying it as a genuine example of Hierofalco gyrfalco, not "immature", as stated by Mr. Ellman, but in fully adult plumage, and in excellent preservation. The very great rarity of British specimens of this falcon induces me to record my opinion that this example is referable to H. gyrfalco, and not, as catalogued in Mr. Harting's Handbook of British Birds, to H. islandicus. Mr. Borrer informs me that this falcon was shot in the act of devouring a Pigeon on the top of a wheat-stack.'

[This same specimen is noticed in Yarrell's British Birds (4th ed., Vol. I. p. 49) as an Iceland Falcon, doubtless on the authority of Mr. Borrer himself, who furnished the information to the other work quoted. - Ed.]

Booth (1901: 212, 3rd ed.) adds: 'This is especially noteworthy as being probably the only mature specimen of this fine falcon which has ever been obtained in Britain. It was shot at Mayfield by R. C. P. Durrant in January, 1845, during severe weather, while in the act of devouring a pigeon on the top of a wheat-stack. An adult. (Borrer Collection).'

Accepted locally (Borrer 1891; Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 234-235) and by James (1996) who adds that it was illustrated in Borrer (1891) and is now at the Booth Museum, Brighton (BoMNH 207231).

Comment Some confusion over its age initially. Gurney erroneously stated 1851 as its occurrence, but he was the raptor expert of his era.

10). 1846 Co. Durham/Yorkshire Wemmergill Moors, immature, grey-morph, obtained, spring, now at Dorman Museum, Middlesbrough.

(J. Duff, Zoologist 1851: 3036; Nelson, 1907; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 320-321; Mather, 1986).

History Joseph Duff of Bishop Auckland (1851) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. IX. p. 3036, dated 19th December, 1850, says: 'In the spring of 1846, a pair of very fine Gyr Falcons were got at Wemer Gill, in Northumberland, and are now in my possession.'

Nelson (1907 (1): 356) under 'Iceland Falcon' adds: 'The specimen is in immature plumage and is one of two which occurred on the Wemmergill Moors in north Yorkshire, in the spring of 1846, and was purchased in the flesh by the late Joseph Duff of Bishop Auckland, in whose collection it remained, labelled: "Jer Falcon" until his decease, when it passed into the possession of his son, the late Theo. Duff. The collection was sold in 1901, and I purchased the example under consideration.'

[See also Zool., 1851. p. 3036, where this bird is recorded in mistake as "Gyrfalcon, got at Wemer Gill, in Northumberland".]

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. pp. 320-321, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', under 'Iceland Falcon', who say: 'One previously recorded as a Gyr Falcon was shot on the Wemmergill Moors, Yorkshire, in the spring of 1846, and is now in Mr. Nelson's collection.'

Accepted locally by Mather (1986) who adds: 'I have seen it in the Dorman Museum, Middlesbrough.'

Comment Witherby only accepted one individual, the other being rather vague and is ignored. It's a shame Nelson didn't mention the other and who it was sold to.

11). 1847 Caithness Thurso, immature, grey-morph, shot, March.

(W. M. E. Milner, Zoologist 1848: 2014, 2015; Morris, 1856-62; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1887; Manson, 2004).

History W. M. E. Milner of Nunappleton (1848) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VI. pp. 2014, 2015 dated 11th October 1847, says: 'During an excursion through Sutherlandshire and the Outer Hebrides, this summer, we were fortunate enough to meet with several birds, which you may think are worthy of notice in The Zoologist. At Thurso I procured a Gyr Falcon of the first-year, which had been shot a short time before near that town. On one of the numerous lakes between Thurso and Tongue, we fell in with a male Goldeneye (May 17).' Further, p. 2015, in a list it says: 'Gyr Falcon (young). Thurso, March.'

Morris (1856 (1): 63, reissue) says: 'In the same year above mentioned, 1847, one was seen by W. M. E. Milner, Esq., M.P., near Thurso, in Caithnesshire.'

Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1887: 173) say: 'Iceland Falcon. Of this fine bird only two instances are on record as having been observed in the county of Caithness. The first is that of a specimen seen near Thurso by W. M. E. Milner, Esq., M.P., in the year 1847....Of the former, the only trace we have is an Iceland Falcon included in the List of the Milner collection, without any remark, which List was drawn up by Mr. James Wright of Rawcliffe Hall, Selby, for the Curators of the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society.'

12). 1848 Norfolk Beeston, adult male, white-morph, killed, 24th February, now at Castle Museum, Norwich (Acc. No. NWHCM: 1876.10).

(J. H. Gurney & W. R. Fisher, Zoologist 1848: 2134; T. Fowell Buxton, Zoologist 1851: 2983; Stevenson, 1866; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1872; J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 4: 264; Harting, 1901; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 320; Seago, 1977; Dye, Fiszer & Allard, 2009).

History J. H. Gurney & W. R. Fisher (1848) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VI. p. 2134, dated April, 1848, say: 'A very fine adult male Gyr Falcon was shot about the 24th of February, at Beeston, near Cromer; this bird was very fat, and showed no marks of having been in confinement; it measured, when stuffed, 23½ inches from the point of the beak to the tip of the tail; there is of course now, no further reason for excluding this beautiful species from the list of Norfolk birds (see Zool., p. 1301).'

T. Fowell Buxton (1851) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. IX. p. 2983, dated 19th November 1850, adds: 'This is the second that has been seen in that neighbourhood within the last three years; the other was killed at Beeston, on the 24th of February, 1848, and is now in the possession of Mr. J. Gurney Hoare, of Hampstead.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell (1884-89) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IV. p. 264, say: 'The Norwich Museum contains a very fine adult Greenland Falcon, shot near Cromer in February, 1848.'

Accepted locally (Stevenson 1866 (1): 8), nationally (Harting 1901: 320) and by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 320, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who add: 'Examples have been obtained in Suffolk and Norfolk, which are additional to the counties mentioned by Saunders (cf. Harting's Handbook, pp. 320-321).'

13). 1849 Moray & Nairn Loch Spynie, Moray, grey-morph, seen, March.

(Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1896).

History Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1896 (2): 67) under 'Iceland Falcon', say: 'St John mentions..."I have only known of two other instances of its being seen in this part of the kingdom. One of these birds was hunting about the Loch of Spynie early in March. The Falcon was shot at, and fell, but recovered and escaped us. The other I saw a year afterwards near Elgin [1950]"....'

14). 1850 Moray & Nairn Near Elgin, grey-morph, seen, undated.

(Yarrell, 1871-85; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1896).

History Alfred Newton (1871-74 (1): 43, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'In 1850 Messrs. St. John and Hancock, saw a Greenland Falcon near Elgin.'

Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1896 (2): 67) under 'Iceland Falcon', say: 'St John mentions..."The other I saw a year afterwards near Elgin, and a fortnight after the time that I saw her, one was killed in Ross-shire - in all probability the same".'

Comment John Hancock of Newcastle was The authority on Gyr Falcons at the time.

15). 1851 Highland Inverbroom, Ross & Cromarty, immature, grey-morph, killed, May, now at Castle Museum, Norwich.

(Inverness Courier; F. R. Morris, Morris and Bree's Naturalist 1: 208-209; F. Bond, Zoologist 1851: 3275-76; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harvie-Brown & Macpherson, 1904).

History F. R. Morris, Editor (1851) in Morris and Bree's edition of The Naturalist, Vol. I. pp. 208-209, dated June, 1851, quoting from the Inverness Courier, says: 'A very rare bird of the falcon tribe was shot lately at Inverbroom, in Rossshire, by Mr. Grant, gamekeeper to A. K. George, Esq. When first noticed, the hawk was hunting about on a hill-top, and when shot he had blood on the feet and legs, as if he had just killed some bird. Seeing him take notice of a terrier dog he had with him, Mr. Grant took advantage of the shade of a rock until the hawk came round it, seemingly threatening the terrier and driving him onwards, circling in the air, and uttering a wild and peculiar cackling noise; when in front of the rock a shot ended his hunting career.

The keeper seeing that it was a rara avis, sent him off to our friend, Mr. Snowie, Inverness, to be stuffed; but as no specimen of this stranger bird had been seen in that locality, the savans were at a loss to give the bird a name or local habitation. Two or three feathers were forthwith dispatched to Charles St. John, Esq., the eminent naturalist, who pronounce the bird to be the Iceland Falcon, who had seen one a short time before near Elgin. He at once recognised the bird, though not more than two or three have been shot in Britain.

The following description will enable ornithologists to understand the difference between the Iceland Falcon and those of this country: - Weight of the bird, three pounds fifteen ounces; length, twenty-one inches: extent of wings, three feet nine inches; beak, blue; tip, black, strong, and deeply notched; head, ash-colour and white, beautifully blended and mixed; all the back feathers and part of the wings, pale ash, with dull white edges, and several white spots on each feather; tail, barred with dusky white; throat, belly, and legs, white, curiously marked with bars of brown, pear, oval, and heart-shaped. The entire plumage is a rare instance of nature's harmonious colouring, and hues are like the moss and snow-tinted hills of the Falcon's native clime.'

F. Bond of Whittlesford, Cambridge (1851) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. IX. pp. 3275-76, dated 8th September 1851, says: 'My friend Mr. Thurnall has lately received a fine specimen of the Iceland Falcon, killed at Inverbroome, Ross-shire, in May last, by Mr. Grant, gamekeeper to A. K. George, Esq. It is a young bird; weight, 3lbs, 15ozs; length 21 inches: extent of wings, 3 ft. 9 inches. The following is a short extract from the Inverness paper: - "When first noticed, the hawk was hunting about on a hill-top, and when shot he had blood on the feet and legs, as if he had just killed some bird. Seeing him take notice of a terrier dog he had with him, Mr. Grant took advantage of the shade of a rock until the hawk came round it, seemingly threatening the terrier and driving him onwards, circling in the air, and uttering a wild and peculiar cackling noise; when in front of the rock a shot ended his hunting career".'

Harvie-Brown & Macpherson (1904: 166) say 'One at Inverbroom, May 1857, auct. Bond (Zool., 1851, p. 3275), is in his collection.'

Comment Presumably Harvie-Brown & Macpherson are referring to this specimen.

16). c. 1851 Devon Lundy, white-morph, shot, November, now at Bristol City Museum.

(D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; Dymond, 1980).

History D'Urban & Mathew (1892: 159) say: 'From the description given us of a Gyr Falcon which was shot on Lundy Island many years ago, in the month of November, by Mr. Philip Wathen while Woodcock-shooting, which was a very white bird, we have no doubt that it was also a Greenland Falcon. This is one of the two Devonshire specimens, and is still preserved in Bristol.'

17). 1852 West Midlands Quinton, Warwickshire, grey-morph, shot, winter.

(Tomes, 1901; Norris, 1947; Harrison et al., 1982; Harrison & Harrison, 2005).

History Tomes (1901 (1): 159) in the Victoria County History of Worcestershire, says: 'In one instance only have I known the Iceland falcon to occur in the midland counties. One was shot by Mr. John Hyatt on his estate at Quinton in Gloucestershire, in very close proximity to the boundary of Worcestershire, in the autumn or early part of winter of 1852. It was seen and examined by me when freshly killed, and the species determined.'

Norris (1947: 37) says: 'In the early winter of 1852, Mr. John Hyatt shot this bird on his estate at Quainton, which was formerly an island in Gloucestershire. Tomes (1901) recorded it in the V.C.H. for Worcestershire and also saw it in the flesh.' Accepted locally (Harrison & Harrison 2005).

18). 1853 Shropshire Leebotwood, two, grey-morphs, obtained, early April.

(J. Rocke, Zoologist 1865: 9685; H. E. Forrest, British Birds 3: 165; Forrest, 1899; Rutter, Gribble & Pemberyon, 1964).

History J. Rocke of Shropshire (1865) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXIII. p. 9685, says: 'A pair of these fine falcons visited the neighbourhood of Church Stretton some few years ago, and were eventually shot; they were both in the brown plumage of the first year, and probably belonged to the same nest: the female, a very fine strongly-marked bird, is in the possession of Lord Hill; the other, which I fancy is a male, belongs to the Rev. Hugh Owen Wilson, of Church Stretton. I should say they belong to the "Iceland race", but I speak advisedly.'

Forrest (1899: 135) under 'Iceland Falcon', says: 'Mr. Rocke states that a pair of these fine Falcons was obtained near Leebotwood, about 1860.'

H. E. Forrest (1909) in British Birds, Vol. III. p. 165, says: 'A case of Falcons has just been presented to the Shrewsbury Museum by Mrs. H. O. Wilson, who states that all the specimens in it were collected on or near the Long Mynd, between 1848 and 1857, when her late husband was rector of Church Stretton. Besides examples of the commoner species, the series includes all three of the British Harriers, a pair of Kites, an adult Red-footed Falcon (F. vespertinus), Goshawk (Astur palumbaritis), and an immature Iceland Falcon (F. islandus). This last had been recorded by Rocke, and was one of two examples obtained at Leebotwood, the other being placed in the Hawkstone collection. The date was not given by Rocke, but I now learn that in the Rev. H. O. Wilson's diary there is an entry on 5th April, 1853, of a payment to Millington (keeper) "for the Jer-Falcon;" so that the bird was probably obtained just before that date.'

Comment This article in The Zoologist may refer to these two.

20). 1854 Yorkshire Near Robin Hood's Bay, adult female, white-morph, shot, 25th November, now at Scarborough Museum.

(A. Roberts, Zoologist 1855: 4558; R. B. Cooke, Morris and Bree's Naturalist 5: 71; Eds., Field 23rd Dec., 1854: 1214; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1872; W. E. Clarke, Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalist Union 1877: 9; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History Alfred Roberts of Scarborough (1855) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XIII. p. 4558, dated 1st December, 1854, says: 'The following rare birds have lately been killed in our neighbourhood: - On the 25th November, a noble female specimen of the Gyr Falcon was shot near Robin Hood's Bay, on the moors of Sir John Johnstone, M.P.: the bird is in the finest adult plumage: beak pale blue; cere wan-yellow; irides black; head, neck, breast and lower part of body white; upper parts are white, sparingly marked with arrow streaks of black pointing downwards: the tail has no bars, but is white; legs yellow; talons brown; the crop was overloaded with the entrails of some animal; most probably a hare; the stomach with the feathers of a grouse and portions of the grouse. The length of this majestic bird, from the point of the beak to the end of the tail, was 20¾ inches; full extent of wings when opened, 3 feet 10 inches; weight 3lbs. 3 oz. Sir John Johnstone has forwarded the bird to me to be preserved.'

R. B. Cooke of Scarborough (1855) in Morris and Bree's edition of The Naturalist, Vol. V. p. 71, dated 7th December 1854, says: 'A fine specimen of this rare and noble bird was shot on the 25th November, by a person named Dixon, near Robin Hood's Bay, on the moors of Sir J. V. B. Johnstone, Bart., M.P. It is an adult female, and is in the finest plumage. The beak very pale blue colour; the cere rich yellow; irides nearly black; head, neck, breast and lower part of body white; the feathers on the thighs are long and white; all the upper parts of the body and wings are white, sparingly marked with arrow streaks of black; the tail has no bars, but is plain white; the legs are yellow; the claws brown. The stomach, on dissection, was found to be stuffed with the entrails of some animal; probably those of a hare. Weight, 3lbs. 3oz.; length, from the point of the beak to the end of the tail, 20¾ inches; measurement from tip to tip of wings, when extended, 3 ft. 10 in. Sir John Johnstone has forwarded the bird to Mr. A. Roberts, King-street, Scarborough, to be stuffed.'

In an Editorial (1854) in The Field of 23rd Dec., Vol. IV. p. 1214, he says: 'One of those rare and noble birds, the Gyr Falcon, was shot on the 25th November, by a person named Dixon, near Robin Hood's Bay, on the moors of Sir J. V. B. Johnstone, M.P. It is a female, and in the finest adult plumage.'

Wm. Eagle Clarke (1877) in the Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalist Union, p. 9, says: '...is now in the Scarborough Museum (where I have seen it) and is a fine mature female. It was shot on the 25th November 1854, by a person named Dixon, near Robin Hood's Bay and recorded in The Zoologist (1855: 4588) by Mr. A. Roberts of Scarborough, by whom it was preserved. The length from the point of the beak to the end of the tail was 20¾ inches, full extent of the wings 3 feet 10 inches, weight 3lbs. 3 ozs.; the crop was overloaded with the entrails of some animal, the stomach with feathers and portions of a grouse.'

Accepted locally (Clarke & Roebuck 1881: 46; Nelson 1907 (1): 353).

21). 1857 Shetland Unst, male, grey-morph, killed, undated.

(Saxby, 1874; Evans & Buckley, 1899).

History Saxby (1874) under 'Iceland Falcon', says: 'In 1858 I was shown the moth-eaten and otherwise dilapidated skin of a male which had been killed in Unst about a year previously.'

Evans & Buckley (1899: 119) say: 'Iceland Falcon. Saxby writes that...The skin of a male that had been killed in Unst about 1857, and a specimen from Burravoe, Yell, shot in March 1868, were the only two cases in which the bird had actually passed through his hands.'

22). 1859 Outer Hebrides North Uist, white-morph, shot, March.

(J. W. P. Orde, Ibis 1: 469; J. W. P. Orde, Ibis 3: 415; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1888).

History John W. P. Orde of Lochgilphead (1859) in The Ibis, Vol. I. p. 469, in a Letter, says: 'On going last month to my father's property in the Hebrides (North Uist), the keeper told me that at the end of March, 1859 he had shot a Falcon that he did not know. Unfortunately he only wounded it; and when he found it afterwards, the gulls and crows, which abound here, had made a sad mess of it. He kept the wings, tail and feet, and skull, and I think there is no doubt it is Falco islandicus or greenlandicus.…The Falcon was shot on the N.W. side of the island; but, with a bird of such power of flight, this does not say much as to what quarter it came from.'

John W. P. Orde (1861) in The Ibis, Vol. III. p. 415, dated 18th August 1861, adds: '...I observe it is a much darker specimen than that killed, not five miles from the same place, in March of the previous year 1859. That had all the tail-feathers white, except the two centre ones, though the shafts of the others are of a brownish tinge - paler, I have little doubt, from bleaching before found, as it was not secured on the day it was shot.'

Accepted locally (Harvie-Brown & Buckley 1888: 88).

23). 1860 Outer Hebrides North Uist, white-morph, killed, 10th or 12th October.

(J. A. Smith, Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh 2: 226; J. W. P. Orde, Ibis 3: 415; Gray, 1871; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1888).

History J. A. Smith (1860) in the Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh, Vol. II. p. 226, at the meeting held on 28th November 1860, on exhibiting the specimen, says: 'This specimen of Gyrfalcon was killed about the middle of last October by James Maclean, gamekeeper to Sir John Orde, on his property near Loch Maddy, in North Uist. The bird is probably a young male, and a very fine specimen of this extremely rare and occasional visitor, no instance of its breeding in Scotland, he believed, was on record. It measured in length 22.5 inches; the wing, from flexure to point of primaries, 15 inches. The head white, with longitudinal stripes of brown; the upper parts of body brown, tinged with grey; the feathers partially edged and spotted on the margins with white. Below white, with longitudinal spots of brown; the flanks white, broadly dashed with brown. In the wings, the second primary is the longest, the first and third being nearly equal. Tail brown, barred with white, the white mottled with brown.'

John W. P. Orde of Lochgilphead (1861) in The Ibis, Vol. III. p. 415, dated 18th August, 1861, says: 'I regret that I can give you no further particulars about the Gyr Falcon which I submitted to you in the summer, further than it was shot in the month of October last, on the island of North Uist, belonging to my father; the keeper thinks it was about the 10th or 12th. I observe it is a much darker specimen than that killed, not five miles from the same place, in March of the previous year 1859.'

Gray (1871: 21) says: 'Killed in North Uist by Mr. John McDonald, Newton, in 1860.'

Accepted locally (Harvie-Brown & Buckley 1888: 88).

24). 1860 Cumbria Near Crossfell, Cumberland, female, grey-morph, shot, 13th October.

(W. Duckworth, Transactions of the Cumberland & Westmoreland Association 8: 206; J. Watson, Naturalist 14: 201; H. A. Macpherson, Naturalist 1888: 223; Macpherson, 1892).

History John Watson of Kendal (1888) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XIV. p. 201, says: 'Iceland Falcon. A second occurrence [first c. 1842] of this bird was that of a female, shot near Cross Fell, on the 13th October, 1860. This specimen was preserved by Mr. Blackett Greenwell, of Alston, who still retains the bones and some of the wing feathers of the bird (Duckworth in Trans. Cumb. and West. Assoc., No. VIII. p. 206).'

H. A. Macpherson of Carlisle (1888) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XIV. p. 223, dated April, 1888, says: 'The remains of the Iceland Falcon have been in my own possession for the last four years. The late Mr. Greenwell, their original owner, had a long talk with me about the specimen, some two years to his lamented decease; he showed me all his notes, and handed over to me this bird's sternum and feathers.'

Macpherson (1892: 208) adds: 'It was preserved by Blackett Greenwell, on whose information it was recorded by Mr. Duckworth. Mr. Greenwell subsequently presented me with the sternum and some feathers of this bird, which had entered the collection of a Mr. Rothery.'

25). 1862 Perth & Kinross Foss, Loch Tummel, Perthshire, immature male, white-morph, shot, spring.

(Yarrell, 1871-85; Gray, 1871; Harting, 1872; H. M. Drummond Hay, Scottish Naturalist 9: 347; Harvie-Brown, 1906).

History Gray (1871: 21) in a footnote, under 'Greenland Falcon', says: 'I have been informed by Edward C. Newcome of Feltwall Hall, Brandon, that he has in his collection an immature male, which was shot by J. Campbell, at Foss, on Loch Tummel, in Perthshire, in the spring of 1862.'

H. M. Drummond Hay (1888-89) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. IX. p. 347, in Additions to the Report of the East of Scotland Union, under 'Greenland Gyr Falcon', says: 'Mr. Seebohm, in his British Birds and Eggs, mentions Mr. Gray as instancing an immature male got in Perthshire in the spring of 1862, "locality not stated".'

Accepted locally (Harvie-Brown 1906: 198).

26). 1862 Argyll Islay, male, white-morph, shot, autumn.

(Anon., Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow 1: 254; Gray, 1871; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1892; Elliott, 1989; ap Rheinallt et al., 2007).

History Gray (1871: 21) under 'Greenland Falcon', says: 'A very beautiful male, in fine plumage, was shot in Islay by Peter Mackenzie, gamekeeper to Mr. Ramsay of Kildalton, in the autumn of 1862, and exhibited at a meeting of the Natural History Society of Glasgow. It had been seen for some days previously frequenting a glen on Ramsay's property, and made a bold dash at the keeper's dogs one day as they entered its haunts.'

Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1892: 109) quoting from Gray, say: '...in the summer of 1862...'

Accepted locally by ap Rheinallt et al. (2007: 151) who remark that Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1892) erroneously stated it occurred in summer.

27). 1863 Shetland Unst, two, one white-morph and one grey-morph, seen, between 18th and 28th February.

(H. L. Saxby, Zoologist 1863: 8464; Harting, 1872).

History H. L. Saxby of Balta Sound, Shetland (1863) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXI. p. 8464, dated 28th February, 1863, says: 'On the 18th of the present month a bird of this species, in flying from the persecution of a flock of gulls and Hooded Crows, passed sufficiently near for me to obtain a long though unsuccessful shot at it. A wounded bird, probably the same individual, has since been seen in the neighbourhood. I also observed another, of much darker colour, dash across the garden a few days ago.'

29). 1863 Borders Tandlaw Moss, near Hawick, Roxburghshire, shot, 14th October.

(Hawick Advertiser 20th Oct., 1863; Eds., Field 24th Oct., 1863: 412; Eds., Zoologist 1864: 8875; Evans, 1911; Bolam, 1912).

History In an Editorial (1863) in The Field of 24th Oct., Vol. XXII. p. 412 and (1864) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXII. p. 8875, both quoting from the Hawick Advertiser, they say: 'Mr. W. Scott, gamekeeper to his grace the Duke of Buccleugh, has shot, at Tandlaw Moss, a fine specimen of the Jerfalcon, which measures 49 inches between the tips of the wings and 20 inches from the point of the beak to the tip of the tail. When shot it fell into a loch, and, wounded as it was, darted so furiously at the dog that he could not bring the bird out, and Mr. Scott had to wade for it himself. He intends presenting it to the Museum; and when placed there it will complete the collection of the falcon tribe, as the other species are already represented.'

Evans (1911: 131) says: 'From the "Hawick Advertiser" of 20th October, 1863, I have gathered that the actual date when this bird was shot was 14th October, 1863.'

30). 1864 Highland Muirton, Inverness-shire, female, white-morph, killed, 24th September.

(J. A. Smith, Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh 3: 204-205; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1896).

History J. A. Smith (1865) in the Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh, Vol. III. pp. 204-205, in the President's Address read Wednesday 23rd November 1864, says: 'The following Communications were read: - This fine specimen of this rare bird, the largest and finest of the falcons, was shot by Robert Ainslie, Esq., of Elvingston, at Muirton, near Beauly, Inverness-shire, about the 24th of September last.

The bird is a female, and measures 27 inches in length from beak to point of tail. The wing, from flexure to point of primaries, 16 inches. The second primary is the longest, and the first shorter than the third. I shall give a short description of the plumage of the bird, for comparison with other specimens, as there are still difficulties about the distinctions of males, females, and young. Bill pale blue, tipped with black; tooth sharp, and festoon distinct. Legs and feet pale blue, and claws black. Head dusky brown, with slight white markings on the top, which become larger on the sides of the neck behind. Upper parts of body dusky greyish-brown; feathers with dark central line, and edged with narrow borders of buff. Tail slightly rounded, of twelve feathers, the two middle ones dark brown, faintly barred with lighter brown at the upper or basal part; the lateral tail feathers with transverse continuous bars of lighter brown or buff colour. Under parts dark brown, each feather showing a large, elongated, longitudinal blotch or spot of brown, and edged with light brown. These spots commence under the chin and on the neck as narrow longitudinal lines, and gradually expand into large dark blotches over the under parts of the body. Young females appear to be generally dark in their plumage; and it is believed by some naturalists that the young males are generally of a lighter style of colour; this may, however, still want confirmation. I am indebted to Mr. Sanderson, bird-stuffer, for exhibiting the bird.'

Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1896 (2): 67) under 'Greenland Falcon, say: 'A female was killed at Muirton, near Inverness, about September 24th, 1864, by R. Ainslie, Esq., of Elvington (Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society, Edinburgh).'

Comment Muirton is now Muirtown and whether it is Elvingston (possible house name) or Elvington I cannot find out.

31). 1864 Yorkshire Filey Brigg, grey-morph, shot, 4th October.

(W. E. Clarke, Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalist Union 1877: 10-11; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History William Eagle Clarke (1877) in the Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalist Union, pp. 101-11, says: 'This specimen is also in Mr. A. Clapham's collection; it was shot by Mr. Lorrimer on Filey Brigg on 4th October 1864, while in company with another of the same species, which escaped. This specimen for some time proved a puzzle to Mr. Clapham's friends, who thought it to be a young Peregrine. At length it was submitted to Mr. H. E. Dresser, author of the Birds of Europe for his opinion; in a letter from that ornithologist (with a perusal of which Mr. Clapham has favoured me) he states: "The other bird is not a Gyr Falcon but an Iceland Falcon, not in mature plumage and most probably if not certainly a male. It is a capital specimen".'

Accepted locally (Clarke & Roebuck 1881: 46) and under 'Iceland Falcon' (Nelson 1907 (1): 356).

32). 1864 Outer Hebrides North Uist, male, grey-morph, shot, October.

(Anon., Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow 1: 99; Gray, 1871; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1888).

History Anon. (1865) in the Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow, Vol. I. p. 99, at the meeting held 29th November 1864, says: 'Dr. Dewar exhibited a male specimen of the Iceland Falcon (Falco islandicus), which was shot a few weeks ago, on North Uist. The occurrence of this fine species, which is not included in any published work on British birds, was remarked as a circumstance of considerable interest.'

Gray (1871) says: 'A fine male, shot in October of the previous year [1864] in North Uist, by Allan McLean, gamekeeper there.' Accepted locally (Harvie-Brown & Buckley 1888: 88).

33). 1865 Cumbria Crosby Ravensworth, near Appleby, Westmorland, adult, white-morph, shot, February, now at Tullie House Museum, Carlisle.

(J. G. Goodchild, Transactions of the Cumberland & Westmoreland Association 6: 161; H. Harrison, Zoologist 1866: 30; J. Watson, Naturalist 14: 201; H. A. Macpherson, Naturalist 14: 223; Macpherson, 1892).

History Hugh Harrison of Bowden, Cheshire (1866) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. I. p. 30, dated 11th December, 1865, says: 'In February a fine specimen of the Jerfalcon was shot, in the act of devouring a Grouse, at Crosby Ravensworth, near Appleby, Westmoreland. I made application for it, and found it had already been placed in the collection of Sir George Musgrave, of Eden Hall.'

John Watson of Kendal (1888) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XIV. p. 201, says: 'Greenland Falcon. So far as I have been able to make out, only a single bird of this species has occurred in the Lake District. This is an adult male, and is now in the collection of the late Sir Richard Musgrave, Bart., at Edenhall. It was shot near Crosby Ravensworth, in Westmoreland, about 1864, and is a beautiful creamy-white individual, exhibiting the characteristics of the Greenland race of Jer Falcons. In a privately printed note kindly sent me, Mr. J. G. Goodchild has put the occurrence of this specimen upon permanent record. This notice is illustrated by a woodcut of the bird described.'

H. A. Macpherson of Carlisle (1888) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XIV. p. 223, dated April, 1888, says: 'I notice that the July number of The Naturalist contains some remarks on the three Gyr Falcons well known to have been obtained in the Lake District. Particulars regarding such rare birds are so important that I may fairly claim to add a few words to what has been there said; especially as I have personally interviewed all the persons concerned, and carefully examined the specimens on many occasions. As regards the statement of Mr. John Watson, that Mr. Goodchild sent him "privately printed notes", I may point out that not only are the two of the specimens already mentioned in The Birds of Cumberland, but all three birds were recorded in detail of the Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmoreland Association, of which I have the honour to be the Zoological Recorder. The Greenland Falcon is, as Mr. Watson states, preserved in the fine collection of the Musgrave family at Edenhall, Penrith, and a grand bird it is.'

Macpherson (1892: 207) says: 'Mr. J. G. Goodchild has figured in the Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmoreland Association (No. viii) a fine Greenland Falcon preserved at Edenhall. The MS. notes of the late Sir Richard Musgrave observe that this bird was killed by a blacksmith near Crosby Ravensworth in 1865. Mr. Hugh Harrison records its history: "In February [1865] a fine specimen of the Jerfalcon was shot in the act of devouring a grouse in at Crosby Ravensworth, near Appleby, Westmoreland. I made application for it and found it had already been placed in the collection of Sir George Musgrave at Edenhall". Mr. Raine well remembers the occurrence. A heavy fall of snow upon the fells had probably driven the grouse down to the ground on which it was killed. The late Baronet heard of the bird from Mr. Hope, sen., to whom it had been taken to be stuffed, and sent a keeper named Sawyer to purchase it. It was subsequently re-stuffed by Shaw of Shrewsbury.'

34). 1865 Highland Sciberscross, Sutherland, grey-morph, shot, 22nd April.

(T. B. Snowie, Field 6th May 1865: 319; T. E. Buckley, Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow 5: 131; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1887).

History T. B. Snowie of Inverness (1865) in The Field of 6th May, Vol. XXV. p. 319, says: 'I see in The Field a notice of the Iceland Falcon being taken at Elgin; on the same day I had one to stuff from Sutherlandshire, shot by Capt. T. Well, Scitercross [sic], while in the act of eating a Grouse he had killed. This is the fourth I have had to stuff in thirty years, and I have no doubt that other stuffers in Scotland have had them as well. The bird is only half the size of our Golden or Sea Eagle.'

T. E. Buckley (1880-83) in the Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow, Vol. V. p. 131, says: 'Iceland Falcon. A fine specimen, which is in the Dunrobin Museum, was killed at Sciberscross, in 1868 [sic].'

Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1887: 173) say: 'Iceland Falcon. Has occurred on two occasions at least - once at Sciberscross in 1868 [sic]. This bird is preserved in the Dunrobin Museum. It appears, from a single feather examined, to have been a bird in its second year's plumage - at all events an immature bird of about that age.'

Comment I think this is one and the same. A five is easily mistaken for an eight in the year by candlelight. The other grey-morph was in 1838, making this the second occurrence.

35). 1865 Moray & Nairn Near Elgin, Moray, female, white-morph, caught, 22nd April.

("The Scotsman;" Eds., Field 29th Apr., 1865: 286; Anon., Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow 1: 254; Gray, 1871; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1896; Cook, 1992).

History In an Editorial (1865) in The Field of 29th Apr., Vol. XXV. p. 286, quoting from "The Scotsman", he says: 'On Saturday week a large and beautiful Icelandic Falcon perched on the Poor-house, Elgin, and was so feeble that it allowed itself to be captured by some workmen. This, we believe, is the second bird of the kind seen in the north of Scotland for thirty years. The bird is as large, if not larger, than the common eagle, and white in plumage.'

Anon. (1858-69) in the Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow, Vol. I. p. 254, on 30th March, 1869, says: 'The Secretary exhibited a fine specimen of the Greenland Falcon (Falco candicans, Gmel), from Elgin, in Morayshire. The bird had been captured near that town about three years ago, and now belonged to Mr. Gray's private collection. Although in bad condition when obtained, it had since been skilfully remounted by Mr. McCulloch, sen., Sauchiehall Street, and is considered to be one of the most perfect examples of this rare species that has ever been taken in Britain.'

Gray (1871: 22) under 'Greenland Falcon', says: 'I have in my own collection a very handsome female bird of this species, which was caught near Elgin in the autumn of 1865. It had previously been wounded, and therefore could offer no resistance to a party of passing workmen, who urged their dog to attack it, and in this way secured the prize.'

Accepted locally by Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1896 (2): 67-68) under 'Greenland Falcon, quoting from Gray, say: 'Dr. Gordon informed us that this bird is now in the Elgin Museum.'

Comment The 29th April was a Saturday, so 22nd April is the day of capture.

36). 1865 Outer Hebrides Vallay, North Uist, grey-morph, shot, September.

(Gray, 1871; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1888).

History Gray (1871: 22) under 'Iceland Falcon', says: 'One was killed by Captain McRae on the island of Vallay, Outer Hebrides, in September, 1865. It haunted the farm-yard for some time, and was quite fearless in its attacks among the poultry - killing a great many chickens before meeting its fate. This bird is now in the collection of Dr. Dewar of Glasgow.'

Accepted locally (Harvie-Brown & Buckley 1888: 88).

37.0). 1865 Cheshire & Wirral/Greater Manchester Near Bowden, two, seen, mid-October; one of same in Staffordshire.

(H. Harrison, Zoologist 1866: 30-31; Smith, 1939; Hedley Bell, 1962; A. J. Smith, Birds in Greater Manchester 1993: 113-116).

History Hugh Harrison of Bowden, Cheshire (1866) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. I. pp. 30-31, dated 11th December, 1865, says: 'In my absence on a trip to Appleby, in the middle of October, my friend Mr. R. S. Edleston, his wife and son, saw two large white hawks about a mile from here, about a mile from here, sporting with a flock of Starlings (Redwings?), and on my return, the day after, he named this to me, and suggested Jerfalcons. I was incredulous, and said Sparrowhawks or Kestrels, but his belief was firm; and my incredulity was much shaken some ten days after, on reading a paragraph in the Manchester Courier, which stated that a fine Jerfalcon was shot a few days ago on a farm near Biddulph, Cheshire (eighteen miles from here). I have, therefore, great reason for believing that my friend had the good fortune to see a couple of those rare and beautiful birds.'

Accepted locally for Greater Manchester (A. J. Smith (1993: 114) Birds in Greater Manchester).

37.1). 1865 Staffordshire Biddulph, shot, October; presumed same as one of Cheshire individuals.

(Smith, 1939).

History Smith (1939: 164) under 'Greenland Falcon', says: 'A bird shot at Biddulph by a Mr. John Shaw in October 1865 was perhaps of this species. Messrs. T. A. Coward and C. Oldham vainly endeavoured to trace it, and from the description they obtained it may have been either a Greenland Falcon, an Iceland Falcon F. rusticolus islandus) or a Gyr Falcon (F. rusticolus rusticolus). Possibly it was the former, as a few days previous to its death two large white Falcons were seen near Bowdon, Cheshire, sporting with some Starlings (Birds of Cheshire, 1900).'

39). 1866 Shetland Balta Isle, Unst, female, white-morph, shot, 3rd March.

(H. L. Saxby, Zoologist 1866: 288-291; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1872; Evans & Buckley, 1899).

History H. L. Saxby of Shetland (1866) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. I. pp. 288-291, under March, 1866, says: 'Several examples of this rare species appeared early in the month, after a strong N.W. wind. On the 3rd a fisherman, who was shooting in the Island of Balta, observed one sitting upon a large stone, and, as it appeared quite careless of his presence, he walked up very leisurely and shot it. An hour afterwards he brought it to me under the belief that his prize was a Snowy Owl. It was a female in very good condition - a little too good, indeed, for I experienced no small difficulty in separating the thick layers of fat, from the skin. The crop was fully distended with small pieces of flesh, and in the stomach was a large mass of flesh and rabbits' fur, but, with the exception of a few pieces of ribs, there were no bones. The largest of the ova were the size of No, 8 shot. Some fur was still adhering to the claws of both feet.

The following description was taken down immediately after the bird came into my possession, and before the skin was removed: - Whole length, 26 inches; wing from carpal joint to tip, 16½ inches; bill from front to tip, 1 and two thirds of an inch; tarsus, 2¼ inches; middle toe and its claw, 3 and one sixth inches.

Bill. - Cere and upper mandible very pale blue, the lip nearly black, the angular projection or "tooth" sharp and prominent, lower mandible nearly white, the anterior portion of its cutting edge brownish. A few days after death the bill begins to turn pink, and afterwards becomes reddish brown. Iris nearly black; the bare skin surrounding the eye pale flesh-colour. Head white, the central line of most of the feathers nearly black; these marks are smallest upon the sides of the head, and very few in number about the base of the bill.

Upper Surface. - Upper half of the back of the neck marked in the same manner as the top of the head, but with the streaks larger and of a browner hue; feathers of the lower half of the back of the neck, and also those covering the back itself, dark greyish brown, bordered with white, concealed portions lighter in colour and patched with white, the shafts nearly black; upper tail-coverts and scapulars nearly the same as the parts just described, but the tail-coverts navy the pale margins broader, and the white patches larger, and in the scapulars those nearest the tail have the white so far encroached upon by the brown as to cause an irregular barred appearance. Many of the feathers of the upper surface, especially those about the neck, have some portion of the white border tinged with brown.

Wings. - Second quill longest, its tip when the wing is closed reaching within three inches of the end of the tail; first quill half an inch shorter than the third, first two slightly cut out near the end of the inner web: lesser coverts very similar to the back; greater coverts white, irregularly barred with light greyish brown; first primary white, marked with dark greyish brown upon each side of the shaft; towards the tip of the inner web the brown projects into the white in a slighter bar-like form; remaining primaries the same, but with the brown occupying more space, and that on the outer webs gradually becoming more distinctly spotted with white on those feathers nearest the body; in these the white has a faint rusty tinge; the tips of all white, narrowed on the outer ones, the shafts dark brown. Secondaries and tertials white, barred with greyish brown; in some the bars are continuous across the feather, in others alternate: under wing-coverts white, with a few long fine streaks of very dark brown.

Tail. - Upper surface of the shafts white towards the base, dark brown on the remaining part, the under surface while throughout the whole length; middle pair of feathers white, each with eleven bars of dark greyish brown, the one nearest the tip considerably lengthened out along the shaft; on the feather belonging to the right side the bars are continuous, on the left one all are alternate except the two nearest the tip; next feather on each side barred on the basal two-thirds of the outer web, and with some irregular brownish mottlings upon the outer edge; in the remaining feathers the bars become more and more reduced to spots, except in the outer one of each side, where they again become lengthened out, and show a disposition to spread across the inner web.

Under Surface. - Chin, throat and upper half of the front of the neck white; abdomen, under tail-coverts and under side of the tail also white; remainder of under surface white, with dark brown sagittiform spots, much elongated and few in number upon the sides, rather more numerous, shorter and paler on the middle of the breast, shortest and broadest on the lower part and sides of the neck and on the sides of the breast.

Legs and Feet. - Tibial feathers white, with a few dark brown streaks on the outer side; these feathers are so long that when the leg is stretched out in the same line with the body they reach beyond the insertion of the toes; tarsus bare posteriorly, covered with white feathers on two-thirds of its length anteriorly; feet and bare part of tarsus pale bluish grey (drying to pinkish brown); claws very dart horn-colour, but not black.

I have endeavoured to describe the above specimen as minutely as possible, under the belief that the particulars may be of use to those ornithologists who feel interested as to the distinctions between Falco islandicus and F. greenlandicus. My own experience in the matter is so slight as to be unworthy of notice, but I cannot avoid looking with some doubt upon the disposition of the bars as a guide, seeing that in the present example they are both continuous and alternate, not only in the same group of feathers, but even upon the same feather. I should be glad to learn more respecting the usual colours, at different ages, of the bill, feet and bare parts about the head. A much darker bird of the same species remained in this neighbourhood for some days, and I also saw a third, closely resembling the one above described, flying above some pigeons as they sat upon the corn stacks at Buness. It wheeled about them for some time, as if endeavouring to make them take wing, occasionally making a sudden stoop, but never attempting to strike. The flight was exceedingly rapid; a few quickly repeated beats with the wings seemed to be all that was required to create an impetus sufficient to carry it for several hundred yards.'

Alfred Newton (1871-74 (1): 43, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, adds: '...now in the collection Mr. J. H. Gurney, junior.'

Accepted locally (Evans & Buckley 1899: 118).

40). 1866 Argyll Glendaruel, grey-morph, caught in a pole trap, September.

(Gray, 1871; Yarrell, 1871-85; D. W. Thompson, Scottish Naturalist 4: 279; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1892; McWilliam, 1936; ap Rheinallt et al., 2007).

History Gray (1871: 22) under 'Iceland Falcon', says: 'In September, 1866, a fine Iceland Falcon was caught in a pole trap at Glendaruel, Argyllshire, but unfortunately this bird was lost, the trap not having been looked at for some days after it was sprung. The species, however, was identified beyond a doubt.'

D'Arcy. W. Thompson (1877-78) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. IV. p. 279, recording Gyr Falcon in square brackets, lists: 'Argyllshire, Sept. 1866 and 1868.'

Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1892: 109-110) quoting from Gray, say: '...This was in September 1876.'

McWilliam (1936) says: 'Presumably this means that when found the bird was too far gone for preservation.'

Accepted locally by ap Rheinallt et al. (2007: 151) who remark that Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1892) erroneously stated that it occurred in 1876.

41). 1866 Caithness Ousdale, grey-morph, trapped, undated.

(Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1887; Manson, 2004).

History Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1887: 173) say: 'Iceland Falcon. Of this fine bird only two instances are on record as having been observed in the county of Caithness....the second is that of one trapped at Ousdale two years ago by McEwan, the Duke of Portland's keeper at that place (Osborne MSS., 1868). What became of the latter specimen we do not know, as it does not appear in the 'List of the Welbeck Abbey collection', nor in Mr. Lewis Dunbar's List.'

Manson (2004: 54) says: 'One of the Iceland form trapped at Ousdale, 1866.'

42). 1867 Argyll Kilchoman Glen, Islay, grey-morph, trapped, early March.

(Gray, 1871; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1892; ap Rheinallt, et al., 2007).

History Gray (1871: 22) under 'Iceland Falcon', says: 'It has likewise occurred on the inner islands [Hebrides], as I have been informed by Mr. Elwes, who writes that "one which was shot in Islay is now in the museum at Islay House".'

Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1892: 110) under 'Iceland Falcon', say: 'Another appears to have been trapped by one Gilbert McTaggart, in Kilchoman Glen, in the beginning of March 1867.' Accepted locally (ap Rheinallt et al. 2007: 151).

43). 1867 Suffolk Sudbourne, near Orford, immature, grey-morph, shot, 14th October, now at Ipswich Museum.

(Hele, 1870; Seebohm, 1883; BOU, 1883; Babington, 1884-86; Witherby, 1920-24; Ticehurst, 1932; Payn, 1978).

History Hele (1870) under 'Iceland Falcon', says: 'A specimen of this beautiful bird was killed at Sudbourne, near Orford, October 14th, 1867. It had been feeding upon a fowl, and was so glutted as to allow of an easy approach. It measured from tip to tip of wings four feet one inch, and two feet in length. It is now in the British Museum.'

Seebohm (1883 (1): 19) says: 'Gyr Falcon. The only authentic instance of the occurrence of the Norwegian form of the Jer-Falcon in this country is an immature example, which was obtained at Orford, in Suffolk, on the 14th of October, 1867. It was shot by Mr. George Hunt, in the act of devouring a hen, and is now in possession of his brother Mr. Edward J. Hunt, of Pimlico, by whom it was stuffed. It is in an excellent state of preservation; and the plumage is scarcely at all abraded. The head is somewhat darker than the back, and the under parts, including the thighs, are longitudinally streaked; it is probably a bird of the year, which has not yet assumed the yellow legs.'

Babington (1884-86: 231) admits to having seen the specimen. Further, in a footnote, he adds: 'Mr. Hunt, who has kindly permitted a photograph of his bird to be taken for this work, writes in answer to my enquiries as follows: - "The head of this specimen is certainly the darkest part...it is of a uniform colour somewhat darker than the back. As to Mr. J. H. Gurney, sen., and myself, we certainly agreed that it was the same as the specimen marked Norway Gyr-falcon from Kotzebue Sound in the British Museum, although somewhat darker...Mr. Sharpe told me...that he felt satisfied about its being the Norway species, and asked me to allow Mr. Seebohm to examine it, which he did". In reference to Prof. Newton's remark (in Yarrell's Brit. Birds, I. p. 47), that in the Gyr-Falcon there is commonly a very perceptible black moustachial streak or patch, Mr. Hunt says: "this is very plain in my specimen, and the coloration darker than in the Iceland Falcon".'

Admitted nationally in the first List of British Birds (BOU 1883: 101). While, Ticehurst (1932: 232) adds: 'It is now in the Ipswich Museum.'

44). 1867 Argyll Islay, white-morph, shot, undated.

(Gray, 1871; Harting, 1872; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1892; ap Rheinallt et al., 2007).

History Gray (1871: 21) under 'Greenland Falcon', says: 'Mr. Elwes has informed me that another Gyr Falcon was procured in Islay last year (1867).'

Harting (1872) says: 'Recorded in the MS. of H. J. Elwes.' Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1892) p. 109, say: 'Another is recorded as occurring in Islay in 1866, on the authority of Captain Elwes.'

Accepted locally by ap Rheinallt et al. (2007: 151) who remark that Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1892) erroneously stated it as occurring in 1866.'

45). 1868 Shetland Woodwick, Unst, seen, 22nd April.

(Saxby's Journals, et seq., 1860; Pennington et al., 2004).

History Pennington et al. (2004) states that Saxby's journals included a record of one seen at Woodwick, Unst, on 22nd April 1868.

46). 1868 Shetland Burravoe, Yell, grey-morph, shot, March.

(Saxby, 1874; Evans & Buckley, 1899).

History Saxby (1874) under 'Iceland Falcon', says: 'I have only had one other in my hands. It was shot at Burravoe, in the island of Yell, in March 1868, while sitting upon a wall devouring a tame pigeon. Although unable to procure it, I took down a careful description of it under the name of Falco gyrfalco. The bird is so well described and so accurately represented in the new edition of Yarrell’s British Birds, now in course of issue, that it would be useless here to introduce extracts from my own notes made at the time.'

Evans & Buckley (1899: 119) say: 'Iceland Falcon. Saxby writes that...The skin of a male that had been killed in Unst about 1857, and a specimen from Burravoe, Yell, shot in March 1868, were the only two cases in which the bird had actually passed through his hands.'

47). Pre 1871 Outer Hebrides South Uist, shot, undated.

(Gray, 1871; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1888).

History Gray (1871: 21) says: 'One was shot by Col. Gordon's keeper in South Uist a few years ago, and examined by Mr. Colin M'Vean, who made a careful drawing of the bird.'

48). 1871 North-east Scotland Near Fraserburgh, grey-morph, shot, March.

(Sim, 1903; Phillips, 1997).

History Sim (1903: 131) under 'Iceland Falcon', says: 'One was shot near Fraserburgh in March, 1871, by A. M. Ross, Esq., G.N.S. Rly.'

49). 1871 Highland Near Beauly, Inverness-shire, white-morph, undated.

(Harting, 1872).

History Harting (1872: 85) says: 'One near Beauly, Inverness-shire, 1871: R. Gray, MS.'

50). 1873 Suffolk Westerfield Park, Ipswich, immature, white-morph, caught, June or July.

(H. Green, Field 9th Jan., 1875: 38; H. Green, Field 23rd Jan., 1875: 70; Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932; Piotrowski, 2003).

History H. Green of Ipswich (1875) in The Field of 9th Jan., Vol. XLV. p. 38, says: 'A farm labourer in the employ of Mr. John Garrod, of Westerfield, near Ipswich, captured a Gyr Falcon near a pond in the Red House Park, so saturated with wet that it could not rise, in either June or July, 1873. Mr. Garrod kept it alive some three months, but it ate so enormously that he killed it, and Mr. Bird, of Falcon Street, stuffed it. I saw it alive several times, and evidently it was a wild bird. It is precisely the same bird as described in Yarrell's British Birds, page 26.'

[It is much to be regretted that the owner of the falcon killed it, instead of finding it a home. Any amateur falconer, if advertised, would have been delighted to have it. We should be glad to know whether the bird can still be seen, and where. - Ed.]

H. Green of Ipswich (1875) in The Field of 23rd Jan., Vol. XLV. p. 70, adds: 'In reply to you editorial inquiry appended to my note which appeared in The Field of Jan. 9, I beg to say that the bird in question is in the possession of Mr. John Garrod, of Westerfield, where it may be seen by those interested in the matter.'

Babington (1884-86: 230-231) says: 'One caught in Westerfield, and kept alive for some weeks; it was in pursuit of a bird flying over a pond in the park, struck at the bird, which it missed, and fell into the water; it managed to creep out, but its wings were so wet that it could not fly, and was caught by a man who threw his coat over it (Hillen in litt.); Mr. Moor saw it stuffed in Mr. Garrard's house in 1876 (Moor MS.); it is now in the possession of Mr. Crewe of East Lodge, Burton-on-Trent, who writes that this specimen is what Mr. Gould calls in his British Birds, "Greenland Falcon, White Race" (V. Crewe in litt.).'

Ticehurst (1932: 232-233) adds: 'In the possession of Sir John Crewe of Burton-on-Trent, whereupon his death it was catalogued as "Jer Falcon, Woodbridge, Suffolk, July, 1879. Mr. Witherby examined this bird for me and said it was indeterminate between a Gyr or an Iceland Falcon. The date given is probably the date when Sir John Crewe acquired it, since it was in Mr. Garrard's house in 1876 and was recorded in the Field for 1875".'

Comment Edmund Harting, Editor of The Field and also The Zoologist was a keen falconer.

51). 1874 Orkney Orphir, Mainland, grey-morph, obtained, undated, now at Mansfield Museum.

(O. V. Aplin, Zoologist 1884: 50; O. V. Aplin, Naturalist 13: 200; Buckley & Harvie-Brown, 1891; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History Oliver V. Aplin of Bloxham (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. p. 50, under 'Note of some Rare British Birds in the Collection of Mr. J. Whitaker', says: 'Falco islandus - Kirkwall, Orkney, 1876.'

O. V. Aplin (1887) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XIII. p. 200, under 'A Visit to Rainworth Lodge', says: 'The most remarkable among the historical specimens of British-killed rarities are examples of the Iceland Falcon, Orkney, 1876.'

Buckley & Harvie-Brown (1891: 153) say: 'In 1874 an Iceland Falcon was shot in Orphir [Mainland] and had a place in Mr. Petrie's collection. When this collection was broken up, this bird, with the Kite before mentioned, was bought by Mr. Whitaker of Rainworth, Nottinghamshire.'

Comment Presumably, this is one and the same, as there were hardly any historical grey-phase specimens recorded; both places being on Mainland, Orkney. The specimen is now at Mansfield Museum, Nottinghamshire, with the Whitaker Collection.

52). 1876 Denbighshire Llanbedr Mountain, Ruthin, adult male, white-morph, picked up dead under wires, late March.

(J. F. Jesse, Field 1st Apr., 1876: 388; J. Rocke, Zoologist 1876: 4919-20; Dobie, 1893; Forrest, 1907; Eds., British Birds 2: 413).

History John Fairfax Jesse (1876) in The Field of 1st April, Vol. XLVII. p. 388, says: 'A tenant of mine, Mr. John Roberts, of Rhiwlas, picked up on the hill near his house, the other day, a bird which on inspection turned out to be a Greenland Falcon. When found it was quite dead, though in good condition and full plumage. He kindly sent it to me, and I have forwarded it to Mr. Henry Shaw, of Shrewsbury, for preservation. As this is, I believe, a very rare occurrence, it may interest some of your readers.'

J. Rocke of Clungunford House (1876) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. XI. p. 4919-20, dated 10th April, 1876, says: 'On the 20th of March last I had the satisfaction of examining, in the flesh, a splendid specimen of the adult male Greenland Falcon, at Henry Shaw's shop in Shrewsbury. The bird was the property of Mr. John F. Jesse, of Caefron, Ruthin, North Wales, and had been given to him by Mr. John Roberts, of Rhiwlas, who picked it up a few days before, quite dead, on the Llanbedr Mountain. The plumage was magnificent, scarcely a feather being out of place, and although the crop and stomach were empty the bird was heavy and in good condition. Its death appeared to have been caused by coming violently in contact with a telegraph wire or some other obstacle, as the skin was cut in two places on the neck, and the heart a good deal congested with blood. The centre claw of the left was gone, but the injury was not recent, as the wound had perfectly healed over.

In appearance and markings this falcon strongly resembled the plate of the Greenland "light race" in Mr. Gould's work. There were a few spots on the back of the bird, and the quill-feathers were tipped with black, though not very dark; the tail and the remainder of the plumage was of the purest white.'

Dobie (1893: 315) 'Mr. Ruddy writes: "A specimen was picked up dead, and quite fresh, on the Llandbedr Estate, Ruthin, April 1st, 1876", and was reported in the Field. Mr. Wynn Rûg, who has also sent me a note of this specimen, adds that it was probably killed by collision with telegraph wires, and was in the possession of Mr. J. Fairfax Jesse.'

Forrest (1907) says: 'J. Fairfax Jesse in the Field 1st April 1876, p. 388, records this bird as found dead, but quite fresh, by a tenant of his, a few days previously. The bird was brought to him and sent to Henry Shaw, of Shrewsbury, for preservation. It appeared to have been killed by collision with telegraph wires.'

53). 1876 Argyll No locality, immature, white-morph, caught, March, now at Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

(Howse, 1899).

History Howse (1899: 5) in his Index-Catalogue of the Birds in the Hancock Collection, under 'Greenland Falcon' says: 'Case 24. No. 2. (right). Immature. Showing both first and second plumage feathers. Remark. - This specimen was caught in a trap in Argyleshire, March, 1876. After its death presented to John Hancock by Major Fisher, Sept. 17th, 1876. From this specimen the bones have been removed. J.H.'

Comment This could be the specimen from Clifton Zoological Gardens as Hancock didn't receive it until September, 1876.

54). 1876 Caithness Moss of Freswick, adult male, grey-morph, trapped, 1st April.

(N. McNichol, Field 15th Apr., 1876: 419; N. McNichol, Zoologist 1876: 4920; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1887).

History Nichol McNichol of Westfield, Thurso (1876) in The Field of 6th April, Vol. XLVII. p. 419, and The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. XI. p. 4920, quoting from The Field, of 6th April, 1876, says: 'On the 1st instant a very fine specimen of the Jer-Falcon (Falco islandus) was trapped by William Lawson, gamekeeper, Broubster, Thurso. We had experienced very rough weather some short time beforehand, which had no doubt been the cause of this rare bird's visit. It was brought to me to be preserved, and had seemingly been living well lately, as it was in beautiful plumage, and weighed three pounds.'

55). 1876 Caithness Moss of Freswick, adult male, white-morph, trapped, 3rd April or 3rd May, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1924Z18.3934).

(H. T. Archer, Field 16th June 1877: 723; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1887; Watson, 2010).

History H. T. Archer of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (1877) in The Field of 16th June, Vol. XLIX. p. 723, says: 'A male and female Greenland Falcon were recently trapped in the north of Scotland, and are at present being preserved by Mr. Duncan, naturalist, of this town. The plumage is a beautiful white, with pale slaty-blue streaks, the male bird being darker than the female. The female is considerably the larger of the two, and has blue stripes across the top of the feet, which are yellow underneath - the male bird having no blue marks - both upper and under surface being yellow.'

Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1887: 173) say: 'In the collection of F. Raine Esq., of Durham, which was sold at Stevens's auction-rooms in March 1885, there are two Greenland Falcons from Caithness - one an adult male, trapped in the Moss of Freswick on the 3rd of May 1876; the other an immature female, trapped at Berriedale by A. McEwen, 26th March 1877.'

Watson (2010) in detailing the R. W. Chase collection in the Birmingham Museum lists this specimen, dated 3rd April 1876, and quoting from his Notebooks adds that it was trapped in the Moss of Freswick 16 miles north of Wick. Ex F. Raine's collection, lot 175.

Comment First notice presumed to refer to this record.

56). 1876 Argyll No locality, white-morph, trapped, 20th April.

(H. J. Charbonnier, Zoologist 1876: 4954; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1892; McWilliam, 1936; ap Rheinallt et al., 2007).

History H. J. Charbonnier of Bristol (1876) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. XI. p. 4954, says: 'A fortnight ago a fine specimen of this rare and noble visitor was sent me alive; it had been caught in a gin, on the 20th of April, in Argyllshire. It is now in the Clifton Zoological Gardens. The following is a description of the bird: - Almost entirely white, spotted with brownish longitudinal marks, diposed in the middle of each feather, on the back and wings. Back of the head and neck also white, faintly streaked down the middle of each feather with brown. Throat, breast and vent pure white, very faintly marked at the sides, which latter marks are hid by the wings. Tail, upper and lower tail-coverts pure white, without any marks. Irides dark brown; bill pale greyish horn, claws greyish horn colour. Comparing the above with Mr. Newton's description of the Greenland Falcon, I believe I am correct in assigning it to that species, and if as I hope, the bird will do well in its present home, I shall have the opportunity of recording the change of plumage at the next moult, when it should assume transverse markings, and the feet become gradually pale yellow.'

McWilliam (1936) says: 'Recorded as caught alive in a unnamed locality on 20th April 1876 and sent to the Clifton Zoological Garden (H. J. Charbonnier, Zoologist 1876: 4954).'

57). 1876 Argyll Islay, grey-morph, shot, April.

(Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1892; ap Rheinallt et al., 2007).

History Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1892: 110) say: 'Our friend Mr. James Lumsden writes us as follows: - "An Iceland Falcon was shot in Islay in April, 1876, and we are informed by Mr. James Brown - a gamekeeper in Islay - that the specimen passed into the possession of E. Crawshay, Esq., of Gateshead-on-Tyne".'

Accepted locally by ap Rheinallt, et al. (2007: 151) who remark that the date given by Booth (1975) is 1867.

Comment E. A. Crawshay was uncle to Abel Chapman.

58). 1877 Highland Altnaharra, Sutherland, grey-morph, trapped alive, 15th March.

(W. Hamilton, Field 24th Mar., 1877: 356; A. Dennistown, Field 14th Apr., 1877: 430; T. E. Buckley, Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow 5: 131; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1887).

History W. Hamilton of Lairg (1877) in The Field of 24th March, Vol. XLIX. p. 356, says: 'A fine specimen of the Iceland Falcon was taken here last Thursday, in a trap set for Hoody Crows. It was caught by one of its claws, is quite uninjured, and does not seem to resent the loss of its liberty much, as it eats well.'

A. Dennistown or Rosslea, Row, Dunbartonshire (1877) in The Field of 14th April, Vol. XLIX. p. 430, says: 'It may interest some of your ornithological readers to know that a fine specimen of the Iceland Falcon (Falco islandicus) was trapped by one of my gamekeepers at Altnaharra, in Sutherland, a few weeks ago. The bird is in fine plumage, alive, and doing well.'

T. E. Buckley (1880-83) in the Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow, Vol. V. p. 131, says: 'Iceland Falcon. Another was taken some years back at Altnaharra, and is now in the possession of Mr. Ackroyd, who was the shooting tenant at that time.'

Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1887: 173) say: 'Iceland Falcon. Has occurred on two occasions at least...The other was taken at Altnaharrow [sic], in the centre of the county.'

Comment Presumed to refer to one individual as Lairg and Altnaharra are 21 miles apart along the A836 road. 15th and 22nd March were Thursday's; presumably the 22nd wouldn't allow much time for the letter and publishing to happen, so therefore the 15th seems more likely.

59). 1877 Caithness Berriedale, immature female, white-morph, trapped, 26th March, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1924Z18.3935).

(H. T. Archer, Field 16th June 1877: 723; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1887; Manson, 2004; Watson, 2010).

History H. T. Archer of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (1877) in The Field of 16th June, Vol. XLIX. p. 723, says: 'A male and female Greenland Falcon were recently trapped in the north of Scotland, and are at present being preserved by Mr. Duncan, naturalist, of this town. The plumage is a beautiful white, with pale slaty-blue streaks, the male bird being darker than the female. The female is considerably the larger of the two, and has blue stripes across the top of the feet, which are yellow underneath - the male bird having no blue marks - both upper and under surface being yellow.'

Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1887: 173) say: 'In the collection of F. Raine Esq., of Durham, which was sold at Stevens's auction-rooms in March 1885, there are two Greenland Falcons from Caithness - one an adult male, trapped in the Moss of Freswick on the 3rd of May 1876; the other an immature female, trapped at Berriedale by A. McEwen, 26th March 1877.'

Watson (2010) in detailing the R. W. Chase collection in the Birmingham Museum lists this specimen and quoting from his Notebooks adds that it was trapped by Archibald McEwan. Ex F. Raine's collection, lot 176. Vide Vertebrate Fauna of Sutherland, Caithness and West Cromarty, p. 173.

Comment First notice presumed to refer to this record.

60). c. 1877 Yorkshire Ellerton Moor, immature, white-morph, shot, early spring.

(J. Tinkler, Zoologist 1884: 131; Nelson, 1907).

History John E. Tinkler (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. pp. 131-132, says: 'This district seems especially attractive to that rarer British bird of prey, the Gyrfalcon, Falco candicans, for within the past few years no less than four instances of its occurrence have been noted....An immature specimen, was shot in the early spring of 1877, or thereabouts, on the edge of Ellerton Moor, while in pursuit of a Woodcock....I have not seen these birds myself, but they were reported to me as "large white hawks spotted with brown", so that I think there can be no doubt about their identity.'

Accepted locally (Nelson 1907 (1): 354).

61). 1879 Lothian Holyrood, Edinburgh, Midlothian, immature, grey-morph, caught, 31st August.

(D. Douglas, Hardwicke's Science Gossip 1879: 256; D. Douglas, Scottish Naturalist 5: 203; Rintoul & Baxter, 1935; Kirke Nash, 1935; Andrews, 1986).

History David Douglas of Leith (1879) in Hardwicke's Science Gossip, Vol. XV. p. 256, says: 'Iceland Falcon. A fine young bird of this species in beautiful plumage was captured in Queen's Park, Edinburgh, about the end of August last, under the following circumstances: While Mr. R. B. Gilroy was walking there with some friends, he saw some lads striking at an object in a furze bush, and, on approaching, found it to be a bird of prey; stepping forward, he, with the assistance of his friends, secured it. As the Queen's Park is largely taken advantage of as a pleasure resort, they were soon surrounded by a curious crowd conjecturing what kind of a bird it was. One thought it was a hawk, another knew it was a falcon, a third declared emphatically it was an eagle, while a fourth was equally certain it was a parrot. Mr. Gilroy now procured a cab and rove home with his captive, for which he soon extemporised a convenient cage. But the bird looked dull and would not eat, and Mr. Gilroy thought it must be either be exhausted by a long flight, or seriously ill, as it made no attempt to fly when captured; accordingly he called in a doctor, who forthwith administered a dose of castor oil, which had a wonderful effect in reviving the drooping spirits of the bird. It soon began to eat greedily, and was so tame when I saw it twelve days after capture as to eat meat out of the hand. So far as I am aware, there is no record of this species having been previously captured or shot near Edinburgh.'

David Douglas of Leith (1879-80) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. V. p. 203, dated September, 1879, says: 'A fine young bird of this species in beautiful plumage was captured in Queen's Park, Edinburgh, about the end of August last by Mr. R. B. Gilroy, Bonnington Grove, Leith, when walking there with some friends. It appeared to be either exhausted from a long flight or otherwise ill, as it made no attempt to fly away, and was captured and taken home alive with little difficulty. Its plumage was clean and beautiful when taken; and it had evidently never been in captivity. Its markings correspond in almost every respect with Yarrell's description of the young bird. The plumage has a bluish cast. Head dull white, with narrow brownish-black streaks. Back brownish-black; each feather with a lighter border. Breast feathers, each with a dark streak down the centre about one-third of its width. Bill and cere bluish-grey, with a darker tip, much curved, and distinctly toothed. Tarsi feathered to about an inch from the toes, the latter about the same colour as the bill, with dark claws. Tail feathers and inner web of wing feathers with narrow transverse bars. Tips of closed wings about one inch short of the tail. Stretch, when expanded, three feet. The bird is still alive, and is now so tame as to feed out of the hand. So far as I am aware, there is no record of this species having been previously captured or shot near Edinburgh.'

Rintoul & Baxter (1935) say: 'A fine young male was captured in the Queen's Park, Edinburgh about the end of August 1879. It appeared to be exhausted or ill, as it made no effort to fly away, and was captured and taken home by the finder and became so tame that it fed out of the hand.'

Accepted locally for Midlothian (Kirke Nash 1935: 130-131).

Comment It is quite early in the year for a immigrant!

62). 1879 or 1880 Yorkshire Near Roe Beck, Arkengarth Dale, seen, undated.

(J. E. Tinkler, Zoologist 1884: 131-132; Nelson, 1907).

History John E. Tinkler (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. pp. 131-132, says: 'This district seems especially attractive to that rarer British bird of prey, the Gyrfalcon, Falco candicans, for within the past few years no less than four instances of its occurrence have been noted. In either 1879 or 1880 near the Roe Beck, Arkengarth Dale, one was observed to pounce upon and carry off a grouse, within gunshot of the person who witnessed the circumstance....I have not seen these birds myself, but they were reported to me as "large white hawks spotted with brown", so that I think there can be no doubt about their identity.' Accepted locally (Nelson 1907 (1): 354).

63). 1882 Highland Near Helmsdale, Sutherland, white-morph, shot, undated.

(Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1887; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1896).

History Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1887) say: 'In the same year [1882] a Greenland Falcon was shot at Caen, near Helmsdale, and came into the possession of Mr. Hill, the banker there.'

Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1896 (2): 67) under 'Greenland Falcon, say: 'A Greenland Falcon was shot near Helmsdale in 1882, and is now in the possession of Mr. Hill, banker there.'

64). 1883 Suffolk Thetford Warren, immature, killed, spring.

(Babington, 1884-86; J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 4: 264; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 321; Ticehurst, 1932; Payn, 1978).

History Babington (1884-86: 254) says: 'An immature bird, considered by Mr. Newby to be of this species, killed on Thetford Warren, in spring, 1883; it appeared to me to be very similar to Mr. Hunt's bird, mentioned above. Dr. Gadow, Strickland Curator at Cambridge, to whom I showed the specimen, pronounced it to be a young Gyr Falcon. Prof. Newton says of it: "It looks very much like an example of the immature male of F. gyr-falco, but it is just one of those specimens of which one (I at least) cannot feel quite sure. If the sternum had been preserved all doubt would probably have been removed". (See Newton's Yarrell, Vol. I. p. 47). It is now in my Collection. If my bird be not a Gyr Falcon, it is a specimen of the Iceland Falcon, Falco islandus, which is not known to have been found in Suffolk.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell (1884-89) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IV. p. 264, say: 'Gyr Falcon. A young bird, killed on Thetford warren in the spring of 1883, is in the possession of Dr. Churchill Babington. It has been examined by Professor Newton who thinks it more like this species than the closely allied Iceland Falcon, but in immature plumage, they are almost indistinguishable. H. H. The Maharajah Duleep Singh some years ago kept Gyrfalcons for hawking at Elveden, near Thetford, but the head-keeper, Mr. Mayes, informs us that the bird was not lost from there. Unfortunately the warren is just beyond the Norfolk boundary.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 321, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

Ticehurst (1932: 233) adds: 'Since the dispersal of Babington's birds this specimen has been lost sight of and nothing further can now be said.'

65). 1883 Argyll Macharioch, Campbeltown, immature, obtained, November.

(E. A. Butler, Field 1st Dec., 1883: 735).

History E. A. Butler of the Royal Irish Rifles (1883) in The Field of 1st Dec., Vol. LXII. p. 735, says: 'Happening, whilst in town last week, to go into Mr. Rowland Ward's shop, 166, Piccadilly, with my friend Mr. Bowdler Sharpe, I was surprised to see a beautiful specimen, apparently in immature plumage, of the Jerfalcon (Falco gyrfalco, Lin.). The bird was in the flesh, and had been sent to Mr. Ward for preservation by Capt. Scarlett, Macharioch, Campbeltown, Argyllshire, whence it was obtained.'

66). 1884 Highland Ardmore, Skye, Skye & Lochalsh, immature female, white-morph, shot, 3rd January.

(H6. A. Macpherson, Zoologist 1884: 382; Harvie-Brown & Macpherson, 1904).

History H. A. Macpherson of Carlisle (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. p. 382, undated, says: 'On the 3rd January last a female Greenland Falcon, in immature plumage, was shot at Ardmore, Skye, by my friend Capt. Macdonald, who recalls a similar visit from a Greenland Falcon thirty years previously. It had haunted the neighbourhood for some days and was sent in the flesh to Macleay, of Inverness, who has mounted it well in a case with a Peregrine, but omitted to take any measurements. I examined the bird last June, but a detailed description is unnecessary.'

Accepted locally (Harvie-Brown & Macpherson 1904: 166).

67). 1884 Cornwall The Lizard, white-morph, killed, 24th March.

(T. Cornish, Field 29th Mar., 1884: 437; Clark, 1906; Penhallurick, 1978).

History Thomas Cornish of Penzance (1884) in The Field of 29th Mar., Vol. LXIII. p. 437, says: 'A Jerfalcon has been lately obtained in the Lizard district, and has been identified by Mr. W. H. Vingoe, of Penzance. It was in a very dirty state when brought to him, and apparently half starved. It may have escaped from confinement, but no one has claimed it, and I therefore suppose that the occurrence is worth recording.'

J. Clark (1906 (1): 338) in the Victoria County History of Cornwall, says: 'Greenland Falcon - one at the Lizard, 24th March, 1884.'

68). 1884 Isle of Man Douglas Head, shot, 8th April.

(Cullen & Jennings, 1986).

History Cullen & Jennings (1986) say: 'It was first seen at Ballaglass (Maughold) and at Bradda Head before moving to Douglas Head in early April 1884 where it hawked Rooks there, and after striking one, a man picked it up whereupon the falcon swooped and struck it clean out of his hand. On the 8th April it was shot dead by a gamekeeper.

69). c. 1884 Outer Hebrides Eoligarry, Barra, shot, undated.

(J. MacRury, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1894: 203).

History J. MacRury (1894) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIV. p. 203, says: 'A beautiful specimen of this species in the collection at Eoligary, which was shot by Mr. Murdo Macgillivray about ten years ago.'

70). 1886 Highland Portree, Skye, Skye & Lochalsh, immature, grey-morph, seen, March; same, Waternish, Skye, shot, March.

(H. A. Macpherson, Zoologist 1886: 367; Harvie-Brown & Macpherson, 1904; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; McMillan, 2005).

History H. A. Macpherson of Kensington Gardens Square, London (1886) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. X. p. 367, says: 'I had lately the pleasure of examining an Iceland Falcon, shot in Skye last March by my friend Captain McDonald, of Waternish. I understand that Mr. Macleay inadvertently recorded it in an Inverness paper as the Greenland bird, of which Captain McDonald shot a fine specimen two years before (Zool., 1884, p. 383). The recent bird is, as unquestionably, islandicus.'

Harvie-Brown & Macpherson (1904: 166) under 'Iceland Falcon', say: 'An immature bird was shot by Captain Macdonald at Waternish early in March 1886, wind east. It had previously been seen near Portree.'

71). 1887 Caithness Near Thurso, male, grey-morph, killed, 6th October.

(Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1887; Manson, 2004).

History Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1887) under 'Iceland Falcon', say: 'Mr. L. Dunbar informs us that on 6th October 1887 a fine male Iceland Falcon was killed near Thurso.'

Locally, Manson (2004: 54) says: 'Male (Iceland) killed near Thurso, 6th October 1887.'

72). 1887 Caithness Glutt, immature, shot, grey-morph, 7th October.

(T. E. Buckley, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1892: 162; Manson, 2004).

History T. E. Buckley (1892) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. I. p. 162, says: 'A young Iceland Falcon was shot at Glutt, by Mr. McNichol, on the 7th of October 1887.'

73). 1887 Orkney No locality, white-morph, seen, about 11th and 13th October.

("Mossman" Field 22 Oct., 1887: 611; Buckley & Harvie-Brown, 1891; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984).

History "Mossman" (1887) in The Field of 22 Oct., Vol. LXX. p. 611, says: 'It is the 13th of October, in an island in the north of Scotland, as nearly as we can hit the date - for mails are few, and the precise day of the month sometimes can only be discovered by a somewhat elaborate calculation....After a stiff climb, we make a wide sweep to leeward, and the setter begins to draw - on a little, on a little cautiously, and then a dead stand; the wounded bird, likely, as it seems close to her. She keeps twitching her head round in a way we hardly understand, and, when close to her, five birds are with difficulty got to rise, and allowed to go off, and we are about to pull the trigger, when a greyish object comes down like lightning, and the grouse turns heels over head and strikes the ground a few feet ahead with an audible thud.

Before we can recover from our astonishment, the hawk has shot up into the air, come down again, clutched the grouse, and is away with it, almost out of shot. At length we fire, in a half-hearted sort of way - and, indeed, are sorry the moment we have pulled the trigger - but the only result is that the grouse is dropped, and the bold marauder sails away apparently unharmed. After watching it out of sight, we pick up the body of the grouse; its head we fail to find; it is cut off as cleanly as if done with a knife. A Gyr Falcon of course; how stupid not to have thought of that when we were puzzled about that strange hawk we saw on the high moors a few days since. No other bird of prey hereabout has that whitish speckled plumage; a Gyr Falcon, probably from its size a female, and, from its colour, about three years old....'

Accepted locally under 'Greenland Falcon' (Buckley & Harvie-Brown 1891: 153).

74). 1888 Highland Grian-a-corry, Kinbrace, Sutherland, white-morph, shot, 27th March.

(T. E. Buckley, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1892: 162; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1896).

History T. E. Buckley (1892) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. I. p. 162, says: 'Greenland Falcon. Another specimen was shot by Mr. J. Macpherson, forester, Griam-a-corry, near Kinbrace, on the 27th March 1888. It was first seen eating a Grouse, and the forester returned for his gun, and stalked and shot it. The bird had only one leg, the other apparently having been lost in a trap. The specimen is now in our possession.'

However, Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1896 (2): 67) under 'Greenland Falcon, say: 'Another, in our possession, was shot near the head of the Helmsdale strath, at Grian-a-Corry, by the forester, J. Macpherson, in 1889, as it was eating a grouse. The bird had only one leg.'

75). 1888 North-east Scotland St Fergus Sands, Banff, grey-morph, trapped, 4th April, now at Booth Museum, Brighton.

(N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 5: 120).

History N. F. Ticehurst (1911) in British Birds, Vol. V. p. 120, in a review of 'Catalogue of Cases of Birds in the Dyke Road Museum, Brighton. By E. T. Booth; with further notes by A. F. Griffith', says: 'The most important additions since the publication of the supplement, appear to be the...Besides these, there are a few that do not appear to have been previously recorded, viz: - Iceland Falcon (Falco islandus). - Trapped by Alexander Murray, in April, 1888, at St. Fergus Sands, Banffshire.'

76). 1888 Perth & Kinross Near Runnock Lodge, Perthshire, immature female, white-morph, shot, 7th May.

(R. Scot Skirving, Field 16th Jun., 1888: 853; R. Scot Skirving, Field 7th Jul., 1888: 6; H. M. Drummond Hay, Field 7th Jul., 1888: 6; H. M. Drummond Hay, Scottish Naturalist 9: 347; Harvie-Brown, 1906).

History R. Scot Skirving of Edinburgh (1888) in The Field of 16th Jun., Vol. LXXI. p. 853, says: 'A fine specimen of the Greenland Falcon, a mature female, has been obtained in Ross-shire. It is now set by Mr. Hope, Edinburgh, and is to be presented to the Perth Museum.'

R. Scot Skirving of Edinburgh (1888) in The Field of 7th July, Vol. LXXII. p. 6, says: 'I regret that when Mr. C. C. Tunnard corrected my errors in regard to this occurrence, he thought it necessary to use a discourteous expression. I am glad, however, to find that my "many mis-statements" resolve themselves into two, one of which has no bearing on natural history.

By a strange slip of the pen, I wrote the falcon was set up by Mr. Hope, when it was stuffed by his almost next door neighbour, Mr. Small. The other error is material, and I am glad to be corrected regarding it. When Mr. Small gave me an account of the bird, and stated that Col. Drummond Hay, as well as the ornithologists who have seen it here, believed it was a Greenland Falcon - I unfortunately misheard a word he said, I mistook Rannoch for Ross-shire. After this Mr. Tunnard falls into error himself. He says (and apparently believes) the bird "may very probably turn out to be an Iceland Falcon".

To confirm or refute the universal opinion here as to its species, the bird was sent to a naturalist, whose competence even Mr. Tunnard will scarcely deny, namely, Mr. John Hancock, of Newcastle, and it has been returned with what may be called a certificate to the effect that it is a Greenland Falcon.'

H. M. Drummond Hay of Seggieden, Perth (1888) in The Field of 7th July, Vol. LXXII. p. 6, says: 'A friend has drawn my attention to a letter in The Field, signed "Christopher C. Tunnard" (Roslin, N.B.), wherein my name is mentioned as having sent a falcon to Mr. Small, birdstuffer, of Edinburgh; and there seems to be some difference of opinion about it, I trust you will kindly allow me space to inform your readers of the particulars.

The bird was shot on May 7 last, in a young plantation near Runnock Lodge, Perthshire, where it had been seen for several days, by Mr. John Macdonald, gamekeeper to Sir Robert Menzies, who sent it to me, both for identification and to be placed in the Tay District collection in the Museum of the Perthshire Society of Natural Science at Perth. I at once pronounced it to be a young Falco candicans, believing it to be a female, which, on dissection, proved to be the case; and, to make doubly sure of my being right as to the species, I asked Mr. Harvie-Brown, who I believed was in possession of a series of skins, to compare the bird with his the first time he was in Edinburgh. In replying to my request, he coincided in my opinion; but in a subsequent letter he expressed a doubt, from the particular shade of the spots, whether it might not be a young F. islandicus, and, having the opportunity of a friend going on to Newcastle, Mr. Harvie-Brown sent the bird by him to Mr. John Hancock, perhaps the best authority we have on these birds. I still adhered, however, to its being a young female of the Greenland Falcon (candicans), which was confirmed by my receiving a letter from Mr. Hancock to that effect.'

H. M. Drummond Hay (1888-89) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. IX. p. 347, in Additions to the Report of the East of Scotland Union, under 'Greenland Gyr Falcon', says: 'A very fine female specimen was seen to haunt the vicinity of Rannoch Lodge, Perthshire, for several days in the spring of the present year, 1888, but, being found very destructive to the game, it was shot, on the 7th of May, by Mr. John Macdonald, keeper to Sir Robert Menzies, by whom it was presented to the Museum of the Perthshire Society of Natural Science at Perth where it has now been placed.'

Harvie-Brown (1906: 198) says: '...A very fine female of the second-year's plumage was shot on the 17th May 1888 by Mr. John Donald, gamekeeper to Sir Robert Menzies....'

Further, p. 199, he adds: 'I have been enabled to ascertain that a Rannoch specimen was sent to Mr. Small, of Edinburgh, for preservation, and it appears in his register as an "Iceland Falcon", under date of 11th May 1888 (Small's register, from 1866 to date).'

77). 1889 Outer Hebrides Aird, Benbecula, shot, September.

(D. Guthrie, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1903: 74; D. Guthrie, Scottish Naturalist 39: 148).

History Donald Guthrie (1903) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XII. p. 74, says: 'Greenland Falcon. One was shot at Aird, Benbecula, in September 1889, and brought to the Lodge here by one of the Nunton farm servants, but it had been kept too long, as it was a mass of maggots. A splendid bird it was, the only one I have seen.'

Donald Guthrie, Lighthouse keeper (1919) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIX. p. 147, who was resident for 22 years on South Uist, says: 'The only Iceland Falcon I have seen in the Outer Hebrides was sent to me by a man from Benbecula, but was too far gone to be preserved.'

78). 1889 Highland Skelbo Castle, Sutherland, white-morph, shot, November.

(Rod & Gun 28th Nov., 1889; T. E. Buckley, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1892: 162; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1896).

History T. E. Buckley (1892) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. I. p. 162, says: 'Greenland Falcon. In Rod & Gun of 28th November 1889, it is mentioned that Mr. Ireland, head keeper of Skibo [sic] Castle, recently shot a falcon, which, with the exception of a few feathers was pure white.'

Accepted under 'Greenland Falcon' quoting the above (Harvie-Brown & Buckley 1896 (2): 67).

79). c. 1889 Outer Hebrides Barra, white-morph, shot, undated.

(J. MacRury, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1894: 203; J. A. Harvie-Brown, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1902: 202).

History J. MacRury (1894) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIV. p. 203, says: '...Another specimen was got in a rabbit-trap on the farm about five years ago.'

J. A. Harvie-Brown (1902) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XI. p. 202, says: 'The one mentioned by Dr. McRury (Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist., 1894, p. 203) is in the possession of Harvie-Brown at Dunipace, and was given to him by Mrs. MacGillivray.'

J. A. Harvie-Brown (1905) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIV. p. 245, says: 'I possess two magnificent specimens of the Greenland Falcon - one presented to me years ago by Mrs. MacGillivray of Barra (Outer Hebrides), and one of a later date presented to me in the flesh by Mr. Finlayson, obtained in Mingulay (Outer Hebrides). These have been beautifully cased by Mr. Kirke, our talented taxidermist, of Glasgow.'

80). 1891 Highland Ardnamurchan, Lochaber, seen, September; presumed same, Loch Suinart, seen, January 1892.

(Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1892).

History Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1892: 110) under 'Iceland Falcon', say: 'There seems scarcely any doubt that a large, nearly white, Arctic Falcon visited Ardnamurchan in September 1891, and it appears to have frequented the western third of Ardnamurchan for some weeks. Mr. Burn-Murdoch first told us of himself and gamekeeper having watched it carefully through a powerful glass. Since he first told us of it Mr. Burn-Murdoch has heard from the keeper that the Faskadale shepherd - about six miles from Grigadale, at which latter place the Falcon was observed first - reports that in the end of September he had seen a white falcon which he had never seen before or since. "So far", writes Mr. Burn-Murdoch, "so far as they could fix the date, it must have been about the day we saw the bird at Grigadale".

Mr. Burn-Murdoch adds: "I feel glad of the corroboration - slight as it is - to show that Mackenzie and I were not dreaming". Later on Mr. Gordon of Drimnin - on the south side of Loch Suinart and opposite Ardnamurchan - told Mr. Burn-Murdoch that his shepherd saw a white "hawk" (falcon) about the first week in January.'

81). 1892 Yorkshire Moors area, female, white-morph, caught, autumn.

(Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History Nelson (1907 (1): 354) says: 'The fourth, and latest [white-phase], occurrence was on the moors of North Yorkshire, in the autumn of 1892, when a fine example was captured, and came into the possession of the late Mr. Foulds of Bradford; afterwards being acquired by Mr. Joseph Morley of Scarborough, to whom I am indebted for the opportunity of examining the specimen.'

82). 1893 Breconshire Buckland, near Talybont-on-Usk, adult female, white-morph, trapped, winter.

(A. Crawshay, Field 23rd Mar., 1895: 399; "E.D.R." Field 30th Mar., 1895: 437; A. Crawshay, Field 6th Apr., 1895: 468; Phillips, 1899; Massey, 1976; Peers & Shrubb, 1990).

History Alfred Crawshay of Bwlch (1895) in The Field of 23rd Mar., Vol. LXXXV. p. 399, says: 'A beautiful specimen of the Jer Falcon was caught in a trap at Buckland, near here, last January, and has been preserved for my collection.'

[We learn from another correspondent, Mr. E. C. Phillips, of Brecon, who has seen the bird, that in his opinion it is an adult female Greenland Falcon. It was in good plumage, and had no jesses, or any traces of them, on the legs when killed, but, to all appearances, was a wild bird. - Ed.]

"E.D.R." (1895) in The Field of 30th Mar., Vol. LXXXV. p. 437, says: 'Will your correspondent, Mr. Alfred Crawshay, very kindly send some particulars of the capture of the Jer Falcon, pronounced - no doubt correctly - by Mr. Phillips to be an adult female Greenlander? What sort of trap was used, and how baited? Had the falcon been observed in the neighbourhood, and was the trap set for her on a "kill" from which she had been driven?'

A. Crawshay (1895) in The Field of 6th Apr., Vol. LXXXV. p. 468, says: 'In reply to "E.D.R." in your last issue, the Jer Falcon referred to was caught in a pole trap. The keeper thinks he saw it a day or two before about half a mile from where it was caught. Cording, of Cardiff, who stuffed it, said it was an adult female bird.'

Phillips (1899: 13) says: 'A beautiful specimen of this lovely Falcon was trapped at Buckland, by Mr. Gwynne Holford's keeper, Smith, in the winter of 1893. It was in perfect plumage, and was given away by him to a publican at Brecon, as a "light Buzzard". He sent it to the late Mr. Cording, of Cardiff, who carefully mounted it, and it was then secured by Mr. A. Crawshay for his collection.'

Massey (1976: 28) says: 'One was trapped in the winter of 1893 at Buckland, near Talybont-on-Usk. It resembled the Greenland race F. r. candicans.'

83). 1893-99 Breconshire Near Brecon, white-morph, shot, undated.

(Phillips, 1899; Massey, 1976; Peers & Shrubb, 1990).

History Phillips (1899: 13) says: 'Another was afterwards killed in the neighbourhood of Brecon, and is at present preserved in the town. Whether they were a pair or not I am unable to say.'

Massey (1976: 28) says: 'A Greenland Falcon F. r. candicans was shot between the years 1893 and 1899 near Brecon (per E. C. Phillips).'

Comment The other one referred to was obtained in 1893.

84). 1895 Isles of Scilly Daymark, St Martin's, adult male, grey-morph, shot, 15th January, photo, three or four also present, now at Isles of Scilly Museum.

(J. H. Jenkinson, Field 26th Jan., 1895: 92; "J.E.S.O." Field 9th Feb., 1895: 159; D'Urban & Mathew, 1895; Clark, 1906; J. Clark & F. R. Rodd, Zoologist 1906: 300; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 320; Penhallurick, 1978; Flood, Hudson & Thomas, 2007: plate 39).

History J. H. Jenkinson from Tresco Abbey (1895) in The Field of 26th Jan., Vol. LXXXV. p. 92, says: 'The occurrence of the Iceland Falcon (F. islandicus) in the south of the British Isles is sufficiently rare to make it worth recording that an adult bird of this species was shot here on Jan. 15.'

J. Clark (1906 (1): 388) in the Victoria County History of Cornwall, says: 'Iceland Falcon - represented by a single adult male, shot at St. Martin's, Scilly, by Dorrien Smith, 15th January, 1895.'

"J.E.S.O." (1895) in The Field of 9th Feb., Vol. LXXXV. p. 159, says: 'In your issue of Saturday, the 26th ult., you announced the capture of a specimen of the Iceland Falcon at Scilly. I may mention that Mr. J. H. Old secured an Iceland Falcon at St. Merryn, Cornwall, about ten years ago. I believe it to has been suggested as a probability that these Iceland Falcons are imported birds that have escaped from their owners, which, if this be so, would detract somewhat from the interest attaching to their capture in England. Is there any such evidence in this latest case?'

[It has come to our knowledge that about two years ago two English falconers imported five Iceland Falcons; two died, and the remaining three were turned out to fly "at hack". Then another died, and only two remained - one a falcon, the other a tiercel.

The falcon, a fairly good-tempered bird as Jerfalcons go, took the hood well, was flown and lost in the North of England; and, though constantly heard of for a whole year, was never recovered. The tiercel was flown, and stooped well to the lure; but a sullen, obstinate temper rendered all training in vain. On one unlucky day this bird was likewise lost in the West of England, and was never retaken. The loss was notified in The Field in December, 1893, and though well sought for, was never recovered, nor its ultimate fate ascertained. The sex of the Iceland Falcon, reported by Mr. Jenkinson to have been recently taken at Scilly, has not been made known, but it is just possible that it may prove to be one of the lost birds

On the other hand, several cases have been recorded in which undoubtedly wild Jerfalcons have been shot or captured in the British Islands; and the way in which they may sometimes reach this country by aid of homeward bound vessels is well illustrated by the account given in the Field of Jan. 5, p. 28. - Ed.]

D'Urban & Mathew (1895: 16, 2nd ed. supp.) under 'Iceland Falcon', say: 'We are informed by Messrs. Pratt, the bird-stuffers at Brighton, that they received a fine example of the Iceland Falcon which had been shot on the Scilly Islands at the beginning of the present year (1895).'

J. Clark & F. R. Rodd (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 300, under 'The Birds of Scilly', say: '...shot...and an adult male of the Iceland Falcon near St. Martin's Daymark on Jan. 15th, 1895, when three or four others were seen at the same time.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 320, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

Comment The sight records are dismissed as the details of who saw them is lacking.

85). 1895 Shetland Unst, immature male, shot, 8th October.

(T. E. Buckley, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1896: 122).

History T. E. Buckley of Inverness (1896) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. V. p. 122, says: 'On 8th October 1895, a Greenland Falcon (Falco candicans) was shot at Peatsetter, Unst. It was brought alive to Mr. C. Arthur, Baltasound, who tried to keep it alive, as it appeared to be only slightly wounded. However, it died the next night, and the bird was sent to me, and proved to be a male in immature plumage.'

86). 1896 Highland Waternish, Skye, Skye & Lochalsh, obtained, c. 25th May.

(T. E. Buckley, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1896: 253; Harvie-Brown & Macpherson, 1904).

History T. E. Buckley of Inverness (1896) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. V. p. 253, says: 'Mr. Mackay received a specimen of the Greenland Falcon (Falco candicans), apparently a male, from Captain Macdonald of Waternish, on 26th May 1896.' Accepted locally (Harvie-Brown & Macpherson 1904: 166).

87). 1896 Highland Raasay, Skye & Lochalsh, seen, 6th October; presumed same, Portree, Skye, Skye & Lochalsh, shot, 28th November.

(E. Willoughby, Field 5th Dec., 1896: 906; T. E. Buckley, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1897: 43; C. Collier, Ibis 1904: 501; Harvie-Brown & Macpherson, 1904).

History E. Willoughby from Portree, Skye (1896) in The Field of 5th Dec., Vol. LXXXVIII. p. 906, says: 'It might interest some of your readers to know that I shot a fine specimen of the Jerfalcon here on Nov. 28, in the act of eating a grouse it had just killed, one of four that got up out of shot of me.'

[It is much to be regretted that the bird was shot. We should like to think that Skye is one of the few places in the British Islands where the Jerfalcon might be allowed to live in peace, and send forth its descendants to visit other parts of the kingdom. The sight of a Jerfalcon on the wing would at once appeal to a naturalist, and one would suppose that even a sportsman who is not a naturalist would so admire the skill with which a falcon can kill a grouse when "out of shot" that he would generously spare its life for the pleasure of seeing it again another day. We have yet to learn to what particular species of Jerfalcon did the unfortunate bird belong. - Ed.]

T. E. Buckley (1897) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. VI. p. 43, says: 'A Greenland Falcon (Falco candicans) was sent in to Inverness for preservation, which was shot near Portree, Skye, in December, 1896. It was eating a Grouse whose head had been knocked off, probably by the Falcon.'

Charles Collier (1904) in The Ibis, Vol. XLVI. p. 501, under 'The Birds of Raasay', says: 'On October 6th, 1896, a Greenland Falcon was crossing the moor. I hear that a short time afterwards a specimen was shot in the Isle of Skye - possibly the same individual. The bird which I saw was very tame, and passed within forty yards of me.'

88). 1898 Outer Hebrides Barra, white-morph, seen, 8th March.

(T. G. Laidlaw, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1899: 153).

History T. G. Laidlaw (1899) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. VIII. p. 153, says: 'Outer Hebrides. - Barra, Greenland Falcon, March 8, single bird seen.'

89). 1898 Shetland Ollaberry, Mainland, immature male, grey-morph, shot, 6th April.

(Eds., Annals of Scottish Natural History 1898: 182; Evans & Buckley, 1899; Venables & Venables, 1955).

History In an Editorial (1898) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. VII. p. 182, they say: 'An immature male Iceland Falcon (Falco islandus) was obtained at Ollaberry, near Lerwick, on the 6th of April last, and was sent to Mr. Robert Small, Edinburgh, for preservation.'

Evans & Buckley (1899: 119) say: 'Iceland Falcon. Mr. Godfrey wrote to Buckley, on April 24th, 1898, that he had that day examined a male falcon in dark plumage in Mr. Small's shop, Edinburgh, obtained at Ollaberry on or about April 4th of that year, which he referred to the Icelandic form, and this opinion was confirmed by Mr. Eagle Clarke, who identified it subsequently: it was in immature plumage.'

90). 1898 Shetland No locality, grey-morph, shot, late September.

("Thule" Field 15th Oct., 1898: 648; Evans & Buckley, 1899; Venables & Venables, 1955).

History "Thule" (1898) in The Field of 15th Oct., Vol. XCII. p. 648, says: 'During the last week of September I shot what I took to be a Peregrine Falcon, but have since discovered that it is an Iceland Jerfalcon. It seems to be a young bird, but fully grown, measuring almost 2 ft. from head to end of tail, and being light brown in colour, with white markings. I should feel very much obliged if you or any of your numerous readers can give me any information about the bird, as to its rarity and where it breeds. I never heard or saw one hereabouts before.'

[A full account of the Iceland Falcon will be found in the first volume of Yarrell's British Birds, 4th edition, and a condensed account in Saunders's Manual of British Birds. See also the chapter on this species in Saxby's Birds of Shetland, published in 1874 by Maclachlan and Stewart, Edinburgh. - Ed.]

Accepted locally (Evans & Buckley 1899: 119-120; Venables & Venables 1955: 193).

91). 1900 Highland Near Carbost, Skye, Skye & Lochalsh, immature, obtained, late January/early February.

(T. E. Buckley, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1900: 184; Harvie-Brown & Macpherson, 1904; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 321).

History T. E. Buckley of Inverness (1900) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. IX. p. 184, says: 'A young Iceland Falcon (Falco islandus) was sent for preservation to Messrs. Macleay of Inverness on the 15th of February, which had been obtained near Carbost, Skye. It was apparently a bird of last year.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 321, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

92). 1900 Outer Hebrides Barra, seen, early October.

(T. G. Laidlaw, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1901: 136).

History T. G. Laidlaw (1901) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. X. p. 136, in the annual report, says: 'Greenland Falcon. Outer Hebrides. Barra, Oct., first week, either the above or Iceland Falcon seen.'

Comment Rather vague.

93). 1900 Highland Glen Drynoch, Skye, Skye & Lochalsh, white-morph, obtained, about 23rd October.

(T. E. Buckley, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1901: 116; Harvie-Brown & Macpherson, 1904).

History T. E. Buckley of Inverness (1901) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. X. p. 116, says: 'Skye has produced another Greenland Falcon (Falco candicans) which was obtained by Mr. A. Macaskill, gamekeeper at Glen Dynoch, about 23rd October 1900.' Accepted locally (Harvie-Brown & Macpherson 1904: 166).

94). 1900 Lincolnshire Saxilby, near Lincoln, immature female, grey-morph, shot, December, now at Lincoln Museum.

(J. C. Walter, Naturalist 27: 42; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 321; F. L. Blathwayt, Zoologist 1912: 62; F. L. Blathwayt, Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Transactions 2: 316; Smith & Cornwallis, 1955; Lorand & Atkin, 1989).

History J. Conway Walter of Langton Rectory (1901) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XXVII. p. 42, dated 22nd December, 1900, says: 'In December, early in the month, there was shot at Saxilby, a young female specimen of the Iceland Falcon (Falco islandus), which is being stuffed by Mr. Nash, of Lincoln. This is an unusual occurrence. It was probably brought south by some of the strong gales which we have experienced as a variation to this hitherto abnormally mild season.'

H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 321, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', say: 'A young female, said to be of this species was shot in December, 1900, near Lincoln (J. C. Walker, Nat., 1901, p. 42).'

F. L. Blathwayt (1912) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XVI. p. 62, under 'Additions to the Birds of Lincs.', says: 'Iceland Falcon. A young female said to be of this species was shot near Lincoln, December, 1900; see Naturalist, 1901, p. 42. The writer has seen this specimen, and it appears to have been correctly identified. It will shortly be in the Lincoln Museum.'

F. L. Blathwayt (1912) in the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Transactions, Vol. II. p. 316, says: 'An immature example of the Iceland Falcon, F. islandus, shot at Saxilby in December, 1900, has just been presented to the Lincoln Museum.'

95). 1901 Argyll Tiree, adult, white-morph, seen, 6th February.

(H. W. Robinson, Scottish Naturalist 34: 43; J. Morton Boyd, British Birds 51: 51; Stroud, 1989; ap Rheinallt et al., 2007).

History H. W. Robinson of Lancaster (1914) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIV. p. 43, says 'As I only spent the first two months of three consecutive winters on the Island of Tiree, I hope Mr. Peter Anderson will not think it presumptuous of me if I make some additions to his list recently published...Greenland Falcon: On 6th February 1901, whilst driving with the minister, we saw a fine adult Greenland Falcon in chase of a Green Plover, which saved its life by falling headlong into a ditch full of water.'

J. Morton Boyd (1958) in British Birds, Vol. LI. p. 51, says 'Greenland Falcon (Falco r. candicans). - One seen 6th February 1901 (H. W. Robinson, 1914).'

96). 1901 Caithness Dunbeath, female, white-morph, shot, 6th February.

(Manson, 2004).

History Manson (2004) states that a female Greenland Falcon was killed while chasing a Blackcock on 6th February 1901 at Dunbeath.

97). 1901 Highland Kingussie area, Badenoch & Strathspey, immature, white-morph, killed, early April.

(H. A. Macpherson, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1901: 234).

History H. A. Macpherson (1901) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. X. p. 234, says: 'A fine immature specimen of Falco candicans was killed in the Kingussie district at the beginning of April, and sent in the flesh to Mr. Malloch of Perth.'

98). 1903 Argyll Tiree, seen, 15th February.

(T. G. Laidlaw, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1904: 211; ap Rheinallt et al., 2007).

History T. G. Laidlaw (1904) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIII. p. 211, in the annual report for 1903, says: 'Argyll and Isles - Tiree, Feb. 15, one, struck down Lapwing.'

99). 1903 Cornwall Mousehole, white-morph, killed, March.

(Penhallurick, 1978).

History Penhallurick (1978: 108-109) says: 'A. W. H. Harvey (1915) noted it in error as 1905. One was killed at Mousehole in March, 1903, after a tremendous storm. The man who shot it related how his son had called him to shoot "a big white owl" sitting on the cliff. The bird was only wounded by the shot and when the man endeavoured to pick it up the bird clung to his thigh with such effect that the marks of its talons were still visible two months later. The naturalist who mounted the specimen told Harvey that its stomach was completely empty.'

100). 1903 Devon Lundy, adult male, white-morph, seen, 13th March, shot, 21st March, now at Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter.

(Report & Transactions of the Devonshire Association 1903; J. Cummings, Zoologist 1905: 110; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 320; Loyd, 1925; Moore, 1969).

History J. Cummings (1905) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IX. p. 110, says: 'Greenland Gyr Falcon - On March 18th, 1903, an adult male was shot on Lundy Island by Mr. Penington. He then sold it to Mr. Hoyle, of Instow, who stuffed the bird. Nearly twelve months afterwards it was bought for £10 by the curator of the Exeter Museum, where it is at present.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 320, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

101). 1903 Orkney Hobbister, Orphir, Mainland, adult female, white-morph, trapped, 23rd March, photo.

(J. Grant, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1904: 185; T. G. Laidlaw, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1904: 211; H. W. Robinson, Scottish Naturalist 40: 182; Omond, 1925; Groundwater, 1974; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984).

History James Grant of Kirkwall, Mainland (1903) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XII. p.185, says: 'A fine Falcon was trapped by a shepherd on my property at Hobister [sic], in the parish of Orphit [sic], Mainland, Orkney, on the 23rd March, 1903. The bird was attracted to the shepherd's house by the domestic ducks, at one of which it swooped, killed, and commenced to feed. The shepherd, who had witnessed the incident, ran forward, when the Falcon flew off with its prey, which it dropped on reaching a considerable height. The shepherd, having secured his property, at once procured a trap, and proceeded to set it at the place where he had picked up the duck, using the latter as bait. The Falcon returned in a little time, hovered over the duck, screaming, then swooped down upon it, and was caught by the leg.'

[We have examined the bird - a fine adult female Greenland Falcon (Falco candicans). - Eds.]

T. G. Laidlaw (1904) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIII. p. 211, in the annual report for 1903, erroneously says: 'March 23, trapped, Hebrides (Annals, 1903, p. 185).'

H. W. Robinson of Lancaster (1920) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XL. p. 182, under 'Unrecorded Greenland and Iceland Falcons in Orkney', says: 'Apropos of Dr. W. E. Clarke's record of a Greenland Falcon (Falco candicans) in Orkney, it may be of interest to state that I have a very fine photo of an adult which was caught in a rabbit trap at the farm of Hobister [sic], Orphir, about 5 miles from Kirkwall, and was afterwards set up and is now at Highland Park, Kirkwall. The photo shows it alive in the trap: Mr. T. Kent of Kirkwall, who took the photograph, informs me that it was in the winter of 1902 or 1903. I am inclined to think that it was early in 1903.'

Omond (1925) says: 'On 10th April, 1903, I photographed one of these rare birds at Hobbister. This one had killed a fat duck and was carrying it away, when the shepherd saw it, and running towards it, the disturbed bird dropped his prey.

Suspecting that the Falcon would return, the shepherd set a rabbit trap below the dead duck, and shortly after captured the Falcon alive. It, however, did not live long in captivity. A few years later, I saw another one circling over Smoogroo Hill.'

Comment The Smoogroo Hill sighting is ignored for lack of a date.

102). 1903 Isles of Scilly Tresco, adult male, white-morph, shot, 27th March.

(J. Clark & F. R. Rodd, Zoologist 1906: 300; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 320; Penhallurick, 1978).

History J. Clark & F. R. Rodd (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 300, under 'The Birds of Scilly', say: 'A superb adult male of the Greenland Falcon was shot on March 27th, 1903, on Tresco.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 320, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

Penhallurick (1978: 108-109) adds: 'A. W. H. Harvey (1915) noted it in error as 1905. The naturalist who mounted the specimen told Harvey that its stomach was completely empty.'

103). 1903 Outer Hebrides Mingulay, white-morph, shot, 2nd April.

(J. A. Harvie-Brown, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1903: 186; T. G. Laidlaw, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1904: 211; J. A. Harvie-Brown, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1905: 245).

History J. A. Harvie-Brown (1903) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XII. p. 186, says: 'On 11th April 1903 I received in the flesh a very handsome Greenland Falcon (Falco candicans), which was shot on the island of Mingulay on 2nd April by one of the natives. It was forwarded to me by Mr. John Finlayson. Mr. Finlayson correctly identified the bird, although it is the first he had ever had in his hand.

He writes: "When caught, the shrill screams were a duplicate of the Peregrine". It may be interesting to add Mr. Finlayson's notes on the weather. He says: "Alarming storms of persistent fury raged here, with few intervals of peace, since the beginning of winter, the store of disturbance oscillating from south-east to a point near west. It is at this point that it reached something like a cyclone, and threatened to carry everything before it".'

Admitted by T. G. Laidlaw (1904) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIII. p. 211, in the annual report for 1903.

J. A. Harvie-Brown (1905) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIV. p. 245, says: 'I possess two magnificent specimens of the Greenland Falcon - one presented to me years ago by Mrs. MacGillivray of Barra (Outer Hebrides), and one of a later date presented to me in the flesh by Mr. Finlayson, obtained in Mingulay (Outer Hebrides).These have been beautifully cased by Mr. Kirke, our talented taxidermist, of Glasgow.'

104). 1903 Yorkshire Hurst, Swaledale, shot, late October.

(H. W. Robinson, Field 7th Nov., 1903: 803; Nelson, 1907).

History H. W. Robinson of Lancaster (1903) in The Field of 7th Nov., Vol. CII. p. 803, says: 'According to report, a Greenland Falcon (Falco candicans) was recently shot at Hurst, in Swaledale, and is said to have measured 22 in. and weighed 2½ lb. If this should meet the eye of anyone who may have seen this particular bird, may I ask them to examine the specimen again, as possibly it may be an Iceland Falcon (Falco islandus). The length - 22 in. - agrees with that of the Iceland Falcon, the Greenland Falcon measuring 23 in. in length. It is easy to distinguish between the two birds at all ages by the Greenland species having a yellow bill and no bars on the flanks, and the Iceland species a blue bill and barred flanks. These characteristics appear in the immature as well as the adult of both species.'

Nelson (1907 (1): 354-355) says: 'The other two occurred at the extreme head of Swaledale, near the Westmoreland boundary; the recorder did not see the birds himself, but they were reported as "large white Hawks, spotted with brown". It may be well to remark that, while mentioning these supposed occurrences, the evidence adduced in support of their authenticity is not by any means satisfactory.'

Comment One is acceptable.

105). 1904 Shetland Bressay, female, grey-morph, 12th March.

(Venables & Venables, 1955).

History Venables & Venables (1955) say: 'Information from the 'Notebooks' of Robert Russell of North Ness, Lerwick, concerning birds for mounting.'

106). 1905 Highland Near Spean Bridge, Inverness-shire, immature male, shot, March.

(C. H. Bisshopp, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1905: 183).

History Cecil H. Bisshopp of Oban (1905) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIV. p. 183, says: 'An immature male Greenland Falcon (Falco candicans) was shot on a farm near Spean Bridge in March last. It was killed while in the act of attacking some domestic fowls.'

107). 1906 Shetland West Sandwick, Yell, caught alive, early in the year.

(Pennington et al., 2004).

History Pennington et al. (2004) in their 'Historical review' of the species state that Venables & Venables listed a series of further records...but omitted or overlooked a report in the press of one caught alive at West Sandwick at the beginning of 1906.

108). 1906 Outer Hebrides Eye Peninsula, Lewis, grey-morph, obtained, 28th February.

(J. A. Harvie-Brown, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1906: 185; J. Paterson, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1907: 143; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 321).

History J. A. Harvie-Brown (1906) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XV. p. 185, says: 'An Iceland Falcon (Falco islandus) was obtained on Eye Peninsula, Lewis, a mile south of Tiumpan Head, on 28th February. It had been seen for some days prior to that date. It had been sent to Mr. MacLeay for preservation, and was seen there by Mr. Duncan Mackenzie.'

Admitted by John Paterson of Glasgow (1907) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVI. p. 143, in the annual report for 1906, and by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 321, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

109). 1906 North-east Scotland Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, female, white-morph, obtained, 3rd March.

(G. Sim, Transactions of the Aberdeen Working Men's Natural History Society 1: 231-232; Phillips, 1997).

History George Sim of Aberdeen (1901-06) in the Transactions of the Aberdeen Working Men's Natural History Society, Vol. I. pp. 231-232, says: 'A specimen of this species was obtained in Strathdon on March 3rd, 1906. Its stomach was filled with the flesh and feathers of a grouse. The bird was a female, in very light plumage, the feathers on the upper parts being each marked with a brown spot, the tail, and under-tail coverts pure white, lower parts white, with a few of the feathers on the sides having a thin streak of brown along the shafts; cere dull blue, beak faint blue, becoming darker at the tip; feet bluish white.

According to Yarrell (IV. edition), a bird with the above-mentioned colour and markings would be an immature one. With this opinion I cannot agree, because in all our rapacious birds the young are the most dark and deeply marked, both on body and tail, which markings they lose as they advance towards maturity.'

110). 1906 Orkney Near Harray, Mainland, female, dark-morph, obtained, 14th March.

(H. W. Robinson, Scottish Naturalist 40: 182; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History H. W. Robinson of Lancaster (1920) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XL. p. 182, under 'Unrecorded Greenland and Iceland Falcons in Orkney', says: 'A fine female Iceland Falcon (Falco islandus) I obtained alive from near Harray on 14th March 1906. It flew into a barn after a Lapwing and damaged itself against the wall, so much so that it died two days later. It is now, with the rest of my collection, loaned to the Kendal Museum.'

111). 1906 Outer Hebrides Barra, white-morph, shot, 26th March.

(W. L. MacGillivray, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1906: 237; J. Paterson, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1907: 143).

History W. L. MacGillivray of Eoligary, Barra (1906) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XV. p. 237, says: 'On the 26th of March 1906, my brother Mr. Murdo MacGillivray shot a fine specimen of the Greenland Falcon (Falco candicans) in Barra. This makes the fourth specimen of the species obtained in Barra during the last twenty years.'

Admitted by John Paterson of Glasgow (1907) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVI. p. 143, in the annual report for 1906, who erroneously states: '26th May'.

112). 1906 Wiltshire Near Downton, immature, white-morph, shot, April.

(Radnor, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 36: 487-488; G. B. Hony, British Birds 7: 283; Buxton, 1981; Palmer, 1991; Wiltshire Ornithological Society, 2007).

History Radnor (1910) in the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, Vol. XXXVI. pp. 487-488, says: 'Dr. Penrose has asked me to send particulars of a Greenland Falcon which was procured here in April, 1906. The bird was first seen in February as near as I can remember, and was generally found near some lynches on Newcourt Farm, half-way between Charlton and Downton. The lynches are enclosed for the purpose of preserving partridges, and the falcon lived chiefly upon partridges and pigeons. The bird is evidently a typical immature Greenland falcon.'

[Mr. Smith, in his Birds of Wiltshire, records a single instance of the occurrence of the Gyr Falcon (Falco gyrfalco) in Wiltshire, but now of the Greenland Falcon (F. candicans), which closely resembles it. - Ed.]

G. Bathurst Hony (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VII. p. 283, under 'Additional Species', says: 'Since the appearance of the Rev. A. C. Smith's Birds of Wiltshire in 1887 many new county records have naturally occurred. I now propose to give the more interesting of those I have collected, some of which have been published before, but many of which are now published for the first time. Perhaps the presentation of these in a collected form may cause other records to be brought to light. Smith records the occurrence of 235 species, but he was too wont - to use his own words - to "give the prisoner the benefit of the doubt"....Lord Radnor - at Dr. Penrose's request - recorded an immature example which was shot near Downton in April, 1906 (W.A.& N.H., XXXVI. p. 487).'

113). 1906 Caithness No locality, adult, grey-morph, obtained, spring.

(Manson, 2004).

History Manson (2004) states that an adult Iceland Falcon was obtained in the spring of 1906.

114). 1907 Outer Hebrides Scaliscro, Lewis, adult, white-morph, seen, 21st January.

("R." Field 23rd Feb., 1907: 307; J. Paterson, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1908: 198).

History "R." (1907) in The Field of 23rd Feb., Vol. CIX. p. 307, says: 'I saw a Greenland Falcon while out hind shooting at Scaliscro (The Lews) on Jan. 21. Having my glass with me, I was able to examine it, and could see that it was a fine adult bird.'

Admitted by John Paterson (1908) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVII. p. 198, in the annual 'Report on Scottish Ornithology', who says: 'One seen 21st January, Scaliscro (Lewis) (The Field, 23rd February 1907, p. 307).'

In an Editorial (1907) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVI. p. 123, they say: 'Greenland Falcon in Lewis, The Field, 23rd September, 190, p. 307. - Specimen seen at Scaliscro on 21st January.'

115). 1907 Outer Hebrides Eilean Mor, Flannan Isles, white-morph, shot, April.

(J. Paterson, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1908: 198; Clarke, 1912).

History Admitted by John Paterson (1908) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVII. p. 198, in the annual 'Report on Scottish Ornithology', who says: 'One shot at the Flannans early in April.'

Clarke (1912 (2): 265-266) under 'The Flannan Isles', says: 'The following migratory birds appeared at Eilean Mor during 1901-1911'. Further, pp. 276-277, Clarke adds: 'Greenland Falcon - April 1907, one shot and remains sent.'

116). 1908 Outer Hebrides Eilean Mor, Flannan Isles, adult male, white-morph, killed, 8th March, now at National Museums of Scotland.

(W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1908: 183; J. Paterson, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1909: 207; Clarke, 1912).

History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1908) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVII. p. 183, says: 'On the 8th of March a Greenland Falcon visited Eilean Mor, and raided the Guillemots until it was shot. The bird, a fine adult, is now in the collection of British animals in the Royal Scottish Museum.'

Clarke (1912 (2): 265-266) under 'The Flannan Isles', says: 'The following migratory birds appeared at Eilean Mor during 1901-1911'. Further, pp. 276-277, Clarke adds: 'Greenland Falcon - An adult male appeared at Eilean Mor on 8th March 1908, and raided the Guillemots.'

117). 1908 Outer Hebrides Eilean Mor, Flannan Isles, white-morph, seen, 18th April.

(Clarke, 1912).

History Clarke (1912 (2): 265-266) under 'The Flannan Isles', says: 'The following migratory birds appeared at Eilean Mor during 1901-1911'. Further, pp. 276-277, Clarke adds: 'Greenland Falcon -18th April 1908, one.'

118). 1908 Outer Hebrides Eilean Mor, Flannan Isles, female, grey-morph, shot, about 10th December.

(F. Smalley, British Birds 2: 310-311; Clarke, 1912).

History Fred Smalley (1909) in British Birds, Vol. II. pp. 310-311, says: 'A female (? adult) Iceland Falcon (Falco islandicus) was received by me in the flesh on December 19th, 1908. It was killed some ten days earlier on or near Callanish Light, Flannan Isles, by Stornoway, Lewis, N.B.'

Clarke (1912 (2): 265-266) under 'The Flannan Isles', says: 'The following migratory birds appeared at Eilean Mor during 1901-1911'. Further, pp. 276-277, Clarke adds: 'Iceland Falcon - A female was shot about 10th December 1908, and sent in the flesh to Mr. Fred Smalley of Channon Hall, Silverdale.'

119). Pre 1909 Denbighshire Voelas Hall Estate, Pentrefoelas, white-phase, trapped, undated.

(Eds., British Birds 2: 413; Forrest, 1919).

History In an Editorial (1909) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 413, they say: 'Mr. A. Heneage Cox writes that there is a specimen at Voelas Hall, Denbighshire, which was trapped by the keeper there. This is the second record for North Wales (H. E. Forrest, in litt.).'

Forrest (1919) says: 'Obtained twice on Denbighshire moors. Mr. A. Heneage Cocks informs me that there is preserved at Voelas Hall, Denbighshire, a Greenland Falcon trapped on the estate by the keeper.'

120). 1909 Outer Hebrides Butt of Lewis, Lewis, seen, March.

(R. Clyne, Scottish Naturalist 35: 35).

History Robert Clyne (1915) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXV, p. 35, under 'Notes on Birds observed at the Butt of Lewis', says: 'Greenland Falcon. Birds of this species were seen passing in 1909 and 1910, in March and December.'

121). 1909 Outer Hebrides Eilean Mor, Flannan Isles, white-morph, seen, 1st December.

(J. A. Harvie-Brown & W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 119; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 136; Eds., British Birds 4: 290).

History J. A. Harvie-Brown & W. E. Clarke (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. pp. 118-119, say: 'During the past winter we have had quite a visitation of Greenland Falcons, Falco candicans....two were seen at the Flannan Islands, one in December, and the second on 25th January.'

E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. p. 136, say: 'There are several records of Greenland Falcons (Falco candicans) in 1909; on the 1st, 2nd, and 14th December they visited the Flannans.'

In an Editorial (1911) in British Birds, Vol. IV. p. 290, they say: 'Single birds at the Flannans on December 1st, 2nd, and 14th, previously recorded as one only (cf. supra, p. 31).'

122). 1909 Outer Hebrides Flannan Islands, grey-morph, seen, 1st December.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 136).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. p. 136, under the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology, 1909', say: 'An Iceland Falcon (Falco islandus) was seen at the Flannans on 1st December.'

123). 1909 Outer Hebrides Eilean Mor, Flannan Isles, white-morph, seen, 2nd December.

(J. A. Harvie-Brown & W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 119; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 136; Eds., British Birds 4: 290; Clarke, 1912; Scottish Naturalist 35: 35).

History J. A. Harvie-Brown & W. E. Clarke (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. pp. 118-119, say: 'During the past winter we have had quite a visitation of Greenland Falcons, Falco candicans....two were seen at the Flannan Islands, one in December, and the second on 25th January.'

E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. p. 136, say: 'There are several records of Greenland Falcons (Falco candicans) in 1909; on the 1st, 2nd, and 14th December they visited the Flannans.'

In an Editorial (1911) in British Birds, Vol. IV. p. 290, they say: 'Single birds at the Flannans on December 1st, 2nd, and 14th, previously recorded as one only (cf. supra, p. 31).'

Clarke (1912 (2): 265-266) under 'The Flannan Isles', says: 'The following migratory birds appeared at Eilean Mor during 1901-1911'. Further, pp. 276-277, Clarke adds: 'Greenland Falcon - 2nd December 1909, one.'

124). 1909 Outer Hebrides Butt of Lewis, Lewis, white-morph, 4th December.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 136).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. p. 136, under the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology, 1909', say: 'A Greenland Falcon is reported from the Butt of Lewis on 4th December.'

125). 1909 Outer Hebrides Eilean Mor, Flannan Isles, white-morph, seen, 14th December.

(Eds., British Birds 4: 290; Clarke, 1912).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX, p. 136, say: 'There are several records of Greenland Falcons (Falco candicans) in 1909; on the 1st, 2nd, and 14th December they visited the Flannans.'

In an Editorial (1911) in British Birds, Vol. IV. p. 290, they say: 'Single birds at the Flannans on December 1st, 2nd, and 14th, previously recorded as one only (cf. supra, p. 31).'

Clarke (1912 (2): 265-266) under 'The Flannan Isles', says: 'The following migratory birds appeared at Eilean Mor during 1901-1911'. Further, pp. 276-277, Clarke adds: 'Greenland Falcon - another on the 14th December 1909.'

126). 1909 Outer Hebrides Barra, white-morph, shot, 15th December.

(J. A. Harvie-Brown & W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 119; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 136; Scottish Naturalist 35: 35).

History J. A. Harvie-Brown & W. E. Clarke (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. pp. 118-119, say: 'During the past winter we have had quite a visitation of Greenland Falcons, Falco candicans....The first Scottish visitor was shot at Barra on 15th December.'

Admitted by E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. p. 136, under the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology, 1909'.

127). 1909 Outer Hebrides Barra, white-morph, seen, 25th December.

(J. A. Harvie-Brown & W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 119; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 136; Scottish Naturalist 35: 35).

History J. A. Harvie-Brown & W. E. Clarke (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. pp. 118-119, say: 'During the past winter we have had quite a visitation of Greenland Falcons, Falco candicans....The first Scottish visitor was shot at Barra on 15th December, and another was seen on Christmas Day.'

Admitted by E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. p. 136, under the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology, 1909'.

128). 1909 Highland Near Inverbroom, Ross & Cromarty, white-morph, seen, 28th December.

(J. A. Harvie-Brown & W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 119; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 136).

History J. A. Harvie-Brown & W. E. Clarke (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. pp. 118-119, say: 'During the past winter we have had quite a visitation of Greenland Falcons, Falco candicans....another was observed near Inverbroom, West Ross-shire, late in December.'

Admitted by E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. p. 136, under the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology, 1909', who add: 'a bird undoubtedly of this species was seen at Inverbroom (West Ross) on the 28th.'

129). 1910 Outer Hebrides South Uist, white-morph, seen, January.

(J. A. Harvie-Brown & W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 119; Annals of Scottish Natural History 1911: 140).

History J. A. Harvie-Brown & W. E. Clarke (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. pp. 118-119, say: 'During the past winter we have had quite a visitation of Greenland Falcons, Falco candicans....and lastly one was seen in South Uist during most of January.'

Admitted by L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1911) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XX. p. 140, under the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1910'.

130). 1910 Perth & Kinross Schiehallion Mountain, Perthshire, white-morph, shot, January.

(J. A. Harvie-Brown & W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1911: 118-119; L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1911: 140).

History J. A. Harvie-Brown & W. E. Clarke (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. pp. 118-119, say: 'During the past winter we have had quite a visitation of Greenland Falcons, Falco candicans....another is said to have been shot on Schiehallion, "early in the year".'

Admitted by L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1911) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XX. p. 140, under the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1910'.

131). 1910 Perth & Kinross Near Pitlochry, Perthshire, adult female, white-morph, seen, 4th January.

(J. A. Harvie-Brown & W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1911: 119; L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1911: 140).

History J. A. Harvie-Brown & W. E. Clarke (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. pp. 118-119, say: 'During the past winter we have had quite a visitation of Greenland Falcons, Falco candicans....an adult female was shot near Pitlochry on 4th January.'

Admitted by L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1911) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XX. p. 140, under the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1910'.

132). 1910 Perth & Kinross Near Blairgowrie, Perthshire, adult male, white-morph, shot, 23rd January.

(J. A. Harvie-Brown & W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 119; L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1911: 140).

History J. A. Harvie-Brown & W. E. Clarke (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. pp. 118-119, say: 'During the past winter we have had quite a visitation of Greenland Falcons, Falco candicans....an adult male was shot near Blairgowrie on 23rd January.'

Admitted by L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1911) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XX. p. 140, under the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1910'.

133). 1910 Outer Hebrides Eilean Mor, Flannan Isles, white-morph, seen, 25th January.

(J. A. Harvie-Brown & W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 119; Clarke, 1912).

History J. A. Harvie-Brown & W. E. Clarke (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. pp. 118-119, say: 'During the past winter we have had quite a visitation of Greenland Falcons, Falco candicans....two were seen at the Flannan Islands, one in December, and the second on 25th January.'

Admitted by L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1911) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XX. p. 140, under the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1910'.

Clarke (1912 (2): 265-266) under 'The Flannan Isles', says: 'The following migratory birds appeared at Eilean Mor during 1901-1911'. Further, pp. 276-277, Clarke adds: 'Greenland Falcon - one on 17th March 1910.'

134). 1910 Highland Rogart, Sutherland, male, white-morph, shot, 8th March.

(A. C. Jackson, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 246; L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1911: 140; Eds., British Birds 4: 222; Angus, 1983; Vittery, 1997).

History Annie C. Jackson of Swordale (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. p. 246, says: 'A fine male Greenland Falcon (Falco candicans) was shot at Rogart, Sutherlandshire, on 8th March 1910....It was sent to Mr. Inglis, Dingwall, for preservation, and to him I am indebted for these particulars and for a sight of it.'

In an Editorial (1910) in British Birds, Vol. IV. p. 222, they say: 'A male Falco candicans was shot at Rogart, Sutherlandshire, on March 8th, 1910 (Annie C. Jackson, Ann. S.N.H., 1910, p. 246).'

Admitted by L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1911) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XX. p. 140, under the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1910'.

135). 1910 Highland Ardross Moors, Ross & Cromarty, immature female, white-morph, caught, 9th March.

(A. C. Jackson, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 246; Eds., British Birds 4: 222; L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1911: 140; Angus, 1983; Vittery, 1997).

History Annie C. Jackson of Swordale (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. p. 246, says: '...A young female of the same species [Greenland Falcon] was caught in a trap on the Ardross Moors, Ross-shire, on 9th March. It was sent to Mr. Inglis, Dingwall, for preservation, and to him I am indebted for these particulars and for a sight of it.'

In an Editorial (1910) in British Birds, Vol. IV. p. 222, they say: '...a young female was caught on the Ardross Moors, Ross-shire, on March 9th, 1910 (Annie C. Jackson, Ann. S.N.H., 1910, p. 246).'

Admitted by L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1911) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XX. p. 140 under the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1910'.

136). 1910 Outer Hebrides Eilean Mor, Flannan Isles, white-morph, seen, 17th March.

(L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1911: 140; Eds., British Birds 5: 202; Clarke, 1912).

History Admitted by L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1911) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XX. p. 140, under the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1910', who say: '...Finally one was seen on the Flannans on 17th March.'

In an Editorial (1911) in British Birds, Vol. V. p. 202, they say: 'One Flannans (O. Hebrides) March 17th (p. 140).'

Clarke (1912 (2): 265-266) under 'The Flannan Isles', says: 'The following migratory birds appeared at Eilean Mor during 1901-1911'. Further, pp. 276-277, Clarke adds: 'Greenland Falcon - one on 17th March 1910.'

137). 1910 Outer Hebrides St Kilda, white-morph, seen, early spring.

(Clarke, 1912; Harris & Murray, 1989).

History Clarke (1912 (2): 221) under 'The Birds of St Kilda', says: 'Greenland Falcon - Finlay McQueen informed me that in the early spring of 1910 he surprised, by coming upon it suddenly, a Falcon much larger than a Peregrine, and of a pure white colour with dark markings. There can be no doubt that the bird seen was a Greenland Falcon - a species which was unusually numerous in various parts of Scotland in the early months of the year named.'

138). 1910 Outer Hebrides Butt of Lewis, Lewis, white-morph, seen, December.

(R. Clyne, Scottish Naturalist 35: 35).

History Robert Clyne (1915) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXV. p. 35, under 'Notes on Birds observed at the Butt of Lewis', says: 'Greenland Falcon. Birds of this species were seen passing in 1909 and 1910, in March and December.'

139). 1910 Argyll The Laggan, immature female, grey-morph, shot, winter.

(D. MacIntyre, Field 9th Dec., 1922: 839; Gibson & McWilliam, 1959; ap Rheinallt et al., 2007).

History Dugald MacIntyre (1922) in The Field of 9th Dec., Vol. CXL. p. 839, says: 'Some years ago I had an exceptional opportunity of watching an Iceland Ger Falcon which frequented a warren on the western sea coast of Argyll, and seemed to live principally on sea-gulls.

Larger than a Peregrine Falcon, more loosely built, and coloured like a Curlew, it was evidently a young bird. It was not nearly so wary as the native Peregrine, and, when pluming or eating a gull, allowed one to approach it sometimes almost within shot. It seemed to have little difficulty in procuring food. Once it appeared above a flock of Common and Black-headed Gulls which were following the plough. The gulls left for the sea in a body, and the falcon, stooping in a leisurely fashion, missed its stroke through the gulls side evasion. Eventually it caught its quarry by one wing, then, letting it go, caught it again by the body at the next stoop. It then alighted with its prey, in the field quite close to the ploughman, who was watching the chase with interest. It allowed me to get fairly close to it so that I could identify the species with certainty, then lifted and carried its prey right away out of sight....One day I heard screaming high in the air and saw the Gyr attack a Herring Gull, in a series of stoops driving it to the ground. The gull, although somewhat the worse for its rough treatment, still kept its head up, attempting retaliation. The falcon stooped time after time at it on the ground from alternate sides until its resistance weakened, when it quickly seized and killed it.

During the hawk's sojourn on the warren the place resembled a gull cemetery, plucked and half-eaten carcases of the Black-headed species, with an occasional Herring Gull, or Lesser Black-backed. This falcon was finally shot by a keeper while it was chasing a covey of Partridges.'

ap Rheinallt et al. (2007: 151) say: 'A grey morph immature female shot in the winter of 1910 on The Laggan and preserved by Rowland Ward, of London (Field 140 (1922): 839).'

140). 1912 Outer Hebrides Barra, adult male, white-morph, obtained, 2nd April, now at National Museums of Scotland.

(W. L. MacGillivray, Scottish Naturalist 1912: 164; Eds., British Birds 6: 101; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 32: 179).

History Wm. L. MacGillivray of Eoligary, Barra (1912) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXII. p. 164, says: 'On the 2nd of April 1912, an adult male specimen of the Greenland Falcon (Falco candicans) was obtained at Barra, and has been presented to the fine collection of Scotch birds in the Royal Scottish Museum.'

In an Editorial (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 101, they say: 'An adult male Falco r. candicans was taken on April 2nd, 1912, at Barra (W. L. MacGillivray, Scot. Nat., 1912, p. 164).'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1913) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXII. p. 179, on the unexpected occurrences for 1912, says: 'Greenland Falcon. Adult male captured, Barra (Outer Hebrides), April 2nd.'

141). 1913 Carmarthenshire Trelech, shot, 5th February, now at National Museum of Wales, Cardiff (Z.1914.049.001).

(T. W. Proger & D. R. Paterson, Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society 1913: 91; Ingram & Salmon, 1954).

History T. W. Proger & D. R. Paterson (1913) in the Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Vol. XLVI. p. 91, say: 'It will be remembered that, some two or three years ago, a pair of these beautiful falcons were taken when roosting at night on board one of Mr. Neale's steam trawlers, when fishing off the west coast of Ireland. One of these birds died in captivity, but the other regained its freedom. The specimen we now record was captured by a farmer, Mr. Wm. Walters, of Trelech, Carmarthenshire, on February 5th, 1913, whilst in the act of killing one of his fowls.'

142). 1913 Outer Hebrides Barra, white-morph, seen, 21st February.

(W. L. MacGillivray, Scottish Naturalist 33: 141; Eds., British Birds 7: 90; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 34: 181).

History Wm. L. MacGillivray of Eoligary, Barra (1913) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIII. p. 141, says: '...On the 21st of February I saw a Greenland Falcon fly past my house.'

In an Editorial (1913) in British Birds, Vol. VII. p. 90, they say: 'Mr. W. L. MacGillivray also records (t.c., p. 141) that he saw a Greenland Falcon on February 21st.'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1914) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXIV. p. 181, on the unexpected occurrences for 1913, says: 'Greenland Falcon. Single birds seen or shot on...Barra (Outer Hebrides), February 21st.'

143). 1913 Ayrshire Near Largs, white-morph, found dead, late February.

(Paton & Pike, 1929; McWilliam, 1936; Hogg, 1983).

History Richmond Paton & Pike (1929) say: 'In 1926, Cassidy, head keeper to the Marquis of Ailsa, told us he was sure that a Greenland Falcon had been obtained in the county. He gave us the name and address of a Mr. Hunt. We wrote to Mr. Hunt, and he was good enough to send the following: "The Hawk was found dead by me at the end of February 1913, beside the Greta Hill road, Halkhill Estate, Largs. We had a severe snow-storm ten days previously. When I saw the white object lying at a distance I thought it was a patch of the snow left, and I was very nearly not going to look at it. I was lucky to get it, as there were a lot of people walking along this road, asserting that it was a right-of-way". Later, on 27th July 1926, we received another note from Mr. Hunt, in which he said: "I omitted to mention that my son saw the bird flying up the glen a few days previous to my finding it. It was snowing at the time, and there was a large number of other birds mobbing it. It had been wounded. When I took it to Kirk's, in Glasgow, to be stuffed, they said it was the first Greenland falcon they had had from this county".'

McWilliam (1936) adds: 'Was identified and mounted by Charles Kirk.'

144). 1913 Shetland Unst, adult male, white-morph, obtained, 15th March, now at National Museums of Scotland.

(W. E. Clarke, Scottish Naturalist 33: 116; Eds., British Birds 7: 90; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 34: 181; Venables & Venables, 1955).

History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1913) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIII. p. 116, under 'Greenland Falcons at Scottish Islands', says: 'The Royal Scottish Museum has recently received two specimens of this, the most beautiful of the Falconidae, by presentation. The first of these, presented by Dr. Edmonston Saxby, was obtained on the Island of Unst, Shetland, on 15th March, and is an adult male....'

In an Editorial (1913) in British Birds, Vol. VII. p. 90, they say: 'Mr. W. Eagle Clarke states (Scot. Nat., 1913, p. 116) that an adult male obtained at Unst, Shetland, on March 15th, 1913, has recently been received by the Royal Scottish Museum.'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1914) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXIV. p. 181, on the unexpected occurrences for 1913, says: 'Greenland Falcon. Single birds seen or shot on...Unst (Shetland), March 15th.'

145). 1913 Isles of Scilly Bishop Rock Lighthouse, white-morph, seen, 20th, 21st and 30 March, 6th April.

(W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 34: 181; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 8: 274; Penhallurick, 1978).

History W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1914) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXIV. p. 181, on the unexpected occurrences for 1913, says: 'Greenland Falcon. Single birds seen or shot on...Tresco (Scilly Isles), March 20th, 21st, 30th and April 6th.'

H. F. Witherby (1915) in British Birds, Vol. VIII. p. 274, in a Review of 'Report on the Immigration of Summer-residents in the Spring of 1913; also Notes on the Migratory Movements and Records received from Lighthouses and Light-vessels during the Autumn of 1912', by the Committee appointed by the British Ornithologists' Club, says: 'Among the uncommon visitors recorded most have been mentioned in our pages, but the following deserve notice: - Greenland Falcon (F. r. candicans), Scilly Isles, March 15th, 1913.'

Comment Witherby has copied the date incorrectly. March 15th was for the previous record which was on Unst.

146). 1913 Outer Hebrides Barra, seen, 24th March.

(W. L. MacGillivray, Scottish Naturalist 33: 141; Eds., British Birds 7: 90; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 34: 181).

History Wm. L. MacGillivray of Eoligary, Barra (1913) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIII. p. 141, says: '...on the 24th of March my brother and I saw another bird of this species feeding on a rabbit well within shot of us, but we did not molest it.'

In an Editorial (1913) in British Birds, Vol. VII. p. 90, they say: 'Mr. W. L. MacGillivray also records (t.c. p. 141) that he saw a Greenland Falcon on March 24th at Barra (Outer Hebrides).'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1914) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXIV. p. 181, on the unexpected occurrences for 1913, says: 'Greenland Falcon. Single birds seen or shot on...Barra (Outer Hebrides), March 24th.'

147). 1913 Argyll Colonsay, adult female, white-morph, caught, 31st March, now at National Museums of Scotland.

(W. E. Clarke, Scottish Naturalist 33: 116; Eds., British Birds 7: 90; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 34: 181).

History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1913) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIII. p. 116, under 'Greenland Falcons at Scottish Islands', says: 'The Royal Scottish Museum has recently received two specimens of this, the most beautiful of the Falconidae, by presentation....The second, an adult female weighing 3½ lbs., was captured in a rabbit trap on the Island of Colonsay on 31st March, and was secured for the Museum through the good offices of Prof. Donald Mackinnon.'

In an Editorial (1913) in British Birds, Vol. VII. p. 90, they say: 'Mr. W. Eagle Clarke states (Scot. Nat., 1913, p. 116) that an adult female caught on Colonsay on March 31st, has recently been received by the Royal Scottish Museum.'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1914) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXIV. p. 181, on the unexpected occurrences for 1913, says: 'Greenland Falcon. Single birds seen or shot on...Colonsay (Argyll), March 31st.'

148). 1913 Outer Hebrides Barra, adult male, grey-morph, seen, 31st March, found dead, 1st April.

(W. L. MacGillivray, Scottish Naturalist 33: 141; Eds., British Birds 7: 90; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 34: 181).

History Wm. L. MacGillivray of Eoligary, Barra (1913) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIII. p. 141, says: 'On the evening of the 31st of March an Iceland Falcon was observed flying in a disabled state over Eoligarry Farm; and in the afternoon of the following day was found dead near Eoligarry House. It was quite warm when found, and had apparently just expired. One of its legs was injured, but Mr. Kirk, who has mounted the bird, tells me that there were no marks of shot on the body. Mr. Kirk thinks that it must have been trapped, and had escaped. It is the first record for the occurrence of this bird in the Outer Hebrides that I am aware of. It is a male in adult plumage, and I shall shortly present it to the Royal Scottish Museum.'

In an Editorial (1913) in British Birds, Vol. VII. p. 90, they say: 'Mr. W. L. MacGillivray records (Scot. Nat., 1913, p. 141) that a disabled Iceland Falcon (Falco r. islandicus) was seen on Barra on March 31st, 1913, and was picked up dead the next day. Mr. MacGillivray is wrong in stating that this is the first record for the Outer Hebrides, as several have been previously obtained.'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1914) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXIV. p. 181, on the unexpected occurrences for 1913, says: 'Iceland Falcon. One Barra (Outer Hebrides), March 31st.'

149). 1913 Orkney Sule Skerry, female, white-morph, shot, 22nd April.

(Baxter & Rintoul, 1914; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984).

History Baxter & Rintoul (1914: 13) under 'Uncommon Visitors and Birds New to Faunal Areas', say: 'Greenland Falcons (Falco rusticolus candicans) are again reported on several occasions; a female was shot on Sule Skerry on 22nd April.'

150). 1913 Outer Hebrides Flannan Isles, white-morph, seen, 1st and 2nd June.

(Baxter & Rintoul, 1914).

History Baxter & Rintoul (1914: 13) under 'Uncommon Visitors and Birds New to Faunal Areas', say: On 1st and 2nd June a Greenland Falcon is recorded from the Flannans.'

151). 1913 Outer Hebrides Galson, Lewis, white-morph, seen, 1st and 3rd June.

(Baxter & Rintoul, 1914).

History Baxter & Rintoul (1914: 13) under 'Uncommon Visitors and Birds New to Faunal Areas', say: 'Greenland Falcons: One from Galson, Outer Hebrides, on 1st and 3rd June, this was seen "at very close quarters; beautiful bird, almost pure white". These are remarkable dates for the appearance of this fine Falcon in Scotland, but they are confirmatory of each other, as the localities are no very great distance apart.'

152). c. 1913 Cornwall St Tudy, shot, undated.

(B. H. Ryves & G. H. Harvey, Cornwall Bird Watching & Preservation Society Report 1933: 32; Penhallurick, 1978).

History B. H. Ryves & G. H. Harvey (1933) in the Cornwall Bird Watching & Preservation Society Report, Vol. III. p. 32, say: 'I recently purchased a stuffed specimen of this species shot in St Tudy parish about twenty years ago. E.J.P.'

Penhallurick (1978: 109) says: 'c.1913, a bird shot by Dr. Cole in St. Tudy parish, passed into the collection of E. J. P. Magor (in litt., 1975).'

Comment E. J. P. Magor of Lamellan, St Tudy.

153). 1914 Outer Hebrides Eoligarry, Barra, white-morph, 20th October.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 35: 154).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1915) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXV. p. 154, in the annual report for 1914, say: 'A Greenland Falcon (Falco rusticolus candicans) is reported from Eoligarry (O. H.) on 20th October (W. Macgillivray).'

154). 1915 Cumbria Skinburness, white-morph, seen, undated.

(E. Blezard, Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society 6: 70).

History Ernest Blezard (1943) in the Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society, Vol. VI. p. 70, says: 'One of these rare falcons was reported by William Nichol as seen about 1915 at Skinburness, Cumberland, where it was being mobbed by Jackdaws.'

155). 1920 Orkney Sule Skerry, adult female, white-morph, caught, 26th February, now at National Museums of Scotland.

(W. E. Clarke, Scottish Naturalist 40: 154; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 41: 108; Eds., British Birds 14: 237; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984).

History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1920) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XL. p. 154, under 'Greenland Falcon in Orkney', says: 'An exceptionally fine adult female specimen of Falco candicans was captured at Suleskerry, an islet or reef 37 miles west of the mainland of Orkney, on the 26th of February, 1920, and was forwarded to the Royal Scottish Museum.'

E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1921) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLI. p. 108, in the annual report, say: 'A fine adult female Greenland Falcon (Falco rusticolus candicans) was caught at Sule Skerry on 26th February.'

In an Editorial (1921) in British Birds, Vol. XIV. p. 237, they say: 'An adult female Falco r. candicans was captured at Suleskerry, on February 26th, 1920, and is recorded by Dr. W. E. Clarke (Scot. Nat., 1920, p. 154).'

156). 1920 Highland Culnacnock, Staffin, Skye, Skye & Lochalsh, obtained, 1st March.

(Inverness Museum Records).

History In the Inverness Museum Records journal there is mention of one obtained at Culnacnock, Staffin, Isle of Skye on 1st March, 1920.

157). 1920 Shetland Near Lerwick, Mainland, female, grey-morph, 29th March.

(Venables & Venables, 1955).

History Venables & Venables (1955) say: 'Information from the Notebooks of Robert Russell of North Ness, Lerwick, concerning birds for mounting.'

158). 1920 Outer Hebrides Vallay, North Uist, grey-morph, 29th October.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 41: 108; Eds., British Birds 16: 30).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1921) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLI. p. 108, in the annual report, say: 'An Iceland Falcon (Falco rusticolus islandus) visited Vallay (O. H.) on 29th October.'

In an Editorial (1922) in British Birds, Vol. XVI. p. 29, in a Review of the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1920, including Migration', by Evelyn V. Baxter and Leonora J. Rintoul, they say: 'One visited Vallay (Outer Hebrides) on October 29th.'

159). 1921 Orkney Sule Skerry, adult male, dark-morph, caught exhausted, 19th January.

(W. E. Clarke, Scottish Naturalist 41: 185; L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 42: 72; Eds., British Birds 15: 297; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1921) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLI. p. 185, says: 'In January last I received a fine adult male Falco islandicus (wing 14.85 ins. = 376.65 mm) which had been captured on 19th of the month at Sule Skerry - a low rugged islet or reef lying out in the Atlantic, some 40 miles west of the Orkney Island of Hoy - where it arrived in an exhausted condition during a hurricane from the north-west. The specimen is now in the collection of mounted British birds in the Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh.'

In an Editorial (1922) in British Birds, Vol. XV. p. 297, they say: 'Dr. W. Eagle Clarke states (Scot. Nat., 1921, p. 185) that an adult male Falco r. islandus arrived on Sule Skerry (Orkney) during a north-westerly gale on January 19th, 1921. The bird was exhausted and captured.'

Admitted by L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1922) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLII. p. 72, in the annual report.

160). 1921 Outer Hebrides Newton, North Uist, seen, 29th January to 28th February.

(P. Cunningham pers. comm.).

History P. Cunningham (pers. comm.) says: 'North Uist - E. J. Ferguson (in litt.) had a near view of one during his stay at Newton 29th January to 28th February 1921.'

161). 1921 Pembrokeshire Boncath, white-morph, trapped, 26th March, photo.

(C. Spence-Colby, Field 30th Apr., 1921: 539; D. Seth-Smith, Field 25th Jun., 1921: 815, photo; Eds., British Birds 15: 69; J. S. Neale, Field 9th July 1921: 65; H. B. Booth, Naturalist 52: 151; Donovan & Rees, 1994).

History C. Spence-Colby of Ffynone, Boncath (1921) in The Field of 30th Apr., Vol. CXXXVII. p. 539, says: 'During the last fortnight of March a large white bird has been frequently observed by my keeper, and on two occasions it had killed hen Pheasants. On March 26 the keeper's boy observed this kill a rabbit. He ran across the field, drove the bird off, obtained a couple of traps and set them with the rabbit as bait. He then concealed himself, and in a few moments the falcon returned, with the result that it was captured and taken home. It proved to be a fine Greenland Falcon, and quite undamaged. The measurements are: Length, beak to end of tail, 20 in.; wing, shoulder to tip, 21 in.; height when on perch, 14½ in.'

D. Seth-Smith (1921) in The Field of 25th June, Vol. CXXXVII. p. 815, says: 'A very beautiful specimen of the Greenland Falcon has been presented to the Zoological Society by Colonel Spence Colby, C.M.G., D.S.O....'

In an Editorial (1921) in British Birds, Vol. XV. p. 69, they say: 'Pembrokeshire - Col. Spence-Colby has presented to the Zoological Gardens a Greenland Falcon (Falco r. candicans), which was trapped on a rabbit which it had killed at Boncath, on March 26th, 1921. It had been observed for a fortnight previously and had twice been seen to kill Pheasants (Field, April 30th, 1921, p. 539, and June 25th, p. 815).'

J. S. Neale of Penarth, South Wales (1921) in The Field of 9th July, Vol. CXXXVIII. p. 65, says: 'Referring to your remarks in your issue of June 25 concerning the Greenland Falcon which was caught in Pembrokeshire, and which is now at the Zoological Gardens, it may interest your readers to know that during a severe storm in the winter of 1913 two of these fine birds took refuge on two different steamers off the coast of Ireland in an exhausted condition.

They were both landed at Cardiff and brought to my father, the late J. J. Neale, J.P. One subsequently died and was stuffed, and is now in the possession of my mother at Oxton, Kenton, Exeter.

The other bird was kept in captivity for about six months, and when it was strong enough was liberated on Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire, together with a pair of Golden Eagles, in June, 1914.

Each of these birds remained in the vicinity of Skomer for at least two years, when, owing, to the war, my father was unable to continue his observations concerning them. It would be interesting to know whether the falcon recently captured in Pembrokeshire is the same bird. I should be inclined to say it is without any doubt; but, unfortunately, the bird which we liberated was not marked in any way which would lead to its identification.'

[The measurements of this bird given in our last issue show that it had lost in captivity 3½ in. of the tail feathers, and 3¼ in. of each wing, detracting much from the beauty of the specimen. Should it live, however, over the next month, this defect will be remedied. - Ed.]

H. B. Booth (1926) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LII. p. 151, says: 'The other week I was very pleased to see a very fine specimen of the rare Iceland Falcon in the gardens of the London Zoological Society....it was caught on board the steamer Lagarfoss, two miles out of Reykjavik, Iceland. In the next cage there was the beautiful specimen of the Greenland Falcon that was caught by a boy in Pembrokeshire about three years ago.'

162). 1921 Highland Dyke, Forsinard, Sutherland, obtained, 7th April.

(Inverness Museum Records).

History In the Inverness Museum Records journal there is mention of one obtained at Dyke, Forsinard in Sutherland on 7th April, 1921.

163). 1921 Outer Hebrides Vallay, North Uist, white-morphs, seen: singles, 11th, 12th and 14th April, 25th and 30th May.

(G. Beveridge, Scottish Naturalist 41:158; L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 42: 72-73).

History George Beveridge of Lochmaddy (1921) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLI. p. 158, says: 'A Greenland Falcon was observed on the 12th of April, the weather being very cold, and the bird, which had been preying upon rabbits, was in a fatigued condition.'

L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1922) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLII. pp. 72-73, in the annual report, say: 'Greenland Falcons, single birds in each case, are reported from Vallay (O. H.) on 11th, 12th, and 14th April, 25th and 30th May.'

164). 1921 Fair Isle No locality, white-morph, 13th April.

(L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 42: 73; Dymond, 1991).

History L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1922) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLII. pp. 72-73, in the annual report, say: 'Greenland Falcons, single birds in each case...from Fair Isle on 13th April.'

165). 1922 Angus & Dundee Craigie, Dundee, Forfarshire, adult, white-morph, seen, 23rd January.

(G. G. Blackwood, Scottish Naturalist 42: 49; Eds., British Birds 16: 114; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 43: 68; Crighton, 1976).

History G. G. Blackwood of Dundee (1922) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLII. p. 49, says: 'While on the electric tramcar between Dundee and Broughty Ferry on 23rd January I had the pleasure of seeing a Greenland Falcon on the wing. It was crossing a snow-covered, ploughed field, and the Kestrel-like flight at once attracted my attention. Then a Rook pursued it, and gave me an excellent idea of the relative sizes. The distance must have been 150 yards or so, but the pure white head was very distinct as also were the black markings on the wings. The upper part of the body looked white, but not so pure as the head. As the bird turned when the Rook swooped at it, its pure white underparts showed splendidly. I have little doubt that it was an adult.'

In an Editorial (1922) in British Birds, Vol. XVI. p. 114, they say: 'Mr. G. G. Blackwood records (Scot. Nat., 1922, p. 49), that he saw a Falco r. candicans on January 23rd, 1922, near Dundee.'

Admitted by E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1923) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLIII. p. 68, in the annual report.

166). 1922 Outer Hebrides Vallay, North Uist, white-morph, seen, 21st March.

(G. Beveridge, Scottish Naturalist 42: 94; Eds., British Birds 16: 114; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 43: 68).

History George Beveridge of Vallay (1922) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLII. p. 94, says: 'On the 21st March I saw a Greenland Falcon. It passed by me quite close, so there could be no mistake. This is the third year in succession that I have observed this bird in the Island of Vallay.'

In an Editorial (1922) in British Birds, Vol. XVI. p. 114, they say: 'Mr. G. Beveridge states (Scot. Nat., 1922, p. 94), that he saw one in the Island of Vallay on March 21st, 1922.'

Admitted by E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1923) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLIII. p. 68, in the annual report.

167). 1925 Shetland Sandness, Mainland, adult male, white-morph, obtained, 7th February.

(Venables & Venables, 1955).

History Venables & Venables (1955) say: 'Information from the 'Notebooks' of Robert Russell of North Ness, Lerwick, concerning birds for mounting.'

168). 1925 Highland Glenmageran, Inverness-shire, 24th March.

(Inverness Museum Records).

History In the Inverness Museum Records journal there is mention of one obtained at Glenmageran in Inverness-shire on 24th March, 1925.

169). 1925 Devon Braunton Burrows, caught, undated.

(Moore, 1969).

History Moore (1969) says: 'At Braunton Burrows in 1925 one was caught in a rabbit trap as recorded by Dr. F. R. Elliston Wright.'

Comment Wright (1932) author of A Few Nature Notes (Revised Ed.), Barnstaple.

170). 1926 Somerset Watchet, white-morph, injured, 20th February, died next day, now at Taunton Castle Museum.

(F. L. Blathwayt, Report on Somerset Birds 1926: 8; Somerset Ornithological Society, 1988; Ballance, 2006).

History F. L. Blathwayt (1926) in the Report on Somerset Birds, Vol. XIII. p. 8, says: 'Greenland Falcon. A fine specimen, now in the Taunton Museum, was picked up disabled in a garden 200 yards from the sea at Watchet on Feb. 20th, and died the next day. The weather for a few days had been stormy with a wind from the North. Mr. E. B. Bellamy of the Council School, Watchet, acquired the bird on Feb. 22nd and kindly communicated with the Curator of the County Museum. The bird was set up by Mr. F. H. L. Whish. Mr. Bellamy writes that the bird had previously been seen flying on the Quantocks.'

171). 1926 Orkney Stroma, immature female, caught, 25th July.

(E. Richmond Paton, Scottish Naturalist 46: 137-140).

History E. Richmond Paton (1926) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVI. pp. 137-140, says: 'On 25th July 1926 , an immature female Labrador Falcon (Hierofalco obsoletus, Gmelin) appeared on the island of Stroma, in the Pentland Firth. Thus a new bird was added not only to the British but also to the European Fauna. It descended on a promontory and was captured by the light-keeper, Mr. Norman McLeod. In describing the arrival of this bird, he says that it swooped down where two little children were playing. Being frightened they ran into the lighthouse, whereupon Mr. McLeod went out and found that the bird had managed to drag itself, in a dazed condition, into a small shed. He kept it alive for four days, feeding it upon rabbits, birds and boiled fish; fresh fish it refused to touch. It died, however, on 29th July, and was sent to Messrs. Charles Kirk, taxidermists of Glasgow, on the following day. The specimen has been added to the bird collections in the Royal Scottish Museum.

This bird was examined by me early in August, soon after it was mounted. Owing to its four days in captivity the tips of the primaries and the tail feathers were much frayed. I have no reason, however, to suspect that this was an escaped bird. Allowing for the abrasion of the feathers, the wing measurement was not less than 16 inches, while the total length was 23½ inches; the latter measurement being taken before the bird was mounted.

It can be seen at a glance that this bird is far darker than the darkest juvenile Falco rusticolus rusticolus, Linnaeus, or Falco rusticolus islandus, Brünnich. Describing it generally, the back is dark bluish-black, with a distinct lavender bloom; the breast and under parts being almost obscured by blackish-brown drop-shaped spots. The head and mantle are blackish-brown, the wing coverts sepia-brown. On the lower scapulars very small indistinct white transverse lines can be seen. The moustachial stripe is noticeable but indistinct. While these heavy dark spots nearly cover the upper part of the breast, the markings on the lower parts incline more to sepia, almost obliterating the yellowish-white under-colouring. The nape is mottled with white. The rump and tail are lighter in colour than the back, the outer feathers of the latter being more distinctly barred than the centre ones. The legs and feet are slaty-grey and the claws black. It is noticeable that there is a cluster of small pale-coloured feathers between the centre and outer toes of each foot. The bill is bluish-horn, darker at the tip, inclining to flesh-colour at the base, while the cere is blue. The superciliary ridge is pale chrome with a greenish tinge; the irides dark brown.

This form of Northern Falcon was first separated by American systematists....'

172). 1927 Shetland Fetlar, female, white-morph, 4th April.

(Venables & Venables, 1955).

History Venables & Venables (1955) say: 'Information from the 'Notebooks' of Robert Russell of North Ness, Lerwick, concerning birds for mounting.'

173). 1927 Isles of Scilly Sea area Sole, on board S.S. Mauritania until 90 miles from Bishop Rock Lighthouse when left, white-morph, shot, autumn, now in Isles of Scilly Museum.

(Flood, Hudson & Thomas, 2007: plate 39).

History Flood, Hudson & Thomas (2007: 217) say: 'J. L. F. Parslow (pers. comm.) stated that a Greenland form left the S.S. Mauritania when 90 miles away from the Bishop Rock and landed somewhere in the Isles of Scilly only to be shot in the autumn.'

174). 1930 Shetland Yell, female, white-morph, 4th March.

(Venables & Venables, 1955).

History Venables & Venables (1955) say: 'Information from the 'Notebooks' of Robert Russell of North Ness, Lerwick, concerning birds for mounting.'

175). 1930 Highland Findhorn Valley, Inverness-shire, white-morph, seen, early April.

(H. C. R. Gillman, British Birds 24: 131).

History H. C. R. Gillman (1930) in British Birds, Vol. XXIV. p. 131, says: 'In the first week in April, 1930, at the head of the stream on the River Findhorn, the head-keepers of Glenkirk and Ballacrochan Moors saw a white Hawk with dark wing-tips, which was undoubtedly a Greenland Falcon (Falco rusticolus candicans). It was on a wire fence, and was either resting, or was attracted by a Black-backed Gull which was in a trap near by. There had been very heavy gales prior to the day on which it was seen. The keepers approached to within 100 yards, and left it unmolested. It then flew down the stream, flying like a Peregrine somewhat, and was not seen again. One of the keepers, L. Rose, had seen a similar Falcon more than twenty years ago and he is also acquainted with a stuffed specimen.'

176). 1937 Devon Lundy, immature, white-morph, seen, 3rd March, later found dead.

(Eds., British Birds 31: 92; Moore, 1969; Dymond, 1980; Davis & Jones, 2007).

History In an Editorial (1937) in British Birds, Vol. XXXI. p. 92, they say: 'Mr. F. W. Gade informs us that a Greenland Falcon (Falco r. candicans) visited Lundy in March, 1937. The bird was a tiercel, and remained for about three weeks. It was badly mobbed by gulls and crows, and seemed in rather poor condition. It suddenly disappeared, and subsequently its skeleton was found amongst boulders on one of the island's slopes.'

Davis & Jones (2007: 85) say: 'Seen 3rd March, found dead two or three weeks later.'

177). 1937 Highland Torrisdale, Sutherland, shot, undated.

(Angus, 1983; Vittery, 1997).

History Angus (1983) says: 'Torrisdale, 1937.' Accepted locally (Vittery 1997).

178). 1940 Cambridgeshire Stretham, white-morph, several weeks in January.

(I. C. T. Nisbet & A. E. Vine, Cambridge Bird Club Report 1952: 10; Bircham, 1989).

History I. C. T. Nisbet & A. E. Vine (1952) in the Cambridge Bird Club Report, Vol. XXVI. p. 10, under 'Greenland Falcon', say: 'During Jan. 1940, one spent several weeks in the Stretham area and was identified independently by C.W. and L.W. It was described as a very large hawk, distinctly larger than a Peregrine; the whole of the plumage was pure white, with some black spots on the mantle and wings, while at its closest approach (2-3 yards) the bright yellow eyes were very noticeable. In view of the unique opportunities offered for close observation, and the characteristic description obtained, we accept this record, which is the first for Cambs. and only about the fourth for S.E. England.'

179). 1942 Moray & Nairn No locality, Nairn, 15th January.

(Inverness Museum Records).

History In the Inverness Museum Records journal there is mention of one obtained in Nairn on 15th January, 1942.

180). 1943 Outer Hebrides Shader, Lewis, white-morph, killed, 30th March.

(P. Cunningham, pers. comm..).

History Cunningham (pers. comm..) says: 'Lewis - On 30th March 1943 one was killed at Shader when raiding a poultry run (D. MacDonald in litt.); it was preserved.'

181). 1943 Highland Borlum, Fort Augustus, Inverness-shire, 19th April.

(Inverness Museum Records).

History In the Inverness Museum Records journal there is mention of one obtained at Borlum near Fort Augustus on 19th April, 1943.

182). 1943 Fair Isle Ward Hill, two, seen, late April.

(G. Waterston, British Birds 38: 230; Williamson, 1965; Pennington et al., 2004).

History G. Waterston (1945) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVIII. p. 230, under 'Notes from Fair Isle, 1939-45, says: '[Gyr Falcon (Falco r. rusticolus) - G.S. obtained some excellent views at a range of four feet of a pair of this species on the Ward Hill, where they remained for a fortnight at the end of April, 1943. These birds were darker than any Iceland Falcons seen previously and showed no white on the crown of the head. G.S. noted the following particulars: - "Bluish horn bill, yellow at base. Grey bars across tail. Whitish back of neck". He remarks that Iceland Falcons were usually very wild, whereas these birds were relatively tame. Greenland and Iceland Falcons usually appear on Fair Isle after westerly gales, while these birds were seen after a period of SE wind and rough weather. This is apparently the first record for Scotland; but in view of the fact that these races of falcons intergrade to such an extent, it seems advisable to retain this record within square brackets].'

Accepted by P. E. Davis (Williamson 1965) under 'A List of the Birds of Fair Isle', who reported them as "thought to be Iceland Falcons". Still acceptable to Pennington et al. (2004).

Comment G.S. = George Stout, an islander.

184). 1947 Orkney No locality, April.

(E. Balfour, Scottish Birds 4: 371; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984).

History E. Balfour (1967) in Scottish Birds, Vol. IV. p. 371, says: 'The Gyr Falcon has occurred in Orkney from time to time. Several records are given in The Birds of Scotland, and the late G. T. Arthur lists one in April 1947.'

185). 1947 Cornwall Near Zennor, white-morph, seen, 4th May.

(W. Walmesley White, British Birds 40: 279; Penhallurick, 1978).

History W. Walmesley White (1947) in British Birds, Vol. XL. p. 279, says: 'On May 4th, 1947, by the Cornish cliffs west of Zennor, my wife and I had a splendid view of a Greenland Falcon Falco rusticolus candicans. It was flying N.E. along the coast and swiftly exploring the indentations of the cliffs. In its rapid flight and shape it suggested a large Peregrine Falco peregrinus, but appeared perfectly white - the black markings were not noticeable owing to the brilliant light - so I think the possibility of its being an Iceland Falcon may be ruled out. It is a late date for this rare visitor, but it was probably returning from winter quarters to its arctic breeding haunts.'

186). 1947 Anglesey Cefni Estuary, Malltraeth, seen, 3rd December.

(T. G. Walker, British Birds 44: 135; Jones & Whalley, 2004).

History T. G. Walker (1951) in British Birds, Vol. XLIV. pp. 134-135, says '...I may add that Mr. Tunnicliffe watched and sketched a Gyr Falcon the previous winter [1948] in Anglesey.'

Locally, Jones & Whalley (2004) state that a greyish-brown bird was seen and sketched by C. F. Tunnicliffe on 3rd December 1947 by the shore of the Cefni estuary at Malltraeth.'

187). 1949 Anglesey Rhoscolyn, immature female, white-morph, caught, 11th January.

(T. G. Walker, British Birds 44: 134-135; Jones & Whalley, 2004).

History T. G. Walker (1951) in British Birds, Vol. XLIV. pp. 134-135, says: 'On January 11th, 1949, at Rhoscolyn, Anglesey, a large falcon was seen swooping on and killing a gull. The falcon followed its prey to the ground, but was prevented from completing its meal by a cottager who then placed two steel gins close to the carcase. When it returned to the spot the falcon stepped into one of the traps. It rose in the air with the trap dangling from one foot, the powerful bird having pulled the anchoring pin clean out of the ground in its effort to get away. The weight of the trap proved too much for the bird and it was captured uninjured, but it was eventually killed and sent to me for identification.

It was a young female, measuring 23 inches in length, with a wing-span of 51 inches, and weighed three and a half pounds. It was examined by Mr. C. F. Tunnicliffe as well as by myself and we agreed that it was a Gyr Falcon, but owing to the difficulty of differentiating between young birds of the Greenland and Iceland forms we forwarded it to Mr. R. Wagstaffe at the Yorkshire Museum, after Mr. Tunnicliffe had made a series of full-scale drawings of the bird. Mr. Wagstaffe informed us that it was definitely a Greenland Falcon (Falco rusticolus candicans).

He had been able to compare our bird with the many skins in his charge at York and with skins at the British Museum, so that the identification was established beyond doubt. I may add that Mr. Tunnicliffe watched and sketched a Gyr Falcon the previous winter in Anglesey.'

188). 1949 Orkney No locality, August.

(E. Balfour, Scottish Birds 4: 371; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984).

History E. Balfour (1967) in Scottish Birds, Vol. IV. p. 371, says: 'The Gyr Falcon has occurred in Orkney from time to time. Several records are given in The Birds of Scotland, and the late G. T. Arthur lists one in August 1949.'