Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus Linnaeus, 1758 (4, 1)
Photo © Kris Webb
STATUS
Nearctic. Polytypic.
OVERVIEW
The 1859 Dorset record, although published at the time and creating a great debate over its identity, was not accepted until 1883 by the BOU. The 1867 Aberdeenshire record lay dormant in a museum wrongly identified until 1904. However, the one found in the Isles of Scilly in 1885 was admitted more or less straight away.
RECORDS
1). 1859 Dorset Knap Mill, River Avon, Christchurch, Hampshire, April.
(G. F. Berkeley, Field 2nd Apr., 1859: 264; "Kestrel" Field 9th Apr., 1859: 286; F. O. Morris, Field 9th Apr., 1859: 286; G. F. Berkeley, Field 16th Apr., 1859: 300; J. Gatcombe, Field 7th Apr., 1860: 276; G. F. Berkeley, Field 14th Apr., 1860: 304; P. L. Sclater, Ibis 1862: 275-277; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1869: 1510; Yarrell, 1871-85; BOU, 1883; E. Hart, Zoologist 1890: 272-273; Kelsall & Munn, 1905; Saunders, 1899; Witherby, 1920-24).
History Grantley F. Berkeley (1859) in The Field of 2nd Apr., Vol. XIII. p. 264, says: 'There has lately been killed near Christchurch a curious bird, decidedly of the Dotterel species. It is more than twice the size of the common Dotterel, and has a double ring at the neck and breast, the tail very long in proportion, the two middle feathers elongated slightly after the manner of the Pintailed Duck. The bird was solitary and difficult of approach. It is stuffed and in the possession of Mr. Hart, at Christchurch, but neither myself or Mr. Hart have ever met with a similar specimen.'
"Kestrel" of Barnstaple (1859) in The Field of 9th Apr., Vol. XIII. p. 286, says: 'Would Mr. Berkeley be so obliging as to give some further details concerning the rare bird recently shot near Christchurch? I mean especially with respect to the colour of its plumage, of which he has said nothing, and without this piece of information one has hardly sufficient data from which to pronounce upon the species of bird he mentions. Is Mr. Berkeley certain that the middle feathers of the tail are elongated, and not the external ones?
On reading Mr. Berkeley's description it struck me the bird might prove to be the Collared Pratincole (Glareola torquata), a very rare straggler indeed to England. But the tail of the Pratincole is somewhat similar to that of a swift or tern, the outer feathers being the longest; and I therefore ventured to enquire whether Mr. Berkeley's bird had the central or outer feathers elongated. The habits of the Pratincole are similar to those of the Dotterels and Plovers, although the bird is at present classed rather out of place among the Rallidae, or rails.'
G. F. Berkeley (1859) in The Field of 16th Apr., Vol. XIII. p. 300, says: 'In reply to my friend Mr. Morris, and also to "Kestrel", and in regard to the rare bird killed near Christchurch, and now in the possession of Mr. Hart, as it stands before me beautifully preserved in its case, I should offer the following more minute description. More than twice the size of the Ring Dotterell; it has a double ring - the upper ring extends from the lower corner of the bill broadly at the throat, and diminishes as it surrounds the back of the neck; the lower ring is something in the shape of a "gorget"m and extends over that portion of the frame which may be called, for the sake of the exact locality, the crop, and it rises as it diminishes to the joint of the wing and shoulder. The back and covers of the wings are brown and slightly tinted with green, the belly white. Each outside feather of the tail is white, barred towards the point with fawn and black, and tipped with white, the rest of the tail feathers are fawn and black, tipped with fawn and white, except the two centre ones, which are longer than the rest and of a faded black. The small feathers or "saddle feathers" covering the roots of the tail feathers are fawn. The legs (waders) are of a pale green. I should add, that from the nostrils to the forehead and eyes, the face of the bird is white, and a white line extends over the eye and dies away behind the eye into the brown of the neck. In forming an opinion as to this bird, I would caution my brother ornithologists as to those puzzling changes from winter to summer plumage which in birds of this class frequently occur, also as to the variety of feather which at times exists between specimens of different ages. My opinion inclines to the belief that the one under consideration is the Dotterell.'
F. O. Morris (1859) in The Field of 9th Apr., Vol. XIII. p. 286, says: 'I should be glad to hear more of the bird Mr. Berkeley mentions as having been shot near Christchurch. I should have supposed it to be a Pratincole but for the size, and the middle feathers of the tail being elongated instead of the outer one. Is it one of the Skua gull, Richardson's or Buffon's?'
J. Gatcombe of Plymouth (1860) in The Field of 7th Apr., Vol. XIV. p. 276, says: 'In The Field of Saturday last the Hon. Grantley F. Berkeley mentions having, when in America, killed several examples of what is called in that country the "Killdeer Plover", the true ornithological name of which he did not know. The Linnean name for that species is Charadrius vociferus, a common bird in the United States, but not included (as yet) in any work on British ornithology. Therefore, if the plover which was killed last year at Christchurch be of the same species, it will indeed prove a valuable and most interesting addition to the British fauna. A full description of the habits, &c., of the Killdeer Plover is given in Wilson's American Ornithology.'
G. F. Berkeley (1860) in The Field of 14th Apr., Vol. XV. p. 304, under 'Killdeer Plover', says: 'I thank Mr. Gatcombe, of Plymouth, for his information, of which, however, I had been previously possessed by my friend Mr. Knapp. The specimen killed here last year can be seen in the possession of Mr. Hart, of Christchurch.'
Philip L. Sclater, Editor (1862) in The Ibis, Vol. IV. pp. 275-276, says: 'The list of American stragglers occasionally met with in the British Islands is now so large, that little surprise need be manifested at its still further increase. But the prospect of any additional species being occasionally to be met with within the limited sphere of observation of the resident Englishman is always agreeable, and I have no hesitation in deciding that all such instances, whether founded on very clear and decisive evidence or not, are well worthy of record in The Ibis, as a guide to future observers in the same field. I have, therefore, much pleasure in making known the following facts, which lead me to believe it probable that the American Killdeer Plover (Aegialites vociferus) has been met with on one occasion in this country.
About a month ago, Mr. John R. Wise (a gentleman resident in the south of Hampshire, and now engaged in preparing for the press a work on the History and Scenery of the New Forest, which will be published by Messrs. Smith and Elder about the end of the year) brought to me a stuffed specimen of a Plover, enclosed in a glass case. This, he stated, belonged to a friend of his (a Mr. Tanner), and had undoubtedly been killed in the New Forest. I had no difficulty in recognizing the bird at the first glance as being the Aegialites vociferus of North America; for that species is so well marked and so different in appearance from its allies of the same genus as to be readily identified. In reply to my request for further information as to its authenticity as a British specimen, Mr. Wise kindly favoured me, shortly afterwards, with the following particulars: - "Since I wrote to you, I have seen Mr. Tanner, and communicated with the birdstuffer who prepared the bird.
The facts are these: - The bird was shot by a keeper to the Salmon Association of Christchurch, of the name of Douding (now dead), in a potato-field near Knapp Mill, on the River Avon, about a mile from Christchurch. The bird was taken in the flesh to Mr. William Hart, a birdstuffer in Christchurch, from whom my friend Mr. Tanner bought it. The date was some time in April 1857, but I cannot find out the day of the month".
It may be observed that some corroborative evidence of the bird having been brought to Mr. Hart "in the flesh" would still be desirable; but I see nothing very improbable in the alleged facts, and Mr. Wise seems confident as to their authenticity.'
J. H. Gurney, jun., of Darlington (1869) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IV. p. 1510, under 'List of Rarer Birds obtained by Mr. Hart in the Vicinity of Christchurch, Hants.', says: '1859. April. Killdeer Plover. Christchurch. The only one ever known to have been seen in England. (Ibis, IV. p. 227).'
Further, p. 1512, he summarises: 'Mr. E. Hart or his father (the late Mr. W. Hart) had all the above named birds in the flesh.'
Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 266, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'A mounted specimen of the American Killdeer Plover, Aegialitis vocifera, was shown to Mr. P. L. Sclater in 1862, by Mr. J. R. Wise, who stated that it was shot about a mile from Christchurch, in Hampshire, in April, 1857, and taken in the flesh to Mr. Hart, the birdstuffer, who sold it to its then owner, Mr. Tanner. In recording the above (Ibis, 1862, pp. 275-277), Mr. Sclater remarked that some corroborative evidence of the bird having been brought to Mr. Hart "in the flesh" would still be desirable; but he saw nothing very improbable in the alleged facts, as other American species of less extended range and more limited powers of flight have already occurred in the country.'
Admitted in the first List of British Birds (BOU 1883: 160).
Edward Hart of Christchurch (1890) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIV. pp. 272-273, says: 'The late Mr. Wise, in his History of the New Forest, has stated that a Killdeer Plover, Aegialitis vocifera, was shot at Knapp Mills, Christchurch in April, 1859. Mr. Howard Saunders, in his Illustrated Manual of British Birds (p. 529), by some occult reasoning, doubts the accuracy of this statement, and gives the date as April, 1857. Had he made proper enquiry, however, he would have found not only that Tom Dowden (not "Dowding", as printed by Mr. Wise) killed the bird at the place stated, but also that there were witnesses to the fact.
Dowden and three other keepers were fishing the weir pool, when the bird in question attracted their attention. Dowden pushed across to the fish-house for his gun, and shot it from that place. No one here could name the bird, although it was shown to many persons, and private libraries were searched in vain for some figure or description. Owing, however, to the interest taken in the matter by the late Earl of Malmesbury, it was ultimately correctly identified. It was purchased at the time by Mr. Tanner, who rented part of the water here, and who had every opportunity to hear from the keepers the facts of the occurrence.
In January, 1884, Mr. Saunders wrote me, "About the Killdeer Plover I have no personal doubt whatever but that it was a genuine Hants-killed specimen, but the chain of evidence was not sufficiently perfect to justify its insertion in the British list". This was of the least importance, whether a single straggler to this country should be included in this list. I could have sent Mr. Saunders a letter that would have removed any doubt, had I known sooner that such existed in his mind. I have sought out all the persons now living who either saw the bird (as I did) in the flesh, or who could have given evidence respecting its capture; but not one single enquiry at any time has been made of them, thus placing at its true value Mr. Saunders' "later investigation".
His reflection on those chiefly concerned, in a matter of local history, I cannot let pass without protest, considering that no author should publish a statement without being able to produce some evidence to substantiate it.'
[As we understand the case, Mr. Saunders abstained from endorsing the statement that the bird in question was killed near Christchurch, being unable to produce evidence to substantiate it, although, as Mr. Hart, now remarks, a little further enquiry might have elicited all the facts. This is not the only instance in which this American Plover has occurred in England. A second specimen was procured by Mr. Jenkinson, as our readers may recollect, at Trescoe, in the Scilly Islands, in January, 1885. See Zoologist, 1885, p. 113. - Ed.]
Kelsall & Munn (1905: 287-288) say: '...was shot in April, 1859, in a potato field, close to Knapp Mill, near Christchurch, by a man named Tom Dowden, and is now in the collection of Mr. J. Tanner.'
Comment Hampshire lost Christchurch in 1974 when it became part of Dorset after the county boundaries were moved.
2). 1867 North-east Scotland Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, shot, undated, identified at Aberdeen University Zoology Museum (ABDUZ 25733).
(W. P. Pycraft, Knowledge and Scientific News 1904: 187; Eds., Ibis 1904: 669-670; Eds., Transactions of the Aberdeen Working Men's Natural History and Scientific Society 1: 128; W. P. Pycraft, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1904: 247; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 150; Witherby, 1920-24; Thom, 1986; Phillips, 1997; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).
History W. P. Pycraft (1904) in Knowledge and Scientific News, new series, Vol. I. p. 187, says: 'Readers of this column will probably be interested in the fact that I have just discovered an undoubtedly British-killed example of the Killdeer Plover (Aegialitis vocifera) in the University Museum of Aberdeen, though for thirty-seven years it has passed for the common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula).
The label on this specimen runs as follows: "Charadrius hiaticula, Ringed Dotterel, shot at Peterhead by Andrew Murray, jun.. Esq., 1867". From this label, which is yellow with age, there can be no doubt but that this bird was presented by the donor simply as a common Ringed Dotterel. To allay all doubt, Professor J. Arthur Thomson, in whose care this bird now rests, has kindly interviewed Mr. Murray for me, and he distinctly recollects the circumstance in connection with this incident.
The Killdeer Plover is admitted into the British list by Mr. Howard Saunders on a single example shot at Tresco, Scilly Islands, and described in The Zoologist for 1885, p. 112.'
In an Editorial (1904) in The Ibis, Vol. XLVI. pp. 669-670, they say: 'In Knowledge and Scientific News for August last (Vol. I. p. 187) Mr. W. P. Pycraft writes that he has found in the University Museum of Aberdeen an example of the Killdeer Plover (Aegialitis vocifera) which had been erroneously labelled as the Ringed Plover (Ae. hiaticula). It was shot at Peterhead in 1867 by Mr. Andrew Murray.'
In an Editorial (1901-04) in the Aberdeen Working Men's Natural History and Scientific Society Transactions, Vol. I. p. 128, it says: 'Mr. Pycraft, of the British Museum, reports, in the August number of Knowledge, his discovery of a specimen in the University Museum at Peterhead. "For thirty-seven years", he says, "it has passed for the common Ringed Plover. The label on this specimen runs as follows: - Aegialitis hiaticula. Ringed Dotterel, shot at Peterhead by Andrew Murray, jun. Esq., 1867. From this label, which is yellow with age, there can be no doubt but that this bird was presented by the donor, simply as a common Ringed Dotterel".'
W. P. Pycraft of South Kensington (1904) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIII. p. 247, says: 'While overhauling the bird collections in the University Museum, Aberdeen, in July last, I discovered a Killdeer Plover (Aegialitis vocifera). It is apparently an adult, though not in absolutely perfect plumage, - of course it is much soiled with age and dust, - but apart from this it is not a clearly marked specimen.
It bore a label, old and yellow, which ran as follows: - "Charadrius hiaticula, Ringed Dotterel, shot at Peterhead, by Andrew Murray, jun., Esq., 1867". You will notice that the month in which the bird was killed was not stated. Since no one at the time ever had any suspicions that this bird was anything other than what it seemed I don't think there can be any question as to its genuineness.
This therefore now ranks as the first British killed specimen. Professor J. Arthur Thompson, to make sure, very kindly interviewed Mr. Andrew Murray for me. He, as one would have expected, had no recollection of shooting this particular bird, but said that at the time he did a good lot of shore shooting, and presented several small waders and other birds to the Museum. This was apparently one of them.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 150, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who say: 'A specimen shot at Peterhead by Mr. Andrew Murray, Jun., in 1867, was labelled "Charadrius hiaticula" and was discovered in the University Museum at Aberdeen and identified as an example of this species by Mr. W. P. Pycraft in July, 1904. This, therefore, is the first British-killed specimen (W. P. Pycraft, Ann. S.N.H., 1904, p. 247).'
For a reason not stated, Thom (1986) states it was "reputedly shot at Peterhead in 1867" and that "this record should probably be regarded with some suspicion". In her notes she says "possibly open to doubt". Nonetheless, it was included by the BOU (1971).
3). 1885 Isles of Scilly Great Pool, Tresco, female, shot, 14th January.
(T. Cornish, Zoologist 1885: 113; Anon., Proceedings of the Zoological Society 1885: 835; Smart, 1886; R. W. J. Smart, Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society 1888: 170; J. Clark & F. R. Rodd, Zoologist 1906: 336; Witherby, 1920-24; Penhallurick, 1969).
History Thomas Cornish of Penzance (1885) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. IX. p. 113, says: 'A specimen of the American Killdeer Plover, Aegialitis vociferus, has been obtained by Mr. Jenkinson at Tresco, in the islands of Scilly. It attracted his attention by its peculiar cry. On sending it to Mr. Vingoe, who has set it up, Mr. Jenkinson telegraphed (Jan. 15) "that he had shot a large Ringed Plover with ash-coloured legs, tail-coverts chestnut-coloured, and tail very long".
I have compared the specimen with Bonaparte and Wilson's figure of the bird, and it corresponds in every particular with it, except that in the coloured figure the back is more rufous than it is in the actual specimen. It is perhaps of more importance that the specimen corresponds in every point with Wilson's description of the Killdeer Plover.'
Anon. (1885) in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society, p. 835, at a meeting held on 17th November 1885, says 'Mr. H. E. Dresser exhibited a specimen of the American Killdeer Plover (Aegialitis vocifera), shot by Mr. F. Jenkinson at Tresco, Scilly, on the 14th January last, this being the second record of its occurrence in Great Britain.
Mr. Jenkinson had given him the following particulars of its capture, viz.: "On Sunday, 11th January, 1885, I was walking home by the Long Pool on Tresco, and instinctively stopped to look at a favourite bit of mud and rushes at the west end. While I was looking, a bird flitted a few yards and settled on the grass between me and the mud; and as it did so it uttered a gentle half note which I felt sure belonged to no bird that I had seen before. It was tame enough, and remained about for three days, its return to that particular spot apparently coinciding each day with the rise of the tide. On Monday I missed it, sitting at 25 yards after a long crawl. I half hoped that the keeper, who is a better shot than I am, would go after it, so I did not disturb it much. On Tuesday I put it up unexpectedly within a yard or two of me from behind a wall where I was waiting. The chestnut tail-coverts were very distinct as it flew away, uttering cries veritably "vociferous", but very plaintive and musical. I did not fire at it on that occasion. Next day I began by shooting a Ring Dotterel by mistake; I could not see the other anywhere; the day wore on, and I had to leave next morning. It was getting quite late when, walking up to the other end of the pool, I saw, beyond a raised causeway which crosses the pool there, a bird running on the wet ground. I fired instantly and the bird just uttered one characteristic cry, which assured me that it was the one of which I was in search, and lay there dead.
The name Killdeer Plover at once occurred to me; and next day I found a small book on American birds, and on reading the description of that species I found that it agreed with my specimen. The bird was a female in good plump condition, and quite the reverse of an exhausted straggler".
Mr. Dresser stated that the specimen, the occurrence of which had been already recorded in The Zoologist, 1885, p. 113, had been handed to him by Mr. Jenkinson with a request that he would exhibit it, so that there should be no doubt as to its being referable to Aegialitis vocifera.'
Smart (1886: 59) says: 'The hesitancy to admit the bird by the two authorities was due to the uncertainty concerning the authenticity of the Hampshire occurrence. It has, however, been overcome by the indisputable occurrence in the Scilly Islands; as referred to by Mr. Seebohm in his addenda: and Mr. Saunders in his preface of Vol. III. of Yarrell's British Birds.'
The Rev. R. W. J. Smart. Vicar of Bishopscourt, was informed by Mr. F. Jenkinson of some of the circumstances attending the occurrence: the Killdeer Plover (C. vociferus) was seen for several days about the Long Pool and shot by him (Mr. Jenkinson) 14th January, 1885; "it was a lovely bird, and easily identified: a female, fat, and healthy; the chestnut tail coverts were very conspicuous as it flew".'
Rev. R. W. J. Smart (1888) in the Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society, new series, Vol. II. p. 170, says: 'The American Killdeer Plover, has been obtained in Scilly quite recently. It was seen for several days about the Long Pool, Tresco, and shot on 14th January, 1885, by F. Jenkinson. It was a female, fat and healthy. The chestnut tail-coverts were very conspicuous as it flew.'
J. Clark & F. R. Rodd (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 336, under 'The Birds of Scilly', say: 'A Killdeer Plover frequented the west end of the Long Pool, Tresco, for several days, and was shot by F. Jenkinson on Jan. 14th, 1885. It was "a female, fat and hearty".'
4). 1939 Devon Meeth Haverleigh, shot, first week of January, had been present for a month earlier, now at British Museum, Tring.
(C. R. Stonor, British Birds 32: 372; Eds., British Birds 33: 167; Moore, 1969).
History C. R. Stonor (1939) in British Birds, Vol. XXXII. p. 372, says: 'On January 6th, 1939, I was visiting Smithfield Market when I noticed an unusual looking wader among a miscellaneous collection of Knots, Redshanks and other birds (with which was also a Starling). I was informed by the dealer that the bird was a Sky-Lark; and he would be glad to let me have it for sixpence! It proved to be a Killdeer Plover (Charadrius v. vociferus).
I was able to get in touch with the dealer who had sent up the bird and who stated that it had been shot by a local farmer living at Meeth Hatherleigh, N. Devon, a few days before I bought it. It had been around his farmyard for about a month before he shot it, and was even seen to feed with his chickens. The bird was fairly fresh when I bought it and was in rather a poor condition, but not emaciated. It was a male with the testes small. The skin is now in the British Museum (Natural History). This appears to be the first record of the species for Devonshire.'
1950-57 RECORDS
5.0). 1957 Isles of Scilly Cricket Pitch, St Agnes, 12th December; also in Cornwall.
(B. H. Ryves, H. M. Quick & J. E. Beckerlegge, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1957: 40; Eds., British Birds 51: 398; Penhallurick, 1969).
History H. M. Quick (1957) in the Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXVII. p. 40, says: 'St. Agnes. On December 12th, after severe westerly gales, Mr. Lewis Hicks came to tell me that he had seen a strange bird, with unfamiliar call, land on the "Meadow". On first approach the bird suggested a Lapwing; on the next glimpse, a Ringed Plover of enormous size. At last, excellent views were obtained and we could clearly see the two black breast bands, white mark behind the eye, white collar round the back of the neck, and the russet rump. The tail was long and tipped with white, the legs pale. The bird was obviously tired, but also rather shy. Our continued approach made it fly away in the direction of St. Mary's, showing in flight a conspicuous white bar on the dark wing. The call was distinctive, thin and plaintive and piercing.'
[It seems probable that this is the bird that was shot in Cornwall at the end of the month. - Eds.]
Comment BOU (1971: 98) counted this separately to the Cornwall record, however BBRC are of the opinion they are presumed same.
5.1). 1957 Cornwall Trembleath Wood, St Columb Major, adult female, shot, 26th December, now at British Museum Natural History (B.M. No. 1958.1.1); same as Isles of Scilly.
(B. H. Ryves, H. M. Quick & J. E. Beckerlegge, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1957: 23; R. W. Sims, British Birds 51: 398; Penhallurick, 1969).
History B. H. Ryves, H. M. Quick & J. E. Beckerlegge (1957) in the Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXVII. p. 23, say: 'December 26th. Near Trenoweth Wood, St. Columb Major, one, shot. Identified by British Museum.'
R. W. Sims (1958) in British Birds, Vol. LI. p. 398, says: 'Trembleath Wood.'
Further in an Editorial it was thought to be the same as the one on Scilly two weeks earlier but, the BOU (1971: 98) counted it separately to the Cornwall record. Penhallurick (1969: 109) states the locality as Trenoweth Wood.
Comment On looking at the OS map 200 neither wood is mentioned, but both places are farms close by.
NOT PROVEN
0). 1898 Devon Paignton Sands, seen, 7th September.
(Dixon, 1899).
[I. Farrell, R. Hibbert & P. Reay, Devon Bird Report 1999: 55; BOU, 1971].
History Dixon (1899) says: 'While speaking of Ringed Plovers we may mention that during the past autumn (7th of September 1898) we flushed an example of the Killdeer Plover (Oxyechus vociferus) from Paignton sands. There could be no possible doubt about the species, for it rose in a very leisurely way from our very feet, the chestnut-buff of the rump and tai coverts catching the eye at once. We remember the old bushman saying, "What is hit is history, but what is missed is mystery" and we have no wish to see this occurrence reckoned among the instances upon which the Killdeer Plover's claim to be regarded as a British bird may rest. We cannot produce our bird, but we record the circumstances as an interesting fact.'
I. Farrell, R. Hibbert & P. Reay (1999) in the Devon Bird Report, Vol. LXXII. p. 55, stated that the earliest for Devon was claimed from Paignton Sands on 7th September 1898, but the habitat is unlikely, and the record would not stand up to critical scrutiny.'
0). 1908 Kent Romney Marsh, shot, 20th April; adult, shot, 21st April, now at Leicester Arts & Museums (Acc. No. L.Z252.1982.4.0); male, shot, 22nd April.
(E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 1: 187; N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 169-170; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 23: 25; Ticehurst, 1909; N. F. Ticehurst, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 4: 34; A. H. J. Harrop, British Birds 111: 228-230).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History E. N. Bloomfield (1908) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. I. p. 187, says: 'Dr. N. F. Ticehurst has most kindly sent me a long list of rare birds which have occurred in our own and neighbouring districts, to which Mr. Butterfield has added some notes. In the neighbouring districts - Aegialitis vocifera, L., Kill-deer Plover, three in Romney Marsh, April 20th-22nd, 1908.'
N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. pp. 169-170, says: 'On April 21st, 1908, Mr. Bristow informed me that he had seen the previous day three strange Waders on one of the "fleets" in Romney Marsh, not far from Lydd. He was not sure of their identity, but was struck by their unusually long tails. The following day all doubt was set at rest by the receipt of one of them, which he at once brought to me in the flesh. It was an adult specimen of the Killdeer Plover (Aegialitis vocifera), and had been shot by a shepherd at the place where the three were seen. The second was shot on April 21st, and the third on the 22nd, these I did not see until after they had been mounted.
These are the first of this common American species that have been killed in Kent, and bring up the British-taken examples to six. One is now in the collection of Mr. J. B. Nichols, and a second in that of Mr. C. J. Carroll.'
[We are much indebted to Mr. J. B. Nichols for the loan of his specimen, and for the permission to reproduce the accompanying photograph of it. - Eds.]
W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1908) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXIII. p. 25, at the 144th Meeting of the Club held on 21st October 1908 at Pagani's Restaurant, London, says: 'Mr. C. J. Carroll, introduced by Mr. Ogilvie-Grant, exhibited mounted examples of the following species of birds: - Killdeer Plover. An adult male, shot in Romney Marsh, near Lydd, Kent, on April 22nd, 1908, and examined in the flesh by Mr. Ruskin Butterfield.'
Ticehurst (1909: 426) says: 'On April 21st, 1908, Mr. G. Bristow described to me three strange waders which he had seen the previous day on one of the "fleets" in Romney Marsh. What particularly struck him was the length of the tail of these birds, a long tail being an unusual feature in waders. The following day all doubt was set at rest by his bringing up to me in the flesh a Killdeer Plover, which had been shot by a shepherd at the place where he had seen the three birds. The second bird was shot April 21st and the third on the following day, and both of these I afterwards saw when they had been stuffed. One of them is now in the collection of Mr. J. B. Nichols, and a second in that of Mr. C. J. Carroll, who exhibited it at the British Ornithologists' Club on October 21st, 1908.'
N. F. Ticehurst (1928) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. IV. p. 34, says: 'One of the birds shot in Romney Marsh in April, 1908 (Vol. I. p. 187), is now in the Dyke Road Museum, Brighton.'
Comment Hastings rarities. Not acceptable.
0). 1915 Sussex Near Winchelsea, three, male and female shot, 12th November, both now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1962Z10.66 & 67).
(H. W. Ford-Lindsay, British Birds 9: 212; W. Ruskin Butterfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 2: 201; Watson, 2010).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History H. W. Ford-Lindsay (1916) in British Birds, Vol. IX. p. 212, says: 'On November 12th, 1915, three Killdeer Plovers (Charadrius vociferus) were observed on the marshes at Winchelsea. Two were obtained the same day, and proved to be male and female. I examined them in the flesh and found them to be in very good condition. It is interesting to note that although there are some very large flocks of Green Plover on these marshes at the present time, the Killdeer were not associating with them. I heard of the third bird being seen to-day (November 16th), when it was quite alone, and being very wild, has so far escaped the guns of the "lookers".'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 138).
Watson (2010) in detailing the J. L. Auden collection in the Birmingham Museum lists a pair of specimen that were obtained at Winchelsea, Sussex, on 12th November 1915, adding that J. B. Nichols bought them from Bristow on 4th December 1915.
Comment Hastings rarities. Not acceptable.
0). 1919 Sussex Broomhill, male, shot, 29th August, now at Hastings Museum.
(W. Ruskin Butterfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 3: 131; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History W. Ruskin Butterfield (1920) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 131, says: 'A male, examined by myself in the flesh, was shot at Broomhill, near Rye, on August 29th. In order to retain it in the district Major W. H. Mullens acquired it and presented it to the Hastings Museum. This is the fourth occurrence in Sussex.'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 138).
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1938 Greater London South Kensington, found dead, 20th December.
(C. H. B. Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 59: 76).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History C. H. B. Grant, Editor (1939) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. LIX. p. 76, at the 415th Meeting of the Club held on 8th February 1939 at the Rembrandt Hotel, London, says: 'Mr. C. R. Stonor exhibited a female British-killed specimen of the Killdeer Plover (Charadrius vociferous vociferus), and a female Dunlin (Calidris alpina alpina) found dead in the grounds of the British Museum of Natural History, South Kensington, on December 20, 1938, during the unusually cold spell. The particulars of the Killdeer Plover will appear in British Birds.'
London is not listed as one of the counties of occurrences (BOU 1971).
0). 1941 Sussex Pett Level, 16th January.
(N. F. Ticehurst, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 7: 153).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History N. F. Ticehurst (1949) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. VII. p. 153, says: 'One on sea-wall, Pett Level, Jan. 16th 1941, double black throat-band and tail pattern clearly seen and characteristic call heard (R.C.). Fourth record for our area.'
Sussex is not listed as one of the counties of occurrences (BOU 1971).
0). 1943 Devon Exe Estuary, seen, 1st April.
(W. P. Lowe, Ibis 1943: 345; F. C. Butters et al., Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1943: 30).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History Willoughby P. Lowe (1943) in The Ibis, Vol. LXXXV. p. 345, says: 'During the afternoon of 1 April, 1943, I saw a single tired-looking Killdeer flying alone, quite close to me, between Lympstone and Woodbury Road, in the Exe Estuary.
Mr. A. Holte Macpherson informs me that there have been thirteen previous records in this country, so perhaps this further record may be of interest. That the bird was a Killdeer I have no doubt whatever. These delightful Plovers were very common and one of the earliest spring migrants to arrive in Colorado, U.S.A., where I lived for years. They inhabited the arroyaos which contained water, and bred there, so I had the pleasure of seeing them and their young daily, and know the bird well.'
F. C. Butters et al (1943) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. XVI. p. 30, says: 'During the afternoon of 1st April, 1943, I saw a tired-looking Killdeer flying alone, quite close to me, between Lympstone and Woodbury Road, in the Exe Estuary. That the bird was a Killdeer I have no doubt whatever. These delightful plovers were very common and one of the earliest spring migrants to arrive in Colorado, USA, where I lived for years. - (Willoughby P. Lowe - reprinted from the Ibis).'
Comment April fool! Not accepted locally (Moore 1969) or nationally (BOU 1971).
