Melodious Warbler

Acrocephalidae

May 31

Hippolais polyglotta (Vieillot, 1817) (2, 19)

Photo © Phill Woollen - Hilbre Island, Cheshire & Wirral, June 2021

Ex BBRC species 31/12/1962

STATUS

Palearctic. Monotypic.

OVERVIEW

BOU (1971) state three records prior to 1951, then annual since 1954. Mostly in the autumn, August to mid-October, with a few during May to July.

There are over fifty records of birds arriving in July.

RECORDS

1). 1905 Cornwall Near Sandplace, Looe, adult male, shot, 12th May.

(J. Clark, Zoologist 1907: 282-283; Eds., British Birds 1: 127; Witherby, 1920-24; Penhallurick, 1978).

History J. Clark (1907) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XI. pp. 282-283, says: 'When staying at St. Goar, on the Rhine, in May, 1905, the writer received from a farmer near Liskeard the remains of a Melodious Warbler that had been shot near Sandplace, Looe, on the 12th of the month, under the impression that it was a Nightingale. "We killed it", wrote the sender, "so that people should not laugh at us when we said we had heard the Nightingale in Cornwall". The specimen, an adult male, is the first recorded for the county.'

In an Editorial (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 127, they say: 'An adult male was shot on May 12th, 1905, near Sandplace, Looe, and identified by Dr. Clark. It was shot by a farmer "so that people should not laugh at us when we said we had heard the Nightingale in Cornwall" (Zool., 1907, p. 282).'

Comment Penhallurick (1978) stated the year erroneously as 1907, which was the year it was recorded. And, the Cornwall Bird Report (1988: 102) states the first record as occurring in 1965, but perhaps that is a typo for 1905.

2). 1913 Isle of May No locality, adult female, obtained, 27th September, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1913.239.1).

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 33: 273; Eds., British Birds 7: 271; Rintoul & Baxter, 1935; W. J. Eggeling, Scottish Birds 8: 117; Thom, 1986).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1913) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIII. p. 273, says: 'The favourable climatic conditions which prevailed during September and the first half of October, brought many interesting visitors to the Isle of May. Chief among these were the two which are the subject of this paper, both being additions to the Scottish avifauna. On 27th September a Melodious Warbler (Hypolais polyglotta) appeared on the island; it proved to be a female, in abraded plumage and considerably off colour....It has been recorded several times from the south of England in spring, and once from Cork in autumn, and has been noted in Belgium, Heligoland, and Austria, but this wanderer to Scotland seems to have penetrated father north than any hitherto recorded.'

In an Editorial (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VII. p. 271, they say: 'A female example of Hypolais polyglotta is recorded by the Misses E. V. Baxter and L. J. Rintoul to have appeared on the Isle of May on September 27th, 1913 (Scot. Nat., 1913, p. 273). This is the first record of the occurrence of the species in Scotland.'

Rintoul & Baxter (1935) say: 'We found this adult female on 27th September 1913 on the Isle of May. It was a lethargic bird and stuck very closely to the patch of nettles where we first saw it.'

1950-57 RECORDS

3). 1951 Devon Lundy, trapped, 30th July.

(P. E. Davis, Lundy Field Society Report 1951: 19-20; P. E. Davis, British Birds 45: 298; M. Brooks-King, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1951: 16; Moore, 1969).

History P. E. Davis (1951) in the Lundy Field Society Report pp. 19-20, says: 'The bird of July 30th was trapped at the Old Light at about midday.

It was distinguished from an Icterine Warbler by the short wing (64 mm.) and the wing formula which was as follows: 1st primary 5mm. longer than coverts, 3rd and 4th longest being practically equal and 3 mm. longer than 2nd , 5th 1.5 mm. shorter than 4th, 6th 4 mm. shorter than 4th.

After a detailed examination of the plumage which agreed closely with the description in the Handbook, the bird was released in the cover provided for the trap but it was, unfortunately, only a moment before it was lost to view. While in the cover, which consisted principally of small rhododendron cuttings its behaviour was distinctly more 'acrocephaline' than any of the Icterines watched later in the year. It would hop up a stem perching sideways and twisting from side to side as it went, and it stayed for a short while on one of the posts perching head downwards. The plumage was very much browner than the Icterines of the autumn but this may have been due, in part at least, to the earlier date.'

P. E. Davis (1952) in British Birds, Vol. XLV. p. 298, says: 'One taken in the Garden Trap on July 30th. First record for Lundy.'

4). 1954 Caernarfonshire Bardsey, first-year, trapped, 27th August.

(R. Thearle, British Birds 48: 284; R. Thearle, Bardsey Observatory Report 1954: 24).

History R. Thearle (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 284, says: 'At 16.30 hours on 27th August 1954 a Melodious Warbler (Hippolais polyglotta) was caught in the Lane Trap on Bardsey Island, Caernarvonshire.

My first impression when it was brought to me was of an olive and pale creamy-yellow bird with bluish-grey legs and a large bill; the latter was a particularly striking feature. When it was first taken out of the carrying bag it made three or four harsh, almost grating, notes, at the same time raising and lowering its crown-feathers; the bird did not emit any further sounds while it was in captivity.

After a detailed description had been taken and the bird had been weighed, measured and ringed, it was put in a small cage and several coloured sketches of it were made; finally it was taken outside and released at about 18.15 hours. The wing (primaries straightened) measured 63.5mm.

No field description is available as the bird was not seen before it was trapped nor was it seen subsequently. It was seen in the hand by A. Till, H. Green, A. Scroop, P. Morris, M. Jones, J. G. Williams and D. Ranger.'

5). 1954 Devon Lundy, trapped, 31st August.

(B. Whitaker, British Birds 48: 284; B. Whitaker, Lundy Field Society Report 1954: 17; M. Brooks-King, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1954: 44; Moore, 1969).

History B. Whitaker (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 284, says: 'A Melodious Warbler (Hippolais polyglotta) was trapped on Lundy on 31st August 1954.

Like a large sized Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) its most striking difference from that species in the hand was its heavy broad-based bill. The under-parts were a very pale yellow, so it may possibly have been an immature bird. It was distinguished from an Icterine Warbler (H. icterina) by its wing-length (68 mm.) and its wing-formula.'

M. Brooks-King (1954) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXVII. p. 44, says: 'Lundy, Aug. 31, one (Lundy Field Society Report 1954).'

6). 1954 Dorset Culverwell, Portland Bill, trapped, 4th September.

(A. J. Bull & J. S. Ash, British Birds 48: 284-285; K. B. Rooke, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 76: 170; J. S. Ash, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 2: 282; Ash, 1956).

History A. J. Bull & J. S. Ash (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. pp. 284-285, say: 'A Melodious Warbler (Hippolais polyglotta) was caught in the large Heligoland trap at Portland Bill, Dorset, on 4th September 1954. A full description and measurements were taken of the bird in the hand, and it should be stated here that both wings were 62 mm. long. At first glance in the hand the most striking character was the large bill, which gave the bird quite an Acrocephaline appearance. Unfortunately, the bird flew into thick cover on release, after being ringed, and was not seen again.

This is the first record of this species in Dorset, and would appear to be the tenth definite occurrence in Britain. It is of interest to add that on 19th September 1954 what appeared to be a Melodious Warbler was watched at Portland Bill by the Misses T. F. Almack and M. D. Crosby, Mr. and Mrs. F. Clafton, J. L. Bradbeer and J.S.A.

A detailed description was obtained. It is of course difficult to separate this species from the Icterine Warbler (H. icterina) in the field, but the fact that the wings appeared distinctly short tends to rule out the latter species. Unfortunately the broad mandibles characteristic of the genus Hippolais were not noted.'

[We have received full laboratory descriptions of the three Melodious Warblers trapped at Bardsey, Lundy and Portland, and these confirm the identifications. - Eds.]

Ash (1956: 186) adds: 'First record from Portland and Dorset; trapped on 4th September, 1954.'

7). 1955 Caernarfonshire Bardsey, first-year, trapped, 20th August, photo.

(R. Thearle, British Birds 49: 232-233, plate 18; R. Thearle, Bardsey Observatory Report 1955: 18).

History R. Thearle (1956) in British Birds, Vol. XLIX. pp. 232-233, says: 'At 10.50 hours on 20th August 1955 a Melodious Warbler (Hippolais polyglotta) was taken from the catching-box of the Cristin Trap on Bardsey Island, Caernarvonshire, having caught itself.

I recognised it as a Hippolais warbler from the bird trapped here the previous August (antea, Vol. XLVIII. p. 284); the 1955 bird was in very similar plumage, the under-parts being very pale and the plumage rather worn, especially the primaries and rectrices. The heavy bill was the most striking character, in the hand. The wings (primaries straightened) measured 65.75 mm. and the bird weighed 12.98 grammes.

On being released it flew into a thick gorse patch and was not seen again. It was also seen in the hand by J. G. Williams, and photographed by Huw Jones. One of Mr. Jones's photographs is reproduced on plate 18 (lower) and, apart from showing the characteristic shape of the bill, this gives a good idea of the appearance of the closed upper wing and it will be noticed in connection with Kenneth Williamson's remarks (antea, pp. 119-120) that there is no sign of a light wing-patch such as he has recorded in the closely related Icterine Warbler (H. icterina); the 1954 bird had a similarly uniform wing.'

[A full laboratory description of this bird has been sent with the above note. In connection with this question of the broad, pale edges to the secondaries of the Icterine Warbler overlapping in life so as to form a continuous light patch on the closed wing, and the possibility of this feature not occurring in the Melodious Warbler owing to the narrower edgings on the secondaries of that species, it is perhaps an opportune moment to make a few preliminary remarks summarizing observations made in south Spain in May 1956.

Over 40 individual Melodious Warblers were carefully examined in the field and many others were seen less well. None of these 40 showed a continuous light area. In some the pale edgings were clearly visible when looked for, but in each of these the edgings were quite distinct as separate, narrow strips; in many of the birds, however, the pale edgings were so narrow as to be almost indeterminable. - I.J.F.-L.]

8). 1955 Fair Isle Haa, trapped, 16th September.

(K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report 1955/56: 18; K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 3: 59; K. Williamson, British Birds 49: 94-96; E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 69: 175; Williamson, 1965; Dymond, 1991).

History K. Williamson (1956) in British Birds, Vol. XLIX. pp. 94-96, says: 'A small migratory movement of unusual interest reached Fair Isle on 16th September 1955, perhaps coming in from Shetland under fine col conditions overnight, but almost certainly introduced to the area by cyclonic drift due to a depression which was centred near Denmark from the night of the 13th-14th. Very few Passerines were concerned, but among them were four southern elements, two of which are of outstanding rarity so far to the north as Fair Isle.

Fair Isle's first-recorded Melodious Warbler (Hippolais polyglotta) was trapped in mid-morning, and at the same time an adult female Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor) was found near the perimeter wall of the cultivated area. Another adult female Lesser Grey Shrike was captured at the south end of the isle on the following afternoon (the 17th): the first remained in the area where it was first seen until the 19th. Two Barred Warblers (Sylvia nisoria) were also ringed on the 16th (and one on the 15th), and a Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) - a "south-east migrant" very rare at Fair Isle in autumn - was seen above the east cliffs.

There is one previous record of a Melodious Warbler in Scotland, at the Isle of May on 27th September 1913; the present occurrence may well be the farthest north recorded for this species, which breeds in France and the Iberian Peninsula and would be expected to occur most regularly as a vagrant in the Irish Sea region, following anticyclonic drift over sea-areas Biscay and Sole in the south-easterly airflow of Mediterranean highs....

Detailed notes on the birds are given below: In the field, a small compact warbler with a strongly-made bill, olive-brown upper-parts and very pale yellowish beneath: no supercilium, and no obvious wing-markings. In the hand the secondaries were seen to have narrow fringes somewhat paler than the brown flight-feathers, but these did not form a pale bar or patch in the closed wing as in the Icterine Warbler (H. icterina) - see pp. 119. Measurements: Chord of wing, 66 mm.; bill from skull, 16 mm.; tarsus, 22½ mm.; tail, 53 mm - Wing-formula : 1st primary 4 mm. longer than primary coverts; 2nd 4 mm, shorter than 3rd and 4th, which were equal and longest; 5th-9th shorter by 1, 4, 8, 10 and 11½ mm. successively; emargination 3rd-5th. Weight: 11.33 gm.'

9). 1955 Pembrokeshire Skokholm, first-winter, 3rd to 12th October, trapped 3rd October.

(P. E. Davis, British Birds 49: 233; Field Studies Council, Skokholm Bird Observatory Report 1955: 12).

History P. E. Davis (1956) in British Birds, Vol. XLIX. p. 233, says: 'A Melodious Warbler (Hippolais polyglotta) was caught in the Garden trap on Skokholm on the afternoon of 3rd October 1955.

Good field views were had on the morning of the 4th, just before it was recaught in the Heligoland trap. It was not found on the 5th, but was again captured, in the Winch trap, on the afternoon of the 6th. The completely brown upper-parts, rather pale under-parts, slightly abraded wing and tail feathers, and thick gape-flange, established that it was a bird of the year.

The wing measurements were: curved 62 mm., straight 63.5 mm. Wing formula: 1st primary 6.5 mm. longer than primary coverts, 3rd and 4th longest, 2nd 4.5 shorter, 5th 1 shorter, 6th 4.5 shorter, 7th 7 mm. shorter. Tail 46 mm. The weights at the time of its three captures were 10.2, 9.85, and 11.5 gm. respectively.

Both in the hand and in the field it seemed to me noticeably smaller than Icterine Warblers (Hippolais icterina) that I have handled. It was very "chiffchaff-coloured", and when pursued looked not unlike a phylloscopid in the way it perched, and flew from one tall bracken-stem to another, before diving into cover again. It was always flushed from the deepest cover.

This is the first record for Skokholm.'

Field Studies Council (1955) in the Skokholm Bird Observatory Report, p. 12, add: 'A first-winter bird October 3rd to 12th.'

10). 1956 Devon West Browns Farm, Langtree, 21st July to 22nd August.

(M. J. McVail, British Birds 50: 124; F. R. Smith, British Birds 50: 124; S. G. Madge, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1956: 47-48; Moore, 1969).

History S. G. Madge (1956) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXIX. p. 47, says: 'Langtree, one seen between July 21 and Aug. 22 on several occasions at West Browns Farm; the underparts were lemon yellow down to the underside of the tail, closed wing brownish with no light patch; eye-stripe lemon yellow also; legs slightly bluish; larger in size than a Willow Warbler it was usually seen at midday when it spent most of its time on the peas and beans or some old apple trees (M. J. McVail).

I was able to see this bird on Aug. 22; it had a noticeably large bill, the wings were not long enough for it to be an Icterine Warbler; it had pale edgings to each feather on the closed wings but no continuous light patch; it was identical with a number of Melodious Warblers that I have previously seen (F.R.S.).'

11). 1956 Devon Exeter, 30th July.

(S. G. Madge, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1956: 47-48; Moore, 1969).

History S. G. Madge (1956) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXIX. pp. 47-48, says: 'Exeter, July, 30, one in my garden was watched 5 yards from the window taking insects from the rose bushes; it had yellow breast and underparts, darkish olive back and a pronounced yellowish eye-stripe; tail rather on the shortish side; in size larger than a Willow Warbler and darkish legs; no light area was seen on the wings (G.M.S.B., W.N.B.).'

12). 1956 Pembrokeshire Skokholm, juvenile, trapped, 12th September.

(Field Studies Council, Skokholm Bird Observatory Report 1956: 12; P. E. Davis, British Birds 50: 205-206).

History P. E. Davis (1957) in British Birds, Vol. L. pp. 205-206, says: 'At Skokholm the period 9th-12th September 1956 was one of outstanding interest, with considerable variety of common migrants and four species which are major rarities in Wales.

Two juvenile Ortolan Buntings (Emberiza hortulana) were seen on the 9th, four on the 11th, and three on the 12th. A Bluethroat (Cyanosylvia svecica), a juvenile Melodious Warbler (Hippolais polyglotta) and a juvenile Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria) were all present on the 12th. Two of the Ortolans and the Barred Warbler were caught in mist-nets, and the Melodious Warbler in the Heligoland trap....but since the Melodious Warbler and the Ortolan have both received attention in the pages of this Journal recently (antea, Vol. XLIX. pp. 119-120, 232-233; and pp. 330-331 respectively), a few words may be written about them.

Before trapping, the Melodious had been identified as such simply on the basis of the generally yellow colouring, the head-shape and small size (I am more familiar with the larger Icterine, H. icterina). Later, through glasses at ten yards in excellent light, the absence of any pale patch on the wing was noted. The plumage was very worn, and no pale edgings remained on the secondaries. In the hand, the wing-formula and measurements excluded the possibility of Icterine Warbler, and the combination of brownish-olive upper-parts and yellow under-parts ruled out Olivaceous (H. pallida).'

13). 1956 Caernarfonshire Bardsey, first-year, trapped, 13th September.

(R. W. Arthur, Bardsey Observatory Report 1956: 16).

History R. W. Arthur (1956) in the Bardsey Observatory Report, p. 16, says: 'One taken in the Cristin trap at 126.00 hours on 13th September. The large bill and head, combined with brownish, slightly olive upperparts contrasting with pale yellowish-white underparts, indicated Hippolais. Identification was given by the short (64 mm.) distinguishing it from icterina. The loose structure of the feathering and broad gape flange indicated a bird of the year. It was released in the mouth of the trap. The large, pale bill was very apparent at six yards without glasses. Seen in the hand by R.W.A., E. R. Corté, J. G. Nandris, C. M. and M. F. M. Richards, M. J. Southam, W. B. Workman.'

14). 1957 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, adult, trapped, 7th June.

(M. J. Seago, Norfolk Bird Report 1957: 42).

History M. J. Seago (1957) in the Norfolk Bird Report, p. 42, says: 'Cley, single adults trapped, examined, photographed and ringed, June 7th and September 5th (R.A.R., P.R.C., G.E.H., G.P.H., R.J.J., P.D.K., B.R.S.). The first full authenticated county records.'

15). 1957 Dorset Culverwell, Portland Bill, 23rd to 25th August, trapped 23rd August.

(A. J. Bull et al., Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 79: 42).

History A. J. Bull (1957) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LXXIX. p. 42, says: 'Portland Bill. One was trapped at Culverwell and ringed on Aug. 23rd. On Aug. 24th, besides the ringed bird, a second unringed bird was present with much paler underparts. Both seen again the following day. An unringed bird on Aug. 28th and 29th was presumably the one identified earlier. Full details have been sent to British Birds (P.B.O.).'

16). 1957 Dorset Culverwell, Portland Bill, another, 24th to 25th August; same, 28th to 29th August.

(A. J. Bull et al., Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 79: 42).

17). 1957 Caernarfonshire Bardsey, first-year, trapped, 29th August.

(R. W. Arthur, Bardsey Observatory Report 1957: 24).

History R. W. Arthur (1957) in the Bardsey Observatory Report, p. 24, says: 'Two further birds were ringed in 1957. The first was taken in the Withy at 18.00 hrs. on 29th August and the second in the Cristin at 17.00 hrs. on 23rd September. The 1954, 1955 and 1956 birds, one each year, the first two taken in August and the third in September, were pale and dull plumaged as was the September 1957 bird, which had a wing length of 64 mm.

The August 1957 bird, however, had the yellowest underparts of the five birds taken and had a wing length of 65 mm. (both cases with primaries straightened) and was in better plumage. This bird was seen in the hand by R. F. Thearle, J. G. Williams and R.W.A., thus providing complete coverage of all five birds.

Others seeing this species in the hand in 1957 included J. Blore, W. and N. Evans, B. Griffiths, R. G. Gibbs, M. P. Harris, B. Little, J. Lloyd, G. A. Thomason, P. Thearle, K.W. Wood, S. R. Wilkinson and W. B. Workman.'

18). 1957 Pembrokeshire Skokholm, first-winter, 30th August.

(K. Barham, Skokholm Bird Observatory Report 1957: 14).

History K. Barham (1957) in the Skokholm Bird Observatory Report, p. 14, says: 'A first-winter bird on August 30th. Third record for Skokholm.'

19). 1957 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, adult, trapped, 5th September.

(M. J. Seago, Norfolk Bird Report 1957: 42).

20). 1957 Caernarfonshire Bardsey, first-year, trapped, 23rd September.

(R. W. Arthur, Bardsey Observatory Report 1957: 24).

21). 1957 Sussex The Crumbles, 25th September.

(D. D. Harber, Sussex Bird Report 1957: 20).

History D. D. Harber (1957) in the Sussex Bird Report, p. 20, says: 'On September 25th one, apparently a bird of the year, was watched at close range for c. five minutes on the Crumbles. "At first sight the colouration and shape were reminiscent of a Phylloscopus, but comparison with a nearby Chiffchaff showed that it was noticeably larger than this. It was a decidedly compact, solid-looking bird. The bill was long and broad. The crown seemed high and round, the feathers apparently being erect. The upper-parts were brownish without any pale wing-patch or markings and the under-parts were very pale yellowish. The legs had a bluish tinge. In flight the wings appeared short and rounded. No call was heard. The bird kept to the upper branches of sallows". The wind had veered from S.E. to S.W. overnight, with rain (D.D.H.).'

NOT PROVEN

0). 1886 Pembrokeshire Stone Hall, Wolfscastle, May.

(M. A. Mathew, Zoologist 1886: 334-335; Mathew, 1894; Saunders, 1899).

[Saunders, 1899; Lockley, 1949].

History Mathew (1894: 9-10) says: 'Melodious Warbler. Such, as we are informed by Mr. Howard Saunders, is the correct name of a delightful little songster that visited us at Stone Hall in the summer of 1836. It is the Western form of the Icterine Warbler, and is something like a Chiffchaff, differing, however, from that bird in having the under parts of a bright sulphur yellow. For so small a bird it possesses a very powerful and exquisite song, rich in clear, thrush-like notes.

It took up its station day after day in an ash tree by the side of a lane adjoining our house, and there warbled so sweetly that people who had once heard it used to return again and again to listen. We watched it one day as it was dancing up and down the branch it was upon, fluttering its wings as we have also seen the Wood Warbler do while pouring forth its song, and singing as if in a very transport of joy. We have been asked "Why did you not shoot this bird so as to be sure as to your identification?" but who could have had the heart to butcher so sweet a minstrel?

On the other side of the tree which the bird frequented was a dense woodcock cover, through which a small stream runs among a thicket of willows and furze. Here we searched repeatedly for the nest, feeling sure our little friend must have had a companion, but so thick was the cover we failed to find it, and we were also disappointed in not detecting our charming songster the following spring, although there were many, besides ourselves, keeping a watch for his appearance.'

Lockley (1949: 37) says: 'Mathew included some doubtfully authentic species in his List. It has been considered advisable to omit altogether from our List those which Mathew himself doubted or was vague about and which we have not heard of since: Melodious Warbler.'

0). 1897 Sussex Burwash, male, obtained, 30th April.

(N. F. Ticehurst, Zoologist 1897: 333; "H.S." Ibis 1897: 627-628; Saunders, 1899; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

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

History N. F. Ticehurst of Guy's Hospital, London (1897) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. I. p. 333, says: 'On May 1st last two Warblers, male and female, were sent to Mr. Bristow, of St Leonards, for preservation, from Burwash, in Sussex.

The female, which turned out to be Hypolais icterina, I exhibited at the May Meeting of the British Ornithologists' Club.

The male I did not have an opportunity of seeing till today (June 24th), and on comparing it with the female I was struck by its relative shortness of wing. I then examined them more closely, and found that in the female (H. icterina) the first primary was just shorter than the primary coverts, and the second intermediate in length between the fourth and fifth; whereas in the male the first primary was longer than the primary coverts, and the second intermediate in length between the sixth and seventh, the third, fourth, and fifth forming the tip of the wing. This, I see, is just the difference given by Herr Gätke between H. icterina and H. polyglotta.

It is curious that these two birds, male and female, should have been shot on the same day and at the same place, and a pity that in May they should not be safe from persecution.'

"H.S." (1897) in The Ibis, Vol. XXXIX. pp. 627-628, says: 'In Bulletin xlv. of the British Ornithologists' Club it was stated (see Ibis, supra, p. 452) that Mr. N. F. Ticehurst had exhibited a specimen of the Icterine Warbler (Hypolais icterina) shot at Burwash, in Sussex, and in the Zoologist for last July he mentioned a second and smaller Warbler, shot at the same time and place.

The description of the latter pointed strongly to H. polyglotta, and this the bird proved to be on examination, Mr. G. Bristow, of St. Leonard's, having obligingly sent both the specimens to Saunders for inspection. The H. polyglotta proved to be a male by dissection; the Icterine Warbler was a female; while, as a matter of detail, the date was April 30th, and not May 1st, which was the day the birds were received, together with various small birds shot by the same person.

The occasional visits of H. polyglotta to the British Islands have been suspected for some time. On May 26th, 1886, the Rev. Allan Ellison saw and heard a bird, which probably belonged to this species, in Co. Wicklow, Ireland; while during the same summer the Rev. Murray A. Mathew often watched and listened to a similar bird, which he describes in his 'Birds of Pembrokeshire', p. 9.

In 1893 an egg, which, from its small size and rich pink colour, seemed to belong to H. polyglotta, was sent to Saunders as one of a clutch taken near Lancing, Sussex, and there was evidence that the bird had nested there for two consecutive years, until a boy from the College went forth expressly to slay it with a catapult, succeeded only too well, tried to skin it (for he was aware of its value), failed, and threw the mangled remains away.

The Melodious Warbler has a western range, and completely takes the place of the Icterine in Spain and Portugal, as well as in France to the west of Savoy and the Rhone valley, up to about the mouth of the Seine. Eastward the Icterine predominates, even when not the sole representative, and Tunisia seems to be the meeting-place of both species.

The Melodious Warbler is not only smaller, but has a proportionately shorter wing, with an absolutely larger bastard primary, while the second quill is shorter than the fifth, whereas the reverse is the case with H. icterina.'

Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 24).

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1897 Devon Ware, three, in song, two seen, 6th May; twelve, in song, 9th May.

(M. A. Mathew, Zoologist 1898: 265-266; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 83).

[Witherby et al., 1940-52].

History M. A. Mathew of Buckland Dinham, Frome (1898) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. II. pp. 265-266, says: 'Wishing to ascertain if the Warblers (Hypolais) which I heard singing in May last year in the wooded undercliff at Ware, about a mile to the west of Lyme Regis, the Devonshire side of the town, had returned this season, I visited the spot on the very same day (May 4th) that T had identified the song last year, but it was cold and cheerless, and not even a Thrush was singing.

On the afternoon of the 6th the weather was more favourable, and three of the Warblers were singing within a yard or two of the whitethorn bush from which the first had been heard on May 4th, 1897. By walking quietly forwards a clear view was obtained of two of the birds perched on a small bush that was still bare of foliage, and as far as it was possible to be certain without having them actually in hand, Hypolais polyglotta, the Melodious Warbler, was satisfactorily identified.

The morning of May 9th another visit was paid to the wooded undercliff. It was warm and summer-like after a night of rain, just the time for Warblers to be in full song; and as the result of a two hours' ramble at least a dozen of these little Warblers were recognized. In one beautiful glen, carpeted with bluebells and ground-ivy, five Melodious Warblers and a Nightingale were singing close round me, and as I stood listening to them another Melodious Warbler flew into a bush at my elbow, and commenced its song.

The presence of so many of the birds makes it conclusive that those heard last year successfully nested; Hypolais polyglotta may now be regarded to have established itself as a summer migrant to this extreme south-east corner of Devon.

It was impossible to avoid reflecting that, as so many of these Warblers had been detected in a comparatively small portion of the wooded undercliff, there were probably many others in the long stretch of similar cover between Ware and Axmouth; and that possibly the shrubberies of the old-fashioned country houses that skirt the little town of Lyme were tenanted by others. Last year the loud clear notes of the two Warblers then heard induced the belief that they were the Icterine Warbler (Hypolais icterina); no close view of them was obtained; one seen flying across a little glade was too distant for its plumage to be ascertained.

The thickness of the cover - it is a jungle of big whitethorns, brambles, &c. - will afford the birds protection; there is little fear that they will suffer from the raids of egg-collectors.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 83, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

Comment I prefer to reject this sight record on the basis of the difficulty of identification at that time. Not acceptable.

0). 1900 Sussex Ninfield, male, obtained, 10th May.

(W. R. Butterfield, Ibis 1900: 569; W. R. Butterfield, Zoologist 1900: 518; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 83; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

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

History W. Ruskin Butterfield (1900) in The Ibis, Vol. XLII. p. 569, in a Letter, says: 'On May 11th, 1900, Mr. George Bristow of this town asked me to examine a small Warbler which had been shot the day before and sent to him, along with some other small birds, from Ninfield, Sussex.

On handling this bird "in the flesh", I at once suspected it to be the Melodious Warbler, Hypolais polyglotta (Vieill.), and shortly afterwards, on taking Mr. Ernst Hartert to view the specimen, he agreed with me in referring it to that species. Mr. Hartert was able to match it with examples of H. polyglotta from the south of France.

More recently Mr. Howard Saunders has examined the bird, and writes that he is quite satisfied that it has been rightly identified. It proved on dissection to be a male. The present is the second record of the undoubted occurrence of H. polyglotta in the British Islands.'

W. Ruskin Butterfield of St Leonards-on-Sea (1900) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IV. p. 518, says: 'On the 10th of May last an example of Hypolais polyglotta (Vieill.) was shot near Ninfield, and sent, together with some other birds, to Mr. George Bristow, jun.

I had the satisfaction of seeing the bird in the flesh, and I at once suspected its identity. On taking Dr. Ernst Hartert to view the specimen, he agreed with me in referring it to this species, and was able to match it with examples of H. polyglotta from the South of France. Mr. Howard Saunders also has examined the bird, and is satisfied that it is rightly identified. It proved on dissection to be a male....The present forms the second record of the undoubted occurrence of the Melodious Warbler in Britain.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 82, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', and accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 24).

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1921 Devon Budleigh Salterton, May.

(Witherby, 1920-24).

[Witherby et al., 1940-52].

History Witherby (1924 (2): 894) says: 'One reported seen and heard Budleigh Salterton (Devon), May 1921.'

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

0). 1956 Devon Exmouth, early July to 13th August.

(S. G. Madge, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1956: 47-48; Moore, 1969).

[Tyler, 2010].

History S. G. Madge (1956) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXIX. p. 47, says: 'Exmouth, early July to Aug. 13, one; approximating to Garden Warbler in size but slimmer; underparts yellow throughout; eyes very dark, appeared black; legs dark slaty-blue and long; upperparts olive-brown with darker streaks on lower back and base of tail, small area of darker markings in region of lesser wing coverts; light edging to second primary; distinct light eye-stripe; forked tail; it usually fed amongst sweet peas and in the garden; it tolerated all other birds except Chaffinch which it immediately drove away when it arrived (A.J.I.).'

Tyler (2010) states that the first mainland record for Devon was at Langtree from 21st July 1956.

Comment The Genus should have a squared-off tail with short undertail coverts. Misidentified. Not acceptable.

AC pass

Keith Naylor

Melodious Warbler

Hippolais polyglotta (Vieillot, 1817) (2, 19)

Booted Warbler

Icterine Warbler