Northern Hawk Owl

Strigidae

Jul 30

Surnia ulula (Linnaeus, 1758) (3, 0)

Photo © CC BY 1.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=204980

STATUS

Holarctic. Polytypic.

OVERVIEW

A review (BOURC 2010) of all ten records of the species was carried out (Ibis 152: 200). It stated that seven of the ten previously accepted by the BOU (1971) were all now unacceptable. These records were covered in depth later (Harrop 2010).

RECORDS

1). 1830 Cornwall Sea area Plymouth, caught exhausted on board a collier a few miles from Looe, Cornwall, en-route to Waterford, Ireland, March, S. u. caparoch, now at National Museum of Ireland, Dublin (Acc. No. NMINH 1959.13.1).

(W. Thompson, Proceedings of the Zoological Society 1835: 77; Yarrell, 1845; E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1870: 2200; H. Saunders, Field 7th Dec., 1878: 732; Harting, 1880; C. Smith, Zoologist 1885: 7-8; Witherby, 1920-24; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 7; Penhallurick, 1978; BOURC (2010), Ibis 152: 200; A. H. J. Harrop, British Birds 103: 276-283).

History W. Thompson (1835) in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society, part 3, p. 77, read 9th June 1835, says: 'Canada Owl, Surnia funerea, Dum. An Owl of this species, preserved in the collection of Dr. Burkitt of Waterford, was taken on board a collier, a few miles off the coast of Cornwall, in March, 1830, being at the time in so exhausted a state as to allow itself to be captured by the hand. On the arrival of the vessel at Waterford, whither she was bound, the bird was given to a friend of Dr. Burkitt, with whom it lived for a few weeks, and then came into his possession. The very circumstantial account of the capture of this bird given by Captain Stacey of the collier, leaves no doubt of its accuracy.'

Yarrell (1845 (1): 146-147, 2nd ed.) says: 'An owl of this species, preserved in the collection of Dr. Burkitt of Waterford, was taken on board a collier, a few miles off the coast of Cornwall, in March 1830, being at the time in so exhausted a state as to allow itself to be captured by the hand. On the arrival of the vessel at Waterford, whither she was bound, the bird was given to a friend of Dr. Burkitt, with whom it lived for a few weeks, and then came into his possession. The very circumstantial account of the capture of this bird given by Captain Stacey of the collier leaves no doubt of its accuracy. Such was the account given to the Zoological Society in June 1835, by Mr. Thompson of Belfast, of the capture of this Owl, as recorded in the Proceedings of that Society, on the evening when the specimen was exhibited.'

E. H. Rodd (1870) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. V. p. 2200, says: 'The first recorded British example of this owl was taken on board a collier, a few miles off the coast of Cornwall, in March, 1830, in an exhausted state (see Yarrell's British Birds, p. 139).'

Howard Saunders (1878) in The Field of 7th Dec., Vol. LII. p. 732, on a visit to the Museum of Natural History at Trinity College, Dublin, says: 'The Hawk Owl, which however was taken on board a collier off the coast of Cornwall, and only ranks as an Irish specimen from having been brought by that vessel to Waterford, is the American species (Surnia funerea), to which, in fact, all the British-taken examples but one seems to belong. The solitary exception is the Scandinavian form (Surnia ulula), obtained near Amesbury, and exhibited by Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe at a meeting of the Zoological Society (P.Z.S., 1876, p. 34).'

Cecil Smith (1885) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. IX. pp. 7-8, says: 'On the 26th [May] we left Newquay for Redruth, stopping for luncheon at Truro, where we saw the worst, least cared for, and I think the dearest museum I ever was in, not even excepting the Guernsey Museum (Zool., 1872, p. 2925). The few birds in it will soon be lost, if a little more care be not taken of them. Amongst others I noted...a Hawk Owl, labelled "See Yarrell, Vol. I. ed. 3rd".'

BOU (1971) stated that it belonged to the North American race S. u. caparoch.

Penhallurick (1978: 145) adds: '...a few miles from the Cornish coast - off Looe according to Rodd's MS. (1853). After its death it passed into the hands of Dr. Burkitt who, according to D'Urban & Mathew (1892) subsequently presented it to the Museum of Trinity College, Dublin, although the College has no record of it ever having been there.'

Not listed by Humphreys (1937) as being in the National Museum, Dublin.

Admitted by W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 7, in a review of American land-birds in Europe.

Comment Dr. Burkitt was involved with the now rejected Spotted Eagle Owl from South Africa, which was claimed as obtained on Irish soil; also a suspect Great Auk.

2). 1860 Shetland Skaw, Unst, shot, December, S. u. ulula.

(W. D. Crotch, Zoologist 1861: 7706-07; H. L. Saxby, Naturalist 1866: 158; Gray, 1871; Saxby, 1874; Evans & Buckley, 1899; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 7-8; Pennington et al., 2004; BOURC (2010), Ibis 152: 200).

History W. D. Crotch of Weston-super-Mare (1861) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XIX. pp. 7706-07, undated, says: 'I have, unfortunately, little to add to the list of the birds of Shetland. A man was reported to have the skins of three rare birds shot in North Unst, and I visited them, in the hopes of discovering some prize: but the possessor, having already promised them (and even their reversion), was unwilling to display them, and said he had promised not to do so. At last, however, his conscience allowed him to let his daughter show them to us, he standing by: and from the cursory examination I could thus make I believe the three were the Pomarine Skua, Hawk Owl and Goshawk.'

H. L. Saxby (1866) in The Naturalist, Vol. II. p. 158, says: 'This rare species has been twice observed. The skin of one which was shot five years ago in the north of Unst is now in my possession.'

Gray (1871: 64) adds: 'I know of no other instance of the occurrence of this species in any part of Scotland except the Shetland islands, where, according to Dr. Saxby, it has been twice observed. The skin of one shot in the north of Unst in 1860, is now in that gentleman's collection.'

Saxby (1874: 54-55) says: 'In the winter of 1860-61 a specimen of this extremely rare bird was procured from Skaw, in Unst, by my friend Mr. James Hay, to whom I am indebted for the only British example I have seen. The skin was shown to Mr. Crotch, who reported the occurrence in The Zoologist for 1861, p. 7706. Hence the report of the capture of his specimen in Unst. I greatly regret my inability to add anything as to the habits of this species, or even of its appearance while living, but a rough description of this, one of the very few specimens procured in Britain, may not be out of place in these pages.

Measurements: Whole length (of dried skin, 16½ inches. Wing from carpal joint to tip of longest quill, 9½ inches. Bill, 31 inch. Tarsus, 1½ inch. Middle toe and its claw 1½. Bill, white, tinged with brownish grey. Eye (said to have been), yellow. Head and neck: Facial disk white, stained and slightly mottled with light dusky brown, becoming darker between the bill and the eye. Top of head and back of neck blackish brown, spotted with white, but much less on the back of the neck, where the brown lies more in patches. Outer edge of facial disk has each feather tipped with blackish brown; on each side of the neck, a long, broad, irregular line of the colour last mentioned; remainder of front of neck and its sides mottled with white and brownish black.

Upper surface: Back, scapulars, and upper tail coverts, nearly black, spotted with white, the scapulars being darkest, and those nearest the wing having numerous bar-like white marks.

Wings: Lesser coverts faded brownish black; greater coverts and all the quills, the same, but spotted with white; the spots upon the outer webs somewhat square in form.

Under surface: White, barred with brownish black, the bars paler on the breast and near the tail; on each side of the breast, near the bend of the wing, a large dark patch.

Tail, brownish black, the middle feathers with several narrow white bars. Tarsi and toes (which are feathered to the claws), dingy white, with numerous bars of pale dusky brown. Claws yellowish at base, dusky at tips. The spots are most distinct upon the head, and the bars largest and darkest upon the sides.'

Evans & Buckley (1899: 110) add: 'Unfortunately the skin was destroyed by moths.'

Admitted nationally (Witherby et al. 1940-52) and by Baxter & Rintoul (1953) who say: '...probably European ulula.'

W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 8, say: '...a fourth (Shetland, winter 1860) is thought to have been of the European race.' Accepted nationally (BOU 1971) but the race is uncertain.

Comment The mention of another from Shetland lacked details and has never been accepted by any national authority.

3). 1898 North-east Scotland Gight, Aberdeenshire, adult female, shot, 21st November, S. u. ulula.

(G. Sim, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1899: 49; Sim, 1903; Witherby, 1920-24; Thom, 1986; Phillips, 1997).

History George Sim of Aberdeen (1899) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. VIII. p. 49, says: 'On 21st November [1898] an excellent female specimen of the European Hawk-Owl (Surnia ulula) was shot by William Smith, factor on the Haddo House Estates. The bird weighed 11½ ounces, expanse of wings 28½ inches, length from beak to end of tail 14½ inches. The stomach was filled with the bones and hair of mice. The chief external difference in this species from that of our native Owls are its long rounded tail and short wings. And the principal internal difference lies in the fact that the furcula is not complete, that is, it does not form the usual V- or U-shaped bone common to most other birds, but takes the form of two long bony processes, which are united to the anterior point of the sternal crest by strong tendons, each ¾ of an inch long. Two examples of the American Hawk Owl (Surnia funerea)have been obtained in Scotland, and one supposed European Hawk Owl in Unst.'

Accepted locally by Sim (1903: 122-123) who adds: 'An adult female of this rare species was shot at Gight, November 21st, 1898, by Mr. William Smith, factor on the Haddo House estates....'

Baxter & Rintoul (1953) add: '...it is of the European ulula race.'

NOT PROVEN

0). 1847 Avon Backwell Hill, Yatton, Somerset, shot, 25th or 26th August, S. u. caparoch, now at Booth Museum, Brighton.

(E. T. Higgins, Zoologist 1851: 3029-32; Newman, 1866; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1876: 4795; Booth, 1901; Witherby, 1920-24; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 7; Palmer & Ballance, 1968).

[BOURC (2010), Ibis 152: 200; A. H. J. Harrop, British Birds 103: 276-283].

History E. T. Higgins (1851) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. IX. pp. 3029-32, says: 'The subject of the present communication was shot on the 25th or 26th of August, 1847, about two o'clock in the afternoon (the sun-shining bright at the time), whilst hawking for prey on Backwell Hill, near the Yatton (Clevedon) Station, on the Bristol and Exeter Railway, and on the day following, whilst still in the flesh, came under my observation; for the genuineness of the specimen I can therefore vouch. The delay in the record of its capture has arisen from my inability to obtain the bird for description sooner, and thinking that a mere statement of its appearance, without any account of locality, &c., would be neither satisfactory nor interesting, I preferred waiting until I could give some positive information about it. Having at length had it placed in my hands for description, I hasten to bring it before your readers; and as it differs in some respects from the individuals recorded in Wilson's American Ornithology, Yarrell's British Birds, &c., have drawn, up the following sketch.

Facial disk small and incomplete, the inner feathers of each side projecting over and almost concealing base of bill and cere: nostrils large, oval, and placed obliquely at the margin of the cere; exposed portion of bill, white; lower mandible horn-colour, nearly hid by the curling upwards of bristly feathers; eyebrows projecting; irides straw-colour; feathers of facial disk dull white, terminating in dark, purplish, black points, forming a curved band, extending from above external canthus of eye to lower edge of disk, and thence continued to front of wing. Just behind the ear, is given off another, though less distinctly marked band, passing down to point of shoulder; chin and front of throat, dusky; sides of throat nearly white, with black lines (due to the colour of the shafts of the feathers), giving them a strigose appearance: crown and back of head black, with numerous round, white spots (each feather is furnished with three white spots on a black ground); on the nape of the neck the spots are larger, but less regular: the upper part of back and shoulders dull white, mottled with brownish black: back, sepia-brown, irregularly blotched with white; primaries and secondaries sepia-brown; the former having four or five distinct and nearly equidistant white spots on outer web, towards the tips; the latter are adorned with large, nearly square, white spots on outer web, forming two or three irregular white lines; a few of the secondaries have white spots on their inner webs; tertials long and downy, with large, white spots on their outer webs, forming, when the wing is closed, a broad, elongated band of white, with a few transverse, irregular, brownish bars: rump and upper tail-coverts umber-brown; with irregular white markings, and a broad terminal white spot: tail seven inches and a half long, projecting three inches and a quarter beyond the closed wings, cuneiform, containing twelve feathers, of which the centre pair are one inch and a half longer than the outer; upper surface sepia-brown, with nine or ten whitish bars (three upper bars concealed by upper tail-coverts), a broad terminal white band. The bars are most strongly marked on the inner webs; the white is but slightly seen on the outer webs, and only in the form of indistinct spots. The striated appearance is best seen on the under surface, where the bars form, when the tail is expanded, eight or nine crescentic bands (the convexity being towards the points of the feathers) of dull white; when the tail is closed, they form transverse bars; under tail-coverts with broad, white, and narrow, brown bands; in front of the point of either wing is a blackish blotch, connected with the opposite by an irregular band of dull white feathers, having stripes and spots of sepia-brown; beneath this and across upper part of breast, is a broad, pale band, sparingly marked with brown; lower part of breast, belly and sides, dull white, with numerous transverse, slightly waved bars of hair-brown; legs and feet thickly covered with yellowish brown feathers, barred with dark brown; claws bluish black, long, curved and sharp; middle claw furnished with a projecting sharp inner edge.

Total length 14½ inches; from point of wing to tip, 9½ inches; length of central tail feathers, 7½ inches. First quill feather shortest; third longest; fourth a little shorter; second less than fourth: feathers on under surface of wing white, with sepia-brown bands, which on some are regularly transverse, but in others the brown is placed alternately on inner and outer webs. By comparing the above description with those of Messrs. Yarrell and Wilson, it will at once be seen how far the present specimen resembles, and in what respect it differs, from those examined by them.'

Alfred Newton (1871-74 (1): 184, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: '...specimen now in Mr. Borrer's collection [Cowfold, Sussex].'

J. H. Gurney, jun. (1876) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. XI. p. 4795, says: 'The claws of the Hawk Owl are not bluish black, as described by Mr. Higgins (s.s. 3031), but black and white.'

Booth (1901: 213, 3rd ed.) says: 'Shot on Blackwell [sic] Hill, Clevedon, Somerset, August, 1847.'

Admitted by W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 7, in a review of American land-birds in Europe.

BOU (1971) say: 'It belonged to the North American race S. u. caparoch and erroneously stated it as 1867.'

Comment Now at the Booth Museum, Brighton. Gurney, jun., or Newman (Editor) erroneously state the original reference as in the second series of The Zoologist.

0). 1852 Devon Musbury, seen, late August or early September.

(D'Urban & Mathew, 1892).

[W. S. M. D'Urban, Victoria County History of Devon 1: 311; BOU, 1971].

History D'Urban & Mathew (1892: 136) says: 'Capt. J. N. Seill, of Slades, Knoyle, Wilts., wrote to inform us that he had followed and watched for some time a Hawk-Owl as it was circling round and round in the air, making a noise like the cry of a Hawk in the middle of the day, near Musbury, in E. Devon. In his letter, dated Sept. 27, 1876, he says: "I have great pleasure in forwarding to you this following account of the Hawk Owl. It was seen by my father and self near Musbury, either the very end of August or the beginning of September, 1852, about three o'clock in the afternoon. We were first attracted to it by its Hawk-like cries. It kept circling round and round about forty yards high, and frequently came close to us. We watched it for half an hour or so, when it gradually kept circling away towards the west. The day was a fine hot summer one. I had no gun with me when we saw it, and although I searched for it on the following days I never found it. I dare say some gamekeeper killed it, little knowing what bird it was. My father and I have frequently talked about the bird, hence the reason for my knowing the date".'

W. S. M. D'Urban (1906 (1): 311) in the Victoria County History of Devon, placing the record in square brackets, says: 'A Hawk Owl (Surnia funerea) is supposed to have been seen by Captain J. N. Still of Slade, Knoyle, Wilts., at Musbury, in east Devon at the end of August or the beginning of September 1869.'

Comment No description published. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1857 Wiltshire Near Amesbury, shot, undated, S. u. ulula.

(Anon., Proceedings of the Zoological Society 1876: 334; A. P. Morres, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 17: 123-124; BOU, 1883; Smith, 1887; Witherby, 1920-24; Hollom, 1960; Buxton, 1981).

[BOURC (2010), Ibis 152: 200; A. H. J. Harrop, British Birds 103: 276-283].

History Anon. (1876) in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, pp. 334-335, at a meeting held on 4th April 1876, says: 'Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe, F.Z.S., exhibited a specimen of a Hawk-Owl (Surnia ulula), belonging to Mr. James Rawlence, of Bulbridge-within-Salisbury. It was shot by a Mr. Long several years ago near Amesbury, in Wiltshire, and was given by him to Mr. Rawlence, in whose collection it remained till Mr. Mansel-Pleydell happened to see it, and brought it to London for identification. The specimen was very interesting as being the first British-killed specimen of the true Swedish Surnia ulula. It would be seen, on reference to the Birds of Europe, that all the specimens of Hawk-Owls hitherto killed in Great Britain have belonged to the American form, Surnia funerea, with the exception of one bird shot in Shetland, which was probably the Swedish bird; this, however, could not be ascertained, as the skin bad been destroyed by moth. The present was therefore the first authentic introduction of the Surnia ulula into this country. The Hawk-Owls of America and Europe were, Mr. Sharpe said, scarcely distinct species, but tolerably recognizable races.'

A. P. Morres (1878) in the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, Vol. XVII. p. 123-124, says: 'I come now to mention this bird, of which Wiltshire, I believe, contains the only European specimen as yet recorded. This species is an inhabitant of northern latitudes, and is found in Canada, as also in Sweden, and the North of Europe. The individual specimen I have mentioned is now in the possession of Mr. Rawlence, of Wilton, having been presented to him by Mr. Long, of Amesbury, who is now residing at Coombe Bissett, near here.

On writing to him on the subject he kindly sent me the following reply: "I am sorry I cannot fix the exact date when either myself or my younger brother killed the bird in question. All I can answer for is that it was killed in the parish of Amesbury, and it is some years since. My brother died in 1853, and I am nearly positive it was before his death. I remember it was in severe weather. I did not know of its rarity till Mr. Rawlence chanced to see it, and I felt great pleasure in giving it to him to add to his beautiful collection".

This bird was exhibited at the Zoological Society of London, on the 4th of April last (1876), as being the only authentic specimen of the European Hawk Owl yet recorded, as having been killed in England. There are one or two other instances of its capture, and one or two only, but they have occurred on the western coasts of our island, giving rise at once to the conjecture that they had been blown across the Atlantic by some storm from America. So that from what has been said Wiltshire alone can apparently boast of possessing a true specimen of the Swedish Hawk Owl up to this date.'

Admitted nationally in the first List of British Birds as a European Hawk Owl (BOU 1883: 88).

Smith (1887: 113) says: '...one was taken in Wiltshire, having been killed during severe weather, some thirty or more years since, by Mr. Long, then residing at Amesbury, and it was given by him to Mr. Rawlence, of Wilton, in whose collection it may be now seen. The Rev. A. P. Morres records that it was exhibited at the Zoological Society of London on April 4th, 1876, as being the only authentic specimen of the European Hawk Owl yet recorded as having been killed in England.'

Hollom (1960) gives the date as prior to 1876. Buxton (1981) states shot about 1850.

Comment Lack of a precise date with confusion all adds up to the record being suspicious. Not acceptable.

0). 1863 Clyde Near Maryhill, Lanarkshire, shot, some time before 29th December, S. u. caparoch.

(Anon., Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow 1: 81; E. R. Alston, Zoologist 1866: 496; Gray, 1871; Witherby, 1920-24; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 7; Thom, 1986; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

[BOURC (2010), Ibis 152: 200; A. H. J. Harrop, British Birds 103: 276-283].

History Anon. (1858-69) in the Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow, Vol. I. p. 81, says: 'This specimen, shot near Maryhill, Lanarkshire, was exhibited by Dr. Dewar at a meeting of the Natural History Society of Glasgow on 29th December 1863.'

Edward R. Alston (1866) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. I. pp. 495-496, dated 10th September 1866, says: 'A third British specimen...'

Gray (1871: 64) says: 'In December, 1863, I examined a very fine specimen of this rare British bird, which was shot at Maryhill, near Glasgow, and exhibited at a meeting of the Natural History Society [of Glasgow] by Dr. Dewar, in whose collection it now remains; it was seen haunting a range of stables for some nights before it was killed.'

Dresser (1871-81 (5): 310-311) says: 'Dr. Dewar, in reply to our letter, most kindly sent up his specimen to London; and it was recognizable at a glance as the American bird.'

Admitted by W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 7, in a review of American land-birds in Europe.

Forrester & Andrews et al. (2007 (2): 913) say: 'The specimen was possibly donated to Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, Glasgow (GLAMG Z1880.122az), as part of the Stewart bequest in 1880 but is now lost.'

Comment Presumably he was unaware of the Cornish record caught at sea. Subsequently, accepted by Witherby et al. (1940-52), Baxter & Rintoul (1953) and BOU (1971) as American caparoch.

0). 1864 Lincolnshire No locality, shot, undated.

(J. C. Hall, Field 14th July 1866: 22).

[Lorand & Atkin, 1989].

History John Charles Hall of Sheffield (1866) in The Field of 14th July, Vol. XXVIII. p. 22, dated July 5th, says: 'I have been so fortunate as to obtain today a beautiful specimen of that curious, and in this country singularly rare, bird, the Hawk Owl (Strix funerea). I have known this bird for the last two years, but I could only the other day induce its owner, Mr. F. Sykes, bird-preserver, Norfolk Street, Sheffield, to sell it to me in order in order that I might add it to my collection of British birds. It was shot two years ago in Lincolnshire, and sold in the flesh to Mr. Sykes by the man who shot it, and who was quite ignorant of its great value, he selling it, and a duck at the same time, for a few shillings. Mr. Sykes showed it to me before stuffing it, but then would not sell it.

This bird would be regarded as quite a prize by Mr. Darwin - a link in the feathered chain uniting the hawks with the owls - rather, perhaps, should we say a hybrid between the two. My bird is a male, about 16½ inches long, and has many points of resemblance both to the owl and the hawk, viz. - the small head and long tail of the one, and the rough and peculiar feet of the other. The head of my bird is small, the back of its black, beautifully spotted with white, and the beak is white; the facial disk is a dirty white, having at its edge a half-moon-shaped dark brown patch, which extends downwards from the ears; breast beautifully barred with dark brown lines; back and wings, dark umber brown, lower half of back barred with dead white; upper surface of tail feathers brown, with narrow bars of dull white; under surface of the tail feathers barred with a greyish brown and dull white. Compared with the coloured drawing in Morris' British Birds, Vol. I. p. 224, my bird is darker. I shall be most happy to show it to any of your readers who may call at my house.'

Comment Lacks adequate details of locality and date. Not acceptable.

0). 1868 Clyde Near Greenock, Renfrewshire, shot, some time before 20th November, S. u. caparoch.

(Anon., Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow 1: 235-236; Gray, 1871; Yarrell, 1871-85; Witherby, 1920-24; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 7-8; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

[BOURC (2010), Ibis 152: 200; A. H. J. Harrop, British Birds 103: 276-283].

History Anon. (1858-69) in the Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow, Vol. I. pp. 235-236, on 24th November 1868, it says: 'The Secretary exhibited the following birds which had been obligingly forwarded by William Boyd, Esq., Greenock: - 1. A specimen of the Hawk Owl (Surnia funerea), which was taken in the flesh to a Greenock bird-stuffer about ten days ago for preservation, and is supposed to have been captured at no great distance from that town. This is the fourth specimen that has occurred in the mainland of Britain, and the sixth Hawk Owl that has been captured as British, taking into account two specimens recorded by Dr. Saxby, of Baltasound, as having been procured in the Shetland Islands.'

Gray (1871: 64) says: 'A second specimen was taken in the flesh to the shop of a bird-stuffer in Greenock, about the 20th November, 1868, and is supposed to have been killed at no great distance from that town. It was procured by William Boyd Esq., Greenock who forwarded it to me for exhibition at a meeting of the Natural History Society of Glasgow.'

Alfred Newton (1871-74 (1): 184, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'Mr. Gray adds that another example was taken in the flesh to a bird-stuffer at Greenock, in November, 1868, which was procured by Mr. William Boyd, and is supposed to have been killed at no great distance from that town.'

Dalgleish (1880) includes this record as an 'observation' saying: '...supposed to have been killed near that town, as it was in the flesh', while Dresser (1871-81 (5): 310-311) adds: '...the specimen could not then be traced.'

Accepted nationally (Witherby et al. 1940-52) and by Baxter & Rintoul (1953) who say: '...probably American caparoch.'

Admitted by W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 8, in a review of American land-birds in Europe, but adding that the subspecies had not been ascertained.

0). 1871 Clyde Near Greenock, Renfrewshire, December.

(Gray, MS.; Dresser, 1871-81).

[Eds., British Birds 9: 215; Witherby, 1920-24; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 7-8; I. J. Andrews & K. A. Naylor, Scottish Birds 23: 92; BOURC (2010), Ibis 152: 200; A. H. J. Harrop, British Birds 103: 276-283].

History Dresser (1871-81 (5): 310-311) says: '[Dr. Dewar] tells me that another specimen of the Hawk Owl was taken in the flesh to the same shop [in Greenock] a few months ago, and that he saw and examined it. It was in very poor condition; and as it had been left by a sailor, it was concluded that he had caught it on board some ship.'

In an Editorial (1916) in British Birds, Vol. IX. pp. 214-215, says: 'A very useful series of articles is contributed by Messrs. J. Robertson and T. Thornton Mackeith on this subject to the Scottish Naturalist (1915, pp. 124-7, 244-50, 268-75). The authors give a brief account of the status of each species in narrative form, but authorities for the statements are seldom quoted, so that it is difficult to say what is new in their list. We note the following, which seem to us of special interest....A second Renfrew record for the American Hawk-Owl (Greenock, December, 1871) has, we fancy, been discredited.'

Witherby et al. (1940-52) placing the record in square brackets, say: '...a second near Greenock, Dec., 1871, is of very doubtful authenticity.'

W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 8, say: 'Another bird of unknown race near Greenock, in December 1871, has had doubt thrown on its authenticity.'

0). 1903 Northamptonshire Orlingbury, shot, 19th October.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1904: 214; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 316; Witherby, 1920-24; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 8).

[BOURC (2010), Ibis 152: 200; A. H. J. Harrop, British Birds 103: 276-283].

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1904) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VIII. pp. 213-214, says: 'October 19th. In Northamptonshire a Hawk Owl was shot, and perhaps it was in the same company that a Grey Shrike came over which was disturbed on Caister Denes making a meal of a Greenfinch (E. Saunders), which it had impaled for the purpose.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 316, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

Admitted by W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 8, in a review of American land-birds in Europe, but adding that the subspecies had not been ascertained.

0). 1913 Essex Colchester, adult male, shot, 28th February, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1962Z10.148).

(Glegg, 1929; Watson, 2010).

[N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 23: 47; BOU, 1971].

History Glegg (1929: 120-121) says: 'In the collection of Sir Vauncey Harpur Crewe, Bart., which was sold at Stephens' Rooms on 23rd February 1926, was Lot 6, which was purchased by Mr. J. L. Ardern, Holly Bank, Repton, Derby, who informs me that it was an adult male of the European type.'

N. F. Ticehurst (1929) in British Birds, Vol. XXIII. p. 47, in a Review of A History of the Birds of Essex, by William E. Glegg, says: 'The inclusion of the three Hawk Owls from the Vauncey Crewe Collection as accepted records seems to be distinctly hazardous. The work of many future county historians will have been made infinitely harder than it need have been by the regrettable and absurd secrecy with which this collection was accumulated and kept, while the total absence of any proper catalogue of it but adds to the difficulties. It becomes therefore all the more necessary to exercise particular strictness with regard to the acceptance of records based on specimens from this source. In the present instance one is naturally sceptical that these three birds should have been shot near together in Essex within a space of ten days. One of them, whose history has been traced by Mr. A. F. Griffith, one might perhaps be disposed to accept, but the records of the other two appear to depend entirely upon the data given in the sale catalogue of the collection. The accuracy of this can be gauged by comparing that of the first with the particulars ascertained by Mr. Griffith!'

Watson (2010) in detailing the J. L. Auden collection in the Birmingham Museum lists a male specimen that was obtained at Colchester, Essex on 28th February 1913, adding that it was bought from Sir V. H. Crewe's collection.

0). 1913 Essex Giberacks, near Chelmsford, female, obtained, 2nd February, photo.

(Glegg, 1929, plate).

[N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 23: 47; BOU, 1971].

History Glegg (1929: 120-121) says: 'This bird was sent to Mr. E. T. Clarke, Cheltenham, to be stuffed and purchased by Sir Vauncey in the following April for 10 guineas. It was a female, erroneously catalogued as a male, also in the plate. At the sale of the collection of Sir Vauncey Harpur Crewe, Bart., in Stephens' Rooms on 23rd February 1926 it was purchased by Mr. E. T. Clarke, Cheltenham, who sold it to Mr. A. Griffith for the Booth Museum, Brighton. It was shot by a gamekeeper.'

0). 1913 Essex Near Chelmsford, male, shot, 18th February.

(Glegg, 1929).

[N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 23: 47; BOU, 1971; Wood, 2007].

History Glegg (1929: 120-121) says: 'In the collection of Sir Vauncey Harpur Crewe, Bart., and at the sale in Stephens' Rooms on 23rd February 1926 was purchased by Mr. F. E. Gunn, 84, St Giles Street, Norwich, and then passed into the collection of Mr. W. H. M. Andrews, Wood Hall, Hethersett, Norfolk.'

Wood (2007: 59) states that this specimen is in the Booth Museum of Natural History, Brighton, but that the record is of dubious origin.

0). 1926 Surrey West Molesey Reservoir, seen, 27th December.

(W. K. Robinson, British Birds 20: 226).

[Parr, 1972].

History W. Kay Robinson (1927) in British Birds, Vol. XX. p. 226, under 'Probable Hawk Owl in Middlesex', says: 'On December 27th, 1926, at West Molesey Reservoirs, Mr. R. W. Heenan and I saw what was, without any doubt, a Hawk-Owl (Surnia ulula subsp.). It was perched in the upper branches of a tree at the foot of the largest reservoir and paid no attention to passing, motorists on the road close by. At first, from the length of tail, we thought it some strange kind of Hawk, but a nearer approach showed the peculiarly "square" shape of the head and the obvious Owl-shape of the body. It was then facing us, and we particularly noticed (1) the cross-barring on the breast, (2) the black "border" encircling the cheeks, and (3), most important of all, the long tail which, to us, appeared distinctly wedge-shaped, i.e. coming to a point.

After a bit it rose and, with a sort of half-twist, dropped into the next tree, where it again settled, this time with its back to us, when it appeared all darkish-brown above, with scattered paler markings, and the tail barred, but not strongly. We tried to get a closer view, and the bird then flew away behind the next tree, and we could not find it again.'

Not accepted locally (Parr 1972).

AC Non-pass

Keith Naylor

Northern Hawk Owl

Surnia ulula (Linnaeus, 1758) (3, 0)

Boreal (Tengmalm's) Owl

Eurasian Scops Owl