Ortolan Bunting (1/2)

Emberizidae

Mar 20

Written By Keith Naylor

Emberiza hortulana Linnaeus, 1758 (269, 275)

Photo © Kris Webb - Salakee, St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly, September 2022

Species of interest

STATUS

Palearctic. Monotypic.

OVERVIEW

Formerly known as the Green-headed Bunting.

Edward Blyth (1837) in Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. I. p. 441, says: 'Here I may mention, that, during the present spring, great numbers of live Ortolan Buntings have been brought to the London markets from Prussia. It is not unlikely, therefore, that, from time to time, some of these may escape from captivity and be retaken in the southern counties.

For this reason, it will be necessary to scrutinise very narrowly any specimen that may occur, and not only as regards the appearance of its quill and tail feathers (which may have been moulted), but more particularly that of its feet and claws, which are almost certain to retain traces of protracted captivity: should the upper mandible be found to grow over, also, this would be a suspicious character. I have known more than one instance of small birds escaping from the market-people, which, having been newly caught, could not have been afterwards recognised as cage specimens.'

Migration here is from late April to early June and mid-August to mid-October.

RECORDS

1). Pre 1776 Greater London Marylebone Fields, trapped, undated, now at Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

(Brown, 1776; Yarrell, 1845; Harting, 1866; Yarrell, 1871-85; Seebohm, 1883-85; Gurney, 1921).

History Brown (1776: 74) under 'Green-headed Bunting, says: 'Size: of the figure. Bill: brown. Head and neck: of a dull green. Wings, breast and belly: deep brown. Coverts of wings and back, light brown, intermixed with black feathers. Tail: brown. Legs: of a yellowish colour.

It was caught in Marybone [sic] Fields by a common bird-catcher. I do not find it to be an English bird; probably it had escaped out of some cage. It is now in Mr. Moon's collection, in Hyde Park.'

Yarrell (1845 (1): 502-503, 2nd ed.) says: 'The Green-headed Bunting was first described and figured by Brown in his Illustrations of Zoology, page 74, tab. 30, from a living specimen then in the possession of Mr. Moon in Hyde Park, which was taken in Mary-la-bonne Fields by a London bird-catcher....To the Synopsis of the Newcastle Museum, by George T. Fox, Esq., F.L.S., we are indebted for much valuable information on various zoological subjects, and some particulars of the Green-headed Bunting. From this gentleman's statement, we learn that the specimen of the Green-headed Bunting figured by Brown, while it was alive in the possession of Mr. Moon, passed, when dead, into the possession of Mr. Tunstal, and was preserved for his collection.'

Harting (1866) says: 'In May, 1863, while staying at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, I took the opportunity of visiting the museum there, and, amongst other rarities, I noticed an Ortolan Bunting, labelled as follows: "Green-headed Bunting, Emberiza Tunstalli, Lath, and Mont. Emberiza Chlorocephala, Gmel. From the Allan Museum. This was the specimen from which the bird was first described as a species. It was caught near London". This same specimen is figured in Brown's Illustrations of Zoology.'

Admitted nationally as the first for Britain (Seebohm 1884 (2): 153; Gurney 1921).

2). 1822 At sea Sea area Humber, a few miles off the Yorkshire coast, caught, May, now at Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

(Bewick, 1826; Selby, 1833; Yarrell, 1845; Yarrell, 1871-85; Seebohm, 1883-85; Bewick, 1885).

History Selby (1833 (1): 294-295) says: 'Although this species has not hitherto been included in the list of British Birds, it would appear, that it has long been entitled to rank, as an occasional visitant...That the Green-headed Bunting of Bewick (figured in the later editions of his work, from a bird caught at sea upon the Yorkshire coast in May 1822, now in the Museum of the Natural History Society, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and considered by him to be the same as Emb. tunstalli, and the Green-headed Bunting of Latham and Brown) is identical with the true Ember. hortulana; I feel perfectly convinced, not only from the correct description he has given, answering in every particular to a bird of this species now before me, but from an examination of his very specimen.'

Admitted nationally (Seebohm (1884 (2): 153).

Bewick (1885 (1): 222-223, Memorial Edition) says: 'The crew of a collier vessel caught this bird at sea, as it was making its way to the shore, on the Yorkshire coast, after a severe storm of wind in the month of May, 1822. It lived a short time after it was brought to land, and was lent to this work by G. T. Fox, Esq., and is now in the Museum of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle.

It is about the size of the Yellow Bunting. The bill dark reddish; the head and neck, as far as the breast, pale olive green, slightly powdered with pale ash-grey. The chin and throat are pale greenish yellow; a streak of the same colour falls down from the corners of the lower mandibles, before the auriculars. The breast and belly are of a light rusty chestnut; the vent and under coverts of the tail, the same, but of a paler or more dingy cast; the feathers on the back, scapulars, and greater and lesser coverts are very dark brown in the middle, but the rest of the webs are much lighter and of a rusty brown; the lower part of the back and upper coverts of the tail are also of the latter colour; the quills and tail feathers are deepish brown; the former edged with light brown; middle tail feathers the same; the rest plain, and the outer feathers are somewhat longer than the middle ones. The legs reddish yellow.'

3). 1827 Greater Manchester Near Manchester, male, killed, November, now at City of Liverpool Museum.

(W. Yarrell, Zoological Journal 3: 498-499; Anon., Zoological Journal 4: 132; Yarrell, 1845; Yarrell, 1871-85; Seebohm, 1883-85; Clubb, 1914).

History W. Yarrell (1828) in the Zoological Journal, Vol. III. pp. 498-499, says: 'A beautiful example of this bird was killed near Manchester, also in November last. As this species may be considered an addition to our list of British Birds, and has been confounded with the Emberiza chlorocephala of Gmelin and others, I hope to be excused some further detail.

The Green-headed Bunting was first described and figured by Brown in his Illustrations of Zoology from a living specimen then in the possession of Mr. Moon in Hyde Park, Dr. Latham describes a Green-headed Bunting in the collection of M. Tunstal, Esq., in the 3d volume of his Synopsis, p. 211, No. 61.

From these sources a description of this bird was copied by Gmelin, Lewin, Montagu, &c. Latham and Montagu both express their doubts of its being a distinct species, no other instances appearing to be recorded than those before mentioned. Mr. Bewick in the supplement to a late edition of his interesting work on British Birds has given a figure to which he has attached the name of the Green-headed Bunting, Emberiza chlorocephala of Gmelin, but with an exact description of the Emberiza hortulana.

This representation was taken from a bird caught at sea by the Master of a coasting vessel, and would not probably, on that account, be considered as belonging to the British Fauna.

To the Synopsis of the Newcastle Museum, by G. T. Fox, Esq., F.L.S., we are indebted for much valuable information on various Zoological subjects, and some particulars of the birds in question. From this author's account we learn, that the specimen of the Green-headed Bunting figured by Brown, while it was alive in the possession of Mr. Moon, passed, when dead, into the collection of Mr. Tunstal. It appears therefore that one and the same bird had furnished the materials for all the various authors before enumerated; and the doubts of Latham and Montagu thus receive additional strength. By a fortunate coincidence, this identical Green-headed Bunting, now belonging to the Newcastle Museum, has at this time been sent to London by Mr. Fox for the inspection of the members of the Linnean Society, and from an examination of it, I am induced to believe, that it is a variety of E. hortulana, the plumage having undergone a change produced by artificial food and confinement.'

Anon. (1828) in the Zoological Journal, Vol. IV. p. 132, at the Zoological Club of the Linnean Society meeting of 22nd January 1828, says: 'Mr. Yarrell exhibited a specimen of the Emberiza hortulana, Linn., killed near Manchester, in November last; and entered at some length into the history of our acquaintance with the Emberiza chlorocephala, Gm., the original specimen of which, now belonging to the Newcastle Museum, was on the table, having been forwarded to the Linnean Society by G. T. Fox, Esq.'

Yarrell (1845 (1): 504, 2nd ed.) says: 'A fine male specimen was killed near Manchester in November 1827.'

Alfred Newton (1876-82 (2): 58, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, adds: 'A fine male was killed near Manchester and having passed into the possession of the Author of this work was figured by Selby.'

Admitted nationally (Seebohm 1884 (2): 153).

Clubb (1914: 10) says: 'Case No. 127. A male of this species was killed near Manchester in November 1827, and was figured by Selby.'

4). 1837 Greater London Near London, male, caught, winter.

(E. Blyth, Magazine of Natural History 1: 441; Yarrell, 1845; Yarrell, 1871-85).

History Edward Blyth (1837) in Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. I. p. 441, dated 10th July 1837, says: 'Here I may mention, that, during the present spring, great numbers of live Ortolan Buntings have been brought to the London markets from Prussia. It is not unlikely, therefore, that, from time to time, some of these may escape from captivity and be retaken in the southern counties.

I have known more than one instance of small birds escaping from the market-people, which, having been newly caught, could not have been afterwards recognised as cage specimens....There is a fine male Ortolan, now alive and doing well, in the Zoological Gardens, which was taken last winter in a bird-catcher's net, near the metropolis, along with yellow buntings.

This bird was exceedingly wild when first caught, and exhibited no sign whatever of previous captivity. That it came over of its own accord is, also, the more likely, as I cannot learn that, before the present season, any live specimens have been imported.'

Yarrell (1845 (1): 504, 2nd ed.) says: 'In 1837 another male Ortolan was caught near London, along with Yellow Buntings, in a bird-catcher's net, and deposited in the aviary at the Zoological Gardens, as recorded by Mr. Blyth.'

5). 1841 Sussex Brighton, shot, 29th April.

(W. Borrer, Annals & Magazine of Natural History 7: 524; Yarrell, 1845; Yarrell, 1871-85; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

History William Borrer of Henfield (1841) in the Annals & Magazine of Natural History, Vol. VII. p. 524, dated 29th May, says: 'As it appears to me that the occurrence of every rare animal ought to be made known to those who take an interest in Natural History, I send you the following notice, thinking that the Editors may probably consider it worthy of insertion in their Magazine.

On the 29th of April a very perfect specimen of the Ortolan Bunting, Emberiza hortulana of Jenyns, Brit. An. p. 132, was shot whilst sitting on the parapet of the viaduct of the Brighton and London Railway, near the Brighton terminus. When first seen it was very restless, flitting about and uttering an incessant shrill chirping note. This specimen, which is now in my possession, agrees in every respect with the descriptions of Mr. Jenyns and of Mr. Yarrell, except that the tail has a portion of the inner webs of three of the outer feathers white instead of two.

This is, I believe, at most only the sixth specimen which has hitherto occurred in Britain.'

Yarrell (1845 (1): 504, 2nd ed.) says: 'At the end of April a fine specimen was shot whilst sitting on the parapet of the viaduct of the Brighton and London Railway, near the Brighton terminus. This example is now in the possession of Mr. William Borrer, jun., of Henfield.'

Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (1): 159).

6). 1851 Isles of Scilly Tresco, immature, killed, early October.

(E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1851: 3277; Bullmore, 1867; Yarrell, 1871-85; Couch, 1878; Saunders, 1899).

History E. H. Rodd (1851) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. IX. p. 3277, dated 10th October 1851, says: 'A bird of this species, apparently having assumed its autumnal plumage, was killed upon Trescoe Island a day or two since. The resemblance of this bird to the female of the Cirl and Yellow buntings is very great, and it would pass as such if the peculiar colour of the orbits, beak, and belly, which is mottled with chestnut and yellowish white, did not point out the difference.'

Bullmore (1867: 21) says: 'Killed on a wall at Trescoe Abbey, Scilly. - vide, Mr. Rodd's list.'

Couch (1878: 14) says: 'One specimen was killed on a wall at Trescoe Abbey, Scilly, in 1851.'

7). 1852 Sussex Between Lancing and Worthing, male, shot, 27th April.

(J. W. Stephenson, Zoologist 1852: 3476; "W.F.W.B." Morris & Bree's Naturalist 1852 (2): 131; Morris, 1851-57; Yarrell, 1871-85; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

History J. W. Stephenson of North Brixton (1852) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. X. p. 3476, dated 29th April, says: 'I beg to inform you that a fine male specimen of the Ortolan Bunting was shot on the morning of the 27th instant, within a few yards of the turnpike gate between Lancing and Worthing, and is now in my possession.

When first observed it was seeking food on a bank by the road-side, and would have escaped notice had it not been for the strange note when disturbed. On examining the body after it was skinned, I found that it was by no means fat, but nevertheless plump, and contained almost exclusively the remains of small beetles, principally Curculios.

This is, I believe, the first instance of its occurrence in this county recorded in the pages of The Zoologist; in the last case mentioned by Yarrell the bird was shot at the end of April, 1844 [sic], whilst sitting on the railway viaduct at Brighton, being exactly at the same time of the year, and almost in the same locality, as in the present instance.'

Morris (1852 (3): 49) says: 'One was shot on the 27th of April in the present year, 1852, close to the town of Worthing, in Sussex, about a couple of hundred yards from the sea. For this information I am indebted to W. F. W. Bird, Esq., who had it from Mr. Cooper, of Radnor-Street, London.'

Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (1): 159).

8). 1859 Suffolk Lowestoft, adult male, obtained, 5th May.

(H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1859: 6602; Yarrell, 1871-85; A. H. Patterson, Zoologist 1900: 406; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 26: 281).

History H. Stevenson of Norwich (1859) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XVII. p. 6602, says: 'A still greater rarity [than Woodchat Shrike], in the shape of an adult male Ortolan Bunting, was shot at Lowestoft, on the 5th of May. It is doubtful if this species has ever been observed in Norfolk.'

Arthur H. Patterson of Great Yarmouth (1900) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IV. p. 406, says: 'One Lowestoft Denes, May 5th, 1859.'

H. F. Witherby (1933) in British Birds, Vol. XXVI. p. 281, in a Review of C. B. Ticehurst's A History of the Birds of Suffolk, says: 'Amongst the few Ortolans recorded, that for May, 1859, at Lowestoft, is omitted.'

9). c. 1860 Dorset Weymouth, shot, undated, now at County Museum, Dorchester.

(F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History Society and Antiquarian Field Club 39: 49; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 171; W. R. Thompson, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 62: 115; Boys, 1973; Green, 2004).

History F. L. Blathwayt (1918) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History Society and Antiquarian Field Club, Vol. XXXIX. p. 49, under 'New Species of Birds observed in Dorset', says: 'A specimen in the Dorchester Museum from Weymouth was presented with the Thompson collection. The late William Thompson, of Weymouth, made a local collection of birds and recorded rarities about the middle of the last century.'

Admitted by F. L. Blathwayt (1934) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LV. p. 171, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset'.

W. R. Thompson (1941) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LXII. p. 115, under 'List of Species of Birds in the Dorset County Museum', says: 'Ortolan Bunting near Weymouth, c. 1860 (W. Thompson).'

10). 1860 Avon Near Sidcot, shot, undated.

(Knight, 1902; Palmer & Ballance, 1968; R. Mielcarek, 2019 (An Annotated Checklist [Avon] 2nd ed.).

History Palmer & Ballance (1968) state that one in the Tanner Collection was shot near Sidcot in 1860 (Knight, 1902).

11). 1866 Norfolk Great Yarmouth, caught, April.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 1: 61-62; Yarrell, 1871-85; A. H. Patterson, Zoologist 1900: 406; Ticehurst, 1932).

History J. H. Gurney, jun. (1872) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. I. pp. 61-62, says: 'Mr. Stevenson has given his reasons in the Birds of Norfolk, (Vol. I. p. 199,) for excluding the Ortolan Bunting; but from what has recently come to light it would seem that it may yet be entitled to a place in the rich avi-fauna of our county.

Last year I bought a specimen of Mr. Gunn, (a dull-coloured one compared with the plate in Sharpe and Dresser’s Birds of Europe,) which had been netted at Yarmouth in April, 1866, and kept alive two days by a man named Harvey....'

Arthur H. Patterson of Great Yarmouth (1900) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IV. p. 406, says: 'An example netted at Yarmouth, April, 1866 (B. of N.).'

Ticehurst (1932: 88) says: '...probably obtained on the Norfolk side of the town.'

12). 1874 Kent Near Dover, caught, 14th September, now at Rochester Museum.

(Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1984).

History Harrison (1953 (2): 278) states that one in the Prentis collection at Rochester was caught on 14th September, 1874 at Dover.

13). 1883 Lincolnshire Great Cotes, seen, 3rd May.

(J. Cordeaux, Zoologist 1883: 253; J. A. Harvie Brown & J. Cordeaux, Migration Report 5: 44; Lorand & Atkin, 1989).

History J. A. Harvie Brown & J. Cordeaux (1884) in the Report on the Migration of Birds in the Spring and Autumn of 1883, 5th report, p. 44, say: 'Great Cotes, May 3rd, N.E., very sharp and cold, one seen, apparently an adult female [see Cordeaux, Zool., 1883, p. 253].'

14). 1884 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, immature female, shot, 12th September.

(J. A. Harvie Brown, J. Cordeaux & W. E. Clarke, Migration Report 6: 51; Gurney, 1884; Saunders, 1899).

History J. A. Harvie Brown, J. Cordeaux & W. E. Clarke (1885) in the Report on the Migration of Birds in the Spring and Autumn of 1884, 6th report, p. 51, say: 'Cley, Norfolk, Sept. 12th, E. to N., one, an immature female, shot by Mr. F. D. Power.'

Gurney (1884: 4) under 'Additions and Corrections' says: 'An Ortolan in a very immature state of plumage was shot at Blakeney by Mr. Power, September 12, 1884. This is the first authentic occurrence of the Ortolan in Norfolk, as previous specimens may have escaped.'

Accepted locally by Southwell, Editor (1890 (3): 379) in Stevenson's Birds of Norfolk

Saunders (1899, 2nd ed.) says: 'An immature bird was shot from among some Linnets, at Cley, Norfolk, on September 12th 1884.'

15). 1885 Isle of May No locality, two, 23rd April to 2nd May when male shot.

(J. A. Harvie Brown, J. Cordeaux & W. E. Clarke, Migration Report 1885: 26; Eds., Ibis 1885: 334; H. M. Drummond Hay, Scottish Naturalist 8: 362; Saunders, 1899; Harting, 1901; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Ibis 1918: 262).

History J. A. Harvie Brown, J. Cordeaux & W. E. Clarke (1886) in the Report on the Migration of Birds in the Spring and Autumn of 1885, 7th report, p. 26, say: 'Addition to the Isle of May List. Ortolan Buntings: Two specimens - one shot 12.30 p.m.; light S.E., clear, thick fog and heavy rain all night. Named by Mr. Agnew correctly. - J. A. H. B.

Mr. Agnew adds under 29th May: There are two Ortolan Buntings, three Tree Sparrows, and one female Redstart on the island since the 23rd April.'

In an Editorial (1885) in The Ibis, Vol. XXVII. p. 334, they say: 'At the meeting of the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh held on the 20th of May last, the Secretary drew the attention of the meeting to several interesting birds that had been taken during the month on the island of May by Mr. Agnew, lighthouse keeper, and forwarded to Mr. J. A. Harvie-Brown, in whose collection they have since been placed. These were two specimens of the Ortolan Bunting and others of the Pied Flycatcher and Red-backed Shrike. The Secretary remarked that these birds had appeared during their spring migration, and that in the case of the Ortolan Bunting, the capture proved that any Scotch specimens of the birds that have been recorded could not be said to be escaped birds, seeing that they had been in company with well-known migratory species, and were in all likelihood on their way to Scandinavia, where they are known to breed.'

H. M. Drummond Hay (1885-86) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. VIII. p. 362, in the Report of the East of Scotland Union, admits this record. Harting (1901) p. 77, says: 'Two frequented the Isle of May, Firth of Forth, from April 23 to May 2, when one was shot (Migration Report, 1885, p. 26).'

E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1918) in The Ibis, Vol. LX. p. 262, under 'The Birds of the Isle of May', say: 'The records are: one shot 2 May 1885, several seen next day and two on 28 May 1885.'

Comment Correspondence exists in The National Museums of Scotland, Edinburgh, between J. A. Harvie-Brown and J. Agnew.

17). 1885 Isle of May No locality, several (5), seen, 3rd May.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Ibis 1918: 262).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1918) in The Ibis, Vol. LX. p. 262, under 'The Birds of the Isle of May', say: 'The records are: one shot 2 May 1885, several seen next day and two on 28 May 1885.'

22). 1885 Isle of May No locality, two, 28th May.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Ibis 1918: 262).

24). 1889 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, shot, 5th September.

(Southwell, 1890; Saunders, 1899).

History Southwell, Editor (1890 (3): 379) in Stevenson's Birds of Norfolk, under 'Appendix' says: '...and a second example, in the same locality [Blakeney], by Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., on 5th September, 1889; these latter could hardly have been other than genuine immigrants.' Saunders (1899, 2nd ed.) says: 'At Cley, Norfolk...another on September 5th 1889.'

25). 1889 Yorkshire Easington, immature female, obtained, 11th October.

(J. Cordeaux, Naturalist 1890: 8; Cordeaux, 1899; Saunders, 1899; Mather, 1986).

History J. Cordeaux (1890) in The Naturalist, Vol. XVI. p. 8, says: 'October 11th, Mr. Hewetson, of Leeds, shot a young female Ortolan in a field near Easington, at this date.'

Cordeaux (1899: 12) says: 'October 11th, 1889, immature female shot at Easington by Mr. Hewetson [Nat., 1890, p. 8].'

Admitted nationally (Saunders 1899, 2nd ed.) and accepted locally (Mather 1986).

26). 1892 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, shot, 15th September.

(Saunders, 1899).

History Saunders (1899, 2nd ed.) says: 'At Cley, Norfolk...and a third on September 15th 1892.'

27). 1896 Sussex Castle Hill, near Rottingdean, female, obtained, 21st April, now at Booth Museum, Brighton.

(N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 3: 294-295; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

History N. F. Ticehurst (1910) in British Birds, Vol. III. pp. 294-295, says: 'The authorities in charge of the Booth Museum at Brighton have recently issued, under the. editorship of Mr. A. F. Griffith, a supplement to the third edition of the Catalogue of the collection. This consists of a description of a few of Booth's birds that were not included in that edition, together with a considerable list of additions made to the collection during the last fifteen years.

Chief among these are the Borrer and Monk collections purchased in 1901 and 1905 respectively, and the collection of the late Bishop Wilberforce presented by his son in 1903. These three collections are all rich in local Sussex birds, and contain many of the rare and unique specimens recorded in Borrer's Birds of Sussex. Several of these specimens had already been mentioned in the third edition of the Catalogue, but others do not appear to have been elsewhere recorded, and so were not included in the serial paper of "Additions" published in Vols. I. and II. of our Magazine.

The most important appear to be as follows: - Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana). A female at Castle Hill, near Rottingdean, Sussex, on April 21st, 1896.'

Accepted locally by Walpole-Bond (1938 (1): 160) who adds: 'Now at the Dyke Road Museum, Brighton.'

28). 1898 Shetland Spiggie, Mainland, two, seen, one adult male, found dead, 30th April.

(W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1898: 178; Evans & Buckley, 1899; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 248; Pennington et al., 2004).

History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1898) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. VII. p. 178, under 'The Whinchat, Ortolan Bunting and Pied Flycatcher in Shetland', says: 'In the absence of Mr. Harvie-Brown, I had forwarded to me a single specimen of each of the above named species for identification. The birds were sent by Mr. Thomas Henderson, jun., from Dunrossness. All were adult males, and had perished on the 30th of April; and all new to the avifauna of Shetland.'

Evans & Buckley (1899: 95) say: 'Two Ortolan Buntings were seen, and one was obtained, by Mr. T. Henderson, Jun., at Spiggies, Dunrossness, on April 30th, 1898. The specimen was sent for identification to Mr. Eagle Clarke....'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 248, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

30). 1898 Sussex Near Eastbourne, male, obtained, 29th June, now at Booth Museum, Brighton.

(N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 3: 294-295; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

History N. F. Ticehurst (1910) in British Birds, Vol. III. pp. 294-295, says: 'The authorities in charge of the Booth Museum at Brighton have recently issued, under the editorship of Mr. A. F. Griffith, a supplement to the third edition of the Catalogue of the collection. This consists of a description of a few of Booth's birds that were not included in that edition, together with a considerable list of additions made to the collection during the last fifteen years.

The most important appear to be as follows: - Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana). A male near Eastbourne, on June 29th, 1898. Recorded as obtained in 1896 in third edition (1901), and as 1898 in the supplement (1909).'

Accepted locally by Walpole-Bond (1938 (1): 160) who adds: 'Now in the Dyke Road Museum, Brighton.'

Comment Outside of known migration season by a few weeks.

31). 1899 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, killed, 13th November.

(Riviere, 1930).

History Riviere (1930) says: 'The latest date of occurrence is 13th November 1899 when one was killed at Cley.'

Comment Outside of known migration season by a few weeks, but there are a number of November records since 1966.

32). 1904 Norfolk Near Wells, immature, shot, 13th September.

(J. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1905: 96; Arnold, 1907).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1905) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IX. p. 96, says: 'September 13th. S. to S.W., fine, 4. The beach reported by Mr. E. C. Arnold to be alive in certain places with numbers of small birds of passage, which had come in the night...one Ortolan Bunting.'

Arnold (1907: 59) says: 'Kind indeed has fortune been to me since that eventful day. On September 13th, 1904, I was shooting the bushes with my brother, G.F. The whole place swarmed with Linnets, and, remembering that it was out of a flock of Linnets that Dr. Power got his Ortolan, I remarked jokingly to a rival shooter, as I passed him, that I was going out to get an Ortolan. A quarter of a mile on, up got a lightish bird, which I momentarily took to be a Lark. By the time it was out of range its flight and more mellow note had told me that it was something else, and I rushed round the sandhills to get another look at it. Here my brother joined me, and we put the bird up and missed it. It was now quite clear that it was a stranger, and, though it rose wild the next time, I just got in a shot, and secured thereby fame as a prophet - and, what pleased me more, an Ortolan!

It lacked the beautiful plumage of the adult male, but had nevertheless a fine flush of chestnut on the flanks. It was a bird that one might easily have passed over owing to its insignificant appearance on the wing; its flight was swift and low, not heavy like that of the Corn-Bunting or Yellowhammer; it reminded me rather of the flight of a Garden-Warbler.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 248, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who say: 'A female was shot on 13th September, 1904, near Wells (E. C. Arnold, Zool., 1904, p. 389).'

33). 1906 Norfolk Great Yarmouth, male, caught alive, 5th May.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1907: 127; Riviere, 1930; Ticehurst, 1932).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1907) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XI. p. 127, says: 'May 5th. Mr. Lowne had an Ortolan Bunting (male), which had entangled itself in some netting in a garden on the outskirts of Yarmouth, and was brought to his shop alive. It was naturally very wild at first, but, being put into a small cage, it soon became steadier, and lived until the winter.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 248, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899' and accepted locally (Ticehurst 1932: 88).

34). 1906 Fair Isle No locality, three: two males and female, obtained, late May.

(W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1906: 139; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 248; Pennington et al., 2004).

History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1906) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XV. p. 139, says: 'On the 1st of June a number of Ortolan Buntings arrived at Fair Isle, along with sundry other migratory birds, and three specimens - two males and a female - were sent me. This species has only been observed as a visitor to Scotland on a few previous occasions, but may occur more frequently on our coasts....'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 248, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

37). 1906 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, male, obtained, June, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1924Z18.3717).

(Watson, 2010).

History Watson (2010) in detailing the R. W. Chase collection in the Birmingham Museum lists this specimen and quoting from his Notebooks adds that it was from Pashley.

38). 1906 Fair Isle No locality, immature, obtained, 18th September.

(W. E. Clarke & N. B. Kinnear, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1906: 237; W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1907: 71; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 248).

History Wm. Eagle Clarke & N. B. Kinnear (1906) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XV. p. 236, say: 'During a recent visit to Fair Isle for the purpose of observing the migration of birds, we were fortunate enough to come across a number of interesting species, some of which are extremely rare visitors to Scotland, and two of them quite new to its avifauna....A young Ortolan (Emberiza hortulana) on 18th September completes the list of rarities....Specimens of all the species named have been presented by us to the collections of the Royal Scottish Museum.'

Wm. Eagle Clarke (1907) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVI. p. 71, says: '...a bird of the year was captured on 18th September. There is only one previous record, I believe of the occurrence in Shetland, namely, that of one adult male at Spiggie, Dunrossness, on 30th April, 1898. It has rarely been recorded for Scotland, namely, near Aberdeen in 1863, and at the Isle of May in 1888.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 248, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

39). 1907 Fair Isle No locality, some (3), seen, late spring.

(W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1908: 77; J. Paterson, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1908: 195).

History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1908) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVII. p. 77, says: 'It would seem from the Fair Isle records for the past two years that this species can no longer be considered as the rare casual visitor to the shores of Northern Britain it was formerly supposed to be, but must be regarded as a bird of double passage. It again occurred on the island in some numbers in the late spring.'

Admitted by John Paterson (1908) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVII. p. 195, in the annual 'Report on Scottish Ornithology'.

42). 1907 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, male, obtained, 31st August, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1924Z18.3718).

(Watson, 2010).

History Watson (2010) in detailing the R. W. Chase collection in the Birmingham Museum lists this specimen without any further information.

43). 1907 Fair Isle No locality, several (5), seen, September and October.

(W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1907: 246; W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1908: 77; J. Paterson, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1908: 195).

History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1907) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVI. p. 246, says: 'I have just returned from a five weeks' residence on Fair Isle...among the birds observed were several species of special interest....The rarer species that came under my notice during September and early October were - Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana).'

Wm. Eagle Clarke (1908) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVII. p. 77, says: '...and in September, several came under our notice at intervals during the month.'

Admitted by John Paterson (1908) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVII. p. 195, in the annual 'Report on Scottish Ornithology'.

48). 1907 Fair Isle No locality, 9th October.

(Pennington et al., 2004).

History Pennington et al. 2004, say: 'Autumn records fall between 29th August and 18th September, apart from one on 9th October 1907.'

49). 1908 Essex/Greater London Plaistow, adult male, obtained, 6th May.

(J. A. Clark, Zoologist 1908: 269; Cox, 1984).

History J. A. Clark of Crouch End (1908) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XII. p. 269, says: 'I have much pleasure in recording a male Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana). It is in fine adult plumage, and was obtained by Mr. R. M. Presland, George Terrace, Beekton Park, on May 6th, 1908. I have had it preserved by Mr. E. Houghton, naturalist, Shrubland Grove, Dalston. I also wish to record a male specimen of the Woodchat Shrike (Lanius pomeranus). It was shot at Camber, near Rye, by Mr. Thomas Sorrell, of Hastings, Sept. 15th, 1907.'

Comment The Woodchat Shrike has been deemed a Hastings rarity.

50). 1908 Fair Isle No locality, seen, 9th May.

(Clarke, 1912).

History Clarke (1912 (2): 67) under 'A Year at Fair Isle' in George Stout's diary of 1908, says: '9th May. An Ortolan Bunting appeared.'

51). 1908 Fair Isle No locality, seen, 12th May.

(Clarke, 1912).

History Clarke (1912 (2): 68) under 'A Year at Fair Isle' in George Stout's diary of 1908, says: '12th May. An Ortolan Bunting noted as new arrivals.'

52). 1908 Fair Isle No locality, male, seen, 14th May.

(Clarke, 1912).

History Clarke (1912 (2): 69) under 'A Year at Fair Isle' in George Stout's diary of 1908, says: '12th May. Other arrivals were: An Ortolan Bunting (male).'

53). 1908 Fair Isle No locality, seen, 15th May.

(Clarke, 1912).

History Clarke (1912 (2): 69-70) under 'A Year at Fair Isle' in George Stout's diary of 1908, says: '15th May. Other new arrivals were...another Ortolan Bunting.'

54). 1908 Fair Isle No locality, seen, 19th May.

(Clarke, 1912).

History Clarke (1912 (2): 69-70) under 'A Year at Fair Isle' in George Stout's diary of 1908, says: '19th May. An Ortolan observed.'

55). 1908 Fair Isle No locality, two, 10th to 11th September.

(Clarke, 1912).

History Clarke (1912 (2): 81) under 'A Year at Fair Isle' in George Stout's diary of 1908, says: '10th September. Two Ortolan Buntings seen. 11th September, two Ortolans.'

57). 1908 Fair Isle No locality, several (5), seen, 12th September.

(Clarke, 1912).

History Clarke (1912 (2): 81) under 'A Year at Fair Isle' in George Stout's diary of 1908, says: '12th September. Several Ortolan Buntings.'

62). 1908 Fair Isle No locality, seen, 13th September.

(Clarke, 1912).

History Clarke (1912 (2): 81) under 'A Year at Fair Isle' in George Stout's diary of 1908, says: '13th September. Ortolan on face of cliff, on west side.'

63). 1908 Fair Isle No locality, seen, 14th September.

(Clarke, 1912).

History Clarke (1912 (2): 81) under 'A Year at Fair Isle' in George Stout's diary of 1908, says: '14th September. An Ortolan Bunting.'

64). 1908 Fair Isle No locality, three, seen, 23rd September.

(Clarke, 1912).

History Clarke (1912 (2): 83-84) under 'A Year at Fair Isle' in George Stout's diary of 1908, says: '23rd September. Three Ortolan Buntings were seen. These birds affect the corn, and one was feeding on the stooks.'

67). 1908 Sussex Brighton, caught, 23rd September.

(Carter, Country-Side Oct., 1908; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

History Accepted locally by Walpole-Bond (1938 (1): 161) who says: 'Mr. Carter recorded (Country-Side, Oct., 1908) one captured at Brighton on 23rd September, 1908.'

Comment Although in the Hastings rarity fraud period the Ortolan was not considered and I have no incriminating data against a Mr. Carter for that period.

68). 1908 Fair Isle No locality, three, 26th September.

(Clarke, 1912).

History Clarke (1912 (2): 86) under 'A Year at Fair Isle' in George Stout's diary of 1908, says: '26th September. Weather still in favour of passage, and many birds in today. Ortolan three seen.'

71). 1909 Fair Isle No locality, seen, 4th May.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 135; Eds., British Birds 4: 290).

History Admitted by E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. p. 135, under the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology, 1909', who say: '...the Ortolan Buntings (Emberiza hortulana) occurred on Fair Isle both in spring and autumn.'

In an Editorial (1911) in British Birds, Vol. IV. p. 290, they say: 'Single bird at Fair Isle in spring.'

Mary, Duchess of Bedford (1937: 8) says: 'May 4th, 1909: The following birds were seen today. Ortolan Bunting.'

72). 1909 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, six, obtained, between 11th and 23rd September.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1910: 132; F. I. Richards, British Birds 3: 196; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 28: 232; S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 9: 789; Riviere, 1930).

History F. I. Richards (1909) in British Birds, Vol. III. p. 196, says: 'An unusual number of Ortolan Buntings (Emberiza hortulana) have appeared in Norfolk this autumn. I can vouch for the following at Cley: - Sept. 11th, one; Sept. 13th, two; Sept. 14th, one; Sept. 16th, one; Sept. 23rd, one. Three or four more birds, believed to have been of this species, were seen between these dates, but their identification was not so certain as to warrant their being recorded.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1910) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XIV. p. 130, says: 'September 11th. Perplexing Autumnal Movements. - Among the rush of small migrants last year the Ortolan Bunting was not included, nor do I remember having heard of any since September, 1904, in Norfolk or Suffolk, but this has been made up for by the presence of a small flock on our coast during the present month of 1909. The first one was identified by Mr. F. Richards on Sept. 11th, and others were seen at intervals up to the 23rd; certainly eight or nine altogether were identified, and some shot.'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1911) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXVII. p. 232, on the unexpected occurrences for autumn 1909, says: 'One or two Ortolans were seen or shot on the north coast of Norfolk on each day (except the 14th) from the 11th to the 16th of September, as well as on the 23rd.'

Admitted by S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere (1914) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IX. p. 789, under 'Additions to Part XI (Sixth List) 1909-13'.

78). 1909 Fair Isle No locality, shot, late September.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 135; Birds 4: 290; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 28: 232; Bedford, 1937).

History Admitted by E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. p. 135, under the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology, 1909', who say: 'The Ortolan Buntings (Emberiza hortulana) occurred on Fair Isle both in spring and autumn.'

In an Editorial (1911) in British Birds, Vol. IV. p. 290, they say: 'Single bird at Fair Isle in autumn.' W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1911) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXVII. p. 232, on the unexpected occurrences for autumn 1909, says: 'Others were recorded, without dates, from Fair Isle (Shetland).'

Mary, Duchess of Bedford (1937: 8-9) says: 'On Friday, the 24th, [September 1909], I landed on Fair Isle...After breakfast I clean my boots, chop firewood, and perform sundry other duties before my morning's bird-watching....but the Ortolan Bunting has been shot and shown to me just after by Mr. Eagle Clarke and his two boy collectors during my visit.'

79). 1910 Fair Isle No locality, two, seen, 14th to 15th May, when adult male shot.

(L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1911: 139; Bedford, 1938).

History Admitted by L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1911) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XX. p. 139, under the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1910', who say: 'There are several spring records of the Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana) on Fair Isle...'

Mary, Duchess of Bedford (1937: 1) says: 'From among the great amount of interesting data it is hard to single out and particular day or item, but perhaps May 14th, 1910, stands out most vividly, a day when she saw inter alia 3 Red-spotted and 1 White-spotted Bluethroats, 2 Ortolans, and a Hoopoe!'

Further, p. 14, Mary, Duchess of Bedford adds: 'The morning [15th May], which had been cloudless, was now spoilt with thick fog, and I feared our bird-watching for the day was over. I went to send off some telegrams from the Post Office, and almost immediately after I came out I detected two Ortolan Buntings feeding on the stubble, one of which I shot for the blind Bake-Naturalist, Dye of Great Yarmouth. It was a beautiful adult male.'

Comment Benjamin Dye, friend of Arthur Patterson, both birdwatchers from Great Yarmouth.

81). 1910 Fair Isle No locality, 23rd June.

(Pennington et al., 2004).

History Pennington et al. (2004) say: 'Spring dates were between 30th April and 6th June except for one on 23rd June 1910.'

82). 1910 Outer Hebrides St Kilda, five: two/three, 1st September; 3rd September; 12th September; 16th September.

(Clarke, 1912; Eds., British Birds 6: 151).

History Clarke (1912 (2): 195) says: '1st September 1910. Ortolan Bunting, several. 3rd September, one.' Further, p. 208, he adds: 'Several of these birds, both adults and young, came under our notice, and specimens were obtained. In 1910 they were present on the day of our arrival, 1st September, when two or three were seen in the crofts. Others appeared later, and were observed on the 3rd, 12th, and 16th of the month.'

In an Editorial (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 150, under 'Additional records for Fair Isle and St Kilda', they say: 'In his Studies in Bird-migration, Mr. Eagle Clarke gives a good deal of hitherto unpublished information about the rarities observed in Fair Isle and St. Kilda, and a few new facts about those in the Flannans and Sule Skerry. The most important additions thus made to the details given in our Hand-List of British Birds are as follows: - Ortolan Bunting (E. hortulana). - St. Kilda: several, September, 1910.'

87). 1910 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, seen, 16th September.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1911: 168; Eds., British Birds 5: 83; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 30: 269; S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 9: 789).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1911) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XV. p. 168, says: 'September 16th. N.E., 5. Mr. Richards identified an Ortolan Bunting on the coast.'

In an Editorial (1911) in British Birds, Vol. V. p. 83, they say: 'A Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus superciliosus) and an Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana) were "identified" by Mr. F. Richards at Cley, on September 16th.'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1912) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXX. p. 269, on the unexpected occurrences for 1910, says: 'Single birds seen on the N. Norfolk coast, September 16th.'

Admitted by S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere (1914) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IX. p. 789, under 'Additions to Part XI (Sixth List) 1909-13'.

88). 1910 Isle of May No locality, seen, 20th September.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1911: 1-6; Eds., British Birds 4: 318; L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1911: 139; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 30: 269).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1911) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XX. pp. 4-5, say: 'We again visited the Isle of May this autumn and worked there from the 2nd September till the 18th October....Twice we saw Ortolan Buntings (Emberiza hortulana), but they were so very wild that we never managed to get within reach of them; this species is not new to the island, having been procured there by Mr. Agnew in May 1885.'

In an Editorial (1911) in British Birds, Vol. IV. p. 318, they say: 'Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana) - twice seen.'

Admitted by L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1911) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XX. p. 139, under the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1910', who say: '...one was seen on the Isle of May on 20th September.'

89). 1910 Fair Isle No locality, seen, autumn.

(L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1911: 139).

90). 1910 Isle of May No locality, three, seen, 16th October.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1911: 1-6; L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1911: 139, 206; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 30: 269).

Admitted by L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1911) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XX. p. 139, under the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1910', who say: '...and three on 16th October.'

Further, p. 206, they add: 'On the 16th the wind was in the east, and many migrants arrived on the May; three Ortolan Buntings.'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1912) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXX. p. 269, on the unexpected occurrences for 1910, says: 'Three on the Isle of May (Fife), October 16th.'

93). 1911 Fair Isle No locality, 30th May.

(Baxter & Rintoul, 1912).

History Baxter & Rintoul (1912: 4) under 'Uncommon Visitors and Birds New to Faunal Areas', say: 'An Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana) from Fair Isle on 30th May.'

94). 1911 Outer Hebrides St Kilda, 2nd September.

(Clarke, 1912; Eds., British Birds 6: 151; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 32: 281).

History Clark (1912 (2): 186) says: 'Our second voyage to St Kilda almost resulted in the wreck of our hopes of reaching the island. We left Glasgow on 28th August 1911 by the last steamer of the year, and all went well until we emerged from the Sound of Harris on the early morning of the 31st. Here we found the Atlantic in a state of great unrest, due to the prevalence of a south-westerly gale, and after proceeding some twenty miles in the direction of St Kilda, it was found impossible to proceed further, owing to the increasing violence of the wind and waves.

The S.S. Hebrides was compelled to return to Lochmaddy, where we left her. Our luck, however, had not entirely deserted us, for on our proceeding to Loch Tarbat on the following day, my friend Mr. Carl Herlofson most kindly sent us out in one of his whaling steamers, and, after a rough passage, we slept at St Kilda only twenty-four hours later than we had originally hoped to do.

Along with George Stout, I remained six weeks on the island, and left on 12th October on board the steam trawler Mercury, of Hull, whose captain, William Rylatt, most obligingly conveyed us to Stornoway, and showed us great kindness and attention on the voyage.'

Further, p. 208, he adds: 'In 1911 one only came under notice, namely, on 2nd September.'

In an Editorial (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 150, under 'Additional records for Fair Isle and St Kilda', they say: 'In his Studies in Bird-migration, Mr. Eagle Clarke gives a good deal of hitherto unpublished information about the rarities observed in Fair Isle and St. Kilda, and a few new facts about those in the Flannans and Sule Skerry. The most important additions thus made to the details given in our Hand-List of British Birds are as follows: - Ortolan Bunting (E. hortulana). - St. Kilda: One, September, 1911.'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1913) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXII. p. 281, on the unexpected occurrences for 1911, says: 'One, St. Kilda, September 2nd.'

95). 1912 Fair Isle No locality, seen, 18th May.

(M. Bedford & W. E. Clarke, Scottish Naturalist 33: 5-8, 28; Eds., British Birds 6: 350).

History Mary, Duchess of Bedford & Wm. Eagle Clarke (1913) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIII. pp. 5-6, say: 'The following notes are based upon the daily records of our bird-watcher, Mr. Wilson; on personal observations made during the latter half of September and in October; and on contributions by Mr. George Stout, who spent an autumn holiday on his native island....The spring of 1912, however, was here, as elsewhere, a disappointing one in its general migration aspects, and was unusually unproductive as regards interesting visitors - an Ortolan Bunting....Ortolan Bunting, other migrants, on the 18th [May].'

Further, p. 28, they add: 'One seen on 18th May.'

In an Editorial (1913) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 350, they say: 'In recent numbers of the Scottish Naturalist interesting articles have appeared on migrants observed in 1912 by The Duchess of Bedford and Mr. Eagle Clarke, in Fair Isle, and by the Misses Rintoul and Baxter in the Isle of May. The rarer occurrences recorded are mentioned below....At Fair Isle one on May 18th.'

96). 1912 Fair Isle No locality, several (5), 1st October.

(M. Bedford & W. E. Clarke, Scottish Naturalist 33: 5, 28; Eds., British Birds 6: 350; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 34: 273; Witherby, 1920-24; Pennington et al., 2004).

History Mary, Duchess of Bedford & Wm. Eagle Clarke (1913) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIII. pp. 5, 28, say: 'The following notes are based upon the daily records of our bird-watcher, Mr. Wilson; on personal observations made during the latter half of September and in October; and on contributions by Mr. George Stout, who spent an autumn holiday on his native island.'

Further, p. 28, they add: '...several on 1st October.'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1914) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXIV. p. 273, on the unexpected occurrences for 1912, says: 'Several, Fair Isle (Shetland), October 1st.'

Pennington et al. (2004: 517) say: 'Three....'

101). 1913 Norfolk Great Yarmouth, adult male, obtained, 28th April.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1914: 169; S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 9: 789; Riviere, 1930; Ticehurst, 1932).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1914) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XVIII. p. 169, says: 'April 28th. S., 3. An adult male Ortolan Bunting taken in a market garden at Yarmouth (E. C. Saunders).'

Admitted by S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere (1914) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IX. p. 789, under 'Additions to Part XI (Sixth List) 1909-13'.

Ticehurst (1932: 88) says: 'One in the Crewe collection labelled "Yarmouth, 23rd April 1913".'

Comment April 23 or 28; could be down to a misread.

102). 1913 Fair Isle No locality, fourteen: one, 6th May, two, 7th May, one, 9th May, five, 12th May, two, 14th May, three, 15th May.

(Baxter & Rintoul, 1914; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 8: 126; Bedford, 1937).

History Baxter & Rintoul (1914: 30) say: 'A male appeared on Fair Isle on 6th May, and next day two are recorded at this station. Single birds are noted on 9th May, five on 12th May, two on 14th May with three on 15th May.'

H. F. Witherby (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VIII. p. 126, in a Review of the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1913, including Migration', by Evelyn V. Baxter and Leonora Jeffrey Rintoul, says: 'This is the third annual Report on Scottish Ornithology to be issued separately. It is drawn up on the same excellent plan as that for the previous year...Many of the records in the Report have of course already been published, but there are a number of very considerable interest which appear here for the first time, and these with a few others which have not previously been referred to in our pages are noted below; all the dates are in 1913: - Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana). Fourteen at Fair Isle at different dates in May.'

Mary, Duchess of Bedford (1937: 48-49) says: 'May 14th, 1913. We landed at 9.30 a.m.! One of the first birds I saw was an Ortolan Bunting. I afterwards found four others. There were a great many birds in, and I saw the following migrants: 5 Ortolan Buntings. May 15th, 1913. Mr. Eagle Clarke arrived on the 'Sapphire'. Migrants seen: 3 Ortolan Buntings.'

116). 1913 Orkney Pentland Skerries, two, 7th May.

(H. F. Witherby, British Birds 8: 126).

History H. F. Witherby (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VIII. p. 126, in a Review of the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1913, including Migration', by Evelyn V. Baxter and Leonora Jeffrey Rintoul, says: 'This is the third annual Report on Scottish Ornithology to be issued separately. It is drawn up on the same excellent plan as that for the previous year....Many of the records in the Report have of course already been published, but there are a number of very considerable interest which appear here for the first time, and these with a few others which have not previously been referred to in our pages are noted below; all the dates are in 1913: - Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana). Two at Pentland Skerries on May 7th.'

118). 1913 Orkney Auskerry, 11th May.

(H. F. Witherby, British Birds 8: 126-127).

History H. F. Witherby (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VIII. pp. 126-127, in a Review of the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1913, including Migration', by Evelyn V. Baxter and Leonora Jeffrey Rintoul, says: 'This is the third annual Report on Scottish Ornithology to be issued separately. It is drawn up on the same excellent plan as that for the previous year...Many of the records in the Report have of course already been published, but there are a number of very considerable interest which appear here for the first time, and these with a few others which have not previously been referred to in our pages are noted below; all the dates are in 1913: - Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana). Single birds at Auskerry on May 11th.'

119). 1913 Orkney Auskerry, 12th May.

(H. F. Witherby, British Birds 8: 126-127).

120). 1913 Orkney Auskerry, 14th May.

(H. F. Witherby, British Birds 8: 126-127).

121). 1913 Caernarfonshire Bardsey, killed, June.

(H. E. Forrest, Transactions of the Caradoc Field Club 1914: 8; Forrest, 1919; Jones & Dare, 1976; Barnes, 1997).

History H. E. Forrest (1914) in the Transactions of the Caradoc Field Club, p. 8, says: 'An Ortolan Bunting was obtained on Bardsey Island - the first actual example in Wales.'

Forrest (1919) says: 'Dr. N. F. Ticehurst reports one killed at Bardsey lighthouse in June, 1913, while he was on a visit to the island studying its bird-life.'

122). 1913 Caernarfonshire Bardsey, five/six, seen, one found dead, between 2nd and 11th September.

(N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 13: 67; Forrest, 1919; Jones & Dare, 1976; Roberts, 1985).

History N. F. Ticehurst (1919) in British Birds, Vol. XIII. p. 67, says: 'An immature bird was taken at the lantern on September 2nd/3rd, 1913, and on the next morning another was clearly identified on one of the field banks amongst a flock of Common Buntings, which were constantly visiting a patch of standing oats. Its silvery note, uttered on the wing, was always very distinctive. None were seen on the 5th, but the same bird or another was seen on the 6th, while two fresh ones were identified on the 7th. No more were then seen until the 11th, when another single bird was seen, having evidently arrived with Meadow Pipits, Linnets and Common Buntings during the night. Each one of these birds proved difficult of approach: they sat high up on bramble-sprays growing from the top of the turf walls, in exactly the same way as the Common Buntings, but with glasses their greenish tint and pinkish bills could be clearly seen. The last bird when flushed flew out of sight to the east over the southern shoulder of the mountain, evidently following the usual Pipit route.'

Forrest (1919) says: 'In September following, he and Mr. J. F. Stanford record an immature bird taken at the lantern on the night of 2nd-3rd. Next morning a single bird was clearly identified, and again on the 6th; two fresh ones on the 7th, then none till the 11th, when one was clearly identified. They were difficult to approach: they sat on bramble-sprays projecting from the turf-walls exactly like common Buntings, but with glasses their greenish hue and pink bills could be clearly seen.

They were among a flock of Corn Buntings and were constantly visiting a patch of corn, their silvery call being very distinctive.'

127). 1913 Norfolk Blakeney, three/four, seen, 2nd September.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1914: 177; S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 9: 789).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1914) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XVIII. pp. 176-177, says: 'September 2nd. At 4. a.m., and probably much earlier, migration was in full swing with a gentle wind from the north-east, ...several migrants were noted by different people....Another Barred Warbler was identified by Mr. Richards on or near the shore, as well as three or four Ortolan Buntings, and a few Bluethroats.'

Admitted by S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere (1914) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IX. p. 789, under 'Additions to Part XI (Sixth List) 1909-13'.

Comment Gurney called Richards a reliable observer.

130). 1913 Suffolk Lowestoft, caught on a fishing smack, 3rd September.

(F. C. Cook, Zoologist 1914: 323; Eds., British Birds 8: 176; Ticehurst, 1932).

History F. C. Cook (1914) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XVIII. pp. 323-324, says: 'Dr. Ticehurst received a batch of about forty birds from a fishing-smack just in from sea; among them were an Ortolan Bunting, a Golden Plover, Pied Flycatchers, Willow-Wrens, Whitethroats, Tree-Pipits, and Meadow-Pipits.'

In an Editorial (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VIII. p. 176, they say: 'In an ornithological diary from Lowestoft, Mr. F. C. Cook records (Zool., 1914, p. 323) that a female Nyroca nyroca was shot at Hopton on September 1st, 1913, and that on September 3rd, Dr. C. B. Ticehurst received an example of Emberiza hortulanus amongst other birds captured on a fishing-smack. The Rev. J. G. Tuck (Vict. Hist. Suffolk, I. p. 188) only includes one specimen of this species from Suffolk, though it has frequently been taken in Norfolk.'

Accepted locally by Ticehurst (1932: 88) who adds: '...during a rush of migrants such as Pied Flycatchers, Tree Pipits, etc.'

131). 1913 Fair Isle No locality, three, 15th September.

(H. F. Witherby, British Birds 8: 126).

History H. F. Witherby (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VIII. p. 126, in a Review of the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1913, including Migration', by Evelyn V. Baxter and Leonora Jeffrey Rintoul, says: 'This is the third annual Report on Scottish Ornithology to be issued separately. It is drawn up on the same excellent plan as that for the previous year...Many of the records in the Report have of course already been published, but there are a number of very considerable interest which appear here for the first time, and these with a few others which have not previously been referred to in our pages are noted below; all the dates are in 1913: - Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana). At Fair Isle three on September 15th.'

134). 1913 Orkney Pentland Skerries, two, 19th September.

(H. F. Witherby, British Birds 8: 126-127).

136). 1914 Fair Isle No locality, twelve, seen, 8th to 12th May.

(M. Bedford, Scottish Naturalist 34: 173; W. E. Clarke, Scottish Naturalist 35: 103; Eds., British Birds 8: 123; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 35: 152, 184; Eds., British Birds 9: 75; Bedford, 1937).

History Mary, Duchess of Bedford (1914) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIV. pp. 173-181, says: 'My yachting season began with the usual spring visit to Fair Isle on 29th April. The north-west wind, which favours landing on this often inaccessible island, is not the one which is most conducive to the arrival of migrant birds, and it was not until the 8th May that any number of them appeared.

A very short walk from my cottage revealed that a number of the common migrants had arrived, but the only birds worthy of special note were the Ortolan Buntings. It was difficult to estimate their numbers, for, as too often happens on Fair Isle, the weather which brings the birds makes watching them all but impossible; but every little patch of ploughed land held one or more, and I can only have seen a very small proportion of the arrivals. They remained on the island a few days in rapidly decreasing numbers.'

In an Editorial (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VIII. p. 123, they say: 'On May 8th there appeared at Fair Isle a number of these birds. It was difficult to estimate how many, but every little patch of ploughed land held one or more. They stayed a few days.'

Wm. Eagle Clarke (1915) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXV. p. 103, says: 'The systematic investigations on the migration of birds at Fair Isle in 1914 were carried out by Mr. Jerome Wilson, who has acted as observer for several years. To the information afforded by Mr. Wilson's daily register of ornithological events must be added a series of notes kindly contributed by the Duchess of Bedford, who visited the island in spring. Ortolan Bunting.

One of the ornithological features of the Fair Isle spring was the extraordinary abundance of this species on newly sown land on 8th May - a terrible day of rain, with an E.N.E. strong breeze and thick atmosphere. Under these trying conditions for bird work, the Duchess of Bedford informs me that she saw a few Ortolans scattered over every croft visited on her rounds, and remarks that she can only imagine that had it been clear and calm enough to look carefully for them, there must have been a great number of these birds on the island. Others were seen on following days.'

In an Editorial (1915) in British Birds, Vol. IX. p. 75, they say: 'Mr. W. Eagle Clarke contributes an interesting paper on the more uncommon visitors to Fair Isle during 1914 (Scot. Nat., 1915, pp. 101-105). Mr. Jerome Wilson acted as regular observer - and apparently a very efficient one - during this year, while the Duchess of Bedford, who visited the island in the spring, added a valuable series of notes. We append below brief extracts of the more important records in this report, all being for the year 1914. Ortolan Bunting. (Emberiza hortulana). - An extraordinary number on May 8th.'

E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1915) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXV. p. 151, in the annual report for 1914, say: '...while in May, Ortolans are recorded from Pentland Skerries and Fair Isle on the 8th and 9th and from the latter station on the 11th and 12th.' Further, p. 184, they add: 'Numbers of Ortolans arrived on Fair Isle on 8th May, with a few next day. Fresh arrivals are noted on 11th May, and a few there next day.'

Mary, Duchess of Bedford (1937: 54-55) says: 'May 8th, 1914. Wind east. A terrible wet and windy day, and, as I have tramped this island always in rain for ten days, I decided to spend the whole morning letter writing. Whilst I was at luncheon a Swallow flew slowly in at the window and settled on another window sill. That meant Birds.

So out I went, enveloped in Burberry from head to foot...and then another little stranger flew past me, and my hopes went up with a bound, for I was sure it was an Ortolan Bunting. Then I searched the little bits of ploughed land and found Ortolan Buntings all over the place. I have never seen so many before. By this time, my glasses had become so fogged that I could not see with them, and as I was nearly as wet under my Burberry as on the outside: my handkerchief was a dripping rag, and I had to go to the cottage to ask for a cloth to dry my glasses with. It was a long time before they could produce a dry cloth, and when they did, it was covered with meal.

This produced a layer of dough on my lenses, and I thanked them effusively and continued my walk....May 9th, 1914....Very nearly nine hours' tramping, and saw the following bird: several Ortolan Buntings, but nothing like as many as yesterday. May 10th, 1914....There are still a number of Ortolan Buntings about, and in a limited walk I saw 9. May 12th, 1914. Two Ortolan Buntings....'

Comment I've estimated twelve!

148). 1914 Orkney Pentland Skerries, male, 8th to 9th May.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 35: 152, 184).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1915) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXV. p. 151, in the annual report for 1914, say: '...while in May, Ortolans are recorded from Pentland Skerries and Fair Isle on 8th and 9th and from the latter station on the 11th and 12th.' Further, p. 184, they add: 'a male at Pentland Skerries on 8th to 9th May.'

149). 1915 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, male, obtained, 12th September, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1924Z18.3720).

(Watson, 2010).

History Watson (2010) in detailing the R. W. Chase collection in the Birmingham Museum lists this specimen without any further information.

150). 1915 Fair Isle No locality, 6th October.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 36: 150; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 10: 171).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1916) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXVI. p. 150, in the annual report for 1915, say: 'Ortolan Buntings (Emberiza hortulana) visited Fair Isle on 6th and 16th October and 1st November.'

H. F. Witherby (1916) in British Birds, Vol. X. p. 171, in a Review of the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1915, including Migration, by Evelyn V. Baxter and Leonora Jeffrey Rintoul, they say: 'The following items from the Report worthy of special note have not been published previously. Ortolan Bunting. Single birds at Fair Isle on October 6th.'

151). 1915 Fair Isle No locality, 16th October.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 36: 150; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 10: 171).

152). 1915 Fair Isle No locality, 1st November.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 36: 150; H. F. Witherby, British Birds 10: 171).

153). 1917 Norfolk Blakeney, three, seen, 6th September.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., British Birds 11: 250).

History J. H. Gurney, jun. (1918) in British Birds, Vol. XI. p. 250, says: 'On September 6th, after a moderate south-easterly wind (force 4), three of these Buntings were identified by Mr. F. J. Richards at Blakeney, where they may now fairly be considered annual September visitants.'

156). 1917 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, two, immatures, obtained, 15th September, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1924Z18.3721 & 3722).

(Watson, 2010).

History Watson (2010) in detailing the R. W. Chase collection in the Birmingham Museum lists these two specimens and quoting from his Notebooks adds E. Ramm without any further information.

Comment E. Ramm was one of the shooters around the area.

158). 1918 Isle of May No locality, four, 6th May, six, 9th May.

(L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 39: 101; Eds., British Birds 13: 168).

History L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1919) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIX. p. 101, say: 'Four Ortolans (Emberiza hortulana) visited the Isle of May on 6th May, and six were present there on 9th May.' In an Editorial (1919) in British Birds, Vol. XIII. p. 168, in a Review of the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1918, including Migration', by Leonora J. Rintoul and Evelyn V. Baxter, they say: 'The last year of the war was, no doubt, the worst for ornithology, at all events at home, for observers were then fewest....The following are interesting records: - Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana). - Four on the Isle of May on May 6th, 1908, and six on the 9th.'

164). 1918 Sussex Near Brighton, caught, 21st September.

(J. G. Dalgleish, Field 12th Oct., 1918; Eds., British Birds 12: 164-165; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

History In an Editorial (1918) in British Birds, Vol. XII. pp. 164-165, they say: 'Sussex. - J. Gordon Dalgleish states that an Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana) was netted close to Brighton, September 21st, 1918, and brought to Messrs. Brazenor, the taxidermists, on the same day (Field, Oct. 12th, 1918).'

[In an editorial note to the above it is stated that "many have been procured in Norfolk and Lincolnshire".]

The Rev. F. L. Blathwayt writes to The Field (Nov. 2nd, 1918) pointing out that the only instance known to him of the occurrence of this species in Lincolnshire was the bird seen but not secured by John Cordeaux (Zool., 1883, p. 253), and asking for further details of other occurrences.'

[The Editor states that his assertion was based on records in The Zoologist for 1861, 1871, 1883, 1884, 1889 and 1891. We have searched the volumes in question and find no record of any Ortolan having been obtained in Lincolnshire, the only mention of it being Cordeaux's record referred to above.

Pending further evidence we must accept Mr. Blathwayt's statement of the case as correct, and that of the Naturalist Editor of The Field as erroneous. - Eds.]

Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (1): 161).

Comment Brazenor Bros, taxidermists, of Brighton were known to buy specimens from Leadenhall Market for stuffing (J. M. Collinson, British Birds 105: 325-331). The chances of fraud at the close of World War I must have been very low.

165). 1919 Caithness Noss Head, three: male and two females, 7th May.

(L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 40: 101; Eds., British Birds 14: 239; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Manson, 2002).

History L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1920) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XL. p. 101, in the annual report for 1919, say: 'A male and two female Ortolans (Emberiza hortulana) visited Noss Head on 7th May.'

In an Editorial (1921) in British Birds, Vol. XIV. p. 239, in a Review of the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1919 including Migration, by L. J. Rintoul and E. V. Baxter, they say: 'Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana). - A male and two females on May 7th at Noss Head.'

168). 1919 Shetland Lerwick, Mainland, 11th May.

(L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 40: 101; Eds., British Birds 14: 239).

History L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1920) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XL. p. 101, in the annual report for 1919, say: '...and on 11th May one is reported from Lerwick.'

169). 1919 Suffolk Lowestoft Denes, three, seen, 19th October.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., British Birds 13: 256).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1920) in British Birds, Vol. XIII. p. 256, says: 'October 19th, W., 1. Three seen on Lowestoft denes by Mr. F. C. Cook and two the following day by another observer at a locality farther north, were sufficient to mark a migration of this Bunting, no longer regarded as very rare on the east coast.

The Ortolan has always visited Heligoland in large numbers, so why so much doubt should formerly have been thrown on British occurrences is not very plain.'

172). 1919 Norfolk Near Great Yarmouth, two, seen, 20th October.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., British Birds 13: 256; S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 11: 587).

The Ortolan has always visited Heligoland in large numbers, so why so much doubt should formerly have been thrown on British occurrences is not very plain.'

Admitted by S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere (1924) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. XI. p. 587, under 'Additions to Part XI (Eighth List) 1919-23'.

174). 1920 Caithness Noss Head, seen, 3rd and 4th May.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 41: 107; Eds., British Birds 16: 29; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Manson, 2002).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1921) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLI. p. 107, in the annual report, say: 'Ortolans (Emberiza hortulana), single birds in each case, are reported from Noss Head on 3rd and 4th May.'

In an Editorial (1922) in British Birds, Vol. XVI. p. 29, in a Review of the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1920, including Migration', by Evelyn V. Baxter and Leonora J. Rintoul, they say: 'Single birds are reported from Noss Head (Caithness) on May 3rd and 4th.'

175). 1920 Shetland Lerwick, Mainland, 3rd May.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 41: 138; Eds., British Birds 16: 29).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1921) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLI. p. 138, in the annual report, say: 'The note of an Ortolan at Lerwick on 3rd May was received too late for its insertion under "Uncommon Visitors".'

176). 1920 Fair Isle No locality, 5th May.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 41: 105-120; Eds., British Birds 16: 29).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1921) in the Scottish Naturalist, XLI, p. 107, in the annual report, say: 'Ortolans (Emberiza hortulana), single birds in each case, are reported from Fair isle on 5th May.'

177). 1920 Shetland Lerwick, Mainland, 16th November.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 41: 105-120; Eds., British Birds 16: 29).

178). 1921 Isle of May No locality, seen, 12th to 13th May.

(L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 42: 72; Eds., British Birds 16: 315).

History L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1922) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLII. p. 72, in the annual report, say: 'An Ortolan was on the Isle of May on 12th and 13th May.'

In an Editorial (1923) in British Birds, Vol. XVI. p. 315, in a Review of the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1921, including Migration', by Leonora J. Rintoul and Evelyn V. Baxter, they say: 'One Isle of May, May 12th and 13th.'

179). 1922 Kent Dover Cliffs, male, shot, 3rd September.

(Borrer, 1960).

History Borrer (1960) under 'Catalogue of the Guy Mannering collection of British Birds in the Maidstone Museum', says: 'One male, Dover Cliffs, Kent on 3rd September 1922.'

180). 1923 Isle of May No locality, 13th May.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 44: 107; Eds., British Birds 18: 303).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1924) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLIV. p. 107, in the annual report, say: 'Ortolan Buntings on the Isle of May on 13th May and 1st October.'

In an Editorial (1925) in British Birds, Vol. XVIII. p. 303, in a Review of the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1923, including Migration', by Evelyn V. Baxter and L. J. Rintoul, they say: 'Among the interesting items in the Report not previously recorded in our pages the following may be mentioned: - Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana). - At Isle of May, May 13th.'

181). 1923 Isle of May No locality, 1st October.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 44: 107; Eds., British Birds 18: 303).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1924) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLIV. p. 107, in the annual report, say: 'Ortolan Buntings on the Isle of May on 13th May and 1st October.'

182). 1924 Fair Isle No locality, 16th May.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 45; Eds., British Birds 20: 111).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1925) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLV. p. 75, in the annual report, say: 'On 16th May an Ortolan from the same station [Fair Isle].'

In an Editorial (1926) in British Birds, Vol. XX. p. 111, in a Review of the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1924, including Migration', by Evelyn V. Baxter and L. J. Rintoul, they say: 'The following notes of interest have not previously been mentioned in our pages; all the dates refer to the year 1924...Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana). - One at Fair Isle, May 16th.'

183). 1925 Fair Isle No locality, 7th May.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 46: 72).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1926) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVI. p. 72, in the annual report, say: 'Ortolan Buntings were reported from Fair Isle on 7th May.'

184). 1925 Isle of May No locality, 7th to 9th May.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 46: 72; Eds., British Birds 21: 24).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1926) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVI. p. 72, in the annual report, say: 'Ortolan Buntings were reported from the Isle of May on 7th, 8th, 9th and 11th May.'

In an Editorial (1927) in British Birds, Vol. XXI. p. 24, in a Review of the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1925, including Migration', by Evelyn V. Baxter and L. J. Rintoul, they say: 'Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana). - In Isle of May on May 7th to 9th and 11th.'

185). 1925 Isle of May No locality, 11th May.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 46; Eds., British Birds 21: 24).

186). 1925 Fair Isle No locality, 19th May.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 46: 72).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1926) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVI. p. 72, in the annual report, say: 'Ortolan Buntings were reported from Fair Isle on 19th May.'

187). 1925 Fair Isle No locality, immature male, 19th September.

(J. H. Stenhouse, Scottish Naturalist 46: 8; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 46: 72).

History J. H. Stenhouse (1926) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVI. pp. 7-8, says: 'In the autumn of 1925 I revisited Fair Isle, remaining there five weeks, from 3rd September to 7th October....An easterly gale on the night of the 19th [September] brought in more birds; amongst them were a young male Ortolan, the latter the first of that species seen in autumn for about twelve years.'

Admitted by E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1926) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVI. p. 72, in the annual report.

188). 1925 Fair Isle No locality, immature male, 20th September.

(J. H. Stenhouse, Scottish Naturalist 46: 7-10; Eds., British Birds 20: 28).

History J. H. Stenhouse (1926) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVI. p. 8, says: 'An easterly gale on the night of the 19th [September] brought in more birds; there was no great number of any single species, but there was a good variety: amongst them were a Corn Bunting and a young male Ortolan, the latter the first of that species seen in autumn for about twelve years.'

In an Editorial (1926) in British Birds, Vol. XX. p. 28, they say: 'In the same issue of the Scottish Naturalist (pp. 7-10) Surgeon Rear-Admiral J. H. Stenhouse gives his observations at Fair Isle during a visit from September 3rd to October 7th, 1925....Other birds of interest were: - On September 20th an Ortolan Bunting (E. hortulana) is recorded, and this appears to be the first autumn record of the bird at Fair Isle since 1915.'

189). 1925 Fair Isle No locality, 20th to 23rd October.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 46: 72).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1926) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVI. p. 72, in the annual report, say: 'Ortolan Buntings were reported from Fair Isle on 20th to 23rd October.'

190). 1926 Fair Isle No locality, 12th May.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 47: 135; Eds., British Birds 22: 120).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1927) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVII. p. 135, in the annual report, say: 'An Ortolan at the same station [Fair Isle] on 12th May.'

H. F. Witherby (1928) in British Birds, Vol. XXII. p. 120, in a Review of the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1926, including Migration', by Evelyn V. Baxter and L. J. Rintoul, says: 'Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana). - At Fair Isle on May 12th.'

191). 1926 Fair Isle No locality, 11th November.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 47: 135; Eds., British Birds 22: 120).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1927) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVII. p. 135, in the annual report, say: 'An Ortolan at the same station [Fair Isle] on 11th November.'

192). 1927 Fair Isle No locality, 21st to 22nd May.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 48: 107).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1928) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVIII. p. 107, in the annual report for 1927, say: 'An Ortolan was on Fair Isle on 21st and 22nd May.'

193). 1927 Fair Isle No locality, two, 7th September.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 48: 107).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1928) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVII. p. 107, in the annual report for 1927, say: 'An Ortolan was on Fair Isle...two on 7th September.'

195). 1927 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, adult male, obtained, 8th September.

(B. B. Riviere, British Birds 21: 247; Riviere, 1930).

History B. B. Riviere (1928) in British Birds, Vol. XXI. p. 247, in the 1927 Norfolk Bird Report, says: 'Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana). - An adult male was killed at Cley on September 8th (F. E. Gunn).'

196). 1927 Fair Isle No locality, 10th September.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 48: 107).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1928) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLVIII. p. 107, in the annual report for 1927, say: 'An Ortolan was on Fair Isle...one on 10th September.'

197). 1928 Lothian Bass Rock, 2nd May.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 49: 111; Eds., British Birds 24: 32).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1929) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLIX. p. 111, in the annual report for 1928, say: 'An Ortolan was reported from the Bass Rock on 2nd May, an addition to the East Lothian list.'

In an Editorial (1930) in British Birds, Vol. XXIV. p. 32, in a Review of 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1928, including Migration', by Evelyn V. Baxter and L. J. Rintoul, they say: 'Ortolan Bunting (E. hortulana). - One at the Bass Rock on May 2nd.'

198). 1928 Fair Isle No locality, 4th May.

(E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 49: 111; Eds., British Birds 24: 32).

History E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1929) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLIX. p. 111, in the annual report for 1928, say: 'An Ortolan was reported...some were on Fair Isle on 4th May.'

199). 1928 Fair Isle No locality, immature male, obtained, 9th October, now at National Museums of Scotland.

(J. H. Stenhouse, Scottish Naturalist 49: 9; Eds., British Birds 24: 32; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Scottish Naturalist 49: 111).

History J. H. Stenhouse (1929) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLIX. p. 9, says: 'During last autumn there was very little migration at Fair Isle. I spent three weeks on the island, from 15th September to 4th October....A young male Ortolan was also obtained on the same date [9th October]....For the records after 4th October I am indebted to Mr. George Stout, Field, Fair Isle, who has forwarded the birds mentioned to the Royal Scottish Museum.'

E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1929) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XLIX. p. 111, in the annual report for 1928, say: 'An Ortolan was reported...and a young male there [Fair Isle] on 9th October.'

200). 1930 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, seen, 11th September.

(B. B. Riviere, British Birds 24: 312).

History B. B. Riviere (1931) in British Birds, Vol. XXIV. p. 312, in the 1930 Norfolk Bird Report, says: 'One was identified by Col. W. A. Payn on Cley beach during the great migratory "rush" of September 11th.'

201). 1930 Fair Isle No locality, seen, 16th October.

(J. H. Stenhouse, Scottish Naturalist 51: 46).

History J. H. Stenhouse (1931) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LI. pp. 45-46, says: 'At Fair Isle notes were taken during the period by Mr. George Stout, and it is from his diary, which has been forwarded to me, that the following details have been extracted....After that date there was little unusual migratory movement noted till 15th and 16th October...On the later date an Ortolan Bunting was observed.'

202). 1931 Pembrokeshire Skokholm, adult female, seen, 2nd June.

(R. M. Lockley, British Birds 25: 79; Lockley, 1949; Betts, 1992; Donovan & Rees, 1994).

History R. M. Lockley (1931) in British Birds, Vol. XXV. p. 79, says: 'On June 2nd, 1931, I was able to identify an Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana) on Skokholm. As it was in an exhausted state I was able to examine it from within three yards, as it rested in a niche of my garden wall. The small, reddish bill was unmistakable. From the colouring of the plumage I judged it to be an adult female.

Mr. G. C. S. Ingram informs me that this is apparently the first recorded in South Wales. As far as I am aware, the only other records for Wales are that of five seen and one obtained on Bardsey Island by Dr. N. F. Ticehurst, September 2nd to 11th, 1913 (antea, Vol. XIII. p. 67), and one seen by C. S. Meares (not D. H. Meares, as stated) on the Berwyn Mountains, May 20th, 1907 (Forrest, Fauna of N. Wales, p. 167).'

203). 1931 Isle of May No locality, two, seen, 4th September.

(L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 51: 167).

History L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1931) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LI. p. 165, 167, say: 'We were on the Isle of May this autumn (1931) from 26th August to 11th September...On the 4th [September] the wind had again strengthened considerably from the east and there were a good many birds in. Species not seen before included two Ortolan Buntings.'

205). 1931 Fair Isle No locality, 9th November.

(G. Stout, Scottish Naturalist 52: 38).

History George Stout of Fair Isle (1932) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LII. p. 38, says: 'We did not have many birds on Fair Isle this autumn, owing to too much westerly wind, but I observed a few unusual visitors....An Ortolan appeared on 9th November.'

206). 1933 Isle of May No locality, three, seen, 8th May.

(J. Spence, Scottish Naturalist 54: 54).

History John Spence of the Isle of May (1934) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LIV. p. 54, says: 'There were a good many birds on the Island in May 1933...Three Ortolans were in my garden on 8th May.'

209). 1933 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, seen, September.

(B. B. Riviere, British Birds 27: 315).

History B. B. Riviere (1934) in British Birds, Vol. XXVII. p. 315, in the 1933 Norfolk Bird Report, says: 'One was identified at Cley during September (E. C. Bird).'

210). 1934 Caithness Noss Head, seen, 4th October.

(J. Bain, Scottish Naturalist 55: 34; Eds., British Birds 29: 87; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Manson, 2002).

History John Bain (1935) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LV. p. 34, says: 'On the 4th October Ortolans appeared (fresh easterly breeze, cloudy).'

In an Editorial (1935) in British Birds, Vol. XXIX. p. 87, they say: 'Mr. J. Bain, writing from the Noss Head lighthouse (Scot. Nat., 1935, p. 34), records the following: A Wryneck (Jynx torquilla) on September 8th, 1934, Ortolan Buntings (Emberiza hortulana) on October 4th and a Black Redstart (Phoenicurus o. gibraltariensis) on the 17th.'

211). 1935 Isle of May No locality, seen, 30th to 31st May.

(G. C. Low, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 55: 174; Midlothian Bird Club, Scottish Naturalist 55: 126, 128).

History G. Carmichael Low, Editor (1936) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. LV. p. 174, at the 383rd Meeting of the Club held on 12th June 1935 at Pagani's Restaurant, London, says: 'Mr. W. B. Alexander described the following results of operations at the Isle of May Bird Observatory in the spring of 1935: - ...Interesting species observed, but not captured, included an Ortolan Bunting.'

Midlothian Bird Club (1935) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LV. p. 128, under 'Isle of May Bird Observatory Report' for Spring 1935, say: 'Ortolan Bunting. One on 30th and 31st May. (Previous latest record, 28th May.).'

212). 1935 Shetland Whalsay, obtained, 28th August.

(G. Waterston, Scottish Naturalist 57: 26).

History G. Waterston (1937) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVII. p. 26, says: 'On Whalsay one obtained on 28th August 1935 by Mr. Tom Bruce, jun.'

213). 1935 Isle of May No locality, seen, 1st September.

(Midlothian Ornithological Club, Scottish Naturalist 56: 128; Eds., British Birds 30: 297-298).

History Midlothian Ornithological Club (1936) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVI. pp. 127-8, says: '1st to 15th September. This month opened promisingly with a moderate south-east wind. An Ortolan Bunting and a Greenshank were observed on the 1st...'

In an Editorial (1937) in British Birds, Vol. XXX. pp. 297-298, they say: 'One seen September 1st, 1935.'

214). 1935 Shetland Sumburgh, Mainland, two, 1st September.

(H. J. R. Pease, British Birds 29: 173).

History H. J. R. Pease (1935) in British Birds, Vol. XXIX. p. 173, says: 'Among migrants seen by me at Sumburgh in the extreme south of the mainland of Shetland during a visit from August 31st to September 12th, 1935, the following are perhaps worthy of mention as not often recorded in Shetland: - Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana). - Two on September 1st.'

216). 1935 Isle of May No locality, seen, 4th September.

(Midlothian Ornithological Club, Scottish Naturalist 56: 127-8; Eds., British Birds 30: 297-298).

History Midlothian Ornithological Club (1936) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVI. pp. 127-128, says: '1st to 15th September. This month opened promisingly with a moderate south-east wind. An Ortolan Bunting and a Greenshank were observed on the 1st...On 4th September a second Ortolan Bunting was seen.'

In an Editorial (1937) in British Birds, Vol. XXX. pp. 297-298, they say: 'Another seen 4th September, 1935.'

217). 1935 Isle of May No locality, seen, 3rd to 4th October.

(Midlothian Ornithological Club, Scottish Naturalist 56: 127-8; Eds., British Birds 30: 297-298).

History Midlothian Ornithological Club (1936) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVI. pp. 127-128, says: '1st to 12th October. An exceptionally late Swift was seen on the 2nd, and following half a gale of wind with heavy rain from the south-east on the night of the 2nd and morning of the 3rd, birds were numerous on the 3rd and 4th, the most interesting being: An Ortolan Bunting...'

In an Editorial (1937) in British Birds, Vol. XXX. pp. 297-298, they say: '...and on October 3rd and 4th, 1935.'

218). 1936 Lothian Bass Rock, five, seen, 12th April.

(J. Campbell, Scottish Naturalist 56: 142; Eds., British Birds 30: 298).

History J. Campbell (1936) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVI. p. 142, says: 'Five Ortolan Buntings, the first I believe since 1931, appeared on 12th April.'

In an Editorial (1937) in British Birds, Vol. XXX. p. 298, they say: 'Five are also recorded as seen on the Bass Rock on April 12th, 1936. (J. Campbell, Scot. Nat., 1936, p. 142.).'

223). 1936 Shetland Whalsay, four, male, obtained, 5th May.

(G. Waterston, Scottish Naturalist 57: 26; Pennington et al., 2004).

History G. Waterston (1937) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVII. p. 26, says: 'On Whalsay, a fine male was secured on 5th May 1936 by Mr. Tom Bruce, jun.'

Pennington et al. (2004) say: 'R. Stuart Bruce's annotated notebooks include a record of four on Whalsay on 5th May 1936.'

227). 1936 Isle of May No locality, six: one, 6th to 7th May, two, 10th May, three, 11th May, one, 12th to 13th May.

(Midlothian Ornithological Club, Scottish Naturalist 57: 52, 159; Midlothian Ornithological Club, British Birds 30: 167; Eds., British Birds 30: 297-298).

History Midlothian Ornithological Club (1936) in British Birds, Vol. XXX. p. 167, say: 'An unusual "hold-up" of passerines occurred from May 6th to 10th, after which numbers fell rapidly....six Ortolan Buntings (Emberiza hortulana), one 6th-7th, two on 10th, three on 11th, one 12th-13th.'

In an Editorial (1937) in British Birds, Vol. XXX. pp. 297-298, they say: 'The Midlothian Ornithological Club has organized a series of observers to keep watch and work their migration trap on the Isle of May in spring and autumn. The results of these observations for the autumn of 1935 and the spring of 1936 are now published in the Scottish Naturalist (1936, pp. 127-130 and 159-162).

To keep up these observations a considerable number of observers is necessary to cover the chief migratory periods and the Club will welcome volunteers for the purpose. In the autumn of 1935 there was unfortunately no observer on the island between August 24th and 30th when a very large migration was noted on Fair Isle, but during September and the first half of October a good many interesting birds were identified and still more in the spring of 1936.

The chief of these are noted below. Ortolan Bunting. (E. hortulana).- ...One on May 7th and 8th, three on 9th, two on 10th, three on 11th and one on 12th and 13th, 1936.'

Midlothian Ornithological Club (1937) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVII. p. 52, in the 1936 Autumn Report, say: '1st to 15th September. On the 5th an Ortolan...on the 11th.'

Further, p. 159, they add: 'Ortolan Bunting, one on the 7th and 8th, three on 9th, two on 10th, three on 11th and one on the 12th and 13th May.'

233). 1936 Fair Isle No locality, between 7th and 11th May.

(Midlothian Ornithological Club, British Birds 30: 168).

History Midlothian Ornithological Club (1936) in British Birds, Vol. XXX. p. 168, say: 'Fair Isle. Mr. George Stout writes: "What an enormous number of birds we had the whole of the first half of May, but mainly on the 7th and 8th. I got one Reed-Warbler and saw another on the 11th - there were thousands of Willow-Warblers and Chiffchaffs, of which all three forms were present, from 11th to 16th, viz., British, Scandinavian and Siberian, and an enormous number of Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, some Chaffinches, hundreds of Bramblings and Reed-Buntings and a mixture of the other Buntings - Ortolan, Corn, Yellow and Little, 7th to 16th".'

234). 1936 Isle of May No locality, seen, 5th September.

(Midlothian Ornithological Club, Scottish Naturalist 57: 51-55).

History Midlothian Ornithological Club (1937) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVII. pp. 51-52, under 'Isle of May Bird Observatory Autumn Report' for 1936, say: '1st to 15th September. - ...on the 5th an Ortolan Bunting.'

235). 1936 Isle of May No locality, 11th September.

(Midlothian Ornithological Club, Scottish Naturalist 57: 52; Eds., British Birds 31: 123).

History Midlothian Ornithological Club (1937) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVII. pp. 51-52, in the 'Isle of May Bird Observatory Autumn Report' for 1936, say: '1st to 15th September. - ...From the 9th to the 15th migrants were varied and increasing slightly in number. Noteworthy visitors during this period were...an Ortolan Bunting of the 11th.'

In an Editorial (1937) in British Birds, Vol. XXXI. p. 123, they say: 'The Report by the Midlothian Ornithological Club of migration observations in the autumn of 1936 on the Isle of May (Scot. Nat., 1937, pp. 51-5) contains a number of interesting items. The members of the Club were assisted by some fourteen other observers.…Other scarce birds recorded are: Ortolan Buntings in September.'

236). 1936 Pembrokeshire Skokholm, immature, seen, 11th September.

(R. M. Lockley, British Birds 30: 190; R. M. Lockley, Skokholm Bird Observatory Report 1936: 5; Lockley, 1949; Donovan & Rees, 1994).

History R. M. Lockley (1936) in British Birds, Vol. XXX. p. 190, says: 'On September 11th, while observers were looking for the Lapland Bunting, an Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana) was put up from heather. It was an immature bird, and except for the eye "spectacle", which was conspicuous, and the small bunting bill, might have been overlooked at a distance as a Meadow Pipit, especially as the tail showed white on outer feathers. Head greyish brown uniformly speckled darker brown; back like Meadow Pipit but not prominently striped; pale chin accentuated by dark malar stripe; a warm or rufous tinge to the under parts below the spotted breast. The slightly pinkish and very small Bunting bill was unmistakable.

This is the second record for Skokholm, Pembrokeshire, and South Wales (cf. British Birds, Vol. XXV. p. 79). Both these birds were watched by Messrs. C. C. Doncaster, R. M. Lockley, B. M. Warner, G. A. R. and J. D. Wood.'

237). 1937 Norfolk Salthouse, four, seen, 12th May, two remaining to 16th May.

(R. M. Garnett, Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1937: 9; Eds., British Birds 32: 21).

History R. M. Garnett (1937) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, pp. 8-9, under 'Notes from the Kelling-Salthouse-Cley area', says: 'May 1937. It will be remembered that coronation celebrations on May 12th were spoilt on this coast by mist and rain; these conditions produced a hold-up of small passerines. Miss Humphrey and D. Powell, staying at Little Eye, found some interesting birds sheltering under the north bank of Salthouse marsh. Among those identified by them were an Aquatic Warbler, four Ortolan Buntings. The buntings remained long enough to be seen by more than twenty ornithologists, two being present until May 16th.'

In an Editorial (1938) in British Birds, Vol. XXXII. p. 21, in a Review of the Transactions of Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, for 1937, they say: '...four Ortolan Buntings.'

241). 1937 Isle of May No locality, 21st to 24th May.

(Midlothian Ornithological Club, Scottish Naturalist 57: 128).

History Midlothian Ornithological Club (1937) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVII. p. 128, under 'Isle of May Bird Observatory Spring Report, 1937', say: 'Of regular migrants, Sedge Warblers and Common Whitethroats were most consistently present, in small numbers, during the latter part of May. By the morning of the 21st nearly all the migrants had passed on; but from noon until nearly four o’clock a new arrival of birds took place; they ceased to appear as soon as the weather changed in the evening and some clearly left the island immediately.

Included in the movement were Blackcaps and Garden Warblers in very small numbers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, a Wood Warbler, another Shore Lark, an Ortolan Bunting which remained until the 24th, 2 male Bramblings, a Nightjar and a number of Swallows and House-Martins.'

242). 1938 Pembrokeshire Skokholm, female or immature male, trapped, 19th May.

(R. M. Lockley, Skokholm Bird Observatory Report 1938: 10, 12; Eds., British Birds 33: 88; Lockley, 1949; Betts, 1992; Donovan & Rees, 1994).

History R. M. Lockley (1938) in the Skokholm Bird Observatory Report, p. 10, says: 'May. On the 19th an Ortolan Bunting was trapped.'

Further, p. 12, he adds: '(1). May 19th, a female or young male.'

In an Editorial (1939) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIII. p. 88, in a Review of the Skokholm Bird Observatory Report, for 1938, they say: 'An Ortolan Bunting is recorded on May 19th.'

243). 1938 Lothian Bass Rock, male, 2nd June.

(Andrews, 1986).

History Andrews (1986) lists this male on 2nd June 1938 at Bass Rock as the third record for Lothian.

244). 1938 Isle of May No locality, 25th August.

(Midlothian Ornithological Club, Scottish Naturalist 59: 84).

History Midlothian Ornithological Club (1939) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LIX. p. 84, under 'Isle of May Bird Observatory Autumn Report for 1938', say: 'Period 9th to 31st August...25th. One Ortolan Bunting.'

245). 1941 Pembrokeshire Ramsey Island, three, 20th September, two, 21st September.

(H. G. Alexander, British Birds 35: 156-157; Lockley, 1949; Donovan & Rees, 1994).

History H. G. Alexander (1941) in British Birds, Vol. XXXV. pp. 156-157, says: 'A party of ornithologists, under the leadership of my brother, W. B. Alexander, spent ten days on the Island of Ramsey, by courtesy of Mrs. Whitehead, in the middle of September, 1941, to observe migration.

On the morning of September 20th, I noticed a bird sitting on a wall a few yards from me which superficially resembled a Meadow Pipit, but it had the beak of a Bunting. I was also struck by the long pale stripe down each side of the throat, the throat itself - or at least the chin - being brown or grey; the bill and legs were pink. When the bird flew from the wall into some bracken it was joined by a second bird of the same kind and as they flew I noticed their white outer tail-feathers.

The other members of the party also had very good views of these two birds a little later and noticed the features already mentioned. We also found a bird which was the only one that showed the orange tinge on the breast so characteristic of the Ortolan in summer plumage. The whitish rim round the eye was conspicuous in all three. Two at least were present the following day, and it is probable that one at least had been observed on the 18th and 19th. They were not seen after the 21st. Their call-notes were heard fairly frequently.

Although there can be no doubt that all three birds were Ortolan Buntings (Emberiza hortulana) I have deliberately given the description of the special features noticed on the first of the three birds (and in fact all three showed dark colour on the chin and the pale stripes down the sides of the throat), as these features of the Ortolan in autumn plumage do not seem to agree exactly with the field-characters given in the Handbook. Dr. N. F. Ticehurst's observations on Bardsey in 1913 and Mr. Lockley's recent observations at Skokholm, coupled with this last observation, seem to suggest that the Ortolan may be a fairly regular passage migrant on the Welsh islands.'

248). 1944 Isles of Scilly No locality, 25th April.

(Flood, Hudson & Thomas, 2007).

History Flood, Hudson & Thomas (2007) state that there was one on 25th April 1944, no other details.

249). 1944 Yorkshire Kilnsea Warren, seen, 9th October.

(R. Chislett, Naturalist 70: 56; Eds., British Birds 38: 379).

History R. Chislett (1945) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXX. p. 56, says: 'A bird on the rail track near Kilnsea Warren on October 9th was probably a young male (G.R.E.).'

In an Editorial (1945) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVIII. p. 379, in a Review of the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union: Committee for Ornithology Report for 1944', they say: 'An Ortolan is reported near Kilnsea Warren on October 9th.'

250). 1945 Yorkshire Spurn, first-year, picked up exhausted, 15th September.

(R. Chislett, Naturalist 71: 59).

History R. Chislett (1946) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXXI. p. 59, says: 'An exhausted bird picked up at Spurn on September 15th proved to be a bird of the year of this species (G.H.A. and J.L.).'

251). 1945 Nottinghamshire Nottingham Sewage Farm, adult female, 30th September.

(J. Staton, Birds of Nottinghamshire Report 1945: 14).

History J. Staton (1945) in the Birds of Nottinghamshire Report, p. 14, says: 'An adult female identified at close quarters on Nottingham Sewage Farm, Sept. 30th (R.J.R.).'

252). 1945 Northumberland Near Fenham, first-winter, 17th November.

(G. W. Temperley, Naturalist 71: 117; G. W. Temperley, Transactions of the Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne Natural History Society 11: 211; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83; Kerr, 2001).

History G. W. Temperley (1946) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXXI. p. 117, under 'Ornithological Report for Northumberland and Durham, 1945', recording the record in square brackets, says: 'On November 17th, in a hawthorn hedge adjoining Fenham Flats, N., a bird uttering an unusual note attracted attention. On a close and detailed examination it was judged to be an Ortolan Bunting in first winter plumage. Its mantle was chestnut brown, breast yellowish buff and streaked, belly of the same colour with fewer streaks. Its most prominent markings were its long yellow moustachial streaks, curving round the ear-coverts, and its yellow chin. It had a very pale bill. It was about the same size as a Yellow Bunting, but shorter in the tail. It uttered a loud, rapid and frequent call of "teeu" (F.B.).

There is no previous record of the Ortolan Bunting in Northumberland, but it has occurred elsewhere on the East Coast. Immature birds could very easily be over-looked.'

G. W. Temperley (1955) in the Transactions of the Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne Natural History Society, Vol. XI. p. 211, says: '...So far the only record for Northumberland was a single first-winter bird seen on November 17th, 1945, near Fenham by F.B. This record was cautiously placed in square brackets in O.R., 1945; but it has now been proved that this species is an occasional visitor to the north-east coast.'

253). 1946 Kent Fairfield, Walland Marsh, male, seen, 10th May.

(N. F. Ticehurst, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 7: 53; Eds., British Birds 40: 383; Harrison, 1953; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1984).

History N. F. Ticehurst (1947) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. VII. p. 53, says: 'A male, Fairfield, May 10th, watched at very close range for half an hour in bright sunlight, as it fed on grubs on the bank of a sewer. Its greyish-green head and breast, yellow throat, eye-stripe and circle round eye, reddish lower breast and abdomen and red bill and legs, all clearly seen and its song, a low warbling phrase lasting a few seconds, repeatedly heard (P.A.E., our first record).'

In an Editorial (1947) in British Birds, Vol. XL. p. 383, in a Review of the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, for 1946, they say: 'Other noteworthy records are: a male Ortolan at Fairfield on May 10th.'

Harrison (1953 (2): 278) states that traffic in live birds of this species has now ceased for many a year...one may therefore accept this record of a male seen on 10th May, 1946 by Messrs., P. A. Emmerson and S. Lambert, under favourable conditions at Fairfield on Walland Marsh.

254). 1946 Isle of May No locality, 18th to 19th May.

(H. F. D. Elder, Scottish Naturalist 60: 178).

History H. F. D. Elder (1948) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LX. p. 178, under 'Isle of May Bird Observatory Report, Spring and Autumn 1946', says: 'One on 18th and 19th May.'

255). 1946 Yorkshire Spurn, seen, 2nd September.

(R. Chislett, Naturalist 72: 67).

History R. Chislett (1947) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXXII. p. 67, says: 'A bird seen at Spurn on September 2nd by J. Lord and C. M. Swaine had a pink bill with yellow ring round the eye and gave a shrill note rather like that one of the Tree Pipit's.'

256). 1946 Pembrokeshire Skomer, 7th September.

(Lockley, 1949; Donovan & Rees, 1994).

History Lockley (1949) listed one from Skomer on 7th September 1946.

257). 1946 Isle of May No locality, 30th September and 1st October.

(H. F. D. Elder, Scottish Naturalist 60: 178).

History H. F. D. Elder (1948) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LX. p. 178, under 'Isle of May Bird Observatory Report, Spring and Autumn 1946', says: 'One on 30th September and 1st October.'

258). 1947 Isle of May No locality, three: one/three, between 4th and 15th May.

(H. F. D. Elder, Scottish Naturalist 60: 182).

History H. F. D. Elder (1948) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LX. p. 182, under 'Isle of May Bird Observatory Report, Spring and Autumn 1947', says: 'One to three from 4th to 15th May.'

261). 1947 Yorkshire Spurn, male, 9th May.

(R. Chislett, Naturalist 73: 57; Eds., British Birds 43: 62).

History R. Chislett (1948) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXXIII. p. 57, says: 'A male bird at Spurn on May 9th gave close views of its cream orbital ring, green head, yellow patch on throat, warm buff breast and other points (R.C., J.R.W.).

A bird seen there on April 11th was believed to be of this species (H.G.B.).'

In an Editorial (1950) in British Birds, Vol. XLIII. p. 62, in a Review of the above, they say: 'There are a number of interesting records from Spurn, namely in 1947 an Ortolan May 9th.'

262). 1947 Greater London/Surrey Nore Hill, North Downs, Chelsham, male, seen, 23rd August.

(H. E. Pounds, British Birds 41: 20; C. B. Ashby, London Bird Report 1947: 6; Wheatley, 2007; Self, 2014).

History H. E. Pounds (1948) in British Birds, Vol. XLI. p. 20, says: 'On August 23rd, 1947, at about 15.30 (G.M.T.) I observed an adult Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana) by an almost dried-up dewpond on the summit of Nore Hill (800 feet above sea level), North Downs, near Chelsham, north-east Surrey.

The bird maintained a crouching posture all the time I watched it - for the space of about four minutes - with its back partly towards me, so that I was unable to see its breast, under-parts or legs, though several times it turned its head furtively in my direction. Its head and nape appeared greyish-green, the mantle brownish streaked with dark brown or black, the tail brownish with white detectable on the outer tail-feathers. The beak was reddish-brown. Encircling the eye, which was black, was a most conspicuous yellow ring or "spectacle", and extending downward from the beak was a pronounced, rather broad, yellowish streak. The chin and throat were yellowish-white bordered on either side with a dusky line. In size it was about the same as a Yellow Bunting (Emberiza c. citrinella) but a trifle more heavily built, I thought. I was able to watch it with x 6 glasses at a range of not more than 16 yards in brilliant sunshine.

It finally flew off in a southerly direction in clipping fashion at the same time climbing steadily, and did not settle again though I followed it out of sight. A short sharp "tsip" like note was heard as it rose from the pond.'

263). 1947 Pembrokeshire Skokholm, 26th August.

(Anon., Skokholm Bird Observatory Report 1947: 10; Lockley, 1949; Donovan & Rees, 1994).

History Anon. (1947) in the Skokholm Bird Observatory Report, p. 10, says: 'One seen on 26th August.'

264). 1948 Norfolk Horsey, female, seen, 24th May.

(C. E. Gay, Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1948: 27).

History C. E. Gay (1948) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, 1948, p. 27, under 'Miscellaneous Notes', says: 'On May 24th at Horsey a number of Redstarts and Spotted Flycatchers were along the southern edge of the Hall garden. Also, feeding on the ground, was a female Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana). (P. W. P. Browne).'

265). 1948 Fair Isle No locality, 12th September.

(K. Williamson, Scottish Naturalist 61: 132).

History K. Williamson (1949) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXI. p. 132, under 'Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report, 1948', says: 'Singly, 12th and 14th September.'

266). 1948 Fair Isle No locality, 14th September.

(K. Williamson, Scottish Naturalist 61: 132).

History K. Williamson (1949) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXI. p. 132, under 'Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report, 1948', says: 'Singly, 12th and 14th September.'

267). 1949 Devon Lundy, female, 11th May.

(F. C. Butters et al., Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1949: 10; H. Boyd, British Birds 43: 215; Davis & Jones, 2007).

History Hugh Boyd (1950) in British Birds, Vol. XLIII. p. 215, says: 'Single females May 11th and August 29th. In each the yellow eye-ring, reddish bill and legs, and olive tinted head were clearly seen.'

Davis & Jones (2007: 269) state that it was a female.

268). 1949 Devon Lundy, female, 29th August.

(F. C. Butters et al., Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1949: 10; H. Boyd, British Birds 43: 215).

269). 1949 Fair Isle No locality, adult male, 22nd September.

(K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report 1949: 9).

History K. Williamson (1949) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report, Vol. II. p. 9, says: 'The only Ortolan Bunting of the autumn (an adult male) was seen on 22nd September.'

AC pass

Keith Naylor

Ortolan Bunting (1/2)

Emberiza hortulana Linnaeus, 1758 (269, 275)

Rock Bunting

Ortolan Bunting (2/2)