Red-footed Falcon

Falco vespertinus Linnaeus, 1766 (68, 7)

Photo © Matthew K Naylor, Eglingham Moor, Northumberland, September 2023

Ex BBRC species 31/12/2005

STATUS

Palearctic. Monotypic.

OVERVIEW

Formerly known as the Orange-legged Hobby.

Arrives here mid-April to June, occasionally July to October. There are four records for November.

Up to 1949 there were seven individuals in Scotland, two in Wales and 59 in England. A handful in the north east but mainly south of Yorkshire.

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RECORDS

1). 1830 Yorkshire Near Doncaster, adult male, shot, April, now in the Foljambe Collection, Osberton Hall, Nottinghamshire.

(H. S. Foljambe, Transactions of the Linnean Society 17: 553-554; Anon., Proceedings of the Zoological Society 2: 189; Jenyns, 1835; Macgillivray, 1837-52; Morris, 1856-62; W. E. Clarke, Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalist Union, 1877: 11; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Saunders, 1899; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History H. S. Foljambe (1832) in the Transactions of the Linnean Society, Vol. XVII. pp. 553-554, in the extracts from the minute book read on 1st May, 1832, says: 'The Secretary read a letter addressed to the President by H. S. Foljambe, Esq., F.L.S., giving an account of the Falco rufipes of Bechstein, having been shot near Doncaster in April, 1830. Three other individuals of this Falcon were killed in Norfolk in the same year.'

Richard Owen, Chairman (1832) in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society, Vol. II. p. 189, at the meeting held on 27th November 1832, says: 'A specimen was exhibited of the Falco rufipes, Bechst., a bird of exceedingly rare occurrence in Britain. It was shot near Doncaster, and is preserved in the collection of W. H. Rudstone Read, Esq., by whom it was communicated for exhibition to the Committee.'

Jenyns (1835: 84) says: '...and a fifth in Yorkshire.' Macgillivray (1837) Vol. I. p. 191, says: 'Four examples of this species have been obtained in the county of Norfolk, and two others, an adult male and female, have occurred in Yorkshire.'

Morris (1856 (1): 81, reissue) says: 'But very few examples of British specimens of this species have as yet been obtained. In Yorkshire, a male has been recorded by J. S. Foljambe, Esq., to have been obtained some years since.'

William Eagle Clarke (1877) in the Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalist Union, p. 11, says: 'This occurrence took place in our county in the month of April, when a male was shot at Doncaster, which was reported to the Linnean Society at its meeting on the 1st of May 1832 (Transactions XVII. p. 533) in a letter from Mr. H. S. Foljambe. Four specimens were shot in Norfolk during the following month.'

Clarke & Roebuck (1881: 47) say: 'Doncaster, a male shot in April, 1830; the first occurrence in Britain (Linn. Trans. XVII. p. 553).' Accepted locally (Nelson 1907 (1): 368).

Comment First for Britain. The female occurred c. 1840.

2). 1830 Norfolk Great Yarmouth, first-summer male, shot, 1st May, now at Castle Museum, Norwich (Acc. No. NWHCM: 1923.74.15).

(Paget & Paget, 1834; Yarrell, 1845; Morris, 1856-62; Gurney, 1876; Lubbock, 1879; Patterson, 1905; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1912: 131; Riviere, 1930; Allard, 1990; Bloomfield, 1993; Dye, Fiszer & Allard, 2009).

History Paget & Paget (1834: 3) say: 'One shot in a marsh by Breydon, in 1832, which Mr. D. B. Preston now has.'

Morris (1856 (1): 82, reissue) says: '...a fifth in the same county [Norfolk], in the year 1832.'

Stevenson (1866 (1): 20) says: 'In 1832, as stated by the Messrs. Paget [1834], another example was obtained on a marsh near Breydon, which came into the possession of Mr. D. Preston, of Yarmouth.'

Gurney (1876: 282) in his Rambles of a Naturalist, says: 'I think that it is time to mention that I have recently ascertained that this young male Red-footed Hobby in my father's collection, is the same specimen recorded by Paget & Paget (1834). It was shot at Breydon, not as Messrs. Pagets say in 1832, but on the 1st May 1830. In all probability it was the first killed in Britain. Mr. D. B. Preston of Catton, to whose notes I am indebted for clearing up the confusion, says it was killed behind the "Vauxhall Gardens", and he saw it shot. He adds that Mr. Lombe of Melton, on hearing of the circumstance, sent an artist to draw it. On referring to some MS. notes left by that gentleman I find that "drawings were sent to the Linnean Society" - drawings that is to say (I suppose) of my father's bird and his own killed at Horning in the same year.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich, (1912) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XVI. p. 131, says: 'This was not known as a British bird until 1830, when no fewer than five were killed in Norfolk.'

3). 1830 Norfolk Horning, three: adult male, female and first-summer male, all shot, May, two now at Castle Museum, Norwich (Acc. No. NWHCM: 15.935), the other at Wymondham.

(W. Yarrell, Loudon's Magazine of Natural History 4: 116; Paget & Paget, 1834; MacGillivray, 1836; Yarrell, 1845; Stevenson, 1866; Lubbock, 1879; A. H. Patterson, Zoologist 1900: 412; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1912: 131; Riviere, 1930; Allard, 1990; Bloomfield, 1993; Dye, Fiszer & Allard, 2009).

History William Yarrell of London (1831) in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. IV. p. 117, dated January, 1831, says: 'Three examples of this small falcon were observed together at Horning, Norfolk, in the month of May, 1830, and fortunately all three were obtained. On examination they proved to be an adult male and female, and a young male in immature plumage....and others will probably be found in preserved collections, on close examination, as some little difficulty occurs in detecting them, from their resemblance to other British species.'

Paget & Paget (1834: 3) say: 'Three more were shot in the same year [erroneously 1832, correct year 1830] at Horning, by Mr. Heath.'

MacGillivray (1836: 191) says: 'The three birds of this species first obtained in Norfolk were an adult female and two young males, in their second plumage; one of them, however, still retained the brown barred feathers on the outer portions of the wing-coverts, and four of the barred tail feathers of the preceding state. Four examples of this species have been obtained in Norfolk, and two others, an adult male and female, have occurred in Yorkshire.'

Stevenson (1866 (1): 19-20) says: 'I can find no earlier record of the occurrence of this rare species in Norfolk than the year 1830, when the following note, by the late Mr. Yarrell, appears in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History (Vol. IV. p. 116): - Three examples of this small falcon were observed together at Horning, Norfolk, in the month of May, 1830, and fortunately all three were obtained.

On examination they proved to be an adult male and female, and a young male in immature plumage. A fourth specimen has also been shot in Holkham park.

Of the three first I am now able to give somewhat fuller particulars than have yet been published, the gentleman who shot them, Mr. Heath, of Ludham Hall, having kindly answered all my enquiries.

They had been noticed for some days before they were killed frequenting the arable land adjoining the marshes, where they perched on the small bushes stuck up in the fields to prevent Partridge netting, or settled on the ground apparently searching the soil for worms or insects. The old male and female were presented by Mr. Heath to Mr. Gurney, who still has them at Catton; and the young male to Mr. Edward Lombe, of Melton, whose fine collection is now at Wymondham, in the possession of his daughter, Mrs. E. P. Clarke.'

Further, in a footnote, Stevenson adds: 'I have also a further corroboration of Mr. Heath's statement in the following note, made by Mr. Lombe, in his copy of 'Bewick's Birds', most kindly extracted for me, with many others, by Mrs. Clarke: - "They were mostly seen in the middle of a fallow field, and the female was shot flying from the thorns. The male (immature) now in my collection was shot from an oak in the same field. The male (mature) shot on a heap of thorns. The stomach contained insects".

Stevenson also adds: 'In 1832, as stated by the Messrs. Paget, another example was obtained on a marsh near Breydon, which came into the possession of Mr. D. Preston, of Yarmouth; but these gentlemen were decidedly in error in stating that Mr. Heath's specimens were procured "in the same year".'

A. H. Patterson (1900) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IV. p. 412, erroneously states from Paget that they were all shot in 1832.

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich, (1912) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XVI. p. 131, says: 'This was not known as a British bird until 1830, when no fewer than five were killed in Norfolk.'

Riviere (1930) says: 'All shot by Mr. Heath of Ludham Hall. The adult male and female were presented to J. H. Gurney, sen., and the first-summer male was given to E. Lombe for his collection, which is now at the Castle Museum, Norwich.'

Comment MacGillivray mentioned these three and another for Norfolk, presumably the Holkham record. About the two for Yorkshire, only one specimen is known.

6). 1830 Norfolk Holkham Park, female, shot, undated, now at Castle Museum, Norwich (Acc. No. 18.73).

(W. Yarrell, Loudon's Magazine of Natural History 4: 116; Yarrell, 1845; Stevenson, 1866; Lubbock, 1879; A. H. Patterson, Zoologist 1900: 412; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1912: 131; Riviere, 1930; Allard, 1990; Bloomfield, 1993; Dye, Fiszer & Allard, 2009).

History William Yarrell of London (1831) in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. IV. p. 117, dated January, 1831, says: 'A fourth specimen has also been shot in Holkham Park.'

Stevenson (1866 (1): 19-20) says: 'I can find no earlier record of the occurrence of this rare species in Norfolk than the year 1830, when the following note, by the late Mr. Yarrell, appears in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History (Vol. IV. p. 116): ...A fourth specimen has also been shot in Holkham park.'

A. H. Patterson (1900) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IV. p. 412, erroneously states from Paget that it was shot in 1832. J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich, (1912) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XVI. p. 131, says: 'This was not known as a British bird until 1830, when no fewer than five were killed in Norfolk.'

Riviere (1930) says: 'Killed at Holkham some time prior to 1830, this female is now in the Lombe collection at Castle Museum, Norwich.'

7). 1836 Co. Durham Trow Rocks, South Shields, adult male, shot, October, now at Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

(A. Hancock, Magazine of Zoology & Botany 1: 491; Yarrell, 1845; Hancock, 1874; Gurney, 1876; J. T. T. Reed, Naturalist 13: 76; Howse, 1899; Temperley, 1951).

History Albany Hancock (1837) in the Magazine of Zoology & Botany, Vol. I. p. 491, says: 'A fine mature male was shot on the Durham coast between South Shields and Marsden rocks, in the middle of last October. It was in company with another, which unfortunately escaped. The stomach was filled with coleopterous insects.'

Hancock (1874: 13-14) says: 'A mature male was shot at the Trow Rocks, South Shields, October, 1836, and is in my collection.'

J. T. T. Reed (1887) in The Naturalist, Vol. XIII. p. 76, under 'Local Specimens of Rare Birds in the Museum at Newcastle-on-Tyne', says: 'Red-footed Falcon. Near South Shields, shot, October, 1836. Mature male.

Howse (1899: 15) in his Index-Catalogue of the Birds in the Hancock Collection, says: 'Case 46. No. 2 (upper-centre). Mature male. Shot on the sea-banks between South Shields and Marsden, Oct., 1836. Remark. - Obtained the specimen (No. 2), from Mr. Clarke, South Shields. J.H.'

8). c. 1840 Yorkshire Easingwold, female, shot, undated.

(Allis, 1844; Morris, 1856-62; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Mather, 1986).

History Morris (1856 (1): 81, reissue) says: 'A third was killed a few years ago near Easingwold, and was sent to Mr. H. Chapman, of York, to be preserved, with a message that if it was a Cuckoo, he was to stuff it for the person who shot it; but that if it was not a Cuckoo, he might, if he stuffed it, keep it for his pains.'

Clarke & Roebuck (1881: 47) say: 'Easingwold, female (Allis, 1844).'

Mather (1986: 208) says: 'Thomas Allis (1844) gave details of five birds, one of which, a female, was shot a few years back near Easingwold, and sent to H. Chapman of York.'

9). 1843 Norfolk Near Norwich, adult male, killed, 10th August, now at Castle Museum, Norwich.

(J. H. Gurney, Zoologist 1843: 350; H. Stevenson, Field 22nd Dec., 1860: 519; Stevenson, 1866; Riviere, 1930).

History J. H. Gurney (1843) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. I. p. 350, dated August, 1843, says: 'About a fortnight since an adult male of the Red-legged Hobby was killed in this neighbourhood. The contents of the stomach consisted of beetles.'

H. Stevenson of Norwich (1860) in The Field of 22nd Dec., Vol. XVI. p. 519, says: '...The last example of that rare visitant, the "Red-footed or Orange-legged Hobby", that I am aware of, as occurring in this county, was killed near Norwich, in August, 1843, and was purchased of Mr. Knight, by J. H. Gurney, Esq., M.P., who presented it to the Norwich Museum. This bird, an adult male, is a very beautiful specimen.'

Stevenson (1866 (1): 20) says: 'No others appear to have been recognised from that date [1830] until August, 1843, when an adult male, presented to our Museum by Mr. J. H. Gurney (No. 11), was procured near Norwich, and had various beetles in its stomach.'

Riviere (1930: 110) adds: 'An adult male killed near Norwich on 10th August 1843 and presented by Gurney, sen., to the Norwich Museum.'

10). 1844 Yorkshire Stainer Wood, Selby, female, shot, 6th May.

("Eastern Counties Herald"; Eds., Zoologist 1844: 654; Morris, 1856-62; W. E. Clarke, Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalist Union, 1877: 11; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History In an Editorial (1844) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. II. p. 654, quoting from the Eastern Counties Herald of 16th May, 1844, it says: 'Last week a fine male specimen of this exceedingly rare falcon, being the fourth full-grown one on record as having been obtained in England, was shot by the gamekeeper of the Right Hon. E. R. Petre, in a wood near Selby. It now forms part of the collection of Mr. Massey Hutchinson, of that place.'

Morris (1856 (1): 81, reissue) says: 'A fourth was shot on the 6th of May, 1844, at Stainier Wood, near Selby.'

William Eagle Clarke (1877) in the Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalist Union, p. 11, says: 'In May 1844 a fine female was shot in Stainier Wood, near Selby, by a gamekeeper of the Right Hon. E. R. Petre. It passed into the possession of Mr. Massey Hutchinson of Selby (Zoologist 1844: 654).'

Accepted locally by Clarke & Roebuck (1881: 47) who state it to be a female, while, Nelson (1907 (1): 368) says: 'Thomas Allis, 1844, wrote: - Falco rufipes. - Red-footed Falcon - the fifth specimen was shot on 6th May last, at Stanier Wood, near Selby, and is in the possession of Massey Hutchinson of Selby.'

Comment Some discrepancy in the sex and date; Mather (1986) also sexes it as a female.

11). 1851 Cornwall Budock, adult male, seen, 19th May.

(W. P. Cocks, Morris and Bree's Naturalist 1: 163; Anon., Royal Cornwall Gazette 5th December 1867: 7; Penhallurick, 1978).

History W. P. Cocks of Falmouth (1851) in Morris and Bree's edition of The Naturalist, Vol. I. p. 163, dated 19th May, 1851, says: 'This bird I flushed in Mr. Jago's furze bush stone quarry, parish of Budock, Falmouth. It was within three yards of me. The plumage of the head, neck, and body, uniform dark slate grey colour; legs, bright reddish brown; bill, yellowish; a broad black bar at the tip of the tail. Size, not larger than the male "Turdus viscivorus" here. After hawking close to the ground in Mr. Selley's field for nearly ten minutes, it mounted high and made off for the wood at Trefusis, about half-a-mile from the furze brake.'

Anon. (1867) in the Royal Cornwall Gazette for 5th December 1867, p. 7, says: 'Dr. Bullmore, of Falmouth, writes me as follows: ...A few years since my valued friend, Mr. W. P. Cocks, announced, in the Polytechnic reports, that he had flushed an adult male of this same species from a patch of furze in the Beach Quarry; but inasmuch as this specimen had not, fortunately, been secured, some little doubt has been entertained as to whether or not there might not positively have been some little mistake in the matter. In my own mind I felt quite satisfied with the accuracy of Mr. Cocks' observations, and as such I published the same in my Fauna of the Vertebrata of the county.'

Harting, Editor (1880) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'In May 1851, a specimen of this rare Hawk, often called the Orange-legged Hobby, was shot [sic] at Budock in this county [Cornwall], as recorded by Mr. Cocks (Naturalist 1851: 163). Rodd under 'Appendix' adds: '...that it was only seen, but rose out of furze within three yards of the observer, Mr. W. P. Cocks of Falmouth.'

12). 1851 Sussex Rottingdean, shot, undated.

(Dresser, 1871-81; G. D. Rowley, Field 24th May 1873: 490; Borrer, 1891; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

History Dresser (1871-81 (6): 94) says: 'Yarrell cites four instances of its occurrence in Norfolk in 1830, two in Yorkshire, and one in Durham, as also one in the Devonport Museum; and Stevenson tells us of one instance of its capture in Suffolk, in July 1862. Besides these, we know of one other example being shot by our friend Mr. Howard Saunders at Rottingdean in 1851.'

George Dawson Rowley (1873) in The Field of 24th May, Vol. XLI. p. 490, says: '...Messrs. Sharpe and Dresser, in their Birds of Europe, a very useful work, give eight instances of the previous capture of this species in England, besides the one killed by Mr. Howard Saunders at Rottingdean, near Brighton, in 1851.'

Borrer (1891: 10) says: 'In Mr. Dresser's Birds of Europe, Vol. IV. p. 94, it is stated one was shot at Rottingdean in 1851, by Mr. Howard Saunders. I wrote to the latter for further particulars, and, in his reply, dated Oct., 6, 1889, he informed me that, being at school at the late Dr. Smith's Rottingdean, and one of the senior boys there, was allowed to take the Doctor's walking-stick gun and wander about in his kitchen-garden to shoot small birds. The garden was fringed with sycamores up to the height at which the wind caught them, and suddenly the Falco vespertinus alighted on a branch, and he shot it. It was a female or young male, and was mounted in Brighton for Dr. Smith, who had a dozen or so of stuffed birds. Dr. Smith died about 1864, and Mr. Howard Saunders does not know what has become of them.'

Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 274).

13). 1854 Dorset Parley, near Christchurch, Hampshire, male, shot, undated, now at Chilcomb House, Winchester.

(Kelsall & Munn, 1905; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 184; Prendergast & Boys, 1983; Clark, 2022).

History Kelsall & Munn (1905: 184) say: 'The first recorded Hampshire specimen was a male procured at Parley, near Christchurch, in 1854, and now in the Hart collection. Parley parish runs into Dorsetshire, but Mr. Hart informs us that the bird was killed on our side of the border.'

F. L. Blathwayt (1934) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LV. p. 184, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset', says: 'One in Hart Museum shot at Parley on the Hants. border, 1854.'

Comment Parley Common is well inside Dorset after the 1974 boundary changes.

14). 1858 Northumberland Near Morpeth, immature, killed, August.

(Hancock, 1874; Bolam, 1912; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83).

History Hancock (1874: 14) says: 'An example, in first-plumage, was killed near Morpeth, August, 1858.'

15). c. 1860 Somerset Cheddar Woods, shot, undated.

(Daily News; M. A. Mathew, Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society 39: 118; Matthew, 1895; Blathwayt, 1906; Palmer & Ballance, 1968; Ballance, 2006).

History M. A. Mathew (1893) in the Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society, Vol. XXXIX. p. 118, says: 'An example of this rare visitor to the British Isles was obtained at Cheddar in 1860, as we are informed by a writer in the Daily News.'

F. L. Blathwayt (1906 (1): 153) in the Victoria County History of Somerset, says: 'A specimen was shot in Cheddar Woods by the late Arthur Tanner at Sidcot about the year 1860. It was for some time in Mr. Tanner's collection, where it was seen by Mr. F. A. Knight.'

Palmer & Ballance (1968) listed the species under the rejected records and Somerset Ornithological Society (1988) made no mention of the species, however, Ballance (2006) now accepts it but cannot remember why it was rejected.

Comment Cheddar Woods is a place and not a "wood" and is in Somerset, whereas Sidcot is in Avon now.

16). 1860 Sussex Near Arundel, obtained, undated.

(Walpole-Bond, 1938).

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 274) says: 'Thirdly, about the year 1860 (no further date transpires) Mr. W. Jeffery (Cat. B. West Sx., compiled for the Chichester and West Sx. Nat. Hist. and Microscop. Soc. by him) saw in the flesh on George's premises at Chichester a vespertinus which had just been sent in for preservation from the neighbourhood of Arundel.'

17). 1862 Kent Sandling Park, near Hythe, adult female, killed, early summer.

(W. O. Hammond, Zoologist 1862: 8192; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).

History W. Oxenden Hammond of near Wingham (1862) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XX. p. 8192, dated 15th September, 1862, says: 'An adult female of the Orange-legged Hobby was killed at Sandling Park, near Hythe, in the early part of this summer. I saw the bird soon after, but as I believe its occurrence in this instance has not been recorded, I have asked permission to notify it.'

Ticehurst (1909: 293) adds: 'The first record that can be thoroughly relied upon is...It was stuffed by the late Charles Gordon, and is now preserved in the Deedes collection on loan at the Folkestone Museum. Mr. B. Turner, the late Major Deedes' old gamekeeper, informs me that he remembers this bird well, and that he has seen another since, but, of course, this may have been a Hobby, though being such a good observer I should be unwilling to doubt his identification.'

18). 1862 Suffolk Somerleyton, immature male, shot, 12th July, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1924Z18.3961).

(H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1863: 8725; Stevenson, 1866; Babington, 1884-86; A. H. Patterson, Zoologist 1900: 412; Ticehurst, 1932; Piotrowski, 2003; Watson, 2010).

History H. Stevenson of Norwich (1863) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXI. p. 8725, dated 2nd August, 1863, says: 'I have recently purchased a young male of this species, which was killed at Somerleyton station, near Lowestoft, on the 12th of July, 1862. The bird had been seen and shot at once or twice by the station-master, but was secured at last by a gamekeeper on the Somerleyton estate, who sold it to a birdstuffer in this city. The bird is somewhat rough in plumage, having but just commenced moulting its adult feathers. The last specimen observed in the eastern counties was killed near Norwich in 1843, - a fine old male, now in our Museum.'

Babington (1884-86: 231) admits to having seen the specimen.

A. H. Patterson of Great Yarmouth (1900) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IV. p. 412, says: 'An immature male specimen obtained at Somerleyton, July 12th, 1862.'

Accepted locally by Ticehurst (1932: 234) who says: 'The only certain Suffolk example of this Falcon was shot close to Somerleyton railway station on 12th July 1862 by a keeper on the Somerleyton estate. It was in Stevenson's collection.'

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 bought at H. Stevenson's sale at Norwich, lot 111. Vide Birds of Norfolk, Vol. I. p. 20.

19). 1864 Yorkshire Mouth of the Humber, adult female, shot, early November.

(W. W. Boulton, Zoologist 1865: 9415; Cordeaux, 1872; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History W. W. Boulton of Beverley (1865) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXIII. p. 9415, dated 8th November, 1864, says: 'During the first week of November last, 1864, a female specimen of this extremely rare falcon was shot by a sailor from his ship, as the bird was hovering over the vessel. This was at the time the ship was entering the mouth of the Humber. The sailor took the bird for preservation to a birdstuffer at Hull, whilst it was in the flesh. The birdstuffer, not knowing the species, mentioned it to Mr. Richardson, of Beverley, who gave me a description of the hawk. I recognized the species at once, and have succeeded in purchasing the bird. It was forwarded to me this day, November 8th, 1864, and is still quite soft and pliable. It is a very perfect specimen of the Red-footed Falcon, and, judging by the plumage, I should pronounce it to be a mature female.'

Accepted locally (Clarke & Roebuck 1881: 47; Nelson 1907 (1): 368; Mather 1986).

Comment There are two records for November in the 1940s, one each in 1979 and 2010.

20). 1865 Leicestershire & Rutland Leicester, immature male, shot, 1st July.

(R. Widdowson, Field 10th Mar., 1866: 191; M. Browne, Zoologist 1866: 166; T. Macaulay, Midland Naturalist 1882: 61-65; Browne, 1889; Hickling, 1978).

History Robert Widdowson of Melton Mowbray (1866) in The Field of 10th Mar., Vol. XXVII. p. 191, says: 'I saw a few days ago a very fine specimen of the above (a young male), killed two or three miles from Leicester, about two months ago. The curator bought it for a trifle from the person who had it in the flesh. It was shot by a young man who lives at Belgrave, a suburb of Leicester. There are in the Leicester Museum many ornithological and other rarities - many obtained in the immediate neighbourhood. I must say the inhabitants of the town ought to be proud both of the building and its contents, very few provincial museums being equal to it.'

Thomas Macaulay of Kibworth (1882) in the Midland Naturalist, Vol. V. pp. 61-65, under 'The Birds of Leicestershire', says: 'The only record I can find is one shot near Leicester July 1st, 1865. This specimen is now in the Leicester Museum (M. Browne).'

Montagu Browne (1886) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. X. p. 166, says: 'The MS. Donation Book, Leicester Town Museum, records the presentation, by the Literary and Philosophical Society, on Feb. 22nd, 1866, of an "Orange-legged Hobby, shot near the Machine House, Belgrave Road, July 1st, 1865", with a note in the margin, "first recorded specimen in this county". It is still in the Museum, but, from certain facts which have come to my knowledge, I doubt its authenticity.'

Browne (1889: 117-118) says: '...The identical specimen is still in the Museum, and I have been fortunate enough to find the man who shot it, Thos. Adcock of Syston Street, lately returned from America, who says he was so nervous when he first saw it, thinking it was something rare, that he shot at it twice without effect; the second time it flew right away over the fields and gardens, but finally returned and alighted on a little heap of something, when, at the third attempt, he succeeded in shooting it. I am pleased to verify this note, about which I have now no doubt, and therefore cancel my previous remarks (see Zool., 1886, p. 166).'

21). 1865 Yorkshire Bempton Cliffs, adult female, killed, 6th July, now at Mansfield Museum.

(Harting, 1872; O. V. Aplin, Zoologist 1884: 50; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; O. V. Aplin, Naturalist 13: 200; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History Harting (1872: 87) says: 'One, Bridlington, Yorkshire, 6th July, 1865: hitherto unrecorded.'

Clarke & Roebuck (1881) p. 47, say: 'Bempton Cliffs, mature female, shot July 6th, 1865, now in the collection of Mr. J. Whitaker, of Rainworth [Notts.] (MS.).

Oliver V. Aplin (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. p. 50, under 'Note of some Rare British Birds in the Collection of Mr. J. Whitaker', says: 'Falco vespertinus - Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire, July 6th, 1865.'

O. V. Aplin, (1887) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XIII. p. 200, under 'A Visit to Rainworth Lodge', says: 'The most remarkable among the historical specimens of British-killed rarities are examples of the Red-footed Falcon, Bridlington, 1865.'

Accepted locally (Nelson 1907 (1): 368; Mather 1986).

Comment The specimen is now at the Mansfield Museum, Nottinghamshire, with the Whitaker Collection.

22). 1865 Shropshire Near Shrewsbury, immature, caught, undated.

(J. Rocke, Zoologist 1865: 9685; W. E. Beckwith, Transactions of the Shropshire Archaeological & Natural History Society 2: 367; Forrest, 1899; Rutter, Gribble & Pemberyon, 1964).

History J. Rocke of Shropshire (1865) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXIII. p. 9685, dated 10th June, 1865, says: 'One example has occurred near Shrewsbury; in the possession of Mr. Thomas Bodenham, of that town: it is in the brown mottled plumage of the upper figure in Mr. Yarrell's woodcut.'

W. E. Beckwith (1879) in the Transactions of the Shropshire Archaeological & Natural History Society, Vol. II. p. 367, says: 'An immature bird, caught near Shrewsbury some years ago, passed into the possession of the late Mr. Bodenham, of Sunfield, Shrewsbury.'

Forrest (1899: 137) says: 'Mr. Rocke mentions an immature bird in Mr. Bodenham's collection, caught near Shrewsbury, about 1868.'

23). 1866 North-east Scotland Hill of Fiddes, Foveran, Aberdeenshire, adult female, shot, 29th May.

(G. Sim, Hardwicke's Science Gossip 1866: 161; Eds., Zoologist 1867: 702; Gray, 1871; Harting, 1872; Sim, 1903; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Phillips, 1997).

History G. Sim of Aberdeen (1866) in Hardwicke's Science Gossip, Vol. II. p. 161, says: 'Orange-legged Hobby. - A female was sent to me for preservation on the 29th May of the present year; it was killed in the neighbourhood of this town, and is the first, so far as I am aware, that has yet been obtained in Scotland. It stomach contained a mouse and some beetles.'

In an Editorial (1867) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. II. p. 702, quoting from the Aberdeen Free Press, it says: 'A female of this species was shot near Rothismay about four years ago, and preserved by Mr. Mitchell, and a male was shot in the month of July last year, within six miles of Aberdeen, while in the act of stealing the last of a brood of chickens. The reason why this species has not been oftener observed is, doubtless, owing to its being confounded with other species which it resembles.'

Gray (1871: 31) says: 'I have much pleasure in introducing into the present work a notice of the occurrence of the only specimen of this rare British bird which appears to have been met with in Scotland. It was shot in Aberdeenshire, and is now in the possession of Mr. John Ruxton, who has very kindly sent me the following communication: - "An adult female of this rare and beautiful species was shot and given to me by my friend, Mr. Andrew Gill, while on a visit at Hill of Fiddes, in the parish of Foveran, and county of Aberdeen, in the last week of May, 1866. The stomach contained beetles, from which I infer that, like many of its congeners, it is not so destructive of game as many preservers imagine".'

Sim (1903: 133-134) says: 'One was shot by Mr. Andrew Gill at Hill of Fiddes, parish of Foveran, in May, 1866. Mr. Gill brought the bird to me for preservation and identification, which, I stated at the time (Aberdeen Herald), was the first, so far as I was aware, that had been obtained in Scotland. The specimen in question was a female, weighing 4¼ ounces; length, 11¼ inches; and expanse of wings, 26¾ inches. Its stomach contained a mouse and two beetles. Thus the Foveran specimen stood the only one for Scotland until 1875, when one was shot in Ross-shire, and another in Caithness. Both were preserved by Mr. McLeay, Inverness, in whose hands I saw them. On May 7th, 1897, a fine specimen was shot at Crimonmogate. It stomach was filled with shrew mice.'

Comment The Ross-shire and Caithness specimens mentioned by Sim appear to be erroneous.

24). 1867 Cornwall Nansloe, near Helston, immature, shot, about November.

(Anon., Royal Cornwall Gazette 5th December 1867: 7; Bullmore MS.; Harting, 1872; Clark, 1906; Penhallurick, 1978).

History Anon. (1867) in the Royal Cornwall Gazette of 5th December, 1867, p. 7, says: 'Dr. Bullmore, of Falmouth, writes me as follows: Permit me through the medium of your columns to record the capture, for the first time, of an example of this beautiful little specimen of falcon, in the neighbourhood of Helston. It was shot by Mr. Faull, farmer, of Nanslow Estate, and by him given to my brother, by whom it was sent to Falmouth, to be stuffed. Owing to the immature state of its plumage and being a bird of the year, it was mistaken at Helston for a small specimen of the Hobby, and it was not until after a very careful examination that I was enabled to establish its identity....It consequently affords me the greatest pleasure to place on record the capture of this species, and more especially the fact of the bird being one of this year, is from this alone it must be evident that not only have the parents visited us, but that they have actually bred in our own immediate neighbourhood. I trust ere long to hear that other examples have been observed, and at the same time venture to hope that should this meet the eye of anyone interested in the natural history of our county who may be fortunate enough to get within range of one of these rare visitors, they may be induced to temper mercy with their observations, and thus spare the lives of such rarities.'

J. Clark (1906 (1): 338) in the Victoria County History of Cornwall, says: 'Red-footed Falcon - one obtained near Helston in the autumn of 1867.'

Penhallurick (1978: 105) says: '1867, one was shot, probably in November, at Nansloe on the outskirts of Helston (Royal Cornwall Gazette 5th December 1867).'

25). 1868 Denbighshire Wrexham, killed, mid-May.

(E. P. Kerrison, Field 23rd May 1868: 415; Dobie, 1893; Forrest, 1907; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).

History E. P. Kerrison of Wrexham (1868) in The Field of 23rd May, Vol. XXXI. p. 415, says: 'A fine specimen of this very rare bird (Falco rufipes) was shot last week near Wrexham. It is now in my possession, and may be seen by any lover of natural history.'

Dobie (1893: 316) says: 'Mr. Ruddy tells me on Beckwith's authority, that one was killed at Wrexham, in May, 1868 (See Field May 23rd, 1868).'

26). 1868 Norfolk Great Yarmouth, adult female, shot, 16th May.

(H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1869: 1491; Lubbock, 1879; Riviere, 1930; Allard, 1990).

History H. Stevenson of Norwich (1869) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IV. p. 1491, dated January, 1869, says: 'May [1868]. A very beautiful adult female of this rare species, in Mr. Overend's collection at Yarmouth, was shot on the beach on the 16th of May.'

Riviere (1930: 110) says 'Originally in Overend's collection, but at the disposal sale in July 1876 it was purchased by the Rev. C. J. Lucas and later came into the possession of Mrs. Fisher at Burgh House, Fleggburgh.'

27). 1868 Northumberland Hauxley, female, shot, 9th October.

(G. Tate, History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 5: 439; Gray, 1871; Hancock, 1874; Bolam, 1912; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83).

History G. Tate (1863-68) in the History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club, Vol. V. pp. 439-440, says: 'From Mr. Middleton Dand I received an unknown bird, which had been found in a dying state in a garden at Hauxley, on October 9th, 1868. After a careful examination, it proved to be the Falco rufipes, of Bechstein, or Falco vespertinus, of Linnaeus, the Orange-legged Hobby, one of the rarest of British birds.

It had been flying about the neighbourhood for a few days previously, and was shot at and wounded, from the effects of which it died. This species was first noticed as British, by Yarrell, in 1830, when four specimens were obtained in Norfolk.

Subsequently it was taken in Ireland, in Yorkshire, and Durham; but it has not previously been seen in Northumberland or in Scotland.

It is a native of Russia, where it is common, of Poland and Austria, and it ranges southward to Tuscany.

As this bird has seldom been described, the characters of this Northumbrian specimen may be given; in the examination of it, I have enjoyed the aid of Mr. Thomas Gibb, an experienced Taxidermist. It is a female in full plumage; 12 inches long; the wings when extended measuring 27½ inches across, and when closed reaching nearly to the tail. The beak is short, strong, and dark, but orange at the base; the cere and eyelids are of a reddish orange, and the irides dark brown; the eye is encircled with dark brown, and between the angle of mouth and the eye is a triangular patch of dark brown. The forehead is grey, tinged with light brown; the head, neck, and upper part of back are russet brown. The back, wing coverts, tail and upper tail coverts are leaden grey, transversely barred by brownish black. The primary wing quills are also brownish black, barred with white; but these bars, which are numerous and distinct on the outer quills, gradually lessen in number and become indistinct on the inner quills. The second primary quill is the longest; and the inner web of the first quill is abruptly cut out about half an inch from the end. The throat is white, slightly tinged with light brown; the breast and the under surface of the body are of a pale cinnamon brown, with a few feathers of dark brown. The tarsi and toes are orange colour; the claws are small and not so curved as in other falcons. The food seems to have been entirely insects; in its stomach were found the remains of beetles, but so decomposed that their affinities could not be determined; and mixed up with them were a few pieces of bent grass quite undigested, and which may have been taken up when this Falcon was feeding on beetles.'

Gray (1871: 31) says: 'As this Falcon has not often been captured in Britain, it may be not be out of place here to allude to one found near the Borders. In a work on the Geology, Botany, and Zoology of the neighbourhood of Alnwick, it is stated, on the authority of Mr R. C. Embleton, that a female Red-footed Falcon was found at Hauxley in October, 1868. ('History of Alnwick' by George Tate, F.G.S., 1869).'

Bolam (1912) adds: 'A female at Hauxley, near Amble on 9th October, 1868. It was picked up in a dying condition by the late Mr. Middleton H. Dand, in his garden at Hauxley, after being noticed flying about in the neighbourhood for a few days; its death being the result of a gunshot wound.'

28). c. 1870 Gloucestershire Near Colesbourne, killed, undated.

(Mellersh, 1902; Swaine, 1982).

History Mellersh (1902) mentions one killed near Colesbourne about 1870.

29). 1870 Warwickshire Welford-on-Avon, adult male, seen, June.

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

History Tomes (1901 (1): 160) in the Victoria County History of Worcester, says: 'A bird of this species, which from its uniformly dark colour was certainly an adult male, was seen and closely watched for some time by Mr. W. H. Baylies while busily engaged in hawking for cockchafers in some large elms near his house in June, 1870. As Mr. Baylies is intimately acquainted with the Hobby and the Merlin, he can certainly assert that the bird he saw was not either of those birds, but, indeed, there can be no doubt from the colour as to the species.'

Norris (1947: 39) says: 'Mr. Bayliss of Welford, saw an adult male of this species in June, 1870 (Tomes 1901). Bayliss was well acquainted with the other small falcons, and with the distinctive colour of this one, there is little chance of an error. I have in my possession a nearly mature male marked "Welford", without further particulars, which may have been this subject.'

30). 1871 Surrey Compton, near Godalming, adult male, shot, spring.

(Bucknill, 1900).

History Bucknill (1900: 195) says: 'The Charterhouse collection contains an adult male shot at Compton, near Godalming, by a gamekeeper named Dykes, in the spring of 1871, and an adult female shot by the keeper to Mr. James Molyneux at Binscombe, not far from the same place; there is, however, no date attached to the latter example.'

Comment The female lacks adequate details and is not acceptable.

31). 1873 Cheshire & Wirral Styal, near Wilmslow, adult female, shot, May.

(F. Nicholson, Zoologist 1874: 4238; Coward & Oldham, 1900; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 321; Coward, 1910; Hedley Bell, 1962).

History Francis Nicholson (1874) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IX. p. 4238, says: 'In May, 1873, a very fine Orange-legged Hobby was shot at Styal, near Wilmslow, by the keeper of Mr. Robert Hyde Greg. It was a female, and in very fine plumage. Though from the time of year it would seem likely to be in the neighbourhood for nesting purposes, nothing was seen of a male bird.'

Accepted locally for Cheshire (Coward & Oldham 1900: 139) and admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 321, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who add: 'One has been obtained in Cheshire in May, 1873, a record not noticed in the Manual (Coward and Oldham, Birds of Cheshire, p. 139).'

32). 1873 Essex Alresford, adult female, shot, 31st May.

(C. R. Bree, Field 7th June 1873: 545; E. Newman, Zoologist 1873: 3615; C. R. Bree, Zoologist 1873: 3688; Christy, 1890; Glegg, 1929; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984; Wood, 2007).

History C. R. Bree of Colchester (1873) in The Field of 7th June, Vol. XLI. p. 545, dated June 3rd, says: 'A female of this falcon was shot at Alresford, near this town, by the head keeper of Lieut.-Col. Hawkins. It was in beautiful nuptial plumage. Col. Hawkins, at my request, writes to me: - "The bird was shot by Gilders, who has been a gamekeeper here for nearly twenty-five years. He tells me that he shot one last year, but, as it was very near to him at the time, he shattered it so much that he did not mention it. My impression is that the bird was blown over during the continuance of the N.N.E. gale which prevailed for several days previous to the 31st of May, on which day the falcon was shot. Had it been about our woods during the early spring, it must have been seen either by the keepers or myself; and, as most of the tribe are either sitting on eggs or have young ones, I look upon our rare visitor's appearance as quite accidental. Nobody could regret the extinction of these rare birds more than myself; but when keepers are expected to show game they very naturally destroy all enemies (foxes excepted). Yours sincerely, S. M. Hawkins".'

E. Newman, Editor (1873) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VIII. p. 3615, quoting from The Field, says: 'Colonel Hawkins records, in a letter to Dr. Bree, published in The Field of June 7, the occurrence of a specimen of this rare bird at Alresford on the 31st of May, and adds: "My impression is that the bird was blown over during the continuance of the N.N.E. gales which had prevailed previous to that date".'

C. R. Bree of Colchester (1873) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VIII. p. 3688, dated 12th July 1873, adds: 'As it is always a matter of interest to ornithologists to know where rare species of British Birds are located, perhaps you will allow me to record that the specimen of Orange-legged Hobby (female), mentioned in your last as having been killed at Alresford, near this town...has been added to my collection.'

Christy (1890: 177) adds: 'Shot by Gilders, head-keeper to Hawkins.'

Accepted locally (Cox 1984) and by Wood (2007) who lists it as an adult male.

33). 1873 Shropshire Near Ellesmere, adult, shot, undated, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1924Z18.3960).

(Forrest, 1899; Rutter, Gribble & Pemberyon, 1964; Watson, 2010).

History Forrest (1899: 137) says: 'There is an adult in the collection of Mr. Chase (Birmingham), shot by a lad while scaring birds near Ellesmere, in 1873.'

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 shot by a lad when scaring birds. My father was driving from Whitchurch and saw the lad dangling the hawk; he at once saw it was out of the common, so pulled up and bought the specimen, sending it on to me.

34). 1875 Hampshire Near Titchfield, female, shot, October.

(H. B. Leggatt, Field 30th Oct., 1875: 494; Kelsall & Munn, 1905).

History Horace B. Leggatt of Titchfield (1875) in The Field, 30th October, Vol. XLVI. p. 494, says: 'I have forwarded by this post to your address a bird shot by me, of which I beg your acceptance. I do not remember ever having before seen any hawk like it, and I should be glad to know what it is.'

[The bird is a female specimen of the Red-footed Falcon or, as it is often called, the Orange-legged Hobby, a rare and accidental visitant to this country. - Ed.]

Kelsall & Munn (1905: 184) say: 'The second example [for Hampshire] is a female in the possession of Mr. Harting, who tells us that it was shot by Mr. Horace Leggatt, of Titchfield, in October, 1875, and sent to the office of the Field in the flesh.'

35). 1876 or 1877 Yorkshire Egton Bridge, near Whitby, caught, undated.

(Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History Clarke & Roebuck (1881: 48) say: 'Egton Bridge, Whitby, 1876 or 1877 (Birds of Yorkshire, p. 17).'

Nelson (1907 (1): 369) says: 'William Lister of Glaisdale mentioned that one was captured at Egton Bridge, near Whitby, by the keeper of Mr. Smith, in 1876 or 1877.'

36). 1880 Fife Kinghorn, first-summer female, shot, 20th September, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1880.67).

(J. A. Harvie-Brown, Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow 4: 304; R. Gray, History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 9: 365; J. A. Harvie-Brown, Zoologist 1880: 485; Bolam, 1912; Rintoul & Baxter, 1935; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History J. A. Harvie-Brown (1878-80) in the Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow, Vol. IV. p. 304, says: 'One was killed in Fife on the 20th Sept., 1880, and sent for preservation to Mr. Robt. Small, naturalist, Edinburgh. It afterwards came into the possession of the Industrial Museum, Edinburgh, and was exhibited by Dr. Traquair at a meeting of the Royal Phys. Soc., in Dec., 1880.'

Robert Gray (1879-81) in the History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club, Vol. IX. p. 365, says: 'A female specimen of this rare bird was shot at Kinghorn in Fifeshire, on 21st September, 1880. I examined it before it was skinned, and have the sternum now in my possession.'

J. A. Harvie-Brown of Dunipace House, Larbert (1880) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. IV. p. 485, says: 'A Red-legged Hobby has been procured, and was sent in to Mr. Small [Edinburgh] on the 20th September.'

Bolam (1912) says: 'A reference is also made to Gray's previous record, in the History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club Vol. IX. p. 365, of an immature female shot at Kinghorn, Fife, on 21st September, 1880.'

Rintoul & Baxter (1935) say: 'A female was shot at Kinghorn, Fife, on 20th September 1880. Robert Gray examined it in the flesh and the specimen is now at the National Museums of Scotland; it was about three or four months old.'

Comment Some variance with the date.

37). 1882 Dorset Tuckton, near Christchurch, adult female, shot, 16th May, now at Chilcomb House, Winchester.

(H. Moser, Field 20th May 1882: 674; Kelsall & Munn, 1905; Clark, 2022).

History H. Moser of Christchurch (1882) in The Field of 20th May, Vol. LIX. p. 674, says: 'An Orange-legged Hobby (Falco vespertinus) was shot here yesterday by my keeper; it is an adult female in very good plumage. Mr. Hart, who is preserving it, tells me that the last killed in this neighbourhood was in 1854.'

Kelsall & Munn (1905: 184) say: 'The last [for Hampshire] is a female shot by Mr. Brewer at Tuckton, near Christchurch, on May 16th, 1882, and now in Mr. Hart's collection.'

38). 1884 Yorkshire Wadworth Wood, near Doncaster, female, obtained, late April.

(A. Paterson, Naturalist 10: 58; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History A. Paterson of Doncaster (1884) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. X. p. 58, dated 6th September 1884, says: 'In the last week of April of this year, I had a fine female specimen of the Orange-legged Hobby (Falco rufipes) sent to me in the flesh to be set up. It was shot in Wadworth Wood near here, by the woodman, Mr. Clayton, and is perhaps worth recording.' It was accepted locally (Nelson 1907 (1): 369; Mather 1986).

39). 1888 Borders Swinside, near Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, immature male, shot, 21st June, now at National Museums of Scotland.

(W. Evans, History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 12: 394; W. Evans, Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh 1887: 168; Evans, 1911; Bolam, 1912; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History W. Evans (1887-89) in the History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club, Vol. XII. p. 394, says: 'It will doubtless interest the Members of the Club, to know that a fine example of this rare bird was obtained near Swinside, a few miles from Jedburgh, on the 21st June, 1888, and taken the following day to Mr. Robert Hope, birdstuffer, Jedburgh, who subsequently gave me all the facts concerning it, and kindly forwarded the specimen for exhibition at the meeting of the Royal Physical Society, Edinburgh, held 20th Feb. 1889. Since then it has been secured by the Museum of Science and Art, Edinburgh, where it is now permanently located. It is a male, probably just about a year old, passing into the dress of maturity, and thus in a most interesting phase of plumage. Speaking in a general way, the prevailing colours are: - upper parts, dark bluish grey; under parts, rich reddish brown, mixed with light bluish grey, the whole interspersed here and there by a few of the barred and striped feathers of immaturity. The bird had been feeding on beetles, for Mr. Hope tells me he found its stomach filled with the remains of these insects.

The Red-footed Falcon, it may be mentioned, winters in Africa and is a summer visitor to the temperate regions of Europe and the adjacent parts of Asia. In the central and eastern parts of the Continent it is abundant, but as we proceed westwards its numbers rapidly diminish, and its visits become more irregular. According to the latest authority, Saunders's Manual of British Birds, only about 20 examples have been recorded for the British Islands, and these mostly from the southern counties of England. Northwards, the captures become more and more uncommon: and I am aware of but two authentic occurrences, in Scotland, prior to the capture of the specimen which forms the subject of this note, namely: - one, a female, killed in Aberdeenshire in May, 1866, as mentioned in Gray's Birds of the West of Scotland, and a young female in first plumage, shot near Kinghorn, Fife, on 20th Sept., 1880, and preserved in the Edinburgh Museum.'

Evans (1911: 135) says: 'A specimen now in the Royal Scottish Museum, was procured at Swinside, near Jedburgh, on June 21st, 1888 (Proc. Royal Phys. Soc. Edinb., 1887, p. 168).'

Bolam (1912: 305) says: 'Our third specimen, a young male, was obtained near Swinside, a few miles from Jedburgh, on 21st June, 1868, and after being preserved by Mr. Robert Hope of that town, who kindly gave me all details regarding it, was acquired for the Museum of Science and Art, Edinburgh. It was the subject of a notice by Mr. William Evans in the History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club, Vol. XII. p. 394.'

40). 1892 Greater London/Surrey Nunhead, adult female, shot, late September or early October.

(W. E. Dawes, Field 22nd Oct., 1892: 613; Swann, 1893; Ticehurst, 1909; Wheatley, 2007; Self, 2014).

History W. E. Dawes of 72, Denmark Hill, S.E. (1892) in The Field of 22nd Oct., Vol. LXXX. p. 613, says: 'I have just finished stuffing and mounting a specimen of the Orange-legged Hobby (Falco rufipes), a female in mature plumage. It was shot a few weeks ago at Nunhead, S.E., by Mr. T. Brown, of the Railway Tavern, Nunhead, and is now in his collection. The crop of this bird contained only the wing cases of some beetles, and what appeared to be the skins of small caterpillars.'

Swann (1893: 74) says: 'Under date of October 6th, 1892, Mr. W. E. Dawes, of 72 Denmark Hill, Camberwell, writes as follows to the Naturalists' Journal for October, 1802 : - "I have just finished stuffing and mounting a very rare and beautiful bird, the Red-footed Falcon or Orange-legged Hobby (Falco rufipes). It is a female in mature plumage, and was shot a few weeks ago at Nunhead, S.E., by Mr. T. Brown ('Young Nimrod') of the Railway Tavern, Nunhead, and it is now in his collection of British birds....These birds live to a great extent (if not entirely) upon insects, a fact borne out by the contents of the crop of this specimen, in which were only the wing-cases of some beetles and what appeared to be the skins of some small caterpillars. They are no doubt harmless to young game and poultry".'

Accepted locally for Kent (Ticehurst 1909: 293) and for the Greater London area (Self 2014).

41). 1897 North-east Scotland Crimonmogate, Aberdeenshire, male, killed, 7th May.

(G. Sim, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1897: 251; G. Bolam, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1898: 116; Sim, 1903; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Phillips, 1997).

History George Sim of Aberdeen (1897) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. VI. p. 251, says: 'A fine male specimen of the Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus) was killed at Crimonmogate on the 7th of May last.

This is the third occurrence of the species in Scotland: the first having been killed at Hill of Fiddes, Aberdeenshire, 29th May 1866; the second at Hauxley, near the Borders, in October 1868.

In the last edition of Yarrell's British Birds (Vol. I. p. 70), it is stated that "two have been killed near Aberdeen". This is a mistake; there was but one, as above noted. It may be well, however, to say that when the Aberdeenshire one for 1866 was recorded in the local papers, and there appeared the following day a letter in which it was affirmed that one had been killed at Rothiemay, in Banffshire, and three in Aberdeenshire, the last two having been killed and their nest and eggs taken, subsequent inquiry proved all these statements to be incorrect.

The weight of the specimen now recorded was 6¼ ounces, expanse of wings 27¼ inches, length from beak to end of tail 12 inches, wings when closed same length as tail. Upper parts dark brown; primaries light mealy grey, with black shafts; tail black, with a greenish sheen when held to the light; abdomen and leg feathers cinnamon brown. The stomach was filled with shrew mice.' [There are two recorded Scottish specimens in the Edinburgh Museum: one killed at Kinghorn on the 20th September 1880; and the second near Jedburgh on the 21st June 1888 - Eds.]

George Bolam of Berwick-on-Tweed (1898) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. VII. p. 116, says: 'As Mr. Sim's reference, at page 251, in the 'Annals' for October is apt to mislead those unacquainted with the district, may I be permitted to point out that Hauxley (the locality for his second Scottish example of this rare bird) is really in Northumberland, and quite 30 miles south of the border.'

Sim (1903: 134) says: 'On May 7th, 1897, a fine specimen was shot at Crimonmogate. It stomach was filled with shrew mice.'

Comment Even George Sim has now made an erroneous statement: Hauxley being in Northumberland, England, and this now being the fourth record for Scotland.

42). 1897 Essex Stanford Rivers, adult female, shot, 21st May.

("D.C.S." Field 15th Jan., 1898: 93; Glegg, 1929; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984; Wood, 2007).

History "D.C.S." (1898) in The Field of 15th Jan., Vol. XCI. p. 93, says: 'It may interest some of your readers to know that a female specimen of the Orange-legged Hobby was shot in May last in the parish of Stanford Rivers, South Essex, and has been stuffed by Thorpe, of Croydon.'

Glegg (1929) says: 'This bird was shot on the estate of Sir Drummond C. Smith at Stanford Rivers in May, 1897, and examined by me.' Accepted locally by Wood (2007) who lists it as an adult female.

43). 1900 Sussex No locality, obtained, early May.

(Walpole-Bond, 1938).

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 275) says: 'One was secured "somewhere in Sussex" - I could never acquire the exact locality - during the first week of May, 1900, as vouched for by Mr. S. V. Clark, Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe and Mr. J. C. Dolman. The trophy passed into the keeping of the last-named.'

Comment Richard Bowdler Sharpe on the death of G. R. Gray was appointed in charge of the bird collection at the British Museum. Of course, this year was within the "Hastings rarities fraud" period.

44). 1901 Norfolk Acle, adult male, shot, 27th April.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1902: 88; J. H. Gurney & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 7: 734; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 321; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1912: 131; Riviere, 1930).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1902) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VI. p. 88, says: 'April 30th. Mr. Lowne received an adult male Orange-legged Hobby from Acle...It is some time since a Red-legged Hobby has been recorded from Norfolk; it was supposed to have been seen flying over Breydon a few days before it was killed.'

J. H. Gurney & T. Southwell (1904) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. VII. p. 734, read 29th March 1904, say: 'On the 30th April, one of these birds was brought to Mr. Lowne of Yarmouth to be preserved, which had been shot at Acle.'

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

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1912) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XVI. p. 131, says: 'The last two occurred in April, 1901, and June, 1908.'

Riviere (1930: 110) adds: 'It was actually received by Lowne, the Yarmouth taxidermist, on 27th April 1901, according to his notebook.'

45). 1901 Shropshire Near Shrewsbury, immature female, shot, 18th May, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1924Z18.3962).

(H. E. Forrest, Zoologist 1901: 224; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 321; Rutter, Gribble & Pemberyon, 1964; Watson, 2010).

History H. E. Forrest of Shrewsbury (1901) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. V. p. 224, says: 'On May 18th a specimen of this rare Falcon was shot near Shrewsbury, and I examined it in the flesh. It is an immature female measuring 12 in. long; wing not quite 10 in. Amongst the contents of the stomach was an unmistakeable Shrew (Sorex vulgaris). Few birds of prey except Owls will eat the Shrews, probably because of their odour; so it is of interest to find that these form part of the diet of F. vespertinus. As the specific name indicates, this species seeks its prey chiefly in the evening. It has occurred twice previously in Shropshire (cf. Fauna of Shropshire, p. 137).'

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

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 shot by Yaxley, keeper to Mr. Perkins. He went to Shrewsbury and examined the bird when quite fresh and purchased it from G. Cooke, St Mary's Street.

46). 1901 Essex Bradwell-on-Sea, immature male, shot, 17th October.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1901: 426-427; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 321; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984; Wood, 2007).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1901) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. V. pp. 426-427, says: 'On Oct. 17th, Mr. Cole, of Norwich, received for preservation, for the Rev. J. R. Owen, an immature male Red-footed Hobby (Falco vespertinus), which that gentleman informs me was shot in Essex, at Bradwell-on-Sea, where, he adds, interesting birds are often seen, as the parish consists of a promontory which runs out into the sea. It has a white throat, and a tint of ruddy brown on the upper surface and on the breast; tail-feathers barred; legs, toes, and claws orange. F. vespertinus is a species not included in Miller Christy's Birds of Essex.

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

Accepted locally (Cox 1984) and by Wood (2007) who lists it as shot from two or three.

47). 1902 Lincolnshire Panton, near Wragby, shot, 15th May.

(F. L. Blathwayt, Zoologist 1912: 62; Smith & Cornwallis, 1955).

History F. L. Blathwayt (1912) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XVI. p. 62, under 'Additions to the Birds of Lincs.', says: 'One was shot by a keeper at Panton, near Wragby, on May 15th, 1902 (G. H. Caton Haigh).'

48). 1903 East Glamorgan St Fagan's, one shot from two seen, 1st June.

(T. W. Proger & D. R. Paterson, Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society 1903: 126; Heathcote, 1967).

History T. W. Proger & D. R. Paterson (1903) in the Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Vol. XXXVI. p. 126, say: 'A specimen was shot on June 1st, 1903, by the keeper at St Fagan's near the Pheasant coops. It was a male in full plumage. Another bird, probably the female, was observed near the same place shortly afterwards.'

Comment I think it safe to ignore the "supposed" female through lack of identification details.

49). 1904 Dorset Near Wareham, immature male, shot, 19th May.

(Dorset County Chronicle 26th May, 1904: 8; N. M. Richardson, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History Society and Antiquarian Field Club 26: 267; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History Society and Antiquarian Field Club 39: 51; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 184; Prendergast & Boys, 1983).

History Nelson M. Richardson, Editor (1905) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History Society and Antiquarian Field Club, Vol. XXVI. p. 267, says: 'Rare birds in 1904. Red-footed Falcon. - A young male of this species, often misnamed the "Orange-legged Hobby", was shot at Keysworth Farm, near Wareham, by Mr. George L. Pain, on May 19th, 1904. It was identified by Rev. W. A. Newman, of Winterbourne Kingston, and recorded by him on page 8 of the Dorset County Chronicle of May 26th, 1904. Mr. Pain, whose sole object in shooting the bird was to protect his young chickens, informs me that a pair of Red-footed Falcons frequented Keysworth for some days before the one was shot, and that the other remained for a few days longer after the loss of its companion. This extremely rare summer visitor to Britain is not included in the late Mr. J. C. Mansel-Pleydell's Birds of Dorsetshire, published in 1888, and does not appear to have been ever previously observed in the county (E.R.B.).'

Admitted by 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'. Still admitted by F. L. Blathwayt (1934) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LV. p. 184, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset'.

Comment E. R. Banks of Corfe Castle.

50). 1907 Kent Near Gravesend, male, seen, 28th April.

(Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953; Taylor, 1984).

History Ticehurst (1909: 293-294) says: 'Mr. Percy F. Bunyard has also had the good fortune to see one of these birds. "On April 28th, 1907", he writes "near Gravesend, I saw on two occasions a male of this species. When first seen in the morning it was hovering like a Kestrel. I was almost on a level with the bird, on a hill overlooking a small valley. It appeared to be nearly all grey. On the second occasion I saw it make a dart at a Cuckoo as it came through the tree close to where I was sitting. It then settled in a tree, and with the aid of my glasses I could distinctly see the beautiful red under-parts".'

51). 1908 Norfolk Dersingham Wood, Sandringham, immature female, shot, mid-June, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1954Z1.284).

(J. G. Tuck, Zoologist 1908: 394; Eds., British Birds 2: 244; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1912: 131; Riviere, 1930; Watson, 2010).

History J. G. Tuck of Tostock Rectory, Bury St Edmunds (1908) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XII. p. 394, says: 'While staying in Norfolk, in September, I called on Mr. R. Clarke, the birdstuffer at Snettisham, who showed me a female Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus), which was shot near Sandringham about the middle of June, and taken to him for preservation. I ventured to question the accuracy of the Sparrowhawk eyes which he had put in, but he assured me they were right.'

In an Editorial (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 244, they say: 'The Rev. Julian G. Tuck records the occurrence of a female Falco vespertinus, which was shot near Sandringham about the middle of June last (Zool., 1908, p. 394).'

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1912) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XVI. p. 131, says: 'The last two occurred in April, 1901, and June, 1908.'

Watson (2010) in detailing the W. R. Lysaght collection in the Birmingham Museum lists this immature female specimen from Dersingham Wood, Sandringham, Norfolk, obtained in June 1908, without further detail.

52). 1909 Cambridgeshire No locality, adult male, shot, May.

(W. Farren, British Birds 3: 308; Lack, 1934; Bircham, 1989).

History William Farren (1910) in British Birds, Vol. III. p. 308, says: 'A fine adult male Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus) passed through my hands in May, 1909. It was shot in Cambridgeshire.'

53). 1909 Norfolk Filby Broad, female, shot, 21st June.

(Riviere, 1930).

History Riviere (1930) says: 'A female received by Lowne, [the Yarmouth Taxidermist] shot at Filby on 21st June 1909.'

54). 1911 Norfolk Great Yarmouth, male, obtained, about 1st June.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1912: 131; Eds., British Birds 6: 25; S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 9: 785; Riviere, 1930; Ticehurst, 1932; Allard, 1990).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1912) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XVI. p. 131, says: 'June 1st. About this date a Red-footed Falcon, as I am informed by Mr. Saunders, was brought into Yarmouth, but I did not learn in what parish the shooting of it was perpetrated, or into whose possession the bird passed. This was not known as a British bird until 1830, when no fewer than five were killed in Norfolk, and others have been taken since; the last two occurred in April, 1901, and June, 1908. It is even possible that it may have bred in the county.'

In an Editorial (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 25, they say: 'Mr. J. H. Gurney's yearly report on Norfolk ornithology for 1911 (Zool., 1912, pp. 121-39) does not contain much of importance which has not already appeared in these pages, but the following interesting facts may be mentioned: - Red-footed Falcon (Falco v. vespertinus). - One was brought into Yarmouth on June 1st.'

Admitted by S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere (1914) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IX. p. 785, under 'Additions to Part XI (Sixth List) 1909-13'.

Riviere (1930) adds: '...Mr. E. C. Saunders tells me he saw it in the flesh at Lowne's shop.'

Ticehurst (1932: 239) says: 'One was brought into Lowne, the birdstuffer at Yarmouth, in June 1911, but as all information concerning it was refused, one cannot say whether it came from Norfolk or Suffolk.'

55). 1922 Norfolk Hickling Broad, adult male, seen, early June.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., British Birds 16: 233; S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 11: 589; Riviere, 1930).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1923) in British Birds, Vol. XVI. p. 233, in the Norfolk Annual Report, says: 'About the beginning of June an adult male Red-footed Falcon frequented Hickling Broad, where it was seen and identified by Mr. Montague, whilst hawking for dragon-flies the remains of which were found scattered round a post on which it had been observed to perch.'

Admitted by S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere (1924) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. XI. p. 589, under 'Additions to Part XI (Eighth List) 1919-23'.

Riviere (1930) says: 'Seen by Mr. J. Vincent, the Hon. E. S. Montague and others.'

56). 1927 Norfolk Near Bayfield, first-summer male, shot, early June.

(B. B. Riviere, British Birds 21: 248; Riviere, 1930).

History B. B. Riviere (1928) in British Birds, Vol. XXI. p. 248, in the 1927 Norfolk Bird Report, says: 'Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus). - On July 5th the keen eye of Mr. Peter Meiklejohn of Gresham's School, Holt, detected a Red-footed Falcon hanging amongst other suspected enemies to pheasant-rearing in a keeper's "larder" at Bayfield. It was in an advanced state of decomposition, having been shot about a month previously, but appeared to be a male in first summer plumage, having the general coloration of an adult male, but with the axillaries and under wing-coverts buff, barred with dark brown.'

57). 1929 Cumbria Lowther, adult male, shot, undated.

(E. Blezard, Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society 6: 74; Hutcheson, 1986).

History Ernest Blezard (1943) in the Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society, Vol. VI. p. 74, says: 'An adult male was shot at Lowther, Westmoreland, in 1929, and was examined in the flesh by Dr. Moon.'

58). 1931 Norfolk Hickling Broad, first-year, seen, 21st September.

(B. B. Riviere, British Birds 25: 349).

History B. B. Riviere (1932) in British Birds, Vol. XXV. p. 349, in the 1931 Norfolk Bird Report, says: 'At Hickling on September 21st Mr. J. Vincent watched from a distance of 10 or 15 yards a Red-footed Falcon, which, from its conspicuously white forehead and throat and heavily barred tail, he considered to be a bird of the year. It was hawking insects, including dragon-flies, on a newly-mown marsh, and resting meanwhile on a gate post.'

59). 1932 Cumbria Alston, adult male, seen, 5th to 10th May.

(G. Bolam, Field 30th Jul., 1932: 170; G. Bolam, Transactions of the Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne Natural History Society 8: 73; Bolam, 1932; E. Blezard, Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society 6: 74; Hutcheson, 1986).

History G. Bolam of Alston, Cumberland (1932) in The Field of 30th Jul., Vol. CLX. p. 170, under 'Red-footed Falcons', says: '...on May 5th a male of this species made its appearance here. I saw it again on the 9th, and for the last time on the following day. There could be no question as to its correct identification....'

Bolam (1932) says: 'On May 5th, 1932, a male, in full black plumage, appeared at Alston and remained until the 10th, when last seen it was pursuing a westward course high overhead.'

60). 1932 Greater London/Kent Beckenham, male, 20th May.

(H. A. A. Dombrain, Field 2nd Jul., 1932: 19; Harrison, 1953; Self, 2014).

History H. A. A. Dombrain of Beckenham (1932) in The Field of 2nd Jul., Vol. CLX. p. 19, says: 'On May 20th, about 6 p.m., I was talking with a man in his garden and I noticed a bird coming across a grass field, which at a distance I took to be a Cuckoo. As it came nearer I saw at once that this was a bird of the hawk family, and my thoughts immediately went to the Hobby. Fortunately, the bird settled on a topmost bough of a very tall elm about midway between our two gardens. I kept the bird under observation, and as it was standing with its breast towards us, and the sun relatively on the port bow, I was puzzled to see that the breast of this bird was quite dark. At last I asked my friend, "What colour is that bird's breast?" The answer was, "No colour at all, only dark".

While watching this another bird, with precisely the same flight, passed the tree and came nearly over our heads. As the flight of this bird was slow, I was able to see distinctly that the breast was striped. The first bird took flight, made a short circular tour, and came back to the same tree, but unfortunately settled out of sight. I watched for some two or three minutes, and then this bird took flight again in the direction from which it had come.

On getting back to my house I immediately took out my Yarrell and Seebohm, to see if by ay chance the Hobby was ever known to have a dark breast. The Merlin, I knew, it was not, for not only is it not the country for the Merlin, but anyone who has seen this bird in flight can never mistake it.

Please note that I had entirely overlooked a rare bird, viz., the Red-footed Falcon. Reading on I realised at once that these were the birds I had seen. The dark lead colour of the breast was unmistakeable, and if by nothing else it could not be identified by the flight which, as I have said, nearly resembles that of the Cuckoo. Seebohm distinctly says that the bird has "an easy and not rapid flight" and "has not the dash to catch birds on the wings".

It is, of course, possible, but hardly probable, that these birds have escaped from an aviary; should such be the case you will no doubt hear from one of your correspondents.'

Harrison (1953 (1): 261) says: 'One stated to have been seen by Mr. H. A. A. Dombrain at Beckenham on May 20th, 1932.'

61). 1937 Hampshire Martin, male, seen, 24th August.

(R. Whitlock, South-Eastern Bird Report 1937: 41; Clark & Eyre, 1993).

History R. Whitlock (1937) in the South-Eastern Bird Report, Vol. IV. p. 41, says: 'One was seen by several observers (including C.M.P.) at Martin on Aug. 24th, good views being obtained with glasses at ranges down to about 20 yards. The bird appeared to be tired and was not very shy. The following notes on plumage were made: - Upper parts of body slaty grey; head, brownish grey; black around eye; feathers on thigh, reddish brown; legs red (C.M.P.).'

62). 1939 Derbyshire Peak District, male, shot, early May.

(R. G. Abercrombie, Naturalist 65: 104; Eds., British Birds 34: 70; Frost, 1978).

History R. G. Abercrombie (1940) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXV. p. 104, says: 'That widely-ranging migrant, the Red-footed Falcon (sometimes known as the Red-footed Kestrel or Orange-legged Hobby) is only an occasional visitor to our islands; its occurrence in Derbyshire is therefore of special interest, for it does not appear to have been previously noticed in that county.

The specimen in question was secured early in May, 1939, amid a tract of moorland of the Peak District. Two birds rose close together from among some rocks; the first was thought to be a Cuckoo, and the second, the specimen actually secured, was thought to be a Merlin. This resemblance to a Cuckoo and to a Merlin leads to the supposition that the little falcon may be a more frequent visitor to our islands than is usually supposed.

The species is a woodland breeder, but the nearest woods were some pine-spinneys about a mile distant. The two birds, however, were not necessarily a pair, for the species is a gregarious one. The specimen secured was a male, in beautiful plumage. The general dark dove-colour, the bright chestnut feathers of the thighs, the pink feet, legs, cere and circumorbital skin made up an appearance quite unlike that of any British species.'

In an Editorial (1940) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIV. p. 70, they say: 'Red-footed Falcon in Derbyshire. - Dr. R. G. Abercrombie reports (Nat., 1940: 104) that a male Red-footed Falcon was shot in the Peak District early in May, 1939. Another bird rose with it.'

Comment The other bird lacks any details and is unacceptable.

63). 1941 Fife Newport, male, 21st November to mid-December.

(J. Grierson, Scottish Birds 2: 142; D. G. Andrew, Scottish Birds 2: 344-345; Smout, 1986; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

History J. Grierson (1962) in Scottish Birds, Vol. II. p. 142, placing the record in parenthesis, says: 'A male was seen in the Newport area by William and John Berry and others from 21st to 23rd November 1941 and stayed for about a month.'

D. G. Andrew (1963) in Scottish Birds, Vol. II. pp. 344-345, under 'Birds New to Areas and Counties', accept the above.

Accepted nationally for Scotland (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).

64). 1944 Dumfries & Galloway Moss of Cree, Wigtownshire, November.

(Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Dickson, 1992; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

History Baxter & Rintoul (1953 (1): 295) says: 'There are seven records of the occurrence of this rare falcon in Scotland: November, 1944, James R. Justice had a good view of one on Moss of Cree, Wigtownshire.'

Accepted nationally for Scotland (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).

65). 1947 Perth & Kinross Kinlochrannoch, Perthshire, male, 6th May.

(Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History Baxter & Rintoul (1953 (1): 295) says: 'There are seven records of the occurrence of this rare falcon in Scotland: Major Plowden Wardlaw watched a male near Kinlochrannoch on 6th May, 1947.

66). 1949 Northumberland Holy Island, two, adult males, 16th October.

(G. W. Temperley, Naturalist 75: 117; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83).

History G. W. Temperley (1950) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXXV.p. 117, in the 'Annual Northumbrian Report', says: 'On October 16th two adult males were seen on Holy Island, flying in from the N.E. over the links. They flew within fifteen yards of the observer, one settling on a low wall some 20 yards away. The head, back, wings and tail were very dark slate grey, the rump, flanks and breast being a little lighter, as were the primaries. The under tail-coverts were hidden from view, but the red on the beak and eyes could be plainly made out. Their flight was very similar to that of a Kestrel, but in size they were noticeably smaller. Seen in flight the birds appeared to be identical. They left in a S.S.W. direction (C.A.B.).'

68). 1949 Cleveland/Co. Durham Seaton Carew, Durham, female or immature, seen, 30th October.

(G. W. Temperley, Naturalist 75: 117; Temperley, 1951; Stead, 1964).

History G. W. Temperley (1950) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXXV. p. 117, in the 'Annual Durham Report', says: 'On October 30th, on the links south of Seaton Carew, an adult female was seen at close quarters in brilliant sunshine. Its small size and orange-red legs first attracted attention. Its brown colouring, rufous underparts, chestnut flanks and tibial feathers and its darkly barred tail were all clearly noted (C.G. & D.B.).'

Temperley (1951) says: 'On October 30th, 1949, at Seaton Carew, a female or immature bird was seen under very favourable circumstances by Miss C. Greenwell and Miss D. Bell.'

1950-57 RECORDS

69). 1952 Kent Dungeness, male, 11th April.

(N. F. Ticehurst, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 8: 64; P. A. D. Hollom, British Birds 47: 280).

History N. F. Ticehurst (1953) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. VIII. p. 64, says: 'An adult male came in from sea, Pett Level, Ap. 11th, passing within ten yards of observer. Entire plumage blue-black, with red legs, bill and circle round eye, clearly seen. Afterwards watched for an hour on a tree (R.C.).'

P. A. D. Hollom (1954) in British Birds, Vol. XLVII. p. 280, in reviewing the H.E.S.N., says: 'A description is given of a Red-footed Falcon seen on April 11th.'

70). 1955 Fair Isle Hjon Park/Gilsetter area, first-summer male, 4th to 12th June, trapped 8th June.

(K. Williamson & V. M. Thom, British Birds 48: 542-543; K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 3: 5; K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report 1955-56: 17; E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 69: 41; Dymond, 1991).

History K. Williamson & V. M. Thom (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. pp. 542-543, say: 'A Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus), first seen at Fair Isle on 4th June 1955, was trapped and ringed on the 8th, and was last seen on the 12th.

When found on the afternoon of the 8th it was working along a line of fencing-posts, using them as lookout points for insect prey, in the manner of a shrike. Its frequent sallies from the posts usually took it to not more than a dozen feet from the fence, and this habit seemed to offer a fair chance of catching the bird with a clap-net operated from a hide, using meal-worms as bait. Twice during the next hour the bird passed the net without showing any interest, but on the third occasion it descended and was caught. Whilst watching its movements we noted that small birds showed absolutely no fear or mistrust of the small falcon, and indeed a pair of Meadow Pipits (Anthus pratensis) perched alongside it several times.

Its short flights to and from the ground were slow and ponderous, rather Cuckoo-like, but on the few occasions when it covered a fairly long distance it showed more dash and vigour. It was seen to hover for several seconds in the manner of a Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) and sometimes ran lightly over the ground. It was exceedingly tame, permitting close approach, its only reaction being to bob the head suspiciously.

It was clearly a first-summer male with a good deal of juvenile plumage remaining on the wings and underparts. The head and nape were dark slate-grey, the mantle, sides of neck and upper breast a slightly paler uniform grey. The dark brown primaries contrasted with the paler coverts, and extended slightly beyond the tail, which was evenly barred buff and brown above and below. The lower breast was whitish lightly streaked darker, and the vent, under tail-coverts and "trousers" a warm rufous colour. In the hand it was seen that whilst the head and much of the upper-parts were slate blue as in the mature adult, some chestnut-edged juvenile feathers remained among the scapulars and on the lower mantle. The tail was completely juvenile and very worn. The primaries, secondaries and primary-coverts were new and probably also the outer greater coverts, the remainder of the wing belonging to the earlier plumage. The pale bluish-grey breast had an admixture of unmoulted feathers and the belly plumage was entirely juvenile. The soft parts were as in the mature bird: the bill was bluish horn at the tip, becoming deep orange close to the cere, and this, with the eye-rims, was reddish-orange. The legs were also reddish-orange and the claws pale brown. The wing projected about a quarter of an inch beyond the tail-tip. The bird weighed 136 gm. A number of mallophaga and one hippoboscid fly, a male Ornithomyia fringillina Curtis, were collected in the "Fair Isle Apparatus" (cf. antea, Vol. XLVII. pp. 234-5). The bird was colour-photographed prior to being released, and was seen by Mrs. Helen Fiddes, Mrs. K. Williamson, Miss Anna Burt and Mr. Alex M. Mackenzie.'

71). 1956 Sussex Thorney Airport, adult male, shot and wounded, 31st May, taken into care but died.

(D. D. Harber, Sussex Bird Report 1956: 13; James, 1996).

History D. D. Harber (1956) in the Sussex Bird Report, p. 13, says: 'On 31st May an adult male was shot on Thorney Aerodrome by a corporal in the RAF. The wounded bird was seen and identified on June 5th by R. H. Charlwood who noted the slate grey plumage, red legs, rufous under tail-coverts, etc. The bird was later removed by the RSPCA in whose hands it died.'

72). 1956 Leicestershire & Rutland Rothley sand-pit, immature male, 18th to 23rd June.

(R. A. O. Hickling, The Birds of Leicestershire and Rutland Report 1956: 9; Hickling, 1978; Fray et al., 2009).

History R. A. O. Hickling (1956) in The Birds of Leicestershire and Rutland Report, p. 9, says: 'A young male stayed at the sand-pit at Rothley from June 18th to 23rd. It was first seen in company with a female Kestrel in a break in heavy rain which had lasted for several days. This rain had washed away the cliff at a colony of Sand Martins, leaving nests containing chicks exposed. The Falcon and the Kestrel were attempting to take the exposed chicks.

As soon as I appeared in sight the Kestrel made off, but the Falcon landed on the cliff-top less than 100 feet away. It was quite unworried by my presence, and this proved to be characteristic of the bird, which often allowed me to approach to within 40 feet as it sat on the open cliff-top. When I was inside the pit inspecting the Sand Martin holes, the flew in despite my presence and settled on a tiny ledge within 20 feet of me and began to scrabble out the exposed chicks. It also flew closely round my head, allowing a close view of the underparts.

Even in the bad light in which the bird was mainly seen, on this and succeeding days, it presented a most handsome appearance. As it sat on the ground it showed few signs of immaturity. Head, back and upperparts were a slaty grey, the underparts slightly darker than the back. Legs, cere and eye-ring appeared bright red - a colour which, however, varied considerably with the light, for on some occasions it appeared almost yellow. When the bird perched above me on the cliff, fluttering its wings to maintain balance, the rich chestnut undertail coverts and "trousers" were well seen. Its age - a first-summer male - was shown by the primaries, which were dark blackish-brown, contrasting with the remainder of the upper parts; in adult plumage they have a silver sheen.

Details of the immature underparts were gradually filled in during later visits: the tail was barred with brown on a grey ground on the upper surface, and barred brown on buff on the under-surface; the under-surface of the wings was closely barred with light brown on buff. A further sign of immaturity was the yellow base to the bill...It is the second record for the county...'

Hickling (1978) states that this young male was seen regularly from 18th to 23rd June 1956 at the Rothley sand-pit. It kept itself going by feeding on nestlings of Sand Martins that had been exposed due to heavy rains resulting in cliff erosion around their nest-holes.' Accepted locally (Fray et al. 2009).

73). 1956 Leicestershire & Rutland Loughborough Sewage-farm, juvenile, 25th September.

(R. M. Fray, Leicestershire & Rutland Bird Report 2003: 128-133; Fray et al., 2009).

History Fray et al. (2009) say: 'For some unknown reason this record was not accepted at the time, but in reviewing all records for the publication of this book we find that this juvenile at Loughborough Sewage-farm on 25th September was well seen and described by P. Gamble.'

74). 1957 Gower Clyne Common, male, 23rd May.

(H. Morrey Salmon, Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society 1956-57: 20; Heathcote, 1967).

History H. Morrey Salmon (1956-57) in the Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Vol. LXXXVI. p. 20, says: 'A male was seen by three observers at Clyne Common, Gower, on May 23rd, 1957, between 8.00-9.00 pm. It was feeding on moths and was seen hovering in flight, and perched at a range of down to 25 yards. Full description of plumage was given (Gower Orn. Soc.). The only previous occurrence in the county was in 1903, when one was shot at St Fagans.'

75). 1957 Devon Dawlish, adult male, undated.

(S. G. Madge, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1957: 18; Moore, 1969; Tyler, 2010).

History S. G. Madge (1957) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXX. p. 18, says: 'Dawlish, one seen to fly from a belt of trees to another; when first seen it was thought to be a Kestrel but was then seen to have dark slate grey plumage, paler underneath; when it alighted the legs were seen to e orange-red; in the course of its flight it hovered for a couple of seconds; no call note was heard and there was no sign of the bird later in the day (Fl. Lieut. H. M. Doubleday).'

Accepted locally by Moore (1969) who says: 'Satisfactory details', and (Tyler 2010).

NOT PROVEN

0). 1825 Wiltshire Littlecote Park, near Hungerford, female, killed, undated.

(F. Holme, Zoologist 1843: 78; Yarrell, 1845; A. & H. Matthews, Zoologist 1849: 2595; A. C. Smith, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 3: 347-348; Radford, 1966; Swash, 1996; Wiltshire Ornithological Society, 2007).

[Smith, 1887].

History Frederick Holme of Oxford (1843) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. I. p. 78, dated 29th January 1849, says: 'As I perceive your pages are open to notices of rare British species, you perhaps will give insertion to the two following instances of the occurrence of the Orange-legged Hobby earlier than any mentioned by Mr. Yarrell, to whom I neglected to communicate them in time for their appearance in his work.

When I was at school in Wiltshire in 1825, I bought a small hawk from a countryman, who said he had seen it pursued and struck down by a Raven in Littlecote Park near Hungerford. He caught it on the ground before it recovered, and according to his account it laid an egg after its fall, which was broken. I was a tolerable ornithologist for a school-boy, but the yellow claws and strange markings of my bird puzzled me to identify it with any of the English hawks, and I made a drawing of it, sufficiently accurate to recognize it by. It was fortunate I did so, for the bird, which was very wild and untameable, escaped after a few days captivity, and was probably killed, as it had one wing clipped.

Some years after, on showing the sketch at Oxford to Mr. N. C. Strickland, he recognized it as identical with one of which he had a drawing, taken from a bird shot several years before in Yorkshire; but neither he nor I knew the species, till we saw the bird in the Zoological Gardens. Both these specimens were females. I may notice one character which I never saw expressed in any figure - the lower bars on the tail being forked or divided at the side. Gould's plate shows only the under side of the tail of the female, in which position this is not visible. The white or yellowish claws are usually considered as confined to this species and the Lesser Kestrel; but I once had a tame Kestrel, in which two claws on each foot had become white in the course of several years, and the others were beginning to change their colour when the bird died.'

A. & H. Matthews (1849) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VII. p. 2595, say: 'In the Zoologist (Zool., p. 78) there is a notice of a female of this species having been struck down by a Raven in Littlecote Park, near Hungerford, Berkshire. The above fact was communicated by our highly talented friend, Mr. Frederick Holme, of Corpus Christi College, Oxford. The bird itself was in his possession, and we have often heard him recount the singular story of its capture.'

A. C. Smith (1857) in the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, Vol. III. p. 347-348, says: 'This is the only instance which has come to my knowledge of the occurrence of this very rare Falcon in Wiltshire.

Scarcely a dozen instances arc recorded of its appearance in Britain, but of these, one is described in the Zoologist for 1843, as having occurred at Littlecote Park, near Hungerford, in 1825; it was seen by a countryman to be pursued and struck down by a Raven, when he went up to it and caught it on the ground before it recovered; and, according to his account, it laid an egg after its fall, which was broken.

The peculiar markings of the hawk struck the author of the communication, who bought the bird of the countryman, and not being able to identify it with any of the English hawks which he knew, he made a drawing of it, sufficiently accurate to recognize it by; it was fortunate he did so, for the bird, which was very wild and untameable, escaped after a few days' captivity, and was probably killed, as it had one wing clipped; subsequently, his memory being aided by the drawing, he recognized it as an Orange-legged Hobby, when he saw that bird at the Zoological Gardens.'

Smith (1887: 75) after quoting the above, goes on to the next record for Wiltshire, and says: '...More satisfactory because more undeniable are the pair now in Mr. Rawlence's collection at Wilton...'

Radford (1966: 78) says: 'Only one definite record: Messrs. Matthews in the 1840s described a female struck down by a Raven in Littlecote Park near Hungerford, the specimen being in the possession of a Mr. T. Holme of Corpus Christi College, Oxford.'

Wiltshire Ornithological Society (2007: 292-293) give a lengthy story claiming this as the first for Britain.

Comment Smith (1887) stated it was not a satisfactory record. I have e-mailed WOS about this being a potential first for GB but it is not known if it has been submitted to BOURC. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1837 Devon Near Plymouth, male, obtained, undated.

(E. Moore, Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History 1: 114; Morris, 1856-62).

[E. Moore, Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History 1: 114].

History Edward Moore of Plymouth (1837) in Charlesworth’s Magazine of Natural History, Vol. I. p. 114, under 'Birds of Devonshire', dated 7th January, 1837, says: 'Falco rufipes, Red-legged Falcon. A specimen of the male is in the possession of Pincombe, Chapel Street, Devonport, who obtained it "fresh" from a sailor. It might have been caught in the Channel; but I am not quite certain of its being a Devon bird.'

Morris (1856 (1): 82, reissue) says: 'Two have been procured, both males, near Plymouth, as I am informed by Mr. R. A. Julian, of that place. The first he says flew on board a vessel in the Channel near the Breakwater, and was captured.'

Comment The two known Devon occurrences were firstly prior to 1837 and secondly prior to 1847, neither worthy of consideration for the British List. Not known if obtained in Britain or its waters. Not acceptable.

0). 1838 Surrey Claremont Park, Esher, two, summer.

(Meyer, 1842; Bucknill, 1900).

[KAN].

History Bucknill (1900: 194-195) says: 'Meyer says: "I have more than once seen this bird, but have not been so fortunate as to obtain possession of it.

On one occasion, in the summer of 1838, I was late one evening walking in the unenclosed plantations belonging to Claremont, and was carefully searching for plover's eggs on a boggy heath, when my advances aroused a bird, whose peculiar flight arrested my attention...I followed it...and presently perceived it sitting in company with another of similar size but different colour...I was near enough to observe their plumage...they were Orange-legged Hobbies.

I returned several evenings to the same spot and saw them again and again...I was extremely anxious to obtain the nest, if such existed, which I do not doubt (British Birds, Vol. I. pp. 47 and 48)". These records of Meyer's are well known and are quoted by several writers, Morris, British Birds, 2nd ed. Vol. I. p. 93, and Harting (1872: 86).'

Comment No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Bucknill doesn't sound enthusiastic over them. Not acceptable.

0). 1840 Surrey No locality, seen, summer.

(Meyer, 1842; Bucknill, 1900).

[KAN].

History Bucknill (1900: 195) says: 'In a further note on this species Meyer adds that a specimen - believed to be a female - was caught in a hole in a tree about 11 or 12 feet off the ground, in the middle of summer of 1840. Meyer himself did not see it, but considered that it was probably nesting. It was kept in captivity for a week and then liberated (British Birds, Vol. I. pp. 48 and 49).'

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1843 Yorkshire Sheffield, obtained, undated.

(J. Heppenstall, Zoologist 1843: 247; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881).

[Nelson, 1907].

History J. Heppenstall (1843) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. I. p. 247, under 'Note on the occurrence of Hawks near Sheffield', dated 19th June 1843, says: 'Red-legged Hobby (Falco vespertinus). One of these birds is in the Museum of our Literary and Philosophical Society, which I have no doubt was obtained in the neighbourhood.'

Clarke & Roebuck (1881: 47) quoting from the above reference, say: 'Sheffield, one in the Museum, said to have been obtained in the district.'

Nelson (1907 (1): 368) says: 'One in the Sheffield Museum, said to have been killed in that neighbourhood...'

Comment This could possibly refer to the first for Great Britain which was near Doncaster. Nelson used the words "said to have been", placing no faith in the record. Not acceptable.

0). 1843 Greater Manchester Heaton Park, Lancashire, immature male, shot, undated.

(Saunders, 1892).

[Oakes, 1953].

History Howard Saunders (1892: 137, 2nd ed.) in the revised edition of Mitchell's Birds of Lancashire, says: 'A young male was obtained in Heaton Park in 1843, shot whilst feeding on dragon-flies over a "pit" there, and is now in the possession of Mr. Wright-Johnson of Prestwich.'

Oakes (1953: 181) in a footnote, says: '...cannot be admitted.'

0). c. 1843 Lancashire & North Merseyside Prestwich Clough, pair, shot, undated.

(Saunders, 1892).

[Oakes, 1953].

History Howard Saunders (1892: 137, 2nd ed.) in the revised edition of Mitchell's Birds of Lancashire, says: 'In the museum of Peel Park, Salford, are a male and female which Mr. John Plant says he purchased from some birdstuffers named Harrop in 1850, who told him they had been shot in Prestwich Clough about the year 1843.'

Not accepted locally (Oakes 1953).

Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Chain of events sounds suspicious. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1844 Yorkshire Rossington, female, undated.

(Alliss, 1844; Morris, 1856-62; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881).

[KAN].

History Morris (1856 (1): 81, reissue) says: 'Another is said to have been shot at Rossington, near Doncaster.'

Clarke & Roebuck (1881: 47) say: 'Rossington, female (Allis, fide, F. O. Morris, 1844).'

Nelson (1907 (1): 368) says: 'Thomas Allis, 1844, wrote: - Falco rufipes. - Red-footed Falcon - F. O. Morris says that a pair were shot near Doncaster, and a female at Rossington; the latter specimen is stated by Hugh Reid of Doncaster to be in the possession of W. R. Read, Esq., of York.'

Comment Could possible be the pre 1843 Sheffield record. The two places are not far from each other. Lacks adequate details. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1847 Devon Near Kingsbridge, female, obtained, undated.

(H. Nichols, jun., Zoologist 1847: 1694-1695; Morris, 1856-62).

[D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; Moore, 1969].

History H. Nichols, jun., of Kingsbridge, Devon (1847) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. V. pp. 1694-1695, says: 'From seeing your circular, inviting persons to transmit you any rare occurrences relative to Natural History, suited for the pages of The Zoologist. I beg to hand you a list of rare birds which have come into my possession, and have been shot in this neighbourhood within the last seven years: - Red-footed Falcon - female.'

Morris (1856 (1): 82, reissue) says: 'Two have been procured, both males, near Plymouth, as I am informed by Mr. R. A. Julian, of that place....the other was brought to Mr. Pincombe, bird preserver of that town, by a person who shot it at Wembury cliff, and who said that he saw another of the same kind in company with it.'

Comment The two known Devon occurrences were firstly prior to 1837 and secondly prior to 1847, neither worthy of consideration for the British List. Pincombe was stated to be unreliable by J. B. Rowe, fellow taxidermist. Not acceptable.

0). 1855 Sussex Brighton, pair, shot, undated.

(J. Cavafy, Morris & Bree's Naturalist 5: 264; Walpole-Bond, 1938; James, 1996).

[A. H. J. Harrop, British Birds 112: 89-98].

History J. Cavafy of Brighton (1855) in Morris & Bree's Naturalist, Vol. V. p. 264, dated 20th September 1855, says 'I saw, a few days ago, at Mr. Swaysland's, a male and female Orange-legged Hobby (Falco rufipes), and a Blue-throated Warbler (Phanicura suecica) which were, he tells me, captured this season, near Brighton. These birds are not mentioned in Mr. Knox's Systematic Catalogue.'

Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 274) says: 'Secondly, we find Mr. J. Cavafy (Morris's Nat., V, p. 294 [sic]) narrating how in or before November, 1855, he had inspected at Swaysland's shop in Brighton a pair of these Falcons which at some previous date (not divulged) had been procured near the town indicated. He recorded them under the species one-time name of Orange-legged Hobby.'

Comment A very poor record of an unusual pair without a precise date and with Swaysland involved who has been discredited (A. H. J. Harrop, British Birds 112: 89-98). Not acceptable.

0). 1856 North-east Scotland Udny, shot, 26th May.

(H. M. Drummond Hay, Scottish Naturalist; Phillips, 1997).

[G. Sim, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1897: 251; Scottish Birds Records Committee].

History George Sim of Aberdeen (1897) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. VI. p. 251, says: '...In the last edition of Yarrell's British Birds (Vol. I. p. 70), it is stated that "two have been killed near Aberdeen". This is a mistake; there was but one, as above noted. It may be well, however, to say that when the Aberdeenshire one for 1866 was recorded in the local papers, and there appeared the following day a letter in which it was affirmed that one had been killed at Rothiemay, in Banffshire, and three in Aberdeenshire, the last two having been killed and their nest and eggs taken, subsequent inquiry proved all these statements to be incorrect.'

Comment This record has been determined by the Scottish Records Committee to be an error, and to be the same as the 1866 record. Udny is only a few miles from Hill of Fiddes, Foveran. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1857 Shropshire Near Church Stretton, adult, shot, undated.

(H. E. Forrest, British Birds 3: 165).

[Smith et al., 2019].

History H. E. Forrest (1909) in British Birds, Vol. III. p. 165, says: 'A case of Falcons has just been presented to the Shrewsbury Museum by Mrs. H. O. Wilson, who states that all the specimens in it were collected on or near the Longmynd, between 1848 and 1857, when her late husband was rector of Church Stretton. Besides examples of the commoner species, the series includes all three of the British Harriers, a pair of Kites, an adult Red-footed Falcon (F. vespertinus), Goshawk (Astur palumbaritis), and an immature Iceland Falcon (F. islandus)....The Red-footed Falcon has been obtained on three other occasions in Shropshire.'

Smith et al. (2019) state that Wilson's case contained all three British Harriers, a pair of Kites, an adult Red-footed Falcon, Goshawk and an immature iceland Falcon, all from within an area around the Longmynd between 1848 and 1857. There are only six historic records of Montagu's Harrier, four of Red-footed Falcon and the only Goshawk record. Needless to say, while not impossible, there is sufficient doubt about the provenance of all the specimens in the case.

0). 1858 Buckinghamshire Steeple Claydon, near Buckingham, shot, January.

(Clark Kennedy, 1868).

[Fraser & Youngman, 1976].

History Clark Kennedy (1868: 162-163) says: 'The Inspector of the Eton police-force - an intelligent man, who has a taste for natural history - informed me that an Orange-legged Hobby was shot by the under-keeper on Sir Henry Vernon's estate at Steeple Claydon, near Buckingham, in January, 1858. The date was an unusual one at which to find this species here, but my informant is acquainted with the bird, and is likely not to have been mistaken.'

Fraser & Youngman (1976) stated it to be a doubtful record.

Comment As already stated the date is unusual and so the specimen was probably misidentified or imported. Not acceptable.

0). c. 1860 Norfolk Near Reedham, two, killed, undated.

(J. Playford, Field 15th Dec., 1860: 497; J. Playford, Field 5th Jan., 1861: 9).

[H. Stevenson, Field 22nd Dec., 1860: 519].

History J. H. Playford of Great Yarmouth (1860) in The Field of 15th Dec., Vol. XVI. p. 497, says: 'Within the last five years I have procured the following named birds, all of which have been killed within twelve miles of Yarmouth, and preserved for me by Mr. Knights, of Norwich: ...pair of Orange-legged Hobbies.'

H. Stevenson of Norwich (1860) in The Field of 22nd Dec., Vol. XVI. p. 519, says: 'Having read the very tempting list of birds under the heading, recorded in last week's Field by Mr. J. Playford....In looking through the list, as given by Mr. Playford, I am able to recognise several specimens which I saw when in the hands of the birdstuffer, but there are others which I shall only be too happy to have satisfactorily proved to me to have been killed "within five miles of Yarmouth, during the last five years". I allude to a pair of Orange-legged Hobbies, the Harlequin Duck, and the American Wigeon.

Is Mr. Playford quite sure he is correct in publishing these as local specimens? I have certainly taken the greatest pains for the last ten years to obtain authentic notices of the rare birds that occur on the Norfolk coast, of which records have appeared from time to time in the Zoologist; but as to these three species, I have no notes within that period, nor can I ascertain from the birdstuffer, Mr. Knight, that he has had as other than foreign specimens.'

J. Playford (1861) in The Field of 5th Jan., Vol. XVII. p. 9, says: 'In answer to Mr. Stevenson, as to some of the birds I mentioned in my list being killed within twelve miles (not five miles) of Yarmouth, I can say that the Orange-legged Hobbies were killed at or near Reedham, without question.'

Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not accepted locally.

0). 1862 Sussex Near Seaford, obtained, 22nd or 23rd August.

(Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[Walpole-Bond, 1938].

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 274) says: 'The next bird, shot near Seaford on August 22nd or 23rd, 1862, I should studiously have avoided - for from the description it was certainly no vespertinus - only that its recorder, the Rev. R. N. Dennis (N.O.S.O., p. 101), after erasing Red-footed Falcon in his Diary and substituting on Swaysland's authority Hobby thereof (and such I veritably believe it was, though no Hobby ever has barred under-parts), goes on to address it as the former species.'

Comment Misidentified. Not acceptable. N.O.S.O. is an abbreviation for Notes on Sussex Ornithology as given by the Editors of the Rev. R. N. Dennis's printed diaries. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1863 Devon Wembury, adult male, shot, undated.

(E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1863: 8678; E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1867: 605; Harting, 1880; Penhallurick, 1978).

[KAN].

History E. H. Rodd of Penzance (1863) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXI. p. 8678, dated 12th June, 1863, says: 'When I was at Devonport, a few days since, I took the opportunity of calling upon Mr. Pincombe, naturalist, to ascertain some particulars of the capture of the Jer Falcon...Mr. Pincombe at the same time called my attention to an adult specimen of the Orange-legged Hobby, which was sent to him from the parish of Wembury, on the Devonshire side of Plymouth Sound, some years since. This is the example of the bird which Mr. Yarrell refers to as having been in a museum at Devonport, and killed not far off.'

E. H. Rodd (1867) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. II. p. 605, adds: '...has come into my possession, as well as the Red-footed Falcon, killed on Wembury Cliff, in Plymouth Sound. The Red-footed Falcon is a very good adult male, in the dark slate plumage with tile-red thighs.'

Harting, Editor (1880) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'When visiting Devonport in June 1863, I saw an adult male bird of this species in the hands of Mr. Pincombe, naturalist of that town, which had been shot some time previously at Wembury cliff, which is situated on the Devonshire side of Plymouth Sound, and therefore just beyond the limits of this county. This is the specimen referred to by Yarrell as having been in a museum at Devonport, and killed not far off. It is now in my collection.'

Comment Pincombe has been discredited in the Zoologist and so all records with him involved are unacceptable. Mr. Pincombe was not to be trusted in where he got his specimens from (J. B. Rowe). Not acceptable.

0). 1865 Sussex Near Ratham, killed, September.

(Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[Walpole-Bond, 1938].

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 274) says: 'And the next again, killed near Ratham in September, 1865, must "go to the wall" also, inasmuch as its identification rested with a keeper of unproved ornithological ability (W. Jeffery, in litt. to J. E. Harting, 26/ix/1865).'

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.

0). 1869 Yorkshire Bempton, adult male, caught, 18th June.

(Cordeaux, 1872; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

[A. G. Knox, British Birds 94: 64].

History Cordeaux (1872: 5) says: 'Mr. T. Boyton, of Ulrome Grange, has recently informed me of a second capture [for Yorkshire] of this little falcon - namely, a mature male, a very beautiful specimen, shot by R. Morris, at Bempton, June 18th, 1869, and is now in the possession of Mr. T. Machin, of Bridlington.'

Further, under 'Appendix' he adds: 'A third specimen of this little falcon, a female (recorded in Land and Water), was shot near Scarborough in 1868. It was skinned by Mr. Roberts of that place, who says its stomach was filled with earth-worms.'

Accepted locally (Clarke & Roebuck 1881: 47), (Nelson 1907 (1): 368) and Mather (1986: 209) who quoted Cordeaux for his reference, but erroneously gives the date as 18th July, 1869.

Comment Both Richard Morris the shooter and Machin the stuffer were involved with the now discredited Yorkshire Bufflehead, over non-association of data with specimen (A. G. Knox, British Birds 94: 64). Not acceptable.

0). 1869 Kent Cobham, pair, seen, August.

(Clifton, Zoologist 1871: 2482).

[Ticehurst, 1909].

History Clifton (1871) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VI. p. 2482, under 'Supposed Orange-legged Hobbies', says 'We occasionally see here a very small hawk, which differs entirely from the common small hawks, and which I believe to have been the Orange-legged Hobby.

Indeed, on one occasion I am pretty sure I saw a pair of these hawks. It was in August, 1869; I was standing on an elevated spot with woods stretching down below me, and I had an excellent view through a glass of two hawks hovering about just over the tops of the trees, evidently a pair, one of a brownish colour, the other of a very dark blackish colour, with reddish orange undertail coverts. This last point I observed when the bird turned half over in some aerial evolution. But previous to this, and more especially in the preceding spring, we had observed a strange small hawk, whose characteristics I will describe.

To begin with, it is far too small and long in the wing to be a male Kestrel or Sparrowhawk; it is also too dark for a Hobby, and rather a smaller bird with narrower and sharper wings. It is more the size of a Merlin, but the wings are longer and more pointed. Its flight almost exactly resembles that of the Swallow, and at a certain distance it might almost be mistaken for that bird. I have generally seen it either flying at an immense pace at a considerable elevation, or else hawking up and down for some aerial prey with many little turns and evolutions, like the Swallow or Nightjar.

I am acquainted with the habits of the Hobby and Merlin, my personal observation confirming the statements of authors, but this hawk was something strange to me altogether, until it struck me that it must be identical with the pair of hawks previously described, and therefore be the Orange-legged Hobby.'

Ticehurst (1909: 293) says: 'A pair of birds which the late Earl Darnley saw at Cobham in August, 1869, and which he believed were of this species, may also have been Hobbies.'

Comment Probably misidentified. Not specifically identified. Not acceptable.

0). 1873 Sussex Near Brighton Racecourse, adult male, 20th May, now at Booth Museum, Brighton (BoMNH 207240).

(G. D. Rowley, Field 24th May 1873: 490; Borrer, 1891; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[A. H. J. Harrop, British Birds 112: 89-98].

History George Dawson Rowley (1873) in The Field of 24th May, Vol. XLI. p. 490, says: 'I have just seen an adult male Red-legged Falcon (Falco vespertinus), in fine plumage, shot at eight o'clock in the morning, May 20, by Mr. Walter Swaysland, on the hill at the east end of Brighton. He observed the bird on the ground feeding, and it appeared as if it had only just arrived. Messrs. Sharpe and Dresser, in their Birds of Europe, a very useful work, give eight instances of the previous capture of this species in England, besides the one killed by Mr. Howard Saunders at Rottingdean, near Brighton, in 1851.'

[Twenty-nine British-killed specimens are recorded in Harting's Handbook of British Birds. This book, however, was published after Messrs. Sharpe and Dresser's article on this bird had appeared in the first part of their Birds of Europe. - Ed.]

Borrer (1891: 10) says: 'The late Mr. Rowley, in his Ornithological Miscellany, Vol. I. pt. 2, has the following: - "The Red-legged Falcon paid the Brighton downs a visit on May 20, 1873, when an adult male arrived, of which I sent an account to the Field, May 24. I received two sorts of beetle on which it had been feeding. This bird two days after death became very high, as is usually the case with those which live on beetles and some other insects. This pretty little bird feeds in flocks".

I saw this at Mr. Swaysland's, in the flesh. In the 4th ed. of Yarrell's British Birds, it is merely mentioned that the bird has occurred in Sussex.'

Comment Swaysland has been discredited (A. H. J. Harrop, British Birds 112: 89-98). Not acceptable.

0). 1873 Yorkshire Near Staithes, shot, undated.

(K. McLean, Naturalist 25: 139-140).

[KAN].

History Kenneth McLean of Harrogate (1899) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XXV. pp. 139-140, under 'Avifauna of Staithes and Loftus-in-Cleveland', says: 'Have heard Sanderson, keeper for Lord Downe, describe a hawk he shot in 1873, near the moor, as having red legs and very dark on the back. Unfortunately the specimen was not preserved.'

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority and other Falcon species not ruled out. Not acceptable.

0). 1876 Hampshire Fordingbridge, shot, December.

(M. A. Mathew, Zoologist 1877: 177; Kelsall & Munn, 1905).

[Clark & Eyre, 1993].

History Murray A. Mathew of Bishop's Lydeard (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. p. 177, says: 'Mr. Hayden, of Fordingbridge, in the New Forest, informs me that an example of the Red-legged Hobby was killed close to that place in December last. It is singular that several birds which are only summer visitants to the South of Europe should from time to time be obtained in this kingdom in late autumn or mid-winter. Another instance of the Red-legged Falcon's having been procured in England in the winter time is mentioned in Dr. Bullmore's Cornish Fauna. The specimen was shot near Falmouth in the month of February.'

Kelsall & Munn (1905: 184) say: 'The third [for Hampshire] is mentioned by Messrs. D'Urban & Mathew, in their Birds of Devon, as having been shot at Fordingbridge, in January, 1877.'

Clark & Eyre (1993: 170-171) say: '...shot on the highly unlikely date of January 1877 at Fordingbridge.'

0). Pre 1878 Wiltshire Kingston Deverell, pair, shot, undated.

(A. P. Morres, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 17: 105; Smith, 1887; Wiltshire Ornithological Society, 2007).

[KAN]

History A. P. Morres (1878) in the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, Vol. XVII. p. 105, says: 'Mr. Rawlence, of Wilton, however, has, in his excellent collection of Falconidae, a good pair, which were shot in a plantation on the downs at Kingston Deverill, near Warminster. This enables me to claim this species as having occurred in our county.'

Smith (1887: 75) says: 'More satisfactory because more undeniable are the pair now in Mr. Rawlence's collection at Wilton, which were shot in a plantation on the downs at Kingston Deverell, near Warminster.'

Accepted locally by Wiltshire Ornithological Society (2007) who didn't reassess historical records but accepted records published by Smith and Hony.

Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1878 Yorkshire No locality, adult pair, obtained, undated, now at Hull Museum.

(Nelson, 1907).

[Nelson, 1907].

History Nelson (1907 (1): 369) says 'A pair of adult birds in the Hull Museum was bought at the sale of Mr. Hall's Scorborough collection, 1878. These birds are supposed to be local specimens.'

Comment Lacks adequate details. Nelson wasn't happy with them. Not acceptable.

0). c. 1880 Kent Stockbury Vallay, adult male, seen, spring, shot in the autumn.

(Ticehurst, 1909).

[Ticehurst, 1909].

History Ticehurst (1909: 293) says: 'Mr. Frederick Smith, of Loddington, tells me that a bird, which was evidently an adult male, frequented the Stockbury valley in the spring about 1880 and was afterwards seen by him for some weeks at Loddington. It was hot in the autumn, and its body, partially eaten by rats when found some days later, was not preserved.'

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.

0). 1884 Sussex Fairlight, killed, 11th October.

(Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[KAN].

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 275) says: 'On October 11th, 1884, a Red-footed Falcon "died" at Fairlight, near Hastings, as I was informed by Mr. F. Ashburnham, into whose possession it quickly passed.'

Comment Fleetwood Ashburnham received many a 'Hasting Rarity' into his collection. Could this be another; details are just as scanty as per the 'Hastings Rarities' fraudulent records. Not acceptable.

0). 1887 Pembrokeshire Near Cuffern, two, seen, 5th May.

(Mathew, 1894).

[Lockley, 1949].

History Mathew (1894: 56-57) says: 'Writing to us from Cuffern, on May 5th, 1887, our friend, the late Mr. John Stokes, informed us: "Two days ago I saw at Ferny Glen two small Hawks, one nearly black, and the other a brownish black; very pointed wings, like a common Swift, and about eight to ten inches in length. I have never seen them before, and I put them down to be the Red-legged Falcon". Mr. John Stokes was an excellent ornithologist, and we have little doubt that he was correct in the name he gave to these rare visitors. Ferny Glen is only distant about a mile from the coast of St. Bride's Bay.'

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

Donovan & Rees (1994) state that Lockley gave no reason for this records rejection.

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Identification details are not sufficient to determine species. Not acceptable.

0). 1890 Kent No locality, Thanet, seen, 8th and 14th April.

(Clifton, Field 19th Apr., 1890: 587).

[KAN].

History Lord Clifton (1890) in The Field of 19th Apr., Vol. LXXV. p. 587, under 'Notes from Thanet', says: '...I also saw, on April 8 and 14, a small hawk, which I have several times noticed here, but cannot quite make out. It is greyish, like a Cuckoo, with very long wings and white cheeks. If it is not an old female Merlin (which undoubtedly becomes grey, and even steel-blue like the male, with age), I do not know what it can be but the Red-footed Falcon in immature plumage. The Italians are said to call that bird the "Cuckoo Falcon".'

Comment Not specifically identified. Not acceptable.

0). c. 1890 Surrey Normandy, shot, undated.

(Bucknill, 1900; Wheatley, 2007).

[KAN].

History Bucknill (1900) says: 'Mr. Bradden preserved a specimen shot at Normandy about the year 1890, and which, I am informed, passed into the possession of a Mr. Street at Haslemere.'

Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. No identification details. Not acceptable.

0). 1892 Buckinghamshire Godstowe, seen, January.

(W. B. Alexander, Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire 1947: 11).

[W. B. Alexander, Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire 1947: 11].

History W. B. Alexander (1947) in the Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, p. 11, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Oxfordshire', recording the record in square-brackets, says: 'One said to have been seen near Godstow [sic] in Jan. 1892, but the date makes it very improbable that the bird was correctly identified.'

0). Pre 1894 Pembrokeshire Tregwynt, obtained, undated.

(Mathew, 1894).

[Lockley, 1949].

History Mathew (1894: 57) says: 'Sir Hugh Owen has informed us that an example of the Red-footed Falcon was obtained at Tregwynt, a well-wooded spot on the northern coast of the county, and a noted Woodcock cover, at the time when it was the residence of Mr. Llewellin, now many years ago, but could give us no particulars as to the season, sex, &c., of this rarity.'

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

Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not acceptable.

0). 1894 Sussex Near Arundel, killed, 4th July.

(Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[KAN].

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 275) says: 'Mr. F. Ashburnham told me of a bird (in his possession) which was killed near Arundel on July 4th, 1894.'

Comment Fleetwood Ashburnham received many a 'Hasting Rarity' into his collection. Could this be another; details are just as scanty as per the 'Hastings Rarities' fraudulent records. Not acceptable.

0). 1895 Yorkshire Ackworth, Pontefract, two, one shot, spring.

(Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

[KAN].

History Nelson (1907 (1): 369) says: 'In the spring of 1895 a pair was reported at Ackworth, and Major Arundel of that place has, at my request, prosecuted inquiries in reference to this occurrence, and communicated the result as follows: - "17th March, 1903. For a fortnight or more during the spring of 1895 two (probably a pair), Red-footed Falcons were seen several times at Brook-o'-Dale and Stapleton, and one of them eventually fell to the gun of the gamekeeper, Savage, who shortly afterwards left the district and is now dead. I did not see the birds myself, but they were reported to me by Mr. G. P. Rhodes, a competent observer, who saw them on the wing, and examined the specimen that was shot, in the flesh".'

Comment Third-hand report. No identification details and other Falcon species not ruled out. Not acceptable.

0). 1895 Kent Dungeness, male, shot, August, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1962Z10.247).

(Harrison, 1953; Watson, 2010).

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

History Harrison (1953 (1): 261) says: 'Dr Ticehurst has sent me a note (in litt.) of another specimen, a male shot at Dungeness in August 1895. This bird was in Mr J. A. Clark's collection, and was sold as Lot 433 in the sale of his collection at Stevens' Auction Rooms on January 19th, 1910.'

Watson (2010) in detailing the J. L. Auden collection in the Birmingham Museum lists a male specimen obtained at Dungeness, Kent, during August 1895, adding that it came from the collection of Mr. J. A. Clark of Hackney. J. B. Nichols had bought this specimen and the female of 1896 as a pair at Stevens on 19th January 1910.

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1896 Sussex Fairlight, killed, undated, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1962Z10.248).

(Walpole-Bond, 1938; Watson, 2010).

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

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 275) says: 'In 1896 (no better date comes to light) another, formerly in the Nichols collection, met its end at Fairlight (T. Parkin in litt.).'

Watson (2010) in detailing the J. L. Auden collection in the Birmingham Museum lists a female specimen obtained at Fairlight, Sussex, during 1896, adding that it came from the collection of Mr. J. A. Clark of Hackney. J. B. Nichols had bought this specimen and the male of 1895 as a pair at Stevens on 19th January 1910.

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1899 Sussex Hooe, immature male, shot, 15th April.

(E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 1: 304, 305; N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 3: 294; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

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

History E. N. Bloomfield (1911) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. I. pp. 304, 305, says: 'Dr. N. F. Ticehurst has sent me a long and very interesting list of rare birds which have occurred in our own and neighbouring districts, to which I have added a few others lately presented to the Museum by Mr. W. H. Mullens. In Sussex - Falco vespertinus, L., Red-footed Falcon, young male, Hooe, April 15th, 1899'.

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: - Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus). An immature male, shot at Hooe, Sussex, by George Sargent, on April 15th, 1899'.

Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 275).

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1901 Sussex Near Pett, shot, 3rd June.

(Walpole-Bond, 1938).

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

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 275) says: 'A bird in the Ashburnham collection was shot near Pett on June 3rd, 1901 (W. Field in litt.).'

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1901 Sussex Near Rye, shot, undated.

(Walpole-Bond, 1938).

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

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 275-276) says: '...And about the same year [1901] there was killed near Rye another, which, when set-up, was examined at Bristow's shop by Michael Nicoll....It is quite likely that this is one of four data less Sussex vespertini owned by the Reading Museum.'

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1903 Sussex Hooe, two, 12th September.

(Walpole-Bond, 1938).

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

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 275-276) says: 'Two were examined by Michael Nicoll at Bristow's (which went to Mr. J. B. Nichols) from Hooe dated September 12th, 1903 (Nicoll's "Private Notes").'

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1903 Sussex St Leonards-on-Sea, obtained, undated.

(Walpole-Bond, 1938).

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

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 275-276) says 'A specimen secured at St. Leonards-on-Sea c. 1903, was examined by Michael Nicoll at Bristow's....It is quite likely that this is one of four data less Sussex vespertini owned by the Reading Museum.'

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1905 Outer Hebrides Flannan Isles, male, 26th March.

(J. Paterson, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1906: 197).

[Cunningham, 1990].

History J. Paterson (1906) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XV. p. 197, in the Annual Report for 1905, says: 'Red-footed Falcon. Flannans, 26th March, one (male).' Not admitted locally in Cunningham (1990: 79).

Comment Probable misidentification. Extremely early date. Not acceptable.

0) 1905 Lancashire & North Merseyside Martin Mere, killed, 17th June.

(H. W. Robinson, Lancashire and Cheshire Fauna Committee Report 1918: 208).

[White, McCarthy & Jones, 2008].

History H. W. Robinson (1918) in the Lancashire and Cheshire Fauna Committee 4th Report, p. 208, says: 'I am informed by Mr. F. W. Holder that a Red-footed Falcon was killed on June 17th, 1905, at Martin Mere near Southport, and that it had been frequenting the district for some weeks before it was shot. It killed birds so large as Thrushes, and on one occasion was seen to attack and strike down a Lapwing. I have not yet been able to examine the bird.'

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Probably misidentified. Not acceptable.

0). 1908 Kent Near Ashford, adult female, shot, 10th June.

(E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 1: 187; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).

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

History E. N. Bloomfield (1908) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. I. p. 187, says: 'Dr. N. F. Ticehurst has most kindly sent me a long list of rare birds which have occurred in our own and neighbouring districts, to which Mr. Butterfield has added some notes. In the neighbouring districts - Falco vespertinus, L., Orange-legged Hobby, Ashford, June 10th, 1908.'

Ticehurst (1909: 294) says: 'On June 11th, 1908, I had the pleasure of examining one of these beautiful little falcons in the flesh. It was an adult female and perfectly fresh, and Mr. Bristow, who had just received it for preservation, informed me that it had been shot near Ashford the day before; it is now in the Booth Museum at Brighton.'

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1912 Norfolk Sutton, seen, 21st May.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1913: 171-172).

[J. H. Gurney, jun., British Birds 13: 314].

History J. H. Gurney, jun. (1913) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XVII. pp. 171-172, says: 'May 21st. An Orange-legged Hobby (?) seen on one of the Broads by Mr. E. Meade-Waldo. This species and the Common Hobby, one of which was identified at Wootton on the 15th (N. Tracey), are now about equally rare in Norfolk, thanks to gamekeepers, who have entirely destroyed the small breeding stock of the latter bird.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1920) in British Birds, Vol. XIII. p. 314, says: 'As it is always a good thing to put mistakes right, an apology will hardly be needed for correcting my error in recording a Red-footed Falcon as seen by Mr. Meade-Waldo at Sutton on May 21st, 1912 (Zoologist, XVII. (1913), p. 171); the bird was merely a Hobby, a species certainly more associated with woodlands than with the Broad district.'

Comment Misidentified. Not acceptable.

0). 1913 North-east Scotland Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, immature female, shot, 17th October.

(W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, British Birds 7: 199; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Phillips, 1997).

[A. G. Knox, British Birds 94: 66].

History W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1913) in British Birds, Vol. VII. p. 199, says: 'I have recently examined an immature female Red-footed Falcon, said to have been shot at Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, on October 17th, 1913. The bird was sent to me freshly mounted by E. T. Clarke, taxidermist, of Cheltenham. He tells me that Mr. W. L. Mellersh, of Cheltenham, examined it in the flesh, and that it was undoubtedly a female "with some tiny eggs in her". The bird was, however, in the first year's plumage. I know nothing more of its history.'

[The Red-footed Falcon has only been recorded four times from Scotland, and curiously two of these are from Aberdeenshire. - H.F.W.]

Comment A. G. Knox (British Birds 94: 66) in reviewing Bufflehead records found that J. T. White and his grandson, E. T. Clarke were untrustworthy. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1915 Surrey Witley Park, shot, undated.

(W. A. Shaw, Hastings Natural History Society 1921).

[KAN].

History W. A. Shaw examined the specimen.

Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Lacks supporting details of identification. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1915 Sussex Near Robertsbridge, adult male, shot, undated.

(W. R. Butterfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 2: 172; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

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

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 276) says: 'In 1915 Mr. W. R. Butterfield (H.E.S.N., III. p. 164) obituarized a bird which had been killed near Robertsbridge some years since, the Hastings museum becoming the richer thereby - originally it belonged to the keeper who shot it.'

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1915 Surrey Haslemere area, male, seen, 11th July.

(W. A. Shaw, Hastings Natural History Society 1921; Wheatley, 2007).

[Parr, 1972].

History Wheatley (2007: 240) says: '...may not have been in Surrey.' Not accepted locally (Parr 1972).

0). 1917 Hampshire Yateley, seen, 28th April.

(V. E. Stillwell, Field 19th May 1917: 725).

[Clark & Eyre, 1993].

History V. E. Stillwell of Yatley [sic] (1917) in The Field of 19th May, Vol. CXXIX. p. 725, says: 'When bicycling along a lane on April 28, I put up, out of a small tree in a hedge, a large bird of a dull black or greyish-black colour, which flew along in front of me quite 20 yds. before going over the opposite hedge and being lost to sight behind some small trees. It was carrying what looked like a young dead Moorhen, with long, limp little legs dangling down. As it glanced sideways when turning I saw a patch of brilliant orange. I decided it was a Hobby with most unusual plumage. I may mention that I know the Hobby and its flight well, and therefore looked it up in Morris's work on British Birds to see if any mention were made of variation in colouring. I there found the very bird I saw, the Orange-legged Hobby. As I am unable to refer to any more modern book at present, I shall be glad if you can please answer the following questions. Is it a very rare visitor; and is it only seen on migration?'

[This bird, usually known as the Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus, Linnaeus) is an irregular visitor to the British Islands during spring and summer, although no instance of its nesting here has been recorded. The fact that a few have been met with in late autumn shows that it is a migrant which goes south for the winter. Our correspondent may like to know that this is not the first time it has been met with in Hampshire, one having been shot at Titchfield in that county in October, 1875, and forwarded to the Editor of The Field for identification. - Ed.]

Not accepted locally (Clark & Eyre 1993).

Comment Misidentified; probable male Sparrowhawk. Not acceptable.

0). 1920 Sussex Crowhurst, obtained, 17th May.

(W. R. Butterfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 3: 164; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

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

History W. Ruskin Butterfield (1921) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 164, says: 'A female, shot at Crowhurst on May 17th, was shown to me in the flesh.'

Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 276).

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1921 Northumberland Near Corbridge, adult male, seen, 1st May.

(E. L. Gill, British Birds 15: 19-20; Vasculum 7: 119; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83; Kerr, 2001).

[E. L. Gill, British Birds 15: 19-20].

History E. Leonard Gill (1921) in British Birds, Vol. XV. pp. 19-20, under 'Probable Red-footed Falcon in Northumberland', says: 'On May 1st, 1921, I saw an adult male Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus) about a mile south of the Tyne opposite Corbridge. It flew low and quite slowly over a grass field and glided up on to a low bough in a hedgerow oak about 150 yards from where I was. It sat up stiffly on this bough for some time, and then glided down and flew off as before just above the grass of the next field beyond. My first impression was of a dull black bird, which I was surprised to see was a hawk. As it sat in the oak it was nearly facing me; it was lit by sunshine from behind me, and through the glasses the reddish patch about the thighs showed plainly. Until I saw this patch of red I had not realized what bird I was looking at.'

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Hobby does not appear to have been ruled. Also, he called it a hawk and not a falcon. Not acceptable.

0). 1924 Sussex Wadhurst, female, obtained, 2nd September.

(N. F. Ticehurst, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 4: 30; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

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

History N. F. Ticehurst (1928) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. IV. p. 30, says: 'A female shot at Wadhurst, September 2nd, 1924 (G.B.).'

Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 276).

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1925 Warwickshire Water Orton, seen, January.

(Norris, 1947).

[Norris, 1947].

History Norris (1947: 39) says: 'A report of a bird at Water Orton in January, 1925, is not sufficiently authenticated.'

0). 1927 Devon Sidmouth, seen, June.

(Loyd, 1929).

[Loyd, 1929; Tyler, 2010].

History Loyd (1929) says: 'A bird possibly of this species was seen by Mr. C. A. Smith in his garden in Convent Road, Sidmouth, in June, 1927, and subsequently on the golf links by one of Col. Balfour's keepers. In a letter Mr. Smith says: "I saw no white or other light colour, and I was very close; the only colours were what I should describe as Blue-black and orange".'

0). 1934 Warwickshire Marston Green, seen, January.

(Norris, 1947).

[Norris, 1947].

History Norris (1947: 39) says: 'A report of a bird at Marston Green in January, 1934, is not sufficiently authenticated.'

0). 1934 Wiltshire Near Coombe, seen, 8th April.

(Wiltshire Ornithological Society, 2007).

[Wiltshire Ornithological Society, 2007].

History Wiltshire Ornithological Society (2007) say: 'The report of one near Coombe in 1934 is the only record with a full date, albeit unusually early, but not impossibly so, it is no more than an asserted sighting without a description; not even the sex of this "certain...identification" was given, whereas adult male and female Red-footed Falcons, and immatures in their first-year, are all quite distinct from one another.'

0). 1935 Cornwall Near Launceston, immature, seen, 1st November.

(B. H. Ryves & G. H. Harvey, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1935: 42; Ryves, 1948; Penhallurick, 1978).

[Eds., British Birds 38: 20].

History B. H. Ryves & G. H. Harvey (1935) in the Cornwall Bird Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. V. p. 42, say: 'A bird that can only have been of this species was seen on the moors north of Launceston on November 1, by Mr. S. Hobbs of Exeter and myself. We first noticed it perched on one of the steel struts of a telegraph post and were able to draw up almost underneath it. Although we naturally supposed it to be a Kestrel we were at once struck by the peculiar markings of the head and the warm colour of the underparts. Mr. Hobbs was the first to notice that its feet and legs were about the same colour as those of an Oystercatcher. After a while it flew to another post, showing us its back and wings, which were like those of a Kestrel. This was repeated about five times. The bird was not shy but seemed after a time to get tired of being watched at close quarters and so flew on about twenty yards. Each time it rose it showed its pink-red legs. When looking straight at one, its face resembled the Hobby, as shown in bird-books (I have never seen one in real life) rather than the Kestrel. It was definitely smaller than a Kestrel. Finally it made off across the moors, making, on the way, two feeble attempts at hovering. G.J.'

Ryves (1948: 173) says: 'Identified by two experienced observers in November, 1935, in north Cornwall.'

Penhallurick (1978: 105) says: '1935, on 1st November an immature was seen by two experienced observers on the moors north of Launceston. It was assumed to have been a Kestrel until observed at close range. It eventually made off across the moors making, on the way, two feeble attempts at hovering.'

On receiving a set of the annual reports of the Cornwall Bird Watching and Preservation Society for the years 1931-42, British Birds editors reviewed the records therein and called this a 'probable'.

Comment G. Johnstone of Swan Court, Chelsea, London. As it seems not to have been fully identified it is rejected. Not acceptable.

0). 1951 Isles of Scilly Lower Moors, St Mary's, 27th October.

(B. H. Ryves, A. G. Parsons & H. M. Quick, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1951: 38).

[B. H. Ryves, A. G. Parsons & H. M. Quick, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1951: 38; Robinson, 2003].

History B. H. Ryves, A. G. Parsons & H. M. Quick (1951) in the Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXI. p. 38, recording the record in square brackets, say: 'October 27th. At Lower Moor, St. Mary's, we saw a falcon about the size of a Kestrel, but which was neither Kestrel nor Hobby. It had a moustachial stripe as for a Hobby, and was not as brown or the breast as strongly marked as a Kestrel, giving it a paler appearance. In flight it had not the long, narrow wings of the Hobby. It may have been an immature Red-footed Falcon. W.P.K., H.M.Q.'

0). 1954 Cleveland/Yorkshire Skelton Park, near Saltburn, Yorkshire, shot, spring.

(R. Chislett, Naturalist 80: 76; Mather, 1986).

[R. Chislett, Naturalist 80: 76].

History R. Chislett (1955) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXXX. p. 76, recording the record in square brackets, says: 'A Red-footed Falcon was reported shot in or about Skelton Park, near Saltburn, in the spring months, but corroboration, or otherwise, has not been obtained.'

0). 1956 Yorkshire Wheddale Moor, October.

(R. Chislett & E. W. Taylor, Naturalist 82: 53).

[R. Chislett & E. W. Taylor, Naturalist 82: 53; Mather, 1986].

History R. Chislett & E. W. Taylor (1957) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXXXII. p. 53, recording the record in square brackets, say: 'In October near Wheddale Moor, Mr. C. L. Baldwin and his son had good views from his car at about ten yards range of a Falcon settled on a roadside stone. The bird had ruddy underparts and red legs, and on seeing the reproduction of Joseph Wolfs painting of the Red-footed Falcon in the Christmas number of the Field declared it to be a replica of the bird he saw (A.G.).'

Mather (1986) says: 'Chislett square bracketed this record in the 1956 Report. The observers did not know what the bird was at the time and later identified it from a painting in The Field. Some doubt must attach to such a report.'

Comment There are two A.G.s in the observers list - A. Gilpin or A. Gordon!