Boreal (Tengmalm's) Owl

Aegolius funereus (Linnaeus, 1758) (42, 0)

Photo © Phil Woollen - Bixter, Mainland, Shetland, 22 February 2019

STATUS

Holarctic. Polytypic.

OVERVIEW

The confusion species Little Owl was introduced about 1874 near Edenbridge Kent by Meade-Waldo and by Lord Liford near Oundle, Northants. in 1879.

Tengmalm's Owl has its claws covered in thick downy feathers whereas the Little Owl's is bare.

Migration period is between October and March.

Records from Shropshire in 1872, Northants. in 1902 are well inland and one on the west coast of Cumbria in 1876 falls outside of the expected east coast individuals.

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RECORDS

1). 1812 Northumberland Widdrington, near Morpeth, killed, January.

(Selby, 1825, 1831; Jenyns, 1835; Eyton, 1836; Yarrell, 1845; W. Backhouse, Zoologist 1846: 1262; Bewick, 1847; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1872; Hancock, 1874; Bewick, 1885; Bolam, 1912; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83).

History Selby (1833 (1): 105-107) says: 'I have now great satisfaction in correcting an error committed at the time the figures contained in the first part of the Illustrations of British Ornithology, and the first edition of the present accompanying volume, were published; where, from the want of specimens to make the necessary comparison, I had figured and described an Owl under the title of Strix passerina, Linn., which, upon further investigation, proves to be a different, although nearly allied, kind, and known by the specific name of Strix tengmalmi.

The specimen from which my figure was taken still remains in my collection, and was killed near to Morpeth in Northumberland in 1812; a fact that, independent of the capture of others since that period (which I believe to have occurred), titles it to be placed upon the list of our fauna as a rare visitant, In size it nearly equals Noctua passerina, which it also resembles in the disposition of its feathers, but is less spotted with white, and the dark part of the plumage approaches nearer to that shade known by the name of Liverbrown. The shorter tarsi and thickly feathered toes are also distinguishing characters, as well as the black facial feathers, between the bill and eye-orbits; and those which proceed from the posterior angle of the eye, with the belt of velvety feathers immediately behind the auditory opening. The tail is also longer in proportion to its size, and the bird altogether exhibits a more lengthened form.

In Europe it is widely distributed through the northern and eastern parts, being found in Sweden, Norway, Russia, and parts of Germany, inhabiting the thick and extensive pine forests. In North America, according to Dr. Richardson, it has a wide range, embracing all the woody country from the great Slave Lake to the United States. Its cry he describes as a single melancholy note, repeated, at an interval of a minute or two, during the greater part of the night; at which time also it is in activity, for, when roused by day, it is so much dazzled and distressed by the glare of the sun, as to be easily caught by the hand. It breeds in the holes or clefts of pine trees, and lays two white eggs. Its food consists of mice and insects, particularly those of the coleopterous kind.

The plumage, like that of other night-flying species, is very soft and downy. Plate 26 represents this bird of the natural size. Bill much curved and compressed; the culmen and tip yellowish white; the sides dark grey. Facial disk black at the posterior and anterior angles of the eye-orbits; the rest greyish-white, mixed with black. Ear conch large, with a narrow operculum. Velvety feathers behind the auditory opening, brownish-black. Crown, nape, and hind part of the neck, liver-brown, spotted with white; those upon the latter part large, and surrounded by a margin of liver-brown. Back, wing-coverts, and scapulars, liver-brown, spotted with white; the spots upon the mantle nearly concealed by the overlaying tips of the feathers. Quills liver-brown; their exterior webs having three or four oval white spots, forming imperfect bars. Points of the outer barbs of the whole of the first quill open and reverted; those of the second the same for one-half of its length; of the third a small portion only near the tip. Third and fourth quill-feathers the largest in the wing; the third rather exceeding the fourth. The first and second having their inner webs notched, the second and third with their outer webs sinuated. Tail, extending nearly an inch beyond the closed wings, liver-brown, crossed by five interrupted white bars, or rather rows of spots, the last about half an inch from the tip. Under plumage white, varied with paler liver-brown. Legs having the tarsi short, and, as well as the toes, thickly clothed with soft hair-like feathers. Claws of a tolerable length, and moderately incurved.'

Jenyns (1835: 94) says: 'Has been taken near Morpeth in Northumberland.' Eyton (1836) p. 90, says: 'We were not aware until lately of so well authenticated an instance of the capture of this owl in the British Isles, as that which occurred to Mr. Selby of the bird figured in his Illustrations of British Ornithology, under the name of Strix passerina, Linnaeus. It was shot near Morpeth, Northumberland, in 1812.'

Yarrell (1845 (1): 154, 2nd ed.) says: 'Mr. Selby has in his collection a specimen killed at Morpeth in Northumberland, in 1812.'

W. Backhouse (1846) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. IV. p. 1262, says: 'Near Morpeth, 1812.'

Bewick (1847 (1): 60, 8th ed.) says: 'The drawing by Mr. R. R. Wingate, of Newcastle, from which the cut was engraven, was taken from a specimen shot at Widdrington, January, 1813.'

Harting (1872: 96) listed this bird erroneously as two records, one killed at Morpeth and one killed at Widdrington. However, Bolam (1912) stated it as Widdrington, near Morpeth.

Hancock (1874: 21) says: 'The example taken at Widdrington, in 1812 or 1813, and figured by both Bewick and Selby as Strix passerina, is Nyctale tengmalmi. I have seen the specimen in Selby's collection, and there can be no doubt about the species. Selby corrects his mistake in his Catalogue.'

Alfred Newton (1871-74 (1): 155, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, adds: '...now in the Selby Collection at Twizell House.'

While, Bewick (1885 (1): 60, Memorial Edition, adds: 'The drawing, by Mr. R. R. Wingate, of Newcastle, from which the cut was engraven, was taken from a specimen shot at Widdrington, January, 1813.'

2). 1836 Kent No locality, killed, May.

(Yarrell, 1845; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).

History Yarrell (1845 (1): 154, 2nd ed.) says: 'In 1836, a specimen recently shot was purchased in a poulterer's shop in London; and in May of the same year, Mr. John Leadbeater of Brewer-street received a specimen for preservation which had been shot in Kent.'

Ticehurst (1909: 255) says: 'The first is one mentioned by Yarrell as having been received for preservation by the late Mr. Leadbeater, of Brewer Street, in May, 1836, and which is said to have been shot in the county. This may be the bird which was at one time in Chaffey's collection, and which is now preserved in the Albert Memorial Museum at Exeter, and is part of the Bower Scott bequest.'

3). c. 1840 Yorkshire Sleights Moor, near Whitby, obtained, undated.

(Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; W. E. Clarke, Naturalist 8: 178; W. E. Clarke, Zoologist 1882: 178; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History Clarke & Roebuck (1881: 41) say: 'Sleights, near Whitby, one about 1840, formerly in the Whitby Museum (Stephenson, MS.).'

William Eagle Clarke of Leeds (1882) in The Naturalist, Vol. VIII. p. 178, dated April 1882, says: '...Of the five Yorkshire occurrences of this bird, three of them have been from the neighbourhood of Whitby....whilst one which, some years ago, had a place in the local collection of the Whitby Museum, was shot on Sleight's moor, about 1840, but being badly preserved, had to be destroyed.'

W. E. Clarke (1882) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VI. p. 178, lists this record as a previous Yorkshire occurrence.

Nelson (1907 (1): 304) says: 'The circumstances relating to the first occurrence of this species in the county were obligingly communicated by Mr. Thos. Stephenson of Whitby, who states (MS.) that the late Martin Simpson, curator of the Whitby Museum, informed him that the late Thos. Richardson had a specimen from Sleights Moor, about 1840, and presented it to the Museum, but, being imperfectly cured, it decayed.'

4). 1848 Co. Durham Whitburn, shot, 11th or 12th October, now at Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

(D. Embleton, Transactions of the Tyneside Naturalists' Field Club 1: 314; T. J. Bold, Zoologist 1850: 2765; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1869: 1799; Yarrell, 1871-85; Hancock, 1874; Gurney, 1876; Howse, 1899; Temperley, 1951).

History D. Embleton (1847) in the Transactions of the Tyneside Naturalists' Field Club, Vol. I. p.314, in the President's Address says: 'Tengmalm's Owl (Strix Tengmalmi), another rare visitant, has also been met with: one occurred on the coast north of Whitburn, and a second individual was shot near Rothbury in April last. These specimens, which are male and female, are now in the possession of Mr. John Hancock.'

T. J. Bold (1850) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VIII. p. 2765, dated 8th February, 1850, says: 'A specimen of the rare Tengmalm's Owl was killed on the sea coast near Marsden in October, 1848.'

J. H. Gurney, jun. (1869) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IV. p. 1799, says: 'I have just noticed a mistake in the Dictionary of British Birds, relative to the birds of this county [Durham]. The editor, quoting Mr. Hogg's Natural History of Stockton-on-Tees, says that Tengmalm's Owl breeds, or has bred, in Castle Eden Dene; but it was of the Scops Eared Owl that Mr. H. made this statement, which was most certainly an error, for I believe the Scops has never once been taken in Durham, though a single specimen of the Tengmalm's Owl occurred in 1848.'

Hancock (1874: 20) says: 'I bought a fresh specimen of a Tengmalm's Owl in a poulterer's shop in Newcastle. It was shot near Whitburn on the 11th or 12th October, 1848.'

Alfred Newton (1871-74 (1): 155, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'The same gentleman [Hancock] adds he has had three examples of Tengmalm's Owl all taken near Newcastle-upon-Tyne: ...the first was shot at Whitburn, in October, 1848.'

Howse (1899: 20) in his Index-Catalogue of the Birds in the Hancock Collection, says: 'Case 70. No. 2 (right). Shot near Whitburn, Oct. 11th or 12th, 1848. Remark. - Both stuffed [1849 specimen] from fresh specimens by J. Hancock.'

Temperley (1951) adds: 'This specimen is now in the Hancock Museum [Newcastle-upon-Tyne].'

5). 1849 Norfolk Beechamwell, near Swaffham, caught, 27th January.

(Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1872; Lubbock, 1879; J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 4: 266; Southwell, 1890; Riviere, 1930; Seago, 1977).

History Alfred Newton (1871-74 (1): 155, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'Mr. Stevenson mentions...and has kindly forwarded the further information that an example was caught alive at Beechamwell in the same county [Norfolk], on the 27th of January, 1849, and is now in the collection of the Rev. E. W. Dowell of Dunton.'

Harting (1872: 96) lists "One, Beechamwell, Norfolk, 27th Jan. 1849: in the collection of Rev. E. Dowell of Dunton.'

Southwell, Editor (1879: 47, 2nd ed.) in Lubbock's Fauna of Norfolk, says: 'The Rev. E. Dowell, of Dunton, has one of these birds, which was caught alive on 27th June, 1849, by a labouring man at Beechamwell, near Swaffham; the bird was sitting in a bush dazzled with the daylight, and mobbed by small birds.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell (1884-89) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IV. p. 266, say: 'A Tengmalm's Owl was caught at Beechamwell in January, 1849.'

Admitted by Southwell, Editor (1890 (3): 385) in Stevenson's Birds of Norfolk.

Riviere (1930: 99) quoting the latter as his source with Seago (1977) stating the month as June.

Comment January is a better date for this species and I would rather go with the earliest reference given.

6). 1849 Northumberland Rothbury, shot, April, now at Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

(D. Embleton, Transactions of the Tyneside Naturalists' Field Club 1: 314; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1872; Hancock, 1874; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83).

History D. Embleton (1847) in the Transactions of the Tyneside Naturalists' Field Club, Vol. I. p.314, in the President's Address says: 'Tengmalm's Owl (Strix Tengmalmi), another rare visitant, has also been met with: one occurred on the coast north of Whitburn, and a second individual was shot near Rothbury in April last. These specimens, which are male and female, are now in the possession of Mr. John Hancock.'

Alfred Newton (1871-74 (1): 155, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'The same gentleman [Hancock] adds he has had three examples of Tengmalm's Owl all taken near Newcastle-upon-Tyne: ...the second at Rothbury, in April 1849.'

Hancock (1874: 20) says: 'Another specimen, shot at Rothbury in 1849, was presented to me by my friend Mr. Clement Lister, of Newcastle. It is still in my collection.'

Howse (1899: 20) in his Index-Catalogue of the Birds in the Hancock Collection, says: 'Case 70. No. 1 (left). Shot near Rothbury, 1849. Presented to J. Hancock by Clement Lister, Esq. Remark. - Both stuffed [1848 specimen] from fresh specimens by J. Hancock.'

Bolam (1912: 256-257) says: 'This specimen shot at Rothbury, in April, 1849, was in the collection of Mr. J. Hancock.'

Comment His collection passed into the Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

7). 1857 Norfolk Burlingham, adult female, killed, about 6th April, now at Castle Museum, Norwich.

(H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1857: 5680; Stevenson, 1866; Yarrell, 1871-85; J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 4: 266; Riviere, 1930; Seago, 1977).

History H. Stevenson of Norwich (1857) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XV. p. 5680, dated 23rd May, 1857, says: 'A female of this rare British species was killed at Burlingham, in this county, about the 6th of April. This is probably the first time that this little owl has appeared in Norfolk; but a single specimen is recorded to have been taken some years since in the adjoining county of Suffolk.'

Stevenson (1866 (1): 60) adds: 'An adult female of this very rare species was killed at Burlingham about the 6th of April, 1857, and is now in the possession of Mr. H. N. Burroughs.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell (1884-89) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IV. p. 266, say: 'Another [the second] was killed at Burlingham, in April, 1857.'

8). 1860 Lothian Cramond Island, Firth of Forth, caught, December.

(J. A. Smith, Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh 2: 244-245; Gray, 1871; Yarrell, 1871-85; Scottish Naturalist 35: 116; Witherby, 1920-24; Rintoul & Baxter, 1935; Kirke Nash, 1935; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

History J. A. Smith (1861) in the Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh, Vol. II. pp. 244-245, at the meeting held on 23rd January 1861, exhibiting this specimen, says: 'The specimen exhibited, apparently a female, from its size, which is larger than the male, now measures nearly a foot in length from point of yellowish beak to tail; length of wing from flexure is seven inches. It has a soft, downy appearance, and is of a chocolate-brown colour above, spotted with white; below, white, spotted with yellowish-brown; legs and toes closely covered with feathers, except on the under surface of the latter; facial disk very distinct, nearly perfect, with black ring round eyes, and black spot on inner side; the edges of the disk are prettily mottled with white spots on the brown feathers, and the upper part of face or head is also spotted over.

It is a bird of northern Europe, and is only a rare, occasional visitor in Britain. It is believed to have been confounded with the Strix passerina of ornithologists, but is distinguished by its facial disk being more distinct, its softer and more bulky plumage, and also by the more abundant feathering of its legs and feet—the S. passerina having merely a few bristle-like feathers on the toes; hence some naturalists give it the synonym of Strix nudipes. Only one or two instances of the capture of Tengmalm's Owl in England are recorded. I have seen none mentioned as taken in Scotland.

The bird was captured by a man named Lumley, on Cramond Island, during the severe snow storm, with easterly wind, about the end of the year. On entering the stable, Lumley was startled by the bird flying about, and attempting to escape at the opened door: he struck it down with his hand and captured it. It was then taken to Mr. George Hutchison, gardener to Craigie Halket Inglis, of Cramond House, Esq.: and was sent by Mr. George Sanderson, George Street, for exhibition to the Society, and for the determination of its species.'

Gray (1871: 64-65) quotes a similar story.

Kirke Nashe (1935: 123-124) says: 'An example of this rare wanderer was captured alive on Cramond Island, in 1860, and I am indebted to Mr. Bruce Campbell for the following interesting account of its capture, in a letter he received from Mr. William Lumley, Broomhall Gardens, Dunfermline, and dated 24th February 1904: "I dare say my brother (James Lumley) would be able to give you a better account, as I was not present at the catch. I don't remember the year, but the farmer left the island at the Term (November). A hard winter followed; there was a good deal of grain lying about, and I dare say the owls found out the mice.

Well, one frosty day my father (Philip Lumley) and brother (James Lumley) set off to the island to shoot ducks. They went up to look through the deserted buildings, and when entering the stable they spied the owl sitting on a joist. My brother was inside the stable, my father in the open doorway. He tried to pull the door to shut, but it was held at the top by a sort of latch. The frightened bird attempted to fly over their heads and out by the open door, but my father noticed it coming and was lucky to knock it down into the stable stall; and my brother pounced on him, took it home, and kept him alive for about a week. Mr. Hutchison (gardener and taxidermist, Cramond House) killed him. I am calling it a him, I believe it was a her". Mr. Campbell also gave the following note: "The owl was sold, when Mr. Hutchison’s effects were disposed of, at the time of his death, some time in the late 1880s. As far as I can remember, I am under the impression that it was bought by the Earl of Haddington, at least it was so reported about Cramond at that time. All the parties now mentioned are now dead".'

9). 1860 Yorkshire Lowthorpe, female, killed, undated.

(Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History Nelson (1907 (1): 304) says: 'A female example, killed at Lowthorpe in the year 1860, is in the Burton Agnes collection, formed by the late Sir Henry Boynton.' Admitted locally (Mather 1986: 402).

10). 1861 Northumberland Near Embleton, caught, March.

(Anon., History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 4: 232-233, 459; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1872; Evans, 1911; Bolam, 1912; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83).

History In an Editorial (1856-62) in the History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club, Vol. IV. pp. 232-233, he says: 'The Rev. J. D. Clark reported that the Little Owl - had been caught at Spittleford, near Embleton; it was a female, and full of eggs. This is a rare bird in England.' However, further at p. 459 is added: 'The Little Owl recorded in page 232 of the Proceedings, caught in March 1861, at Spittleford, near Embleton, has been critically examined by Wm. Brodrip, Esq., one of our members, and he reports that it is the species Noctua tengmalmi.'

Harting (1872: 97) says: 'This specimen is in the collection of Mr. Brodrick [sic].' Accepted locally (Evans 1911: 119).

11). 1861 Cleveland/Co. Durham Bewley, near Cowpen, Durham, shot, November.

(J. Hogg, Transactions of the Tyneside Naturalists' Field Club 5: 153-154; Temperley, 1951).

History J. Hogg (1860-62) in the Transactions of the Tyneside Naturalists' Field Club, Vol. V. pp. 153-154, dated 13th December 1861, says: 'A good specimen of this little owl, Noctua tengmalmi, was shot last month, November, near Cowpen, about three miles N.E. of Norton. I saw it on Wednesday last at Stockton, where it is being stuffed for the person who shot it. It corresponds well with Bewick's figure, (p. 10, Supplement, Newcastle 1821), which was taken from the specimen shot at Widdrington in Northumberland, in January, 1823.*'

[*Both Bewick and Selby first referred this bird to the N. passerina, (Linn.), the latter author, however, subsequently corrects this opinion (Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. North.) and shows it to be the Noctua tengmalmi of Temminck which is distinguished from the other British species of little owl, N. nudipes, by having the toes, as well as the tarsi, densely feathered. Authors differ as to whether the N. nudipes is the N. passerina of Linnaeus, but if the latter be a third species, it has not occurred in Britain.— Secs., T. N. F. C. - January 22, 1862.]

Temperley (1951) says: 'Recorded by John Hogg (Trans. Tyneside Naturalists' Field Club 5: 153) as shot in November, 1861, near Cowpen, about three miles N.E. of Norton. He saw the bird himself and confirmed the identification.'

12). 1861 Northumberland Widdrington, caught alive, winter.

(Yarrell, 1871-85; Hancock, 1874; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83).

History Alfred Newton (1871-74 (1): 155, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: '...was caught alive at Widdrington some twelve years since.'

Hancock (1874: 20-21) says: 'Twelve or thirteen years ago I had a living individual, which was taken at Widdrington, Northumberland. It lived for some time, and ultimately escaped. I fed it upon mice and piece of flesh.'

13). 1863 Yorkshire Flamborough, adult female, caught, 1st October.

(W. W. Boulton, Zoologist 1863: 9020; Cordeaux, 1872; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History W. W. Boulton of Beverley (1863) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXII. p. 9020, dated 21st January, 1864, says: 'A very splendid specimen of Tengmalm's Owl was captured at Flamborough, on the east coast of Yorkshire, on the 1st of October, 1863. I had not the opportunity of dissecting it, so cannot be certain of the sex; I believe, however, from its size, &c., that it was a mature female. It was captured in the day-time by Robert Barkley, of Flamborough, who ran it down in a field belonging to Mr. Preston, of the same place, the bird being dazzled by the light. This species is peculiarly sensitive to light, and is thereby rendered almost helpless, if disturbed in the day-time. The specimen was taken by the man who captured it to Mr. Bailey, of Flamborough, who is known to take an interest in Natural History, and from whom I obtained the particulars of the capture: he skinned and set it up himself. I have seen the bird, which is very perfect and in exquisite plumage. This owl was taken just after one of those severe gales that swept over the east coast of our island during the latter part of the year 1863.'

Cordeaux (1872: 15) quotes from The Zoologist. Clarke & Roebuck (1881) p. 41, add: '...in the collection of Mr. John Stevenson, of Beverley.'

Nelson (1907 (1): 304) says: 'The late W. W. Boulton of Beverley and Mr. M. Bailey of Flamborough kindly gave the information relating to the fourth Yorkshire occurrence, of which the following is a resumé: - On 1st October 1863, after a severe gale from the north-east, a splendid specimen, in exquisite plumage, and supposed from its size to be a mature female, was captured at Flamborough in the day time by a man who ran it down in a field, the bird being dazzled by the light and rendered almost helpless. It was taken to Mr. Bailey for preservation, afterwards formed part of the collection of John Stephenson of Beverley, and is now in the possession of Mr. Thomas Boynton of Bridlington.'

14). 1872 Cleveland/Yorkshire Hundale Woods, Loftus-in-Cleveland, Yorkshire, shot, January.

(K. McLean, Naturalist 25: 139; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986; Blick, 2009).

History Kenneth McLean of Harrogate (1899) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XXV. p. 139, says: 'Tengmalm's Owl. An owl shot by Thos. Metcalf, keeper, Highfields, January 1872, in the Handale [sic] Woods, seems to have been of this species.'

Admitted locally (Nelson 1907 (1): 305; Mather 1986: 403).

Comment It would appear by the statement "seems to have been of this species", not to have been specifically identified.

15). 1872 Shropshire Boreatton Park, Ruyton, shot, 23rd March, now at Hawkstone Park.

(J. E. Harting, Field 27th Apr., 1872: 388; J. Rocke, Zoologist 1872: 3111; Harting, 1872; Forrest, 1899; Smith et al., 2019).

History John Rocke of Shropshire (1872) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VII. p. 3111, dated 21st April, 1872, says: 'It will, no doubt, interest many of the readers of The Zoologist to learn that a very fair specimen of that rare owl, Noctua tengmalmi, was killed on the 23rd of last March, at Ruyton-of-the-Eleven Towns, in this county, on the estate of Mr. Rowland Hunt, of Boreatton Park: it was obtained by a man shooting Wood Pigeons. The bird flew round the tree under which he was standing, and not knowing what it was he shot it. It has been preserved by Mr. Henry Shaw, of Shrewsbury, for Mr. Hunt. I examined the bird, which was a male, and found no traces of captivity. The primaries and tail-feathers were clean and perfect, but the breast-feathers on one side appear to have had the ends bitten off by the bird in a very singular manner. The plumage and markings were of an average character, but exhibited a dusky, or rather "smoky", appearance, as if the bird had been living in holes of trees. I am not aware of any previous specimens having been killed in Shropshire.'

Forrest (1899: 133) says: 'A specimen of this tiny and rare Owl was shot near Ruyton, in 1872, and is in the collection at Hawkstone.'

Comment The only record away from the east coast! Worn breast feathers could suggest an escape from captivity.

16). 1872 Yorkshire Egton Estate, near Whitby, obtained, 19th November, now at Whitby Museum.

(W. Lister, Hardwicke's Science Gossip 1875: 65; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; W. E. Clarke, Naturalist 8: 178; W. E. Clarke, Zoologist 1882: 177; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History William Lister of Glaisdale, Yarm (1875) in Hardwicke's Science Gossip, Vol. XI. p. 65, says: 'It may interest some of the readers of Science Gossip to hear that a specimen of Tengmalm's Owl has been taken in this neighbourhood. It was shot by a son of the gamekeeper of the Egton estate as it was sitting in a tree. Hearing that a small species of owl had been killed, I sent for it and stuffed it, expecting it was a Little Owl; but after seeing a description of Tengmalm's, I thought it was the latter, and sent it to a friend who knows them well. He returned it last week, saying it is Tengmalm's Owl without doubt. As it is not a common bird, I thought a notice of it might be acceptable.'

Accepted locally (Clarke & Roebuck 1881: 42).

William Eagle Clarke of Leeds (1882) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. VIII. p. 178, dated April, 1882, says: '...Of the five Yorkshire occurrences of this bird, three of them have been from the neighbourhood of Whitby. An adult, in the collection of Mr. Wm. Lister, of Glaisdale, was shot from a tree at Egton, on the 19th November, 1872.'

W. E. Clarke (1882) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VI. p. 177, lists this record as a previous Yorkshire occurrence.

Nelson (1907 (1): 304) adds: '...It is now in the Whitby Museum.'

17). 1873 Northumberland Greens Haven, near Berwick-on-Tweed, immature female, caught, 4th February, died 8th February, now in the Berwick Museum.

(A. Brotherston, History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 7: 132; Eds., Scottish Naturalist 2: 57; G. Bolam, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1899: 72; Evans, 1911; Bolam, 1912; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83).

History Andrew Brotherston of Kelso (1873-75) in the History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club, Vol. VII. p. 132, says: 'There was an immature female of this rare British bird caught by a fisherman at Greenses Harbour, Berwick, on February 4th, 1873. It was kept alive till the 8th, when it died. Naturalists differ as to which is the longest feather in the wing of this species. The following are the relative lengths of the primaries in this specimen: - The third is the longest; the fourth one-tenth of an inch shorter; the second one-fourth; the fifth three-eights; the six three-fourths; the first and eighth are equal, being one inch and three-eighths shorter than the third. Length, ten inches; expanse of wings, one foot nine-and-a-half inches. The Little Owl (Strix passerina) is the only British bird which has any chance of being mistaken for; both being about the same size and colour. The most apparent difference is the covering of the legs and feet: in S. tengmalmi they are thickly clothed with soft downy feathers; in S. passerina with short hairy ones. (Now in the Berwick Museum).'

In an Editorial (1873-74) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. II. p. 57, they say: 'There was a specimen of this British bird, caught by a fisherman, on the sea coast, at Greenses Harbour, Berwick, on the 4th February, 1873; it was kept alive till the 8th, when it died. Naturalists differ as to which is the longest feather in the wing of this species; the following are the relative lengths of the primaries in this specimen, which is a young female, - the third is the longest, the fourth one tenth of an inch shorter, the second one-fourth, the fifth three-eighths, the six three-fourths, the first and the eighth are equal, being one inch and three-eighths shorter than the third. Length from head to tail, ten inches; expanse of wings one foot nine-and-a-half inches....It is preserved for the Natural History Collection of the Berwick Museum.'

George Bolam (1899) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. VIII. p. 72, adds: 'An immature female, preserved in the Berwick Museum, was captured by a fisherman, at the Greens Haven, on 4th February 1873; it was kept alive until the 8th, when it died. This is the same specimen which is referred to by Mr. Muirhead as obtained in February 1874. It has occurred four or five times in Northumberland.'

Accepted locally (Evans(1911: 119) and by Baxter and Rintoul (1953) who include the record for Scotland, although by all accounts it appears to have been obtained in England.

18). 1876 Cumbria Newton Manor, Gosforth, adult female, shot, 3rd November.

(W. A. Durnford, Zoologist 1877: 277; C. A. Parker, Zoologist 1879: 117; Macpherson, 1892; Hutcheson, 1986).

History W. A. Durnford (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. p. 277, says: 'On the whole, what are known as rare birds have been extremely scarce during the past twelve months, the only one which has come under my observation being a specimen of Tengmalm's Owl, which was killed by a gamekeeper at Irton, in Cumberland, in October last.'

C. A. Parker (1879) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. III. p. 117, says: 'In December, 1876, a specimen of Tengmalm's Owl was shot in one of the Newton Manor coverts, in Gosforth parish, by the keeper. It was an adult bird, in full plumage, and is now in the collection of the Rev. C. F. Smith, of York. The keeper told me he thought it had a mate, but he never saw it after the first was killed.'

Macpherson (1892: 176) adds: 'A slight doubt as to the exact date upon which the bird was killed has hitherto existed; Mr. Durnford having referred its capture to the month of October, while the Gosforth naturalist assigned the same event to December. Believing that the specimen had always remained in the possession of its original owner, the Rev. C. Fullerton Smith, I communicated with that gentleman, and then learnt that the 3rd of November, 1876, was really the correct day of its occurrence. It was killed by a man named James Wright, keeper to the late A. B. Steward, Esq., of Newton Manor, Gosforth, and was shown to the Rev. Fullerton Smith on the following day at Mill Cottage, then occupied by George Savage, keeper to Mr. Burns Lindow of Irton Hall. It was Savage who handed the bird to the Rev. Fullerton Smith, in the flesh. Savage mounted the bird and subsequently told Mr. Fullerton Smith that it was a female.'

19). 1877 Essex/Greater London River Lea, between Poplar and West Ham, killed, late January.

(E. Bidwell, Zoologist 1877: 176-177; Christy, 1890; Harting, 1901; Glegg, 1929; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984; Self, 2014).

History Edward Bidwell of Richmond (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. pp. 176-177, says: 'One day towards the end of January last some boys noticed a bird in a tree near the iron bridge in the Barking Road, Poplar. They frightened it out, and as the poor Owl was not used to flying by day it soon paid the penalty for its rashness in venturing out. It was brought to my office in the flesh, but as I was away the person who had it thought best to make a skin of it for me. It is a very nicely marked specimen of Tengmalm's Owl, but I am not able to record the sex. The majority of specimens of this Owl which have been obtained in Great Britain appear to have been killed in the winter months.'

Accepted locally (Christy 1890: 159; Glegg 1929: 121; Hudson & Pyman 1968: 67; Cox 1984: 188) with the latter erroneously stating the date as January, 1887.

20). 1880 Lincolnshire Saltfleet Haven, adult, shot, 22nd October.

(J. Cordeaux, Zoologist 1880: 511; J. E. Topham, Field 27th Nov., 1880: 805; J. A. Harvie Brown, J. Cordeaux & P. M. C. Kermode, Migration Report 2: 33; J. Cordeaux, Zoologist 1891: 364; Smith & Cornwallis, 1955; Lorand & Atkin, 1989).

History John Cordeaux of Great Cotes (1880) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. IV. p. 511, says: 'On November 5th I was shown by Kew, the Louth birdstuffer, a very fine Tengmalm's Owl, Nyctala tengmalmi, shot on October 22nd by the son of the Rev. J. Pretyman, of Carlton, on the sandhills near Saltfleet Haven. It is a mature bird, the plumage somewhat injured in shooting; sex undetermined. This bird must have arrived with the same winds (N. and N.W.) which brought the great flight of Woodcocks on our coast from Flamborough to Cromer on the night of October 18th and morning of the 19th, and again on the 22nd, along with large numbers of Short-eared Owls and other immigrants.'

J. E. Topham of Market Rasen (1880) in The Field of 27th Nov., Vol. LVI. p. 805, says: 'On Oct. 23 a beautiful specimen of Tengmalm's Owl (Noctua tengmalmi) was shot by Mr. Ernest Pretyman on the Lincolnshire coast at Saltfleetby Haven, and is now in the hands of Mr. Kew, taxidermist, Louth.'

J. A. Harvie Brown, J. Cordeaux & P. M. C. Kermode (1881) in the Report on the Migration of Birds in the Spring and Autumn of 1880, 2nd report, p. 33, say: 'On Oct. 22nd a very fine example of this small Owl was shot at Saltfleet, on the Lincolnshire coast; wind strong from the north on 21st.'

J. Cordeaux (1891) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XV. p. 364, says: '1880, Oct. 22nd, a fine adult bird killed on the sand-hills near Saltfleet Haven by Captain Pretyman, then resident with his father at Carlton, near Louth (Zool., 1880, p. 512).'

21). 1880 Yorkshire Normanby, near Whitby, adult male, shot, 30th December.

(W. E. Clarke, Naturalist 8: 178; J. A. Harvie Brown, J. Cordeaux & P. M. C. Kermode, Migration Report 2: 33; W. E. Clarke, Zoologist 1882: 177; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History William Eagle Clarke of Leeds (1881-82) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. VIII. p. 178, dated April 1882, and (1882) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VI. p. 177, says: 'On the 30th December, a fine adult Tengmalm's Owl was shot at Normanby, near Whitby, by some rabbit shooters, whose dog put up the bird out of a broom covert. This specimen was kindly sent to me for examination, by Mr. Wilson, of Whitby, in whose collection it now is. It agreed in all respects with Mr. Dresser's description, with the exception that he mentions only four bars, formed by the white spots, on the tail feathers, whereas in this bird there were five; the one nearest the base of the tail being not observable until the tail coverts were raised. I also observed decided traces of a sixth, at the extreme end of each feather, but not very marked, owing to abrasion. Of the five Yorkshire occurrences of this bird, three of them have been from the neighbourhood of Whitby.'

J. A. Harvie Brown, J. Cordeaux & P. M. C. Kermode (1881) in the Report on the Migration of Birds in the Spring and Autumn of 1880, 2nd report, p. 33, say: 'Another was shot in Fylingdales, Yorkshire, near Robin Hood's Bay, late in December.'

Clarke & Roebuck (1881: 42) say: 'Normanby, near Whitby, one shot Dec. 30, 1880, in the collection of Mr. J. H. Wilson, of Whitby, who kindly sent it for my inspection.'

Accepted locally (Nelson 1907 (1): 305; Mather 1986: 403).

22). 1881 Norfolk Cromer lighthouse, caught, 30th October, now at the Castle Museum, Norwich.

(H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1882: 115; H. Stevenson, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 3: 553; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1882: 296; J. A. Harvie Brown, J. Cordeaux & P. M. C. Kermode, Migration Report 3: 28; H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1883: 320; T. E. Gunn, Zoologist 1884: 5; Gurney, 1884; J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 1884-89 (4): 266; Seago, 1977).

History Henry Stevenson of Norwich (1882) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VI. p. 115, says: 'An adult male of this rare species occurred on the night of October 30th, 1881, having been caught and killed by the keeper of the Cromer lighthouse, who found it fluttering against the lantern. Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., was fortunate enough to secure it in the flesh, and thus ascertained the sex. It measured nine inches and a quarter in length, and weighed three ounces and a half. This is the third specimen of this bird obtained in this county.'

J. H. Gurney, jun. (1882) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VI. p. 296, says: 'Mr. W. Eagle Clarke's remarks on the tail of the Tengmalm's Owl shot at Whitby (ante, p. 177) led me to examine the tail of one which I got at Cromer Lighthouse on the 30th October last, as recorded by Mr. Stevenson (ante, p. 115), and I find that, as in the bird obtained at Whitby, there are five, and not four, pretty distinct bars formed by the spots on the tail. I cannot say that my bird agrees very well with the plate in Dresser's Birds of Europe, taken from an adult male from Sweden, and in which, besides minor differences, the bird is drawn with ears, or rather horns, of which I see no signs.'

J. A. Harvie Brown, J. Cordeaux & P. M. C. Kermode (1882) in the Report on the Migration of Birds in the Spring and Autumn of 1881, 3rd report, p. 28, say: 'Cromer L.H., Oct. 30th, 2 am, one caught against lantern.'

Henry Stevenson (1879-84) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. III. p. 553, and (1883) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VII. p. 320, says: 'Certainly the rarest bird of the season, next to the Sabine's Gull, was an adult male of this species, secured by the keeper of the Cromer lighthouse as it fluttered against the lantern on the night of October 30th. It came into the possession of Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., who recorded its capture in The Zoologist. This is the third specimen obtained in Norfolk.'

Gurney (1884: 23) says: 'Has occurred three times. The last was caught at Cromer Lighthouse, October 30th, 1881. I happened to be on the hills, and obtained this rarity in the flesh, but not alive.' Further, in a footnote, p. 23, he adds: 'The following month one was obtained in Kent, and the month after one in Yorkshire.'

T. E. Gunn of Norwich (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. p. 5, says: 'Perhaps a few additional particulars relating to the specimen of this bird in the collection of Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun. (Zool., 1882, p. 115) may be acceptable, Mr. Gurney having placed it in my hands for preservation. The measurements were as follows: - "Wing, from carpal joint, 6¼ in.; along the ridge of the upper mandible of beak, ⅝ in.; tail, 4 in.; tibia, 2 in.; tarsus, 1 in.; middle toe and claw, 1¼ in.; inner toe and claw, one and three sixteenths inches; outer toe and claw, ⅞ in.; hinder toe and claw, ⅞ in. The first primary short, the second longer by 1⅛ in., the third ⅜ in. longer than the second, and the longest in the wing. The bill of a pale horn colour, darker on the cutting edges of both mandibles; claws black; the eyes large and of a pale chrome-yellow; pupil black".'

J. H. Gurney, jun., & T. Southwell (1884-89) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IV. p. 266, say: 'A third was caught alive at Cromer lighthouse in October, 1881.'

23). 1881 Greater London/Kent Near Dartford, shot, 18th November.

(J. & W. Davis, Field 26th Nov., 1881: 792; J. A. Harvie Brown, J. Cordeaux & P. M. C. Kermode, Migration Report 3: 28; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953; Self, 2014).

History J. & W. Davis, Naturalists of Dartford (1881) in The Field of 26th Nov., Vol. LVIII. p. 792, say: 'We have at present in hand, for preservation, a specimen of Tengmalm's Owl, which was shot near here on the 18th inst.'

J. A. Harvie Brown, J. Cordeaux & P. M. C. Kermode (1882) in the Report on the Migration of Birds in the Spring and Autumn of 1881, 3rd report, p. 28, say: 'Nov. 18th, one near Dartford, Kent (Field, Nov. 26th).'

Ticehurst (1909: 255) says: 'A second specimen is stated to have been shot near Dartford on November 18th, 1881, and was recorded by Messrs. J. and W. Davis (Field, 26.xi.1881) who had it for preservation. Strangely enough, Mr. W. J. Davis ignores this record altogether in his Birds of the Dartford District and his Birds of Kent.'

24). c. 1883 Yorkshire Oliver's Mount, Scarborough, caught, undated.

(R. P. Harper, Zoologist 1886: 214; J. Cordeaux, Zoologist 1891: 364; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History R. P. Harper of Scarborough (1886) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. X. p. 214, says: 'Within the last three years three examples of this rather rare species have occurred near Scarborough, but I regret to state that the exact date was not observed in any instance....The second was caught by some boys in an old quarry on Oliver's Mount, and kept alive in a cage for nearly two years, when it died, being in bad plumage at the time, and much soiled: it is now preserved by Morley, of Scarborough.'

J. Cordeaux (1891) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XV. p. 364, says: 'Between 1883 to 1885 three near Scarborough; dates unrecorded (Zool., 1886, p. 214).

Accepted locally (Nelson 1907 (1): 305; Mather 1986: 403).

25). 1884 Yorkshire Holmpton in Holderness, adult, killed, 18th October, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1924Z18.3875).

(P. W. Lawton, Naturalist 10: 112; J. Cordeaux, Zoologist 1891: 364; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986; Watson, 2010).

History Philip W. Lawton [sic] of Easington (1884) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. X. p. 112, says: 'On the 18th of October last Mr. J. R. Grindell shot a fine specimen of this rare little straggler from North and East Europe, from a tree at Holmpton in Holderness, and sent it to me for my local collection of birds. The wind for two days previously had been blowing from the west with increasing force.'

[Mr. Lawton very kindly sent the specimen for my inspection. It is a mature bird, and the sixth Yorkshire occurrence of Nyctala tengmalmi Gmel. - W.E.C.]

J. Cordeaux (1891) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XV. p. 364, says: '1884, Oct. 18th, a fine adult at Holmpton in Holderness, formerly in Mr. Philip Loten's collection at Easington (Nat. 1884, p. 112).'

Accepted locally (Nelson 1907 (1): 305; Mather 1986: 403).

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 Mr. J. R. Grindell who presented it to Mr. P. W. Loten, Easington, from whom I purchased it.

Comment W.E.C. = William Eagle Clarke.

26). c. 1884 Yorkshire Off Scarborough, caught on a boat, undated.

(R. P. Harper, Zoologist 1886: 214; J. Cordeaux, Zoologist 1891: 364; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History R. P. Harper of Scarborough (1886) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. X. p. 214, says: 'Within the last three years three examples of this rather rare species have occurred near Scarborough, but I regret to state that the exact date was not observed in any instance. The first was taken on board a fishing-smack, and identified by Mr. A. Roberts, of this place.'

J. Cordeaux (1891) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XV. p. 364, says: 'Between 1883 to 1885 three near Scarborough; dates unrecorded (Zool., 1886, p. 214).

Accepted locally (Nelson 1907 (1): 305) and by Mather (1986: 403) who says: 'A bird published and claimed as a Little Owl was captured on a fishing boat off Scarborough in November, 1884, and would in all probability be more likely to be a Tengmalm's Owl, and could therefore possibly refer to this record.'

27). c. 1885 Yorkshire Ayton Moor, near Scarborough, trapped, undated.

(R. P. Harper, Zoologist 1886: 214; J. Cordeaux, Zoologist 1891: 364; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History R. P. Harper of Scarborough (1886) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. X. p. 214, says: 'Within the last three years three examples of this rather rare species have occurred near Scarborough, but I regret to state that the exact date was not observed in any instance....The third specimen was trapped on Ayton Moor, about four miles from here, by a gamekeeper about a year ago, and is a good specimen and nicely mounted for Mr. D. Young, of Irton.'

J. Cordeaux (1891) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XV. p. 364, says: 'Between 1883 to 1885 three near Scarborough; dates unrecorded (Zool., 1886, p. 214).

Accepted locally (Nelson 1907 (1): 305; Mather 1986: 403).

28). 1886 North-east Scotland Near Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, female, killed, 3rd February.

(W. Sim, Hardwicke's Science Gossip 1886: 140; G. Sim, Scottish Naturalist 1886: 308; H. M. Drummond Hay, Scottish Naturalist 1886: 365; Scottish Naturalist 35: 116; Witherby, 1920-24; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Phillips, 1997).

History W. Sim of Fyvie (1886) in Hardwicke's Science Gossip, Vol. XXII. p. 140, says: 'A specimen of this rare pigmy was killed in East Aberdeenshire a short time ago. It was a female in good order (and is now preserved), but weighed only 3¾ ounces.'

G. Sim of Fyvie (1886) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. VIII. p. 308, dated 13th March 1886, says: 'A specimen of this rare visitor was killed near Peterhead, on the 3rd February. The extreme length of this, an adult female, was 9 inches; the breadth, from tip to tip of the wings, 21.5 inches, and the weight 3.75 ounces.'

H. M. Drummond Hay (1885-86) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. VIII. p. 365, in the Report of the East of Scotland Union, says: 'Recorded (Scottish Naturalist 1886 p. 308) by Mr. Sim, Fyvie, as killed near Peterhead, on 2nd Feb., 1886.'

Accepted locally (Sim 1903: 121).

29). 1889 Suffolk Hally Hills Wood, Thorington, near Halesworth, caught, 15th January.

(A. P. Morres, Zoologist 1889: 388; E. A. Butler, Field 30th Mar., 1889: 455; Ticehurst, 1932).

History Arthur P. Morres of Britford Vicarage, Salisbury (1889) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIII. p. 388, says: 'While staying lately with my brother-in-law, the Rector of Thorington, Suffolk, I heard that a young keeper in his parish had got the smallest Owl he had ever seen, which he had trapped in the parish, and of which he thought a great deal. On going to see it, I found it to be a very good specimen of Tengmalm's Owl, and very fairly set up by a local taxidermist at Lowestoft. It was trapped on a pole on Jan. 15th, 1889, by an intelligent young gamekeeper named William Haylock in Hally Hills Wood, in the parish of Thorington, near Halesworth, in Suffolk. The property belongs to Major Bence Lambert, and he is not caring to preserve it, gave it to the young keeper, who values it much. Thorington being within a few miles of the east coast, I should think there was no doubt of its being a genuine immigrant.'

E. A. Butler of Lowestoft (1889) in The Field of 30th Mar., Vol. LXXIII. p. 455, says: 'A beautiful specimen of Tengmalm's Owl was shot near Lowestoft, Suffolk, about Jan. 20 last, and was sent to Mr. Bunn, taxidermist, of that town, for preservation. There is no doubt about the species. I examined it to make sure that it was not the Little Owl. Only about fifteen other notices of its occurrence in the British Isles have been recorded.'

Ticehurst (1932: 210) says: 'On 15th January 1889 one was caught in a pole-trap at Thorington, near Halesworth, and was identified by the late Colonel E. A. Butler.'

Comment Lord Lilford had released a number of Little Owls in 1889 at his home in Northamptonshire, which would not be far to disperse to Suffolk. Rev. Morres also saw five White-winged Black Terns in the same year, which has since been rejected, and it does not inspire confidence in his identification skills. He also identified a Little Bustard from another persons sighting in Hampshire which is unacceptable to Hampshire. But if Colonel Butler has examined it I guess it's acceptable and with the location being not far from the coast assisting the record.

30). 1897 Shetland Scalloway, Mainland, female, found dead, 14th March, now at Shetland Museum (A58-2001).

(Evans & Buckley, 1899; H. W. Robinson, Scottish Naturalist 35: 143; Eds., British Birds 9: 99; Witherby, 1920-24; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Venables & Venables, 1955; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

History Evans & Buckley (1899: 108) say: 'Mr. Godfrey sends a note of another small Owl, saying that Mrs. E. Johnson informed him that her brother, Mr. Robertson, Scalloway, having shot a Tengmalm's Owl (?) in the little wood near that place, on March 17th, 1897, sent the bird to an English collector, and that it was recorded in some scientific paper, but the name of the publication was not given. Neither Mr. Godfrey nor the authors have seen this notice.'

H. W. Robinson of Lancaster (1915) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXV. p. 143, says: 'To the six specimens of Tengmalm's Owl (Nyctala funerea) given in your last number a shaving occurred in Scotland must be added a seventh, which was picked up dead by a boy named Watt at the west end of Scalloway, Shetland, on 14th March 1897, and now in the collection of Mr. T. Ground of Birmingham, to whom I am indebted for the above data. As the other three Shetland records are for 1901, 1908, and 1912, the above is the first record of the bird in Shetland. The specimen was a female, as were all the other records which were properly sexed.'

In an Editorial (1915) in British Birds, Vol. IX. p. 99, they say: '...On page 143 of the same journal [Scottish Naturalist] Mr. H. W. Robinson notes that Mr. T. Ground, of Birmingham, has a specimen of this owl which was picked up dead on Scalloway (Shetland) on March 14th, 1897. There are only five previous occurrences of Tengmalm's Owl in Scotland.'

Venables & Venables (1955: 189) say: '...this may be the bird recorded by Evans & Buckley (1899, see above) and by "a Newcastle man" (1901) who visited Shetland apparently in 1900, as having been found dead on the beach at Scalloway the previous year.'

Forrester & Andrews et al. (2007 (2): 930) add: 'Specimen at Shetland Museum (A58-2001).'

31). 1901 Norfolk Thornham, picked up, 30th October.

(C. W. Archdale, Field 15th Feb., 1902: 249; C. W. Archdale, Field 22nd Feb., 1902: 281; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1902: 93; J. H. Gurney & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 7: 735; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 314; Seago, 1977).

History C. W. Archdale of Coltishall, Norwich (1902) in The Field of 15th Feb., Vol. XCIX. p. 249, says: 'On reading the article about the capture of two Tengmalm's Owls on the Suffolk coast, and the statement that there are only thirty-two instances known of its visit to these shores, I thought you would like to know that another was shot on the sand hills at Thornham in this county during the present winter. I do not know exactly when, but could ascertain if required; probably at the same time that the others were captured.'

[It would be desirable to have on record the locality and date if ascertainable. - Ed.]

C. W. Archdale (1902) in The Field of 22nd Feb., Vol. XCIX. p. 281, says: 'The Tengmalm's Owl I wrote about last week as having been killed at Thornham was shot in the last week of October, which, as I expected, was about the time that others were captured in Suffolk.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1902) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VI. p. 93, says: 'October 30th. Tengmalm's Owl picked up alive at Thornham (Archdale).'

J. H. Gurney & T. Southwell (1904) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. VII. p. 735, read 29th March 1904, say: 'One caught at Thornham, October 30th, 1901. Two others at the same time in Suffolk.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 314, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

32). 1901 Suffolk Southwold, adult pair, picked up, 30th October.

(F. W. Frohawk, Field 1st Feb., 1902: 177; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1902: 93; F. W. Frohawk, Field 14th Jun., 1902: 944; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 315; Ticehurst, 1932).

History F. W. Frohawk (1902) in The Field of 1st Feb., Vol. XCIX. p. 177, says: 'The appearance of two examples of the rare Tengmalm's Owl (Nyctala tengmalmi) on the coast of Suffolk last autumn is of sufficient interest to deserve notice with the accompanying figure of an adult specimen.

The earliest intimation I received of the specimen first obtained was a note dated Dec. 14, 1901, from my friend Mr. Jos. Green, stating, "One day, after an easterly gale at the end of October, a friend of mine picked up on the beach at Southwold a more or less exhausted specimen of Tengmalm's Owl. I say: "more or less exhausted" because it was and is so extraordinarily tame that it would show no objection to being handled in moderation. At the same time it possessed none of the usual characteristics of an aviary or cage bird".

Upon the receipt of this letter I wrote to Mr. Green inquiring if he had seen and identified the bird himself, there being a possibility of mistaking the Little Owl (Athene noctua) for Tengmalm's Owl by less experienced ornithologists. He therefore communicated with his friend, Capt. Lawrence Grubbe, who had found the bird, and who kindly forwarded to me a diminutive photo of it taken a day after capture. Under a lens this clearly shows it to be a Tengmalm's Owl.

In the letter accompanying the photo Capt. Grubbe says: "He was frightened when we tried to catch him for examination to compare him with the drawings" (two drawings I sent for the purpose, one of N. tengmalmi and one of A. noctua), "but made not the slightest attempt to defend himself with beak or claws any more than he did when I first picked him up. I picked up the bird outside my studio on the beach at Southwold Oct. 30 last. Length about 8 in. or 8½ in.; irides, pale yellow, beak light grey with a faint approach to yellow, lighter parts of under plumage light yellowish-grey, stripes light-brown; the back is a dark chocolate colour striped and spotted with white, plumage very abundant, legs feathered down to the claws apparently, but it is very difficult to examine them closely as they are almost always hidden by the plumage. The claws are fine and dark brown".

The above conveys a good description of an adult Tengmalm's Owl. Mr. Green has sent me the following interesting letter from Capt. Grubbe, dated Jan. 10 last: "You will be interested to hear that I believe I have found the Tengmalm's mate. Hearing last night that another little owl had been picked up some time ago in the gardens of the Grand Hotel at the north end of the town, I went this morning to see him, and found him evidently the same species, and, being smaller, probably of the opposite sex; so I purchased him and put them together. So far as I can ascertain, he came over at the same time. His owner said he found him not less than six weeks before Christmas, but cannot hit the date. It was after a strong north-easterly wind.

According to him, he makes a low whistling noise at night; mine, so far as I have heard, makes none. The smaller one, according to the books, is the male, so I take my original is the female. The new owl is very disreputable in appearance, and has had his wing clipped. He has lived in a much more confined space than mine, which accounts for it. Strange to say, he does not seem to care for sparrows as much as lights, according to the owner; and mine does not take so kindly to some young rats I got for her as to the raw meat and lights she has grown accustomed to with me.'

In another letter just received from Mr. Green, dated Jan. 14, 1902, he says: 'This morning I paid a visit to the two owls. The new arrival is exactly similar, except rather smaller and slighter built. There is no question now about both being feathered down to the claws. This I examined very closely. I take it the new one is the male. It is wonderfully tame; it will sit on your finger calmly blinking at you with its marvellous great straw-coloured eyes. The first arrival (the female) has this habit - a dog in-the-manger sort of trick - it will not eat young rats itself, but takes infinite pains to hide them from the new arrival. I noticed the usual peculiarity of the way two toes are in front of the perch, and two behind, instead of three in front. I suppose this applies to all the owls? The new arrival has a way of clipping its jaws together with a click that I have noticed in the other one.'

Tengmalm's Owl is a rare visitor to the British Islands, and probably its visitations are more accidental than voluntary, less than twenty specimens appear to have been obtained during the last century in Britain....'

[Since the above was received we have been informed by Sir Saville Crossley that another specimen of this bird, an adult male, was recently shot at Apthorpe in Northamptonshire. - Ed.]

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1902) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VI. p. 93, says: 'Two Tengmalm's Owls picked up alive at Southwold, in Suffolk (Field, Feb. 1st, 1902).'

F. W. Frohawk (1902) in The Field of 14th Jun., Vol. XCIX. p. 944, says: 'The illustration given with my article on this owl in The Field of Feb. 1 I made from a skin of another British killed specimen, and not from a photograph of one of the Suffolk birds as stated in the editorial note in last week's issue.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 315, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

Ticehurst (1932: 210) says: 'In 1901 there was an unusual, though small, immigration of this Owl to England and two were found alive at Southwold, one on 30th October after an easterly gale, the other on or about the same date (Field, 1st February, 1902). There were other occurrences in Norfolk, Yorkshire and Shetland, etc., apparently belonging to this same immigration, and Mr. Harrison informs me that he was sure he saw a Tengmalm's Owl on 21st October 1901, sitting on a tree, not ten yards off, at the edge of a small wood at Ixworth.'

34). 1901 Shetland Sandsting parish, west Mainland, female, shot, 5th November.

(A. Inkster, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1902: 119; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 314; Witherby, 1920-24; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Venables & Venables, 1955).

History Alexander Inkster of Reawick, Shetland (1902) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XI. p. 119, says: 'On 5th November 1901 a fine female specimen of this rare visitor was shot in Shetland. The bird was first observed sitting under the shelter of a tuft of grass on a bleak hillside near a loch in the parish of Sandsting. When disturbed it took flight, but alighted about one hundred yards off, when it was again approached and shot. Possibly the strong north-east winds prevailed here a week before it was discovered had something to do with its appearance in our islands. The bird was given to Captain Ridland in the first instance, but on my informing him of its rarity he was led to present it to the collections in the Edinburgh Museum of Science and Art, where the specimen may now be seen.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 315, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

Forrester & Andrews et al. (2007 (2): 930) say: 'Specimen was deposited at NMS (NMSZ 1902.2) but is now lost.'

35). 1901 Yorkshire Near Bickley, caught, 7th November.

(R. Fortune, Naturalist 1902: 164; Nelson, 1907; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 314; Mather, 1986).

History R. Fortune (1902) in The Naturalist, Vol. VII. p. 164, says: 'A beautiful specimen of this bird (Nyctala tengmalmi) was caught in a pole trap at Bickley on 7th Nov. 1901.'

Nelson (1907 (1): 305) says: 'The particulars of the latest occurrence were obligingly supplied by Mr. R. Fortune of Harrogate, who informs me that a specimen in his possession was captured on a moor near Bickley, on 7th November 1901.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 314, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

Admitted locally by Mather (1986: 403) who stated it went to the collection of Riley Fortune.

36). 1902 Northamptonshire Apethorpe, shot, 8th January.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1902: 68; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 314; Taylor MS., 1959).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall (1902) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VI. p. 68, says: 'A good example of Tengmalm's Owl (Nyctala tengmalmi) was shot on Jan. 8th at Apthorpe [sic], in Northamptonshire, and, being sent by Sir J. Crossley to Norwich for preservation, I had an opportunity of examining it in the flesh at Mr. Roberts's shop, where we endeavoured to see the assymmetry of the ears, which, though strongly marked in this species, is very difficult to detect in the exterior "conch". Tengmalm's Owl is a species not included in Lord Lilford's Birds of Northamptonshire, to which county, I presume, it is an addition.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 314, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

Comment Locality is Apethorpe. Only the second inland record after one in Shropshire. Not a lot known before Sir Crossley received it.

37). 1903 Norfolk Rainthorpe Park, near Norwich, female, obtained, July, now at Sheringham Hall, National Trust.

(Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999).

History Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling (1999: 358) say: 'A female discovered in a collection in Sheringham Hall, owned by the National Trust, was preserved by T. E. Gunn, the famous Norwich taxidermist. It had been obtained by B. Harrison at Rainthorpe Hall, Norwich, in July 1903. Accepted by the BBRC.'

38). 1908 Shetland Unst, adult female, caught, 4th January.

(E. Hamilton, Field 4th Apr., 1908: 583; Eds., British Birds 1: 388; J. Paterson, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1909: 207; E. Hamilton, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 53-54; Eds., British Birds 3: 378; Witherby, 1920-24; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Venables & Venables, 1955).

History Erik Hamilton of Liverpool (1908) in The Field of 4th Apr., Vol. CXI. p. 583, says: 'I have received in the flesh a specimen of Tengmalm's Owl, which was taken in the Shetlands on Jan. 4, and was apparently an adult female.' [This is not the first time that this small owl has been met with in Shetland. There is a specimen preserved in the Edinburgh Museum which was obtained at Raewick, Shetland, in November, 1901, as recorded in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, 1901, p. 119. Of late years it has been more frequently met with, especially on the east coast. - Ed.]

In an Editorial (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 388, they say: 'Mr. Erik Hamilton writes to The Field, April 4th, to say he had received, in the flesh, an apparently adult female Tengmalm's Owl (Nyctala tengmalmi) killed in the Shetlands on January 4th, 1908.'

Admitted by John Paterson (1909) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVII. p. 207, in the annual 'Report on Scottish Ornithology', who says: 'Shetland, 4th January, an adult (female) (The Field, 4th April 1908, p. 453).'

Erik Hamilton of Liverpool (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. pp. 53-54, says: 'On 8th January 1908, a female, apparently injured, was captured on a stone wall and forwarded to me. Its stomach contained the remains of a sparrow.'

In an Editorial (1910) in British Birds, Vol. III. p. 378, they say: 'Mr. E. Hamilton records (Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist., 1910, pp. 53-4) the following birds which he obtained at Unst during various years. The want of exact data is unfortunate....A female, apparently uninjured, was captured on a stone-wall on January 8th, 1908. "Its stomach contained the remains of a sparrow".'

39). 1911 Northumberland Holywell Dene, caught, 11th December.

(J. M. Charlton, British Birds 6: 8-9; J. M. Charlton, Zoologist 1912: 301; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 32: 282; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83).

History J. M. Charlton (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. pp. 8-10, says: 'On January 31st, 1912, I received word that a small owl had been shot in the vicinity of the Seaton Burn, Northumberland. Accordingly, I immediately cycled over to the house of the owner at Seaton Sluice, and was pleased to find a specimen of Tengmalm's Owl (Aegolius t. tengmalmi) sitting contentedly in a small wooden dove-cage.

Mr. James Hall, in whose possession the bird was, informed me that he had "winged" it in Holywell Dene on December 11th, 1911, his setter having flushed it from a hawthorn bush in a small ravine. It was apparently much confused by the light, making no attempt to defend itself, and when brought home and placed on a table at first crouched down, and stared around with a somewhat bewildered expression.

However, shortly afterwards, the news of its capture having spread, a party of the owner's friends collected and stood around gazing at the Owl, which had already so far lost its sense of fear that it devoured a Sparrow on the table. At the time of my visit it was thoroughly accustomed to its surroundings, and perching on its master's hand when he put it into the cage, it allowed itself to be lifted out, and would sit there without attempting to get away, even out of doors. The kitten of the household, however, caused it some alarm at first, and on its near approach the Owl crouched down, vibrating the throat, but emitting no sound. If it came within reach the bird "clicked" its beak and attempted to strike with it. So mild, however, was the kitten's disposition that he did not at all resent this, and finally so overcame the natural hatred of the Owl as to assure it of his own good intentions.

The Owl feeds almost entirely on Sparrows and mice. The former it pulls to pieces, leaving the wings and tail, while the heads of the latter are first torn off, then the remainder of the body is swallowed whole. The prey is always seized in the right foot and held up while it is torn to pieces by the beak. If any should be left over it is placed firmly between the bars by the perch, ready for another meal.

On one occasion when no mice or birds were to be obtained, six large worms were put into the cage, all of which were swallowed with much evident relish. Although water had at first been placed in the cage, since the bird never bathed or drank any, it was removed. Several times at night the Owl had managed to open the door of its cage and fly out, to be found in the mornings quietly sitting on the top of the grandfather clock, the highest perch in the room. During the day it is not entirely confined to the cage, on the top of which as well as on the clock it is especially fond of sitting, and thence watches with half-closed lids the movements in the room.

Strangers do not cause it much annoyance, but no further familiarity is allowed them than merely to scratch its crown and facial disc. It tolerates also the partly instrumental cause of its captivity, the setter, but if a strange dog enters the room it becomes terribly agitated, dashing in terror about the cage. The return of Mr. Hall from work and the forthcoming meal are eagerly looked forward to, and the Owl awakes from her daylight lethargy to watch the door with anxious glances, and should he ever omit to feed it at the accustomed time, if within the cage, it comes close to the bars and emits a low mewing note, resembling the indrawing of the breath between closed lips, and not unlike the sound produced by the Little Owl (Athene n. noctua). Besides this call it exceptionally gives a low kind of whistle.

On its capture its plumage was in excellent condition, but during the latter half of March the moult took place, after which the feathers of course were much brighter in appearance. A few weeks after it was caught the wounded wing had healed, although still stiff on account of the lack of proper setting. This is the sixth specimen recorded for Northumberland, and had probably been blown out of its natural course of migration by the severe north wind which was experienced the day previous to its capture.'

J. M. Charlton (1912) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XVI. p. 301, says: 'For my account of a specimen "winged" in Holywell Dene, Jan, 1912, see Brit. Birds, June, 1912. It was caged and is still alive.'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1913) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXII. p. 282, on the unexpected occurrences for 1911, says: 'One caught, Holywell Dene (Northumberland), December 11th.'

Galloway & Meek (1978-83: 110) say: '...one was reported to have been caught in Holywell Dene on 11th December, 1911.'

40). 1912 Shetland Unst, caught, 23rd January, kept alive until 19th February, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1912.32).

(T. E. Saxby, Scottish Naturalist 1912: 90; Eds., British Birds 6: 26; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 32: 179; Witherby, 1920-24; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Venables & Venables, 1955; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

History Thomas Edmonston Saxby of Baltasound, Unst (1912) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXII. p. 90, says: 'I had brought to me a Tengmalm's Owl (Nyctea tengmalmi), on the 23rd of January, which had been captured alive in a barn at the north end of the island of Unst. It had been injured, but I managed to keep it alive until the 19th of February. This is the third example of this visitor from the forests of Northern Europe that I have examined since coming here thirteen years ago. I have presented the specimen to the Royal Scottish Museum.'

In an Editorial (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 26, they say: 'A specimen of Aegolius t. tengmalmi was captured alive in a barn on January 23rd, 1912, at the north end of Unst (T. E. Saxby, Scot. Nat., 1912, p. 90).'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1913) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXII. p. 179, on the unexpected occurrences for 1912, says: 'One caught, Unst (Shetland), January 23rd.'

Forrester & Andrews et al. (2007 (2): 930) add: 'Now at National Museums Scotland (NMSZ 1912.32).'

41). 1915 Perth & Kinross Hilltown of Mause, Craighall, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, adult male, February, now at Perth Museum and Art Gallery (PERGM 1977.632).

(H. Coates, Scottish Naturalist 35: 115-116; Eds., British Birds 9: 99; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

History H. Coates of Perth Museum (1915) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXV. pp. 115-116, says: 'There has recently been presented to the Perthshire Natural History Museum a fine specimen of this rare visitant. It was got at Craighall, near Blairgowrie, by Mr. John Leighton, gamekeeper, in February of the present year. It appears to be a male, in adult plumage. From information kindly supplied to me by Miss Rintoul this seems to be the sixth authentic record of the occurrence of Tengmalm's Owl in Scotland. The previous Scottish records were as follows: (1) Dec. 1860, Cramond Island, alive, R. Gray. (2) Feb. 1886, female adult, near Peterhead, G. Sim. (3) Nov. 5, 1901, female, Shetland, R. Scot. Mus. (4) Jan. 4, 1908, female adult, Shetland, Eric Hamilton. (5) Jan. 23, 1912, north end of Unst, alive.'

In an Editorial (1915) in British Birds, Vol. IX. p. 99, they say: 'Mr. H. Coates records (Scot. Nat., 1915, p. 116) that a specimen of Aegolius f. funereus obtained at Craighall, near Blairgowrie (Perthshire) in February, 1915, has been presented to the Perth Museum. On page 143 of the same journal Mr. H. W. Robinson notes that Mr. T. Ground, of Birmingham, has a specimen of this owl which was picked up dead on Scalloway (Shetland) on March 14th, 1897. There are only five previous occurrences of Tengmalm's Owl in Scotland.'

Forrester & Andrews et al. (2007 (2): 930) say: 'Now at Perth Museum and Art Gallery (PERGM 1977.632).'

42). 1929 Co. Durham North Hylton, shot, 4th October, now at Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

(Temperley, 1951).

History Temperley (1951) says: 'On October 4th, 1929, one was shot at North Hylton by a gamekeeper named Young. It was presented to the Natural History Society by J. R. Crawford, and is now in the Hancock Museum, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

NOT PROVEN

0). Pre 1846 Norfolk/Suffolk Bradwell, Suffolk, obtained, undated.

(J. H. Gurney & W. R. Fisher, Zoologist 1846: 1305; Ticehurst, 1932).

[Piotrowski, 2003].

History John H. Gurney & William R. Fisher (1846) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. IV. p. 1305, say: 'One of these owls was taken some years since at Bradwell, in the north-eastern part of the county of Suffolk.'

Stevenson (1866 (1): 60) adds: 'It may have been the bird which was formerly in the collection of Mr. Stephen Miller at Yarmouth.'

Accepted locally for Suffolk (Babington 1884-86: 233; Ticehurst 1932: 209).

Comment Stephen Miller has been discredited over other rare birds (A. G. Knox, British Birds 94: 61-73). Not acceptable.

0). 1847 Highland Spinningdale, Sutherland, shot, May.

(Gray, 1871; Harting, 1872; St John, 1883; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

[Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1887; Not in Witherby et al., 1940-52].

History Gray (1871: 64) says: 'This owl - one of the rarer species found in Britain - appears to have been met with in three instances only north of the Tweed; one having been shot by Mr. Dunbar in an old ruined factory at Spinningdale, in Sutherlandshire, in May, 1847.'

Charles St John (1883) in A Tour in Sutherlandshire, 2nd ed. Vol. I. p. 123, says: '...a specimen...as killed in May 1847, by Mr. Dunbar, in an old ruined factory at Spinningdale, in Sutherlandshire.'

Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1887: 163) placed the record in square brackets and it was omitted from Rintoul & Baxter (1928) and Witherby et al. (1940-52). However, Baxter & Rintoul (1953) included it "as less well substantiated".

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

0). c. 1847 Yorkshire Hunmanby Woods, near Filey, shot, undated.

(B. R. Morris, Zoologist 1850: 2649; Yarrell, 1871-85; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

[T. Melling, British Birds 98: 230-237].

History Beverley R. Morris (1850) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VIII. p. 2649, dated 8th November, 1849, says: 'About two years ago an individual of this very rare little bird was shot in the woods at Hunmanby, by Admiral Mitford's keeper. Its occurrence would in all probability have remained unnoticed, had it not fallen under Mr. Graham's eye during a recent visit to that neighbourhood.'

Accepted locally (Clarke & Roebuck 1881: 41; Nelson 1907 (1): 304).

Comment Due to Mr. Graham being discredited over the 'Tadcaster Rarities fraud' (T. Melling, British Birds 98: 230-237) this record is unacceptable.

0). 1851 Lancashire & North Merseyside Near Preston, shot, summer, now at Nottingham Museum.

(Yarrell, 1871-85; Mitchell, 1892; Coward, 1930; Hardy, 1941; Oakes, 1953).

[White, McCarthy & Jones, 2008].

History Alfred Newton (1871-74 (1): 155, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'In 1856 the Editor saw in the collection of Mr. William Felkin, of Beeston, near Nottingham, a specimen which he said he had received in the flesh from near Liverpool.'

Mitchell (1892: 119) adds: 'With reference to the example mentioned by Professor Newton above, as having been seen by him at Nottingham, Mr. William Felkin, now of Auckland, New Zealand, writes me under date of April 18, 1884, enclosing an extract from the account he kept of all the birds in his collection, and which he still has. It runs thus: "Tengmalm's Owl. The specimen in my collection of this bird was obtained by me from a weaver of my acquaintance at Preston, Lancashire. I called on him when passing through, on my way to the Lakes, in the summer of 1851. He brought it in fresh shot near Preston, I think close to Penwortham". The bird is now in the Nottingham Town Museum.'

Oakes (1953: 170) adds: 'The date is wrongly given as 1884 in T. A. Coward's 'Check-List', (1930).'

Locally, White, McCarthy & Jones (2008: 231) say: 'The extreme rarity of this species and the unlikely date make this record uncertain as regards to its occurring wild.'

0). 1851 Orkney Melsetter, Hoy, killed, undated.

(W. B. Baikie, Zoologist 1853: 3843; Gray, 1871; Sim, 1903).

[Not in Witherby et al., 1940-52].

History W. B. Baikie, M.D., at Haslar Hospital (1953) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XI. p. 3843, says: 'In addition to our list of birds printed in 1848, besides the occurrence of several rare species, we have to add the following: - Tengmalm's Owl (Noctua tengmalmi).'

Gray (1871: 64) refers to a handwritten note by one of the authors in a copy of Baikie & Heddle (1848) to the effect that one was "killed at Melsetter, in Orkney, in 1851".'

Buckley & Harvie-Brown (1891: 139-140) refer to a note by Mr. Moodie-Heddle saying one was "killed at Melsetter, Nov. 7th, 1851, by D. M. F. Heddle. The bird has remained all summer in a tree near the house, within 12 feet of the dining room window. Dr. Heddle who had only arrived the evening before, was not aware of this, and killed it with such a large charge of snipe-shot at close range, that the skin was spoilt - the wings, however, were put in spirits".'

Buckley & Harvie-Brown (1891: 139) quoting from Gray, add that "the wings are not now forthcoming" and that a pencil note by Prof. Heddle in a copy of Messrs. Baikie & Heddle's work, says: 'No, it was passerina [Pygmy Owl].'

Smout (1986: 175) refers to a note written by Professor Heddle on 28th January 1886 which includes a statement that he had shot a Tengmalm's Owl in Wales [? Walls, Orkney] in 1857, and that this was placed in the Museum in Kirkwall.

Comment Misidentified. Not acceptable.

0). 1857 Sussex Holmbush Park, near Horsham, caught, 27th March.

(W. Borrer, jun., Zoologist 1858: 5988).

[Harting, 1901; Walpole-Bond, 1938].

History W. Borrer, jun., of Cowfold, Sussex (1858) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XVI. p. 5988, dated 15th February, 1858, says: 'On the 27th of March, 1857, a labouring man, of the name of Day, saw a bird fly into a rabbit's burrow, in Holmbush Park, near Horsham. He dug the bird out and sold it, alive, to a bird-stuffer, of the name of Weller, in Roughy Street. This bird was afterwards shown to me, and it proved to be Strix tengmalmi. The sex was unfortunately not ascertained. It is now in my possession.'

Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 200) says: 'The Owl caught near Horsham on March 27th, 1857, and recorded by Borrer in The Zoologist for 1858 as Tengmalm's, Aegolius funerus funerus, turned out to be a Little Owl, Athene noctua vidalii. Nevertheless, Tengmalm's it remained - in print (Yarrell's Brit. Birds, 4th ed., I. p. 155), at any rate - until the year 1889, when Mr. H. Saunders exposed the error in the first edition of his Manual. Doubtless he had inspected the bird, which belonged to Borrer. The latter in 1891 confessed his mistake in his Birds of Sussex, in which, however, the year of the specimen's capture is given as 1871!'

Comment Misidentified. Is a Little Owl (Harting, 1901). Not acceptable.

0). 1859-60 Avon Winscombe, Somerset, winter, now at Taunton Castle Museum.

(Gould, 1862-73; C. Smith, Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society 16: 43; Harting, 1872; C. Smith, Zoologist 1888: 176; M. A. Mathew, Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society 39: 116; Harting, 1901).

[F. L. Blathwayt, British Birds 35: 18].

History C. Smith (1870) in the Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society, Vol. XVI. p. 43, says: 'Near Bristol (?) Mr. Edward's collection at Wrington.'

Cecil Smith (1888) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XII. p. 176, says: 'Tengmalm's Owl - One in Mr. Edwards' collection, shot near Winscombe. Not hitherto recorded.'

M. A. Mathew (1893) in the Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society, Vol. XXXIX. p. 116, says: 'Was shot at Winscombe in the year 1859, not very far from the spot where the Hawk Owl was secured.'

F. L. Blathwayt (1941) in British Birds, Vol. XXXV. pp. 18-19, says: 'Gould in his work The Birds of Great Britain (1862-73) records on the authority of Mr. Braikenridge a specimen of Tengmalm's Owl killed at Winscombe in Somerset in winter, 1859, and Theodore Compton in his book A Mendip Valley (1893) refers to this record, adding that a pair were then observed on the side of Winscombe Hill of which one escaped, and that the other was in the collection of Charles Edwards of Wrington.

This record has been copied many times and I included it in my list of Somerset birds, 1906, published in the Victoria County History series. The specimen is now in the Taunton Castle Museum labelled as Tengmalm's Owl shot at Winscombe, 1859 and given by Mr. C. L. F. Edwards, 1917.

The specimen has of late been examined by, among others, Mr. B. W. Tucker and myself, and is undoubtedly a Little Owl Athene noctua. It certainly appears to be of a warmer brown than the western race, and might be referable to A. n. noctua from middle Europe, though after 80 years in a case, the colour may have somewhat changed. Anyhow the record is interesting as being before the extensive introductions of this species. Tengmalm's Owl must, however, now be omitted from the Somerset list of birds.'

Comment Misidentified. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1860 Suffolk Sutton Heath, obtained, undated.

(Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932).

[Piotrowski, 2003].

History Babington (1884-86: 233) says: 'One from the sand district across Sutton Heath (in Mr. W. P. T. Phillip's Collection).'

Ticehurst (1932: 209) says: 'In W. P. T. Phillip's collection at Melton Grange there was said to be a specimen from the sand district across Sutton Heath. This collection has long since been dispersed by auction, and I have not been able to trace any of the interesting birds in it.'

Not accepted locally (Piotrowski 2003).

0). 1864 Berkshire Windsor Forest, female, shot, summer.

(Clark Kennedy, 1868; Radford, 1966; Fraser & Youngman, 1976).

[Not in Witherby et al., 1940-52].

History Clark Kennedy (1868: 167) says: 'Mr. Hasell, the bird-stuffer of Windsor, had a female Owl of this species brought to him to be preserved in the summer of 1864. It was shot in Windsor Forest by one of the gamekeepers. Another was killed a few years previously in the same park, and was also preserved. Mr. Hasell is well acquainted with the species, and the above statement may be depended upon.'

Comment A. W. M. Clark-Kennedy was sixteen at the time he published his book. Both these records lack adequate details. Summer is way out of the known migration period. Probably misidentified. Neither acceptable.

0). 1870 Gloucestershire Cheltenham, undated.

(Mellersh, 1902).

[Swaine, 1982].

History Mellersh (1902) says: 'One Cheltenham 1870.' Not accepted locally (Swaine 1982).

0). 1877 Cambridgeshire Huntingdon area, Huntingdonshire, shot, undated.

(Peake, 1926).

[J. S. Clark, Cambridgeshire Bird Report 2004: 143].

History J. S. Clark (2004) in the Cambridgeshire Bird Report, p. 143, lists a record for 1877 in the Huntingdon area of one shot (undated). Previously he stated that this record listed by Peake (1926) had not been authenticated. It was set up by Wright of Kimbolton for display in the Wellstead collection, but that no longer exists.

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

0). 1882 Orkney Rendall, Mainland, seen, undated.

(Buckley & Harvie-Brown, 1891).

[Buckley & Harvie-Brown, 1891].

History Buckley & Harvie-Brown (1891: 139-140) recording the record in square brackets, say: 'We have a notice of another of these birds from Mr. Cowan of Tankerness House, who informs us that a Tengmalm's Owl was seen at Rendall, on the Mainland, by Major Beadnell, R.A., in 1882, and Mr. Cowan adds that the Major is a competent judge. We think the foregoing evidence scarcely sufficient to warrant our including this species otherwise than in brackets.'

0). 1883 Isle of Wight Freshwater, obtained, undated.

(H. Hadfield, Zoologist 1884: 30).

[Kelsall & Munn, 1905; Not in Witherby et al., 1940-52].

History Henry Hadfield (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. p. 30, says: 'Tengmalm's Owl was procured during the year.'

Kelsall & Munn (1905: 133) placing the record in square brackets, say: 'One is said to have been procured at Freshwater, in the Isle of Wight, in 1883 (Hadfield, Zoologist 1884), but we do not think the evidence sufficient.'

0). 1884 Cambridgeshire/Suffolk Near Newmarket, caught, 20th November.

(Bury Free Press 22nd Nov., 1884; Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932).

[Lack, 1934].

History Babington (1884-86: 233) who admits to having seen the specimen, says: 'One caught during the night in a rat-trap in a wood near Newmarket, November 20th, 1884....The wood is partly in Cambridgeshire, partly in Suffolk (Bury Free Press, Nov. 22, 1884; Howlett in litt.).'

Ticehurst (1932: 209) says: 'Babington examined a bird which had been caught on 20th November 1884 in a wood near Newmarket; another was said to have been seen there soon afterwards. This wood is partly in Suffolk and partly in Cambridgeshire.'

Comment Lack (1934: 47) called Howlett notoriously unreliable and rejected all his records for Cambridgeshire. Not acceptable.

0). 1884 Cambridgeshire/Suffolk Near Newmarket, at least 9th December.

(Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932).

[Lack, 1934; Payn, 1978].

History Babington (1884-86: 233) says: '...in a wood near Newmarket, another seen there soon afterwards [20th November], and believed to be still there, December 9th. The wood is partly in Cambridgeshire, partly in Suffolk (Bury Free Press, Nov. 22, 1884; Howlett in litt.).'

Payn (1978: 172, 2nd ed.) says: 'A doubtful record mentioned by Babington is one from Newmarket in 1884.'

Comment Lack (1934: 47) called Howlett notoriously unreliable and rejected all his records for Cambridgeshire. Not acceptable.

0). 1886 Gloucestershire Miserden Park, undated.

(Mellersh, 1902).

[Swaine, 1982].

History Mellersh (1902) says: 'One Miserden Park 1886.' Not accepted locally (Swaine 1982).

0). 1891 Suffolk Near Ipswich, caught, October.

(J. Mash, Field 17th Oct., 1891: 582).

[Ticehurst, 1932; Payn, 1978].

History J. Mash of Ipswich (1891) in The Field of 17th Oct., Vol. LXXVIII, p. 582, says: 'Last week I obtained a good specimen of Tengmalm's Owl, which was trapped in a park near here. Is not this bird of rare occurrence?'

[This small northern owl is recorded to have been met with about twenty times, chiefly in Northumberland, Yorkshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk. - Ed.]

Ticehurst (1932: 210) was unable to find out if it had been properly identified.

Locally, Payn (1978: 172, 2nd ed.) says: 'A doubtful record mentioned in The Field of 1891, is one at Ipswich in October.'

0). 1897 Shetland Bressay, female, early in the year.

(Venables & Venables, 1955).

[I. J. Andrews & K. A. Naylor, Scottish Birds 23: 92-93].

History Venables & Venables (1955: 189) report that in Robert Russell's personal notebooks it is stated "received a female from Bressay for skinning on 15th April 1897". It seems unlikely that this specimen was the above peripatetic individual.'

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not in Witherby et al. (1940-52) or Baxter & Rintoul (1953). Not acceptable.

0). 1901 Suffolk Ixworth, seen, October.

(Ticehurst, 1932; Payn, 1978).

[Payn, 1978].

History Ticehurst (1932: 210) says: 'In 1901 there was an unusual, though small, immigration of this Owl to England...and Mr. Harrison informs me that he was sure he saw a Tengmalm's Owl on 21st October 1901, sitting on a tree, not ten yards off, at the edge of a small wood at Ixworth.'

Locally, Payn (1978: 172, 2nd ed.) says: 'A doubtful record by the Rev. D. P. Harrison is of one at Ixworth in October 1891.'

0). 1901 Oxfordshire Henley, shot, 5th November.

(R. T. Hermon Hodge, Field 8th Feb., 1902: 183).

[G. W. Bradshaw, Zoologist 1901: 476].

History R. T. Hermon Hodge of Wyfold Court, Reading (1902) in The Field of 8th Feb., Vol. XCIX. p. 183, says: 'I am sorry to report that on Nov. 5 last I shot at Highmore, on the Chiltern Hills, near Henley-on-Thames, which, from the description and figure given in your last issue, is evidently a Tengmalm's Owl.'

G. W. Bradshaw of Reading (1901) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. V. p. 476, under 'Little Owl at Henley', says: 'I do not know what may be thought of the status of the Little Owl (Athene noctua) as a migrant, but I saw one to-day (Nov. 7th), shot yesterday at Wyfold Court, near Henley, Oxon. I do not think it is mentioned in Mr. Aplin's Birds of Oxfordshire.

Not admitted by Witherby (1920-24 (2): 73) in his full list of records.

Comment Misidentified. Not acceptable.

0). 1901 Worcestershire Wolverley, caught, 17th November.

(J. W. Lloyd, Field 7th June 1902: 893; Harthan, 1946; Harrison et al., 1982; Harrison & Harrison, 2005).

[Not in Witherby et al., 1940-52].

History James W. Lloyd of Kington, Herefordshire (1902) in The Field of 7th Jun., Vol. XCIX. p. 893, says: 'On November 17th, 1901, Mr. John Phillips, gamekeeper on the Castle Hill Estate, Wolverley, found in a pole trap a small Owl which was quite strange to him. The bird was taken alive and he kept it until February 25th when it passed into my hands and is still living and in good health. It proved to be a specimen of Tengmalm's Owl. Mr. Phillips informed me that a similar bird, probably its mate, was shot by a farmer on Dec. 16 on the adjoining estate, Blakeshall, the two places being about three-quarters of a mile apart. This bird I have also obtained, but it turns out to be Little Owl (Athene noctua). That specimens of these rare little owls should have occurred so near together, both in time and place, is, I think, very remarkable, and I shall be interested to learn if either species has been previously recorded in the district.'

Harthan (1946: 50) after quoting the above from the Field adds: 'Mr. Philips also informed me that a similar bird was shot on the adjoining estate of Blakeshall, which is about 0.75 miles away, on 16th December. This bird I also obtained, but it's a Little Owl. How remarkable that specimens of these rare owls should have occurred so near together, both in time and place.

Harrison & Harrison (2005: 322) state that after a review of the details they still find it acceptable.

Comment Well inland! J. W. Lloyd of Kington, Herefordshire, recorded and owned the rejected c.1846 Gloucestershire Eastern Meadowlark where Edward Newman called him an excellent naturalist; he also recorded the well inland pre 1871 Shropshire American Bittern which Witherby makes no mention of. I suspect importation. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1910 Essex Near Clare, two, seen, undated.

(J. F. Green, Field 14th Jan., 1911: 84).

[KAN].

History Jos. F. Green of West Lodge, Blackheath (1911) in The Field of 14th Jan., Vol. CXVII. p. 84, says: 'At a farm near Clare, Essex, two small owls have been seen for the last five or six years. Their habits were diurnal, and their note sounded like "bill" in a soft, high-pitched key. Unfortunately last November one was fatally injured in a stoat trap. The stuffed bird is now before me; it is a Tengmalm's Owl (Nyctala tengmalmi). In The Field of Feb. 1, 1902, there was an article with an illustration, by Mr. Frohawk on two Tengmalm's Owls taken in Suffolk.'

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. No identification details. Not acceptable.

0). 1914 Kent Sandhurst, two, obtained, 2nd January.

(Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 2: 172; H. W. Ford-Lindsay, British Birds 7: 265).

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

History H. W. Ford-Lindsay (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VII. p. 265, says: 'On January 2nd, 1914, a pair of Tengmalm's Owls (Aegolius t. tengmalmi) were obtained at Sandhurst, Kent, and were shown to me in the flesh on January 3rd. As can easily be understood, they had been taken for examples of the Little Owl.'

Comment Hastings rarities. Not acceptable.

0). 1917-18 Shetland Hillwell, Mainland, picked up dead, winter.

(Venables & Venables, 1955).

[I. J. Andrews & K. A. Naylor, Scottish Birds 23: 92-93].

History Venables & Venables (1955: 189) say: 'T. Henderson tells us that one was picked up dead at Hillwell, Dunrossness, during deep snow in the winter of 1917-18 and sent to a taxidermist in Scarborough for identification and mounting.' Nationally, it was not published in Witherby et al. (1940-52), Baxter & Rintoul (1953) or Thom (1986). In a review it was found unacceptable (I. J. Andrews & K. A. Naylor, Scottish Birds 23: 92-93).

0). 1953 Norfolk Surlingham, 18th October.

(M. J. Seago, Norfolk Bird Report 1953: 35).

[Not in Witherby et al., 1940-52; Seago, 1977].

History M. J. Seago (1953) in the Norfolk Bird Report, Vol. I. p. 35, says: 'One at Surlingham on 18th October first attracted attention by its oft-repeated Hoopoe-like calls. Seen clearly enough to distinguish as a small owl as it left an oak tree. (E. A. Ellis, R. Sewell).' Not accepted locally in his Birds of Norfolk (Seago 1977).