White-spotted Bluethroat
Luscinia svecica cyanecula (Meisner, 1804) (15, 4)
Photo © Kris Webb
Sub-species
STATUS
Holarctic.
OVERVIEW
Formerly known as the Blue Warbler. The Bluethroat is very variable in the intensity of blue, the colour and extent of the spot. The Red-spotted form is a common migrant to Britain, while the White-spotted form is much rarer. It also occurs slightly earlier in the spring, normally during March and April, but then there is a second peak around mid-May. Generally only males are identifiable in the field during spring.
RECORDS
1). 1876 Yorkshire Seamer, Scarborough, female, picked up dead under wires, April.
(J. G. Tuck, Field 6th May 1876: 501; J. G. Tuck, Zoologist 1876: 4956; W. E. Clarke & T. H. Nelson, Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalist Union 1898: 110; T. H. Nelson, Zoologist 1903: 23; T. H. Nelson, Zoologist 1904: 31; M. J. Nicoll, Zoologist 1904: 263; T. H. Nelson, Zoologist 1907: 428; Nelson, 1907; Eds., British Birds 1: 195; T. H. Nelson, British Birds 1: 228-229; Mather, 1986).
History J. G. Tuck of Ebberston, York (1876) in The Field of 6th May, Vol. XLVII. p. 501, and in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. XI. p. 4956, with similar stories, says: 'I have much pleasure in recording for the first time in Yorkshire, the occurrence of the Bluethroat, or Blue-throated Warbler. A specimen of this rare little bird which had been picked up dead under the telegraph wires at Seamer, near Scarborough, was taken to Mr. Roberts of Scarborough, on the 12th April. Its head and neck had been considerably damaged from coming in contact with the wires; in addition to which, the man who found it kept it several days, and then carried it to Scarborough in his pocket. Mr. Roberts thought, when he first saw it, that it would be impossible to mount it, but with skilful handling and great patience he has now managed to make it into a very presentable specimen. It is a female bird, in good plumage, and Mr. Roberts told me it contained well developed eggs. The occurrence of this specimen is the more interesting as it is an example of the type which possesses a white spot in the centre of the blue on the throat. (cf. Yarrell, British Birds, 4th Edition, Volume I, p. 323).'
W. E. Clarke & T. H. Nelson (1898) in the Transactions of Yorkshire Naturalist Union, p. 110, say: 'The only known instance of the visitation of this rare migrant to Yorkshire, and Britain, is that communicated by the late Alfred Roberts, of Scarborough. Writing to Mr. Wm. Eagle Clarke on 1st January 1880, he stated that a fine female specimen of the Blue Throated Warbler was found dead under the wires, near Scarborough, by the late John Young, gamekeeper to Lord Londesborough (April, 1876). The ovary contained eggs in a forward state. It had a white satiny spot in the centre of the blue throat. The specimen is in the possession of Mrs. Young.'
T. H. Nelson of The Cliffe, Redcar (1904) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VIII. p. 31, says: 'In confirmation of my remarks on the first recorded British occurrence of this species, at Scarborough, in the year 1876 (Zool., 1903, p. 23), may I be allowed, in anticipation of the forthcoming Birds of Yorkshire, to quote from a letter by the late Alfred Roberts, who stuffed the bird in question, written to Mr. W. Eagle Clarke, which runs as follows: - "Scarborough, 1st January, 1880. A fine female specimen of the Blue-throated Warbler was found dead under the telegraph wires, near Scarborough, by the late John Young, gamekeeper to Lord Londesborough....It had a white satiny spot in the centre of the blue throat. The specimen is in the possession of Mrs. Young". This letter may perhaps serve as an answer to Mr. Nicoll's comments (Zool., 1903, p. 431), which cast a doubt on the authenticity of the above record.'
M. J. Nicoll of St Leonards (1904) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VIII. p. 263, says: 'As was the case last year, I have only just returned from an expedition abroad, and therefore have not seen Mr. Nelson's note (ante, p. 31) until recently. I again refer Mr. Nelson to Mr. Dresser's Manual of Palearctic Birds (1902), p. 62, in which the author says, in describing the female and young of the Red-spotted form: - "The female and young resemble those of that species (C. wolfi), there being no character by which they are distinguishable". If Mr. Nelson examines the skins of the two forms, I think he will find that the females of both have a white spot or patch, in the centre of the throat. If the specimen picked up at Scarborough in 1880 is an example of Cyanecula wolfi, I venture to think its sex has not been ascertained correctly, as I believe I am right in saying that the females of both forms of Bluethroat never have blue throats, but only a collar of blue across the upper breast, and that only in comparatively old birds. In conclusion, may I ask if the specimen in question is still in existence, as if it is a female C. wolfi, with a blue throat, it would be of some interest.'
T. H. Nelson of Redcar (1907) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XI. p. 428, says: 'Having recently had an opportunity of examining the disputed specimen of the White-spotted Bluethroat, obtained near Scarborough in April, 1876 (cf. Zool., 1902, p. 464; 1903, pp. 23, 431, 455; 1904, pp. 31, 263), and which I exhibited at the British Ornithologists' Club on the 16th October last, I am pleased to be able to state that its identity is fully established. It is in every way typical of the white-spotted form (Cyanecula wolfi), the white in the centre of the blue throat being most distinct, and about half an inch in diameter. The plumage, even after the lapse of thirty years, still retains its deep intense hue. On questioning the present owner of the specimen as to the facts of the occurrence, he corroborated in every respect the original statements of the Rev. J. G. Tuck and Mr. W. Eagle Clarke, though, as the females of the two forms of Bluethroat cannot be distinguished, it is unfortunate that a misleading statement was made as to the sex of this example, which accounts for its rejection by the authors of recent ornithological works. In case any sceptic may proffer a suggestion that it was an imported skin, my informant added that he remembers his father bringing home the bird, telling him that he had found it below the telegraph-wires, and at the same time pointing out where it had been damaged by coming into contact with them.'
Nelson (1907 (1): 25) adds: 'I eventually traced the bird to Mr. D. Young, son of the original owner, at Blankney in Lincolnshire, from whom I borrowed it and exhibited it at a meeting of the British Ornithologists' Club in October 1907.'
In an Editorial (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 195, on a review of Nelson's Birds of Yorkshire, they say: 'the authenticity of the specimen of the White-spotted Bluethroat obtained at Scarborough in April, 1876, is fully established.'
T. H. Nelson (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. pp. 228-229, says: 'The late Mr. Howard Saunders, in his notes on additions to the British List (supra, pp. 7-8), did not refer to the Scarborough record of this form of the Bluethroat (cf. Zool., 1876, p. 4956, and Vertebrate Fauna of Yorkshire, p. 20), but gave the date of the first British occurrence as the 6th October, 1902, when one was picked up at Dungeness. Having recently had an opportunity of examining the Scarborough specimen, which I exhibited at the British Ornithologists' Club on the 16th October last, I am pleased to be able to state that its identity is fully established. It is in every way typical of the white-spotted form (Cyanecula wolfi), the white in the centre of the blue throat being most distinct, and about half-an-inch in diameter. The plumage, even after the lapse of thirty years, still retains its deep intense hue. As the females of the two forms of Bluethroat cannot be distinguished it is unfortunate that a misleading statement was made as to the sex of this bird, which accounts for its rejection by the authors of recent ornithological works. On questioning the present owner of the specimen as to the facts of the occurrence, he corroborated in every respect the original statements of the Rev. J. G. Tuck and Mr. W. Eagle Clarke; and, in case any sceptic may proffer a suggestion that it was an imported skin, my informant added that he remembers his father bringing home the bird, telling him he had found it below the telegraph wires, and at the same time pointing out where it had been damaged by coming in contact with them. For further particulars enquirers are referred to The Birds of Yorkshire, pp. 38-39.'
Comment The articles relating to the 1902 Kent record are intertwined with this record so need reading in conjunction with this record. Perhaps an X-ray will establish that it hit telegraph-wires.
2). 1877 Somerset Bishop's Lydeard, adult, seen, July.
(D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; Ballance, 2006).
History D'Urban & Mathew (1892: 14), in a Note, say: 'During the month of July 1877 our vicarage garden at Bishop's Lydeard, near Taunton, was tenanted by a Bluethroat. Our attention was first directed to it by the pugnacity displayed towards it by the Redstarts frequenting our grounds. One afternoon getting a close view of the stranger when it was perched on the roof of the conservatory we distinctly recognized its blue throat with a patch of white in the centre, proving it to be an example of C. leucocyana, the southern form of this warbler. We only saw this interesting little visitor on one subsequent occasion, and suppose it to have been either driven away by the jealous Redstarts, or to have fallen a victim to our garden cat. (M.A.M.).'
3). 1881 Isle of May No locality, obtained, 22nd September.
(J. A. Harvie-Brown, Scottish Naturalist 6: 203-206; H. M. Drummond Hay, Scottish Naturalist 8: 357; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).
History J. A. Harvie-Brown (1881-82) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. VI. pp. 203-206, says: 'On the 24th September of the present year I received a box containing three birds which were captured during the two previous days at the lantern of the Isle of May Lighthouse, in the Firth of Forth, and which the reporter, Mr. Joseph Agnew, head lighthouse-keeper, desired to have named. One of these was a Nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus, a species hitherto unknown at this station; another was an adult male Redstart, Ruticilla phoenicura; and the third is the subject of this notice....According to Mr. Agnew's schedule...The next record occurs on the 22nd, the date of the capture of this specimen...On that day, and for some days previous, the wind was strong S.E., and it continued all day; weather, very thick haze, approaching to fog, with a continuous downpour of rain. Mr. Agnew adds, "All the birds seen today seemed perfectly bewildered".
The bird of which I now speak is Cyanecula wolfi, or the White-spotted - sometimes spotless - form of the Blue-throated Warbler....The specimen in my possession closely agrees with the bird figured in Dresser's Birds of Europe (Vol. I. pl. 50), of which he says (p. 320) "a male of C. wolfi in rather peculiar autumn plumage". I have now, therefore, to record the third occurrence of the White-spotted form (which Dresser unites under Cyanecula wolfi) in Britain, and its first occurrence in Scotland.'
H. M. Drummond Hay (1885-86) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. VIII. p. 357, in the Report of the East of Scotland Union, admits this record. Not mentioned in Baxter & Rintoul (1953) Vol. I. p. 216, so unsure whether they have seen this article.
Eggeling (1985: 197-198, 2nd ed.) admits only spring records.
Accepted nationally as the first for Scotland (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).
4). 1906 Norfolk Sheringham, male, shot, 30th April, now at Castle Museum, Norwich (Acc. No. NWHCM: 1948.185).
(B. B. Riviere, British Birds 28: 360; Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999; Dye, Fiszer & Allard, 2009).
History B. B. Riviere (1935) in British Birds, Vol. XXVIII. p. 360, in the 1934 Norfolk Bird Report, says: 'I recently saw in the collection of Mr. F. E. Gunn, the Norwich taxidermist, a male White-spotted Bluethroat in summer plumage, labelled in the handwriting of the late T. E. Gunn: "30th April, 1906, picked up dead at Sheringham".
Mr. F. E. Gunn assured me that he remembered this bird being brought in the flesh. In reply to my query as to why it had not been recorded, Mr. Gunn told me that during the latter part of his life his father seldom recorded any rarities, more particularly if he thought there was any chance of disposing of them to a collector.
This I believe to be a fact, though whether, after a period of nearly thirty years, this bird should be accepted as an authentic Norfolk specimen, is perhaps doubtful. The only record of this species for the county is that of a male seen by Mr. R. M. Garnett at Salthouse on April 7th and 8th, 1930 (antea, Vol. XXIII. p. 339).'
5). 1909 Fair Isle No locality, adult male, shot, 22nd March, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1909.127.22).
(W. E. Clarke, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 67; Eds., British Birds 3: 417; Clarke, 1912; Pennington et al., 2004; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).
History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. p. 67, under 'The Birds of Fair Isle', says: 'Foremost in interest among the captures of the year is that of an adult male in full plumage of this beautiful species. Not only is it new to the birds that have occurred at Fair Isle, but it is an addition to the Scottish Fauna, and is the fourth example known to have visited the British Islands.'
In an Editorial (1910) in British Birds, Vol. III. p. 417, he says: 'An adult male Cyanecula wolfi, in full summer-plumage, is recorded by Mr. Eagle Clarke (Ann. S.N.H., 1910, p. 67) as having been obtained in Fair Isle in 1909. Unfortunately, Mr. Clarke does not give the date of its capture - a curious omission.'
Clarke (1912 (2): 142) under 'The Birds of Fair Isle', says: 'White-spotted Bluethroat - One on 22nd March 1909; an early date.'
Accepted nationally by Forrester & Andrews et al. (2007 (2): 1091) who add that the specimen is now at National Museums Scotland (NMSZ 1909.127.22).
6). 1910 Fair Isle No locality, male, seen, 14th May.
(L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1911: 137; Eds., British Birds 5: 200; Clarke, 1912; Bedford, 1937; Pennington et al., 2004).
History Admitted by L. J. Rintoul & E. V. Baxter (1911) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XX. p. 137, under the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1910', who say: 'The White-spotted Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica cyanecula) visited Fair Isle; this is the second record of this bird for Scotland, the first having been procured on Fair Isle in 1909.'
In an Editorial (1911) in British Birds, Vol. V. p. 200, they say: 'The second for Scotland visited Fair Isle during the year, but no date or particulars are given (p. 137).'
Clarke (1912 (2): 142) under 'The Birds of Fair Isle', says: 'White-spotted Bluethroat - One on 14th May 1910, and frequented the side of a small burn. It was under observation by the Duchess of Bedford and myself for some time. Its actions were identical with those of a Redbreast; in disposition it was shy, and when disturbed flitted away, but always returned to the same haunts. Several birds of the Red-spotted species also arrived at the same time.'
Mary, Duchess of Bedford (1937: 14-15) says: '...In a stream by one of the little Mill houses, I thought I caught sight of another Bluethroat, but the fog was so thick that I could not follow it.
However, very shortly after I saw one settling on a stone wall and shot it. It proved to be a Red-spotted Bluethroat. Much elated at my success, I started on the rather hopeless mission of trying to find Mr. Eagle Clarke in the fog. I returned to the ditch where I had fired at the Bluethroat in the morning, and to my surprise found it again. As there is always the chance of a White-spotted Bluethroat, I fired again and killed it.
To my great satisfaction I found it was a White-spotted Bluethroat, the fifth recorded for Great Britain, two of which have now been obtained in Fair Isle. My shot brought up Mr. Eagle Clarke, and I had the satisfaction of showing him Red- and White-spotted Bluethroats shot within half an hour of each other.'
7). 1913 Fair Isle No locality, adult male, 9th May.
(W. E. Clarke, Scottish Naturalist 34: 54-55; Eds., British Birds 7: 349; Pennington et al., 2004).
History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1914) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIV. pp. 54-55, says: 'The fourth instance of the occurrence of adult males of this species at Fair Isle is recorded for 9th May.'
In an Editorial (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VII. p. 349, they say: 'The following interesting records have been published in recent issues of the Scottish Naturalist. All the references given refer to the volume for 1914. White-spotted Bluethroat. An adult male on May 9th, 1913, at Fair Isle (id., p. 54).'
8). 1930 Norfolk Salthouse, male, seen, 7th to 8th April.
(R. M. Garnett, British Birds 23: 339-340; B. B. Riviere, British Birds 24: 313; Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999).
History R. M. Garnett (1930) in British Birds, Vol. XXIII. pp. 339-340, says: 'On April 7th, 1930, Mr. F. Woodhouse, of Salthouse on the north Norfolk coast, described to me a bird which he, and others, had seen on several occasions during the preceding few days in two or three cottage gardens of the village.
As the bird described could only be a Bluethroat, a search was made and the bird flushed from one of the gardens in which it had previously been seen. It perched on a low wall and was easily identified as a male Luscinia svecica cyanecula, as it gave us an excellent view of its blue throat with red band below and a white spot in the centre of the blue.
On April 8th the bird was still there, when it was watched for an hour or more by the writer and several of the local residents, when its salient points were visible again and its identity made doubly sure. The bird on this occasion made its base in a patch of broccoli, from which it emerged several times and ran (it did not hop) with lowered head and tail cocked up, in little rushes, across an open piece of ground to a small manure heap on which it could be seen catching insects after the manner of a Wagtail.
On one occasion the writer watched it warbling, when the white spot could be seen "twinkling" as the throat throbbed and the throat-feathers rose and fell. No sound could be heard, however, at about twenty-five to thirty yards' distance. When the throat-feathers were fluffed out, the shape of the white spot became triangular, with the apex nearest the chin. No black was visible between the blue throat and the red band below it, as is shown in illustrations of this species. This is, I believe, the first time the White-spotted Bluethroat has been recorded in Norfolk.'
B. B. Riviere (1931) in British Birds, Vol. XXIV. p. 313, in the 1930 Norfolk Bird Report, says: 'As already reported (Brit. Birds, Vol. XXIII. p. 339) a male White-Spotted Bluethroat was seen and identified by Mr. R. M. Garnett at Salthouse on April 7th and 8th. This species has never previously been recorded in the county, but as the bird was under observation for a prolonged period at close quarters there can be little doubt as to the correctness of Mr. Garnett's identification, and he is to be congratulated on this interesting record.'
9). 1930 Shetland Skaw, Whalsay, adult male, found dead, 4th September.
(Venables & Venables, 1955; E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 69: 42; Pennington et al., 2004; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).
History Venables & Venables (1955) say: 'Bruce and Grierson (1899 et seq.) say that one of this form was picked up dead by T. Bruce on Whalsay on 4th September 1930.' However, E. V. Baxter (1957) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXIX. p. 42, placing the record in square brackets, says: 'No evidence of identification is available for a White-spotted Bluethroat found dead on Whalsay, 4th September 1930 (Birds and Mammals of Shetland, 173).'
Pennington et al. (2004) say: 'An adult male was shot by Tommy Bruce at Skaw, Whalsay, on 4th September 1930.' It was admitted nationally by Forrester & Andrews et al. (2007) for Scotland.
10). 1935 Isle of May No locality, seen, spring.
(G. C. Low, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 55: 174).
History G. Carmichael Low, Editor (1936) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. LV. p. 174, at the 383rd Meeting of the Club held on 12th June 1935 at Pagani's Restaurant, London, says: 'Mr. W. B. Alexander described the following results of operations at the Isle of May Bird Observatory in the spring of 1935: - ...Interesting species observed, but not captured, included...a male White-spotted Bluethroat, the last being a new record for the island.'
11). 1936 Fair Isle No locality, one/two, males, seen, 7th to 8th May.
(Midlothian Ornithological Club, British Birds 30: 168; Pennington et al., 2004).
History Midlothian Ornithological Club (1936) in British Birds, Vol. XXX. p. 168, say: 'Fair Isle. Mr. George Stout writes: "What an enormous number of birds we had the whole of the first half of May, but mainly on the 7th and 8th....sixty Bluethroats on 7th and 8th, mainly Red-spotted but there were one or two White-spotted among them".'
12). 1936 Isle of May No locality, seen, 10th May.
(Midlothian Ornithological Club, Scottish Naturalist 56: 161, 162; Midlothian Ornithological Club, British Birds 30: 167; Eds., British Birds 30: 297-298).
History Midlothian Ornithological Club (1936) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LVI. pp. 161, 162, in the spring report for 1936 for the Isle of May, says: 'White-spotted Bluethroat - Seen by Mr. Munro and Mr. Sandeman on 10th May on several occasions at a distance of a few yards. The crescent-shaped silky white breast-mark very narrowly edged above with red was very plain and as the rest of the plumage was typical, it is unlikely that it was an abnormal specimen of the Norwegian race. It is interesting to note that White-spotted Bluethroats were also seen at Fair Isle during this period (British Birds 30: 168).'
Midlothian Ornithological Club (1936) in British Birds, Vol. XXX. p. 167, say: 'An unusual "hold-up" of passerines occurred from May 6th to 10th, after which numbers fell rapidly....a White-spotted Bluethroat (Luscinia s. cyanecula), on 10th. Sight records of the last mentioned are not perhaps quite satisfactory, but excellent views of the bird were obtained on several occasions at a distance of a few yards. The crescent shaped silky white breast mark very narrowly edged above with red was very plain, while no part of the plumage showed abnormal colouring.'
In an Editorial (1937) in British Birds, Vol. XXX. pp. 297-298, they say: 'The Midlothian Ornithological Club has organized a series of observers to keep watch and work their migration trap on the Isle of May in spring and autumn. The results of these observations for the autumn of 1935 and the spring of 1936 are now published in the Scottish Naturalist (1936, pp. 127-130 and 159-162).
To keep up these observations a considerable number of observers is necessary to cover the chief migratory periods and the Club will welcome volunteers for the purpose. In the autumn of 1935 there was unfortunately no observer on the island between August 24th and 30th when a very large migration was noted on Fair Isle, but during September and the first half of October a good many interesting birds were identified and still more in the spring of 1936. The chief of these are noted below. White-spotted Bluethroat (Luscinia s. cyanecula). - One was carefully observed at close range by Messrs. Munro and Sandeman on May 10th, 1936.'
13). 1936 Kent Dungeness, adult male, seen, 22nd September.
(Anon., Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, 5: 183; N. H. Joy, British Birds 30: 227; Witherby et al., 1940-52; Harrison, 1953).
History N. H. Joy (1936) in British Birds, Vol. XXX. p. 227, says: '...On the night of September 21st-22nd there was another rush, and in the morning there were many migrants in the gardens near the lighthouse. They were behaving in quite a different way to the majority of the migrants I had seen before. Instead of being found as rather wild birds among the bushes, they were very tame, feeding among the cabbages, etc. Among them was a Bluethroat in adult, full summer plumage, with a conspicuous white spot in the middle of the breast, and there was also a young bird.'
Admitted nationally (Witherby et al., 1940-52).
14). 1938 Cumbria Rockcliffe, Cumberland, adult male, seen, 15th April.
(R. Perry, Field 14th May 1938: 1181; Eds., British Birds 32: 53; E. Blezard, Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society 6: 39; Hutcheson, 1986).
History Richard Perry of Rockcliffe, Cumb. (1938) in The Field of 14th May, Vol. CLXXI. p. 1181, says: 'Some of your more ornithological minded readers may be interested to note that I passed a pleasant hour this evening (April 15th) observing a male White-spotted Bluethroat (C. s. cyanecula, Wolf-Coward).
I do not know any other species that has the same ultramarine throat and breast, darker at the edges, and superbly bright in the sun. The white crease - brilliantly white - at the bottom of the blue throat is only visible when the bird assumes an upright position. Bordering the blue breast is a broad, shaggy band of dark chestnut, cut off on either side by the pale fawn of the belly, which is lightly streaked in darker fawn.
And, for the rest, the bird is a typical Bluethroat: pale superciliary stripe; pink legs; robin-coloured back, with those same yellowish upper-tail coverts; and the flash of copper above and beneath the spread tail in flight, though not so bright as in the Norwegian Bluethroat. No less secretive and elusive than the latter, the White-spotted Bluethroat flits to and fro between a marsh drain and a pile of wreckage, with the flight of a Robin or a titlark; and when at rest, the thin tail is continually jerked sharply up and down.
At the head of the Solway, here, there is an extraordinary narrow channel of migration that skirts the edge of the saltings, cutting across two salmon rivers. At exactly the same spot, on a narrow strip of marsh at the edge of the river, I have seen this year: Water Pipits, Stonechats, Wheatear (three times), Black-tailed Godwit and Bluethroats.'
In an Editorial (1938) in British Birds, Vol. XXXII. p. 53, they say: 'Cumberland. - Mr. Richard Perry writes (Field, May 14th, 1938) that while watching migrants at the head of the Solway on April 15th, 1938, he had a White-spotted Bluethroat (Luscinia s. cyanecula), evidently from his description an adult male, under observation for an hour. He appears to have obtained unusually good views of the bird.'
15). 1946 Pembrokeshire Skomer, male, 9th May.
(Lockley, Ingram & Morrey Salmon, 1949; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).
History Lockley, Ingram & Morrey Salmon (1949) say: 'The first for Wales was a male found on Skomer on 9th May 1946 by S. Marchant who had good views.'
Accepted nationally for Wales (Lovegrove, Williams & Williams 1994).
1950-57 RECORDS
16). 1950 Sussex Thorney Island, male, 4th September.
(G. des Forges & D. D. Harber, Sussex Bird Report 1950: 12).
History G. des Forges & D. D. Harber (1950) in the Sussex Bird Report, p. 12, say: 'The fifth Sussex record and the first since 1912, "a male in almost full summer plumage" was identified by W. D. Sweaney and A.H.W.S. at Thorney on September 4th. The following note has been supplied: - "The bird was flushed from the ditch near the west bank and perched on a small bush, where we watched it through binoculars for about 10 minutes in good light at ranges from 5 to 20 yards. The following features were clearly seen: very distinct light eye-stripe and less distinct moustachial streak; bright blue throat with light chin and a clear white spot in the middle of the blue throat; white and chestnut bands across the breast, immediately below the blue throat; chestnut base to the tail seen clearly both in flight and perching; upper parts dark brown and lower parts light coloured. The bird was slimmer than a Robin which it resembled in its general behaviour".'
17). 1953 Northumberland Near Monks' House Observatory, Seahouses, adult male, 18th April.
(K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 2: 62; E. A. R. Ennion, British Birds 46: 456; G. W. Temperley, Transactions of the Northumberland, Durham & Newcastle-upon-Tyne Natural History Society 11: 33).
History K. Williamson (1954) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin, Vol. II. p. 62, says: 'An exciting visitor for some days from April 14th was a White-spotted Bluethroat Luscinia s. cyanecula.'
G. W. Temperley (1953) in the Transactions of the Northumberland, Durham & Newcastle-upon-Tyne Natural History Society, Vol. XI. p. 33, says: 'On April 18th between Seahouses and Beadnell, N., an adult male; "Seen in a cottage garden, a beautiful bird in perfect condition and so tame that it came within a few yards of us". (E.A.R.E.).
This is the first bird of this species that has been definitely identified in the county. In some of the previous records of Bluethroats the sub-species was not determined. It is only in the case of the adult cocks that the sub-species can be identified in the field.
It is of interest to record that the first Bluethroat obtained in the British Isles was shot on Newcastle Town Moor on May 28th, 1826, as reported by P. J. Selby (Trans. N.H.S., Vol. I. 1831). It is still in the Hancock Museum.'
18). 1953 Isle of May No locality, adult male, 17th May.
(K. Williamson, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin 2: 61; R. K. Cornwallis, British Birds 47: 423).
History K. Williamson (1954) in the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Bulletin, Vol. II. p. 61, says: 'In mid-May...an adult male White-spotted Bluethroat Luscinia svecica cyanecula on 17th.'
19). 1954 Norfolk Brinton, male, 18th April, photo.
(R. P. Bagnall-Oakeley, British Birds 47: 273; M. J. Seago, Norfolk Bird Report 1954: 40, photo; Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999).
History R. P. Bagnall-Oakeley (1954) in British Birds, Vol. XLVII. p. 273, says: 'On the afternoon of April 18th, 1954, a Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) was observed by Mrs. E. V. Hemingway feeding in undergrowth beside a stream at Brinton, Norfolk. The bird was watched for about three hours by R. A. Richardson, P. R. Clarke, Mrs. R. F. Meiklejohn, myself and others and though often moving amongst fairly thick vegetation it was frequently seen in the open at distances down to 10 feet. After careful observation it was decided that the bird was undoubtedly a first year male of the White-spotted race (L. s. cyanecula), which was just assuming summer plumage.
The bird had a marked light eye-stripe and a light extension of the base of the beak, reminiscent of the gape of a fledgling in the colouring and distribution of the feathers. The chin immediately below the beak was pale creamy-white which passed into pale blue gradually becoming more intense in colour and was terminated along its lower edge by a black margin. Below this black, a broken white ring gave place to a bright chestnut band. In the middle of the intense blue was a paler patch which was seen to be a broken and indefinite white crescent when the head was raised so that the feathers of this part were distended. The under-parts were creamy white while the characteristic rufous base to the tail was obvious in side view. The back was noticeably striped with darker brown streaks making a pattern not unlike that of a Grasshopper Warbler (Locustella naevia).
The bird confined its movements to a relatively short length of the stream owing to its being constantly molested by Robins (Erithacus rubecula) whose territories lay above and below this stretch. On one occasion it was observed to sing a short faint song which including several very metallic notes. Immediately after this it was chased into cover by a Robin and no further song or call was heard. Three photographs and a short length of colour film were obtained, but all of the still pictures were obtained in a failing light.'
[Mr. Bagnall-Oakeley has kindly sent us prints of the photographs he obtained. These clearly confirm the identification and show well the back-pattern referred to above, but they are not suitable for reproduction. - Eds.]
NOT PROVEN
0). 1845 Greater London Near London, caught, May.
(Hancock, 1874).
[M. J. Nicoll, Zoologist 1903: 431].
History Hancock (1874: 67) says: 'I have an example, however, which was taken in a Nightingale trap, in May, 1845, near London, and which I saw alive shortly after its capture. This has the spot upon the throat a pure white, and is, I believe, the first authenticated individual of this form that has occurred in the British Islands. The blue-throated form has not been taken in Britain. I have a good series illustrating all the three forms, and, after a careful examination of them, can find no character to lead to the conclusion that they should rank as distinct species.'
M. J. Nicoll of St Leonards (1903) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VII. p. 431, says: '...At the end of his note Mr. Tuck says that only one other individual of this type is recorded as having been met with in Britain. I may as well mention here that this was the example supposed by Mr. Hancock to have been taken near London in May, 1845. It was, however, purchased from a dealer whose traffic with Holland was notorious (cf. Saunders's Manual of British Birds, 1st edit. (1889)).
I think I am therefore justified in saying that the bird I exhibited at a meeting of the B.O.C. last October, and recorded in The Zoologist, is the first authentic British example of the White-spotted Bluethroat.'
0). 1865 Isle of Wight Bonchurch, seen, February to September 1867.
(H. Hadfield, Zoologist 1865: 9605-07; H. Hadfield, Zoologist 1865: 9846; Kelsall & Munn, 1905).
[Witherby et al., 1940-52].
History Henry Hadfield (1865) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXIII. pp. 9605-07, dated 3rd May 1865, says: 'Blue-throated Warbler. - Having, on the 1st of April, heard from a neighbour that a "bluebreasted robin" had been seen in his grounds at St. Boniface, and that it frequently approached the house to feed with Robins and other birds on crumbs placed in a tray on the windowsill, I went immediately to look for it, but was unsuccessful. I again sought for it on the morning of the 3rd, but it did not appear, nor did I fall in with it on revisiting the spot in the afternoon; but on going towards Bonchurch, at 5 p.m., it was pointed out to me by one of the villagers, as it sat singing on a branch of an ash near the pond: it had been observed by this man and his fellow-workmen during the greater part of the day, but they had no idea of its being any other than the common robin, though differing in plumage and wanting the red breast, so like is it in shape and manner; however, when pointed out, they readily saw how much smaller it is. I was told of its familiarity, and soon had ocular proof of its tameness, for it suddenly alighted on the opposite side of the road; when, screened by the coping of the garden wall, I approached within two yards, and observed it searching for worms among the decayed leaves; but there was no need of caution, the bird being so perfectly fearless.
The men, on quitting their work, left me and the Blue-throated Warbler together, so before dusk I had a good opportunity for making observations on its habits and manners: its flight is more sudden and rapid than that of the redbreast, and I observed the tail often raised like that of the wren, particularly when pursued or excited, as it often was by the Robins, and though it did not court the attack it was ever ready for the fray, and, with outstretched neck and upraised tail awaiting the attack, it fought desperately, falling with its assailant to the ground, where it struggled on for a second or two, but on taking wing seemed none the worse for the encounter, and, perching on a tree, renewed its song, which is very similar to that of the redbreast, though not so loud, nor is it so prolonged.
When singing the bill is widely opened, the wings drooping and vibrating with the tail, and in hopping among the branches the wings were in constant motion, as is observed in the hedge sparrow. I saw it hopping among the decayed leaves in search of worms, and noticed its beak crammed with them; it was also seen to alight on a path, along which it swiftly ran, like a wagtail. Though so restless a bird, it did not wander forty yards from the spot where first seen daring the hour or more that I observed it, and its song was constantly renewed.
Just before the evening closed in, it sat for ten minutes or more almost motionless, not appearing to notice me, though standing beneath the leafless tree on which it was perched six or seven yards overhead. It is not only smaller than the redbreast, but a neater looking bird, the plumage being more even and close. Though in figure I could trace no resemblance to the Redstart, still there is something in the abrupt manner and flight which reminds one of it; but Macgillivray could never, I think, have placed it in the genus Ruticilla had he ever seen the living bird. Temminck's remark, "Habite dans les memes contrees que I'espece precedente", shows that he considered it a species of Robin.
The bird under notice must be well nigh a year old. Its general appearance is that of a dwarfish Robin, a mere variety of that species, to prove which I have only to state that every unscientific person who has seen it has pronounced it to be a robin; even the gardener on the spot, who has had opportunities of observing it for many weeks, tells me that he took it for a young or immature robin, and that it had been frequently seen throughout the winter, generally among the trees on a sheltered bank near the pond and rivulet flowing into it. Chin and upper part of the throat of a grayish white, tinged with yellow; this gorget-like patch extends to the cheeks and over the bill, which is black, and longer and straighter than the redbreast's, but not, I think, so stout, nor is the eye so full. Breast of a dull bluish colour, longitudinally streaked with reddish brown, and slightly spotted and shaded with a dull white; the under parts of the latter colour. Under part of the tail of a darkish brown; the external feathers whitish. Head and back of a grayish brown. Wings reddish brown; tail darker. The head proportionally larger than that of the redbreast. The plumage has an imperfect appearance, the colours not being well defined, as in the young robin.
There is no doubt as to its having been seen as early as February, and I am led to believe that it was first observed in the autumn; if so, it is difficult to account for its appearance unless bred in the undercliff, which is not very probable.
In Macgillivray's time the appearance of the Blue-throated Warbler in England had been but twice recorded. In anticipation of any remarks on this note, I have only to say that, though I made the best use of my lime and opportunity, I may have been mistaken as to shades of colour, the bird being first seen under a bright sunshine, and then by a gradually failing light.'
[This bird was still in the neighbourhood on the 4th of May. — E.N.]
Henry Hadfield (1865) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXIII. p. 9846, dated 30th September 1865, says: 'Blue-throated Warbler. - September 18. Observed, at 6 p.m., near Bonchurch, the Blue-throated Warbler taking a bath in the road-side brook; it stood knee-deep in the stream, where it continued to dip and splash about the water till disturbed by the passing carriages, but always returning to renew its ablutions, though constantly interrupted by foot-passengers, too, not one of whom as much as noticed it.
A Robin having alighted by the stream, a fight ensued, when the latter was speedily discomfited and driven away. After its bath, perched on a birch overhanging the brook, it was for some time engaged in preening its feathers. It was found to-day within twenty yards of the spot where originally seen, and from what I hear it seldom wanders far from the pond: that it is the same bird there can be no doubt. Though its song was occasionally heard, it was not so prolonged as in the spring. In a former note I remarked its comparatively small size, and still think it fully a third less than the redbreast, and a much more active and restless bird. The tail, which has been renewed, is now perfect.
It is much to be regretted that it has no partner; but as to its pairing with the common Robin, that seems hopeless, as they are for ever fighting. Could a female be found I should have little doubt as to their breeding or becoming naturalized.'
Witherby et al. (1940-52) states that it cannot be regarded as authenticated.
0). 1872 Gloucestershire Stonehouse, adult male, undated, now at Liverpool Museum.
(Swaine, 1982).
[KAN].
History Swaine (1982: 183) states that "...an adult male which was in Cheltenham College collection, but now in the Liverpool Museum, has the inscription on what appears to be the original label "Blue-throated Robin; Stonehouse, Glos. 1872". This would be a previously unrecorded specimen.'
Comment This record would be a first for Britain, but is lacking in the actual date of capture for a first.
In Cheltenham during the 1860s lived the White's, taxidermists', who preserved a few specimens (Bufflehead and Alpine Accentor) reputed to have come from the area but since rejected (see A. G. Knox, British Birds 94: 66).
0). 1902 Kent Dungeness, picked up dead, 6th October.
(R. Bowdler Sharpe, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 12: 14; M. J. Nicoll, Zoologist 1902: 464; T. H. Nelson, Zoologist 1903: 23; N. F. Ticehurst, Zoologist 1903: 419; M. J. Nicoll, Zoologist 1903: 431; J. G. Tuck, Zoologist 1903: 455; H. Saunders, British Birds 1: 7-8).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History R. Bowdler Sharpe, Editor (1902) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XIII. p. 14, at the 90th Meeting of the Club held on 22nd October 1902 at the Restaurant Frascati, London, says: 'An adult male of the White-spotted Bluethroat (Cyanecula leucogygna) was exhibited by Mr. M. J. Nicoll. The specimen was picked up dead close to Dungeness Lighthouse by a man named Gasson, on Monday, October 6th, 1902, and was sent by him to Mr. Bristow, the well-known taxidermist of St. Leonards-on-Sea, where Mr. Nicoll saw it in the flesh on the 8th of October. Gasson stated that his attention was attracted to the specimen by the bright blue colour on its breast, as it lay on the beach; its forehead was bruised, evidently by flying against the light.'
M. J. Nicoll of St Leonards (1902) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VI. p. 464, says: 'At the meeting of the British Ornithologists' Club, held on Oct. 22nd, I had the pleasure of exhibiting the first authentic British-killed White-spotted Bluethroat (Cyanecula wolfi). This example - a fine adult male - was picked up close to the lighthouse at Dungeness, Kent, by a man named Gasson, on Oct. 6th of this year, and sent by him to Mr. Bristow on Oct. 8th, who on that date brought it up to me for examination in the flesh. My best thanks are due to Mr. Bristow for bringing it to me, and for lending it to me for exhibition.'
T. H. Nelson (1903) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VII. p. 23, says: 'Referring to the note of Mr. Nicoll on this subject in The Zoologist for December last (p. 464), may I be allowed to state that the first British-killed example of the White-spotted Bluethroat was obtained at Scarborough, and described by the Rev. J. G. Tuck (Zool., June, 1876, p. 4956, and Field, May 6th, 1876).'
N. F. Ticehurst (1903) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VII. p. 419, adds nothing further.
M. J. Nicoll of St Leonards (1903) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VII. p. 431, says: 'Under this heading (ante p. 23), Mr. T. H. Nelson writes that the first British-killed example of the Bluethroat was obtained at Scarborough, and described the Rev. J. G. Tuck (Zool., June, 1876, p. 4956). On referring to this note I find that a specimen of the bird was picked up under the telegraph-wires near Scarborough on April 12th, 1876. It was described by Mr. Tuck as a female bird, and containing well-developed eggs. If Mr. Nelson will refer to Dresser's Manual of Palearctic Birds (1902), p. 62, he will find that Mr. Dresser, in describing the female of the Red-spotted Bluethroat, says that the female and young resemble those of the White-spotted form "there being no character by which they are distinguishable".
At the end of his note Mr. Tuck says that only one other individual of this type is recorded as having been met with in Britain. I may as well mention here that this was the example supposed by Mr. Hancock to have been taken near London in May, 1845. It was, however, purchased from a dealer whose traffic with Holland was notorious (cf. Saunders's Manual of British Birds, 1st edit. (1889)). I think I am therefore justified in saying that the bird I exhibited at a meeting of the B.O.C. last October, and recorded in The Zoologist, is the first authentic British example of the White-spotted Bluethroat.'
J. G. Tuck of Tostock Rectory (1903) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VII. p. 455, says: 'With reference to Mr. Nicoll's note on the above (ante, p. 431), may I point out that the fact of the Yorkshire bird having occurred early in April seems to indicate that it was most likely to have been one of the White-spotted type?
The late Herr Gätke, who had scores of Bluethroats brought to him (on one occasion sixty in a day), wrote, in his Birds of Heligoland (p. 269): - "The more southern breeding stations of the White-spotted species become habitable at a very early period of the year, and accordingly the few individuals which ever reach this island arrive as early as the end of March, or during the first days of April; at that time winter still completely reigns in the nesting area of the northern species, and does not yield to milder weather until three or four weeks later. Accordingly, the spring migration of this latter species does not take place until May".
Of course, after the lapse of more than twenty-seven years, I cannot remember all the details of the colouring of the Yorkshire bird, but my notes were sent to this Journal very soon after I saw it, and it was probably an adult female assuming the plumage of the male. What became of it I do not know.'
Howard Saunders (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 7-8, under 'Additions to the List of British Birds since 1899', says: 'For years there can have been little doubt that this representative of C. svecica, with its more southern and western breeding area, must occur at intervals in Great Britain; but inasmuch as the females and immature of both forms are practically indistinguishable, it was only on October 6th, 1902, that an adult male with the characteristic white spot was picked up close to Dungeness Lighthouse, which it had struck, and was afterwards exhibited by Mr. M. J . Nicoll (Bull. B.O.C., XII. p. 14).'
Comment The articles relating to the 1876 Yorkshire record are intertwined with this record so they need reading in conjunction with this record. Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1905 Sussex Near Hastings, adult male, obtained, 1st September.
(W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 16: 34; E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist 1: 17-18; H. Saunders, British Birds 1: 8; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1905) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XVI. p. 34, at the 118th Meeting of the Club held on 15th November 1905 at the Restaurant Frascati, London, says: 'Mr. C. B. Ticehurst exhibited the following birds which had been obtained in Sussex: - "1. White-spotted Bluethroat (Erithacus cyaneculus). An adult male was shot near Hastings on September 1st, 1905, and brought to Mr. G. Bristow, taxidermist, of St. Leonards; it was seen by me on September 9th. This is the second example of this form which has occurred in England: the first, also an adult male, was picked up at Dungeness Light (situated about fifteen miles from the spot where the present example was obtained) on October 6th, 1902, and was exhibited by Mr. M. J. Nicoll [cf. Bull. B.O.C. XIII. no. xci, p. 14 (1902)].'
E. N. Bloomfield (1906) in the Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. I. pp. 17-18, says: 'I am indebted to Messrs. N. F. Ticehurst and W. Ruskin Butterfield for the following notices of rare birds which have occurred in our own and in neighbouring districts. In the Hastings district - Cyanecula lencoyanea, C. L. Brehm, White-spotted Bluethroat, near Hastings, September 15th, 1905, second British specimen, first for Sussex.'
Howard Saunders (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 8, under 'Additions to the List of British Birds since 1899', says: 'On September 1st, 1905, a similar adult male was obtained near Hastings, and was exhibited by Mr. C. B. Ticehurst (Bull., XVI. p. 34).'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 118).
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1911 Sussex Winchelsea, two, males: shot, 15th May, shot, 17th May.
(H. W. Ford-Lindsay, British Birds 4: 23; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 30: 185; E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist 2: 2; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History H. W. Ford-Lindsay (1911) in British Birds, Vol. IV. p. 23, says: 'On May 15th, 1911, a gentleman staying at Winchelsea secured two rarities, the first being a specimen of the White-spotted Bluethroat (Cyanecula wolfi), which was flying about the sloe bushes on the marshes at Pett. This is, I believe, only the second record for the county. The bird was a male in fine condition, the white spot being very conspicuous.'
W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1912) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXX. p. 185, on the unexpected occurrences for 1911, says: 'Several seen and two males shot at Pett (Sussex), May 15th and 17th.'
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1912 Sussex St. Leonards-on-Sea, immature male, found dead, 22nd September.
(N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 6: 187; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 34: 270; E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist 2: 42; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History N. F. Ticehurst (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 187, says: 'On the afternoon of September 22nd, 1912, Mrs. E. X. Compton, of "Summerfields", St. Leonards-on-Sea, found a small bird lying dead on the floor of her drawing-room. Seeing that it appeared to be something unusual, she sent it the next day to be stuffed.
It turned out to be an immature male Bluethroat, and it seems probable that it must have been caught by a eat, as the right half of its tail is missing. The bird has completed its first autumn moult and the silky-white patch above the lower blue of the gorget is quite well marked. On one side of the white spot there are two or three faint rusty flecks, but the spot itself is so evident that in spite of the great variation that is found in the gorget of young autumn Bluethroats, and the great difficulty and often impossibility of assigning a specimen to a definite race, I have little hesitation in the present instance in recording the bird as a specimen of the Central European form (L. svecica cyanecula). "Summerfields" is a large house standing in its own grounds in the centre of the town.'
W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1914) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXIV. p. 270, on the unexpected occurrences for 1913, says: 'Male found dead, St. Leonards-on-Sea (Sussex), September 22nd.'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 118).
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1942 Kent Hothfield, Ashford, seen, 2nd February.
(B. E. Belfield, British Birds 35: 274).
[BOU, 1971].
History Bruce E. Belfield (1942) in British Birds, Vol. XXXV. p. 274, says: 'On February 2nd, 1942, when I went out of the house at Hothfield, Ashford, Kent, shortly after 09: 00 hours, I noticed a bird about ten to twelve feet away on the snow-covered drive. The light was good, and I had the bird in view for about fifteen seconds before it flew away to an adjacent common.
I wrote out the following description before I looked at my only bird book, a copy of Morris: (1) Like a Robin, in both size and shape. (2) First seen facing away, for a second or two only - noticed some lightish feathers at the rump or base of the tail. (3) Bird then turned and faced me. The breast was a bright blue with a white patch in the centre. This was completely unmistakeable and definite. The patch was oval, with the shorter axis vertical. It was pure white and gleamed in the sun. (4) My impression of the rest of the plumage was vague as I was so engrossed with the appearance of the breast. The upper-parts were "sparrow-brown" with head and neck perhaps lighter than the back. The underparts were lightish grey.
My Morris gives a plate of the Bluebreast or Bluethroated Robin, which seemed to fit my description fairly well. I sent the above description to my brother at Oxford, who showed it to Mr. W. B. Alexander. The latter had no doubt that the bird was a White-spotted Bluethroat. I only regret that this rarity was not seen by a more competent observer. A copy of this letter is being sent to the Editor of The Field (see issue of March 28, 1942, p. 341).'
[Mr. Belfield has shown us that the blue of the breast ended approximately where it should in the Bluethroat. He did not notice any dividing colour between this and the light grey of the rest of the under-parts, but abrasion may have made the chestnut band inconspicuous and obviously the striking effect of the throat would distract attention from the other details in such a brief view. The "gleaming" white of the central spot is good evidence that the bird was of the white-spotted form, Luscinia s. cyanecula. - Eds., H. F. Witherby.]
Comment BOU (1971) state: ...very small numbers of L. s. cyanecula, particularly March to May. February 2nd being extremely early. Not acceptable.
