White-tailed Eagle (1/3)

Accipitridae

Aug 4

Haliaeetus albicilla (Linnaeus, 1758) (490, 1)

Photo © Rob Stonehouse - Stanhope, Co. Durham, 28 March 2015

Ex BBRC species 31/12/1998

STATUS

Palearctic. Polytypic.

OVERVIEW

Formerly known under two species, Cinereous Eagle and Sea Eagle, but Selby realised the former was the adult of the species.

Resident pair in Shetland until 1915 at least.

Depending on which author you used there were two spellings of Haliaeetus, or Haliaetus.

Specimens easily told apart as the White-tailed Eagle has bare legs to the toes, whereas, the legs are feathered to the toes in Golden Eagle.

This fact is not mentioned many times.

RECORDS

1). 1732 Lincolnshire Nocton, near Bardney, January, now at Grantham Museum.

(Lorand & Atkin, 1989).

History Lorand & Atkin (1989) state that one in Grantham Museum was obtained at Nocton, near Bardney during January 1732.

2). 1792 Staffordshire Cannock Chase, two, one shot, spring.

(Shaw, 1798; Montagu, 1802; W. E. Beckwith, Zoologist 1886: 487-488; Smith, 1939; Harrison et al., 1982; Harrison & Harrison, 2005).

History Montagu (1802) says: 'The bill is bluish black; cere, sides of the mouth, and orbits yellow; irides light hazel. The feathers on the head and upper part of the neck are long and narrow, dusky brown at their ends, tawny towards the base, and white at the roots; the whole body dark brown, intermixed with rust-colour; the tail and its coverts mottled with yellowish white, dark and faint ash-coloured brown; the quills are of a dark chocolate colour; the shafts white towards the base; the legs strong and yellow, feathered very little below the knee, and measuring two inches in circumference; the claws black; the inner one, which is largest, is two inches long, much hooked, and nearly one inch round at the base. The specimen from which this description is taken was killed by Sir Robert Littleton's game-keeper in Shropshire, early in the spring of 1792, and presented to me by Lord Valentia, and is now in my museum. It was accompanied by a letter from Sir Robert, the purport of which was that his servant, being out shooting, saw two large birds feeding on the carcase of a sheep, which appeared recently killed; that having nothing but small snipe-shot with him he turned back, intending to go home for larger; that the Eagles then followed him, and frequently came so near that he concluded they meant either to attack him or his dogs. Suddenly losing sight of one, he judged it was very near him behind, and, being somewhat alarmed, turned round and shot at it in a hurry; after which the bird flew some hundred yards, and dropped. On his approach it was vomiting blood; and he killed it after a struggle of half an hour. He adds: that it was the largest of the two. The other Eagle continued in the neighbourhood for some time after, and roosted in the high trees of a wood belonging to Sir Robert Littleton.'

William E. Beckwith of Eaton Constatine, Iron Bridge, Shropshire (1886) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. X. pp. 487-488, under 'Montagu's Record of the White-tailed Eagle in Shropshire', says: 'Can any one help me to clear up the following mystery? Montagu, in his Ornithological Dictionary, says that the Sea Eagle from which he took his description was killed by Sir Robert Lyttleton's keeper in Shropshire. On looking to see in what part of the county Sir Robert had property I cannot find that he existed. There is nobody of that name amongst the Baronets or Knights in 1792. In Plot's Staffordshire, however, there is this curious statement - that two Golden Eagles were killed on Cannock Chase by Sir Edward Lyttleton's gamekeeper; and what is more odd, both authors say: they were "feeding on a dead sheep". Yet one cannot imagine such an accurate man as Montagu, even if the species were the same, calling Sir Edward "Sir Robert" and placing Cannock Chase in Shropshire, especially as he says his specimen was accompanied by a "letter from Sir Robert", and therefore would have his signature attached. Lord Valentia, too, who gave Montagu the Eagle, and who then lived at Anley Castle, near Bewdley, would at once have corrected his error in geography. I think in some edition of the Ornithological Dictionary I have seen Stoke St Milburgh mentioned as the place where the Eagle was shot, but I cannot find it. Are there any notes of localities where Montagu's specimens were obtained? Any hints on the subject will be very acceptable.'

Smith (1939: 158-159) says: "Mr. W. E. Beckwith wrote (Trans. Shrop. Arch. Nat. Hist. Soc., 1887), that Montagu in his Ornithological Dictionary, 1802, under the article Sea Eagle, after minutely describing the species goes on to say: '....Mr. Beckwith considered that Montagu's account really referred to the Cannock Chase occurrence and remarked that "after searching and causing diligent search to be made, I cannot trace a Sir Robert Littleton who possessed property in this county at that time, or discover that such a man even existed. Moreover in Shaw's History and Antiquities of Staffordshire, 1798, which contains a sketch of the Zoology of that county, contributed by J. H. Dickenson, the following remarkable passage occurs in his notice of the Golden Eagle: - "A few years since, two birds of this species were discovered on Cannock Chase, preying upon the carcase of a sheep, one of which was shot by Sir Edward Littleton's gamekeeper". It seems therefore fair to assume that, as the two statements agree in several particulars, though differing materially in others, and as no Sir Robert Littleton was living in the year 1792, the Sea Eagle described by Montagu, was killed in Staffordshire, and sent to Lord Valencia by Sir Edward Littleton; and that it is the same bird noticed by Dickenson, who made the mistake of calling it a Golden Eagle.'

4). 1792 Essex/Greater London Epping Forest, shot, undated.

(Montagu, 1802; Self, 2014).

History Montagu (1802) says: 'Another of this species was shot in Epping Forest a few weeks before.'

Comment 'A few weeks before' the previous record of 1792 or 'a few weeks before' 1802?

5). 1793 Berkshire Wantage Downs, shot, January.

(A. & H. Matthews, Zoologist 1849: 2594).

History A. & H. Matthews (1849) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VII. p. 2594, say: 'A bird of this species was shot on Wantage Downs, Berkshire, in January, 1793. - Dr. T.'

Comment Dr. T. = Dr. Tomkins of Abingdon, Oxfordshire.

6). 1802 Norfolk Weeting, caught alive, 16th January.

(Norfolk Chronicle Jan., 1802; P. R. Allard, Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report 2011: 15).

History P. R. Allard (2011) in the Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report, p. 15, quoting the Norfolk Chronicle as his source and under 'Additional Norfolk Records of White-tailed Eagle', says: 'January 1902. A fine grey eagle was taken alive (on 16th January) in a trap on the estate of Lord Montrath at Weeting. It measured from extremity of each wing seven feet and eight inches and from the beak to the tail nearly four feet. (This is believed to be the individual mentioned in Birds New to Norfolk as being seen in captivity at Snettisham in 1818).'

7). 1803 Norfolk Near Great Yarmouth, four: two pairs, shot, March.

(Norfolk Chronicle 19th March, 1803; P. R. Allard, Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report 2011: 15).

History P. R. Allard (2011) in the Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report, p. 15, quoting the Norfolk Chronicle as his source and under 'Additional Norfolk Records of White-tailed Eagle', says: '19th March 1803. Two pairs of eagles were lately shot near Yarmouth. One pair measured and weighed as follows: Female, length three feet and four inches, extent of wings eight feet, weight nine and three quarter pounds. Male, length two feet and nine inches, extent of wings seven feet and one inch, weight nine and a quarter pounds.'

11). 1805 Suffolk Hintlesham Hall, shot, late January.

(Bury Post 6th Feb., 1905; Babington, 1884-86).

History Babington (1884-86: 23) says: 'An eagle, no doubt this species, six feet nine inches from wing to wing, lately shot by the gamekeeper of Mr. R. S. Lloyd, of Hintlesham Hall (Bury Post, Feb., 6, 1805).'

12). 1805 Norfolk Cantley, pair, one shot, 18th October.

(Norfolk Chronicle Oct., 1805; P. R. Allard, Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report 2011: 15).

History P. R. Allard (2011) in the Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report, p. 15, quoting the Norfolk Chronicle as his source and under 'Additional Norfolk Records of White-tailed Eagle', says: 'October 1805. One of a pair of eagles was shot (on 18th October) at Cantley. The extended wings measured seven feet and four and a half inches and the bird was over two and a half feet in height.'

14). 1805 Somerset Near Nether Stowey, immature, shot, late December or early January 1806.

(D. K. Ballance, Somerset Birds 2003: 161).

History D. K. Ballance (2003) in Somerset Birds, p. 161, states that during the winter of 1805/06 an immature was shot by Mr. Sweeting of Woodland, near Nether Stowey, in either late December 1805 or early January 1806 (R. Anstice).

15). 1807 Yorkshire Stonegate Moor, near Danby Lodge, shot, December.

(W. E. Clarke, Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalist Union 1877: 3).

History William Eagle Clarke (1877) in the Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalist Union, p. 3, says: 'In Graves' History of Cleveland one is mentioned as having been shot in December 1807, at Staingate, near Danby Lodge, and is possibly the one referred to in the next paragraph. Mr. Thomas Stevenson has kindly obtained for me information of one shot at Stonegate Ghyll many years ago by a man named Pringles whilst poaching by moonlight. This is now in the possession of Mr. Page of Guisborough.'

16). 1810 Berkshire Donnington, near Newbury, shot, January.

(J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1880: 318).

History J. E. Harting, Editor (1880) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. IV. p. 318, quoting from Dr. Lamb's 'Ornithologia Bercheria', says: 'F. haliaetus. One shot at Donnington, near Newbury, in January, 1810.'

17). 1810 Berkshire Near Pangbourne, shot, January.

(J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1880: 318).

History J. E. Harting, Editor (1880) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. IV. p. 318, quoting from Dr. Lamb's 'Ornithologia Bercheria', says: 'F. haliaetus. One shot near the Thames at Pangbourne…in January 1810.'

18). 1810 Lincolnshire Revesby Estate, Boston, killed, March.

(Bullock, 1812).

History Bullock (1812: 39-40) says: 'This extremely fine species, which measured 7 feet 9 inches in the extent of its wings, was killed in March, 1810, in Lincolnshire, in the park of Sir Joseph Banks, by whom it was presented to the Museum.'

19). 1811 Norfolk Mautby, January.

(Paget & Paget, 1834; Patterson, 1905; P. R. Allard, Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report 2011: 15).

History Paget & Paget (1834: 3) lists 'Mautby, January, 1811', without any further information.

20). 1815 Norfolk Rollesby, female, killed, 20th January.

(Norfolk Chronicle Jan., 1815; Hunt, 1815; Paget & Paget, 1834; Patterson, 1905; P. R. Allard, Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report 2011: 15).

History Hunt (1815 (1): 10) says: 'A female now before us was shot at Rollesby, near Great Yarmouth, on the 20th of January, 1815. It measured three feet two inches in length, and seven feet eight inches in breadth, and weighed ten pounds and a half. It differs but little in the colour of the plumage from the male....The female before noticed was observed, at different times, before it was killed, to pounce upon, and to carry away, wild fowl from out of the decoy.'

Paget & Paget (1834: 3) lists 'Rollesby, January, 1815', without any further information.

P. R. Allard (2011) in the Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report, p. 15, quoting the Norfolk Chronicle as his source and under 'Additional Norfolk Records of White-tailed Eagle', says: 'January 1815. A Sea Eagle measuring seven feet and six inches from tip to tip of its expanded wings and three feet from the crown of its head to the end of its tail was killed at Rollesby.'

21). 1815 Norfolk Gunton, immature male, shot, February.

(Hunt, 1815).

History Hunt (1815 (1): 9-10) says: 'It will be observed, that our figure does not exactly correspond with the specific character given by Linnaeus, the tail feathers not being white on the inner side; but we pledge ourselves for the correctness of the drawing in that respect, having had several specimens to compare, and not less than three during the spring of the present year, (1815).

A beautiful specimen of the male of this bird was shot at Gunton, in the county of Norfolk, in the month of February, from which our drawing was made. It measured two feet nine inches in length and seven feet in breadth, and weighed seven pounds and a half.'

22). Pre 1816 Kent No locality, adult male, undated.

(Leach, 1816; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).

History Ticehurst (1909: 275) says: 'The earliest specimen pf which we have any knowledge is an adult male that was formerly in Montagu's collection, and must have been obtained at the beginning of the last century, as it is mentioned in Leach's Catalogue of Indigenous Birds in the British Museum (1816).'

23). 1817 Gower Clyne Wood, shot, December.

(Dillwyn, 1848; Grenfell & Thomas, 1982).

History Grenfell & Thomas (1982) state that Dillwyn (1848) reported one in December 1817 that was shot by the Duke of Beaufort's keeper in Clyne Wood.

24). Pre 1818 Yorkshire Near Hessle, obtained, undated.

(A. Woodruffe-Peacock, Naturalist 21: 332; Nelson, 1907).

History A. Woodruffe-Peacock (1895) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XXI. p. 332, under 'Old Yorkshire Bird Notes', says: 'From a copy of T. Bewick's British Birds, Newcastle, 1809, belonging to my brother, purchased about the time of publication by my father's maternal grandfather, Michael Woodcock, surgeon, of Hemsworth, the following notes are taken. They are made in pencil on the margin of the page, and appear all to fall between the dates 1810 and 1818. The nomenclature, English and Latin, is Thomas Bewick's. The White-tailed Eagle (Falco albicilla L.). - "One shot at Hessle a few years ago (p. 51)". No doubt this could be traced in the local papers of the time.'

Nelson (1907) says: 'Mr. A. Woodruffe-Peacock announced (Naturalist 1895: 332), the discovery of a record of this species, obtained near Hessle between 1810 and 1818, which had been noted in a old copy of Bewick's British Birds formerly in the possession of Mr. Michael Woodcock, surgeon, of Hemsworth.'

25). 1818 East Glamorgan Kenfig, two, caught, undated.

(Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society 31: 18; Heathcote, Griffin & Morrey Salmon, 1967).

History Cardiff Naturalists' Society (1900) in the Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Vol. XXXI. p. 18, say: 'Rev. E. Doddridge Knight records that two were caught at Kenfig Burrows in 1818.' Heathcote, Griffin & Morrey-Salmon (1967) say: 'Doddridge Knight may not have been quite accurate in his statement, since there is, in the National Museum of Wales, a water-colour by Wm. Weston Young depicting a pair of eagles, the female of which is shown with her right foot caught in a gin-trap. A contemporary note is attached, apparently in the handwriting of the artist, stating that the bird was taken in 1816 at Kenfig but that the male, though remaining in the area for some time after, could not be caught "by any contrivance". It is also stated that the female was left in the trap for a day in the hope of enticing her mate to within range of a gun.'

27). c. 1819 Lincolnshire Ancholme Carrs, seen, undated.

(M. Peacock, Naturalist 34: 400; Lorand & Atkin, 1989).

History Max Peacock of Cadnam, Brigg (1908) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XXXIV. p. 400, says: 'White-tailed Eagle. Has drifted into this district down the Humber. Mrs. H. Abey, of Cadney, told the vicar that one frequented the Ancholme Carrs, then unenclosed, about 1819. This perhaps is the same specimen the late Sir Charles Anderson recorded in his Short Guide to Lincolnshire, Gainsborough, 1847.'

28). 1819 Northumberland Chillingham Park, shot, undated.

(Selby, 1825; P. J. Selby, Transactions of the Natural History Society of Northumberland and Durham 1831: 245; Yarrell, 1845; Hancock, 1874; Galloway & Meek, 1978).

History P. J. Selby (1831) in the Transactions of the Natural History Society of Northumberland and Durham, Vol. I. p. 245, says: 'A few years ago, three were shot in Chillingham Park, where they were accustomed to feed upon the fallen deer.'

Hancock (1874: 2-3) says: 'In Selby's Catalogue three White-tailed Eagles are stated to have been shot at Chillingham Park a few years before the publication of that catalogue (1831).'

Comment This one and two in 1820.

29). 1820 Northumberland Chillingham Park, two, shot, undated.

(P. J. Selby, Transactions of the Natural History Society of Northumberland and Durham 1831: 245; Yarrell, 1845; Hancock, 1874; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83).

Hancock (1874: 2-3) says: 'In Selby's Catalogue three White-tailed Eagles are stated to have been shot at Chillingham Park a few years before the publication of that catalogue (1831).'

Comment These two and one in 1819.

31). 1820-21 Suffolk Gunton, undated.

(Paget & Paget, 1834; Babington, 1884-86).

History Paget & Paget (1834: 3) lists 'Gunton, 1820', without any further information or date. Accepted locally (Babington 1884-86: 22).

32). 1823 Norfolk Gawdy Hall, near Harleston, immature, shot, 29th January.

(Anon, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 3: 254).

History Anon. (1879-84) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. III. p. 254, quoting from the diaries of William Whitear, it says: '1823. January 29th, a Sea Eagle was shot in the wood at Gawdy Hall, length 2 ft.11 ins., breadth 6 ft. 4 ins., weight 9¼ lbs. The winter was very severe, and the months of February and March wet and cold, with a considerable fall of snow in the middle of March.' Further, in a footnote, Thomas Southwell adds: 'This bird, which is still preserved at Gawdy Hall, is in immature plumage, in which stage alone has it been known to occur in Norfolk (see Lubbock's Fauna of Norfolk, ed., 2, p. 19, note).'

33). 1823 Cleveland/Co. Durham/Yorkshire Teesmouth, Durham, shot, 5th November.

(J. Hogg, Zoologist 1845: 1051-1052; Nelson, 1907; Temperley, 1951).

History J. Hogg (1845) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. III. pp. 1051-1052, says: 'I am glad of this opportunity to state that the eagle shot near the Tees, in Cleveland, by Mr. Rudd, 5th November, 1823, and incorrectly recorded in my Catalogue of Birds appended to Brewster's History of Stockton No. 4, as the Golden Eagle, proved, upon a personal examination, to be H. albicilla, at the time that catalogue was written.'

34). 1824 Dorset Moors River, Christchurch area, Hampshire, shot, 21st February.

(Green, 2004)

History Green (2004) gives four 19th century records from south-west Hampshire [now Dorset] of which one was shot on the Moors River on 21st February 1824.

35). c. 1825 Dumfries & Galloway Moffat Water, found dead, undated.

(Morris, 1863-67; Gladstone, 1910, 1923).

History Morris (1863-67 (1): 10-11, reissue) says: 'On one occasion, a large salmon was found dead on the shore of Moffat water, and an immense Erne lifeless also beside it, having met its fate by being hooked by its own claws to a fish too large and powerful for it to carry off - an unwilling example of 'the ruling passion strong in death', and an unwonted passage in the life and death of a fish, in whose case the usual order of things in the matter of hooking was reversed.'

Gladstone (1923: 72-73) says: 'I have only recently come across the original tale: - "Some years ago [circa 1825] a large salmon was found dead, and an immense eagle [Sea Eagle] drowned beside it, with the claws of the one stuck into the back of the other, upon the banks of Moffat Water. A few days before, a party of young men had started on a Sunday night to spear salmon by the light of a blazing torch; Moffat Water, from its general shallowness, and the nakedness and level character of its banks, offering unwanted facilities for this sport. The parties had scarcely begun to search the pools, when they were astonished with some strange noise that came "splash, splash" upon them; and soon a huge pair of wings appeared, magnified by the uncertain light, and accompanied with other startling and uncertain noises. The phenomena floated past, almost among their feet, and the young men terrified and impressed with the idea that an apparition had appeared to warn them of the danger of misspending the Sabbath day, left their sport and returned home. The circumstance was kept a profound secret, until the discovery of the cause of the phenomena relieved the youths from the fears which it had excited.'

36). 1825 Somerset Quantocks, undated.

(C. Smith, Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society 1870: 42).

History C. Smith (1870) in the Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society, Vol. XVI. p. 42, says: 'One on the Quantocks, 1825.'

37). 1827 Norfolk Near Fritton Decoy, shot, 2nd February, now at Castle Museum, Norwich.

(Norfolk Chronicle Feb., 1827; P. R. Allard, Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report 2011: 15).

History P. R. Allard (2011) in the Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report, p. 15, quoting the Norfolk Chronicle as his source and under 'Additional Norfolk Records of White-tailed Eagle', says: 'February 1827. A fine specimen of the Sea Eagle was shot (on 2nd February) near Fritton Decoy. It measured from tip to tip of its wings seven feet and nine inches and was presented to the Norwich Museum.'

38). 1827 Hampshire The Solent, seen, 10th February.

(Payne-Gallwey, 1893; Kelsall & Munn, 1905).

History Kelsall & Munn (1905: 156) say: 'In the Solent, Hawker several times came across it. On February 10th, 1827, he writes in his "Diary": - "Reade paddled me up to within 130 yards of a huge Sea Eagle. I let fly, beat him down, and then up he got, and went away out of sight".'

39). 1827 Highland Cape Wrath, Sutherland, immature, caught, summer.

(Macgillivray, 1836).

History Macgillivray (1836: 79-80) says: 'I am happy, through the kindness of my esteemed friend Dr. Neill, to whom many of the cultivators of every branch of Natural History are indebted for valuable additions to their store of information, for the following history of a beautiful bird of this species, which is at present, May 1835, in perfect plumage. "The eagle was presented to me by my friend Mr. James Slight, in the autumn of 1827, when in immature plumage, or indeed scarcely fully fledged. He informed me that he had procured it at Cape Wrath, in Sutherlandshire, and that it had been taken from the eyry on the cliffs of that Cape in the summer of that year. Next season, 1828, it became generally of a dark brown colour, with a very few whitish spots about the tail. At the moult of 1829, the white colour of the tail-feathers became much more conspicuous, and the bird seemed altogether of a lighter brown. Mr. Audubon saw the young bird at Canonmills in 1827, and again in 1834, when in adult plumage".'

40). 1827 Norfolk Ormesby, December.

(Paget & Paget, 1834; Patterson, 1905).

History Paget & Paget (1834: 3) lists 'Ormesby, December, 1827', without any further information.

41). 1827-28 Kent Near Dover, immature, caught, winter.

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

History Thompson (1845) says: 'In the severe winter of 1827 a famished Sea Eagle, attacked a market woman in the neighbourhood of Dover, who only escaped from her danger by throwing her cloak over the bird, which was thus disabled and secured.'

Ticehurst (1909: 275) adds: 'This, like most others, was an immature bird, and with another, obtained at Canterbury prior to 1845, is now in the Dover Museum.'

Comment All Dover Museum specimens were lost in the second world war.

42). 1828 East Glamorgan No locality, picked up, 7th March.

(Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society 31: 18; Heathcote, Griffin & Morrey Salmon, 1967).

History Cardiff Naturalists' Society (1900) in the Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Vol. XXXI. p. 18, say: 'Rev. E. Doddridge Knight records that...two others were seen during the severe frost of 1830...'

Heathcote, Griffin & Morrey Salmon (1967) say: 'There are still in existence two specimens at Penrice that were recently examined which may be associated with these 1830 birds. These two specimens are recorded on their cases, in apparently contemporary hand-writing; the first simply with the date "March 7th, 1828" and the second, dated March 2nd, 1831, with the legend "shot by Isaac Stubbs, Cwm Malwg". Cwm Maelwg is, of course, at Margam and the birds, after being mounted, were perhaps then taken to Penrice or possibly moved there from Margam at a later date.'

43). 1828-29 Norfolk Horsey Warren, five, seen, winter.

(Lubbock, 1845, 1879; Stevenson, 1866; Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999).

History Lubbock (1845) says: 'The late Mr. Girdlestone, of Yarmouth, told me he had three of these eagles in sight at once, during some severe weather in the year 1827. This was upon Horsey warren.' Stevenson (1866) Vol. I. p. 4, says: 'The late Mr. Girdlestone, of Yarmouth, also informed Mr. Lubbock that in the sharp winter of 1837 "he had three of these eagles in sight at once" on Horsey warren.'

Thomas Southwell (1879: 20, 2nd ed.) in Lubbock's Norfolk Fauna, in a footnote, adds: 'Mr. Girdleston "saw five at once hovering over different parts of Horsey warren". The Rev. J. Burroughes also informed Mr. Lubbock that he saw several during that year.'

Comment It would appear that Stevenson has erroneously stated 1837 for 1827, which was later corrected for 1828-29 and was the number of birds seen. Girdlestone died in 1831.

48). 1828-29 Northumberland Holy Island, immature female, killed, winter.

(P. J. Selby, Transactions of the Natural History Society of Northumberland and Durham 1831: 245; Selby, 1833; Hancock, 1874; Bolam, 1912).

History P. J. Selby (1831) in the Transactions of the Natural History Society of Northumberland and Durham, Vol. I. p. 245, says: 'In the winter of 1828, two immature birds (one of which is now in my collection) were killed upon the coast, one at Holy Island, the other upon the shore at Scremmerstone, near Berwick.'

Selby (1833 (1): 20) adds: 'In February 1828, two eagles of this species were killed upon the Northumbrian Coast: the other at Holy Island, and now in my collection, having been kindly presented to me by John Donaldson, Esq. of Cheswick. They were both immature birds, apparently about two years and a half old, having undergone two moultings. The bird presented to me proved to be a female; the sex of the other was not ascertained. It is probable, from being both of the same age, and killed within a few miles of each other, that they had belonged to the same eyry, and had continued associated from the time of quitting the nest.'

Hancock (1874: 3) says: 'It is stated in Selby (1831) that in the winter of 1828 an immature was killed upon the coast at Holy Island.'

Comment The book I referred to was published in 1833.

49). 1828-29 Northumberland Scremerston, immature, killed, winter.

(P. J. Selby, Transactions of the Natural History Society of Northumberland and Durham 1831: 245; Selby, 1833; Hancock, 1874; Bolam, 1912).

Selby (1833 (1): 20) adds: 'In February 1828, two eagles of this species were killed upon the Northumbrian Coast: one near to Scremmerstone, and now in the possession of Robert Wilkie, Esq. of Ladythorn....They were both immature birds, apparently about two years and a half old, having undergone two moultings.'

Hancock (1874: 3) says: 'It is stated in Selby (1831) that in the winter of 1828 an immature was killed at Scremerston.'

50). 1829 Hampshire Keyhaven, seen, 28th December.

(Payne-Gallwey, 1893; Kelsall & Munn, 1905).

History Kelsall & Munn (1905: 156) say: 'In the Solent, Hawker several times came across it. On December 28th, 1829, he notes from Keyhaven: "Saw one Eagle".'

51). 1829 Norfolk Ormesby, two, undated.

(Paget & Paget, 1834; J. H. Gurney, jun., Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 2: 19; Patterson, 1905).

History Paget & Paget (1834: 3) lists Ormesby, two, 1829, without any further information.

J. H. Gurney, jun., in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. II. p. 19, says: 'The late Miss Anna Gurney, of Northrepps Cottage, kept for some years notes of zoological occurrences in that neighbourhood as she deemed worthy of record. "1829. Jan. An eagle seen at Felbrigg, Beeston and Gunton".'

Comment Probably relates to one of the above.

53). c. 1829 Suffolk Fritton Decoy, obtained, undated, now at Castle Museum, Norwich.

(Hunt, 1829; Babington, 1884-86).

History Babington (1884-86: 22) says: 'One taken at Fritton Decoy (not later than 1829; in the Norwich Museum (Hunt, in Stacey's Hist. of Norfolk, (1829) lix).'

54). 1829-30 Suffolk River Stour and River Orwell area, three, winter.

(J. D. Hoy, Loudon's Magazine of Natural History 3: 436).

History J. D. Hoy (1830) in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. III. p. 436, says: 'Autumn and Winter of 1829 and 1830. Sea Eagle. Three other birds, apparently of the same species, frequented the River Stour and Orwell for some time during the cold weather.'

57). 1829-30 Essex Stour Wood, Harwich, shot, winter.

(J. D. Hoy, Loudon's Magazine of Natural History 3: 436; Glegg, 1929).

History J. D. Hoy (1830) in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. III. p. 436, says: 'Autumn and Winter of 1829 and 1830. Sea Eagle. Shot in Stour Wood, near Harwich.' Accepted locally (Christy 1890: 167).

58). Pre 1830 Devon Near Eddystone Lighthouse, immature, caught, undated.

(E. Moore, Transactions of the Plymouth Institution 1830: 295; E. Moore, Charlesworth’s Magazine of Natural History 1: 114; Penhallurick, 1978).

History Edward Moore of Plymouth (1830) in the Transactions of the Plymouth Institution, Vol. I. p. 295, says: 'One of these birds caught at the Eddystone a few years ago, and preserved alive for sometime, by the late Addis Archer, Esq. of Leigham; an accurate drawing of which I have seen in the possession of Mr. Gosling.'

Edward Moore (1837) in Charlesworth’s Magazine of Natural History, Vol. I. p. 114, under 'Birds of Devonshire', dated 7th January, 1837, says: 'A specimen caught near the Eddystone was kept alive some years by the late Addis Archer, Esq., at Leigham, near Plymouth.'

59). 1830 Northumberland Morpeth High House, killed, January, now at Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

(P. J. Selby, Transactions of the Natural History Society of Northumberland and Durham 1831: 245; Hancock, 1874; J. T. T. Reed, Naturalist 12: 75; Howse, 1899; Bolam, 1912).

History P. J. Selby (1831) in the Transactions of the Natural History Society of Northumberland and Durham, Vol. I. p. 245, says: 'Another was lately killed in the neighbourhood of Morpeth.'

Hancock (1874: 3) says: 'I add the capture of an immature specimen, in 1837, at Morpeth High House. This fine example is in the Newcastle Museum.'

J. T. T. Reed (1887) in The Naturalist, Vol. XII. p. 75, under 'Local Specimens of Rare Birds in the Museum at Newcastle-on-Tyne', says: 'White-tailed Eagle - Only one local specimen in the Museum. It was captured near Morpeth in January 1830. Presented by Mr. John Moore. Stuffed by Mr. Wingate. This specimen was in the Old Museum, and is not one of the Hancock Collection.'

Howse (1899: 5) in his Index-Catalogue of the Birds in the Hancock Collection, says: 'Case No. 9. First plumage. Shot near Morpeth, Jan., 1830. Presented by John Moore, Esq. Stuffed by R. R. Wingate. From Old Museum Collection.'

Comment I have gone with Reed's date, presuming he has inspected the specimen in the museum.

60). 1830 Norfolk Holkham Park, shot, early June.

(Norfolk Chronicle June, 1830; P. R. Allard, Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report 2011: 15).

History P. R. Allard (2011) in the Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report, p. 15, quoting the Norfolk Chronicle as his source and under 'Additional Norfolk Records of White-tailed Eagle', says: 'June 1830. A grey eagle was shot in Holkham Park (in the first half of the month). It weighed nine and three quarters pounds, measured two and a half inches round the smallest part of the leg, three feet from the point of the beak to the tip of the tail, and seven feet and two inches from the tip of wing to the other.'

61). 1830-31 Northumberland Holy Island and area, seen, winter.

(P. J. Selby, Transactions of the Natural History Society of Northumberland and Durham 1831: 245).

History P. J. Selby (1831) in the Transactions of the Natural History Society of Northumberland and Durham, Vol. I. p. 245, read 21st Feb., 1831, says: 'During the past winter, a very large bird of this species, haunted Holy Island, and the adjoining coast.'

62). 1831 Norfolk Beeston, seen, 27th January.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 2: 20).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. II. p. 20, says: 'The late Miss Anna Gurney, of Northrepps Cottage, kept for some years notes of zoological occurrences in that neighbourhood as she deemed worthy of record. "1831. Jan. 27. An eagle seen at Beeston".'

63). 1831 East Glamorgan No locality, picked up dead, 2nd March.

(Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society 31: 18; Heathcote, Griffin & Morrey Salmon, 1967).

64). 1831 Suffolk No locality, immature female, shot, winter.

(Meyer, 1842).

History Meyer (1842 (1): 13) says: 'Another specimen, a young female, was shot in Suffolk in the winter of 1831, the dimensions of which will be subjoined.' Further, p. 15, he adds: 'The following dimensions were taken from the bird mentioned in the preceding page - a female: - Entire length three feet and a quarter; expanse from wing to wing seven feet and a quarter; weight eight pounds and a half; expanse of foot, including the claws, seven inches; girth of leg two inches; length of hind and inner claws one inch and a half; length of the longest quill-feather twenty inches; of the longest tail-feather fourteen. The beak is three inches from the forehead to the tip; three and a half inches from the tip to the gape.'

65). 1832 Norfolk Sheringham, seen, 28th January.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 2: 21).

History J. H. Gurney, jun. (1874-79) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. II. p. 21, says: 'The late Miss Anna Gurney, of Northrepps Cottage, kept for some years notes of zoological occurrences in that neighbourhood as she deemed worthy of record. "1832. Jan. 28. A large eagle seen at Sheringham".'

66). 1832 Devon Dartmoor, seen, summer; probably same, Kingsbridge, shot, October.

(E. Moore, Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History 1: 114).

History Edward Moore of Plymouth (1837) in Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. I. p. 114, under 'Birds of Devonshire' dated 7th January, 1837, says: 'In the summer of 1832, one was frequently seen by the gentlemen of the hunt, hovering over Dartmoor; and in October of that year, a fine specimen (probably the same) was shot near Kingsbridge, by W. Elliott, Esq., in whose possession it still remains. It is mottled all over with brown and white; legs yellow; bill and claws black; feathers extending very little below the knee.'

67). 1832 Suffolk Brandon, two, immatures, trapped, December.

("H.T." Loudon's Magazine of Natural History 6: 448-449; J. D. Hoy, Loudon's Magazine of Natural History 7: 52-53; Babington, 1884-86).

History "H.T." of Bury St. Edmunds (1833) in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. VI. pp. 448-449, dated 1st March, 1833, says: 'I am sorry I cannot state of which species, were observed, previously to Christmas of 1832, upon Brandon rabbit warren, in Norfolk, about which place they had remained some time, and committed unwelcome havoc among the rabbits. The warreners made several unsuccessful attempts to shoot them, but at length both were caught in large iron traps each baited with a rabbit. One of the Eagles, it is reported, after becoming entrapped, removed the trap, of seven pounds weight, by its efforts, to the distance of twenty yards, and was even after this taken alive. It is said that its wings measured seven feet in extent. Their roosting-place was found to be in a plantation of fir trees in the neighbourhood; and the ground around the trees on which they roosted, it is said, was found covered with the skins of rabbits. Brandon Warren is about thirteen or fourteen miles from Bury St. Edmunds. I wish some correspondent who saw the captured birds would tell us their species, and what additional authentic facts he knows respecting them.'

J. D. Hoy of Stoke Nayland (1834) in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. VII. pp. 52-53, says: 'Two eagles of the Cinereous or White-tailed species (Falco albicilla), but in the plumage of the Sea Eagle, were, in December, 1832, trapped on a rabbit warren, near Thetford, [and it may be assumed, from Mr. Hoy's heading, on the Suffolk side of this town, which itself is just within the boundary of the county of Norfolk]. They had been observed for some time in the neighbourhood. One of the eagles carried a heavy trap a considerable distance, I believe, nearly half a mile, and was secured with some difficulty. One was apparently in its first year's plumage: the other, from its lighter-coloured feathers, and the tail-feathers possessing more white, was probably a year older. They were both presented to me by G. Gardiner, Esq., of Thetford. They are the very birds to which the remarks and query (VI. 448.) of H. T. of Bury St. Edmunds relate.'

Babington (1884-86: 23) says: 'Two trapped on a warren, near Thetford, in the winter of 1832-3 (Hoy, in Loudon's Mag. N. H. VIII. (1834), p. 52).'

69). c. 1832 Essex Shoeburyness, shot, undated.

(Glegg, 1929).

History Glegg (1929: 147) says: 'This specimen was shot by Mr. C. D. Knapping at Shoeburyness, probably in 1832, and remained on show at Sutton's Manor, Shoebury, until 1890, when Mr. H. W. M. King, of Wood Green, became the owner. It was exhibited at a meeting of the Essex Field Club, on 17th May 1890.'

70). 1833 East Glamorgan Newton, 29th January.

(Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society 31: 18; Heathcote, 1967).

History Cardiff Naturalists' Society (1900) in the Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Vol. XXXI. p. 18, say: 'Rev. E. Doddridge Knight records that...one at Newton on the rabbit warren, January 29th, 1833.'

71). 1834 Dumfries & Galloway Lochmaben, caught, spring.

(Macgillivray, 1836).

History Macgillivray (1836: 83) says: 'A beautiful live specimen, which had been caught, at Lochmaben, in a trap set for vermin, and was seen by me in Edinburgh, on the 30th April 1834.'

72). 1834 Norfolk Near Northrepps, two, seen, mid-November.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 2: 21).

74). 1834 Norfolk Buckenham, immature, shot, 6th December.

(J. D. Salmon, Loudon's Magazine of Natural History 9: 526-527).

History J. D. Salmon (1836) in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. IX. pp. 526-527, says: 'A very fine specimen, but in the plumage of the Falco ossifragus of authors, was shot at Buckenham, on the 6th of December, 1834: it weighed 9 lb., and measured 3 ft. from the point of the bill to the extremity of the tail, and 7 ft. 2 in. from tip to tip of the wings. It appears that all the individuals previously noted as having been captured in this and the adjoining county (Suffolk) were taken during the months of December and January, and invariably with immature plumage. From this circumstance, and in the absence of any notice of the capture of an adult bird, I suspect that the young birds alone are migratory, and that this noble bird, when in perfect plumage, is of rare occurrence in this part of the country.'

75). 1834 Devon Bridestowe, killed, undated.

(Moore, 1848; Pidsley, 1891).

History Edward Moore (1848) under 'Ornithology of Dartmoor', in Samuel Rowe's Perambulation etc., says: 'One at Drew's, was shot in 1834, near Bridestow.'

Pidsley (1891: 75) says: 'Dr. Moore also records a bird of this species...and a second killed near Bridestowe in 1834.'

76). 1835 Co. Durham Ravensworth Estate, Gateshead, seen, February.

(Hancock, 1874; Temperley, 1951).

History Hancock (1874) says: 'Many year ago, as I was walking by Lambton Park wall, near Lumley Thicks, a bird of this species flew across my path, with several Rooks in pursuit, and went into the park. It remained there for a few days, when I again had an opportunity of seeing it. It afterwards went to Ravensworth, where it sojourned for some time, and ultimately made a safe retreat.' Temperley (1951) adds: 'An extant letter written by Lord Ravensworth to Hancock states that "it remained for the whole winter...I have seen him scores of times". M. A. Richardson in his Local Historians' Table Book gave the date as February, 1835.'

77). 1835 Essex Near Shoeburyness, adult, shot, 1st August.

(Christy, 1890; Glegg, 1929).

History Christy (1890: 168) says: 'One killed at South Shoebury - probably the fine adult shot there on 1st August 1835, and still in the Parsons collection.'

Glegg (1929: 147) adds: 'It now seems clear that two were taken at Shoebury....This specimen is now at Southend [Museum].'

78). 1835 Norfolk Near Cromer, shot, 26th October.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 2: 21).

79). 1835 Norfolk Hunstanton, male, shot, 14th December.

(Bury and Suffolk Herald, 16th Dec., 1835; H. Turner, Loudon's Magazine of Natural History 9: 203; Norfolk Chronicle Dec., 1835; P. R. Allard, Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report 2011: 15).

History H. Turner of Bury St Edmunds (1836) in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. IX. p. 203, says: 'A fine male individual was shot on Dec. 14. 1835, upon the estate of Mrs. Styleman, Hunstanton Hall, by the keeper. The crop and stomach contained nearly fifteen herrings. The distance from tip to tip of its extended wings was 7 ft. 3 in. It is now preserved, at Mr. Thomas Knight's, preserver of birds and animals, London Street, Norwich (Bury and Suffolk Herald, Dec. 16. 1835. - The notice sent to this Magazine by H Turner).'

80). Pre 1836 Dumfries & Galloway No locality, Galloway, adult female, obtained, undated.

(Macgillivray, 1836).

History Macgillivray (1836: 83) says: 'An old female, from Galloway, preserved in the Museum of the University of Edinburgh, are or were all in the same adult plumage as that of Dr. Neill’s.'

81). 1836 Cleveland/Yorkshire Near Marske Church, killed, October.

(W. E. Clarke, Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalist Union 1877: 4; Nelson, 1907).

History William Eagle Clarke (1877) in the Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalist Union, p. 4, says: 'Mr. C. C. Oxley has in his collection an eagle of this species, shot near Marske Church in October 1836. This is the bird recorded by Mr. John Grey as a Golden Eagle, in The Zoologist 1845: 1051.' Nelson (1907 (1): 335) adds: 'Admiral Oxley.'

82). Pre 1837 Yorkshire Haverah Park, Harrogate, shot, undated.

(P. Hawkridge, Wood's Naturalist, 1837: 324; W. E. Clarke, Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalist Union 1877: 4; Nelson, 1907).

History P. Hawkridge (1837) in Wood's Naturalist, Vol. II. p. 324, says: 'The Cinereous Sea Eagle (Falco albicilla), though unknown on our coast, has been a straggler into Yorkshire. An individual was shot at Heywra [sic] Park, belonging to Sir W. A. Ingilby, of Ripley Castle, in this county, and was presented by that gentleman to the Scarborough Museum.'

William Eagle Clarke (1877) in the Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalist Union, p. 4, says: 'Mr. Patrick Hawkridge recorded in Neville Wood's Naturalist, (1837: 124) one shot at Haverah Park, which was presented to the Scarborough Museum by Sir W. A. Ingilby of Ripley Castle.'

83.0). 1837 Isle of Wight Hermitage, seen, January; also in Hampshire.

(C. A. Bury, Zoologist 1844: 516; Kelsall & Munn, 1905).

History C. A. Bury (1844) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. II. p. 516, says: 'At the Hermitage, the seat of the late Barlow Hoy, Esq., a tame eagle of this species has been kept for many years. One morning at breakfast-time, about seven years ago, the attention of the gardener and gamekeeper was arrested by the unusually loud screams of the bird, which was chained on the lawn at no great distance from the house; when a wild bird of the same species was seen by them to descend, and alight near the tame eagle. On being disturbed it flew to a neighbouring cliff; and after remaining there for some hours, took flight, and was not seen again. The newspapers of the following week recorded the capture of a White-tailed Eagle in the New Forest.'

Kelsall & Munn (1905: 157) say: 'C. A. Bury recorded (Zoologist, 1844), that, about 1837, one was seen at the Hermitage, in the Isle of Wight, which was attracted by a tame one kept there, and remained for some hours in the neighbourhood; the newspapers of the following week recorded the capture of a White-tailed Eagle in the New Forest. It will be noted that this date corresponds with one of those seen by Colonel Hawker off Hurst.'

Comment Presumed to be the same as seen in Hampshire.

83.1). 1837 Hampshire Hurst area, seen, 9th to 15th January; same as Wight.

(C. A. Bury, Zoologist 1844: 516; Payne-Gallwey, 1893; Kelsall & Munn, 1905).

Kelsall & Munn (1905: 156) say: 'In the Solent, Hawker several times came across it. On January 9th, 1837, - "Gave up my whole tide for shooting in the pursuit of a splendid Eagle that appeared off Hurst. I had all but got him when a lubber rushed out with a musket and scared him away. He, however, returned in a few hours and gave me a second chance by sitting on Hurst beach within range of any great gun while afloat; but the baker drove by and put him up, when he flew several miles westwards...I found he had been seen three days in succession within a few hundred yards of the same place". On January 11th he had another distant view of the Eagle hovering off the Isle of Wight. On the 15th, "the Eagle came again to the beach, as if he knew it was Sunday.'

Further, p. 157, they say: 'Bury recorded Zoologist, 1844) that, about 1837, one was seen at the Hermitage, in the Isle of Wight, which was attracted by a tame one kept there, and remained for some hours in the neighbourhood; the newspapers of the following week recorded the capture of a White-tailed Eagle in the New Forest. It will be noted that this date corresponds with one of those seen by Colonel Hawker off Hurst.'

Comment Presumed to refer to one individual.

84). 1837 Norfolk Blickling, shot, 3rd March, now at Castle Museum, Norwich.

(Norfolk Chronicle Mar., 1837; P. R. Allard, Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report 2011: 15).

History P. R. Allard (2011) in the Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report, p. 15, quoting the Norfolk Chronicle as his source and under 'Additional Norfolk Records of White-tailed Eagle', says: 'March, 1837. A fine specimen of the Sea Eagle was shot (on 3rd March) at Blickling. It measured from tip to tip of the extended wings seven feet and three inches and from the head to the tail three feet. Dowager Lady Suffield presented it to the Norfolk and Norwich Museum.'

85). 1837 Sussex Camber, wounded, early spring.

(Cooper, 1850; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 310) says: 'Our first Eagle recorded as albicilla - was secured at Camber in the early spring of 1837, afterwards, since it recovered from its shot-wounds, being kept in captivity for many years at the "Grey Friars", Winchelsea, as narrated by Durrant Cooper in his History (p. 149) of that place.'

86). 1837 Co. Durham River Wear, Cocken, September.

(Temperley, 1951).

History Temperley (1951) quoting from Hutchinson's (MS. 1840) who wrote: "In September, 1837, a bird much larger than an Osprey and about the size of the Sea Eagle, was observed for several days on the banks of the Wear at Cocken, but it would not let approach within gunshot".'

87). Pre 1838 Dorset Sherborne, shot, undated.

(Mansel-Pleydell, 1888; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History Society and Antiquarian Field Club 39: 49; Prendergast & Boys, 1983).

History F. L. Blathwayt (1918) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History Society and Antiquarian Field Club, Vol. XXXIX. p. 49, in his 'New Species of Birds', says: 'I have lately examined the specimen recorded from Sherborne Park and referred to by Mansel-Pleydell, and it is certainly a White-tailed Eagle.'

88). 1838 Suffolk River Orwell, adult female, caught, 22nd February.

(T. Townsend, Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History 2: 292-293; Babington, 1884-86).

History T. Townsend of Ipswich (1838) in Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. II. pp. 292-293, under 'Capture of the White-tailed Eagle, on the Suffolk Coast, February 22nd, 1838', says: 'A fine specimen of this noble bird, an adult female, was observed by some boatman to fall into the sea, at the mouth of the River Orwell, and not again rising, they put off and secured it without difficulty; it expired in a few minutes after its capture. The men who secured it could give no reason for its thus falling, (unless it pounced at a fish, and was unable to mount again), as it was in fine condition, and did not appear to have been wounded. Thinking the above might be interesting to some of your numerous readers, (if thought worthy of insertion), I have taken the liberty of forwarding it, the bird being in my possession.'

Babington (1884-86: 23) says: 'An adult female in full plumage fell into the sea at the mouth of the Orwell, Feb., 1838; it was captured, and died a few minutes afterwards (P. Townsend, in Loudon's Mag. N. H. (1838) Vol. II. p. 292).'

Comment Babington stated erroneously the Editor of the magazine and the author's initial.

89). 1838 Nottinghamshire Welbeck Park, seen, three weeks in winter.

(Whitaker, 1907).

History Whitaker (1907: 161) says: 'This magnificent bird has been seen at Welbeck, and was about for three weeks in 1838, and though shot at several times it escaped.'

90). 1838 Norfolk Happisburgh, obtained, December.

(T. Paine, jun., Annals of Natural History 3: 141).

History T. Paine, jun., (1839) in the Annals of Natural History, Vol. III. p. 141, says: 'Two specimens of the White-tailed Eagle (Haliaetus albicilla) were procured last December - the one at Hasborough [sic], the other at Ormesby. I cannot avoid what may be deemed going out of my district to notice the occurrence of one of those birds whose loss every ornithologist must deplore.'

91). 1838 Norfolk Ormesby, obtained, December.

(T. Paine, jun., Annals of Natural History 3: 141).

92). 1838 Norfolk Beechamwell, seen, late December, immature male, shot, 5th March 1839.

(H. Dugmore, Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History 3: 198; Norfolk Chronicle 16th Mar., 1839; P. R. Allard, Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report 2011: 15-16).

History Henry Dugmore of Pensthorpe (1839) in Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. III. p. 198, dated 12th March, 1839, says: 'About the end of December last a large eagle was observed on Beechamwell warren, about three miles from Swaffham, where it made great destruction among the rabbits. The warreners tried every scheme to entrap it, but without success; as it would not come down to a bait. On the 5th instant one of the keepers of John Motteaux, Esq., saw it fly into a plantation adjoining the warren, and by sending a person to the farther side, it was frightened towards him, when he got a shot at it and killed it. It proved to be the White-tailed or Cinereous Eagle, weighing 10¾ lbs., and measuring between the tips of the wings 7 ft. 5 inches; it was a male bird, but not in the adult plumage, the general colour being light brown, and the tail feathers not perfectly white. I have preserved it in my collection of British birds, and on skinning it found it to be a complete mass of fat.'

93). 1838 Cumbria Blackcombe, caught, undated.

(Macpherson, 1892; Saunders, 1892; Oakes, 1953).

History Macpherson (1892: 202) says: 'A shepherd captured another Sea Eagle on the top of Black Combe in 1838, and this is believed to have been the last Eagle captured on any of our mountains.'

Howard Saunders (1892: 126, 2nd ed.) in the revised edition of Mitchell's Birds of Lancashire, says: 'A Sea-Eagle was taken alive in the year 1838 near Broughton-in-Furness [The Rev. H. A. Macpherson states that this bird was really captured on the top of Blackcombe, Cumberland - Ed.], and was kept in confinement at Broadgate, the residence of the Lewthwaite family, until 1846 or 1847, when it died through an injury to its wing, inflicted during recapture after an attempt to escape from the garden where it was confined. The feet were preserved, and Mr. William Lewthwaite has been kind enough to forward them to me for the purposes of identification.'

94). 1839 Sussex Near Newhaven, immature, killed, undated.

(Borrer, 1891).

History Borrer (1891: 1) says: 'In one of my own notes, made at the time, I find that a specimen of this Eagle was killed in 1839 near Newhaven. The white was just beginning to show on the outer feathers at the base of the tail. The bird passed into the hands of Mr. H. Morgan, then of Lugwardine, Herefordshire.'

95). 1840 Lancashire & North Merseyside Hodder Hole Wood, immature, shot, November, now at Towneley Museum, Preston.

(Saunders, 1892; Oakes, 1953).

History Howard Saunders (1892: 126, 2nd ed.) in the revised edition of Mitchell's Birds of Lancashire, says: 'At Leagram Hall is preserved a specimen, in immature plumage, which was killed when roosting at Hodder Hole Wood by some poachers in November, 1840.' Oakes (1953) p. 194 adds: 'Extracted notes from the diary of J. Weld of Leagram Hall, dealing with the capture of this specimen states "It was seen for a few days before being shot by some poachers when going to roost. Being considered unsuitable for their bag, it was carried to one of the farm houses and fastened to the catch of the door, to the surprise of the tenant by whom it was brought to Leagram Hall, where it was kept and set up for preservation". It has recently been transferred to the Towneley Museum, Preston.'

96). 1840 Leicestershire & Rutland Bradgate Park, immature, shot, 26th December.

(Potter, 1842; T. Macaulay, Midland Naturalist 1882: 61-65; M. Browne, Zoologist 1886: 162-163; Browne, 1889; Hickling, 1978).

History Potter (1842: 65) under 'Appendix' then 'Golden Eagle', says: 'Killed in Bradgate Park, in April, 1841, and now in the possession of the Earl of Stamford, at Dunham Massey. Communicated by Mr. Potter.'

Thomas Macaulay of Kibworth (1882) in the Midland Naturalist, Vol. V. pp. 61-65, under 'The Birds of Leicestershire', says: 'Potter, in his History of Charnwood Forest, records the capture of an immature specimen at Bradgate Park in April, 1841.'

Montagu Browne (1886) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. X. pp. 162-163, says: 'Harley mentions one captured in Bradgate Park on 26th of December, 1840, which he shortly after examined. It measured 87 inches in stretch of wings, and 37 inches in length. The wings and tail were much abraded, suggesting recent captivity; but, on applying to Yarrell for his opinion, he replied that such marks were not unusual.'

Browne (1889: 111) under 'White-tailed Eagle', says: '...The account of the capture of its congener, the Golden Eagle, as narrated in Mr. Babington's list of Birds, published in Potter's work on the forest of Charnwood, is no less than the present species now under notice, and described by him very ingeniously by mistake. The identical specimen, however, is in the possession of Lord Stamford, preserved for the examination and curious enquiry of the virtuoso and faunist. By this it would appear that the statement under the head 'Golden Eagle', in Appendix 'Potter', p. 65, is not only incorrect in the most important point, but is probably incorrect in date (April, 1841); and, indeed, the late Rev. Churchill Babington informed me that he was not responsible for the insertion of this, it having been communicated to him when writing the list by Potter, who had not sufficient ornithological knowledge to discriminate between the two species.'

97). 1840 Norfolk Winterton, caught, escaped, shot, winter, now at Castle Museum, Norwich.

(J. H. Gurney & W. R. Fisher, Zoologist 1846: 1300-1301; Stevenson, 1866).

History John H. Gurney & William R. Fisher (1846) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. IV. pp. 1300-1301, say: 'A young male bird of this species was some years since procured off Winterton in the following manner. Some boys having thrown out a line and hook into the sea, baited with a herring, for the purpose of catching a gull, the bait was spied and pounced upon by the eagle; and the hook becoming fixed in the inside of his foot, he was found by the boys upon their return to examine their line,, floating on the surface of the water. They immediately went off in a boat and completed their capture without much difficulty. This bird was subsequently kept in confinement for some years, but accidentally escaping, was shot a few days afterwards by a gamekeeper in the neighbourhood.' Accepted locally (Stevenson 1866 (1): 2-3).

98). 1840 Cambridgeshire/Lincolnshire Burghley Park, immature, shot, undated.

(Lilford, 1895; J. S. Clark, Cambridgeshire Bird Report 2004: 138).

History Lilford (1895) says: 'There is another specimen (stuffed) at Burghley House, Stamford, which was shot close to that place many years ago.' J. S. Clark (2004) in the Cambridgeshire Bird Report p. 138, lists this as the first record for Cambridgeshire and dated 1840.

99). c. 1840 Gower Margam, seen, undated.

(Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society 31: 18; Heathcote, 1967).

History Cardiff Naturalists' Society (1900) in the Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Vol. XXXI. p. 18, say: 'Sir John Llewelyn states he saw at Margam, when in company with the late Mr. C. R. M. Talbot forty year ago, a White-tailed Eagle perched on a tree which Mr. Talbot said he had seen one alight twenty years before.'

100). 1840 Suffolk Benacre, female, killed, undated.

(Babington, 1884-86).

History Babington (1884-86: 22) says: 'A fine female killed at Benacre, in 1840; it measured eight feet from tip to tip; stuffed for Sir Thomas Gooch, by Mr. T. M. Spalding (Spalding 'List', XXXV. and F. Spalding MS.).'

101). Pre 1841 Sussex Shoreham-by-Sea, immature, shot, undated.

(Knox, 1849; Borrer, 1891).

History Knox (1849: 40, 1st ed.) says: 'A Sea Eagle in immature plumage was shot some years ago by the proprietor of the Dolphin Inn, at Shoreham. It was observed preying on some dead fish which had been thrown up by the waves on the beach, and being gorged, was killed without difficulty.'

Borrer (1891: 1) says: 'An eagle of this species was shot at Shoreham by the landlord of the Dolphin Hotel in that place, where I saw it in 1841. It was in immature plumage, and had been killed some years before.'

102). 1841 Hampshire The Solent, seen, 22nd January.

(Kelsall & Munn, 1905).

History Kelsall & Munn (1905: 156-157) say: 'In the Solent, Hawker several times came across it. On January 22nd, 1841, he saw "a little battle between two Ravens and a huge Eagle, who dropped his Grey Plover that he held in the fight, and on which bird I dined; and I should have shot the Eagle had not a second fight with some Gulls made him rise again and fly up to the Isle of Wight cliffs". The next day he "saw the Eagle again on wing, and sailed after him for miles, till we saw him pitched with five Crows flapping over him, but he would not remain long enough in one place for us to "settle his hash".'

103). 1841 Wiltshire Braydon Forest, female, trapped, 11th December.

(A. C. Smith, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 3: 341; Smith, 1887; Peirson, 1959).

History A. C. Smith (1857) in the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, Vol. III. p. 341, says: 'In addition to the example of the White-tailed Eagle, or Erne, given above, I am informed by the Rev. G. Marsh, of Sutton Benger, (whose thorough knowledge of birds, and ready kindness in imparting information have been most serviceable to me) that a splendid specimen of this species was caught in a trap, in May, 1841, by Lord Suffolk's gamekeeper in Braydon forest; it had previously been observed by the keeper soaring very high in the air, and it committed great devastations amongst the game: consequently a gin was set for it, and in this it was caught, and when first found by the keeper was alive, and but little injured; its fierceness, however, prevented its being taken alive, for the man dared not remove it from the trap, till he had killed it: it is now preserved in his Lordship's house at Charlton.'

Smith (1887: 62) says: 'I was informed by the late Rev. G. Marsh (and further details have been kindly given me by Lord Suffolk), that a splendid specimen of this species was caught in a trap, on December 11th, 1841, by his Lordship's gamekeeper in Stonehill Wood, part of the old forest of Braydon; it was a female, and for ten days had previously been observed by the keeper soaring very high in the air, and it committed very great devastations amongst the game; consequently a gin was set for it, and in this it was caught, and when first found by the keeper was but little injured. Its fierceness, however, prevented its being taken alive, for the man dare not remove it from the trap till he had killed it. It is now preserved at Charlton; and a grand bird indeed it is, and well deserves to stand, as it does, at the very head of the feathered tribes of Wiltshire.'

104). 1841 Sussex Rottingdean, seen, winter.

(Knox, 1849; Borrer, 1891).

History Knox (1849: 40-41, 1st ed.) says: 'During the winter of 1841 a bird of the same species was observed in the neighbourhood of Rottingdean for nearly a month; he was unusually wary, and generally haunted the banks of a small sheep-pond on the high Downs, where he could command a good view of an approaching enemy; and when the tide was out he would appear on the shore in search of dead fish, always keeping away from the cliffs, and taking prompt alarm at an approaching boat, in which, perhaps, some ardent gunner might lie concealed. Notwithstanding all his vigilance, however, one day, when he was dozing on the borders of the elevated pool above mentioned, a lark-shooter succeeded in approaching within a tolerable distance, but being only prepared for "small fry" the discharge of his gun was not sufficient to disable the bird, which succeeded in making his escape.'

Borrer (1891: 2) says: 'In Mr. Knox's O. R. (pp. 40, 43) several occurrences of the Sea Eagle are mentioned, viz.: - another shot in 1841 at Rottingdean, where it had been observed for about a month.'

Comment Ornithological Rambles by A. E. Knox.

105). 1841 Yorkshire Castle Howard, sub-adult, shot, undated.

(W. E. Clarke, Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalist Union 1877: 3; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Nelson, 1907).

History William Eagle Clarke (1877) in the Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalist Union, p. 3, says: 'A specimen, however, in the collection of Mr. A. Clapham, of Scarborough, is interesting, inasmuch as only two or three feathers of the tail show black tips, having only these to cast to attain to maturity of plumage. The bird was shot at Castle Howard in the year 1841.'

Accepted locally (Clarke & Roebuck 1881: 45) and by Nelson (1907 (1): 335) who adds: '...now in the Leeds Museum.'

106). 1843 Suffolk Near Flixton Hall, Elvedon, female, shot, 12th January, now at Cambridge University.

(A. Newton, Zoologist 1844: 443; Babington, 1884-86).

History Alfred Newton (1844) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. II. p. 443, dated November, 1843, says: 'A very fine female specimen of the White-tailed Eagle was shot on the warren at Elden [sic], on January 12, 1843. As it was very slightly wounded, we endeavoured to keep it alive for some time, but as it seemed to pine, it was killed and stuffed by Mr. Reynolds of Thetford. It had haunted for some time the large rabbit warren in the vicinity of Thetford, and was shot in the act of preying on a rabbit. It measured 7 feet 11 inches from tip to tip, and 2 feet 6 inches from beak to tail, and weighed 11 pounds when first shot, but lost 1 lb. when in confinement.'

Babington (1884-86: 22) erroneously says: 'One killed near Flixton Hall, in 1844 (F. Spalding MS.).' Further, on p. 23, Babington says: 'A female, shot on the warren, at Elveden, Jan, 1843 (A. Newton, Zool., p. 443; now in the Cambridge Museum).'

Comment Babington appears to have recorded this twice; 1844 was the date it was recorded.

107). Pre 1844 Kent Romney Marsh, shot, undated.

(P. Bartlett, Zoologist 1844: 618; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).

History P. Bartlett (1844) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. II. p. 618, says: 'Cinereous Eagle, Haliaetus albicilla. This is, I believe, the only eagle now to be met with which breeds in England. It is not infrequently seen in winter in Romney marsh. There is a specimen in Mr. Plomley's collection, which was shot there.'

Ticehurst (1909: 275) says: 'Another in the same institution [Dover Museum] was obtained in Romney Marsh prior to 1844 by Plomley, who informed Pemberton Bartlett that they were not infrequently seen there in winter (Zool., 1844, p. 618).'

Comment All Dover Museum specimens were lost during the second world war.

108). Pre 1844 Moray & Nairn Near Innes House, Moray, found injured, undated.

(G. Gordon, Zoologist 1844: 503; Cook, 1992).

History G. Gordon (1844) in The Zoologist, Vol. II. p. 503, says: 'A few years ago Mr. Martin observed one in a disabled state on the sandy beach near Innes House, which was supposed to have been the one afterwards taken in the neighbourhood of Pitgaveny.'

Cook (1992) says: 'Gordon, writing in 1844, described the finding of one 'a few years ago...in a disable state on the sandy beach near Innes House.'

109). Pre 1844 Yorkshire Okeley, shot, undated.

(W. E. Clarke, Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalist Union 1877: 4; Nelson, 1907).

History Wm. Eagle Clarke (1877) in the Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalist Union, p. 4, says: 'Mr. Thomas Allis mentioned one shot at Okeley in the West Riding, which found its way into the collection of Mr. John Childers.'

110). 1844 Sussex Windmill Hill, Wartling, killed, January.

(Knox, 1849; Borrer, 1891;T. Parkin, Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist 1: 120).

History Knox (1849: 40, 1st ed) says: 'In January, 1844, a Sea Eagle was shot near Windmill Hill, in the parish of Wartling.'

Borrer (1891: 2) says: 'In Mr. Knox's O. R. (pp. 40, 43) several occurrences of the Sea Eagle are mentioned, viz.: - a third, killed at Windmill Hill, in the parish of Wartling, in January 1844.'

T. Parkin (1907) in the Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. I. p. 120, adds: '...I have, however, preferred to use the plate from Horsfield's [History of Sussex] book, as in his picture the large Scotch fir is depicted in the foreground on the left [of Windmill Hill Place], this being the tree which the White-tailed Eagle, Haliaetus albicilla, was shot in January, 1844. This eagle, mounted in a glass case, now adorns the billiard-room at Windmill Hill Place, in company with other rare birds obtained at various times on the estate.'

111). 1844 Norfolk Westwick, shot, early March.

(Norfolk Chronicle 9th Mar., 1844; P. R. Allard, Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report 2011: 15).

History P. R. Allard (2011) in the Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report, p. 15, quoting the Norfolk Chronicle as his source and under 'Additional Norfolk Records of White-tailed Eagle', says: '9th March 1844. A very fine specimen of the Osprey or Sea Eagle, in full plumage, measuring seven feet and five inches from the top of its wings, was lately shot at Westwick by one of the gamekeepers of Mr. J. Petre.'

112). 1844 Borders Dabb's Head, Lauderdale, Berwickshire, seen, spring.

(Muirhead, 1889).

History Muirhead (1889 (1): 308) says: 'An eagle frequented the Dabb's Head, a hill in Lauderdale, for some time in the spring of 1844.' Further, in a footnote on the same page, he added, 'Information from Mr. Johnston, farmer, Huntington, Lauder. Dabb's Head is one of the most conspicuous points of the Lammermuir Hills, on the old farm of Earnscleugh, which is now incorporated with the farm of Burncastle near Lauder.'

113). 1844 Cornwall Cornekay, Kilkhampton, immature, shot, 9th November.

(E. H. Rodd, Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society 1: 400-401; E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1870: 2197; Harting, 1880; Penhallurick, 1978).

History E. H. Rodd (1850) in the Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society, 1st series, Vol. I. pp. 400-401, and (1870) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. V. p. 2197, says: 'On the authority of the Rev. John Davis, of Kilkhampton, one was killed at Carnekey, in the parish of Kilkhampton, Nov. 9th, 1844: - weight 10lbs., length, 3 feet 1 inch, breadth, 7 feet 6 inches.'

Harting, Editor (1880) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'I find from my notes that in November 1844, an immature bird of this species was shot at Carnekey, in the parish of Kilkhampton. It weighed 10 lbs., measured three feet one inch in length, and seven feet six inches between the tips of its expanded wings.'

114). 1844 Dorset Fleet, Weymouth, shot, undated.

(W. R. Thompson, British Birds 16: 183).

History W. R. Thompson (1922) in British Birds, Vol. XVI. p. 183, says: 'In the middle of the last century my grandfather, William Thompson of Lytchet near Poole and afterwards of Weymouth, a keen naturalist and careful observer, compiled a Fauna of Dorsetshire. This was never published because, unfortunately, no one could read his writing, and the manuscript has since been dissipated, some of his observations being incorporated in Pleydell's Birds of Dorset. Recently, however, whilst overhauling some of his papers I came across several natural history notes which do not appear to have been previously published, and from those dealing with birds I have extracted most of the following information, the remainder being made up of extracts from the Shooting Diaries kept by my father, James Yarrell Thompson, and by my uncle, Stanley Thompson, together with observations made at various times by my brother, Major R. N. Thompson, and myself. Where I have made use of other sources of information, the fact has been acknowledged in the text....The following is from one of my grandfather's notes: "White-tailed Eagle (Haliaetus albicilla). My grandfather records it as follows: "A single specimen was shot in the year 1844 at Fleet, near Weymouth, by a man named Brewer, and was purchased from him by Richard Rolls, an animal preserver residing at Weymouth, and from him passed into the possession of Mr. Horner of Mells Park, Somerset". If this is the bird mentioned by Pleydell, there appears to be some discrepancy in regard to dates.'

115). Pre 1845 Cornwall Skewjack, Sennen, seen, undated.

(J. Clark, Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall 15: 203; Penhallurick, 1978).

History J. Clark (1902-03) in the Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall, Vol. XV. p. 203, under 'The Birds of Cornwall', says: 'One seen at Skewjack, Sennen.'

116). Pre 1845 Essex/Greater London Epping Forest, undated.

(Yarrell, 1845; Wood, 2007).

History Yarrell (1845 (1): 21, 2nd ed.) says: 'It also evinces a great partiality for fawns and venison, being occasionally killed in deer-parks and forests. Epping Forest, near London...'

117). Pre 1845 Greater London/Surrey Combe Wood, Wimbledon Common, shot, undated.

(Yarrell, 1845; Bucknill, 1900; Self, 2014).

History Yarrell (1845 (1): 22, 2nd ed.) says: 'One so near London as Combe Wood, Wimbledon Common. This specimen was well preserved by Mr. Larkham of Roehampton for His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge.'

118). Pre 1845 Kent Canterbury, immature, obtained, undated.

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

History Ticehurst (1909: 275) says: 'The next two were recorded by Thompson, who wrote: - "...This, like most others, was an immature bird, and with another, obtained at Canterbury prior to 1845, is now in the Dover Museum".'

Comment All Dover Museum specimens were lost in the war.

119). Pre 1845 Norfolk Postwick Grove, seen, winter.

(Lubbock, 1845; Stevenson, 1866).

History Lubbock (1845: 13) says: 'I have seen this eagle in very severe weather as near to this city as Postwick grove. It was beating leisurely up the river, apparently searching for coots or wild fowl in the wakes which remained unfrozen.'

Stevenson (1866 (1): 8) says: 'Mr. Lubbock (1845) states that on one occasion, in very severe weather, he saw a fine Sea Eagle as near this city as Postwick Grove, "beating leisurely up the river, apparently searching for Coots or wild-fowl in the wakes which remain unfrozen.'

120). 1845 Devon Dewerstone Rock, Plymouth, undated.

(D'Urban & Mathew, 1895;Tyler, 2010).

History D'Urban & Mathew (1895: 151, 2nd ed.) say: 'The Sea Eagle was, in all likelihood, the species which bred at the Dewerstone Rock on the Plym, near Plymouth, as already mentioned under the Golden Eagle.'

Tyler (2010) states that they apparently bred at Dewerstone Rock, Plymouth, but there is no supporting details.

121). c. 1845 Sussex Pevensey, immature, shot, undated.

(Knox, 1849; J. Dutton, Zoologist 1864: 9097; Borrer, 1891).

History Knox (1849: 41-42, 1st ed.) says: 'A fine example of the same species, but also in imperfect plumage, was shot about four years ago by a man in the employment of the superintendent of Pevensey Levels. Being only winged, the bird contrived to scramble into a corner formed by two fences or low walls, where he took up his position, and turning his face to his foes, like Siccius Dentatus, he defended himself so resolutely that he kept his persecutors at bay for a length of time, one and all declining to come to closer quarters with such a formidable antagonist. Having tried in vain to turn his flank, an ally in the form of a sheep-dog was called in, who commenced his attack in the most courageous manner, little anticipating what a warm reception he was about to meet with; but he soon found that he had "caught a Tartar"; for he was nearly killed by the eagle before his rescue was effected. His attack, however, caused a diversion by withdrawing the attention of the bird from his biped tormentors, and just as the talons of each foot were respectively lodged in the ribs and throat of the howling cur, and when another moment would have seen one of his eyes cleverly scooped out, a blow on the back of the head laid the poor eagle.'

J. Dutton of Eastbourne (1864) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXII. p. 9097, says: Captain Knox, in his charming Ornithological Rambles in Sussex, also mentions one shot at Pevensey in 1851, which Mr. A. Vidler stuffed for Mr. Ellman, of Lewes.'

Borrer (1891: 2) says: 'In Mr. Knox's O. R. (pp. 40, 43) several occurrences of the Sea Eagle are mentioned, viz.: - as well as a fourth on Pevensey Level about 1845.'

Comment Presumed both articles to refer to one and the same.

122). 1846 Buckinghamshire Chequers Court, trapped, undated.

(A. & H. Matthews, Zoologist 1849: 2594; Lack & Ferguson, 1993).

History A. & H. Matthews (1849) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VII. p. 2594, say: 'A third White-tailed Eagle was caught in a trap near the Chequers Court, Buckinghamshire, the seat of Sir Robert Frankland Russell, in 1846. The notice of the capture was communicated by Mr. Willoughby Beauchamp, of Monk's Risborough, Buckinghamshire, from whom we have received much useful information respecting the birds of that neighbourhood.'

123). 1847 Wiltshire Littlecote, immature, shot, January.

(A. C. Smith, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 3: 340-341; Peirson, 1959; Swash, 1996).

History A. C. Smith (1857) in the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, Vol. III. pp. 340-341, says: 'Of the different species of Eagles, the 'Golden' one, (Aquila chrysaetos) is generally considered the first, as it is the boldest and most active, as well as the largest; and I had hoped to have enumerated it among the birds of Wilts, in consequence of a notice which appeared in the Berkshire Chronicle and the Zoologist, in January, 1847, to the effect that a fine specimen of this species had been killed by the gamekeeper at Littlecote, who discovered it feeding on a dead doe, and so gorged with venison as to be unable to fly off; on enquiry, however, I learn from Mr. Popham that the species was mistaken, and that it was the 'Cinereous', or 'White-tailed' (not the Golden) Eagle, which was killed in his park; the confusion seems to have arisen from the unwanted size of the specimen killed, its length being 37 inches, and its breadth from tip to tip of the extended wings eight feet, a very unusual magnitude for this species. There is, however, in addition to the fulvous or golden plumage of the one, and the white tail of the other, (whence their specific names,) an unfailing mark of distinction by which these two species of Eagles may be distinguished at all ages, which I will give in the words of Mr. Yarrell: "In the foot of the Golden Eagle each toe is covered with small reticulations as far as the last phalanx, then with three broad scales. In the foot of the White-tailed Eagle the reticulations are confined to the tarsus, the whole length of each toe being covered with broad scales".'

124). 1847 Cambridgeshire Dullingham and Stretchworth, obtained, March.

(A. Newton, Zoologist 1847: 1693; Lack, 1934; Bircham, 1989).

History Alfred Newton (1847) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. V. p. 1693, dated 30th March, 1847, says: 'A very fine specimen of this fine bird was shot about a month ago at Stretchworth, near Newmarket, where, I believe, it had been seen for some days previously.' Lack (1934: 73) adds: 'prior to being shot, was previously seen near Dullingham.'

125). 1847 Norfolk Westwick, immature male, shot, 10th November.

(J. H. Gurney & W. R. Fisher, Zoologist 1848: 1966; W. R. Fisher, Zoologist 1848: 2018).

History J. H. Gurney & W. R. Fisher (1848) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VI. p. 1966, dated November, 1847, say: 'An immature male specimen of the White-headed Eagle was shot at Westwick on the 10th instant; in its stomach were found the remains of a herring.'

W. R. Fisher (1848) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VI. p. 2018, dated January 1848, says: 'I am sorry that I made a rather important mistake in copying the 'Ornithological Notices in Norfolk for November, 1847' (Zool., 1966). The bird captured at Westwick was not the "white-headed" but the "White-tailed" Eagle (H. albicilla).'

126). 1847 Greater London/Surrey Weybridge, shot, undated.

(Meyer, 1842; Bucknill, 1900; Wheatley, 2007).

History Meyer (1842 (1): 12) says: 'A specimen was shot on the Thames at Weybridge, in Surrey, in Lord Portmore's park some years since; it had alighted on one of the trees in the park, so near the house that it was shot from one of the windows. The mansion alluded to has since been pulled down, and the whole place, occupying one of the loveliest spots upon the river, is going to decay.' However, Bucknill (1900), states it as Lord Portman's park and erroneously gives the year of publication as 1847.

127). 1848 Kent Cliffs End, near Ramsgate, shot, 3rd February.

(Bagshaw, 1848; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).

History Bagshaw (1848 (2): 147) says: 'On February 3, 1848, an Eagle of the fishing species was shot by Mr. Thomas Peake, of Cliff's End; it measured 7 feet across the wings, and was a remarkably fine and powerful bird. On being shot Mr. Peake forced from its throat nearly 2 lbs. of large eels, and it is supposed that it gorged itself so much that it was careless of its safety, having been killed with a common charge of No. 4 shot.'

Ticehurst (1909: 275) says: 'On February 3rd, 1848, another, which had been feeding on eels, was shot by Mr. Thomas Peake at Cliff End, near Ramsgate (Bagshaw, Gen. Hist. of Kent, II. p. 147).'

128). 1848 Norfolk Downham, seen, 19th October to early March 1849 when shot.

(A. Newton, Zoologist 1848: 2383; A. Newton, Zoologist 1849: 2524).

History Alfred Newton (1848) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VI. p. 2383, says: 'An immature Richardson's Skua was shot on the warren here, October 30th: it had been seen the day previously, and was so tame that it settled within a few yards of a man who was mending a road, and who mistook it for an eagle which had occasionally been seen here about that time, but of the capture of which I have not yet heard authentically.'

Alfred Newton of Elveden (1849) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VII. p. 2524, dated 6th June 1849, says: 'The White-tailed Eagle I have before alluded to (Zool. 2383), as having haunted this neighbourhood for the past autumn and winter, was at last shot at Downham, the first week in March: it was first seen on October 19th.'

129). 1848 Norfolk Blickling Hall, near Aylsham, shot, December.

(A. Newton, Zoologist 1849: 2524).

History Alfred Newton of Elveden (1849) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VII. p. 2524, dated 6th June, 1849, says: 'Another was killed at Blickling, near Aylsham, in Norfolk, in December last.'

130). 1848 Sussex Cowdray Estate, near Midhurst, immature male, trapped, December.

(Sussex Express 30th Dec., 1844; A. E. Knox, Zoologist 1849: 2386; Borrer, 1891; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

History A. E. Knox of Petworth (1849) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VII. p. 2386, dated 14th December, 1848, and Orn. Ramb., (1849: 42-43, 1st ed.) says: 'I have received information from Sir Charles Taylor that a large Eagle, lately observed in this neighbourhood, had been subsequently trapped in one of the great woods on the Cowdray estate. Being naturally anxious to examine, or perchance obtain a specimen of Eagle found so near to me, I was just preparing to start in quest of it, when Lord Egmont kindly anticipated my wishes by sending it to me.

It proved to be a male Cinereous or Sea Eagle, in immature, but uninjured plumage. I have ascertained that the last chapter in his biography was as follows: - "The bird had for three weeks frequented the wooded district in that picturesque portion of the weald which lies between Hollycombe and Henley Hill, about twenty miles from the coast, and was evidently hitherto indebted for his escape rather to the impracticable nature of his haunts than to any cunning or vigilance of his own. He had been frequently seen near some old pollard oak trees, among which, it was afterwards ascertained, he had roosted. Having, at length, imprudently ventured to make a foray upon a neighbouring farm-yard, and carried off a goose, matters began to assume a serious aspect.

A council of war was called: the farmer, the game-keeper and the rat-catcher met in conclave; an alliance offensive and defensive was formed; the Eagle was denounced; and all measures, whether of force or stratagem, were declared lawful, to destroy such a marauder: the first subscribed a pigeon, the second a trap, and the third a rat. Operations were commenced by laying down the pigeon near the supposed retreat of the robber, as if to test its gullibility: this was immediately carried off. The trap was then set on the same spot, baited with the rat, and by means of this ignoble lure was the poor Eagle deluded and captured".'

Borrer (1891: 1) says: 'Having seen in the Sussex Express newspaper of December 30, 1844, a notice of an Eagle taken near Northeath, I wrote to the late Mr. Knox, who replied: - "The Eagle to which you refer to is an immature Sea Eagle trapped in one of the large woods on the Cowdray Estate".

Further, pp. 2-3, Borrer adds: 'One is mentioned as having been trapped in one of the large woods on the Cowdray Estate, which must be distinct from that recorded as taken on the same estate just when the first edition of that work [A. E. Knox, Ornithological Rambles] was passing through the press, namely in 1849.'

Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 310).

Comment I have presumed the date of the newspaper by Borrer to be incorrect and probably should be 1848.

131). 1848 Cambridgeshire Whittlesea Mere, Huntingdonshire, immature, shot, undated, now at Peterborough Museum.

(Clark, 1996; J. S. Clark, Cambridgeshire Bird Report 2003: 138).

History Clark (1996) states that there is an old record for Huntingdonshire, in Peterborough Museum, of an immature shot at Whittlesea Mere.

132). Pre 1849 Oxfordshire Near Henley, undated.

(A. & H. Matthews, Zoologist 1849: 2594; Aplin, 1889; Radford, 1966).

History A. & H. Matthews (1849) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VII. p. 2594, say: 'Another White-tailed Eagle occurred a few year ago near Henley-on-Thames, in this county.' Accepted locally (Aplin 1889: 1).

133). 1849 Kent Deal, seen, 21st February.

(J. W. Hulke, Zoologist 1849: 2409; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).

History J. W. Hulke of Deal (1849) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VII. p. 2409, says: 'On the 21st February [1849] a large Eagle was seen hovering over the lower sand-hills. From the description given me by a person who live there, it was most probably the White-tailed Eagle.' Accepted locally (Ticehurst 1909: 275).

134). 1849 Somerset High Ham, shot, February.

(J. C. Garth, Zoologist 1849: 2409).

History J. C. Garth (1849) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VII. p. 2409, says: 'A large White-tailed Eagle, measuring 7 feet from wing to wing, and weighing upwards of 9 lbs., was shot a few days ago [February], whilst wending its rapid flight over a wood, in the neighbourhood of High Ham, Somersetshire, by Mr. Wm. Thyer, of that place. The bird has been purchased by Edwd. Quekett Esq., of the town, who intends giving it a place in his museum.'

135). Pre 1850 Suffolk Sutton Heath, killed, undated.

(Babington, 1884-86).

History Babington (1884-86: 23) says: 'One killed at Sutton Heath, in Mr. Hillen's possession (Hillen, v.v.).' Babington admits to having seen the specimen.

136). 1850 Kent No locality, shot, early January.

(F. Plomley, Zoologist 1850: 2767; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).

History F. Plomley of Maidstone (1850) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VIII. p. 2767, dated 16th January 1850, says: 'Several Bohemian waxwings have been shot in different parts of this county lately; also on or near the coast the Water Ouzel, the White-tailed Eagle, and the Black-throated Diver.'

Ticehurst (1909: 275) says: 'Early in January, 1850, one was shot near the south coast and recorded by Plomley, but he does not mention the exact locality.'

137). 1850 Suffolk Kesgrave, seen, January.

(Babington, 1884-86).

History Babington (1884-86) p. 23, says: '...seen by several persons at Kesgrave, Jan., 1850 (Moor MS.).'

138). 1850 Shetland Isle of Greena, Weisdale Voe, Mainland, immature, shot, September, now at Booth Museum, Brighton.

(Booth, 1901).

History Booth (1901: 211, 3rd ed.) in his Birds in the Dyke Road [Booth] Museum, [Brighton], says: 'An immature bird, shot on the Isle of Greena, Weesdale [sic] Voe, Shetland, September, 1850.'

139). c 1850 Herefordshire Hampton Court, trapped, undated.

(Gilbert & Walker, 1954; Walker & Smith, 1975).

History Gilbert & Walker (1954: 33) say: 'One was trapped at Hampton Court about 1850.'

140). 1851 Berkshire Near Windsor, shot, 3rd February, now at Eton College.

(Clark Kennedy, 1868; Swash, 1996).

History Clark Kennedy (1868: 155) says: 'A White-tailed Eagle was shot near Windsor upon the 3rd of February, 1851. This specimen was preserved by Mr. H. D. Bartlett, of College Street, Camden Town, Middlesex; and it was exhibited in its case by him in the Great Exhibition of 1851. It was afterwards presented by His Royal Highness the late Prince Consort to the collection which was principally formed by the late Provost at Eton College.'

141). Pre 1853 North-east Scotland Girdle Ness Lighthouse, Aberdeen, first-winter, hit light, undated.

(J. Taylor, Morris and Bree's Naturalist 3: 139).

History James Taylor (1853) in Morris and Bree's edition of The Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 139, dated 3rd March, 1853, says: 'One of them, in his first winter's plumage, struck against the Girdle Ness Lighthouse during the night, a few years ago, measuring fourteen feet from tip to tip of the wings.'

142). 1854 Highland Carrbridge, Badenoch & Strathspey, killed, June.

(Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1896; Dennis, 1984).

History Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1896) say: 'The entries in Macleay's ledger of the White-tailed Eagles sent in to him from our present area for preservation since 1850 are only two in number, viz., one from Carr Bridge in June 1854, the other from Cantray in October 1864.' Dennis (1984) states that one was killed at Carrbridge in June 1854.

143). 1855 Suffolk Benacre, two, January.

(Babington, 1884-86).

History Babington (1884-86: 22) says: 'Two seen there [Benacre], Jan., 1855, one flying low in search of game (Creed MS.).'

145). 1855 Norfolk Holkham, shot, 12th February.

(Bloomfield, 1993).

History Bloomfield (1993) states that one was shot at Holkham on 12th February 1855.

146). 1855 Norfolk Near Ormesby Broad, second-year female, shot, early December.

(H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1856: 4946).

History H. Stevenson of Norwich (1856) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XIV. p. 4946, dated 12th December, 1855, says: 'A fine specimen of this noble bird was shot at the beginning of this month near Ormesby Broad. It proves to be a female; apparently, by the beak and plumage, in its second-year.'

147). 1855-56 Sussex Seaford, seen, winter.

(Borrer, 1891).

History Borrer (1891: 2) says: 'In a letter from Mr. R. N. Dennis, dated February 22nd, 1855, he informs me that a Sea Eagle was seen by one of the men of the Coastguard, near Seaford. The bird had established himself on a high spit of beach, which became an island at high tide, to which he carried his prey in order to dine in security, and from whence he kept a vigilant look-out on all around. He was quite unapproachable, but the Preventive men could watch all his proceedings with the glass with the greatest ease, as he was in full view of them from their station-house.'

148). Pre 1856 Buckinghamshire Fawley Court, obtained, undated.

(Clark Kennedy, 1868; A. H. Cocks, Zoologist 1904: 34).

History Clark Kennedy (1868: 155) says: 'Yarrell records that one of these rare eagles was taken at Fawley Court, in Buckinghamshire, since the first edition of his work was published.'

A. H. Cocks of Henley-on-Thames (1904) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VIII. p. 34, says: 'By far the larger part of Fawley Court Park is in Bucks.'

149). 1856 Devon Near Holsworthy, caught alive, early January.

(W. S. M. D'Urban, Zoologist 1856: 5096).

History W. S. M. D'Urban of Newport, near Exeter (1856) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XIV. p. 5096, dated 5th February, 1856, says: 'A few weeks ago I saw a fine living specimen of the White-tailed Eagle, which was captured in the following curious manner: - "As two men were at work felling trees, near Holsworthy, in North Devon, about the beginning of January, their attention was attracted by a loud rustling amongst some furze near them, and turning round, they perceived the eagle lying with its wings extended on the top of a furze bush, unable to rise. They flung a hatchet at it, but, missing it, walked up to it, and each seizing the tip of a wing carried it home, and have since been exhibiting it in Exeter and other towns, and it is now I believe at Plymouth".'

150). 1856 Suffolk Near Beccles, immature female, shot, January.

(Babington, 1884-86).

History Babington (1884-86: 22) says: 'A fine young female shot near Beccles, Jan., 1856 (Stevenson in litt., who has it).'

151). 1856 Norfolk Winterton, three, two shot, November to January 1857.

(Norfolk Chronicle Jan., 1857; J. H. Playford, Field 15th Dec., 1860: 497; Stevenson, 1866; A. H. Patterson, Zoologist 1900: 411; Patterson, 1905; P. R. Allard, Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report 2011: 16).

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

Stevenson (1866 (1): 3) says: 'In the following winter of 1856-7, between the months of November and January three more were obtained on the coast. Two of the latter were killed at Winterton, near Yarmouth, a very favourite locality, and nearly at the same spot; the last specimen being shot whilst hovering over a rabbit warren, and on examination of the contents of its stomach, (besides a stoat) was found to have been feeding on the remains of a large whale, which had just previously been stranded on the Winterton beach.'

A. H. Patterson of Great Yarmouth (1900) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IV. pp. 411-412, says: 'One of two shot at Winterton in winter of 1856-7 was found to have been feeding on the remains of a Whale stranded on the beach there.' Patterson (1905) says: 'In the winter of 1856-57 three were killed. Two of these were obtained at Winterton; one on being dissected was discovered to have been feeding upon a Stoat, and also upon the remains of a large whale which had just previously been stranded on the beach.'

P. R. Allard (2011) in the Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report, p. 15, quoting the Norfolk Chronicle as his source and under 'Additional Norfolk Records of White-tailed Eagle', says: 'January 1857. A Sea Eagle was shot (on 23rd January) at Winterton. It measured from its beak to tail three feet and from tip of its wings eight feet.'

154). 1856 Berkshire Windsor Great Park, shot, 12th December.

(Eds., Morris and Bree's Naturalist 6: 163-164; Clark Kennedy, 1868; Swash, 1996).

History In an Editorial (1856) in Morris and Bree's Naturalist, Vol. VI. pp. 163-164, says: 'The following notice of the destruction of the Eagle in Windsor Forest, a few weeks ago, appears in the current number of Dickens's Household Words, under the heading, "A Royal Visitor". It is from the pen of F. Buckland, Esq., assistant-surgeon of the 2nd. Life Guards, the regiment with which the officer referred to in the narrative is connected. "The Royal Forest of Windsor has lately been honoured by a visit from a royal bird. The Eagle of the North visited the domains of the Queen of the South. The particulars are as follows: A fine eagle of this species was procured in Berkshire in 1856.

On the afternoon of the 12th of December in that year, as one of the officers of the garrison of Windsor was riding in the Great Park, not far from the statue of King George III. at the end of the Long Walk, he was surprised to see a large bird on the ground, gorging himself with rabbit. He advanced towards it, but the bird flew up into a tree. When on the tree it appeared to have a chain round its leg, but this was afterwards ascertained to be a portion of the rabbit it had just been eating. The pursuer having clearly made out that this large bird was an Eagle, a most unusual visitor to the royal forest, rode off immediately to the keeper's lodge with the news. The keeper, while mounting his pony, stated that the bird had been seen about the forest for four or five days, but had always kept out of shot. When they both got back to the place where the bird was sitting, the keeper concealed himself and his gun, while the officer rode round the bird endeavouring to drive him over the ambush. Off he went at last, but flew wide of the keeper. Then came the riding part of the business partaking more of the character of a steeple-chase than of hunting. By dint of hard and difficult galloping, among rabbit-holes, thick ferns, and open drains, the Eagle was again marked down in a clump of trees. Then followed a little stalking. The keeper on his pony and his companion on his horse advanced carefully, but the cunning bird would not allow them to come near. The keeper then got off his pony, and walked alongside the horse, which was of a grey colour, and seemed not to alarm the bird so much as the pony which was of a dark colour. After a few steps the keeper suddenly and quietly glided behind a tree, and the grey horse and his rider advanced farther. To divert the attention of the suspicious bird the latter wisely made as much noise as he could, tapping the saddle with his whip, riding among the thick ferns, and pretending all the careless unconcern he could assume. In the meantime the keeper got near, and fired both barrels. The bird flew away, but had been evidently hard hit, for his flight was laboured and near the ground. He alighted at last on the bough of a young tree, where his drooping wings and fading form made him look more like an old coat hung up as a scarecrow than an Eagle.

Both the pursuers then rode up, and again, although wounded and bleeding, the courageous bird started off, but he could not go far; it was his last flight; for in another minute he dropped dead, shot through the right eye. The former shot had hit him in the body, but had in no way damaged his plumage. Shortly afterwards we inspected this noble bird, and found him to be a fine specimen of the White-tailed Sea Eagle. He measured with outspread wings eight feet; the length of his body from his beak to his tail was three feet two inches; and he weighed twenty-two pounds. From his plumage which was in excellent condition, it seemed probable that he was a wild bird; there being no marks either of cage or chain to indicate that he had ever been in captivity. His skin has been well preserved in a well-chosen attitude".'

Accepted locally (Clark Kennedy 1868).

155). 1857 Yorkshire Lina Wood, near Laughton-en-le-Morthen, Nottinghamshire, sub-adult, killed, 13th January.

(Eds., Field 31st Jan., 1857: 76; Felkin, 1866; Whitaker, 1907).

History In an Editorial (1857) in The Field of 31st Jan., 1857, Vol. IX., p. 76, they say: 'On Tuesday morning last, Samuel Holland, one of the keepers of Mr. George Saville Foljambe, of Osberton Hall, Scofton, near Worksop, shot a Golden Eagle. It was a fine male specimen, and measured 6 ft. 11 in. across the wings from tip to tip. The eagle had been seen hovering about the paddocks at Scofton for about a week previous, and attempts had been made to capture him. He was baited with game &c. On the morning above-named he was shot in the corner of his mouth, and has since been conveyed to Mr. Reed, of Doncaster, for preservation, and, we believe, will be added to Mr. Foljambe's extensive and beautiful museum at Osberton Hall.'

Felkin (1866: 46) says: 'A second [for Notts.] in Sina Wood, Laughton, January 13th of the same year [1857], by J. Whitfield, and described by Mr. William Sterland, in The Field newspaper.'

Comment In the boundary changes of 1974 the locality now resides in South Yorkshire.

156). 1857 Somerset Near Bridgwater, shot, January.

(J. Melhuish, Morris and Bree's Naturalist 7: 112).

History J. Melhuish of Taunton (1857) in Morris and Bree's edition of The Naturalist, Vol. VII. p. 112, dated 23rd February, 1857, says: 'In January last there was a fine specimen of the White-tailed Eagle shot by two labourers in the parish of East Quantockhead, near Bridgwater. It is now at Mrs. Turles', birdstuffer, of this town, who has shown her well-known talent in preserving it, who, I consider, second to none in the art.'

157). 1857 Buckinghamshire Hambleden, immature, shot, March.

(Colquhoun, 1858; H. S. Gladstone, British Birds 25: 202; Lack & Ferguson, 1993).

History H. S. Gladstone (1931) in British Birds, Vol. XXV. p. 202, says: 'When recently reading Salmon-casts and Stray Shots by John Colquhoun, 1858, I came across (pp. 112/113) the following very circumstantial account of the occurrence of a Sea-Eagle in Buckinghamshire: - "The sea-eagle especially is often put to great straits at that season, and will wander far to escape starvation. I examined one shot by a farmer in March, 1857, at Hambledon, three miles below Henley-on-Thames. The bird, although large, seemed to be in its second year, as the tail was mottled brown. Most likely it was weak from hunger, for the farmer, at first mistaking it for a boy walked leisurely to the root of the tree, and knocked it down with small shot. From its brown tail, the Sassenachs thought it a fine golden eagle". I am not aware that this occurrence has been noted in any work dealing with the birds of the county.'

[It may be mentioned that another immature Sea-Eagle was shot in the same year on January 7th, at Haslow [sic] (Zool., 1857, p. 5426).]

Comment Eds. means Haslar in Hampshire. The record was subsequently rejected due to it being imported.

158). c. 1857 Dorset Weymouth, killed, undated.

(Mansel-Pleydell, 1873, 1888).

History Mansel-Pleydell (1873: 5) says: 'A specimen was shot near Weymouth about the year 1857, and is in the possession of the Rev. J. S. H. Hoguer at Mells Park (W. Thompson).'

Mansel-Pleydell (1888: 2, 2nd ed.) says: 'In the possession of Mr. Horner, Mells Park, Somerset.'

159). 1858 Sussex Arundel, shot, 19th February.

(Anon., Morris & Bree's Naturalist 1858: 119; G. D. Rowley, Ibis 6: 224).

History Anon. (1858) in Morris & Bree's edition of The Naturalist, Vol. VIII. p. 119, quoting from The Times of 24th February 1858, says: 'A large Eagle, which has been flying about in the vicinity of Arundel, to the terror of many, was shot on Friday last by Mr. W. Ottley, the head gamekeeper of His Grace the Duke of Norfolk. Since the singular visitor has been in the neighbourhood he has been aimed at by many sportsmen, who have been unsuccessful in bringing him down. We believe His Grace has on more than one occasion had an unsuccessful shot. Being a strong bird, and usually flying very high, it required some considerable force to kill him.

On Friday last, however, Mr. Ottley, who was in a plantation in Arundel Park, between Bevis's Grave and the walnut trees, had a good shot, and succeeded in wounding him. The bird struggled considerably, and at length perched on a tree, from which he was soon levelled, and taken to the Castle, where, by direction of His Grace the Duke of Norfolk, he was laid out to be shown to any one who chose to go and see him. After this the Eagle was sent to Mr. Ledbeater, the ornithologist, of London, to be stuffed. He turns out to be a young male of the White-tailed Sea-Eagle, and not a Golden Eagle, as was supposed. Mr. Ledbeater is also of opinion that it is a bird of the first year.

Although the bird is of such a large size, measuring with its wing expanded seven feet five inches, it weighs barely ten pounds. The length from the beak to the tail is three feet, and the breadth across the shoulders one foot. The beak is three inches and a half long, and the centre talon two inches. The quill feather from the pinion joint measures twenty-three inches and a quarter. Its principal haunt was near the South Wood and Houghton chalk pit, and many mutilated rabbits have been picked up which have been killed by the distinguished visitor since he has been in the neighbourhood.'

George Dawson Rowley (1863) in The Ibis, Vol. VI. p. 224, says: 'Lastly, a Sea Eagle (Haliaetus albicilla) was shot on the beach near New Shoreham, 12th November. It had been sailing in the air over the church, and is said to have weighed 10.25 lbs. This is a quarter of a pound more than the bird killed, February 1858, at Arundel.'

160). 1858 Surrey Near Godalming, shot, 27th February.

(Bucknill, 1900; Wheatley, 2007).

History Bucknill (1900) says: 'Stafford mentions two in his private notes, one shot near Farnham by a Mr. Allden, of Ash, and the other by the late Mr. G. Barrett, of Wintershall, near Godalming.

Details of this latter specimen have kindly been furnished to me by the present Mr. Geo. Barrett, to whom I wrote for particulars. He says: "It was shot on February 27, 1858, during very rough and windy weather, being driven towards my father, who was under a small fir tree - it had been about the place for many days; the breast bone was given to Mr. Fred. M. Godman, late of Park Hatch, in this county. The specimen is still in my possession".'

161). 1858 Lothian Tyninghame, shot, December.

(D. W. Thompson, Scottish Naturalist 4: 279; Andrews, 1986).

History D'Arcy. W. Thompson (1877-78) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. IV. p. 279, under 'Birds of South-east Scotland', says: 'Tyninghame, December, 1858.'

162). 1859 Norfolk Horning, seen, January.

(Stevenson, 1866).

History Stevenson (1866 (1): 3) says: 'In January, 1859, one or two of these eagles were observed at Horning and other parts of the county.'

163). 1859 Sussex Birling Gap, Beachy Head, shot, 17th December.

(J. Dutton, Field 24th Dec., 1859: 532; J. Dutton, Zoologist 1860: 6888-89; J. Dutton, Zoologist 1864: 9097; Borrer, 1891).

History John Dutton of Eastbourne (1859) in The Field of 24th Dec., Vol. XIV. p. 532, says: 'On Saturday last, Dec. 17, Mr. John Hicks, chief boatman at Birling Gap Coastguard station, shot a magnificent White-tailed Eagle (Aquila albicilla), which was feeding on a dead turtle that had been washed ashore during the last heavy gales. It appears that Hicks saw the eagle sitting under the cliff, near the turtle, on Thursday last, but did not get a shot at it. He tried to do so several times on each day up to the Saturday, but without success, the bird always flying out to sea before he could get within range. On the eventful day, "big with the fate of the eagle", he placed the turtle at the bottom of a low part of the cliff, about fifty or sixty feet high, and finding from the top of the cliff that the eagle was there, he threw a stone over, when it rose on the wing, and soon fell prostrate on the beach with its wings stretched out. All this was done with an ordinary-sized double gun, loaded with No. 4 shot. Having a mile to go round to get under the cliff to where the bird lay, he found it had so far recovered as to have got some distance from where it fell; he then put about a dozen shot in his gun and fired at it again, without hurting it much. It was alive when I went to fetch it home, but a dose of prussic acid soon killed it. It weighs, 7 lb. 13 oz.; measures 3 ft. from tip of bill to end of tail, and 7 ft. from tip to tip of extended wings.'

J. Dutton of Eastbourne (1860) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XVIII. pp. 6888-89, dated 23rd December, 1859, says: 'A most magnificent specimen of this eagle was shot on Saturday last, at Birling Gap, by Mr. John Hicks, chief boatman of that station. It was feeding on a dead turtle that had been washed ashore by the late heavy gales. It weighs nearly 8 lbs., measures from tip of bill to end of tail 3 feet, and about 7 feet from tip to tip of the wings. It had been seen about the neighbourhood several days. The bird is now in my possession.'

J. Dutton of Eastbourne (1864) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXII. p. 9097, adds: 'One in my own collection was shot at Birling Gap, near the lighthouse, on the 17th of December, 1859, by a coastguardsman.'

Accepted locally (Borrer 1891: 3).

164). 1859 Wiltshire Savernake Forest, shot, undated.

(Im Thurn, 1870; Smith, 1887; Peirson, 1959).

History Im Thurn (1870: 81) says: 'Only one, however, has appeared here of late years. This specimen was observed high up in the air over Savernake Forest by a keeper, who immediately shot at it, and succeeded in bringing it down, when it proved to be a fine specimen of the White-tailed Eagle. It was presented by its fortunate captor to the Marquis of Ailesbury [sic], in whose possession it now is. This was in the year 1859.'

Smith (1887: 62-63) says: 'There is, also, a brief notice in the 'Report of the Marlborough College Natural History Society', for the half-year ending Christmas, 1867, to the effect that 'a White-tailed Eagle was shot in Savernake Forest in 1859', but no further details are given.'

Comment Could it possibly be the 1864 record?

165). 1860 Suffolk Livermere Park, near Bury St Edmunds, male, shot, 18th February.

("R.D.G." Field 3rd Mar., 1860: 176; Babington, 1884-86).

History "R.D.G." (1860) in The Field of 3rd Mar., Vol. XV. p. 176, says: 'On Saturday, the 18th ult., was shot at Livermere Park, near Bury St. Edmunds, a fine specimen of the White-tailed or Sea Eagle. The bird, though in poor condition, weighed 10½ lb.; measured 7 feet 1 inch from tip to tip of his wings, and 3 feet from the beak to the extremity of the tail. It had been observed hovering about for some days, and apparently taking fish from the water in the park.'

W. Bilson (1869) in the Journal of the Suffolk Institute, Vol. I. p. 23, says: 'The following is a list of the scarce Birds that have passed through my hands during the past few years, together with the localities where taken, and the dates, &c. White-tailed Eagle. Male. Livermere.'

Babington (1884-86: 23) says: 'A male killed at Livermere by Mr. Gough, in 1858 (Hawkins MS.; Bilson in Journ. Suff. Inst. 23).'

166). 1860 Cleveland/Yorkshire Between Skinningrove and Cattersty, shot, autumn.

(K. McLean, Naturalist 25: 139; Nelson, 1907).

History Kenneth McLean of Harrogate (1899) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XXV. p. 139, says: 'One shot by G. Allinson, Skinningrove, on banks between Skinningrove and Cattersty, autumn of 1860.'

Nelson (1907 (1): 336) says: 'An example was reported on the Cleveland coast between Skinningrove and Cattersty by G. Allison in the year 1860, as I am informed by Mr. Kenneth McLean.'

167). 1860 Dorset Lulworth, shot, undated.

(Mansel-Pleydell, 1873, 1888).

History Mansel-Pleydell (1873: 5) says: 'In the same year [1860] a second was shot at Lulworth, which may now be seen at the castle.' Mansel-Pleydell (1888: 2, 2nd ed.) says: 'A pair frequented the Rempston Woods in 1860, one of which was trapped by the keeper there, the other was shot at Lulworth soon afterwards.'

168). 1860 Dorset Rempston Woods, trapped, undated.

(Mansel-Pleydell, 1873, 1888).

History Mansel-Pleydell (1873: 5) says: 'Another, shot at Rempston in 1860, is preserved in Mr. Calcraft's collection.'

Mansel-Pleydell (1888: 2, 2nd ed.) says: 'A pair frequented the Rempston Woods in 1860, one of which was trapped by the keeper there, the other was shot at Lulworth soon afterwards.'

169). c. 1860 Gower Margam, seen, undated.

(Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society 31: 18; Heathcote, 1967).

History Cardiff Naturalists' Society (1898-99) in the Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Vol. XXXI. p. 18, say: 'Sir John Llewelyn states he saw at Margam, when in company with the late Mr. C. R. M. Talbot forty year ago, a White-tailed Eagle perched on a tree which Mr. Talbot said he had seen one alight twenty years before.'

170). 1860-61 Devon Ilfracombe, seen, winter.

(D'Urban & Mathew, 1892).

History D'Urban & Mathew (1892) say: 'Several have been seen at different times on the north coast of Devon, near llfracombe, and Mr. G. Mathias. of that town, on more than one occasion, when out shooting in the winter of 1860, got close to one which, for a month or two, frequented the adjacent coast, and, greatly to his credit, refrained from killing it.'

171). 1860-61 Norfolk Holkham, two, seen, winter.

(Eds., Field 20th Apr., 1861: 337; "R.C." Field 27th Apr., 1861: 358; Stevenson, 1866).

History In an Editorial (1861) in The Field of 20th Apr., Vol. XVII. p. 337, he says: 'During the late severe winter a pair of eagles, driven southward by cold and scarcity of food, made their appearance at Holkham, the seat of the Earl of Leicester, on the coast of Norfolk. The noble lord, instead of trying his skill with the rifle on his royal visitors, gave strict orders that they should not be molested. Thus protected they remained in the neighbourhood for several weeks, having made considerable ravages on the geese and ducks on the lake, but, having been thus hospitably entertained, it is hoped that they will renew their visit annually.'

Stevenson (1866 (1): 3) says: 'In the severe winter of 1860-1, a fine pair frequented the lake at Holkham for some weeks, where, in spite of the ravages they committed amongst the wild-fowl, the noble owner of the estate would not allow them to be disturbed.'

173). 1861 Avon Near Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, immature, shot, late January.

(T. Compton, Zoologist 1861: 7380-81; W. D. Crotch, Zoologist 1861: 7381).

History Theodore Compton of Weston-super-Mare (1861) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XIX. p. 7380-81, dated 25th January, 1861, under 'Occurrence of the American White-headed Eagle in Somerset', says: 'The following notice of the appearance, in Somersetshire, of the White-headed Eagle may be interesting to some of the readers of the Zoologist. It is extracted from a letter just received from my son: "Yesterday a curious ornithological event happened here. I was going to shut the rabbit-house door, when all the fowls came half flying down the yard, and hurried into the house. I guessed there might be a hawk, and, seeing the sheep also run under cover, I looked up, and there, not very high, but near enough for me to hear the flap of his great brown wings, was a White-headed Sea Eagle. Perhaps he was hungry, and had not met with his feeder the fish-hawk, and so was forced to come inland. He hovered awhile over our farm, and then turned his white head, and with one great flap of his wings went off over Bleadon Hill, and disappeared in the red sunset. I suppose he went to the Bristol Channel to fish for himself".'

W. D. Crotch of Weston-super-Mare (1861) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XIX. p. 7381, dated 4th February 1861, says: 'A very fine young specimen of the White-tailed or Sea Eagle was shot here last week. Can this be the bird seen by Mr. Compton?'

[I am always reluctant to throw the slightest discredit on statements made in good faith, and evidently without intention to mislead: but it does seem to me that the American eagle cannot be admitted into the avi-fauna of Britain on such unsatisfactory ground; and I feel quite disposed to admit Mr. Crotch's solution of the difficulty - Edward Newman.]

174). 1861 Norfolk Hickling, immature male, shot, 23rd March.

(Stevenson, 1866).

History Stevenson (1866 (1): 3) says: 'A fine young male was killed at Hickling on the 23rd of March, 1861.'

175). 1861 Hampshire Near Somerley, immature, shot, 28th December.

(Wise, 1863; Kelsall & Munn, 1905; Cohen, 1963; Cohen & Taverner, 1972).

History Wise (1863) in Appendix III, under Spotted Eagle, says: 'A fine male specimen was shot, Dec. 28th, 1861, by a keeper of Lord Normanton's, in the plantations near Somerley. The bird had been noticed for some days previously hovering over the Forest. Mr. Rake, who saw it in the flesh, tells me that the wings measured six feet from tip to tip, and its weight was exactly eight pounds.'

Kelsall & Munn (1905) recorded this specimen under Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga), but Mackworth-Praed has since examined it and found it to be an immature White-tailed Eagle, shot near Somerley, on 28th December, 1861 (Cohen & Taverner, 1972: 41).

176). 1862 Norfolk Northrepps, seen, March; same, Westwick, female, shot, March.

(Stevenson, 1866).

History Stevenson (1866 (1): 3) says: 'About the same date [March] in the following year, a female was shot at Westwick. This was, no doubt, the same bird that had been seen only a few days previously at Northrepps, near Cromer, where Mr. Gurney's keeper observed it sitting on a tree, perfectly indifferent to the mobbing's of a flock of Jackdaws.'

177). 1862 Highland Eriboll, Sutherland, killed, April.

(Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1887).

History Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1887) say: 'A White-tailed Eagle was killed at Eriboll in April 1862.'

178). 1862 Lincolnshire Great Cotes, immature, seen, autumn.

(Cordeaux, 1872; Lorand & Atkin, 1989).

History Cordeaux (1872: 1-2) says: 'One, an apparently immature bird, came under my own observation in the autumn of 1862. It frequented the Humber foreshore, in this parish, for nearly a week; and several ineffectual attempts were made to shoot it.'

179). 1862 Dorset Near Christchurch, Hampshire, caught, 3rd November.

("Civis" Field 15th Nov., 1862: 448).

History "Civis" (1862) in The Field, of 15th Nov., Vol. XX. p. 448, says: 'On the 3rd inst., there was captured, on the lands of John Sloman, Esq., near Christchurch, Hants., a fine specimen of the Sea Eagle. The bird was caught in a rabbit-trap, in a field within a quarter of a mile of the shore. It was entirely uninjured, and is now in the Zoological Gardens, Regent's-park. I should be glad to know from yourself or some of your ornithological correspondents if the appearance of this bird on our southern coasts is not extremely rare, if not unprecedented?'

[The occurrence of Eagles of either species in the south of England is uncommon, but there are several well-authenticated instances. - Ed.]

180). 1863 Cheshire & Wirral Eaton Estate, near Chester, female, shot, 5th January, now at Grosvenor Museum, Chester.

(E. Ward, Field 31st Jan., 1863: 98; Dobie, 1893; Coward & Oldham, 1900; Coward, 1910; Hardy, 1941; Hedley Bell, 1962).

History Edwin Ward (1863) in The Field, of 31st Jan., Vol. XXI. p. 98, says: 'A specimen of this magnificent bird - female by dissection - was shot near Chester on the 5th inst. She is exceedingly fat and heavy (having 4 inches of fat from the apex of the heart, extending downwards between the liver); her length, from bill to tail, 3 feet 1 inch, breadth of wings 7 feet 9 inches (which, I think, will be found to be above average); legs and feet bright yellow (middle chrome); cere dark, nearly black. This specimen which is now in course of preservation, was killed by a single grain of shot, which penetrated the brain.'

Dobie (1893: 314) says: 'His Grace The Duke of Westminster has recently presented to the Grosvenor Museum a fine immature specimen, which was obtained some years ago on the Eaton Estate. It is possibly the one of which a note was inserted in The Field (January 31st, 1863, p. 98), and there said to have been shot on January 5th, 1863.'

Coward & Oldham (1900: 131) say: 'There is a bird in immature plumage in the Grosvenor Museum, Chester, which was obtained some years ago on the Eaton Estate. This, as Dr. Dobie suggests, is probably the female recorded by Mr. E. Ward as having been shot "near Chester" on January 5th, 1863.'

181). 1863 Bedfordshire Cardington, shot, 15th March.

(W. Thurnall, Field 11th Apr., 1863: 339-340; Steele-Elliott, 1901; Trodd & Kramer, 1991).

History William Thurnall of Bedford (1863) in The Field of 11th Apr., Vol. XXI. pp. 339-340, says: 'On the 15th March, as a farmer, residing in the parish of Cardington, about three miles from this town, was sitting at dinner he observed his Pigeons flying about in a very frightened state, and upon looking out of the window he saw a very large bird on the wing, which soon settled upon an oak tree close by, when he loaded his gun, and by getting behind another tree in a line with that upon which the bird was sitting, he was enabled to get a shot at it and succeeded in breaking one of its wings. The bird was blind with one eye, the cornea of the left eye being quite opaque. When he went to pick up his game the bird scrambled into a ditch and threw itself upon its back, and when he secured it by its wings it seized and firmly held his collar with both his talons. As the bird was apparently only winged it was put in a room, where it lingered for four days, only eating portions of a lamb which were put into its beak.

The Rev. F. O. Morris, in his History of British Birds, giving an excellent description of the Erne, says: "Its proper habitat is near the sea-shore, or fresh-water lakes surrounded by precipitous mountains; it is not, however, confined exclusively to coast localities, for it has sometimes been met with inland, in one instance as much as forty miles from the sea". As the locality in which the bird was shot is much more than forty miles from the coast, it makes the specimen a more interesting one. When the bird was first taken the plumage appeared perfect, except the tail feathers, the ends of which were rather worn; it may have escaped from captivity, but I hardly think its plumage would have been so perfect under those circumstances. The tail-feathers were greyish, but according to Mr. Morris they do not become perfectly white until the third moult, or, as some authors say, until the bird is five years old. This rara avis measured from tip to tip of wings 6 feet 11 inches, from beak to tail 3 feet, and weighed 6 lb 14 oz.". P.S. - The bird is now added to the excellent collection of "British birds" of Mr. Barlow, Cambridge.'

Steele-Elliott (1901: 1-2) adds: 'Professor Newton informs me that he has viewed the collection of Mr. Frederick Barlow, but cannot remember having seen this particular specimen; and further states that after the death of Mr. Barlow, some twenty years since, the collection was disposed of at a sale of the collection. Into whose hands it may have passed, he is unable to trace.'

182). 1863 Suffolk Sizewell, seen, 27th March.

(N. F. Hele, Field 18th Apr., 1863: 368; Hele, 1870; Babington, 1884-86).

History N. F. Hele of Aldeburgh (1863) in The Field of 18th Apr., Vol. XXI. p. 368, says: 'March 27, saw a most splendid Cinereous or Sea Eagle (Haliaetus albicilla) flying over Syewell [sic] Common. I was within a couple of hundred yards of him. I noticed he struck repeatedly at Partridges on the ground, but without any success as far as I could see. The flight was heavy but very rapid.'

Babington (1884-86: 22) says: 'One seen there [Sizewell], Mar., 1863 (Hele, Ald., 68, 69).'

183). 1863 Suffolk Fritton Decoy, immature, shot, spring.

(Stevenson, 1866; Babington, 1884-86).

History Stevenson (1866 (1): 3) says: 'In the spring of 1863, an immature bird was shot near Fritton decoy, in the adjoining county.' Accepted locally (Babington 1884-86: 22).

184). 1863 Yorkshire Speeton, third-year, obtained, October.

(Nelson, 1907).

History Nelson (1907 (1): 336) says: 'In October 1863 one was secured at Speeton Cliffs by Thomas Leng, after several unsuccessful attempts. It was preserved by Mr. Matthew Bailey of Scarborough, who has kindly given me this information, and further states that the bird measured thirty-nine inches from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail, and seven feet six inches in expanse of wing. The bird passed into the collection of Captain Crowe of Speeton. Cordeaux recorded the wrong date for this specimen.'

185). 1863 Sussex Shoreham-by-Sea, female, shot, 12th November, now at Booth Museum.

(H. Pratt, Zoologist 1864: 8875; G. D. Rowley, Ibis 6: 224; Borrer, 1891; Booth Museum).

History H. Pratt of Brighton (1864) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXII. p. 8875, undated, says: 'I have a beautiful specimen of the White-tailed Eagle, which was brought to me on Friday, November 13th; it had been killed the day before at Shoreham, where it was first observed flying over the town, and was marked down near the edge of the water. A friend of mine having heard of it, immediately went in pursuit, but before he reached the spot it had been disturbed by a coast-guardsman: it then flew about half a mile, followed by a number of Rooks and gulls, anxious to drive it from the neighbourhood. Before my friend came up with it, it again rose, and flew a long distance on towards Worthing: with the greatest haste, he again made towards it, and, creeping behind a ridge of the beach, got within forty-three yards of it; on his first looking over, it was feeding on a gull, but immediately the bird saw him, it rose with great difficulty, when he shot it, breaking the right wing, but even after this it was a very formidable creature to secure. The bird proves to be a female, measuring in length 3 feet 4 inches, and in extent of wings 7 feet 11 inches. The plumage is very fine, having, I suppose, completed its moulting; the tail is about three parts white. It is very remarkable that the wing was broken with a No. 6 shot.'

George Dawson Rowley (1864) in The Ibis, Vol. VI. p. 224, in a Letter, says: 'Lastly, a Sea Eagle (Haliaetus albicilla), was shot on the beach near New Shoreham, 12th November. It had been sailing in the air over the church, and is said to have weighed 10¼ lbs. This is a quarter of a pound more than the bird killed, February 1858, at Arundel.'

Accepted locally (Borrer 1891: 3).

Comment Presumed same as in the Booth Museum that was killed on 19th November at Lancing. Perhaps that was the day it was received.

186). 1863 Norfolk Great Melton, near Wymondham, seen, mid-November.

(T. E. Gunn, Zoologist 1864: 9019; Stevenson, 1866).

History T. E. Gunn of Norwich (1864) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXII. p. 9019, dated February, 1864, says: 'An eagle, supposed to be a young specimen of Falco albicilla, was observed for several days in the neighbourhood of Great Melton, near Wymondham, about the middle of November last.'

Stevenson (1866 (1): 8) says: ''In November of the same year [1863], another was observed, for a few days, in the neighbourhood of Wymondham, in Norfolk.'

187). 1864 Wiltshire Savernake Forest, shot, 1st March.

(Eds., Field 12th Mar., 1864: 174; W. H. Rowland, Zoologist 1864: 9020).

History In an Editorial (1864) in The Field of 12th Mar., Vol. XXIII. p. 174, they say: 'A correspondent has forwarded us an extract from a local paper, of which the following is a condensation: "During the past week an Eagle has been observed in the neighbourhood of Great Bedwyn, and on Monday, March 1, Mr. Haymes, one of the Marquis of Ailesbury's gamekeepers, managed to get within shot of the bird, in the Bedwyn brails, one of the preserves of his Lordship, and brought it to the ground. It proved to be a Sea Eagle (Haliaetus albicilla). Its dimensions are as follows: length from beak to tip of tail, 32 in.; 7 ft. 2 in. from the tips of its extended wings; the head and beak, 4½ in.". Our correspondent adds: - "I heard of the bird alluded to above on Wednesday last, and tried to get a sight of it; it was, however, taken to Savernake Forest House, the seat of the Marquis of Ailesbury, to be exhibited to the Duke of Cambridge, and other illustrious visitors there. Lord Ailesbury has sent the bird to Mr. Ward, of Vere Street, to be preserved".'

W. H. Rowland of Hungerford (1864) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXII. p. 9020, undated, says: 'During the past week a specimen of the White-tailed Eagle had been observed in the neighbourhood of this place, and in vain were traps set to take it. However, on Monday, the 1st of March, Mr. Haymes, one of the Marquis of Ailesbury's gamekeepers, managed to get within shot of the bird, in Bedwyn Brails, one of the preserves of His Lordship, and brought it to the ground. The bird has been sent to Mr. Ward, of Vere Street, for preservation.'

188). 1864 Norfolk Breydon Water, seen, 4th March.

(Allard, 1990).

History Allard (1990) states that Fielding Harmer and Patterson mention the following sighting: One seen over Breydon on 4th March 1864.

189). 1864 Moray & Nairn Cantray, Moray, obtained, October.

(Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1896).

190). 1864 Suffolk Blythburgh, killed, December.

(Babington, 1884-86).

History Babington (1884-86: 22) says: 'One killed at Blythburgh, Dec., 1864; bought from Mr. T. M. Spalding's Collection, by Mr. Waller, of Little Bealings, who has it (F. Spalding MS.).'

191). 1864 Sussex Between Henfield and Brighton, adult, seen, 26th December.

(W. Borrer, Zoologist 1865: 9465; Borrer, 1891; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

History W. Borrer of Cowfold (1865) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXIII. p. 9465, dated 20th January, 1865, says: 'Whilst travelling on the road between Brighton and Henfield I saw a large brown mass, near the top of an oak tree, in a hedge-row about three hundred yards off. I asked the coachman if it was a bird, and he pulled up. Immediately an eagle rose up, and soared steadily away, and was lost sight of in a wood at no great distance. It was again seen about a mile from the same spot in the afternoon of the same day. The tail being very white proves it to have been an adult bird. I do not think an adult bird has before been observed in Sussex.'

Borrer (1891: 2) quotes the same story.

Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 311) says: 'The next bird to be noticed was definitely an adult. It was seen on Boxing Day, 1864, by Borrer, between, says he in The Zoologist for 1865, Henfield and Brighton, which are about fourteen miles apart (and this to me reads like half-way), though in his book (1891, p. 2) twenty-six years later he gives the locality as about one and a half miles east of the former place.'

Comment From the evidence it would appear a poor view was obtained.

192). 1864 Yorkshire Wykeham, obtained, undated.

(Nelson, 1907).

History Nelson (1907 (1): 336) says: 'The late Alfred Roberts of Scarborough stated (MS.) that one was obtained at Wykeham in 1864.'

193). Pre 1865 Shropshire Badger, immature, obtained, undated.

(J. Rocke, Zoologist 1865: 9684; Smith et al., 2019).

History J. Rocke of Shropshire (1865) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXIII. p. 9684, says: 'Three examples of this fine eagle have been obtained in this county within the last few years, all of them, I believe, in immature plumage; one to Mr. Robert Henry Cheney, of Badger Hall.'

194). Pre 1865 Shropshire Chyknell, immature, obtained, undated.

(J. Rocke, Zoologist 1865: 9684; Smith et al., 2019).

195). Pre 1865 Shropshire Halston, immature, obtained, undated.

(J. Rocke, Zoologist 1865: 9684; Rutter, Gribble & Pemberyon, 1964; Smith et al., 2019).

196). 1865 Yorkshire Flamborough Head, immature, shot, spring.

(Cordeaux, 1872).

History Cordeaux (1872: 1-2) says: 'In the spring of 1865 I saw an immature bird that was shot off Flamborough Head (a locality where the Sea Eagle has been frequently observed). It was skinned and set up by Mr. Bailey, of that place.'

197). 1865 Berkshire Windsor Great Park, two, immatures, one shot and another wounded and kept in captivity, summer.

(Clark Kennedy, 1868; Swash, 1996).

History Clark Kennedy (1868: 158) says: 'Another Cinereous Eagle in immature plumage was shot by one of the royal keepers in Windsor Great Park in the summer of 1865. About the same time, another bird of this species was seen by the keepers about the park. It was slightly wounded and captured, and is alive at the present time (1867), under the care of Mr. Cole at the Sandpit Gate in the park. The captive bird died after 33 years and is now at the Crown Estate Office, Windsor Great Park.'

199). 1865 Orkney No locality, pair: adult male and female, shot, undated, both now at Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

(Howse, 1899).

History Howse (1899: 5) in his Index-Catalogue of the Birds in the Hancock Collection, says: 'Case 7. Mature male and female, Orkney, 1865. Stuffed by T. Bates. From Old Museum Collection.'

AC Non-pass

Keith Naylor

White-tailed Eagle (1/3)

Haliaeetus albicilla (Linnaeus, 1758) (490, 1)

Black Kite

White-tailed Eagle (2/3)