Wilson's Storm-petrel
Oceanites oceanicus (Kuhl, 1820) (2, 0)
Photo © Rob Stonehouse
Ex BBRC species 31/12/2005
STATUS
Oceanic. Polytypic.
OVERVIEW
In a review of all seabirds by W. R. P. Bourne (Ibis 109: 141-167) the BOU (1971) under 'Introduction' p. xiv, adopted his recommendations for this species, with all those under the Not proven header being dismissed by Bourne except where stated differently.
RECORDS
1). 1838 Cornwall Near Polperro, found dead in a field, mid-August.
(J. Couch, Transactions of the Linnean Society 18: 688-690; J. Couch, Annals of Natural History 2: 372-373; Yarrell, 1845; E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1870: 2325; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1872; Witherby, 1920-24; W. R. P. Bourne, Ibis 109: 157; Penhallurick, 1969; BOU, 1971).
History Jonathan Couch (1838) in the Transactions of the Linnean Society, Vol. XVIII. pp. 688-690, read 6th November 1838, and (1839) in the Annals of Natural History, Vol. II. pp. 372-373, says: 'Mr. Couch states, that "about the middle of August of the present year, the Stormy Petrel, Proc. pelagica, abounded on the south coast of Cornwall, driven thither, it is probable, by about a week's continuance of wind accompanied by rain; under which circumstance they are commonly found by thousands at a few miles from land, in the months of September and October. It is probable that the weather, as described above, had driven to us this rare stranger, the first of its species I believe on record as having occurred in Britain, which was found at the same time dead in a field at a few miles from Polperro, and was brought to me for examination. As our sailor boys were in possession of numerous living specimens of the Stormy Petrel, which are taken with great facility when the weather suits, I found no difficulty in instituting a comparative examination of these two species; and I beg leave to lay the result before the Linnean Society.
Both the specimens were in about equal degrees well fed: - Weight of the Stormy Petrel, 4 drams 35 grains; of Wilson's Petrel, 5 drams 2 scrupels; length of Stormy Petrel, 6 inches; of Wilson's Petrel 7 inches; spread of the wings, Stormy Petrel, 14¼ inches; of Wilson's Petrel, 16½ inches; the wings beyond the tail, Stormy Petrel, ½ an inch; of Wilson's Petrel, 1½ inches; with the legs extended, the toes extend, short of the end of the tail, Stormy Petrel, 1 line; of Wilson's Petrel, beyond the tail ½ inch 2 lines.
The Stormy Petrel is feathered just to the tarsal joint; but in Wilson's Petrel the feathers only approach within 4 lines of it. In the former the tarsus is in length 1 line short of an inch, in the latter 1 inch 4 lines, and equally slender with the former; and the hinder toe is so minute, that it might escape any but attentive examination. In the bill the markings are more strongly defined, with the terminal hook longer and sharper. The prominence of the forehead is less than in the more common species. Colour of the head black, with a tint of hoary, lighter on the throat. The back, belly, wings and tail ferruginous, lighter on the wing-coverts; the rump white, and a little of the same at the vent. Tarsi and feet black, with a longitudinal stripe of sulphur-yellow, more golden at the borders, on the web between each toe.
This species, being of a stouter configuration than the common Petrel, is probably better able than it to escape the violence of the storm; the reason, perhaps, why it does not more frequently come near our coasts. But something may also be ascribed to the manner of its flight; that of the Stormy Petrel resembling the hovering motion of a Bat, and thus going before the violence of a gale, rather than counteracting its influence".'
Yarrell (1845 (3): 640, 2nd ed.) says: 'In November 1838, a specimen of Wilson's Petrel was found dead in a field near Polperro, Cornwall and a notice of the occurrence was published in the second volume of the Annals of Natural History, by Mr. Couch, who very kindly sent the bird when preserved up to me, that I might take a drawing from it as a British specimen.'
E. H. Rodd (1870) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. V. p. 2325, says: 'One specimen only obtained from Cornwall, and this was found dead in a field near Polperro; it passed into the hands of Mr. Couch, who forwarded it to Mr. Yarrell, who figure of this bird was taken from the Cornish specimen.'
Harting, Editor (1880: 184-185) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'About the middle of August 1838 as recorded by the late Mr. Couch (Trans. Linn. Soc., Vol. XVIII. p. 688), after a week's continuance of wind and rain, a specimen of Wilson's Petrel was picked up dead in a field near Polperro, a great number of the common Storm Petrel having been observed off the coast at the same time.'
Admitted by Saunders (1884-85 (4): 49, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, who also stated November, 1838, as the date. Saunders (1899 2nd ed.) also figured it in his Manual and stated the date as November 1838.
Penhallurick (1969) however gives the date as mid-August 1838 as does the BOU (1971).
Comment Copied erroneously down the years by various authors as November, 1838.
In a review by W. R. P. Bourne (1967) of all seabirds (Ibis 109: 141-167), the BOU (1971) in their introduction p. xiv, adopted his recommendations for this species and accepted this record.
2). 1891 Argyll Jura, found alive, 1st October.
(H. Evans, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1892: 18; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1892; H. Saunders, Ibis 1892: 182-183; Witherby, 1920-24; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; W. R. P. Bourne, Ibis 109: 157; Thom, 1986).
History Henry Evans of Jura Forest (1892) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. I. p. 18, dated 26th November, 1891, says: 'A specimen of Wilson's Petrel was found alive by the keeper's children at Inner Jura, on the western side of the island, on the 1st of October last. The bird had become entangled in a net used to keep poultry out of a kitchen garden, and was brought to me in a perfectly fresh condition.
Fortunately I was there at the time or it would have been lost. There is no doubt as to the species; the colour of the wings, the length of the tarsus (one and a half inches), and yellow patches on the webs of the feet, make the identity of the bird certain. The net in which the Petrel was captured is about fifty yards from the sea. Unfortunately the sex of the specimen was not noted, for I did not examine the bird carefully until after it had been skinned by the keeper. The weather was fine at the time of its capture, but there can be little doubt its appearance is to be associated with the heavy gale on the 26th of September.'
[Although it has been noted on several occasions in England, and once, at least, for Ireland, yet this is the first known instance of the occurrence of Wilson's Petrel in Scotland. - W.E.C.]
Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1892: 200) add: '...that it was stuffed by McLeay, 65 Church Street, Inverness.'
Howard Saunders of London (1892) in The Ibis, Vol. IV. 6th series, pp. 182-183, says: 'Owing to unusually stormy weather during the past autumn, and especially to the prevalence of gales more or less from the westward, an unusual number of irregular visitors have been noticed on the coasts of the United Kingdom. For instance, Wilson's Petrel (Oceanites oceanica) is a species which loves the open sea, and never willingly enters so much as a bay or an estuary...while Mr. Henry Evans informs me of one obtained on the island of Jura - the first in Scotland, I believe.'
Comment In a review of all seabirds for the BOU by W. R. P. Bourne in The Ibis 109: 141-167, the BOU (1971) in their introduction p. xiv, adopted his recommendations and admitted this record.
NOT PROVEN
0). Pre 1835 At Sea Sea area Lundy, Bristol Channel, two, caught, undated.
(Jenyns, 1835; Yarrell, 1845; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1872).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History Jenyns (1835: 286) says: 'I am informed by Mr. Yarrell that this species has been killed in the British Channel, though at some distance from land.'
Yarrell (1845 (3): 640, 2nd ed.) says: 'Eight or nine years ago I saw two skins of this species which had been taken by the captain of a ship, while sailing up the Bristol Channel. The muscles about the wings of these specimens, which I examined closely, were still soft and moist. I was told that these two birds had been caught by the captain himself, from the stern of his ship, with a baited hook at the end of a long slender line of thread. These are the specimens referred to by the Rev. L. Jenyns, in his British Vertebrata.
Harting (1872: 178) says: 'Two, English Channel: Jenyn, Man. Brit. Vert. An., p. 286; Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Birds, Vol. III. p. 668.'
W. R. P. Bourne (1967) in The Ibis, Vol. CIX. pp. 141-167, also says: 'English Channel.' However, It was not admitted nationally (BOU 1971).
Comment I have used the At sea area for ease as it is impossible to allocate it to all the counties bordering the Bristol Channel. Jenyns recorded it first as the English Channel, but it was Yarrell who examined them and recorded it as the Bristol Channel; Saunders in the 4th ed. of Yarrell didn't amend it, so I believe it must have been the Bristol Channel. Not acceptable.
0). 1838 At sea Sea area Sole, several off Land's End, Cornwall, seen, May.
(J. Gould, Proceedings of the Zoological Society 1839: 139; Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85).
[Witherby et al., 1940-52; Not in BOU, 1971].
History John Gould (1839) in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society, part 7. p. 139, in a letter read 8th October 1839 that was headed Van Diemen's Land, dated 10th May 1839, says: 'It is now twelve months since I left England. The early part of the passage was boisterous and adverse, our ship being detained eleven days in the Bay of Biscay, during which period numbers of land-birds, all of European species, constantly visited the vessel but as no great interest attaches itself to their chance occurrence, I shall confine my observations more particularly to those species that make the expansive ocean their home, and whose natural limits have been but slightly recorded.
The members of the genus Thalassidroma were the birds to which my especial attention was directed, from the circumstance of the group being but slightly understood, and from the great interest these little tenants of the ocean excite in the mind of the voyager. Immediately off the Land's End, Wilson's Storm-petrel (Thalassidroma Wilsoni) was seen in abundance, and continued to accompany the ship throughout the Bay.'
Admitted by Saunders (1884-85 (4): 49, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
Witherby (1952 (4): 37) in a footnote in The Handbook, says: 'This observation by J. Gould (P.Z.S., 1839: 139) may have been due to an error in identification as numerous subsequent observations indicate that only a few are to be found in the N. Atlantic in May, and that the bird does not reach the east side in numbers until much later.'
Not admitted nationally (BOU 1971).
Comment Although the identification was never doubted, this was not admitted as a first for Britain as his observation was made at sea. Perhaps, worthy of a review, but possibly outwith British waters. Not acceptable.
0). 1839 Norfolk No locality, obtained, spring.
(Yarrell, 1845).
[H. Stevenson MS; Yarrell, 1871-85; Gurney, 1884; W. R. P. Bourne, Ibis 1967: 157].
History Yarrell (1845 (3): 640, 2nd ed.) says: 'In the spring of 1839, Mr. Charles Buxton, of Norfolk, sent me notice of one obtained in that county.' In H. Stevenson's MS. notes he doubted if this was a genuine Norfolk record.
Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 49, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'In the spring of 1839, Mr. Charles Buxton, of Norfolk, sent notice of one said to have been obtained in that county, and Mr. J. H. Gurney has another, purchased some years ago; but Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., writes that he is doubtful as to either of them being really British-killed.'
Gurney (1884: 6) says: 'The Ortolan Bunting, Eagle Owl, and Pelican, it is thought may have escaped from confinement; while the Eastern Golden Plover, Wilson's Petrel, Harlequin Duck, and Hooded Merganser may not have been really killed in Norfolk.'
Further, pp. 40-41, he adds: 'My father has a Wilson's Petrel, said to have been killed in Norfolk. Purchased many years ago of a fishmonger and birdstuffer named Smith. Another is mentioned by Yarrell. The history of both is extremely doubtful.'
0). Pre 1843 Sussex Coastal locality, obtained, undated.
(F. Bond, Zoologist 1843: 148; Yarrell, 1845; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1872; Seebohm, 1883-85; Saunders, 1899; Booth, 1901).
[Walpole-Bond, 1938; Not in BOU, 1971].
History Frederick Bond (1843) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. I. p. 148, dated 28th March, says: 'A specimen of each of these [Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Wilson's Petrel], obtained on the Sussex coast, have lately come into my possession.'
Admitted by Saunders (1884-85 (4): 49, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds and Saunders (1899: 733, 2nd ed.).
Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 62-63) says: '...the data attached thereto leave much to be desired. But, of course, this is not to say that the bird had been procured lately; it may just as well have been procured many years previously. There is no doubt, however, that it was a 'Wilson'.'
0). 1849 Wiltshire Sutton Benger, picked up freshly dead, 2nd November.
(G. S. Marsh, Zoologist 1859: 6492; A. C. Smith, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 12: 177; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1872; Seebohm, 1883-85; Smith, 1887; Hartert et al., 1912; Witherby et al., 1940-52; Buxton, 1981; Palmer, 1991; Wiltshire Ornithological Society, 2007).
[W. R. P. Bourne, Ibis 139:157].
History G. S. Marsh of Sutton Benger, Chippenham (1859) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XVII. p. 6492, undated, says: 'I have in my collection a beautiful specimen of Wilson's Petrel, which was picked up dead in a meadow near the River Avon, November 2, 1849....I presume these birds had been driven by storms so far inland, but not being able to obtain their natural food they died of starvation: we are at least fifty miles from the sea. A labourer had found the specimen of Wilson's Petrel, and brought it to his cottage, intending to bring it to me, but his wife persuaded him it was only a Swift, and he threw it out in the road: another labourer passing by picked it up and argued to himself that a Swift had not webbed feet, and so he brought it down to the Vicarage, and was rewarded for his pains. This anecdote shows how often rare specimens may be missed for lack of knowledge.'
A. C. Smith (1870) in the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, Vol. XII. p. 177, says: 'Wilson's Petrel is one of our rarest British birds, but three or four specimens alone having been obtained in this country: it is therefore with especial gratification that I am able to record, on the unimpeachable testimony of the late Mr. Marsh, that a fine specimen of this bird was picked up dead from exhaustion in Sutton Benger Mead, in November, 1849. There were no remarkable gales blowing at that time, but it was observed that it was just previous to a long continued frost.'
Admitted by Saunders (1884-85 (4): 50, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
Smith (1887: 542-543) after stating the same story as above, says: '...So nearly, however, was this most rare and most valuable specimen being lost. There were no remarkable gales blowing at the time, but it was observed that it was just previous to a long-continued frost.'
Admitted nationally (Witherby et al. 1940-52) and accepted locally (Wiltshire Ornithological Society 2007).
Comment Marsh also owned the rejected Northern Flicker. Fraud suspected. Not acceptable.
0). 1863 Isle of Wight Freshwater, picked up dead, mid-November.
(C. Delmé Radcliffe, Field 28th Nov., 1863: 532; C. Delmé Radcliffe, Zoologist 1864: 8892; Seebohm, 1883-85; Kelsall & Munn, 1905; Witherby et al., 1940-52).
[W. R. P. Bourne, Ibis 139: 157].
History C. Delmé Radcliffe of Freshwater (1863) in The Field of 28th Nov., Vol. XXII. p. 532, and (1864) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXII. p. 8892, dated 24th November, 1863 and communicated by Mr. Rogers, says: 'On Friday last I picked up a specimen of the rare Wilson's Petrel lying dead, a couple of hundred yards or so from the sea-shore.
It was very thin, had probably been driven here in an exhausted state, away from its latitude. There were evident traces of its having been 'finished' by a Sparrowhawk, which apparently had tasted enough of petrel (no doubt new to him) after one mouthful. Luckily it was quite fresh, and I gave it to Mr. Rogers, naturalist and birdstuffer, of Freshwater, and I have just seen it admirably preserved and set up by him. I have taken several specimens of this petrel far at sea, south of the equator, towards the South-American coast. I believe there are very few recorded instances of its having been found in, or in the vicinity of, the British Isles.'
Admitted nationally (Witherby et al. 1940-52) and accepted locally (Kelsall & Munn 1905).
0). 1866 Sussex Near Rye, obtained, undated.
(Booth, 1901; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[W. R. P. Bourne, Ibis 139: 157].
History Booth (1901: 219, 3rd ed.) says: 'This bird was obtained by a man named Whiteley, of Rye, Sussex, and purchased by the late Mr. W. Borrer from George Bristow, a birdstuffer at St. Leonards, in 1891.'
Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 62) adds: 'It is now in the Dyke Road Museum, Brighton.'
Comment A man named Whiteley was involved with the rejected Sussex Spotted Sandpiper; George Bristow was discredited over the 'Hastings Rarities' affair. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1870 Suffolk Near Aldeburgh, obtained, undated.
(Hele, 1870; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1872).
[Babington, 1884-86; Not in BOU, 1971].
History Hele (1870) says: 'A single individual was obtained some years since in this neighbourhood, and is in the possession of Col. Thellusson.'
Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 50, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'Mr. N. F. Hele writes in his Notes about Aldeburgh (p. 176), that 'a single individual was obtained some years since in this neighbourhood, and is in the possession of Col. Thelluson [sic]'.
Babington (1884-86: 248) in not accepting this record, says: 'One obtained some years ago, near Aldeburgh, in possession of Col. Thelusson [sic] (Hele, Ald., p. 176); Mr. Hele has carefully examined this very old specimen, and finds the legs quite as long as those of the figure (350) in Morris's Brit. Birds (in litt., 1885).'
0). 1870 Devon Sidmouth, December.
(D'Urban & Mathew, 1892).
[D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; BOU, 1971].
History D'Urban & Mathew (1892: 403) say: 'One is said to have occurred at Sidmouth in December.'
0). 1874 Yorkshire Southowram, Halifax, obtained, 13th November.
(Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Yarrell, 1871-85; Nelson, 1907; Witherby et al., 1940-52; Mather, 1986).
[W. R. P. Bourne, Ibis 139: 157]
History Clarke & Roebuck (1881: 85) say: 'Halifax, one shot at Southowram, late in Nov., 1874; now in the collection of Mr. Christopher Ward, to whom it was brought in the flesh (Ward, MS.).'
Admitted by Saunders (1884-85 (4): 50, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds and accepted locally by Nelson (1907 (2): 752) who adds: 'Now in the possession of Christopher Ward of Wray, near Lancaster, to whom it was taken in the flesh, while quite fresh (Ward MS.).'
Admitted nationally (Witherby et al. 1940-52) and accepted locally (Mather 1986).
0). 1881 Cumbria Castlesteads, shore-line corpse, undated.
(Macpherson, 1892; Witherby et al., 1940-52; Hutcheson, 1986).
[W. R. P. Bourne, Ibis 139: 157].
History Macpherson (1892: 457) says: 'In the year 1881 one of the servants at Castlesteads found a dead Petrel which he took to his master, Captain Johnson, by whom it was identified as a Wilson's Petrel. Unluckily this specimen was too far gone for preservation, otherwise Captain Johnson would have mounted it himself.'
Admitted nationally (Witherby et al. 1940-52) and accepted locally (Hutcheson 1986).
0). 1887 Devon Exmouth, obtained, 13th November.
(D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; Moore, 1969).
[W. R. P. Bourne, Ibis 139: 157].
History D'Urban & Mathew (1892: 404) say: 'Mr. Seaward, a birdstuffer in Exmouth, had a specimen which he states was brought to him in the flesh on November 13th, 1887, having been obtained at that place....One of the Devonshire specimens, that from the beach at Exmouth, where it was shot November 13, 1887, is before us as we write, and we find that this species is to be easily distinguished from our two indigenous Petrels by its longer legs, by the webs of its feet having yellow patches, and by a slender white line across the wings.
The bird is said to carry its long legs trailing behind and projecting beyond the tail, so as to appear like two elongated feathers. It is an inhabitant of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Flocks are stated to have been occasionally seen at the entrance of the English Channel, notably one close off the Land's End, by Mr. J. Gould, in May 1838.'
Moore (1969) says: 'This individual was obtained on 13th November 1887, at Exmouth, Devon, (D'Urban & Mathew 1895). D'Urban subsequently handled the bird, confirming the identification.' Moore adds: 'that there seems no reason for not accepting the record.'
It was not published by Witherby (1920-24) in his authentic record list.
0). 1888 Isle of Wight Freshwater Bay, picked up dead, autumn.
(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1889: 150-151; Kelsall & Munn, 1905; Witherby et al., 1940-52).
[W. R. P. Bourne, Ibis 139: 157].
History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1889) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIII. pp. 150-151, says: 'I learn that the supposed Bulwer's Petrel alluded to by Mr. Rogers (p. 28) has the lower part of the back white, and pale yellow oval patches on the webs of the feet. Hence it is to be inferred that it is not a Bulwer's, but a Wilson's Petrel, Oceanites oceanica. It was found dead on the shore of Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight, last autumn, after a severe storm, and is now in the collection of Dr. Hollis, of Freshwater. This is the second Wilson's Petrel which has been picked up at or near Freshwater (cf. Yarrell, British Birds, iv. p. 50), or at any rate, which is said to have been found there.'
Kelsall & Munn (1905: 343) say: 'The other was found dead in the same locality [Freshwater] in the autumn of 1888, after a severe storm, and was recorded by Mr. J. H. Gurney in the Zoologist for 1889. It is now in the collection of Dr. Hollis, of Freshwater. This specimen was erroneously reported as Bulwer's Petrel in the same periodical during the preceding January.'
Admitted nationally (Witherby et al. 1940-52).
0). 1890 Cumbria Walney Island, Lancashire, shore-line corpse, November, now at City of Liverpool Museum.
(Macpherson, 1892; H. A. Macpherson, Zoologist 1893: 150-151; Clubb, 1914; Witherby et al., 1940-52; Hutcheson, 1986).
[W. R. P. Bourne, Ibis 139: 157-158].
History Macpherson (1892: 457) says: 'This specimen was washed up dead on the north-west shore of Walney Island in November 1890, and after being kept for a day or two by the working-man who found it, was taken to Williams, the Barrow blacksmith. It was then very far from fresh, but he made a rough skin of it. The skin was subsequently sent to Osbert Salvin, F.R.S. who kindly compared it with the series of Oceanites oceanicus in the British Museum. Mr. Salvin wrote to me that he found the measurements of this specimen "to be unaccountably small, the wing only measuring 4.9 in. instead of 5.9.". He adds: "Besides its small dimensions the Walney Island bird has a square tail, but this varies, some specimens having a slightly forked tail, others nearly or quite even. The yellow mark on the webs of the feet is not nearly so well marked as in the ordinary form. The amount of white on the rectrices and on the under tail coverts is about the same as in the rest. The plumage, generally, is dark, due to recent moult".'
H. A. Macpherson of Carlisle (1893) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XVII. pp. 150-151, says: 'Knowing the county, I have read with great interest your remarks on Mr. Saunders new edition of Mitchell's Birds of Lancashire....The Wilson's Petrel, obtained at the same time, was much more decomposed when found.'
Clubb (1914: 59) says: 'Case 228. The only local record is of one washed ashore, Walney Island, November, 1890 (Fauna of Lakeland, p. 457).'
Admitted nationally (Witherby et al. 1940-52) and accepted locally (Hutcheson 1986).
0). Pre 1900 Surrey Pease Marsh, Godalming, four, killed, undated.
(Bucknill, 1900).
[Bucknill, 1900; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 369-370; BOU, 1971].
History Bucknill (1900: 352-353) says: 'The occurrence in Surrey of this rare visitor to Great Britain rests upon the history of specimens now in the Charterhouse collection. The following account is given of them by Mr. Stafford: "Two specimens were killed on Godalming Pease Marsh, after a very severe storm, by a Mr. William Ford, a carpenter; and two others were also killed a few days afterwards near the same place. The birds are apparently correctly identified, but it is a pity that further particulars are not given by Mr. Stafford, as, in the absence of a thoroughly satisfactory account, the occurrences cannot be regarded as sufficiently authenticated".'
H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1909) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 369, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', placing the record in square brackets, say: 'Four specimens in the Charterhouse Collection are said to have been killed on Godalming Pease Marsh, after a very severe storm, but no dates are given, and Mr. Bucknill does not consider them to be sufficiently authenticated (J. A. Bucknill, B. of Surrey, p. 352).'
Comment Lacks adequate details. Not acceptable.
0). 1900 Sussex Eastbourne, found dead, November.
(Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 63) says: 'Our next bird was found dead in a small boat - curiously enough called 'The Petrel' - on the Parade Pier at Eastbourne. According to Mr. B. Bates (in litt.), who mounted it, the date should read "November, 1900"; but in Arnold's "Private Notes" I find the year given as 1890.
Bates, by the way, informed me that he had handled three or four more Sussex examples of this Petrel, but - would you believe it? - had kept no data.'
0). 1914 Sussex St Leonards-on-Sea, male, picked up dead, 2nd December.
(H. W. Ford-Lindsay, British Birds 8: 199; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History H. W. Ford-Lindsay (1915) in British Birds, Vol. VIII. p. 199, says: 'During the severe gales that have been raging along the south coast during the end of November and beginning of December, many birds have been washed ashore, various Gulls, Puffins, Guillemot, etc. Amongst others washed ashore at Bopeep, St. Leonards, on December 2nd, 1914, was a specimen of Wilson's Petrel. I noticed at once the length of the legs, and also that the webs between the toes were of a deep orange colour. The specimen was a male, and quite fresh.'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 63).
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1916 Sussex Near Bexhill, male, shot, 30th October.
(N. F. Ticehurst, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 4: 33; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History N. F. Ticehurst (1928) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. IV. p. 33, says: 'A male shot near Bexhill on October 30th, 1916, and now in the Dyke Road Museum, Brighton, from the Vauncey Crewe collection, has not been previously recorded in our Journal.'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 63).
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1932 Cumbria Allonby, shore-line corpse, undated.
(E. Blezard, Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society 1943 (6): 95; Hutcheson, 1986).
[W. R. P. Bourne, Ibis 139:157].
History Ernest Blezard (1943) in the Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society, Vol. VI. p. 95, says: 'The only recent record is of a bird picked up on the shore at Allonby, in the winter of 1932, by Moore Kitchen, and is now in his collection.'
W. R. P. Bourne (1967) in The Ibis, Vol. CIX. pp. 141-167, says: 'Apparently the only British record remaining unquestioned since this time is one said to have been picked up on the shore at Allonby, Cumberland, by Moore Kitchen in the winter of 1932 (Blezard 1943).
I understand from Mr. Blezard that it was apparently never submitted for examination by an expert, and has been lost with the disposal of the owner's collection at his death.'
