Demoiselle Crane
Grus virgo (Linnaeus, 1758)
Photo © Rufus46, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
STATUS
Eurasia. Monotypic.
OVERVIEW
Species not admitted nationally (BOU 1971).
NOT PROVEN
0). 1863 Orkney Deerness, Mainland, two, male shot, 11th to 14th May.
(John O'Groats Journal; Eds., Zoologist 1863: 8692; Eds., Field 6th June 1863: 548; "Inquirer" Field 3rd Sept., 1870: 214; W. C. Horsfall, Field 10th Sept., 1870: 236; Yarrell, 1871-85; Buckley & Harvie-Brown, 1891).
[BOU, 1883; BOU, 1915; BOU, 1971].
History In an Editorial in The Zoologist, (1863) 1st series, Vol. XXI. p. 8692, and The Field for 6th June, Vol. XXI. p. 548, quoting from the John O'Groats Journal, it says: 'A rare and beautiful bird, which, from all that we can learn, has never before been found in a wild state in the British Isles, has been secured by an enthusiastic ornithologist in Orkney, to whom we are indebted for the following brief notice, which will be read with interest by naturalists: - "A fine male bird, in beautiful plumage, the Demoiselle or Numidian Crane, was shot on Thursday last, the 14th of May, 1863, at Deerness, east mainland, Orkney, and has since been preserved for Mr. Reid, bookseller, of Kirkwall. Two of the birds were seen at Deerness for some days, and were pursued and shot at several times. When the one was killed, the other flew to the neighbouring island of Copinsay, and was not afterwards seen by the Deerness folks, who describe the flight and walking of this remarkable bird as something very graceful, and such as they had never witnessed before. Although these birds (which are natives of Africa) feed on aquatic animals, small fish, frogs, &c., in their native haunts, nothing was found in the stomach of this one but oats, several grains of which were also found adherent on its tongue. It was not starved-like, weighing about five pounds, being considerably heavier than our herons. The gulls and lapwings continually attacked the two strangers whenever they walked or winged their way over the grass and oat fields, and they were heard frequently to utter a hoarse scream when thus persecuted by their tormentors.
The Demoiselle is quite new to Orkney, and is a valuable addition to our large list of birds. as far as I can find in any work on British birds, it is new to Britain in a wild state. It has been imported, however, and may be seen in a domestic state in the Garden of the Zoological Society".
Since the above was written, we learn that a day or two after the first had been shot the other Demoiselle returned to Deerness from Copinsay, and was again seen in the fields, most probably in search of its mate. Several parties endeavoured to stalk it, but without success. It is described by some of the country folk who have watched it as a very large bird, "looking nearly as big as a sheep", which of course must be taken with a considerable limitation, as the birds are both most likely about the same size.
We believe the extreme height of the specimen in Mr. Reid's possession is about three feet, and the spread of the wings about five feet, but the exact measurement has not been given.'
"Inquirer" (1870) in The Field of 3rd Sept., Vol. XXXVI. p. 214, says: 'I am desirous of ascertaining what has become of a Demoiselle or Numidian Crane (Grus virgo) which was shot at Deerness, in Orkney, May 14, 1863. This bird was the property of Mr. Reid, of Kirkwall, who parted with it to Mr. Saville, birdstuffer, Cambridge; and if any of your readers can inform me where it is now, I shall be very much obliged.'
W. Christy Horsfall Horsforth Low Hall, near Leeds (1870) in The Field of 10th Sept., Vol. XXXVI. p. 236, says: 'In reply to "Inquirer", I beg to state that I purchased the Numidian Crane from Mr. Saville, and it is now in my collection.'
Not admitted nationally in the first List of British Birds, who added that they were probably escapes (BOU 1883).
Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 192, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'The above specimen subsequently became the property of Mr. W. Christy Horsfall, of Horsforth-Low Hall, near Leeds. The late Mr. Gould has not included it in his Birds of Great Britain; and it has been placed in brackets by the Committee of the British Ornithologists' Union, entrusted with the compilation of the 'List of the British Birds'.'
Accepted locally (Buckley & Harvie-Brown 1891: 200-201).
Comment Not admitted nationally (BOU 1971).
0). 1876 Somerset River Cale, Wincanton, picked up dead, February.
(W. Herridge, Science Gossip 1st Mar., 1876; W. Herridge, Zoologist 1876: 4928; Yarrell, 1871-85).
[C. Smith, Zoologist 1883: 333-334; BOU, 1883; C. Smith, Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society 29: 39; Not in BOU, 1971].
History W. Herridge of Wincanton (1876) in Hardwicke's Science Gossip, Vol. XII. p. 66, and The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. XI. p. 4928, says: 'The Demoiselle Crane. - A bird of this species, the Grus virgo of Linneaus, was recently picked up dead on the banks of the River Cale, in this neighbourhood.'
Cecil Smith of Lydeard House, Bishop's Lydeard (1883) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VII. pp. 333-334, says: 'At the request of my friend Mr. Howard Saunders I made some enquiries as to the reported occurrence of this bird near Wincanton, in the county of Somerset, a notice of which appeared in The Zoologist for 1876 (p. 4928), copied from Science Gossip of the same year (p. 66).
Through the Curator of our Museum I have received two letters on the subject. One, dated Horwood, near Wincanton, June 6th, 1883, signed by Mr. W. Galpin, as follows: - "The supposed Numidian Crane [!] was found by Mr. Henry Dyke, son of the late Mr. Mr. John Dyke, of Myland. He described it to Mr. William Herridge, now of Ainger Farm, Cucklington, who consulted Cassell's Natural History, and sent the note to Science Gossip. I have written to Mr. Dyke, asking whether the bird was preserved, by whom else it was seen, and other particulars, and herewith enclose his reply. The persons whom he names as having also inspected it are both dead".
The other letter, dated May 3rd, 1883, is from Mr. H. Dyke: - "In reply to your letter respecting the bird, I do not remember very much about it. We kept it several days, and then it was thrown away. Father and Mr. Jukes both said they had never seen such a bird before. It was some kind of an Heron, but had such a very long tuft on its breast. I cannot say more about it, as I do not remember". I think it worth while to send you the result of this investigation, for the occurrence of Grus virgo in Somerset still stands in both the Zoologist and Science Gossip, and might lead to difficulties in future, especially as the record has been perpetuated in the Ibis List of British Birds, and in the last number of 'Yarrell' received this morning, though in neither of these works is the bird considered fairly entitled to a place in the British list. I think, however, that all ornithologists will now agree with me that this reported occurrence of Grus virgo must be considered "not proven".
It is a pity that records of the occurrence of rare birds should be made on such very unsatisfactory evidence. I have not thought it worth while to write to Mr. Herridge, who recorded it in Science Gossip, as it appears he himself never saw the bird.'
Not admitted nationally in their first List of British Birds (BOU 1883).
Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 192, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'In Science Gossip of March 1st, 1876, is the brief statement that another example of this species was picked up dead on the banks of the river Cale, near Wincanton, Somersetshire.'
C. Smith (1883) in the Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society, Vol. XXIX. p. 39, says: 'More mischief, however, has arisen from the somewhat careless record in Science Gossip for March, 1876, of the occurrence at Wincanton, of the Demoiselle Crane, Grus virgo. Someone who had never seen the bird, but only identified it from a description in Cassell's Natural History, without any hint as to the possibility of a mistake in the identity or in the description, sent his account to Science Gossip from whence the record was copied into The Zoologist, into the List of British Birds by the Ibis Committee, and into the new edition of Yarrell; though, fortunately, in neither of these last mentioned publications is it placed in the list of positively authenticated British birds. It was only through some enquiries that I made at the request of the Editor of the new Yarrell, that the extremely unsatisfactory nature of the original record in Science Gossip was brought to light.
As birdy people - especially members of the B.O.U. - are rightly very sceptical, though not always, perhaps, sufficiently so to guard against mistakes, it would be as well that more care on the subject of identity should be taken in the record of rare specimens. If there be any doubt, the person making the should state his opportunity of identifying the bird, and whether from sight, or only from the description of some one who, perhaps, did not know the distinguishing points. It should be remembered, also, that such a requirement of verification does not imply a doubt as to the recorder's truthfulness, but only as to his chances of forming a judgement - occasionally by no means a very easy thing to do.'
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not admitted nationally (BOU 1971). Not acceptable.
0). 1899 Norfolk Brancaster, female, shot, 31st July.
(J. G. Tuck, Zoologist 1899: 419; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1900: 108; Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History J. G. Tuck of Tostock Rectory, Bury St Edmunds (1899) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. III. p. 419, says: 'A female specimen of Grus virgo was shot at Brancaster, on the Norfolk coast, on July 31st, and sent to Mr. Clarke, of Snettisham, for preservation, by whose courtesy I had the pleasure of examining it. It had been feeding on the growing corn, and was shot in a corn-field. Whether it was an escaped bird, or whether it may be allowed to rank as an addition to the Norfolk list, I am content to leave to those of your contributors who have for so many years worked at the avifauna of the county to determine.'
J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1900) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IV. p. 108, says: 'July 31st. A fine Demoiselle Crane (Grus virgo), with two primary quills severed, shot at Brancaster, by the sea (R. Clarke); but from enquiries made by the Rev. J. Tuck, it is possible that this, as well as three others shot at Lavenham, in Suffolk, had been turned out by the Duke of Bedford's orders at Woburn Park. Another, with a portion of the carpal joint cut away, was sent to Mr. Cole, of Norwich, on October 6th; and altogether twenty are reported to have got away from Woburn in spite of several being pinioned to the first joint.'
0). 1899 Suffolk Lavenham, three, shot, autumn.
(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1900: 108).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1900) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IV. p. 108, says: 'July 31st. A fine Demoiselle Crane (Grus virgo), with two primary quills severed, shot at Brancaster, [Norfolk], by the sea (R. Clarke); but from enquiries made by the Rev. J. Tuck, it is possible that this, as well as three others shot at Lavenham, in Suffolk, had been turned out by the Duke of Bedford's orders at Woburn Park.'
0). 1924 Norfolk Wiveton Marsh, seen, 17th to 18th June.
(B. B. Riviere, British Birds 18: 83-84, 292; Pashley, 1925; Riviere, 1930; Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History B. B. Riviere (1924) in British Birds, Vol. XVIII. pp. 83-84, says: 'At 10 a.m. on June 17th, 1924, when staying at Blakeney, I was not a little surprised to see a Crane fly in from due north, i.e., the direction of the sea, and alight upon a grazing marsh. Needless to say, I immediately stalked it, and upon getting within range with a pair of field-glasses discovered that it was a Demoiselle Crane (Anthropoides virgo). It appeared to be tired, and immediately upon alighting commenced to dress its plumage, frequently rubbing its head and neck against its back and shoulders, but upon my attempting to approach nearer than the distance of some 200 yards from which I was observing it, it immediately took wing, but settled again at the further end of the same marsh. Here I had it under observation at varying ranges up to 200 yards for the greater part of the day, during most of which time it was walking briskly about feeding, and through my glasses I could see it picking off and swallowing the yellow flowers of buttercups. It was still on the same marsh on the morning of June 18th, after which I left the neighbourhood for a week, but a good observer whom I informed of its presence failed to find it there in the afternoon, and it has not been seen since.
I have since learnt, however, that a shepherd, during the previous few weeks, had reported seeing from time to time upon the same marsh a bird, which from his description it was thought locally might be a Crane. But as it was never seen by any of the local keepers or gunners, or by anybody with any knowledge of birds, it is, I think, impossible to say whether this was the same bird, or whether it was a Crane at all. The Demoiselle Crane is so often kept in confinement that there is a strong likelihood of the bird I saw being an "escape". At the same time I should imagine that few, if any, imported birds are kept full winged, more especially as I learn that their market price since the war is £16 the pair. That both wings of the bird I watched were quite perfect I have no doubt, as I had two excellent views of it flying, and this fact, as well as its shyness, are to my mind, at least suggestive of its being a genuine wild one.
Should this note catch the eye of anyone who knows of the recent escape of a Demoiselle Crane, it is much to be hoped that they will report the fact and thus clear up the mystery of this bird's appearance upon the north Norfolk Coast.' Further, p. 292, under 'Norfolk Annual Report', he adds: 'As already recorded (Brit. Birds, Vol. XVIII. p. 83), a full-winged Demoiselle Crane was seen by the writer on June 17th to fly in from the north over Cley beach, and alight on Wiveton Marshes, where it remained until midday on the 18th, after which it was seen no more. In spite of its presence having been recorded, no news has since come to hand of an escaped bird, and it seems to me at least within the bounds of probability that it may have been a genuine wild migrant.'
Pashley (1925) says: '1924. June. I heard several times of a bird at the Point, and from the different descriptions of it given me I was greatly puzzled. I heard of it first about the 12th, so it must have been here for several weeks. I have no doubt it is the same bird that Dr. Riviere saw on the Wiveton marshes, and for two days, watched, and at last got sufficiently near to be able to identify and make a sketch which he brought to me. It was a Demoiselle Crane. After the 20th I heard no more of it.'
Further, under 'List of Cley Birds,' he adds: 'One seen and sketched by Dr. Riviere, July, 1924. Possibly the same bird was seen at the Point mid-April.'
0). 1924 Yorkshire Robin Hood's Bay, adult female, shot, 5th July.
(F. Snowdon, Naturalist 51: 148; Eds., British Birds 19: 157).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History F. Snowdon (1925) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LI. p. 148, says: 'An adult female Demoiselle Crane was shot at Robin Hood's Bay on July 5th, 1924. Mr. W. H. St. Quintin has made many enquiries among gentlemen in this country and on the Continent who keep this species in confinement, but he has failed to hear of any birds having been lost. One which escaped from Foxwarren Park, Surrey, about three and a half years ago, was said to be a male.'
In an Editorial (1925) in British Birds, Vol. XIX. p. 157, they say: 'An adult female Anthropoides virgo is recorded by Mr. F. Snowdon (Nat., 1925, p. 148) as having been shot at Robin Hood's Bay on July 5th, 1924. It will be remembered that Dr. B. B. Riviere watched a Demoiselle Crane in north Norfolk on June 17th, 1924 (Brit. B., Vol. XVIII. p. 83), and it is of course possible that the Yorkshire bird was the same individual.'
0). 1927 Hampshire Near Beaulieu, seen, 23rd to 25th October and 9th November.
(C. Paddon, British Birds 21: 182; Cohen & Taverner, 1972).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History Cecil Paddon (1927) in British Birds, Vol. XXI. p. 182, says: 'On October 23rd, 1927, at dusk, a Crane passed over Needs Ore, Beaulieu, Hampshire, flying too high to distinguish its plumage - it was being mobbed by the whole colony of Black-backed Gulls. On October 24th and 25th it was on the marsh in company with three Spoonbills (Platalea leucorodia). The Crane carried a crest, and appeared to be a Demoiselle, and may have been an escaped bird. Mr. Witt and his son both saw the four birds on Warren Farm Marsh, and noted, as I did, their efforts to mingle with the Curlew, much to the disgust and affright of the latter, which promptly left for the shore. On the 28th the Crane had left and there were four Spoonbills. On November 3rd two of them flew over my head. When feeding in a swampy place the Spoonbills' proceedings rather reminded me of the steady swing of a man mowing with a scythe. When they got their heads up their "spoon" bills were unmistakable and the mane-like crest at the back of the head showed clearly. The Crane was again seen on the marsh on November 9th with two Spoonbills.'
0). 1948 Yorkshire Kilnsea, seen, 12th September.
(R. Chislett, Naturalist 74: 72-73; Eds., British Birds 43: 63; Chislett, 1958; Mather, 1986).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History Ralph Chislett (1949) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXXIV. pp. 72-73, under 'Annual Yorkshire Report for 1948,' says: 'On September 12th, from the long bank near Kilnsea, a large bird was noticed flying with some Rooks. At first thought to be a Heron, it was then noticed that the head and neck were fully extended and the flight different. It was marked down in the dyke eastward nearer to the sea, and approached to within 150 yards. Detailed description and sketches were taken on the spot. The bird was evidently a Crane, a grey and black bird, with conspicuous tufts of white feathers growing from behind the eye. Although taking wing several times it did not fly far, and was within easy view of binoculars for about three-quarters of an hour; eventually flying towards the place where first seen. R. Clubley reported the bird to have frequented the Humber shore for more than a week previously. Enquiry by advertisement and radio for news of a Demoiselle Crane that might have escaped from captivity evoked no response (E. M. Rutter, H. O. Bunce.).'
In an Editorial (1950) in British Birds, Vol. XLIII. p. 62, in a Review of the above, they say: 'There are a number of interesting records of more or less rare species elsewhere. Of these might be mentioned, in 1948: A Demoiselle Crane was seen near Kilnsea on Sept. 12th, 1948, and was stated to have frequented the Humber shore for more than a week previously. One of these birds was shot and another seen in Orkney in May, 1863, but it has not been admitted to the British List, as the species is one often kept in captivity and the Orkney birds were thought to be possibly escapes. This crane, which breeds no farther off than S.E. Europe, seems just as likely to occur wild as a good many other species on the British List, and in the present instance enquiries by advertisement and radio failed to elicit any information of one having been lost.'
