Passenger Pigeon
Ectopistes migratorius (Linnaeus, 1766)
Artwork © Wikimedia
STATUS
North America. Monotypic.
OVERVIEW
Species not admitted nationally (BOU 1971).
NOT PROVEN
0). 1825 Fife Westhall, Monymeal, shot, 31st December.
Fleming, 1828; Jenyns, 1835; Eyton, 1836; Turnbull, 1867; Gray, 1871; J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1877: 180; Yarrell, 1871-85; H. M. Drummond Hay, Scottish Naturalist 8: 371).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History Fleming (1828: 145) says: 'Stragglers. To this division I have to add the occurrence of a single individual, of a species hitherto unknown, even as a straggler, to European ornithologists, and which I have received since the preceding sheets had passed through the press; the Passenger Pigeon, Columba migratoria, Wilson's American Ornithology, Vol. V. p. 102. tab. xliv. fig. 1. It was shot, while perched on a wall in the neighbourhood of a pigeon-house at Westhall, in the parish of Monymeal, Fifeshire, 31st December 1825. The feathers were quite fresh and entire, like those of a wild bird. I owe the possession of the specimen to the ornithological zeal and attention of the Reverend A. Esplin, schoolmaster of Monymeal.'
Jenyns (1835: 164) says: 'The only individual which has hitherto occurred in this country is recorded by Dr. Fleming (Brit. An., p. 145) to have been "shot in the neighbourhood of a pigeon-house at Westhall, in the parish of Monymeal, Fifeshire, Dec. 31, 1825. The feathers were quite fresh and entire, like those of a wild bird.'
Eyton (1836: 32) adds: 'The specimen in question was presented to Dr. Fleming, by the Rev. A. Esplin, schoolmaster at Monymeal.'
Turnbull (1867, 2nd ed.) says: 'One shot at Monymeal, Fifeshire, in 1825.'
Gray (1871: 223) says: 'The late Dr. Fleming mentions in his History of British Animals, that a specimen of this bird was shot at Monymeal, in Fifeshire, on 31st December, 1825, and that the specimen was in his possession. It showed no traces of having been in confinement.'
J. E. Harting, Editor (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. p. 180, lists this as a previous occurrence.
Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 26-27, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'The American Passenger Pigeon was included in the first edition of this work on the strength of the occurrence of a single specimen recorded by Dr. Fleming in his History of British Animals, p. 145, as having been "shot while perched on a wall in the neighbourhood of a pigeon-house, at Westhall in the parish of Monymeal, Fifeshire, the 31st December, 1825. The feathers were quite fresh and entire, like those of a wild bird"....Of the correctness of the identification of this example there can be no question; but it will be observed that in this case the date of the occurrence does not correspond with that of the usual periods of migration. Moreover, although there is no proof that Passenger Pigeons were brought over to this country prior to 1825, yet Audubon states that in March, 1830, he bought about 350 of these birds in the market of New York, and carried most of them alive to England, distributing them amongst several noblemen (Orn. Biog., I. p. 326); thus showing that there was then no difficulty in bringing them over; and as a matter of fact, they have subsequently been imported with frequency.'
H. M. Drummond Hay (1885-86) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. VIII. p. 371, in the Report of the East of Scotland Union, admits this record, erroneously stating it as 31st Dec., 1835.
Comment There is a full detailed description in Fleming. Not acceptable.
0). 1840 Suffolk No locality, immature, undated, now at Saffron Walden Museum.
(James & Sawford, 1983).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History James & Sawford (1983: 42) say: 'There are two specimens in Saffron Walden Museum, one immature from Suffolk, 1840.'
0). 1844 Cambridgeshire Knowns Folly Farm, near Royston, adult male, obtained, early July, now at Saffron Walden Museum.
(Yarrell, 1871-85; Christy, 1890; Glegg, 1929; James & Sawford, 1983).
[Not in BOU, 1971; Sage, 1959].
History Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 27, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'To this in the 2nd and 3rd Editions was added the record of another, which was sent to Mr. John Norman, of Royston, for preservation, the following notice of the occurrence being contributed by Mr. Hale Wortham. This bird (now in the Saffron Walden Museum) was obtained between Royston and Chishill, early in the month of July, 1844, by the sons of the tenant of the farm called Known's Folly, about two miles east of Royston. When the lads first saw the bird it appeared so much exhausted that they could have knocked it down with a pole, if they had had one; they, however, fetched a gun and shot it. When examined the crop was quite empty, but in the stomach there were some few seeds, resembling cole-seed, and a few small stones, but no barley or any traces of artificial food. The plumage was perfect, and neither the wings, the tail, nor the legs exhibited any sign that the bird had been in confinement. Of the correctness of the identification of these two examples there can be no question [The 1825 Fife specimen being the other record]; but it will be observed that in neither case does the date of the occurrence correspond with that of the usual periods of migration. Moreover, although there is no proof that Passenger Pigeons were brought over to this country prior to 1825, yet Audubon states that in March, 1830, he bought about 350 of these birds in the market of New York, and carried most of them alive to England, distributing them amongst several nobelmen (Orn. Biog., I. p. 326); thus showing that there was then no difficulty in bringing them over; and as a matter of fact, they have subsequently been imported with frequency.'
J. E. Harting (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. p. 180, lists this as a previous occurrence, but as near Royston, Hertfordshire.
Christy (1890: 215) says: 'A young specimen now in Walden Museum was shot between Chrishall and Royston in July, 1844. Through the kindness of Mr. Joseph P. Nunn, of Royston, I am able to state that the bird was killed by the late Mr. John Norman of Knowns Folly Farm, part of which is in Cambridgeshire and part in Essex. Mr. W. Norman has assured Mr. Nunn that his late father had often pointed out to him the exact spot where he shot the bird, which was on some trees to the east of the farm-house. These trees stand in Melbourne parish, and are about 400 yards west of the Essex boundary; but as the bird, probably, had crossed that boundary before being shot, and could easily have recrossed it in less than half a minute's flight, I consider it justifiably included here.'
T. J. James & B. R. Sawford (1983: 42) say: 'An adult, found exhausted and shot by a farmer's boy at Noon's Folly, near Royston, in July, 1844. The label on this specimen states incorrectly that it was obtained in 1846.'
Comment It would appear that the location has been misinterpreted. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1856 Hertfordshire Near Tring, seen, undated.
(Yarrell, 1856; Harting, 1901).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History Yarrell (1856 (2): 317, 3rd ed.) says: 'I have learned by a communication from the Rev. Mr. Williams, who is well acquainted with birds, that he saw a Passenger Pigeon in a wood near Tring, also in Hertfordshire, though on the other side of the county; but this covert being strictly watched, as a preserve for Pheasants, the use of a gun and the requisite search were not permitted.' It was listed by Harting (1901).
0). c. 1862 Wiltshire No locality, obtained, undated.
(A. P. Morres, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 20: 163).
[BOU, 1971].
History A. P. Morres (1882) in the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, Vol. XX. p. 163, says: 'I am afraid I shall be considered a bold speculator if I endeavour to claim this species as having occurred in our more immediate neighbourhood. All I can say is that Mr. King, of Warminster, a knowing and experienced stuffer, assured me that one of these birds was brought to him for preservation about the year 1862-3. It was in the flesh, and had no sign of captivity whatever about it. He told me he kept it for some time without its being enquired after, and then he had sold it. This must go for what it is worth. But there seems no reason why it should not more frequently occur in this country than it does, especially when we remember the amazing rapidity of its flight, and the countless myriads that throng the American forests, which would seem to be vast beyond conception, and which is so graphically described in Wood's Natural History of Birds, from the descriptions of Wilson and Audubon, pp. 577-580. He there records how this species will fly hundreds of miles for its daily food, pigeons having "been killed with rice still undigested in their crops, though the nearest rice plantation was distant several hundred miles".'
0). c. 1867 Borders Mellerstain, Berwickshire, shot, undated.
(Turnbull, 1867; Gray, 1871; J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1877: 180; Yarrell, 1871-85; Harting, 1901).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History Turnbull (1867, 2nd ed.) says: 'One shot at Monymeal, Fifeshire, in 1825, Lord Binning has communicated the following note: - There is, in Lord Haddington's collection, a specimen of this bird, shot by himself in the immediate vicinity of Mellerstain. The bird is, however, somewhat deprived of the interest which would otherwise attach to it, from the fact of a gentleman in Berwickshire having "turned out" several Passenger Pigeons shortly before the Mellerstain specimen was shot. Presuming, however, that this was one of the birds "turned out", it is rather remarkable that, after their release, no other specimens was heard of as having been killed or even seen in any part of the country.'
Gray (1871: 223-224) says: 'I learned last year (1869) that another had been shot in Berwickshire by the late Earl of Haddington, regarding which the present Earl informs me that a short time previously a gentleman in that county had turned out several pigeons of this species, so that it is more than likely the specimen in question was one of the birds which had been set at liberty.'
J. E. Harting (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. p. 180, lists this as a previous occurrence.
Comment Probable introductee. Not acceptable.
0). 1869 Derbyshire Near Melbourne, shot, undated.
(J. J. Briggs, Field 10th Sept., 1869: 216; Yarrell, 1871-85).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History John Joseph Briggs of Swarkestone (1869) in The Field of 10th Sept., Vol. XXXIV. p. 216, says: 'I have great reason to suppose that an individual of this species, so rarely met with in England, was shot near Melbourne a short time ago. The keeper of N. Curzon, Esq., who has the shooting over that parish, observing an unusual bird fly out of the "Intake" at the back of Melbourne Pool, fired at it and killed it. It was very much mutilated, and was put away unfit for preservation. He described the bird so exactly to me that I felt sure in my own mind what bird it was. However, I said nothing about it, but showed him fine coloured drawings of all our known wild pigeons. He could not identify it until we came to that of the Passenger Pigeon, when he at once identified it as being the bird which he had shot. As I did not see the species myself, I cannot give a decided opinion of the species, but I have no doubt in my own mind that it was that of the Passenger Pigeon.'
Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 28, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'A supposed Passenger Pigeon was recorded in the Field, September 11th, 1869, as having been shot near Melbourne, in Derbyshire, but the bird was not preserved.' ...Previously, p. 27, Saunders added: 'Moreover, although there is no proof that Passenger Pigeons were brought over to this country prior to 1825, yet Audubon states that in March, 1830, he bought about 350 of these birds in the market of New York, and carried most of them alive to England, distributing them amongst several noblemen (Orn. Biog., I. p. 326); thus showing that there was then no difficulty in bringing them over; and as a matter of fact, they have subsequently been imported with frequency.'
Comment I cannot help thinking that this is a duplicate record for the one at Melbourn, Cambridgeshire in 1844. Not acceptable.
0). 1876 Yorkshire Mulgrave, near Whitby, female, shot, 12th October.
(J. Hancock, Natural History Transactions of Northumberland and Durham 5: 338; J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1877: 180; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Yarrell, 1871-85).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History J. Hancock (1877) in the Natural History Transactions of Northumberland and Durham, Vol. V. p. 338, says: 'In Dr. Fleming's History of British Animals, p. 145, it is stated that "a Passenger Pigeon, Columba migratoria, Wil., was shot, while perched on a wall in the neighbourhood of a Pigeon house at Westhall, in the parish of Monymeal, Fifeshire, 31st Dec, 1825. The feathers were quite fresh and entire, like those of a wild bird".
With regard to the Mulgrave bird it is very different, for the quill feathers in the wings are much worn and broken, and on the forehead above the bill they are apparently worn off to the skull, as though the bird had been trying to get out of a cage or some other enclosure, therefore I cannot come to any other conclusion than that this specimen, a female, has made its escape from confinement.
If we are to form an opinion of the vast numbers of this bird in its own country, from the account given by Audubon of these Pigeons at one of their roosting places, it must be the most prolific of the feathered tribe ever heard of.
The Mulgrave specimen will shortly be placed in the collection of the Right Honourable Earl Ravensworth.'
Clarke & Roebuck (1881: 61) say: 'Mulgrave, near Whitby, female, shot, Oct. 12, 1876 (Hancock, Nat. Hist. Trans. North. & Durh., Vol. V. p. 337; Zool., 1877, p. 180). Doubtless an escape.'
Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 28, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'The latest undoubted occurrence is that of an example shot near Mulgrave Castle, Yorkshire, by Lord Harry Phipps, and examined in the flesh on 13th October, 1876, by Mr. John Hancock, who, in the Natural History Transactions of Northumberland and Durham, V. p. 338, described it as follows: - "The quill-feathers in the wings were much worn and broken, and in the forehead above the bill they are apparently worn off to the skull, as though the bird had been trying to get out of a cage or some other enclosure; therefore I cannot come to any other conclusion that this specimen, a female, had made its escape from confinement". Previously p. 27, it says: 'Moreover, although there is no proof that Passenger Pigeons were brought over to this country prior to 1825, yet Audubon states that in March, 1830, he bought about 350 of these birds in the market of New York, and carried most of them alive to England, distributing them amongst several noblemen (Orn. Biog., I. p. 326); thus showing that there was then no difficulty in bringing them over; and as a matter of fact, they have subsequently been imported with frequency.'
J. E. Harting (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. p. 180, quotes the same story from the above reference. Later, Harting (1901: 404) adds: 'In the collection of Earl Ravensworth.'
Comment Known escapee. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1886 Leicestershire & Rutland Scalford, killed, undated.
(M. Browne, Zoologist 1886: 234).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History Montagu Browne (1886) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. X. p. 234, says: 'Widdowson wrote, "One killed in Scalford village street some years ago. The same year I saw accounts of several killed near Liverpool.'
[Probably imported birds which escaped from some dealer, or from the docks. - Ed.]
Comment Not admitted nationally (BOU 1971). Not acceptable.
