Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Corthylio calendula (Linnaeus, 1766)
Photo © Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=479004
STATUS
North America. Polytypic.
OVERVIEW
Species not admitted nationally (BOU 1971) or after a further review.
NOT PROVEN
0). 1852 Clyde Kenmore Wood, Loch Lomond, Dumbartonshire, adult male, summer, now at British Museum, Tring.
(Anon., Proceedings of the Zoological Society 1858: 290; Bree, 1863; E. R. Alston, Zoologist 1866: 495-496; Gray, 1871; Smart, 1886; S. J. M. Gantlett, Birding World 5 (5): 195-199).
[BOURC (1984), Ibis 126: 444; A. G. Knox, Birding World 7 (2): 73-78].
History Anon. (1858) in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society, pt. 26, p. 290, says: 'Mr. Gould exhibited to the meeting a specimen of the American species Regulus calendulus, which was shot in a wood on Loch Lomondside by Dr. Dewar about five years since.'
Bree (1863 (2): 109-110) says: 'The introduction of this beautiful and very distinct species of one of the smallest birds of the new world into the European and British fauna, may perhaps excite a smile of incredulity in some of my readers. But the facts connected with its capture in the Scotch Highlands are conclusive, and cannot admit of doubt.
During my residence in Edinburgh, in 1859, I received a letter from Mr. Robert Gray, of Glasgow, informing me that the "Ruby-crested Wren" had been shot on the banks of Loch Lomond, by Dr. Dewar. The original specimen had been presented to Mr. Gould, but Mr. Gray kindly sent me an accurate and beautiful drawing of the bird, made by Mr. Sinclair, which I have much pleasure in introducing into my work. A notice of its capture I had the pleasure of giving at one of the meetings of the Physical Society. Having quite satisfied myself by repeated correspondence, that there could have been no mistake about the matter, I shall content myself by introducing here part of Dr. Dewar's letter. There may, I think, be some truth in Dr. Dewar's suggestion, that these small birds get a lift en route in the numerous vessels which are constantly passing between the two countries. But after all there is nothing very extraordinary in such a migration. The little creature is in America a migratory hird, and flies, according to Audubon, from Louisiana and other southern states to Newfoundland and Labrador, where it breeds. It leaves the south in March, and has young in the far north in June. Our friend had evidently mistaken its way back again to the south, and come to the Scotch Highlands instead.
The following is an abstract from Dr. Dewar's letter, dated Glasgow, December 6th., 1859: - "The specimen of Regulus calendula, regarding which you write, I shot in Kenmore Wood, Loch Lomondside, in the summer of 1852. Living in its vicinity, I went to the wood for the purpose of shooting some specimens of Goklcrests, which are always there in abundance. After procuring upwards of a dozen, I found, on looking them over, what I took to be the Firecrest: this I safely deposited among my other skins, where it lay till last year, when, on examining it carefully, with the view of exhibiting it at the Natural History Society here, to my surprise my specimen turned out to be, not Regulus ignicapillis, as I had supposed, but Regulus calendula of North America. I forwarded it to Mr. Gould for examination, to whom I afterwards presented the specimen. Although I look upon the occurrence of Regulus calendula in this country as a subject of extreme interest, still it has no claim to a place among our birds, farther than as one of 'the many stragglers which from time to time find their way to our shores. How this little creature, the most diminutive of all the American species which have visited Britain, found its way across the Atlantic is almost inconceivable. My belief is that most of the American species which are met with in this country, are aided in their passage by vessels crossing the Atlantic, and I think it utterly impossible for such a tiny bird as this to find its way across without some such assistance. Two or three instances have occurred to my own observation, in which birds were conveyed in this way".'
Edward R. Alston (1866) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. I. pp. 495-496, dated 10th September, 1866, says: 'Omitted in the Dictionary. This pretty little American Kinglet was killed on Loch Lomond, in 1852, by my friend, Dr. Dewar, who subsequently presented the specimen to Mr. Gould. Mr. R. Gray, secretary to the Natural History Society of Glasgow, communicated the fact to Dr. Bree, who has given all particulars in his Birds of Europe, Vol. II. p. 109.'
Gray (1871) says: 'In the summer of 1852, Dr. Dewar of Glasgow shot a specimen of this North American species in Kenmore Wood, on the banks of Loch Lomond. The bird was exhibited at a meeting of the Natural History Society of Glasgow, on 27th April, 1858, and identified by me. Dr. Dewar stated that he had found it in company with a large flock of Goldcrests, and that he had shot a dozen birds altogether before he recognised the difference which this one presented.'
Smart (1886: 24) says: 'Mr. Seebohm points out that the Loch Lomond skin lay unproclaimed in a drawer for six years; which if it was known at any time to have differed from the two British species would scarcely have happened. The B.O.U. List says shot 1852 (P. Z. S., 1858) this fact is significant and points to the justice of Seebohm's conclusion.'
McWilliam (1936) says: 'Recorded by Dr. Dewar as killed beside Loch Lomond in 1852. A full account of the occurrence is given in Bree's Birds of Europe, Vol. II. pp. 109-110, with a portrait of the bird. It was not recognised at the time by Dr. Dewar, and the skin was put aside, so that it seems remotely possible that some mistake may have been made.'
The bird's worn plumage indicates collection in midsummer; hence the record does not conform to any established pattern for Nearctic insectivores in Britain. Also, only a short-distance migrant (BOURC (1984) Ibis 126: 444).
0). 1852 Co. Durham Branspeth Woods, killed, no date.
(Bree, 1863; E. R. Alston, Zoologist 1866: 496; Gray, 1871).
[W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 11].
History Bree (1863 (2): 114) says: 'Since the above was in type I have been informed by the Rev. H. B. Tristram, that he has a specimen of this bird which he had in the flesh, and which was killed by a Durham pitman in 1852, in Branspeth Woods.'
Edward R. Alston (1866) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. I. pp. 495-496, dated 10th September, 1866, says: 'Omitted in the Dictionary. The Rev. H. B. Tristram has also received a specimen, in the flesh, which was killed in Branspeth Woods, Durham, also in 1852.'
Gray (1871) says: 'Dr. Bree, in his work on the Birds of Europe, states that the Rev. H. B. Tristram has a Ruby-crowned Kinglet in his possession, which was given to him in the flesh, and which was killed by a Durham pitman in 1852, in Branspeth woods.'
W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 11, say: 'A further specimen, said to have been obtained in Co. Durham in 1852, turned out to be a Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus.'
Comment Not acceptable. Misidentified.
0). 1871 Gloucestershire Highnam Court, 21st September, now at Booth Museum, Brighton.
(Mellersh MS.; W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter, British Birds 48: 11).
[Not in BOU, 1971].
History W. B. Alexander & R. S. R. Fitter (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 11, say: '1871, Sept. 21; Highnam, Glos.'
Comment No further details.
