Western Swamphen

Rallidae

Dec 23

Porphyrio porphyrio (Linnaeus, 1758)

Western SwamphenRS.jpg — Photo © Rob Stonehouse

STATUS

Africa, Eurasia, Orient and Australasia. Monotypic.

OVERVIEW

Formerly known as Porphyrio or Gallinule. Also known as the Green-backed Porphyrio P. chloronotus, Vieillot; P. smaragnotus, Temm.; P. smaragdonotus, Licht., with the Grey-headed Porphyrio P. veterum, Gm.; P. hyacinthinus, Temm.; P. antiquorum, Bonap.; P. caeruleus Seebohm.

The Martinique Gallinule, Porphyrio martinicus is the American Purple Gallinule of the Americas.

Traditionally, never accepted as a genuine immigrant, with many of the records not diagnosed to subspecies level.

The ‘Purple Swamphen’ complex was split into six species by the IOC in July 2015, three of which could possibly reach Britain. The other two being the Grey-headed Swamphen P. poliocephalus and African Swamphen P. madagascariensis.

NOT PROVEN

0). 1863 Hampshire Rowner, shot, 10th August.

(W. Stares, Zoologist 1865: 9418; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1890: 74-75; Kelsall & Munn, 1905).

History William Stares (1865) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXIII. p. 9418, dated 1st December, 1864, says: 'A specimen of the Purple Gallinule was shot by Mr. Charles Stares, on the 10th of August, 1863, in the marshes of The Grange, in the parish of Rowner, Hants, while shooting flappers.'

J. H. Gurney, jun. (1890) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIV. pp. 74-75, under 'Martinique Gallinule in Hants.,' says: 'Although Mr. More has knocked the so-called "Irish" Martinique Gallinule on the head, Porphyrio martinicus must not be too hastily struck out of the British list. Mr. Edward Hart has recently discovered one killed in Hampshire. It has been recorded as a Purple Gallinule in The Zoologist (1865, p. 9418), and was killed by Mr. C. Stares in a marsh while flapper-shooting in August, 1863. In the same month a Porphyrio of some kind was caught alive in Northumberland (cf. Hancock, Birds of Northumb. and Durham, p. 126), which may have been another Martinique Gallinule. Mr. Hancock writes to me that he had but a very slight view of it, and that it was afterwards sent to London, and has since been lost sight of, but he saw enough to be sure that the plumage was perfect, and showed no signs of the bird having been in confinement. American naturalists give the Martinique Gallinule a character for migration, and those who are inclined to think that all Porphyrios found in this country must be escaped birds should read Lord Lilford's remarks in the Birds of Northamptonshire (part ii, p. 39). Messrs. Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway, writing of the Martinique Gallinule (Birds of N. Amer., p. 385), remark, "it is a great wanderer, or in its migrations is driven by tempests to distant points", and refer to some being met with at sea. Incidentally Mr. More mentions that he has discovered a hitherto unrecorded Irish Green-backed Gallinule, P. smaragdonotus killed so long ago as October, 1873. This almost synchronises with another recorded by Mr. Hancock (I.c.), caught in Northumberland in August, 1873, and which, though mentioned in his list as a Purple Gallinule, has since been ascertained by him to have been a green-backed bird, being doubtless also P. smaragdonotus. It is only fair, however, to add that about the time it was captured, Mr. Hancock heard that "a bird of the kind" had escaped from a sailor at Newcastle. But, setting this aside as doubtful, there still remain nine unimpugned instances of the occurrence of P. smaragdonotus in the British Islands, - viz., one in Scotland, two in Ireland, and six in England, - besides six instances of the occurrence of Porphyrio caruleus, viz., one in Scotland, one in Ireland, and four in England. Mr. More has alluded to an example of Porphyrio caeruleus in Mr. Marshall's collection It was bought by him at Mr. Troughton's sale in 1869, and subsequently given to Mr. Murray Mathew, who some years ago obliged me with a sight of it. In the sale catalogue it is entered as: - "539. Purple Moorhen, 1, killed in Ireland, 1846, &c, Annals of Natural History". Some time afterwards I wrote to the late Mr. Chute to ask if this was his bird; he replied in the negative, but gave me several interesting particulars relative to the capture of his specimen in Kerry. These particulars are at Mr. More's service for his new List.'

Saunders (1899: 518, 2nd ed.) says: 'It is said there is a genuine example of the American species in Mr. Hart's museum at Christchurch.'

Kelsall & Munn (1905: 274) say: 'Martinique Gallinule. One was killed in August, 1863, by Mr. C. Stares, in a marsh at Grange, near Gosport.'

0). 1863 Co. Durham Boldon Flats, caught, August.

(Hancock, 1874).

History Hancock (1874) under 'Porphyrio caesius, Degland et Gerbe or P. hyacinthinus Bree', says: 'A specimen of this bird was taken alive at Bolden Flats, in August, 1863. I saw it shortly after its capture. It was very lively, and in good condition; the plumage was quite perfect, and showed no sign of the bird having been in confinement; notwithstanding, it may probably have escaped from some ornamental water.'

0). 1863 Argyll Campbeltown, Kintyre, shot, early December.

(Anon., Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow 1: 81; E. Newman, Zoologist 1864: 8961; E. R. Alston, Zoologist 1866: 495-496; Gray, 1871; McWilliam, 1936).

History Anon. (1863) in the Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow, Vol. I. p. 81, at the meeting held on 29th Decembver 1863, says: 'Dr Dewar also exhibited the following rare birds, obtained during the present month from various localities in the West of Scotland: - ...and the Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio hyacinthus), a species which has not

hitherto been recognised as British - from near Campbeltown. The last-named bird bore no traces of having been in confinement; and as it is abundant in some parts of Europe, its occasional occurrence in this country should excite less surprise than that of many other species whose geographical range is not so extensive.'

E. Newman, Editor (1864) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXII. p. 8961, undated, says: 'At a Meeting of the Natural History Society of Glasgow [no date], Dr. Dewar exhibited a specimen of the Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio hyacinthinus), - a species which has not yet been recorded as British, - shot in the neighbourhood of Cambeltown. The present example, however, bore no traces of having been in confinement; and, as the bird is found abundantly in many parts of Europe, its occasional occurrence in this country should excite less surprise than that of other birds whose geographical range is not so extensive.'

Edward R. Alston (1866) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. I. pp. 495-496, dated 10th September 1866, says: 'Specimens of the Purple Waterhen seem to have occurred in Britain repeatedly, but have generally been regarded as escaped birds. One was shot near Cambeltown, in Argyllshire, in 1863, and was exhibited by my friend Dr. Dewar to the Natural History Society of Glasgow, on the 29th of December of that year. I have examined this specimen, which showed no marks of confinement, and was in beautiful plumage. As this species is plentiful in many parts of Europe, there seems to be nothing improbable in its accidentally visiting Britain.'

Gray (1871: 337, 338) says: 'A specimen of this bird, the sex of which was not noted, was shot near Campbeltown, in Argyllshire, in the first week of December, 1863, and sent in the flesh to Mr. McCulloch, bird-stuffer, Glasgow, in whose hands I saw it. The specimen was afterwards exhibited by Dr. Dewar at a meeting of the Natural History Society of Glasgow....Having observed the same, or at least a nearly allied species in private aviaries in various parts of the West of Scotland, there is a possibility of the Campbeltown bird having escaped from confinement. After a careful scrutiny of the specimen, however, I can find nothing in its appearance to lead to this conjecture.'

McWilliam (1936) says: 'A Purple Gallinule shot near Campbeltown, Kintyre, was exhibited to the Glasgow Natural History Society on 29th December 1863. It showed no traces of confinement (Proc. Nat. Hist. Soc., Glasgow, I: 81).'

0). 1867 Hampshire Hamble River, shot, undated.

(F. A. Hawker, Zoologist 1867: 829; Kelsall & Munn, 1905).

History Frederick A. Hawker of Hyde Park, London (1867) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. II. p. 829, undated, says: 'While staying at a friend's house in Hampshire last week, I was informed by a gentleman, who has seen the bird, that a Purple Gallinule had been shot some time since at about two miles from the house, which is on the River Hamble. It was a very good specimen, and was sent to a Cornish birdstuffer to be set up.'

Kelsall & Munn (1905: 273) say: 'One shot on the Hamble River in 1867.'

0). 1870 Northamptonshire Near Wellingborough, caught alive, June.

(Lord Lilford, Zoologist 1877: 252; Lilford, 1895).

History Lord Lilford (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. p. 252, says: 'In addition to the occurrences of the Purple Gallinule in the United Kingdom mentioned by Mr. Cecil Smith and yourself in the May number of The Zoologist (pp. 227, 228), I beg to inform you that a very fine specimen of this bird was caught by a navvy on an embankment of the North-Western Railway, not far from Wellingborough, in Northamptonshire, and brought to me at Lilford, where it is now alive and well in my aviary. I am sorry that, as I have not my notes with me, I cannot give the precise date of this occurrence, but my impression is that it was early in 1873. This bird bore no traces of captivity.'

Lord Lilford (1895 (1): 328) under 'Porphyrio caeruleus', says: 'In the month of June, 1870, a very fine specimen of this handsome species, that had been caught on the London and North-western Railway near Wellingborough by the bearer on the previous day, was brought alive to Lilford, and lived for seven or eight years in my aviary.'

0). 1873 Northumberland Near Ponteland, caught, August.

(Hancock, 1874; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1890: 75).

History Hancock (1874) under 'Porphyrio caesius, Degland et Gerbe or P. hyacinthinus Bree', says: 'Another individual was caught near Ponteland, August, 1873. It is still living in confinement in Newcastle.'

0). 1875 Somerset Tarnock, near Badgworth, caught, 25th August.

("H.M.M." Hardwicke's Science Gossip 1876: 41; C. Smith, Science Gossip 1876: 89; M. A. Mathew, Zoologist 1877: 178; C. Smith, Zoologist 1877: 227; M. A. Mathew, Zoologist 1877: 252; C. Smith, Zoologist 1877: 293-295; M. A. Mathew, Zoologist 1877: 339-340; H. Saunders, Zoologist 1877: 379-381; M. A. Mathew, Zoologist 1879: 127-128; M. A. Mathew, Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society 39: 126).

History "H.M.M." of Badworth (1876) in Hardwicke's Science Gossip, Vol. XII. p. 41, says: 'On the 25th of August last, a fine specimen of the Hyacinthe Gallinule (Porphyrio ceterum) was taken in this neighbourhood. It was found in one of our "rheins", or running ditches, unable to fly, having apparently been shot at. By the help of a dog, it was chased to a hedge, and there captured. It pecked savagely at the faces of all who came near it, and one boy whose curiosity got the better of his caution, received a blow which pierced the lip and wounded the gum. In fact, its bill, when wielded with such hearty good - I should say ill - will, was a formidable weapon. The blue on the neck, breast, and belly of the bird is of a lovely hue. I shall be glad if any of your readers could inform me whether the bird is often found in this country. I have never seen one before. Its wings do not seem to be well adapted to long flights, and it may have escaped from some private collection. After a day or two's captivity it was killed and stuffed, and is now in the possession of its captors.'

Cecil Smith (1876) in Hardwicke's Science Gossip, Vol. XII. p. 89, says: 'I see a note in in the February number of Science Gossip on the capture of the Purple Gallinule near Weston-super-Mare, in this county, with a question as to whether it is often found in this country. In answer to which, I may say that Mr. Harting, in his 'Hand-book of British Birds,' mentions only two instances of its occurrence in Great Britain, both of which he considers to have been escapes from some ornamental water: no doubt this was the case in the present instance.'

Murray A. Mathew of Bishop's Lydeard (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. p. 178, says: 'The following are the particulars of the capture of a bird of this species, as sent to me by Mr. Filleul, of Biddisham: - "A Purple Gallinule was caught in a ditch at Tarnock, in Badgworth parish, on August 25th, 1875. It is now in the possession of a farmer of the name of James Burrows, whose lads caught it. It was caught alive, and kept for a few days in a hamper. It died of starvation, I suppose, and was then stuffed. I have seen it twice; it is a very handsome bird, shaped like a Coot, but the legs are longer". I understand that another was seen at the same time.'

Cecil Smith of Bishop's Lydeard (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. p. 227, says: 'Under this heading, at p. 178, I see the Rev. M. A. Mathew records the occurrence of this bird at Badgwith, in this county, in August, 1875. Lest Somerset should be credited with two Purple Gallinules, - possibly with three, for Mr. Mathew says something about another having been seen when this one was taken, - I think it worth while to mention that this bird was recorded in the February number of Science Gossip for 1876, and in the following number I made some remarks on the occurrence, and suggested the extreme probability of this bird being an escape, and from enquiries I have since made I see no reason to alter this opinion. I may add that there is no mention of the original notice in Science Gossip, which gives a rather circumstantial account of the capture, of a second bird having been seen at the same time. This, therefore, as a story seldom loses by repetition, may be only one of those little additions which often creep into records made so long after the event. It strikes me as just possible that this bird may have escaped from the same place as the South American Rail (Aramides cayennensis), mentioned in the January number of The Zoologist for this year by the Rev. A. C. Smith; the distance is not at all too great, and the birds may have escaped from some intermediate place.'

Murray A. Mathew (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. p. 252, replies: 'The facts forwarded to you by me relative to the occurrence in Somersetshire of the Purple Gallinule were supplied me by the owner of the bird, and by a gentleman who is his near neighbour. There can be no reason why their statements should not be received that one bird was captured and another seen. It is beyond me to understand on what grounds the Purple Gallinules, and some other birds, which have been obtained in this country should be set down as escapes. There is no antecedent impossibility in any bird that can fly finding its way to England; there is no great improbability in birds which belong to the South European or North African Ornis straggling occasionally to this country. It is not easy, it is well nigh impossible, to lay down any hard and fast rule, and to pronounce of one bird that it is an escape, of another that it can only be a genuine immigrant. Unless there are the easily-detected signs of captivity, or some private markings about the bird, the presumption should be that it was "a bonâ fide traveller". And private markings have sometimes upset the reputations of specimens of birds which are generally admitted as British visitants without any question.

We have known a Welsh Rough-legged Buzzard proved in this manner to be only an importation and subsequent escape. When one meets a Parakeet, a Whyday-bird, or a Canary in its yellow plumage at large, it is justly concluded, from sufficient grounds, that these must in some manner have escaped from their cages; but with birds which are not commonly kept in confinement and which might without any very great difficulty wander to these shores, in the lack of proof to the contrary, one would be disposed to pronounce them wild birds and not escapes.

Purple Gallinules have occurred several times in this country, as your editorial note informs us. Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., has been good enough to acquaint me that the Norfolk example is the Green-backed Gallinule, Porphyrio smaragdonotus, a North-African species, and that the Irish specimen, which, through the kindness of Mr. J. Marshall has been added to my collection, is the Martinique Gallinule, which differs from the Purple Gallinule of South Europe in its somewhat smaller size.

If all these Purple Gallinules are escapes, is it probable that none of the owners would have advertised the loss from their aviaries of so valuable a bird, and thus have furnished proof of the fact?

I shall not hesitate to admit the Serin Finch, the Calandra Lark, and the Purple Gallinule in my Birds of the S. W. Peninsula, any more than I should feel disposed to close its pages against the Hawk Owl, White's Thrush, or the Yellow-billed Cuckoo.'

Cecil Smith (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. pp. 293-295, replies: 'The Somersetshire Purple Gallinule seems to raise rather an interesting question - namely, what amount of evidence should be required to admit a bird confessedly killed in an apparent wild state within the British Islands to a place in our list as a bonâ fide wanderer. I quite agree to one of the remarks made by Mr. Mathew in the June number of the Zoologist (p. 252), that "it is nigh well impossible to lay down any hard and fast rule"; each case must be decided on its own merits. But Mr. Mathew immediately after seems to suggest, in spite of the difficulty of doing so, that we should draw a hard and fast line at "a Parakeet, a Whydah-bird, or a Canary in its yellow plumage". If this is to be done, and we are to admit everything else merely on evidence of its being found in an apparently wild state, and with no signs of having been in confinement about it, we should - in these days when the taste for keeping birds in confinement is so prevalent - have to increase the British list indefinitely. There are, besides the mere signs of captivity, many things which we ought to consider before admitting a supposed wanderer into the British list.

For instance, the habitat, whether near to these islands or distant - if distant, had the bird been found at any intermediate places; how separated, by land or water, whether confined to a small spot or extending over a considerable geographical area; the habits and capabilities of the bird - whether of a wandering nature and possessed of considerable powers of flight - whether migratory, and if so, within what limits - whether, either at its breeding stations or on the journey to or fro it is likely to fall in with flocks of birds bound to these Islands with which it might associate - what the line of migration might be, whether along a coastline from which, if blown by a gale or wandering in foggy weather, it would probably reach these shores as the first land. Food also may be taken into consideration, as there are some birds which, from the nature of their food as well as from their habits, it is quite impossible to keep in confinement, and therefore they could not be brought to these Islands from any distance by the help of man; others, however, are very easily tamed and fed, consequently may easily be brought any distance with very little care and attention, and would show little or no signs of confinement on their arrival here. On the ground of food alone, there are many birds which we should be disposed at once to admit as bonâ fide wanderers, on satisfactory evidence of their having been found here in an apparently wild state. Such for instance, would be the Alpine Swift, Bonaparte's Sandpiper, and the American Little Stint. As an illustration of some of the foregoing remarks, we may take the case of White's Thrush, for though its proper home is far distant it is a bird of wandering habits, considerable powers of flight, is migratory within certain limits, and has been taken in several intermediate localities.

Prof. Newton, I think has enumerated about twenty captures on the continent of Europe, and it has been taken several times in England. Under these circumstances, I think, on sufficient evidence of the bird having been taken in an apparently wild state, and with no traces of confinement about it, we should be disposed to admit it; but should a supposed British-killed White's Thrush turn out on examination to be the allied Turdus lunulatus of Australia, I think, though the evidence as to the capture might be the same, we should be disposed to reject its claims to be British, on the ground of its still more distant habitat and the greater difficulties which would have to be encountered during the flight, its not having been taken in intermediate places (I believe it has not occurred even in India); moreover, there is only one extremely doubtful occurrence in England - in fact, so doubtful that it is not worth consideration. Numbers alone might be some guide, as in the case of Sand Grouse, where the birds arrived in such numbers as to preclude the possibility of their all being escapes; some stragglers, however, were taken along the line of route, but in spite of that, had only a few appeared here, we should have been much more sceptical about them as their habitat is distant, and they are not much given to such erratic proceedings, and they can be, and sometimes are, kept in confinement.

As to signs of captivity, where such are apparent I should consider them conclusive evidence of the bird being an escape; but where no such signs are apparent I should not at all consider their absence as conclusive evidence of such an event not having happened. Birds are now so well kept, and indeed occasionally allowed such perfect liberty, that no signs of captivity appear about them when they take it in to their heads to wander, and, as unfortunately too often happens, are shot and recorded as British specimens. This is very much the case with ducks and other wild fowl. Many Canada Geese were shot about here the winter before last, and not one of those that I saw bore the slightest sign of having escaped from confinement, yet in all probability they were escapes; at least, for my own part I always feel very sceptical about Canada Geese, though the numbers that were the shot rather shook my scepticism. A few Egyptian Geese were also shot at the same time; these probably have a better standing ground than the Canada Geese, but still it is impossible to say that any particular individual which may be obtained is not an escape. To show how soon escapes are made into bonâ fide rare specimens, I may give an instance of my own, which is only one among several.

This last spring I lost a Scaup Duck from my pond; three days afterwards I saw the skin at the Taunton Museum, just in time to stop a note to the local papers - and perhaps, to the Zoologist also - on the appearance of the Scaup Duck so far inland. As to advertising, as suggested by Mr. Mathew, it only adds to the expense, and the only satisfaction likely to be obtained is the production of the mutilated remains of the missing bird. But to return to the Somersetshire Purple Gallinule, it is a bird which I think we ought to be very careful how we admit to a place in the British list, for its habitat, though not sufficiently distant perhaps to render its reaching these shores without the aid of man impossible, is sufficiently so to make it very improbable, especially when we take into consideration the habits and nature of the bird, and also the fact that the bird is easily and infrequently kept in confinement, both in public and private grounds. It may frequently be seen in Leadenhall Market, at Mr. Jamrach's, and such places; moreover, very few occurrences have been recorded, and some of these may be referred to Porphyrio smaragdonotus, a bird still less likely to have wandered here of its own accord.

The original notice in Science Gossip, which was written rather more than a year before Mr. Mathew's note in the Zoologist, and which I will now quote, seems to point to this bird having escaped, and makes no mention of a second bird having been seen but not taken. It will be found at p. 41 of the volume for 1876, and is as follows: - "On the 25th of August last a fine specimen of the Hyacinthine Gallinule, Porphyrio veterum, was taken in this neighbourhood (Badgworth). It was found in one of our "rheins", or running ditches, unable to fly, having apparently been shot at. By the help of a dog it was chased to a hedge and there captured. It pecked savagely at the faces of all who came near it, and one boy, whose curiosity got the better of his caution, received a blow which pierced the lip and wounded the gum. in fact, its bill when wielded with such hearty good - I should rather say ill - will was a formidable weapon. The blue on the neck, breast and belly of the bird is of a very lovely hue. I shall be glad if any of your readers could inform me whether the bird is often found in this country. I have never seen one before. Its wings do not seem well adapted for long flights, and it may have escaped from some private collection. After a day or two's captivity it was killed and stuffed, and is now in the possession of its captors".

To this I replied in a subsequent number, giving some little account of the bird and quoting Mr. Harting's very useful Handbook of British Birds as to the number of occurrences, and in his opinion that these had "doubtless escaped from some ornamental water", an opinion in which I thoroughly agree, and think we may well include the present specimen in the same category.'

Murray A. Mathew (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. p. 339, replies: 'On visiting the British Museum, a few days since, I carefully looked at the different species of Porphyrio in the National Collection, the result being that I satisfied myself that my Irish example is not the small Porphyrio martiniquii, but the South America P. veterum. I have read Mr. Smith's remarks on the specimen of this Porphyrio obtained in Somersetshire, and as he objects to regard it as a straggler to this country, he is bound to bear the onus probandi, and to bring forward something more than a mere surmise that it is only a bird that has escaped from confinement. Unless, as I have already remarked, there is something altogether exceptional in the bird which is met with at large, it is, in the absence of proof to the contrary, fairly entitled to be ranked as a voluntary straggler to this country. The facilities of importation which exist at the present time, which are rendering this country what Pericles claimed Athens to be, the emporium of the whole world, and that, so far as concerns living specimens of foreign animals as well as the ordinary spoils of merchandise, must not be stretched too far to account for every unusual bird found wild in our woods and fields. To do this is to greatly destroy the romance of British Ornithology.

The attitude of the ornithologists in this country should be one of general expectation. From the situation of this island, it offers a natural resting-place to birds which may have lost their reckoning in their migrations both from the Old and New World. To pronounce, then, of any newcomer to the British list that "it is only an escape" is to cast a damper upon this expectant feeling, and to abandon the peculiar fortune with which the position of this country has enriched its naturalists. It is for this reason, chiefly, that I decline to retire from my defence of the Somersetshire Purple Gallinule, and to ask Mr. Smith to furnish proofs that the specimen in question escaped from an aviary. Does he know of any one who, residing not far from the locality of its capture, happened about that time to lose so rare a bird? Even if he did, I might enquire for certain marks of confinement which all birds, however handsomely treated in the aviary, are almost sure to exhibit; dull, soiled, or abraded plumage; less brilliancy in the coloration of the softer parts, the skin of the bill and legs - and here we have a never-absent sign of a bird which has been for any length of time deprived of its freedom; and if none of these could be pointed out in the captured specimen, I should then, in spite of one having been known to have strayed from an aviary somewhere at hand, feel as much entitled to my assumption that this bird, which showed no traces of its captivity, must be another, and not the escaped one, as an objector would be justified in claiming it as the missing bird.

I see that Mr. Dresser, after mentioning two examples of the Purple Gallinule which had been obtained in the North of England, adds that these were probably escapes, and his decision justly carries great weight; but Mr. Gray, who was fortunate to handle, in the flesh, one which had been shot in Argyllshire could find on the bird no signs that it had ever been subjected to confinement. Bearing in mind that these birds are migratory, and that the mouth of the Rhone or the coast of Portugal is at no great distance from this country for a bird when fairly on the wing, Porphyrio veterum might justly object to be refused a place among the chance visitors, which includes many other birds even less likely than this to wander to our coasts.'

Howard Saunders of London (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. pp. 379-381, says: 'In The Zoologist for August (p. 339) my friend, the Rev. M. A. Mathew renews his defence of the Somersetshire and other British-taken Purple Gallinules, Porphyrio veterum, against the imputation of being escaped birds and not bonâ fide wild visitants to our islands. From my experience of the habits of this species as observed in Spain and Sicily, it seems to me that he is arguing upon erroneous premises, especially as regards its assumed "migratory" instincts. When he says, "Bearing in mind that the birds are migratory, and that the mouth of the Rhone or the coast of Portugal is at no great distance from this country when fairly on the wing", &c., he is doubtless mindful of the exact words of the late M. Favier, and of Colonel Irby, in the Ornithology of the Straits of Gibraltar, but I imagine that both of them use the expression in a far more limited sense than that in which Mr. Mathew has taken it. From the neighbourhood of Gibraltar, where it occurs in January and February, "doubtless on migration" to several marshes where it is resident throughout the year, is but a few miles, and there is a succession of these as far as the great marshes of the Guadalquiver, which are only seventy miles in a straight line from Gibraltar: whilst from the South of Portugal to Bath or Wells it is thirteen degrees of latitude, as the crow flies, or nearly eight hundred geographical miles! Mr. Mathew may consider this "no great distance for a bird when fairly on the wing", but there are birds, and birds, and the Purple Waterhen is one of those most difficult to flush, and settles down as soon as possible after a short flight, seldom, if ever, to be flushed again. If a dog has almost got hold of one, it must perforce rise or be "chopped"; but when, after a short flight, it drops down into the sedge, it runs and clambers amongst the reeds, and is seen no more.

It would take twenty couple of otter hounds to thoroughly rout up a marsh of moderate dimensions so as to give any idea of the Porphyrios it might contain; and after working a couple of those marshes the staunchest pack would be pretty well "baked". Again, it will be observed that even its occurrence "on migration" near Gibraltar is in the months of January and February, the very time at which the officers of the garrison and other sportsmen are in the habit of going out shooting, and consequently many a bird might be seen at that time which at others might pass unnoticed; besides which in winter the cover is not so dense. If the bird were really "migratory", in the usual acceptance of the word, it is strange that it should have become scarce or almost extinct in the marshes of the Albufera of Valencia, in those near Murcia, in those of the Prat and the Almenasa, of the Island of Majorca, and other localities. That it is "more abundant in winter", as Von Homeyer says, merely shows that there are naturally more sportsmen about at that season, and that, the sedge being scantier, it is then more easily obtained. My impression, in fact, is that there are few birds which migrate less and are more locally restricted than this species. Nor can I agree to Mr. Mathew's assumption that any one of the captured specimens was proved to be a wild and genuine migrant because its plumage showed no signs of confinement, for the Purple Gallinule is one of those species which would least show marks of captivity, and to which much greater space and freedom are accorded than to many others. Even were this not the case, I can recall to memory many instance of birds in confinement in perfect plumage; and to cite but one, I may mention a young Golden Eagle taken from the nest on the 4th May, and killed, in default of a purchaser, by one of my Spanish collectors, in September, in which nearly every feather is like satin - a beauty never approached by any wild bird I ever saw, and I think the experience of my friend Mr. E. Hargitt, who now possesses it, will confirm mine.

As for escaping from an enclosure, or anything short of an absolute cage, few birds could do so with greater facility, for this Gallinule can climb like a cat, whilst its skulking habits might enable it to remain unnoticed till all traces, if any, of captivity had passed away, and even till the clipped feathers in one wing had been replaced by new ones. To sum up, it seems to me that there are few European species less likely to have come to England of their own accord than the Purple Gallinule; but I will give Mr. Mathew the benefit of a suggestion as to the origin of the individual captured in Somersetshire. It is well known that the Romans kept these birds in captivity: they may have brought some to Britain. Bath was a Roman colony, and the courtyard of some Pro-consul of Aequae-salis may have been enlivened with the imperial purple hues of this beautiful southern species.

When the Roman power waned and "the heathen" poured across the Severn, necessitating those "great battles in the west" of which our laureate has sung, the neglected Gallinules would naturally seek refuge, and also food (for probably at such times their owners forgot to feed them), in the peaceful marshes of the Parrett. Increase of population and drainage would in later times have diminished their numbers, and in the bird in question we have perhaps the last descendant of the original invaders, which, after 1400 years of occupation by its "forebears", may fairly lay claim to naturalization. On this supposition, and on this only, I should be inclined to admit that it has a claim to be considered a "British" bird.'

M. A. Mathew (1879) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. III. pp. 127-128, adds: 'Finding myself recently in the neighbourhood of the Somersetshire Purple Gallinule (Zool., 1877, p. 178), and being anxious to ascertain its species, I called to see it, and found it to be an example of Porphyrio veterum, in very perfect condition. It had been very well set up by a Bristol birdstuffer. Its owner Mr. James Burrows, of Badgworth, told me that a sheep-dog of his was extremely clever in capturing birds, especially Moorhens, and one day brought him this Purple Gallinule perfectly uninjured. It was kept alive for several days, but would not touch any food that was given to it, and was very fierce when any one approached it; it was, therefore, killed and sent to be stuffed. I noticed that the country about Badgworth, and indeed the whole of the extensive flat between the Mendip and Brent Knoll, is intersected by numerous dykes, most of which are arched over by a tangled growth of bushes, and thus would form a safe retreat for Coots, Moorhens, &c., so that the Purple Gallinule may have been for some time inhabiting the district before it was captured by the sheep-dog on August 25th, 1875.'

Comment The End.

0). 1876 Perth & Kinross Erroll, Perthshire, shot, about 15th September.

(H. M. Drummond Hay, Scottish Naturalist 4: 37-38; H. M. Drummond Hay, Scottish Naturalist4: 290; Buchanan White, Proceedings of the Perthshire Society of Natural Sciences 1: 182; H. M. Drummond Hay, Scottish Naturalist8: 372).

History H. M. Drummond Hay (1877) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. IV. pp. 37-38, dated March 1877, says: 'It may be interesting to record the fact of Porphyrio smaragdonotusTemm. (P. chloronotusBrehm.) having been shot on the Tay last autumn by a young man resident in the village of Errol, who tells me that about the 15th September, while shooting wild-ducks by moonlight on the banks of the Tay, between Errol and Seaside, he was watching at the end of one of the stone dykes which stretch far out into the river, when his dog, which was poking about among the high reeds, started a bird which flew past him, and which he fortunately shot. Some little time afterwards the bird was shown to me, it having then been skinned and mounted. From the description I had previously got of it, I believed that the bird would turn out to be Porphyrio hyacinthus (Temm.) (P. veterum Gml.), an occasional straggler to this country; it having been, I believe, noticed more than once in England, while one is recorded by Mr. R. Gray in his Birds of the West of Scotland, p. 337, as having been shot near Campbeltown, Argyleshire, in September 1876. Porphyrio hyacinthusI am well acquainted with, having so often seen it in Sicily, where it frequents the marshes in the neighbourhood both of Catania and Syracuse; but to my great surprise the bird brought to me proved to be Porphyrio smaragdonotus, which I believe to be more an eastern species than the former, having seen no notice of its occurrence in northern Africa or any part of western Europe. Professor Newton, however, in a letter to me lately, has drawn my attention to its occasional occurrence in the south of Europe, one having been shot in Sicily (Ibis, 1870, p. 454) and six live examples taken in the south of France, on the authority of Baron J. W. Von Müller. On comparing the specimen in question with a pair of Sicilian Purple Water Hens, P. hyacinthcus, in my possession, I find it to be smaller, and much brighter in plumage; unfortunately no note was taken of the sex, but I believe it to be an adult male in full plumage. Very possibly it may have escaped from confinement, though it had no appearance of having done so, but this of course, after being at large for a certain time would be lost.

Dr. Wylie, of Errol, tells me that about thirty years ago he shot (nearly in the same spot as the above) a bird of similar appearance, with deep red legs and frontal plate, but he could not be certain of the species as the bird was not preserved. I may remark that from the great extent of the reed beds on the tidal parts of the Tay, a bird of so shy and retired habits as the Porphyrio, which is most difficult to flush, might easily escape detection, and may even have been of more frequent occurrence.'

H. M. Drummond Hay (1877-78) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. IV. p. 290, says: 'Among other water-birds, one specimen of this Porphyrio was obtained two years ago on the banks of the Tay (see Scot. Nat., Vol. IV. p. 87, 1877).'

Buchanan White (1884) in the Proceedings of the Perthshire Society of Natural Sciences, Vol. I. p. 182, says: '...Mr. Millais added that he would present to the Museum a specimen of the Parrot Crossbill, and also the Reeve recently shot by him at Murthly. He mentioned that among other rare birds that he had obtained in the basin of the Tay were the following:— Roseate Tern, Green Sandpiper, Ivory Gull, Iceland Gull, Buffon’s Skua, Purple Gallinule (shot at Errol), &c.'

H. M. Drummond Hay (1885-86) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. VIII. p. 372, in the Report of the East of Scotland Union, says: 'A bird of this species in full adult plumage was shot on the reed banks of the Tay near Errol, in the middle of September, 1876, by Mr. McInnes, a butcher in the village, now, I believe in the possession of J. G. Millais, Esq. Since then, I understand, several more have been got in England, and Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., writes to me that he feels no doubt of this Porphyrio being a wild one, in reply to my doubts in this respect.'

Comment The reference given in Scot. Nat., does not relate to a Porphyrio; it is on p. 37.

0). 1876 Cumbria Grange-in-Furness, Lancashire, shot, 25th September.

(J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1877: 228; E. T. Baldwin, Zoologist 1877: 381-382; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1887: 195).

History J. E. Harting (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. p. 228, in a editorial footnote, says: 'On the 25th of September, 1876, a Purple Gallinule was shot near Grange-in-Furness, Lancashire, by Robert Allan, gamekeeper to Mr. E. Mucklow, of Castle Head, Grange, and was preserved by Kirkby, the taxidermist, of Ulverston.'

Edward T. Baldwin of Ulverston (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. pp. 381-382, says: 'Since the discussion in the Zoologist, as to whether it is possible that a Purple Gallinule found at large in this country may or may not be a bonâ fide visitor and not an escaped bird, I have made further enquiries with reference to the specimen shot on the 25th September, 1876, at Grange-over-Sands, North Lancashire, to which you allude in the May number of the Zoologist (p. 228). Allan, the gamekeeper, who shot it, tells me that he saw it frequently for a month previously to any attempt on his part to shoot it. Generally it was in company with a large covey of Partridges, feeding on the stubbles, and when disturbed it invariably made for a large bed of reeds.

On the first occasion of his seeing it, it ran some distance and then took flight across two fields into this bed of reeds, which is in reality a portion of the deserted channel of the River Winster. On the day on which it was shot it rose very wild from the reeds (some fifty yards off), and was brought down by a single pellet through the head. I may add that the locus in quo is close to the shore of Morecambe Bay. The bird was most minutely examined both by the birdstuffer and Allan, and they both tell me it presented no signs whatever of confinement, the feathers being sound and glossy and the legs perfectly free from any mark. When I saw the bird it was already stuffed and mounted, so that I could form no opinion of my own on the point.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1887) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XI. p. 195, says: 'I should be much obliged if any correspondent, who may happen to know its whereabouts, will say where a Porphyrio, shot at Grange-in-Furness, Lancashire, on September 25th, 1876, now is. It was recorded in the Zoologist by Mr. Harting (1877, p. 228), and by Mr. E. T. Baldwin, p. 381. Robert Allen, the keeper who shot it, died in America last May, and it is possible that he took the bird to America with him, but it is much more likely, I think, that he sold it to some collector before crossing the Atlantic.

About ten days before this bird was killed a Green-backed Porphyrio, showing no trace of confinement, and now in Mr. J. G. Millais's collection, was shot at Errol, in Perthshire (Drummond Hay, Scottish Naturalist, 1877, p. 37); while about fifteen days afterwards a third was killed in Norfolk (Zool., 1877, pp. 96, 228). These facts point to wild migrants, and not to prisoners escaped from any aviary, especially as it was just the migratory season, and the three localities are so far apart, assuming that the Lancashire bird was the Green-backed species, which is what I wish to ascertain. Unfortunately that cannot now be proved, unless the specimen can be examined. Two of the witnesses who saw it think its back was green, and two others think it was blue.

The Green-backed Porphyrio apparently has a good claim to be considered a visitant to the South of Europe. Mr. Dresser says, on the authority of Baron Von Müller, that six were caught at once in the South of France (Birds of Europe, Vol. VII. p. 303); and I learn from Prof. Giglioli that in the autumn of 1865 four were taken at Messina, and that, including these, there are twelve well-authenticated instances of its capture in Italy, Sicily, and Sardinia. Of some of these he has given particulars (The Ibis, 1881, p. 211), but does not suggest that they may have escaped from confinement.'

0). 1876 Norfolk Tatterford, adult, killed, 10th October.

(J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1877: 228; J. H. Gurney, Zoologist 1877: 253; H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1877: 433; H. Stevenson, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 2: 318-319; Riviere, 1930).

History J. E. Harting (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. p. 228, in a editorial footnote, says: 'We are further informed by the Rev. E. W. Dowell, of Dunton Vicarage, Fakenham, Norfolk, that an adult bird of this species was killed in one of the head streams of the Wensum River, at Tatterford, early in October, 1876.'

J. H. Gurney (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. p. 253, says: 'Having had an opportunity of examining the Porphyrio killed at Tatterford in October last, and mentioned at page 228 of the current volume of the Zoologist, I think it well to mention that it is not a specimen of P. hyacinthinus, but of the nearly allied P. smaragdonotus; and I think it would be desirable that the other British-killed Porphyrios which have been referred to hyacinthinus should be carefully examined, with the view of ascertaining whether any of these examples are also in reality referable to P. smaragdonotus. The latter species is readily distinguishable from P. hyacinthinus by the greener tints of its plumage, especially on the back: it is a South African species, but it also inhabits Lower Egypt, as recorded by my son in his Rambles of a Naturalist, p. 186. I may add that the Tatterford bird shows no signs whatever of having been kept in confinement.'

Henry Stevenson of Norwich (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. p. 433, says: 'I am glad to find that Mr. Gurney has corrected my note (p. 228) on the Porphyrio killed at Tatterford, in this county, last October, and identified it as P. smaragdonotus and not P. hyacinthinus. I had not seen the bird when I wrote on the information of a friend. I have since learnt that one of the specimens kept in confinement at Northrepps by Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., has escaped; but as yet it does not appear to have turned up again either as a genuine migrant or an acclimatized vagrant.'

H. Stevenson (1874-79) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. II. pp. 318-319, says: 'I am indebted to the Rev. E. W. Dowell, of Dunton, for particulars respecting a bird of this species, which was killed in West Norfolk, about the 10th of October, in the parish of Tatterford, on the upper waters of the Wensum, by a gamekeeper named Platten, then in the service of Mr. Dugmore. The bird was skinned and roughly set up by Platten, and on quitting Mr. Dugmore's service, shortly after, he took it with him to Wroxham, where his father acts as keeper to Mr. Blake-Humphrey. It was there seen, in his possession, by Mr. Harvey Blake-Humphrey, who succeeded in securing it for Mr. Dowell, and on being sent to a Norwich birdstuffer to be restuffed it was examined by Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., and others, and found to be an adult specimen of the Green-backed Porphyrio, of Africa, and not the European Purple or Hyacinthe Gallinule (Porphyrio veterum)....In the present instance the perfect plumage and cleanness of the feet and legs of the specimen, and its sharp claws, seemed to indicate that it had not been in confinement; but specimens which Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., has had alive for some time, will still bear comparison in all these points with Mr. Dowell's bird. A notice of its fate in the local papers and Land and Water, failed to find an owner for it.'

0). 1877 Norfolk Hickling Broad, killed, 7th September.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1877: 447-448; Riviere, 1930).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Northrepps (1877) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. I. pp. 447-448, says: 'In connexion with the correspondence which has been going on about the Porphyrio killed in this country, you will be interested in hearing that a specimen, in the most perfect plumage, was killed at Hickling Broad last week, viz., on September 7th, and has been well mounted for its owner, Mr. Micklethwaite, by T. E. Gunn, of Norwich. I have little doubt it is one of my own, which made its escape during summer. My bird was perfect when it got away, and the same may be said of this. As soon as I had the latter in my hand I saw that it was the Green-backed species, like mine, that is to say, Porphyrio smaragdonotus of Africa. Hickling Broad is no great distance from Northrepps, and if once got there it might easily maintain itself among the swamps in the neighbourhood.'

0). 1877 Norfolk Stalham, male, killed, 1st November.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1878: 29; H. Stevenson, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 2: 483; Riviere, 1930).

History J. H. Gurney, jun. (1878) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. II. p. 29, says: 'Another specimen of the Green-backed species was shot in Norfolk on the 1st November, and there is no reason for thinking it had escaped from captivity. I had a letter on the 5th of that month from the owner, in which he said it was shot at Stalham, which is only a few miles from Hickling, where the last recorded specimen was obtained. It is in just the same plumage as the other, I hear, and a male bird.'

H. Stevenson (1874-79) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. II. p. 483, says: 'The second example was shot on the 1st of November, upon the swampy ground between Stalham and Barton Broad. When shown to me in the flesh on the following morning, I found it like the other in perfect plumage, the feet and claws clean and sharp, but this is also the case with Mr. Gurney's specimens, although they have now been some time in confinement.'

0). 1878 Essex Dedham, adult female, obtained, 30th October.

(C. R. Bree, Field 16th Nov., 1878: 619; J. H. Gurney, Field 23rd Nov., 1878: 701; C. R. Bree, Field 30th Nov., 1878: 752; C. R. Bree, Field 21st Dec., 1878: 784; J. H. Gurney, Field 21st Dec., 1878: 784; J. E. Harting, Field 28th Dec., 1878: 829; C. R. Bree, Field 4th Jan., 1879: 15; Christy, 1890; Glegg, 1929).

History C. R. Bree of Colchester (1878) in The Field of 16th Nov., Vol. LII. p. 619, says: 'A specimen of this bird (Porphyrio hyacinthinus [hyacinthus]) was shot on Oct. 30 last at Dedham, by Mr. Dunnett, jnr., and brought to me in the flesh by Mr. Ambrose, the stuffer, to name. It is a very fine specimen, and quite free from abrasion of plumage or anything to denote its escape from confinement.

[It proved on dissection to be a female bird, with upwards of fifty rudimentary eggs in the ovary. The plumage is that of an adult. The crop contained ends of moss, a minute weed, two small black slugs, and some white sand. - Ed.]

Dedham is situated close to the large River Stour, which is about eight miles from the sea. I believe the specimen to have been wild, and not escaped from any ornamental water, as suggested by Mr. Harting was the case in the other two instances in which this bird was taken in England (Handbook of British Birds, p. 153)....In the earlier part of the day on which it was shot we had a fall of snow; wind N.E., and very cold.'

J. H. Gurney (1878) in The Field of 23rd Nov., Vol. LII. p. 701, says: 'The three specimens of Porphyrio which have been killed in a wild state in Norfolk, and of which only one has been traced to be a probably escaped bird, have all proved to be, not P. hyacinthus, but the species inhabiting Egypt, P. smaragdonatus, a very similar bird, but with a decided green tint on the back. I would suggest that it is very desirable that the specimen recently killed in Essex, and recorded in the last number of The Field, should be carefully examined, with the view of ascertaining to which of these two nearly allied species it really belongs, and that the result should be put on record.'

C. R. Bree (1878) in The Field of 30th Nov., Vol. LII. p. 752, under 'Green-backed Porphyrio (Porphyrio smaragdonotus),' says: 'Mr. Gurney's suggestion is quite right. The specimen shot by Mr. Dunnett is of the above species. I had only seen it at night, when brought to me to name by Ambrose, and you do not see the tint by gaslight. Moreover, I know very little about P. smaragdonotus.'

C. R. Bree of Colchester (1879) in The Field of 4th Jan., Vol. LIII. p. 15, says: 'The question now stands thus: (1) A Green-backed Gallinule was shot at Dedham, in Essex, in November 1878, and three others have been taken on the Norfolk coast. Mr. Harting and Col. Irby have proved that these birds have flown on board ship 300 and 500 miles from land - further, in fact, than they would have to fly if they had migrated. (2) Mr. Saunders and Mr. Harting think they have escaped from ornamental water, without adding a single proof. The onus probandi lies with them, and, until they adduce proof, I claim for these birds at least as much title to be called British as the Black-headed Gull (L. melanocephalus), which has, upon much less authority, been added to the British lists.'

Glegg (1929: 277-278) placing the Green-backed Gallinule in square-brackets, says: 'An adult female, which is described as exhibiting no traces of having been in confinement, was obtained at Dedham on 30th October 1878, by Mr. H. N. Dunnet, jun., of Jupes Hill. The bird, which was examined by Dr. Bree in the flesh, was preserved by Ambrose and retained by Mr. Dunnet. It seems probable that this bird may have escaped from captivity.'

0). 1879 Norfolk Barton Broad, shot, 23rd August.

(J. H. Gurney, Zoologist 1879: 458; H. Stevenson, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 3: 134; Gurney, 1884; Riviere, 1930).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Northrepps (1879) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. III. p. 458, undated, says: 'The Green-backed Porphyrio (Porphyrio smaragdonotus, Tem., P. hyacinthus, Brehm, jun., nec Tem.) has occurred, for the third time in Norfolk, on August 23rd, on Barton Broad, the same locality which produced the last. The specimen is at present in the hands of Mr. T. E. Gunn, of St. Giles' Street, Norwich, who informs me that it was a female, with eggs about the size of hempseed, and weighed one pound seven ounces. It does not show the slightest traces of confinement, and I have little doubt it was a migrant hither. The species is found as near as the North of Egypt. When in that country, in 1875, I met with it a few miles from Cairo, It has been confounded with the Purple Waterhen of the South of Europe (Porphyrio hyacinthus, Tem.), and in all probability some of the examples of the Purple Waterhen which have been recorded as occurring in England belonged to the more southern green-backed species. Four specimens have been obtained in Norfolk, but there is good reason for supposing that one of them - the example recorded at Hickling - was an escaped bird; the other three appear to have been all wild.'

Admitted by Henry Stevenson (1879-84) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. III. p. 134.

Gurney (1884: 34) says: 'Has occurred once near Fakenham, and twice at Barton. It seems to be supposed by many people that these must have escaped, but I cannot see the slightest reason for any such supposition.'

Comment How strange that Gurney lists three records when he himself has noticed three records in the Broads alone.

0). 1881 Moray & Nairn Cluny Hill, Moray, caught, summer, now at Forres Museum.

(Cook, 1992).

History Cook (1992) says: 'A specimen on display in Forres Museum was captured by boys on Cluny Hill in the summer of 1881.'

0). 1885 Norfolk Horning, shot, 16th October.

(T. E. Gunn, Zoologist 1885: 482; T. E. Gunn, Zoologist 1886: 481; Riviere, 1930).

History T. E. Gunn of Norwich (1885) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. IX. p. 482, says: 'A good specimen of this species was shot by the river-side at Horning on October 16th, and was brought to me the following day. This makes the fourth example out of five killed in Norfolk that has passed through my hands. The present specimen proved to be a female, and weighed one pound five ounces and a half. The gizzard contained a quantity of small white stones and grit, together with some small brown seeds of a species of rush.'

T. E. Gunn (1886) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. X. p. 481, adds: 'Solitary individuals of the handsome Green-backed Porphyrio, Porphyrio chloronotus, have been met with in Norfolk on five different occasions (see Mr. J. H. Gurney's note on the subject, antea, p. 71), and four out of the five were sent to me for preservation. The last procured (Zool., 1885, p. 482) was shot on October 16th, 1885, on the River Bure, near Horning, as it rose out of some reeds near one of the entrances to Hoveton Broad.'

0). 1889 Hampshire Basingstoke, obtained, undated.

(Kelsall & Munn, 1905).

History Kelsall & Munn (1905: 273) say: 'One procured at Basing in 1889 (Sclater).'

0). 1892 Suffolk Horringer, near Bury St Edmunds, shot, 10th January.

(J. G. Tuck, Zoologist 1893: 428-429; Ticehurst, 1932).

History Julian G. Tuck of Tostock Rectory, Bury St Edmunds (1893) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XVII. pp. 428-429, says: 'While in Bury the other day I was asked to look at a "Blue Coot", which turned out, as I expected, to be one of the larger Gallinules, whether Porphyrio caeruleus or P. smaragdonotus I cannot say, but I think the latter. It was shot in a garden at Horringer, near Bury, on January 10th, 1892, and brought to a publican, who set it up very fairly and put it in a case. The legs had been painted bright sealing-wax red, with a greenish "garter", which he assured me was the right colouring. Whether the Norfolk examples of Porphyrio smaragdonotus, obtained in August, September, and October, are genuine migrants or not this specimen, shot in mid-winter and in very cold weather, is doubtless an escaped bird, and possibly some one reading this note may remember losing a bird of this kind about the date mentioned, and may be interested to know, its fate.'

Ticehurst (1932) says: 'Gallinules, not always fully identified, have been obtained in Suffolk as follows: another shot in a garden at Horringer near Bury on 10th January 1892 was cariensis.'

0). 1893 Perth & Kinross Loch Leven, Kinross-shire, shot, 21st August.

(A. Hay, Field 22nd Sep., 1894: 454).

History Arthur Hay from Blairadam (1894) in The Field of 22nd Sep., Vol. LXXXIV. p. 454, says: 'When shooting Snipe in the neighbourhood of Loch Leven on the 21st of last month, I shot what I am now informed by Mr. Butt, of 49, Wigmore Street, is a Green-backed Porphyrio, or Gallinule. He also suggests that it is probably an escaped bird from some private collection. As it is a very rare occurrence in this country, I should be glad of your opinion in the matter.'

0). 1893 Carmarthenshire Llandeilo, Abercowin, shot, before September.

(Barker, 1905; Ingram & Salmon, 1954).

History Barker (1905: 15) says: 'Hyacinthine, or Purple Gallinule: Porphyrus hyacinthus. Note by Mr Browne: "1893, September. Saw in Jeffreys' shop, Carmarthen, a stuffed specimen of the Hyacinthine, or Purple Gallinule - Porphyrus hyacinthus - which had been shot by the tenant of the farm of Llandilo Talybont in the parish of Llandilo Abercowin, Carmarthenshire. Jeffreys told me the that the farmer informed him that it had been seen on the farm for several days before it was shot". Mr Jeffreys confirms this note.'

Accepted locally (Ingram & Salmon 1954).

0). 1894 Surrey Bury Hill Lake, Dorking, September to February 1895, when found dead.

(W. Borrer, Zoologist 1896: 475; Bucknill, 1900; Parr, 1972).

History William Borrer of Cowfold, Horsham (1896) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XX. p. 475, undated, says: 'Referring to Mr. Corbin's note on the occurrence of a Purple Gallinule in Hampshire (p. 134), it may be of interest to state, that as my nephew Mr. John Blackburne was walking by the side of the lake at Bury Hill, near Dorking, in September, 1894, he frequently saw a Purple Gallinule, Porphyrio caerulea, standing on a hillock by the lake busily preening its feathers. He never saw it on the open water, but often disturbed it in the thickest part of the rushes or on the bank, when it would fly over to a thick bed of reeds, just skimming the surface of the water, and in February,1895, he found it dead by the side of the lake. On examining it he found no signs of its having been shot and it was in good plumage and condition. He sent it to be stuffed, and afterwards brought it to show me. It is now in the possession of Miss Barclay, of Bury Hill, Dorking. I think this is the fifth time a specimen of this bird has been obtained in Britain.' Locally, it was mentioned by Bucknill (1900: 280).

0). 1896 Suffolk Near Brandon, spring.

(Ticehurst, 1932).

History Ticehurst (1932) says: 'Gallinules, not always fully identified, have been obtained in Suffolk as follows: one near Brandon in the spring of 1896 and recorded under Porphyrio calvus.'

0). 1896 Hampshire River Avon, killed, 15th September.

(G. B. Corbin, Zoologist 1896: 434).

History G. B. Corbin of Ringwood (1896) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XX. p. 434, says: 'A specimen of the Green-backed species of Porphyrio was killed on the banks of the Avon on Sept. 15th, no doubt an escaped bird, for the man who killed it remarked that it appeared very tame, and one of its wings showed signs of scissors having been used upon it, although it was said that his shots had cut the feathers off. I am not aware that any such water-fowl are kept in this immediate neighbourhood, and yet I do not think the bird could have got upon the wing to have flown here.'

0). 1897 Norfolk Martham Broad, male, shot, 23rd June.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Field 3rd Jul., 1897: 34; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1898: 111; Riviere, 1930).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1897) in The Field of 3rd Jul., Vol. XC. p. 34, says: 'A Green-backed Gallinule (Porphyrio smaragdonotus), after haunting Martham Broad, in Norfolk, where its loud cry was constantly heard for a week, was shot, as I learn from Mr. E. C. Saunders (who has it), on June 23 in an adjoining parish about two miles from the sea. If anyone has lost such a bird perhaps this notice will elicit information of the fact, though there is no unlikelihood in its being a wild one. This is the sixth example of the Green-backed species that has been shot in Norfolk, and opinions differ among naturalists as to whether they are to be regarded as escaped birds or wild ones....'

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1898) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. II. p. 111, says: 'June 23rd. A Green-backed Porphyrio, male, shot, at Martham Broad, about two miles from the sea; taken to Mr. E. C. Saunders (cf. The Field, 1897, July 3rd).'

0). 1897 Norfolk Martham Broad, male, shot, 3rd July.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Field 7th Aug., 1897: 269; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1898: 111; Riviere, 1930).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1897) in The Field of 7th Aug., Vol. XC. p. 269, says: 'Since a notice which appeared in your columns of a Green-backed Gallinule (Porphyrio smaragdonotus) in Norfolk on June 23, two more have turned up, on July 3 and July 21, on the Broads. This makes seven in all which have been obtained on these marshy Norfolk lagoons in an area nine miles long and six miles broad, a place peculiarly well suited to their habits. They have been in perfect plumage, and all inquiries have failed to trace more than one of them to an owner. If these Gallinules have escaped from confinement in distant parts of England, it is certainly extraordinary that they should all come here to one particular spot nine miles by six, instead of being scattered about the country in unlikely places, as we might expect....'

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1898) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. II. p. 111, says: 'July 3rd. Another Green-backed Porphyrio, male, shot, at Martham Broad (Rev. M. Bird; cf. The Field, 1897, Aug. 7th).'

0). 1897 Norfolk Barton Broad, female, shot, 21st July.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Field7th Aug., 1897: 269; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist1898: 112; Riviere, 1930).

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1898) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. II. p. 112, says: 'July 21st. A Green-backed Porphyrio, female, shot at Barton Broad (T. E. Gunn).'

0). 1897 Norfolk Barton Broad, another, seen, 3rd August.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologis`t 1898: 112; Riviere, 1930).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1898) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. II. p. 112, says: 'Another Porphyrio at Barton, as I am informed by Mr. W. Lowne, who received it, and perceived signs of confinement, of which more presently.'

0). 1897 Norfolk Barton Broad, another, seen, 11th September.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1898: 113; Riviere, 1930).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1898) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. II. p. 113, says: 'September 11th. Another Green-backed Porphyrio shot at Barton Broad, as I learnt from Mr. Southwell while absent in Scotland. This is the fifth of these unfortunates in the same locality; but it is impossible to claim them as genuine migrants, for, though with one exception in perfect condition and plumage, they are probably some turned out by the Duke of Bedford at Woburn Abbey, in Bedfordshire.

Mr. H. Saunders and I make it only 120 miles on the map in a straight line from Woburn to Barton Broad; the instinct which led so many to the same place, and that place so suitable to their requirements, is very remarkable. Whether they began their journey together, or not, it is morally certain that they did not arrive at the Broad district at the same time, being far too noisy and conspicuous to remain long hidden. The first, on June 23rd, had probably just escaped, but in August Mr. E. Meade Waldo - who, together with the Duchess, have kindly given every information - informs me there were about sixty of these splendid 'Poules sultanes' at large, full-winged, and already quite wild in Woburn Park.

None were reported anywhere but in Norfolk, so far as I could learn, but a Purple Porphyrio was killed in Yorkshire (J. Cordeaux). If any more are turned out it would be a good plan to put dated aluminium rings on their legs, and we could then be sure of their owners and trace their wanderings. We can only promise them the same inhospitable reception they met with before, so long as the reed-mowers are allowed guns, for they, like all the rest of the tribe of Norfolk gunners, are incapable of leaving any bird alone, and the persecution of Montagu's Harriers and Barn Owls is especially regrettable.

If these Porphyrios had been unmolested they might possibly have nested, as they did in a semi-wild state at Mr. Mead Waldo's place in Kent.'

0). 1897 Leicestershire & Rutland Near Uppingham, obtained, November.

(T. Northen, Field 5th Mar., 1898: 358).

History T. Northen of Thorpe-by-Water, Uppingham (1898) in The Field of 5th Mar., Vol. XCI. p. 358, says: 'I have read Mr. C. J. Massey's report of the capture of a Purple Gallinule in Lancashire, and may inform him that a specimen of this bird was shot near here in November, 1897. It was in excellent plumage and condition, and has been preserved. This is the only time I have ever heard of one being seen in this neighbourhood.'

0). 1897 Suffolk Wickham Market, shot, late December.

(N. A. Heywood, Field 8th Jan., 1898: 60-61; Ticehurst, 1932).

History N. A. Heywood (1898) in The Field of 8th Jan., Vol. XCI. pp. 60-61, says: 'When out shooting at Wickham Market during the last week of December a Purple Gallinule was shot, and showed no signs of having been in captivity.'

[This would not prove that the bird had not escaped from some ornamental water, which was most likely the case. Birds on obtaining their liberty very soon recover in appearance and plumage. - Ed.]

Ticehurst (1932) says: 'Gallinules, not always fully identified, have been obtained in Suffolk as follows: a third unidentified was shot at Wickham Market in the last week of December 1897.'

0). 1898 Lancashire & North Merseyside Gisbourne Park, Ribbleside, caught, early February.

(C. J. Massey, Field 5th Feb., 1898: 180).

History Charles J. Massey of Closes Hall, near Clitheroe (1898) in The Field of 5th Feb., Vol. XCI. p. 180, says: 'While shooting on one of the Gisburne Park beats on Ribbleside last week for Pheasant cocks, one of my retrievers went into the water, which was in high flood, and brought out what I expected would be a Pheasant killed by one of the higher guns. To my astonishment, he landed a bird which none of us could name. Mr. Ashdown, of Shrewsbury, writes me "it is a male Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio caeruleus), a Mediterranean bird". How it got so far north no one can tell. I believe Lord Powis has one in his collection, but the Gallinule can hardly be called a British bird. Have any of your readers seen other specimens lately?'

[Several instances have been reported to us of Purple Gallinules having been found at liberty in different parts of the country; but that does not entitle them to be regarded as British birds, for they probably escaped from some enclosure of private water where ornamental waterfowl are kept. - Ed.]

0). 1898 Leicestershire & Rutland Lyddington, Rutland, killed, 5th March.

(Haines, 1907).

History Haines (1907: 137) says: 'A single very handsome specimen of this bird was killed at Lyddington, March 5, 1898, and is now set up there. This may have been a straggler from the Duke of Bedford's waters at Woburn, but the Rev. M. C. H. Bird, in the Field Naturalists' Quarterly, for February, 1903, gives reasons for supposing that this species may occasionally be cast upon our shores by prevailing high winds.'

0). 1898 Norfolk Heigham Sounds, seen, 4th June; presumed same, Barton Broad, shot, 14th July.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1899: 122; Riviere, 1930).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1899) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. III. p. 122, says: 'July 14th. A Green-backed Porphyrio, seen in Potter Heigham Sounds, by Mr. H. E. Harris, was shot a few days afterwards on Barton Broad, and sent to Norwich. Sutton and Barton Broads are very much "grown-up" now, and their dense reed-beds resemble the lagoons of Egypt, where this noble bird - "Dic Sultani" of the natives - used to be so common that thirty could be killed in a day. From Egypt I expect the supplies imported to this country by Cross, Jamrach, and Castang of late years come.'

0). 1899 Norfolk Sutton Broad, 21st October.

(Field 21st Nov., 1903: 119).

History

0). 1900 Norfolk Barton Broad, seen, 21st July.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1901: 132; Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1901) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. V. p. 132, says: 'July 21st. A Porphyrio at Sutton Broad, and again seen afterwards, but of which species was uncertain (Bird).'

Comment Rev. Maurice Bird.

0). 1902 Norfolk Hickling Broad, shot, 11th October.

(A. H. Smith, Field 1902; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1903: 123, 135; Riviere, 1930).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1903) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VII. p. 123, says: 'I must now refer to a noticeable coincidence which took place on Saturday, Oct. 11th, the day on which the Green-backed Porphyrio was first seen; two other very rare birds had also landed in England, perhaps in its company, viz. a Lesser Grey Shrike in Norfolk, and a Little Bunting in Durham. On the same day a Glossy Ibis was shot in Herefordshire, and another the following day in Sussex. Besides this it was observed that on the two preceding days (Oct. 9th and 10th) a great deal of migration was going on in Norfolk, and especially in Lincolnshire....'

Further, p. 135, he adds: 'October 11th. On the same day a Green-backed Porphyrio put in an appearance on Hickling Broad, also near the sea, where it subsequently fell a victim to the gun, as announced in The Field, by Mr. A. H. Smith, who remarked on the presence of other migratory birds.'

0). Pre 1903 Orkney No locality, shot, undated.

(H. W. Robinson, 1905).

History H. W. Robinson (1905) in (Charleson 1905) under 'The Identification of Birds', pp. 134-135, says: 'The gallinules I will not say anything about, as most, if not all, of those shot and captured in our country are escaped birds from some private water. Mr. Bishopp, of Oban, showed me one in March, 1903, which had been shot in Orkney, and which was the purple gallinule.'

0). 1903 Norfolk Stalham Broad, seen, 1st July.

(M. C. H. Bird, Field 11th Jul., 1903: 87; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1904: 208).

History M. C. H. Bird of Brunstead Rectory, Stalham (1903) in The Field of 11th Jul., Vol. CII. p. 87, says: 'Mr. A. Nichols, of Stalham, informs me that on July 1 he saw a bird of this species on the border of Stalham Broad nearest Sutton, and I do not think there is any possibility of his having mistaken the bird.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1904) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VIII. p. 208, says: 'July 1st. A Porphyrio, presumably one of the Green-backed kind, seen, but fortunately not shot, on Stalham Broad (Bird).'

0). 1908 Norfolk Horsey, seen, 3rd June; same, Barton Broad, seen to 7th August.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1909: 127; M. C. H. Bird, British Birds 2: 134; Riviere, 1930).

History M. C. H. Bird (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 134, says: 'On June 19th, and for a fortnight previously, a Green-backed Gallinule (Porphyrio smaragdonotus) was seen at Horsey by three different marshmen, one of whom recognised the bird from having seen a locally killed specimen some years previously, and the other two men's independent description was unmistakable.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1909) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XIII. p. 127, says: 'June 3rd. Mr. Bird announces the presence of a Porphyrio at Horsey, Where one of the principal broadmen saw it on June 3rd, and afterwards it was seen again on the Barton Broad, five miles away, where it remained so late as Aug. 7th.'

0). 1912 Norfolk Barton, 13th October.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1913: 177; Riviere, 1930).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1913) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XVII. p. 177, says: 'October 13th. Green-backed Porphyrio at Barton Broad; this also may have been an escaped example.'

0). 1937 Norfolk Horsey, first-winter, 8th to 22nd October.

(A. Buxton, Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1937: 12; Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999).

History Major A. Buxton (1937) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, p. 12, under 'Notes from Horsey', says: 'A Purple Gallinule stayed from September 8th to October 2nd in a reed marsh at Hosey, feeding on giant rush stacks from a piece of flood-water up to 10 a.m. daily, and again in the afternoon. It was a bird of the year and during its stay the grey feathers on its head and neck turned to blue without any moult. its method of feeding was to pick up rush stalks with the long fingers of its hand, hold these palm downwards to its beak and with that instrument, shaped like a tin-opener, slit them noisily from end to end, then eat the pith while holding the stalk, like a human being eats a banana. All those who it was thought owned Gallinules in this country were informed of its appearance, but none off them had lost such a bird. Miss Humphrey and D. Powell, staying at Little Eye, found some interesting birds sheltering under the north bank of Salthouse marsh. Among those identified by them were an Aquatic Warbler....'

NP non-pass

Keith Naylor

Western Swamphen

Porphyrio porphyrio (Linnaeus, 1758)

Passenger Pigeon

Grey-headed Swamphen