Squacco Heron

Ardeidae

Aug 14

Written By Keith Naylor

Ardeola ralloides (Scopoli, 1769) (64, 2)

STATUS

Palearctic and Afrotropic. Monotypic.

OVERVIEW

Formerly known as the Cassian Heron.

Harting (1901) provided a listing of records. There was much confusion with records from Cornwall, Dorset and Norfolk respectively, resulting in duplication.

There were 26 individuals prior to 1850 with a further 28 between 1850-1899. From 1900-50 there were only another 13 individuals.

Twelve records are undated, there were singles in January, February and winter, eight split evenly between August and September, with the rest (46) occurring April to July.

RECORDS

1). 1775 Wiltshire Near Boyton, shot, early April.

(Anon., Transactions of the Linnean Society 3: 335; Latham, 1801; Montagu, 1802; Latham, 1821-1828; Fleming, 1828; Jenyns, 1835; Newman, 1866; Yarrell, 1871-85; Saunders, 1899; Buxton, 1981).

History Anon. (1797) in the Transactions of the Linnean Society, Vol. III. p. 335, in extracts from the minutes read on 4th April, 1797, says: 'Mr. Lambert exhibited a drawing of the Ardea comata, of Latham, shot at Boyton in Wiltshire, near a river, by Edmund Lambert, Esq., in the year 1775, supposed to be the only one of the kind ever found in England.'

Latham (1801: 302, 2nd supp.) says: 'One of the common sort was shot at Boyton, in Wiltshire, by Mr, Lambert, in 1775.'

Fleming (1828: 96) says: 'This species is the A. comata of British writers. An individual was shot at Boyton, in Wiltshire, by Edward Lambert, Esq. in the year 1775 (Linn. Trans., III. 335).'

Jenyns (1835: 189) says: 'Shot at Boyton in Wiltshire, in 1775.'

Newman (1866: 176) says: 'Dr. Latham adds it was shot at Boyton, in Wiltshire, by Mr. Lambert, in 1775. Mention is made in the minutes of Vol. III. [p. 335] of the Linnean Transactions, that Mr. Lambert presented a drawing of this species, April 4th, 1797, which was shot at Boyton, as before mentioned. The size is nearly that of a Crow: bill livid-red, with a brown tip; lores greenish; irides yellow; crown of the head much crested, six of the feathers hanging quite down to the back; these are narrow and white, margined with black; the neck and breast pale ferruginous; the feathers on the first very long and loose; back ferruginous, inclining to violet, and furnished with long narrow feathers, which reach beyond the wing when closed, and fall over them; wings, rump, tail, belly and vent white; the tail pretty long; legs stout, of a greenish-yellow; claw of the middle toe serrated within.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 191, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

Gurney (1921: 229) in Early Annals of Ornithology lists this as the first record for Britain (Latham).

2). 1820 Norfolk Ormesby Broad, immature male, obtained, 20th July.

(Anon., Transactions of the Linnean Society 13: 616-617; Latham, 1821-1828; Fleming, 1828; Paget, 1834; Jenyns, 1835; E. W. Dowell, Zoologist 1843: 78; Lubbock, 1845; Morris, 1851-57; Newman, 1866; Stevenson, 1870; A. Newton, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 1874-79 (2): 411-412; J. H. Gurney, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 2: 487-488; Anon., Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 3: 253; Harting, 1901; Patterson, 1905; Riviere, 1930; Allard, 1990).

History Anon. (1820) in the Transactions of the Linnean Society, Vol. XIII. pp. 616-617, in extracts from the minutes, read on 21st November 1820, says: 'A letter from Mr. J. Youell of Yarmouth, in which he states, that a fine specimen of Ardea comata of Pallas, was taken on the 20th of July last in a fisherman's net, whilst drying, at Ormesby, in Norfolk, within fifty yards of the spot where the African Heron (Ardea capsica, Lath.), formerly in the possession of Montagu, and now in the British Museum, was taken about five years ago.'

Latham (1824 (9): 110) says: 'Another taken on the 20th of July, 1822, in a fisherman's net, whilst drying, at Ormsby, in Norfolk (This was within fifty yards of the spot where the African Heron, No. 89, formerly in the possession of Col. Montagu, and now in the British Museum, was taken a few years since. - Linn. Trans., XIII. 617).'

Fleming (1828: 96) says: 'Another, according to Mr. J. Youell, of Yarmouth, was taken on the 20th July 1820, in a net, at Ormsby, in Norfolk. (Linn. Trans., XIII. 617).'

Paget & Paget (1834: 7) say: 'One caught in a bow-net that was hanging out to dry, by Ormesby Broad, Dec. 1820.'

Jenyns (1835: 189) says: 'A second specimen taken at Ormesby in Norfolk, in 1820.'

E. W. Dowell of Jesus College, Cambridge (1843) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. I. pp. 78-79, says: 'The specimen of the Cassian Heron from which the following description is taken, was caught alive on the Broads near Ormesby, in high condition, about the year 1820 or 1821. After having been kept alive for two days, it was killed, the proper mode of feeding it not known, and the skin was stuffed.

The bird was a male, about 16½ inches in length; the bill is 2½ inches long, and shaped like that of the common heron; for about an inch downwards from the tip it is black, from thence yellow gradually deepening into black to the base; the opening of the nostril is long, narrow and black. The bill opens directly under the eyes, which are yellow; the back of the head is a reddish yellow, beautifully variegated with black streaks running down the neck, and becoming fainter till they entirely cease at the back, which is covered with long hair-like reddish yellow feathers, in the same manner as the back of the egret, which gives the bird a very elegant appearance. The wings are white with the exception of the ends of the quill feathers, which are of a light brown colour; from the back of the head grow seven or eight feathers, each between five and six inches long; these feathers are white fringed with black; they are rather more than a quarter of an inch in breadth at the base, and taper gradually to the end, the whole forming a very beautiful plume. The chin of this bird is white, and the under parts a faint yellow. The legs are rather short when compared with those of other herons.

Excepting this one and a bad specimen in the British Museum, no birds of this kind have ever been found in England. The breast-bone when taken out was found to be exceedingly small, not bigger than a lark's; it is now unfortunately lost.'

Lubbock (1845) says: 'The Squacco Heron and Purple Heron have been found with us.' Further, in a footnote, he adds: 'Of these two birds the former is much the rarer, and has only been met with in summer months.'

Morris (1856 (5): 94-95) says: 'Norfolk, where one of those procured had entangled itself in a fishing-net, hung up to dry, by Ormesby Broad, in December, 1820. Bewick mentions the occurrence of this one, a male, a few miles from Yarmouth, as recorded in "The Globe" newspaper on the 4th of that month.'

Stevenson (1870 (2): 151-152) after quoting from the Messrs. Pagets says: 'In Sir William Hooker's MS., however, although the same facts are stated, this bird is said to have been taken on the 11th of July, but I have reason to believe that the former date is correct, as Mr. Dowell was informed by the present owner of the specimen, the Rev. F. Ensor, of Lustleigh rectory, Newton Abbot, Devonshire, that it was taken in the winter.'

Harting (1872: 149) in a footnote, quoting Paget & Paget (1834), Latham (1821-28) and Dowell, Zoologist 1843, p.78, as his references,adds: 'This bird was caught in a fisherman's net which was hanging out to dry. Latham who notes this circumstance, gives the date as 20th July 1822; while in Sir W. Hooker's MS. the same fact is referred to as having occurred on the 11th July 1820.'

Alfred Newton (1874-79) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. II.pp. 411-412, quoting from a letter from Dawson Turner to P. J. Selby, dated 19th July, 1831, says: 'The two specimens of Ardea comata, taken with us, are both males; one of them is gone to London to be engraved; the other is not at this moment accessible, being in the house of a gentleman who is dying. I could not therefore get at them to make descriptions, were I competent; but in truth I am not; for I must set you right with regard to my being an ornithologist, by owning that I have no further knowledge on the subject than a general love of Natural History has given me: specimens of birds I have none.'

J. H. Gurney, jun. (1874-79) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. II. p. 487-488, dated 29th May, 1877, says: 'In 1820 a Squacco Heron was caught in a bow-net, which a fisherman, following the calling of his trade, had hung out to dry at Ormesby Broad in Norfolk. It was the second specimen recognized in Britain.

A rather particular interest attaches to it not only for this reason, and not only from the singular mode of its capture, but because of the time of the year when it happened, for according to statements made in Pagets' Natural History of Yarmouth (p. 7), and The Globe London newspaper of December 4th, 1820, it was killed in the middle of winter, viz., in the month of December, and this account has met with support from Mr. Stevenson (see B. of Norf. II, p. 152), who, as will be seen by reference to his work, gives the pros and cons, and dwells at some length on the point.

Now I think I have alighted on a passage in The Zoologist which enables me to fix the real date at which this heron did occur; for on turning to p. 79 of the 1st volume I find a good description of the very bird by Mr. Dowell, which I think will show that the right date was the 20th of July, which is what Mr. Youell gives in the Linn. Trans. (XIII. p. 617), and which is in accordance with the other examples which have occurred in England since: see the list in Harting's Handbook of British Birds, p. 149, where particular allusion is made to this Ormesby occurrence. I will give one extract from Mr. Dowell's description.

He says (l. c.): - "From the back of the head grew seven or eight feathers, each between five and six inches long", which, let the bird have been killed when it may, is incontestably what has always been regarded by ornithologists as the nuptial plumage, or plumage peculiar to summer. These long plumes are lacking in winter....I am sorry to have to take up so much space, but I think it very important to get the correct date, and as it refers to a Norfolk bird I thought you would like to have my note about it.'

Anon. (1879-84) in the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society Transactions, Vol. III. pp. 252-253, are the diaries of William Whitear, that says: '1820. July 28th, I am informed by Mr. Youell that a young male bird of the species Ardea ralloides, of Temminck, was killed this month at Ormesby, and is now in the possession of the Rev. G. Lucas of that place and weighed 8½ ounces.'

Southwell (1879: 84, 2nd ed.) in Lubbock's Fauna of Norfolk, in a footnote quotes the same story from the Transactions. Harting (1901: 443) in a footnote, says: 'This bird was caught in a fisherman's net which was hanging out to dry. Latham, who notes this circumstance (op. cit.), gives the date 20th July 1822; while in Sir W. Hooker's MS. the same fact is referred to as having occurred on the 11th July 1820. Stevenson had reason to believe that Dec. 1820 is the correct date (cf. Birds of Norfolk, Vol. II. p. 152). Subsequently, however, he wrote to me (March 18, 1873) that July 20, 1822, was the correct date after all, referring me to a note by Youell of Yarmouth (Linn. Trans., XIII. 1822, p. 616) in confirmation of his decision.'

Riviere (1930) agreed with Stevenson's December date. Accepted locally (Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling 1999).

Comment Much discrepancy over the date, but I agree with Gurney. The other specimen mentioned is the 1831 Oulton Broad individual.

3). 1825 Somerset Near Bridgwater, female, shot, just before 12th July.

(Anon., Zoological Journal 2: 548; Jenyns, 1835; Smith, 1869; Palmer & Ballance, 1968; Somerset Ornithological Society, 1988; Ballance, 2006).

History Anon. (1825) in the Zoological Journal, Vol. II. p. 548, says: 'July 12, 1825. The Secretary exhibited a specimen of the Ardea comata, Pall., or the Squacco Heron of British Ornithologists, which was communicated to him by Mr. Leadbeater for the information of the Club. This rare visitor of the British Islands was lately shot near Bridgewater. Its weight was eight ounces.'

Selby (1833 (2): 26) says: '...and a third, a female (of which I likewise obtained a correct drawing, of the natural size), was shot in the summer of 1825, near Bridgewater in Somersetshire.'

Jenyns (1835: 189) says: '...and a fourth, a female, at Bridgwater, in the summer of 1825.'

Smith (1869: 353-354) says: 'Yarrell includes Somersetshire amongst the counties in which this beautiful little heron has been taken, and upon his authority, as well as from what I have been told by Mrs. Turle, the late birdstuffer at Taunton, who said she had had a specimen through her hands which had been killed near Bridgwater, I include this bird in my list.'

No further details in Palmer & Ballance (1968) except they say it was shot either in spring or early September.

Accepted locally (Somerset Ornithological Society 1988; Ballance 2006).

4). 1828 Denbighshire River Conwy, near Furnace, killed, 11th July, now at British Museum.

(Williams, 1835; Dobie, 1893; Forrest, 1907; Witherby, 1920-24; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).

History Williams (1835: 151) says: 'A specimen of this extremely rare bird was shot by Mr. Robert Williams of Furnace in July, 1828, near his house; he gave it to John Price, Esq. then of Bodnod, who liberally presented it to the British Museum, where it is now preserved. It measured one foot and ten inches in length; and two feet eleven inches in breadth. Length of the bill two and a half inches. Mandibles fine blue, with the fore part black. Lore greenish; irides yellow. Crown dusky and buff, in stripes. The long crest feathers white in the middle, with black edges; the two middle feathers reaching the back. The rest of the plumage rusty buff and white; back vinous; legs and toes yellow; tail short, cream-coloured. Middle claw pectinated on the inner edge, as in the night-jar.'

Dobie (1893: 318-319) says: 'This occurrence was quoted by the late Rev. Robert Williams in The History and Antiquities of the Town of Aberconwy and its neighbourhood, p. 151. He adds that Mr. Price, of Bodnant, liberally presented it to the British Museum. Furnace was within a quarter of a mile of Bodnod, or Bodnant, close to the river. Professor Newton has kindly written to me, saying, "You will find the Squacco Heron included in Mr. G. R. Gray's catalogue of British Birds in the Collection of the British Museum (1863), p. 148: 'Conway, Denbighshire'; but no donor's name is given, nor is the year of its occurrence".'

Forrest (1907) says: 'The Rev. Robert Williams in his History of Aberconwy, 1835, wrote: "A specimen of this extremely rare bird was shot by Mr. Robert Williams, of Furnace, 1828, near his house; he gave it to John Price, Esq., then of Bodnant, who liberally presented it to the British Museum, where it is now preserved".'

Accepted nationally for Wales (Lovegrove, Williams & Williams 1994).

Comment In a footnote, he adds, my friend John Price, Esq., M.A., of St John's College, Cambridge.

5). 1831 Suffolk Oulton Broad, male, killed, May.

(Selby, 1833; Paget & Paget, 1834; Stevenson, 1870; A. Newton, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 2: 410-412, 412-413; Riviere, 1930; Ticehurst, 1932; Allard, 1990; Piotrowski, 2003).

History Selby (1833 (2): 26) in a footnote, says: 'Since writing the above, I have been informed that two of these birds were killed near to Yarmouth, in the month of May 1831.'

Paget & Paget (1834: 7) say: 'One Mr. Miller has, was shot at Oulton, May, 1831.'

Stevenson (1870 (2): 152) after quoting from Selby, says: '...that judging from local records there is no doubt that one at least of these birds is the one now in Mr. J. H. Gurney's collection, and formerly in the possession of Mr. Miller, of Yarmouth, which, as stated by Messrs. Paget was procured at Oulton, near Lowestoft, in the adjoining county.'

Alfred Newton (1874-79) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. II. p. 410, quoting from a letter from Dawson Turner to P. J. Selby, dated 23rd May, 1831, says: 'Mr. W. C. Hewitson writes me word...We had this very last week the good fortune to have a second specimen of the Ardea comata taken near us. Of this also I hope I should be able to send you a drawing if you desire it.'

Further, p. 410, in a footnote, Newton adds: 'According to Mr. Stevenson (B. Norf., II. 152), this is now in Mr. Gurney's collection. Selby, in his note (Ill. Br. Orn., II. p. 26), has possibly misunderstood the writer's meaning, whose first specimen would most likely be that known to have been taken in December, 1820.'

Further still, pp. 411-412, quoting from a letter from Dawson Turner to P. J. Selby, dated 19th July, 1831, he says: 'The two specimens of Ardea comata, taken with us, are both males; one of them is gone to London to be engraved; the other is not at this moment accessible, being in the house of a gentleman who is dying. I could not therefore get at them to make descriptions, were I competent; but in truth I am not; for I must set you right with regard to my being an ornithologist, by owning that I have no further knowledge on the subject than a general love of Natural History has given me: specimens of birds I have none.'

Further, pp. 412-413, in another letter between the above, dated 13th September, 1831, it says: 'I have a great many apologies to make to you, that, having been prevented by indisposition from attending the meeting of the Committee of the Norwich Museum in August, it was but yesterday I was able to procure the drawing of the Anas stelleri. This I received as a loan; & I must therefore beg the favor [sic] of you to return it when done with....At the same time, my friend, Mr. Griffin, sent me for your acceptance drawings of the Ardea comata and Sterna caspia, both shot near Yarmouth.

All the 3 therefore I have consigned to one of the masters of our coalships, addressed to the care of Mr. Hewitson; & I shall be glad to hear of them reaching you safely.'

Babington (1884-86: 242) says: '...now in the J. H. Gurney Collection (J. H. Gurney, jun., in litt.).'

Accepted locally (Piotrowski 2003).

Comment See the Great Yarmouth record for 1831 for the other individual.

6). 1832 Dorset Near Christchurch, Hampshire, male, shot, 8th June, now at Leicester Museum.

(Eyton, 1836; Wise, 1863; Kelsall & Munn, 1905; Cohen & Taverner, 1972; Clark, 2022).

History Eyton (1836: 100) says: 'We are informed by Lord Malmesbury, that there was in the hands of his birdstuffer, at Dewhurst, four years ago, a fine specimen of this bird, obtained in the harbour of that place.'

Wise (1863: 316, 1st ed.) says: 'A solitary specimen, shot a few years ago at Christchurch Harbour, is now in Lord Malmesbury's collection. See Eyton's Rarer British Birds, p. 100, where Dewhurst must probably be a misprint for Christchurch.'

Kelsall & Munn (1905: 199) say: 'A specimen in the Hart collection at Christchurch was procured on June 8th, 1832, by Mr. Saunders. Another in Lord Malmesbury's collection at Heron Court was shot about the same time in Christchurch Harbour, and is mentioned in Eyton's Rarer British Birds.

Cohen & Taverner (1972: 12) say: 'In Munn's notes for a second edition of Kelsall & Munn (1905) The Birds of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight there is an unpublished correction in his notes which states: "The male specimen in the Hart collection at Christchurch was procured on 8th June 1832 by Mr. Saunders and is the one mentioned in Eyton's Rarer British Birds as being in the hands of Lord Malmesbury's birdstuffer at Dewhurst. Another in Lord Malmesbury's collection at Heron Court was killed on the Stour in June 1893. It had been seen several times at Blackwater Ferry by Hart before it was killed. It was obtained about the same time as the Little Bittern, also in Lord Malmesbury's collection, and is set up in the same case". This was based on a letter dated 3rd December 1905 from Edward Hart.'

7). 1833 Suffolk Oulton Broad, June.

(Lombe MS.; Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932; Piotrowski, 2003).

History Babington (1884-86: 242) says: 'Another in June, 1833 (Lombe's MS. notes in Bewick and in Montagu's Dictionary).' Accepted locally (Ticehurst 1932; Piotrowski 2003).

8). 1833 Suffolk Oulton Broad, September.

(Lombe MS.; Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932; Piotrowski, 2003).

History Babington (1884-86: 242) says: 'Another in Sept., 1833 (Lombe's MS. notes in Bewick and in Montagu's Dictionary.).' Accepted locally (Ticehurst 1932) and (Piotrowski 2003).

9). c. 1834 Cornwall Trereife, Madron, shot, spring.

(Couch, 1838; E. H. Rodd, Report of the Royal Institution of Cornwall 1838: 40; A. Greenwood, Zoologist 1843: 143-144; Anon., Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society 1: 418; Harting, 1880; Penhallurick, 1969).

History E. H. Rodd (1838) in the Report of the Royal Institution of Cornwall, p. 40, says: 'The following are a list of some of the rarer Cornish birds which I have obtained from this neighbourhood, since my residence at Penzance, and which I have at present in my collection, and others which have come under my notice. Squacco Heron, killed at Trereife.'

Alfred Greenwood of Penzance (1843) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. I. pp. 143-144, says: 'I am surprised that one of your correspondents (Zool., p. 78) should say that only two examples of the Squacco Heron have ever been found in England, when Mr. Yarrell says in his work, "This beautiful heron has now been taken in Somersetshire, Cornwall, Devonshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and Lincolnshire. In several of the counties named it has occurred more than once".

I have seen two preserved specimens, which have been procured near Penzance: one was shot eight or ten years ago, on the grounds of a gentleman of this neighbourhood, who tells me that another bird of the same species was seen at Hayle a few days after. The other example was shot at Scilly, in the autumn of 1842, and is now in Mr. Rodd's collection in this town.'

Anon. (1845-50) in the Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society, 1st series, Vol. I. p. 418, lists the occurrences for the Squacco Heron - St Hilary, St Levan, Sennen, Trereife, Madron, Scilly.

Harting, Editor (1880) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'I have noted the occurrence of this bird at Trereife, Madron.' Further, p. 234, under 'Annual Summaries' to the Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall, Rodd says: 'The first that came under my notice was obtained in the vicinity of Trereife, and was carefully preserved by the late Rev. C. V. Le Grice.'

10). 1834 Norfolk Ormesby or Filby Broad, obtained, 12th June.

(Paget & Paget, 1834; Stevenson, 1870; Riviere, 1930; Allard, 1990; Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999).

History Paget & Paget (1834: 7) says: 'One at Ormesby, June 1834, which Captain Chawner bought.'

Stevenson (1870 (2): 152) adds: 'On the 12th of June, 1834, a second example appears to have been obtained at either Ormesby or Filby, and purchased by Captain Chawner, of Alton, Hants., at that time collecting at Yarmouth.'

Accepted locally (Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling 1999).

11). 1834 Suffolk Lake Lothing, near Lowestoft, June.

(Lombe MS.; Stevenson, 1870; Ticehurst, 1932; Piotrowski, 2003).

History Stevenson (1870 (2): 152) says: '...in the same month [June], according to a note in the handwriting of Mr. Lombe, another was shot on Lake Lothing, near Lowestoft.'

Ticehurst (1932: 312) says: 'The following are the known instances: one, Lake Lothing, Lowestoft, June 1834 (Stevenson's Birds of Norfolk.).' It was accepted locally (Piotrowski 2003).

12). 1834 Shropshire Bockleton, near Brown Clee, killed, 24th July, now at Ludlow Museum (Acc. No. Z.00106).

(J. Rocke, Zoologist 1866: 81; W. E. Beckwith, Field 19th Dec., 1885: 876; Forrest, 1899; Rutter, Gribble & Pemberyon, 1964; Smith et al., 2019).

History John Rocke of Shropshire (1866) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. I. p. 81, dated 31st October 1865, says: 'This rare and beautiful little heron was killed some years ago at Bockleton, under the Brown Clee Hill; it was shot at the pool by Mr. John Patrick, and by him presented to Mr. George Henry Dansey, of Ludlow, in whose possession it remained until his death. It was stuffed by Mr. Ambrose Grounds, of that town. I believe it was a male bird, and was in very fine plumage.'

Harting (1872) recorded this as "some years ago".

W. E. Beckwith of Wellington (1885) in The Field of 19th Dec., Vol. LXVI. p. 876, under 'Notes on Shropshire Birds', says: 'The Squacco Heron has only once occurred in this county.'

Forrest (1899: 140) says: 'A specimen of this little Heron was killed near the Brown Clee, in 1834, and is now in the collection at Ticklerton.'

Accepted locally (Rutter, Gribble & Pemberyon 1964) and by Smith et al. (2019) who add that it was Paddock in 1897 who gave the date as 24th July 1834 and that the specimen is now in Ludlow Museum (Z.00106).

Comment Ticklerton Court owned at the time by Mr. W. S. Buddicom and visited by the Caradoc Field Club on 16th August 1900.

13). Pre 1836 Suffolk Lowestoft, caught, undated.

(Stevenson 1870; Ticehurst, 1932; Piotrowski, 2003).

History Stevenson (1870 (2): 152) says: 'In the same month [June], according to a note in the handwriting of the late Mr. Lombe, another was shot on Lake Lothing, near Lowestoft.'

Ticehurst (1932) says: 'Caught in a fishing net on Lowestoft beach in or prior to 1836.'

Accepted locally (Piotrowski 2003).

Comment Could this possibly be the Ormesby bird, 1820, also caught in a fishing net hung out to dry?

14). 1837-38 Suffolk No locality, second-year male, killed, winter.

(E. Blyth, Wood's Naturalist 3: 417-418; Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932, Piotrowski, 2003).

History Edward Blyth (1838) in Wood's edition of The Naturalist, Vol. III. pp. 413-414, says: 'While penning the preceding paragraph, my indefatigable friend, Mr. Bartlett, has opportunely called upon me, to show me a magnificent fresh-killed specimen of the Squacco Heron, which he has just purchased; it is said to have been sent up from Suffolk, and its appearance plainly shows that it cannot have been dead above a day.

From the point of the beak to the extremity of the tail it measures 21 inches, and 32¼ inches in extent of wing. Bill livid at base, darker towards the ridge of the upper mandible; the distal half blackish, abruptly defined. Cere and space around the eyes pale greenish yellow. Iris very pale yellow, almost yellowish-white. The legs and feet pale flesh-colour, with a tinge of yellow, the joints of the toes darker above; the tarsal joints, and especially beneath the toes, more distinctly yellow. The plumage is thoroughly mature, and most exquisitely delicate and beautiful; crest of considerable length; though perhaps not quite so long as in some stuffed specimens which I have seen, still it is longer than usual, even among the adults.'

Further, in a footnote, he adds: 'Since writing the above, I have examined this beautiful bird more minutely, when it appeared that the feathers of the crest were new, and not full-grown. It had only just acquired its final livery, and had still a few intermixed old feathers, characteristic of the second state of plumage. Its anatomy presented all the usual characters of the Herons; it proved on dissection to be a male, and its stomach contained two small Newts and various water insects. At the devarication of the bronchi were placed two fatty glandular vesicles, the size of a small pea, which possibly may be a seasonal development. All the Herons agree precisely with the Bittern in the conformation of the tracheal apparatus.'

Babington (1884-86: 242) says: 'A magnificent fresh killed specimen, said to have been sent from Suffolk, purchased by Mr. Bartlett, in the winter of 1837-38.' It was accepted locally (Piotrowski 2003).

15). 1840 Devon Blatchford, near Ivybridge, sub-adult, killed, 6th July, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1924Z18.3983).

(Yarrell, 1845; R. A. Julian, jun., Morris and Bree's Naturalist 1: 59; J. Gatcombe, Zoologist 1873: 3631; Yarrell, 1871-85; Pidsley, 1891; Moore, 1969; Watson, 2010).

History Yarrell (1845 (2): 531, 2nd ed.) says: 'I am indebted to the Rev. E. L. Davis of Halwell House, near Kingsbridge, in Devonshire, for the knowledge of the occurrence of one that was shot in that neighbourhood so recently as the month of July last, 1840.'

R. A. Julian, jun., of Plymouth (1851) in Morris and Bree's edition of The Naturalist, Vol. I. p. 59, says: 'A fine specimen of this bird was shot by Sir Frederick Roger's gamekeeper, many years ago, on a very large pond, almost close before his windows, at his seat, Blatchford, near Ivybridge, Devon. He had it preserved, and a label attached to the case, stating the time it was killed, which unfortunately had been lost, when I saw the bird.'

J. Gatcombe of Stonehouse (1873) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VIII. p. 3631, says: 'June. 23rd. Went with the Rev. Courtenay Bulteel to see the stuffed birds at Blatchford, near Ivybridge, the seat of Lord Blatchford, and examined a beautiful nearly adult specimen of the Squacco Heron (Ardea ralloides), which was killed by the side of a large pond close to the house, in June, 1840. The date of its capture and the name of its preserver, Mr. Drew, then living at Stonehouse, were written on the back of its case.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 192, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

Pidsley (1891: 88-89) says: 'Mr. Rowe writes: "Rare. One was killed near Kingsbridge in 1840, and one or two have since been obtained from the Tamar (Catalogue of Birds, p. 37)'.' There is no doubt at all that a Squacco Heron was killed at Blatchford in June or July, 1840. Dr. Elliot says: that a man called "Otter Dairs" shot it, and certainly information was sent to Mr. Yarrell. The specimen belonged to Lord Blatchford, and was supposed to have passed into his collection.

Gatcombe examined the collection in 1873, and pronounced that this bird was in fine condition, and that the stuffer's name was on the back of the case. But the death of the late Mr. Bond has brought to light a second specimen, described in his private catalogue as obtained in 1840 in Devonshire, and Mr. Bidwell reports that the bird entered Mr. Bond's possession in that year. Whether two Squacco Herons were killed in Devon at the same time, or whether one of the birds was mounted from a skin to counterfeit the other, I cannot say.

Mr. Bond's specimen was sold at Stevens's, May 22nd 1890, as of lot 32, and was purchased for £2. 10s. by Mr. Chase of Birmingham. Mr. H. Saunders records a third specimen, killed in Devon, in June, 1878.'

Accepted locally as the first for Devon, all other records mentioned by D'Urban & Mathew prior to this date were inadequately documented (Moore 1969: 50).

Watson (2010) in detailing the R. W. Chase collection in the Birmingham Museum lists this specimen, dating it as 6th July 1840, and quoting from his Notebooks adds that it was ex F. Bond's collection. Purchased at Stevens 22.05.1890. vide Pidsley's Birds of Devon, p. 89.

Comment Julian, when he visited stated that after eleven years the label on the case was missing, so when Gatcombe came to view it, another 22 years later, it had been relabelled, perhaps somebody recalling it as June, whereas the original statement in Yarrell was for July.

16). 1840 Greater London Kingsbury Reservoir, Middlesex, shot, undated.

(Harting, 1866; Swann, 1893; Glegg, 1935; Self, 2014).

History Harting (1866: 164) says: 'A specimen of this bird was shot at Kingsbury Reservoir in 1840, and a second example has since been obtained at the same place, but I am uncertain of the exact date.'

Accepted locally for Middlesex (Swann 1893; Glegg 1935: 111) and for the Greater London area (Self 2014).

17). 1843 Cornwall Penzance, shot, April.

(A. Greenwood, Zoologist 1843: 189-190; Morris, 1851-57; Harting, 1880; Penhallurick, 1969).

History A. Greenwood (1843) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. I. pp. 189-190, dated 25th April, 1843, says: 'The week before last a very interesting specimen of the Squacco Heron was brought to me, in a far more adult state of plumage than those (and there have been two) that have come under my notice, as killed in Cornwall.

The occipital and dorsal plumes, in the present individual, had commenced their development, and I observed that an active, although partial, moult was taking place. I say moult, but perhaps if I was to say accession of feathers it would be more strictly correct, as I could not observe that the plumage displayed any raggedness or feebleness of feather, which is to be seen at the autumnal or general moult. From these new feathers, or stumps of feathers, were emerging the plume-like feathers which in another month would have given the bird her full ornament: one or two of the occipital plumes were grown out, and the rest visible.

It is a question, therefore, detecting the bird at this period of the year in this state, whether or not these plumes are not characteristic of summer livery, and whether they are not shed at the autumnal moult. I have, at least, thought it worth while to give you an opportunity of recording what I consider may be just desirable for your readers to know. On the craw of the bird being opened it was found to contain a shrew mouse, in an entire state, and also the remains of many Coleoptera.'

Morris (1856 (5): 94) says: 'One at Scilly in the autumn [April] of 1842.'

Harting, Editor (1880) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'One, shot at Penzance in April 1843, had in its crop an entire shrew and the remains of numerous beetles.'

Comment I assume it was examined by Rodd.

18). c. 1844 Yorkshire Askern, near Pontefract, killed, undated, now at Yorkshire Museum, York.

(Allis, 1844; Morris, 1851-57; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History Morris (1856 (5): 94) says: 'In Yorkshire one of these birds was killed on the low grounds below Askern, in the West-Riding.'

Clarke & Roebuck (1881: 50) say: 'Askern, one in the collection of Arthur Strickland (Allis, 1844).'

Nelson (1907 (2): 395) says: 'The first mention of the bird in this county is that contained in the Report of Thomas Allis, in 1844, thus: - "Ardea ralloides. - Squacco Heron. Arthur Strickland says: "A specimen of this bird was killed some years ago in the low grounds below Askern, near Pontefract, and is now in my collection". It now forms part of the Strickland collection, now in the York Museum.'

Mather (1986: 97) says: 'This specimen was first recorded by T. Allis in 1844 in a unpublished MS. deposited at the Yorkshire Museum, York, titled 'Report on the Birds of Yorkshire' as prepared for the British Association meeting at York in 1844....There are two Squacco Herons in the same case at the Yorkshire Museum, one recorded as from Pontefract, which is no doubt this record and one from Rudston, which lacks any further details and is unacceptable.'

19). 1845 Cumbria River Eden, Lazonby, shot, June, now at Tullie House Museum, Carlisle.

(Yarrell, 1845; Gould, 1862-73; Harting, 1872; Macpherson, 1892; H. Britten, Naturalist 31: 238; Hutcheson, 1986).

History Macpherson (1892: 225) says: 'Writing to T. C. Heysham, on 7th September 1845, Yarrell states: "I heard also in July, by a communication from Sir George Musgrave to Mr. Jesse, that a specimen of the Squacco Heron was shot during the second week near Kirkoswald, a village on the Eden. The bird was observed in a meadow close to the river". Heysham replied, on September 9th: "I owe you many thanks for your kind communication relative to the capture of a specimen of the Squacco Heron near the village of Kirkoswald in July last...Sir George Musgrave...has, I understand, a small collection of Cumberland birds, chiefly mounted by Philip Turner, a birdstuffer residing at Penrith". Sir George wrote to T. C. Heysham on the 26th November that year: "I amuse myself in making a little collection of British Birds which have been taken in the neighbourhood; but I have no particularly rare birds, except a Squacco Heron, which a farmer at Lazonby shot for me in the summer". Mr. Gould furnishes a note regarding the same bird: "Mr. R. C. Musgrave informs me that a specimen in his father's, Sir George Musgrave's possession, was shot by one of his gamekeepers in June 1845, while perching on a tree at Lazonby in Cumberland".'

Harry Britten (1905) in The Naturalist, Vol. XXXI. p. 238, says: 'The late Rev. H. A. Macpherson, in his Victoria County History, says: "A specimen was shot out of a tree near the village of Kirkoswald in July 1845. It was shot by a Lazonby farmer. He appears to have sent it to the late Sir George Musgrave, for whom it was probably mounted by Philip Turner, of Penrith".' Accepted locally (Hutcheson 1986).

20). c. 1847 Kent Romney Marsh, shot, undated.

(Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1981; http://www.kentos.org.uk/Records/SquaccoHeron.htm).

History Ticehurst (1909: 311) says: 'I have been able to find three examples only that can be here included. The first is a specimen in the Dover Museum that was presented by Plomley, but apparently at a subsequent date to that of the gift of his main collection. No further history of this bird is forthcoming, but it is highly probable that Plomley obtained it from one of his Romney Marsh acquaintances after his removal from Lydd to Maidstone in 1847.'

Accepted locally (Taylor, Davenport & Flegg 1981).

21). 1849 Cornwall Land's End, two, males, shot, mid-May.

(E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1849: 2498; Anon., Royal Cornwall Gazette 18th May 1849: 5; Penhallurick, 1969).

History E. H. Rodd (1849) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VII. p. 2498, dated 15th May, 1849, says: 'I expect that we have a good flight of these elegant herons in this neighbourhood. I have seen three individuals to-day in the hands of our naturalist, Mr. W. H. Vingoe. All these are males, one of which exhibits the occipital and dorsal plumes almost fully developed: the other two show the commencement of the growth of the plumes, some just appearing beyond the level of the general plumage, others actively progressing underneath, as pen-feathers. Another fortnight would have rendered the plumage of these birds beautiful beyond expression; and I am not without hopes that I shall succeed in procuring a bird in full nuptial livery. Two of the above specimens were procured by James Trembuth, Esq., near the Land's End; and the other was killed whilst perched on a tree, in the parish of St. Hilary.'

Anon. (1849) in the Royal Cornwall Gazette of 18th May 1849, p. 5, says: 'Three specimens of that beautiful species of heron called the Squacco Heron have been killed during the past week, one by Mr. Angrove, of St Hilary, and two at the Land's End. The most perfect specimen was shot by James Trembath, Esq., of Mayon House.'

Newman (1866) quoting from p. 2498 of The Zoologist erroneously states that two were from the Scilly Islands.

23). 1849 Cornwall St Hilary, male, shot, mid-May.

(E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1849: 2498; Anon., Royal Cornwall Gazette 18th May 1849: 5; Penhallurick, 1969).

Harting, Editor (1880: 130) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'On the 15th May 1849, I examined this specimen, a male, which was shot while perched on a tree in the parish of St. Hilary. Like most of those previously examined, it showed no signs of the occipital and dorsal plumes, which render the plumage so beautiful in the fully adult bird in nuptial dress.'

24). 1849 Isles of Scilly No locality, obtained, mid-May.

(Harting, 1880; R. W. J. Smart, Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society 1888: 173; J. Clark & F. R. Rodd, Zoologist 1906: 302; Penhallurick, 1969; Flood, Hudson & Thomas, 2007).

History Harting, Editor (1880: 130) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'I have noted the occurrence of this bird at Scilly.' Further, pp. 200-201 under 'Annual Summaries' to the Royal Institution of Cornwall, Rodd mentions the Squacco Heron as having been obtained at Scilly during the past year [1849]. Further, p. 302 in the 'List of the Birds Observed on the Scilly Islands', it says: 'Squacco Heron, once or twice in spring.'

Rev. R. W. J. Smart (1888) in the Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society, new series, Vol. II. p. 173, says: 'A Squacco Heron was procured in May, 1849; and a Night Heron at the same time.'

J. Clark & F. R. Rodd (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 298, under 'The Birds of Scilly', say: 'The Squacco Heron was first recorded in 1849, but has been obtained several times since on Tresco, St. Mary's, and St. Martins.'

Penhallurick (1969: 61) contradicts himself by saying this was the first for Scilly [1849], when he had already listed one for 1842. Accepted locally as their first record (Flood, Hudson & Thomas 2007).

Comment The record is still acceptable even after allowing for Penhallurick's confusion.

25). 1858 Isle of Wight St Helen's Down, Bembridge, shot, 19th May, now at Booth Museum, Brighton.

(A. G. More, Zoologist 1860: 6855; Booth, 1901; Kelsall & Munn, 1905).

History A. G. More (1860) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XVIII. p. 6855, under 'Rare Birds recently observed in the Isle of Wight', says: 'A single bird of this scarce species was shot at St. Helen's, on the 19th of May, 1858; and was taken, still alive, to Mr. Beazley, of Ryde. When first seen it was described as pecking about on the sea beach, near the Old Church sea mark; and when disturbed it did not fly far, but alighted near some tame ducks upon the village green, where a shot was obtained without much difficulty. The bird has now passed into the collection of Mr. W. Borrer of Cowfold.'

Booth (1901: 217, 3rd ed.) under 'Birds at the Dyke Road Museum', adds: 'Shot on St. Helen's Down, Bembridge, Isle of Wight, by Mr. Athill, May 19th, 1868.' Accepted locally (Kelsall & Munn 1905).

Comment Obvious typo for the year on the second report. The Dyke Road Museum collection passed to the Booth Museum, Brighton.

26). 1861 Lincolnshire Fillingham Lake, near Gainsborough, shot, June.

(Cordeaux, 1872, 1899; Smith & Cornwallis, 1955; Lorand & Atkin, 1989).

History Cordeaux (1872: 103-104) says: 'Mr. Adrian, of Lincoln, informs me that a specimen, stuffed by himself, was killed some years since at Fillingham, near Gainsborough in the northern division of Lincolnshire.'

Cordeaux (1899: 20) says: 'June 1861, one was shot from the branch of a walnut tree overhanging the lake of Fillingham Castle, near Gainsborough. It was set up by the late W. Adrian, of Lincoln.'

Accepted locally (Lorand & Atkin 1989).

27). 1862 Cornwall Near Redruth, shot, late April.

(E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1862: 8035; Harting, 1880; Penhallurick, 1969).

History E. H. Rodd of Penzance (1862) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XX. p. 8035, dated 1st May, 1862, says: 'I saw a specimen of this small heron, without the dorsal or occipital plumes, just now, which I believe was obtained from the neighbourhood of Redruth. Nearly all the specimens of this small heron have come to hand in the spring of the year, and, like its congener, the Bittern, at uncertain periods and at long intervals, generally, however, appearing in several instances when at all.'

Harting, Editor (1880: 130) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'On May 1st, 1862, I saw a Squacco Heron which had been shot near Redruth. Like most of those previously examined, it showed no signs of the occipital and dorsal plumes, which render the plumage so beautiful in the fully adult bird in nuptial dress.'

Further, pp. 233-234 under 'Annual Summaries' in the Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall for 1862-63, Rodd adds: 'The only other bird of interest which I have entered in my notes, and which may be worth recording as a rare species, is the Squacco Heron.'

28). 1862 Cornwall Near Camelford, obtained, 10th May.

(Bullmore, 1867; Harting, 1880; Penhallurick, 1969).

History Bullmore (1867: 27) says: 'One shot on the 10th May, 1862, about five miles from Camelford.'

Harting, Editor (1880: 130) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'On the 10th of the same month [May] another was procured about five miles from Camelford.'

Further, pp. 233-234, under 'Annual Summaries' in the Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall for 1862-63, Rodd adds: 'The only other bird of interest which I have entered in my notes, and which may be worth recording as a rare species, is the Squacco Heron.'

29). 1863 Norfolk Surlingham Broad, adult male, killed, 26th June, now at Castle Museum, Norwich.

(H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1863: 8725; Stevenson, 1870; Eds., Field 24th Sep., 1887: 486; T. E. Gunn, Zoologist 1888: 282; Riviere, 1930; Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999).

History H. Stevenson of Norwich (1863) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXI. p. 8725, dated 2nd August, 1863, says: 'A magnificent adult male of this beautiful species was killed on Surlingham Broad, near Norwich, on the 26th of June. Being from home at the time I unfortunately did not see it in the flesh, and can therefore say nothing as to the contents of the stomach or the true colours of the bill, legs, &c., which I much regret, as the bird is so rarely met with in England. This species has occurred in Norfolk before in two or three well-authenticated instances, but not within the last thirty years.'

Stevenson (1870 (2): 153) adds: 'Now in my collection. John Trett, the marshman who killed it, described it as remarkably tame, flying round his boat, and alighting again on the marsh close to him, apparently interested in his movements; but the poor wanderer, as usual, received little welcome, even from its own race, as the Rooks kept up a constant persecution.'

In an Editorial (1887) in The Field of 24th Sep., Vol. LXX. p. 486, they say: 'On the 12th inst. Messrs. Spelman sold by auction, at Norwich, the collection of Norfolk birds formed by Mr. H. Stephenson [Stevenson], the well-known ornithologist.

Among the buyers were Mr. T. Southwell, representing the Norfolk and Norwich Museum, and Mr. Tuke, representing the Saffron Walden Museum. Among the principal lots sold during the day the following may be mentioned: Squacco Heron, taken on Surlingham Broad, June, 1863, £11.11s. (Mr. Southwell).'

T. E. Gunn of Norwich (1888) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XII. p. 282, on the sale of Henry Stevenson's collection, stated that Lot 91 fetched eleven guineas.

Accepted locally (Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling 1999).

Comment Specimen now at Castle Museum, Norwich.

30). 1865 Cornwall Caerhays Castle, caught exhausted, late April.

(E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1865: 9617; Harting, 1880; Penhallurick, 1969).

History E. H. Rodd of Penzance (1865) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXIII. p. 9617, dated 14th May, 1865, says: 'This little heron was captured at St. Michael, Carhayes [sic], a fortnight since, in an exhausted and emaciated state. Although pretty far advanced in our spring season, I regret that this specimen showed no external signs of plumes. The same remark applies in a more or less degree to all the specimens that have come under my notice here in the last thirty years.'

Harting, Editor (1880: 130) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'In April 1865 one was captured in an exhausted and emaciated condition at St. Michael Carhayes [sic]. Like most of those previously examined, it showed no signs of the occipital and dorsal plumes, which render the plumage so beautiful in the fully adult bird in nuptial dress.'

Penhallurick (1969: 61) erroneously says: '1865. One captured at Caerhayes [sic] Castle on 14th May.'

31). 1865 Dorset Encombe, Wareham, shot, 5th May.

(C. W. Bingham, Hardwicke's Science Gossip 1865: 281; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1869: 1511; Mansel-Pleydell, 1873, 1888; W. R. Thompson, British Birds 16: 184; Morrison, 1997).

History C. W. Bingham (1865) in Hardwicke's Science Gossip, Vol. I. p. 281, issue dated 1st December, 1865, says: 'I understand that a specimen of the beautiful Squacco Heron (Ardea comata) has been shot this year on the pond at Lord Eldon's place, Encombe, in the county of Dorset.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Darlington (1869) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IV. p. 1511, in a 'List of the Rarer Birds obtained by Mr. Hart in the vicinity of Christchurch, Hants.', says: 'Squacco Heron - 5th May 1865, Wareham, I had the sternum.'

Further, p. 1512, he summarises 'Mr. E. Hart or his father (the late Mr. W. Hart) had all the above named birds in the flesh.'

Mansel-Pleydell (1873: 28), says: 'Another at Encombe, in 1865, by Mr. Jackson, the Earl of Eldon's bailiff, who still possesses it.' Later, Mansel-Pleydell (1888: 129, 2nd ed.) says: 'One was shot at Encombe in 1865.'

W. R. Thompson (1922) in British Birds, Vol. XVI. p. 184, says: 'In the middle of the last century my grandfather, William Thompson of Lytchet near Poole and afterwards of Weymouth, a keen naturalist and careful observer, compiled a 'Fauna of Dorsetshire.' This was never published because, unfortunately, no one could read his writing, and the manuscript has since been dissipated, some of his observations being incorporated in Pleydell's Birds of Dorset.

Recently, however, whilst overhauling some of his papers I came across several natural history notes which do not appear to have been previously published, and from those dealing with birds I have extracted most of the following information, the remainder being made up of extracts from the Shooting Diaries kept by my father, James Yarrell Thompson, and by my uncle, Stanley Thompson, together with observations made at various times by my brother, Major R. N. Thompson, and myself. Where I have made use of other sources of information, the fact has been acknowledged in the text....The following is from one of my grandfather's notes: "Squacco Heron. One was shot on Lodmoor by a local gunner named Brewer between the years 1850 and 1865. I am uncertain of the date, but my grandfather had it in his collection".'

Comment Encombe House is on the Isle of Purbeck and was home to the Earl of Eldon. In trying to sort out the mystery of Dorset's Squacco Heron records between 1855-65 we find that Mansel-Pleydell (1888, 2nd ed.) listed three records: 1865 Encombe, shot; 1867 Wyke Regis, 1st July; 1867 Friar Maine, 15th May. However, Blathwayt (1935), Boys (1972) and Prendergast & Boys (1983) all simply refer to seven old records that included four birds in 1905. Morrison (1997) is the first person to list those records: 1832 Christchurch, 8th June; 1855 R. Frome, Wareham, 5th May; 1865 Encombe, shot; 1867 Friar Maine, shot, 15th May; 1867 Wyke Regis, shot, 1st July; 1893 R. Stour, nr Hurn/Christchurch Harbour, June; 1905 Steeple, one, 17th January, although Prendergast & Boys (1983) state there was four.

Harting (1872) also stated 1855 Wareham, 5th May with Gurney (1869) as his source, which is clearly an error as Gurney's list of Hart's birds didn't start until 1857. Harting (1901) pp. 443-444, further compounds the error by admitting still the 1855 record and now the 1865 record at Encombe with Mansel-Pleydell as his source.

I assume this is to be one and the same record. The bird was owned by Jackson the bailiff, who as far we know didn't shoot it, Gurney had the sternum and it was preserved by Hart. Now we have the notice 57 years later of illegible notes that Brewer shot one on Lodmoor, which is nowhere near Encombe, sometime between 1850-65. One or two records?

32). 1867 Radnorshire River Wye, near Hay-on-Wye, shot, 3rd May.

(E. C. Phillips, Zoologist 1882: 217; Bull, 1888; Phillips, 1899; Witherby, 1920-24; Ingram & Morrey Salmon, 1955; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).

History E. C. Phillips (1882) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VI. p. 217, says: 'One of these unusually rare visitors was shot by Capt. Hotchkis on the River Wye, near Hay, in Breconshire, on May 3rd, 1867, and is now in the collection of Mr. Baskerville of Clyro Court, Hay, who has kindly favoured me with these particulars.'

Bull (1888: 146) says: 'A very fine specimen of the Squacco Heron was shot on the River Wye, on May 3rd, 1867, by Mr. Hotchkis, who was staying at Clyro Court. It was carefully preserved, and is in the possession of Mr. Baskerville.'

Phillips (1899: 100) quotes the same as above, while, Ingram & Morrey Salmon (1955: 11) say: 'This specimen recorded as killed on the Wye, near Hay, on 3rd May 1867, was included as a Breconshire occurrence (Cambridge Phillips, 1899), but the late J. W. Lloyd, of Kington, stated in a letter to the late H. E. Forrest that the bird was shot in Radnorshire by the late Captain J. Hotchkis and was preserved at Clyro Court.'

Accepted nationally for Wales (Lovegrove, Williams & Williams 1994).

33). 1867 Dorset Fryer Mayne, Dorchester, shot, 15th May.

(J. Grant, Field 25th May, 1867: 389; Harting, 1872; Mansel-Pleydell, 1888).

History James Grant of Devizes (1867) in The Field of 25th May, Vol. XXIX. p. 389, says: 'Having had sent to me for preservation a very perfect specimen of the Squacco Heron (Ardea comata), and as it is said in Newman's Dictionary of British Birds, to be a very rare visitor to this island, I thought the information might be of interest to your readers. It was shot at Fryers Mayne, Dorchester, May 15, 1867, by H. J. Cockerane, Esq.'

Mansel-Pleydell (1888: 129-130, 2nd ed.) says: 'Shot by Mr. H. J. Cockeram, of Chetnole, at Friar Maine [sic], May 15, 1867. This bird, as Mr. Cockeram informs me, was seen by his keeper for upwards of a week before he shot it, and spent nearly the whole day upon the same tree in the wood, and in the evening went off to its feeding-ground in the water-meadows close by.'

34). 1867 Kent Bedgebury Park, near Hawkhurst, shot, 20th May.

(Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1981; http://www.kentos.org.uk/Records/SquaccoHeron.htm).

History Ticehurst (1909: 311) says: 'I have been able to find three examples only that can be here included....Morris tells us that one was shot on May 20th, 1867, in Bedgebury Park, near Hawkhurst.'

Accepted locally (Taylor, Davenport & Flegg 1981).

35). 1867 Dorset Wyke Regis, adult, caught alive, 1st July.

(W. Thompson, Field 13th July 1867: 31; W. Thompson, Zoologist 1867: 915; Harting, 1872; Mansel-Pleydell, 1888; W. R. Thompson, British Birds 16: 184).

History William Thompson of Weymouth (1867) in The Field of 13th July, Vol. XXX. p. 31, and in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. II. p. 915, quoting from The Field, says: 'A living specimen of the Squacco Heron was brought to me on Monday, the 1st of July. It is a mature bird, with the occipital plumes. It had been observed during the whole of the Sunday at different parts of the Fleet water at Wyke Regis, near this town. On Monday it was shot at and only wounded. I tried it with food, and, as all my attempts to make it feed were useless, I sent it on Tuesday to Mr. Leadbeater for preservation. The man who brought it to me states that it was not shy at all, but got very excited at the appearance of a dog, and this I afterwards found to be a fact.'

W. R. Thompson (1922) in British Birds, Vol. XVI. p. 184, says: 'In the middle of the last century my grandfather, William Thompson of Lytchet near Poole and afterwards of Weymouth, a keen naturalist and careful observer, compiled a Fauna of Dorsetshire. This was never published because, unfortunately, no one could read his writing, and the manuscript has since been dissipated, some of his observations being incorporated in Pleydell's Birds of Dorset.

Recently, however, whilst overhauling some of his papers I came across several natural history notes which do not appear to have been previously published, and from those dealing with birds I have extracted most of the following information, the remainder being made up of extracts from the Shooting Diaries kept by my father, James Yarrell Thompson, and by my uncle, Stanley Thompson, together with observations made at various times by my brother, Major R. N. Thompson, and myself. Where I have made use of other sources of information, the fact has been acknowledged in the text....The following is from one of my grandfather's notes: "Squacco Heron. Besides the specimen killed at Wyke on July 1st, 1867, as mentioned by Pleydell, I can find only the following notes of its occurrence".'

36). 1867 Gloucestershire New Grounds, Slimbridge, adult, shot, August, now at City Museum, Gloucester.

(Mellersh, 1902; C. Green, British Birds 41: 154; Swaine, 1982).

History Mellersh (1902) says: 'One shot Aug. 1867 by Lord Ducie, New Grounds, Sev. near Berkeley.'

C. Green (1948) in British Birds, Vol. XLI. p. 154, says: 'In W. D. Mellersh's Treatise on the Birds of Gloucestershire, a Gloucestershire example of the Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides) is recorded as follows; "One shot August 1867 by Lord Ducie, New Grounds Sev. [Severn] near Berkeley". This record was not, I am informed, one of the seventy odd occurrences admitted by Mr. Witherby in The Handbook of British Birds, presumably because no evidence was given. This bird is in fact preserved in the Public Museum at Gloucester, to which it was presented by Lord Ducie in 1911, and correspondence preserved in the museum records makes it quite certain that it is the specimen in question.

A letter of enquiry from A. G. Thacker, of the Museum, dated January 20th, 1914, is endorsed by Mellersh (he seems always to have replied in this way, as a matter of course): "It is the actual specimen, but Lord Ducie corrected me afterwards as to who shot it. He was present at a shoot when the keeper or someone shot it and gave it to him". The bird is an adult, far advanced in the autumn moult.'

37). Pre 1870 Suffolk Flixton, killed, undated.

(Stevenson, 1870; Babington, 1884-86; Piotrowski, 2003).

History Stevenson (1870 (2): 153-154) says: 'A very good specimen in the possession of Mr. Reginald Upcher, of Kirby Cane, was ascertained by him to have been killed many years ago at Flixton, near Bungay, Suffolk.'

Accepted locally but without a date (Ticehurst 1932: 312; Piotrowski 2003).

38). 1871 Cornwall The Lizard, obtained, May.

(E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1871: 2684; Harting, 1880; Penhallurick, 1969).

History E. H. Rodd of Penzance (1871) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VI. p. 2684, undated, says: 'A beautiful example of this small heron, with the dorsal and occipital plumes three parts developed, was procured from the Lizard district in the month of May.'

Harting, Editor (1880: 130) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'A partial development of these remarkable plumes was observable in a specimen obtained in the Lizard district in May 1871.'

Further, p. 263, under 'Annual Summaries' in the Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall for 1871-72, Rodd adds: 'The Squacco Heron...with the dorsal and occipital plumes in an advanced state of development, was captured near the Lizard.'

Accepted locally (Penhallurick 1969).

39). 1871 Nottinghamshire Bestwood Park, killed, August, now at Mansfield Museum.

(J. Whitaker, Zoologist 1871: 2803; Sterland & Whitaker, 1879; O. V. Aplin, Zoologist 1884: 51; O. V. Aplin, Naturalist 13: 200; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 348; Whitaker, 1907).

History Joseph Whitaker of Ramsdale, Notts. (1871) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VI. p. 2803, says: 'A Squacco Heron was caught by a keeper at Bestwood Park, in this county; it had been previously wounded in the wing, and, after flying a little way, was caught in some long grass on the pond side. It is in good plumage, and corresponds with the description in Morris. The Squacco Heron is rare in England, and this is the first specimen killed in Nottinghamshire; it has been well set up, and is now in my collection.'

Sterland & Whitaker (1879: 50) say: 'This is another rare straggler in Great Britain, and one was killed at Bestwood Park in August, 1871, and is now in the collection of Mr. Whitaker.'

Oliver V. Aplin (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VII. p. 51, on 'Note of some Rare British Birds in the Collection of Mr. J. Whitaker', says: 'Ardea ralloides - Bestwood Park, Notts., July, 1871.'

O. V. Aplin (1887) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XIII. p. 200, on 'A Visit to Rainworth Lodge', says: 'The most remarkable among the historical specimens of British-killed rarities are examples of the Squacco Heron, Notts., 1871.'

Whitaker (1907: 178) says: 'A specimen was shot by the Duke of St. Albans' keeper at Bestwood Park, in August, 1871, and is now in my collection.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 348, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who say: 'One shot at Bestwood Park in August, 1871, is not included in the Manual (J. Whitaker, Birds of Notts., p. 178).'

Comment The specimen is now at Mansfield Museum, Nottinghamshire, with the Whitaker Collection where I have seen it.

40). 1874 Derbyshire/Staffordshire River Dove, Coton-in-the-Clay, male, shot, 17th May.

(E. Brown, Field 27th June 1874: 627; McAldowie, 1893; Whitlock, 1893; Smith, 1939; Frost, 1978; Harrison & Harrison, 2005).

History Edwin Brown (1874) in The Field of 27th June, Vol. XLIII. p. 627, says: 'On the 17th inst. Mr. John Archer, of Coton, shot a Squacco Heron on the River Dove, not far from Tutbury. The bird was only winged, and when it was brought to me alive it proved to be a male in the finest possible breeding plumage.' [This is one of the rarer herons. On referring to Mr. Harting's Handbook of British Birds, p. 149, it appears that from the time it was first noticed as a British bird by Latham, in 1824, only twenty other instances of its occurrence in this country have been recorded. - Ed.]

McAldowie (1893) says: 'Mr. Whitlock says: - "Mr. Charles Hanson informs me that Mr. Henry Archer, farmer of Coton, shot a male bird of this species in splendid plumage, on the banks of the Dove, May 17th, 1874. He thinks it passed into the Drakelow Hall collection".'

Accepted locally for Staffordshire (Smith 1939; Harrison & Harrison 2005) and for Derbyshire (Frost 1978).

Comment There had also been occurrences in Scotland and Wales by this time.

41). c. 1875 Montgomeryshire Glan Severn, Garthmyl, shot, undated.

(C. F. Archibald, Zoologist 1891: 471; W. E. Beckwith, Field 19th Dec., 1885: 876; Forrest, 1907; Witherby, 1920-24; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994; Holt & Williams, 2009).

History Charles F. Archibald of Rusland Hall, Ulverston (1891) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XV. p. 471, says: 'About sixteen years ago a Squacco Heron, Ardea ralloides, was shot at Glensevern, Gathruyl, Montgomeryshire, at some ornamental water close to the house. It is a full-plumaged bird, and has been nicely set up; it is in the possession of Mr. A. C. Humphreys-Owen at Glensevern.'

W. E. Beckwith of Wellington (1885) in The Field of 19th Dec., Vol. LXVI. p. 876, under 'Notes on Shropshire Birds', says: 'A few years ago a second example was obtained on the borders of Montgomeryshire.'

Accepted nationally for Wales (Lovegrove, Williams & Williams 1994) and locally (Holt & Williams 2009: 24).

42). Pre 1876 Cornwall Roskestal, St Levan, sub-adult, caught, spring.

(Blight, 1876; Harting, 1880; Penhallurick, 1969).

History Blight (1876: 125) in his Week at the Land's End, says: 'Rare birds occasionally make their appearance in this parish [St Levan]; at Rosekestal [sic], about half a mile from the church, a nearly adult specimen of one of the most elegant of our native herons, the Squacco Heron, was captured; it is remarkable for its diminutive size and splendid plumage, which, when complete, is adorned with light flowing plumes from the head and back.'

Harting, Editor (1880: 130) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'I have noted the occurrence of this bird at St Levan.'

Accepted locally (Penhallurick 1969).

43). Pre 1877 Lothian Dalmahoy, near Edinburgh, Midlothian, shot, undated, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1897.21.2).

(R. Gray, Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh 4: 216-217; Yarrell, 1871-85; Witherby, 1920-24; Rintoul & Baxter, 1935; Kirke Nash, 1935; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007: photo).

History Robert Gray (1877) in the Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh, Vol. IV. pp. 216-217, at a meeting held on 19th December 1877, says: 'Shortly after the concluding meeting of last session had taken place [i.e. 18th April 1877], I happened to be in the shop of William Hope, birdstuffer, George Street [Edinburgh], when my attention was drawn to the bird now on the table.

It had been sent in by the Duchess of Buccleuch with a special message from Her Grace that particular care was to be taken with the bird, as it was a Scotch killed specimen, and had been sent to the duke as a great rarity.

As no specimen of the Squacco Heron had ever been found in any part of Scotland before, I at once made inquiry about the bird, and have since been informed that it was shot at Dalmahoy, in the Parish of Ratho, and given to the duke by the late Lord Morton. It is to be regretted that the exact date of its occurrence cannot now be ascertained, His Grace being unable to say in what year he received the specimen. It, as you will observe, is in beautiful and most perfect plumage, like many of the specimens that have already been found in Britain.

This bird is the twenty-fourth that has been killed in the British Islands - all the others, with a very few exceptions, having been obtained in the southern counties of England. The first was recorded in the minutes of the Linnean Society for 1797, as having been shot at Boyton. A second example was taken in Norfolk in December 1820. No others would appear to have been met with until 1834, when two were procured in the same county. Subsequently, and at irregular intervals, various specimens have been obtained in Hampshire, Dorsetshire, Devonshire, and Cornwall.

The Squacco Heron seems to be widely distributed in Africa and Western Asia. It is abundant in Egypt, where it has been observed of late years by Captain Shelby, who remarks that many of the specimens which he shot had been feeding on locusts. It is also mentioned by Dr. Tristram as an inhabitant of the Great Sahara, and by Anderssen in his Birds of Damara Land, where it abounds in the lake region, feeding on insects and frogs. It is a well-known bird on the Zambesi, and is plentiful in the Transvaal, besides being an inhabitant of Madagascar. On all the shores of the Mediterranean the species may be said to be common, and it is, doubtless, from such localities that all the stragglers hitherto found in Britain have come.

Anderssen describes the iris as pale yellow, the bill of a transparent whitish horn colour at the tip, the base of the upper mandible is bright greenish-yellow, and this colour extends to the base of the nostrils; the under mandible is also greenish-yellow; the tibia, tarsus, and toes are dusky green, lightest on the tibia and the upper part of the tarsus; the under surface of the toes is yellowish. This description supplies a correct idea of the colours, which, of course, cannot be observed in a stuffed specimen.

The natural haunts of the Squacco Heron are marshes, margins of seas, lakes, and rivers, and in such localities it subsists on small fishes, reptiles, Crustacea, and insects.

I am indebted to the Duke of Buccleuch for permission to exhibit the specimen at this meeting.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 192, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds and accepted locally (Kirke Nash 1935) and nationally as the first for Scotland (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).

Comment The Duke of Buccleuch presented the specimen to the Royal Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, in June 1879 (NMSZ 1879.21.2). It was originally a mount, but is now "relaxed".

44). 1878 Devon Braunton Marsh, adult male, killed, 10th June.

(M. A. Mathew, Zoologist 1878: 435; Yarrell, 1871-85; Pidsley, 1891; D'Urban & Mathew, 1895; Moore, 1969).

History M. A. Mathew (1878) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. II. p. 435, says: 'At the beginning of last summer I received a very fine adult male Squacco Heron, which had been killed in North Devon.'

Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 192, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'Twice in Devon: in July 1840, and in June 1878.'

Accepted locally as the second for Devon (Pidsley 1891; Moore 1969).

D'Urban & Mathew (1895: 187, 2nd. ed.) say: 'One of the Devonshire specimens which is in extremely beautiful plumage is before us as we write. It was shot by a sailor at Braunton, in North Devon, on 10th June 1878, and was brought to the Barnstaple bird-stuffer as "a Parrot, or something"! This example possesses a finely-developed occipital crest, and has the filamentous feathers spring from the lower part of the back; but the centre of the throat is buffish white, and the neck has longitudinal streaks on either side of reddish brown, while the plume from the breast is not yet indicated, showing that our bird has not fully attained the adult dress, in which state the Squacco has been very rarely met with in this kingdom. Further, p. 188, they add: 'The adult male in our collection was killed on Braunton Marsh on 10th June, 1878 (M.A.M., Zool., 1878, p. 435).'

45). 1879 Dorset White Nothe, shot, autumn.

(W. R. Thompson, British Birds 16: 183).

History W. R. Thompson (1922) in British Birds, Vol. XVI. p. 184, says: 'In the middle of the last century my grandfather, William Thompson of Lytchet near Poole and afterwards of Weymouth, a keen naturalist and careful observer, compiled a 'Fauna of Dorsetshire'. This was never published because, unfortunately, no one could read his writing, and the manuscript has since been dissipated, some of his observations being incorporated in Pleydell's Birds of Dorset. Recently, however, whilst overhauling some of his papers I came across several natural history notes which do not appear to have been previously published, and from those dealing with birds I have extracted most of the following information, the remainder being made up of extracts from the Shooting Diaries kept by my father, James Yarrell Thompson, and by my uncle, Stanley Thompson, together with observations made at various times by my brother, Major R. N. Thompson, and myself. Where I have made use of other sources of information, the fact has been acknowledged in the text....The following is from one of my grandfather's notes: "Squacco Heron. One was shot under Whitenose by C. Andrews in the autumn of 1879".'

Comment White Nothe means "white nose" and is a headland in Dorset. Morrison (1997: 19) makes no mention of it.

46). 1882 Suffolk Thorpe Mere, Aldeburgh, female, shot, June.

(Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932; Payn, 1978; Piotrowski, 2003).

History Babington (1884-86: 242) says: 'A female shot in Thorpe Mere, June, 1882 (Hele in litt.).' Accepted locally (Piotrowski 2003).

47). 1884 Northumberland Howick Hall, shot, 28th May.

(J. Aitchison, History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 10: 581; G. Bolam, History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 10: 589; Bolam, 1912; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83).

History John Aitchison (1882-84) in the History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club, Vol. X. p. 581, says: 'A Squacco Heron was shot near Howick in May last.'

George Bolam (1882-84) in the History of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club, Vol. X. p. 589, adds: 'On 28th of May, 1884, a specimen of this rare bird was shot at Howick, the seat of the Earl of Grey in Northumberland, and is now in my possession. It seems to be a young bird of the previous year, and is just acquiring the adult summer plumage. Lord Grey's keeper informs me that he shot it near the lake at Howick as he was returning home rather late in the evening. It flew past him along the side of a plantation, and at first sight he thought it was an Owl, which bird in flight it much resembled. It does not appear to have been previously observed by anybody; and in all probability, therefore, had not long been in the neighbourhood. Although the Squacco Heron has been obtained in England in something like twenty different instances, it has not before been recorded from Northumberland, nor so far as I aware from any part of Scotland; it is therefore new to the district, and an interesting addition to our local avifauna.'

Bolam (1912: 327) says: 'A bird just acquiring the adult plumage, in my collection, which was shot by Mr. Donald Campbell, head gamekeeper to Earl Grey, at Howick Hall, Northumberland, on 28th May, 1884. It flew past him, near the lake, as he was returning home rather late in the evening, and from its flight he believed it to be an owl when he fired at it.'

Accepted locally by Galloway & Meek (1978-83) who erroneously state the year as 1874.

48). c. 1884 Suffolk Glevering Hall, Hacheston, killed, undated.

(Babington, 1884-86; Piotrowski, 2003).

History Babington (1884-86: 242) says: 'Killed at Glevering Hall, Hacheston, on Lady Huntingfield's Estate (Lord Huntingfield in litt.).' Babington admits to having seen the specimen.

Ticehurst (1932) says: 'This specimen was communicated to Churchill Babington by Lord Huntingfield and is in the Huntingfield collection which is now at Ilketshall Hall.' It was accepted locally (Piotrowski 2003).

49). 1893 Cornwall Near Penzance, male, killed, 25th May.

("H.W." Field 10th June 1893: 872).

History "H.W." (1893) in The Field of 10th June, Vol. LXXXI. p. 872, says: 'A male specimen of the Squacco Heron (Ardea comata), in mature plumage, was killed near Penzance on May 25. This is a bird of so rare occurrence, that it seems worth recording.'

[At irregular intervals, but always in the spring, the Squacco Heron has been frequently met with in Cornwall. See Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, p. 130. - Ed.]

It was not recorded by Penhallurick (1969).

Comment "H.W." = H. Wright. But, anonymous author records were unacceptable to naturalists. However, Harting was the Editor and appears to accept the record.

50). 1893 Dorset River Stour, Blackwater Ferry, Christchurch, Hampshire, killed, June, now in Malmesbury Collection.

(M. A. Mathew, Zoologist 1894: 345; Kelsall & Munn, 1905; Cohen & Taverner, 1972; Clark, 2022).

History Murray A. Mathew of Buckland Dinham, Frome (1894) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XVIII. p. 345, says: 'I lately had the privilege of visiting the collection of stuffed birds at Heron Court, in company with Mr. Edward Hart, of Christchurch. The collection was formed by the late Earl of Malmesbury, and all the birds were secured on this interesting and beautiful estate....We saw a Squacco and a Little Bittern that had been shot together at one bend of the river.'

Kelsall & Munn (1905: 199) say: '...Another in Lord Malmesbury's collection at Heron Court was shot about the same time [June, 1832] in Christchurch Harbour, and is mentioned in Eyton's Rarer British Birds.'

Another in Lord Malmesbury's collection at Heron Court was killed on the Stour in June 1893. It had been seen several times at Blackwater Ferry by Hart before it was killed. It was obtained about the same time as the Little Bittern, also in Lord Malmesbury's collection, and is set up in the same case". This was based on a letter dated 3rd December 1905 from Edward Hart.'

Comment The B3073 Hurn Road is where the Blackwater Ferry was.

51). 1896 Orkney Mill Loch, North Ronaldsay, adult male, shot, 7th September, specimen now at North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory.

(A. Briggs, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1897: 158; Ibis 1898: 157; Witherby, 1920-24; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds, 1984; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

History Allan Briggs of St Andrews (1897) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. VI. p. 158, says: 'Having spent some seven weeks of the past autumn with my brother-in-law, Mr. Traill, in his island home, North Ronaldshay, I thought it might be of some interest to your readers to hear of the movements of birds there during the few weeks of my stay....Sept. 7. [1896] - While Snipe shooting this afternoon in the Mill Loch [North Ronaldsay], along with Mr. Traill, we disturbed a bird from the edge of the loch, which, as it flew straight from me, I at first took to be a White Owl [Barn Owl]; Traill, who saw it sideways shouted out that it was an Egret.

The bird settled in a patch of rushes across the loch. We followed it up, keeping slightly apart. It rose to me, a cross shot, but wild, and the bird dropped to shot apparently dead. Next instant it was up again, and flew to the far end of the loch, to all appearance not much the worse for the shot, alighting this time close to a dry-stone dyke.

My brother-in-law remained in the loch hidden among the reeds, and I, after a very long roundabout stalk, came up to the back of the dyke. The bird rose within 20 yards, and I did not fail to secure him; he proved to be a Squacco Heron (Ardea ralloides), an old male in almost perfect plumage. This certainly is an addition to the Orkney fauna, and a rare bird for Scotland; Yarrell, fourth edition, recording only two examples as having been taken in the country within the last forty years or so.'

Bannerman (1957 (6): 97) erroneously states the date as 7th October 1896.

Accepted locally (Booth, Cuthbert & Reynolds 1984) and nationally for Scotland (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).

Comment Andy Mitchell informed me he had seen the specimen while previously working on the island and this has been confirmed by Alison Duncan (14 Dec. 2023).

52). 1902 Yorkshire Everingham, picked up alive, 26th February.

(Nelson, 1907; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 348; Mather, 1986).

History Nelson (1907 (2): 395) say: 'A second Yorkshire example was picked up alive on 26th February, 1902, by Mr. Thomas Lakin, farmer, Bielby Field, Everingham, in the East Riding, and was preserved by Mr. George Steels, of Pocklington, to whom I am indebted for the particulars concerning its capture. The specimen is now in the possession of its captor.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 348, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', and accepted locally (Mather 1986).

53). 1905 Dorset Steeple, seen, 17th January.

(N. M. Richardson, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History Society and Antiquarian Field Club 27: 262; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 187; Boys, 1973; Prendergast & Boys, 1983; Morrison, 1997).

History Nelson M. Richardson, Editor (1906) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History Society and Antiquarian Field Club, Vol. XXVII. p. 262, says: 'Rare birds in 1905. Squacco Heron. - A specimen of this extremely rare species was recorded by Mrs. J. L. (recte "E".) Panton in the Dorset County Chronicle of January 26, 1905, as having been seen by her in the garden at Steeple Rectory, in the Isle of Purbeck, on Jan. 17, 1905, after a severe and prolonged S.E. gale. Only four occurrences of this scarce visitant are chronicled in The Birds of Dorsetshire (1888), while a fifth example was shot at Bere Regis by Mr. G. Toser in the winter of 1891-2 (teste Rev. O. P. Cambridge, F.R.S.). Nearly all the specimens observed in Britain have been met with either in spring or summer, and have been in immature plumage (E.R.B.).'

Admitted by F. L. Blathwayt (1934) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LV. p. 187, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset'. Prendergast & Boys (1983) erroneously state that four were seen at Steeple in January, 1905.

54). 1907 Cornwall Penwethers, male, shot, 1st June, now at Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro.

(J. Clark, Zoologist 1907: 285; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 348; Penhallurick, 1969).

History J. Clark (1907) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XI. p. 285, says: 'The Squacco Heron is represented by over twenty specimens, the last of which, a male in superb condition, was shot at Penwethers, near Truro, by T. H. Rowse on the 1st June, 1907, and is now in the Museum of the Royal Institution of Cornwall, Truro.'

Comment Over twenty specimens refer to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (which was a part of Cornwall), but some of these records have been wanting for detail.

55). 1910 Lincolnshire Great Cotes, immature, shot, 29th September.

(G. H. Caton Haigh, British Birds 4: 252; F. L. Blathwayt, Zoologist 1912: 62; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 30: 270; Smith & Cornwallis, 1955; Lorand & Atkin, 1989).

History G. H. Caton-Haigh (1911) in British Birds, Vol. IV. p. 252, says: 'An immature example of the Squacco Heron (Ardea ralloides) was shot on the Humber Bank, in the parish of Great Cotes, on September 29th, 1910, by Mr. R. J. Pearson of Grimsby. This is, I believe, only the second occurrence of this species in the county.'

F. L. Blathwayt (1912) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XVI. p. 62, says: 'An undoubted example of the Squacco Heron (A. ralloides) was shot on the Humber Bank, Great Cotes, on Sept. 29th, 1910 (G. H. Caton Haigh). This is the second record of this species for the county, the first example having been procured fifty years ago.'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1912) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXX. p. 270, on the unexpected occurrences for 1910, says: 'One shot, Great Cotes (Lincoln), September 29th.'

56). 1912 Suffolk Aldeburgh, adult male, killed, 5th May, now at Ipswich Museum.

(Ticehurst, 1932; Payn, 1978; Piotrowski, 2003).

History Ticehurst (1932: 312) says: 'Jesse White shot this adult male bird on a pond at Aldeburgh on 5th May 1912. It went into the Menteith Ogilvie collection which passed to the Ipswich Museum.' Accepted locally (Piotrowski 2003).

57). 1912 Norfolk Hickling Broad, seen, 6th June; presumed same, Burnt Fen, Horning, found shot, 5th July.

(A. H. Patterson, Zoologist 1912: 420; H. W. Robinson, British Birds 6: 122; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1913: 173-174; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 34: 276; S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 9: 795; Riviere, 1930; J. Vincent, British Birds 36: 96-97; Seago, 1977; Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999).

History A. H. Patterson (1912) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XVI. p. 420, says: 'A Squacco Heron, which will most likely be recorded in Mr. Gurney's "Notes", was obtained in the neighbourhood in June.'

H. W. Robinson (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 122, says: 'I learn on good authority that an adult male Squacco Heron (Ardeola r. ralloides) was taken near Horning, Norfolk, on July 5th, 1912.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1913) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XVII. pp. 173-174, says: 'July 5th. According to an announcement in The Zoologist (1912, p. 420), and British Birds (p. 122), a Squacco Heron was shot at Horning, but I have not seen it; it is fifty years since this species has been observed in Norfolk. The shooter, whoever he was, laid himself open to a fine, of which he was possibly not aware. The body was submitted to a well-known naturalist, who states that the genital organs were not very large, from which he concluded that it was a non-breeding bird; but, in any case, it was not allowed the chance of finding a mate.'

Riviere (1930) says: '...that since 1863 there has been only one other, stating an adult male obtained near Horning on 5th July 1912 (British Birds 6: 122). Mr. E. C. Saunders, taxidermist, who received this specimen in the flesh, informs me that it was shot at Burnt Fen and that it was purchased for the collection of Mr. R. Watling.'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1914) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXIV. p. 276, on the unexpected occurrences for 1912, says: 'One shot, Horning (Norfolk), July 5th.'

J. Vincent (1942-43) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVI. p. 97, in a footnote to the one he saw in 1942, says: 'I have only once before seen a Squacco Heron, when I had a close view of one which visited Hickling and was subsequently shot on July 5th, 1912, at Horning.'

Admitted in the Sixth List of Additions by S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere (1914) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IX. p. 795 who add: '...This bird was dissected by Mr. Bonhote, who found indications of its being a non-breeder.'

Locally, Seago (1977) then lists two records for 1912, one at Hickling and one at Burnt Fen, Horning. Also recorded as two birds, the Hickling one shot on 26th June and the Burnt Fen, Horning, record shot on 5th July (Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling 1999). But then they published a 2nd edition shortly after with corrections, which I have not seen.

Comment Where has this information come from after 80 years. I believe that the earlier reference (Vincent) is always right unless there are two specimens.

58). 1913 Outer Hebrides Near Butt of Lewis, Lewis, adult male, seen, 5th to about 12th June.

(R. Clyne, Scottish Naturalist 33: 211; Eds., British Birds 7: 147; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 34: 181; Witherby, 1920-24; Cunningham, 1983; Thom, 1986; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

History R. Clyne (1913) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIII. p. 211, says: 'A Squacco Heron (Ardea ralloides), evidently a mature male, was seen by me on a loch near Butt of Lewis on 5th June last, where it remained for over a week. In colour creamy-buff, with white wings and underparts, the bird had a very attractive appearance when in flight, at once arresting the attention of those fortunate in seeing it.'

In an Editorial (1913) in British Birds, Vol. VII. p. 147, they say: 'Mr. R. Clyne (Scot. Nat., 1913, p. 211) records an adult male Squacco Heron (Ardeola r. ralloides) as seen by him on June 5th, 1913, at a loch near the Butt of Lewis, where it remained for over a week.'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1914) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXIV. p. 181, on the unexpected occurrences for 1913, says: 'Male seen, Butt of Lewis (Outer Hebrides), June 5th.'

Accepted locally (Cunningham 1983) and nationally for Scotland (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).

59). 1915 Isles of Scilly Tresco, shot, April.

(Tresco Abbey Records; Penhallurick, 1969; Flood, Hudson & Thomas, 2007).

History Penhallurick (1969: 61) says: '1915, one shot on Tresco in April (Abbey Records).' Robinson (2003) adds: 'There is a Squacco Heron in the Isles of Scilly Museum, which is either this record or one of the earlier records.'

Accepted locally as their second record (Flood, Hudson & Thomas 2007).

60). 1920 Devon Exe Estuary, immature, shot, 17th May.

(T. P. Backhouse, British Birds 14: 234; Loyd, 1929; Moore, 1969).

History T. P. Backhouse (1920) in British Birds, Vol. XIV. p. 234, says: 'On May 17th, 1920, an immature Squacco Heron (Ardeola r. ralloides) was shot on the Exe Estuary. Of the five definite records of this accidental visitor to the county none are from the Exe Estuary.'

Loyd (1929) erroneously says: 'Mr. T. P. Backhouse reported an immature bird shot on the Exe Estuary on January 13th, 1921 (British Birds, Vol. XIV. p. 234).' It was accepted locally (Moore 1969).

61). 1930 Lancashire & North Merseyside Banks, near Southport, adult, shot, August, now at Southport Museum.

(R. Wagstaffe & J. Clegg, British Birds 31: 59-60; Hardy, 1941; Oakes, 1953; White, McCarthy & Jones, 2008).

History R. Wagstaffe & J. Clegg (1937) in British Birds, Vol. XXXI. pp. 59-60, say: 'Last year whilst examining a number of skins in a taxidermist's shop in Southport, the writers noticed a mounted Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides) and were informed that it had been shot some years ago in the district but had never been claimed after it had been mounted.

Recently, further investigation revealed that the bird was actually shot in August, 1930, by Mr. John Ryding on his farm at Banks, near Southport. According to the shooter, with whom we have been in correspondence, the bird appeared from inland about seven o'clock in the evening and flew straight into some trees on the farm, amongst which it was shot. The weather at the time was dull, after heavy rain.

The specimen, which we have examined in conjunction with comparative material, is, we believe, fully adult, but as we were not able to remove it from its case, a thorough critical examination was impossible. The bird was not sexed.

It is now in the possession of Mr. D. D. Pennington of Birkdale, Southport, and it may seem strange that a bird so rare in this country, could be shot without its obituary notice appearing before now. This was accounted for, however, when we learned that the shooter passed the bird in the flesh to Mr. Pennington, who took it to be mounted. Subsequent prolonged illness caused Mr. Pennington to overlook the existence of the specimen and it was only recently, when we drew his attention to it, that he remembered the occurrence.

From our enquiries, we are absolutely satisfied as to the reliability of this record and believe it can unreservedly be accepted as a first record of the species in Lancashire, although the possibility of the bird being an "escape" cannot be overlooked.'

Accepted locally (Oakes 1953; White, McCarthy & Jones 2008).

62). 1934 Sussex Between Steyning and Henfield, shot, about 30th September, now at Booth Museum, Brighton (BoMNH 204054).

(Walpole-Bond, 1938; Shrubb, 1979; James, 1996; P. N. Paul, Sussex Bird Report 2005: 55).

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 342) says: 'About September 30th, 1934, yet another Squacco was secured in the county, this time between Henfield and Steyning. It was a sheer stroke of good fortune that it ever made history, seeing that the man who picked it up - it had been shot by some one unknown previously - did not know a "hawk from a heronshaw" and, in fact, turned it into a scarecrow! Luckily, however, as such it languished for a few days only, since on or about the 5th inst. a very good ornithologist, Mr. C. A. Grigg, got wind of it, and through him it reached the Messrs. Pratt (of Brighton), who, despite its now unsavoury, not to say putrid, condition, cleverly converted it into an excellent museum specimen. For knowledge of the above I am indebted to General G. V. Clarke and Mr. J. Pratt.'

Accepted locally (James 1996).

63). 1942 Norfolk Hickling Broad, adult, 22nd to 27th July.

(J. Vincent, British Birds 36: 96-97; J. Vincent, Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1942: 12; Seago, 1977).

History J. Vincent (1942) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVI. pp. 96-97, says: 'At Hickling, in the afternoon of July 22nd, 1942, Mr. E. Piggin told me he had seen a bird, which he thought might be a Buff-backed Heron Bubulcus ibis. On my arriving at the place I found the bird not far from the edge of a pool with patches of rushes and open water. From one hundred yards and later on at fifty yards with the help of a good telescope I could see it was and adult Squacco Heron.

The first thing that struck me was the black tip of its bill. The black was cut off sharply and well defined, and the base of the bill looked a bluish-grey. The crest plumes extended well on to the mantle, and as the bird turned the wind blew them across to one side. The general colour of the bird was a golden fawn as it stood or moved slowly amongst the rushes, but when it eventually it rose it looked very white. It was feeding on insects, which it watched as a Bittern does and every now and then swiftly thrust out its bill to take them. It flew off to one of our duck resting places, which is very reedy, and there we left it in peace. It remained in the area, and was last seen on July 27th.'

J. Vincent (1942) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, 1942, p. 12, under 'Notes from Hickling', says: 'This bird was first seen on July 22nd and remained until the 27th. It was an adult, golden fawn in colour with a noticeably black tip to its bluish-grey bill and crest plumes extending well on to the mantle. It was feeding on insects, making quick thrusts with its bill to catch them in the same way as a Bittern does. I have seen a Squacco Heron at Hickling once before, in the summer of 1912.' Accepted locally (Seago 1977).

64). 1944 Nottinghamshire Nottingham Sewage-farm, immature, seen, 27th August.

(R. J. Raines, British Birds 38: 176; J. Staton, Birds of Nottinghamshire Report 1944: 19).

History R. J. Raines (1945) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVIII. p. 176, says: 'Migration in the Trent Valley, around the Nottingham Sewage farm, has been watched daily and in great detail during the period July to September, 1944. It was found that considerable passage of all types of birds was in progress. The most noteworthy visitor was a Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides). An immature bird of this species was seen by R. J. and T. W. Raines to come over and circle one of the sewage farms, several times at a low altitude, on August 27th.

The description noted was as follows:- Small heron about the length of a Shoveler, but body very small. Large, pointed beak, neck streaked with brown, breast streaked as neck, back and scapulars brown, probably also streaked with darker brown, wing almost completely white but some brown on the primaries, tail white, feet stretched behind tail. Unfortunately this bird did not alight, being put off by the observers; nevertheless excellent views, in very good light, were obtained and it was in full view for about ten minutes.'

1950-57 RECORDS

65). 1954 East Glamorgan Nottage Court, Porthcawl, 17th to 30th May.

(H. Morrey Salmon, Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society 1953-54: 22; H. Morrey Salmon, British Birds 48: 129; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).

History H. Morrey Salmon (1953-54) in the Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Vol. LXXXIII. p. 22, says: 'One, identified on May 17th, 1954, and having possibly been present in the area three days earlier, frequented the lily pond in the grounds of Nottage Court, Porthcawl. It appeared to be adult but was not in full summer plumage as the lower neck and sides of the breast were striped brown and buff. It was last seen on May 30th, 1954 (G.E.B.). This is the first record of the species in the county and the second only in South Wales.'

H. Morrey Salmon (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 129, says: 'A Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides) was identified on 17th May 1954 by Mrs. G. E. Blundell on a small lily-pond in her grounds at Porthcawl, Glamorgan. It had possibly been in the neighbourhood for the previous two or three days, since one of Mrs. Blundell's maids saw "a large white bird" flying round the grounds on 15th May, and an unidentified white bird had been seen flying from a similar small pond in the grounds of Col. W. H. C. Llewellyn's residence at Bridgend, six miles away, on the 14th.

I myself first saw it on the evening of the 19th May, when I watched it for some three hours. During this time it stood for long periods on the floating water-lily plants with its neck drawn in and occasionally turning its head. At times, however, it would walk across the surface of the pond on the water-lily leaves with neck extended, picking up what appeared to be insects. It could be watched from 40 to 50 yards without showing any alarm, and at times would allow an approach to within 25-30 yards behind some small bushes; but at any attempt to get nearer it would take wing, fly round at a height of 50-60 feet and perch in one of the tall trees nearby. It appeared to be an adult: when at rest, with neck drawn in, the long plumes of the crest extended quite half-way down the back, but it was not in full summer plumage, as the lower neck and sides of the breast were striped brown on buff.

The bird was last seen on the 30th May. Enquiries to find out whether it was seen anywhere else in Wales brought no result.'

Accepted nationally for Wales (Lovegrove, Williams & Williams 1994).

66). 1954 Cambridgeshire Fen Ditton, 20th May; same, Chesterton Fen, 22nd, 23rd and 26th May to 2nd June.

(D. Farren, British Birds 48: 129-130; I. T. C. Nisbet, Cambridge Bird Club Report 1954: 7; Bircham, 1989).

History D. Farren (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. pp. 129-130, says: 'On 22nd May 1954, a Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides) was observed by G. M. S. Easy, D. A. Jones, and myself on Milton Fen, near Cambridge. The area is a swamp, with pools surrounded by willows and rushes. The bird was watched for considerable periods both that day and on the 23rd, and a detailed description was obtained. The bird could not be found on the 24th and it appeared to have left, but on the 26th it returned and then remained in the area until 2nd June, during which period it was also seen by A. E. Vine. In flight the wings and tail showed very white against the brownish-buff back.

On the ground very little white was visible, and the bird appeared brownish-buff; the bill was heavy and black; the legs were yellowish-orange; the head, neck and breast, feathers were buff streaked with brown. Closer views showed that the bill was black shading to grey at the base, that there were two small plumes, light buff in colour, and that the eye was surrounded by a ring of greyish yellow. When standing the bird drew in its neck giving it the appearance of a small Bittern (Botaurus stellaris).'

It was accepted locally (Bircham 1989).

NOT PROVEN

0). 1820 Norfolk Burlingham, killed, undated.

(Stevenson, 1870; Riviere, 1930; Allard, 1990).

[Stevenson, 1870].

History Stevenson (1870 (2): 152) says: 'Mr. E. Lombe's in his MS. notes also mentions one as killed near Burlingham, Norfolk, but the date is not recorded. Unfortunately, it is impossible now to ascertain whether the two specimens in the late Mr. Lombe's collection at Wymondham, were procured in this country, or were purchased abroad.'

Comment Not mentioned in the series of letters relating to Norfolk of this era. It is quite possible that this refers to the Ormesby individual. Not acceptable.

0). 1820-25 Cambridgeshire No locality, adult, killed, undated.

(Selby, 1833; Jenyns, 1835; Yarrell, 1843; Lack, 1934; Bircham, 1989).

[Lack, 1934].

History Selby (1833 (2): 26) says: 'As several well authenticated instances of the capture of this species of Heron have occurred in England, I have not the same hesitation in giving it a place in the list of British Birds, as an occasional visitant, that I have expressed with regard to the two preceding species. In addition to the specimen shot at Boyton in 1797, of which a drawing was presented to the Linnean Society by Mr. Lambert, as recorded in the minutes of the 3rd volume of their Transactions, another was killed in Cambridgeshire about twelve years ago, which, from a drawing sent to me, appears to have been a fine adult bird, in perfect plumage.'

Jenyns (1835: 189) says: 'A third killed in Cambridgeshire.' Yarrell (1843) also gave Cambridgeshire as one of the counties visited by the Squacco Heron.

Lack (1934: 81) adds: 'But he [Jenyns] omitted this record from his MS. in the University Zoology Library.'

Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Jenyns possibly made the mistake that this record was the 1820 or 1821 Norfolk record which was recorded by Dowell from Cambridge. Not acceptable.

0). 1828 Sussex Wick Pond, Albourne, adult, shot, summer.

(Borrer, 1891).

[des Forges & Harber, 1963].

History Borrer (1891: 316) says: 'Sometime in the summer of 1828, an example of this species was shot by one Thomas Marchant, whom I had often heard speak of it, at Wick Pond, in the parish of Albourne, but it was not till January 1849 that I saw the specimen myself, in the possession of the late Mr. Holman, of Hurstpierpoint, whose brother was tenant of Wick Farm when the bird was shot. At his death it was sold to a tradesman in Brighton, and is now in the possession of a gentlemen there, who has kindly allowed me to see it, and I have had it photographed. This specimen is in perfectly mature plumage.'

Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 341) says: 'In both prints of Saunders's Manual - 1889 (p. 365) and 1899 (p. 377) - we seek but find not, the name Squacco Heron in connection with Sussex.'

Not accepted locally (des Forges & Harber 1963).

0). 1831 Norfolk Near Great Yarmouth, killed, May.

(Selby, 1833; Stevenson, 1870; A. Newton, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 1874-79: 410; Riviere, 1930; Allard, 1990; Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999).

[KAN].

History Selby (1833 (2): 26) in a footnote, says: 'Since writing the above, I have been informed that two of these birds were killed near to Yarmouth, in the month of May 1831.'

Alfred Newton (1874-79) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. II. p. 410, in a footnote, adds: 'According to Mr. Stevenson (B. Norf., II. 152), this is now in Mr. Gurney's collection. Selby, in his note (Ill. Br. Orn., II. p. 26), has possibly misunderstood the writer's meaning, whose first specimen would most likely be that known to have been taken in December, 1820.'

Further, pp. 411-412, quoting from a letter from Dawson Turner to P. J. Selby, dated 19th July, 1831, says: 'The two specimens of Ardea comata, taken with us, are both males; one of them is gone to London to be engraved; the other is not at this moment accessible, being in the house of a gentleman who is dying. I could not therefore get at them to make descriptions, were I competent; but in truth I am not; for I must set you right with regard to my being an ornithologist, by owning that I have no further knowledge on the subject than a general love of Natural History has given me: specimens of birds I have none.'

Accepted locally (Allard 1990; Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling 1999).

Comment The two specimens referred to are the 1820 Ormesby Broad and 1831 Oulton Broad individuals. This is a duplicate record, there being a misunderstanding of the original statement. Not acceptable.

0). c. 1834 Cornwall Hayle, seen, 10th June.

(A. Greenwood, Zoologist 1843: 143-144; Penhallurick, 1969).

[KAN].

History Alfred Greenwood of Penzance (1843) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. I. pp. 143-144, says: 'I am surprised that one of your correspondents (Zool., p. 78) should say that only two examples of the Squacco Heron have ever been found in England, when Mr. Yarrell says in his work, "This beautiful heron has now been taken in Somersetshire, Cornwall, Devonshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and Lincolnshire. In several of the counties named it has occurred more than once". I have seen two preserved specimens, which have been procured near Penzance: one was shot eight or ten years ago, on the grounds of a gentleman of this neighbourhood, who tells me that another bird of the same species was seen at Hayle a few days after. The other example was shot at Scilly, in the autumn of 1842, and is now in Mr. Rodd's collection in this town.'

Comment This record is not mentioned by Harting, Editor (1880) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, but states (p. 234) that the first that came under my notice was obtained in the vicinity of Trereife. Due to it being a second-hand report, it lacks adequate details. Not acceptable.

0). 1842 Isles of Scilly No locality, shot, autumn.

(A. Greenwood, Zoologist 1843: 143-144; Penhallurick, 1969; Robinson, 2003).

[KAN].

History Alfred Greenwood, Penzance (1843) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. I. pp. 143-144, says: 'I am surprised that one of your correspondents (Zool., p. 78) should say that only two examples of the Squacco Heron have ever been found in England, when Mr. Yarrell says in his work, "This beautiful heron has now been taken in Somersetshire, Cornwall, Devonshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and Lincolnshire. In several of the counties named it has occurred more than once". I have seen two preserved specimens, which have been procured near Penzance: one was shot eight or ten years ago, on the grounds of a gentleman of this neighbourhood, who tells me that another bird of the same species was seen at Hayle a few days after. The other example was shot at Scilly, in the autumn of 1842, and is now in Mr. Rodd's collection in this town.'

Harting, Editor (1880: 130) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'At irregular intervals, but always in the spring, the Squacco Heron has been frequently met with in Cornwall. I have noted the occurrence of this bird at Scilly.' Further, pp. 194-198 under 'Annual Summaries' in the Royal Institution of Cornwall Report, Rodd makes no mention of a Squacco Heron. However, p. 302, under 'List of the Birds Observed on the Scilly Islands', he says: 'Squacco Heron, once or twice in spring.'

Penhallurick (1969: 61) contradicts himself by saying the first for Scilly was in 1849, after already listing this record as 1842, one shot at Scilly in autumn. Accepted locally (Robinson 2003).

Comment Greenwood's statement would seem erroneous through Rodd not mentioning the record at all and also in not accepting any autumn records. The fact it was recorded for autumn is unacceptable to Rodd and Harting (1880). In those days the Isles of Scilly was included in Cornwall. Of the seven following records for Scilly up to 2003, all were in spring (April-June). Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1845 Cornwall Sennen, April.

(Harting, 1880; Penhallurick, 1969).

[KAN].

History Harting, Editor (1880) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'I have noted the occurrence of this bird at Sennen.'

Penhallurick (1969) adds: 'pre 1845. Courtney refers to a bird, in Rodd's collection, from near Land's End - perhaps the one Rodd (1880) lists from Sennen.'

Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No supporting details or association. Not acceptable.

0). 1845 Hampshire Fawley, two, obtained, undated, now at Winchester College.

(Clark, 2022).

[Clark, 2022].

History Clark (2022) states that two specimens on display at Winchester College were labelled Fawley 1845, as were two Night Herons and two Little Bitterns with the same details, all of which is very suspicious. They were not mentioned by Kelsall & Munn (1905) or in the catalogue of the collection (Fearon 1900).

0). 1847 Cornwall Land's End, May.

(Anon., Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society 1845-50: 418; E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1867: 830; Harting, 1872).

[KAN].

History Anon. (1845-50) in the Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society, p. 418, lists the Squacco Heron [for Cornwall] - St Hilary, St Levan, Sennen, Trereife Madron, Scilly.

Harting (1872) lists this record as 1847 Land's End, May, while, Penhallurick (1969) has the year as 1867 and the specimen examined by E. H. Rodd on 7th May.

Comment The year is at odds with the Zoologist and needs checking. This bird is not mentioned in Harting, Editor (1880: 130) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall. The list there is in reverse chronological order which would make this the St. Levan record. Harting has made other mistakes regarding the dates. I believe this to be a duplicate record of 1849. Not acceptable.

0). 1849 Cornwall Trevenwith, St Keverne, three, two shot and one caught alive, mid-May.

(Anon., Royal Cornwall Gazette 25th May 1849: 8; Penhallurick, 1969).

[KAN].

History Anon. (1849) in the Royal Cornwall Gazette of 25th May, 1849, p. 8, says: 'Three splendid specimens of the Squacco Heron were taken at St Keverne last week. Mr. Richard Ivey, of Trevenwith, has one of the birds alive, and the other two are in the collection of Mr. Frederick V. Hill, of Helston.'

Penhallurick (1969: 61) quoted the Royal Cornwall Gazette (8th May (erroneously) and 22nd May 1849 editions) as his source, but he states that "three, (one report says five) shot at Trevenwith in St Keverne (Lizard area).

Comment Not recorded by any ornithologist at the time and should be treated with caution. I believe this is a duplicate record for the two at Land's End and one at St Hilary. Rodd under 'Birds of Cornwall' (Zoologist 1870: 2243) doesn't list this record. Duplicate record. Not acceptable.

0). 1849 Sussex Warnham Mill Pond, Horsham, shot, July.

(E. Hart, Zoologist 1889: 34; Borrer, 1891; Walpole-Bond, 1938; Shrubb, 1979; James, 1996).

[P. N. Paul, Sussex Bird Report 2005: 55].

History Edward Hart of Chichester (1889) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIII. p. 34, says: 'The Squacco Heron, Ardea ralloides, occurs so rarely in this country that every visit is of interest, especially to those who are working out the avifauna of their county. On writing to Sir Percy F. Shelley, asking him for particulars of one that was formerly in the collection of the late Mr. Berkley, he very kindly replied as follows: - "The bird you have I gave to Mr. Berkley. It was shot by my keeper at the Warnham Ponds, Sussex, about two miles from Horsham, on the hottest day of a very hot summer, 1849. In its stomach were fourteen small roach (without their heads, however); the Warnham Ponds are full of these fish".'

Borrer (1891: 316-317) says: 'A second Sussex specimen is mentioned by Mr. Knox (O. R., p. 227) under the name of Little Egret; he states that it was then in the possession of Sir Percy Shelley.

I, knowing that Lady Shelly was living near Bournemouth, requested my friend the Rev. F. Hopkins, residing in that neighbourhood, to find out whether Lady Shelley still had it, and he kindly ascertained that Sir Percy had given it to the Hon. Grantley Berkeley, and that it had passed from him to Mr. Hart, the well-known naturalist, of Christchurch, Hants, who still has it in his museum.

Mr. Hart informs me that on receiving the bird he wrote to the late Sir Percy Shelley, and sends me this extract from his reply: - "I gave Mr. Berkeley a stuffed bird; it was a Squacco Heron, and was shot by my keeper by the Warnham Pond, about two miles from Horsham, on the hottest day of the very hot summer of 1849. In its stomach were fourteen small roach, without their heads, however". A pretty good meal for so small a bird! Why they were minus their heads I cannot tell, as Herons in general swallow their prey whole.'

Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 340) under 'Little Egret', says: 'Shot on the hottest day of summer 1849, and described 'with assurance' as the first British record of Little Egret Egretta garzetta.' Further, p. 341, under 'Squacco Heron', he says: 'In both prints of Saunders's Manual - 1889 (p. 365) and 1899 (p. 377) - we seek but find not, the name Squacco Heron in connection with Sussex....Now Saunders, we know, favoured the idea of this being a Little Egret. But he must have either overlooked or else found out for a fact that it was a "fudge" or perhaps even not a "Squacco" at all.

In the circumstance - for Saunders was famed for the meticulous care with which he usually sifted records of rarities - this record should peradventure be accepted with diffidence.'

It was accepted locally (James 1996), but later, it was found unaccepable (P. N. Paul, Sussex Bird Report 2005: 55).

0). 1850-80 Surrey Vachery Pond, near Cranleigh, killed, undated.

(Bucknill, 1900; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 348; Wheatley, 2007).

[KAN].

History Bucknill (1900: 209) says: 'This species appears to have occurred once in Surrey. A specimen in the Charterhouse Collection was, according to Stafford, killed at Vachery Pond, near Cranleigh (S.A.L.E.C., p. 87). No date is given, but it was probably obtained between the years 1850-80.'

H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 348, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', say: 'A specimen in the Charterhouse collection was killed at Vachery Pond, near Cranleigh - no date (J. A. Bucknill, Birds of Surrey, p. 209). Surrey is not mentioned by Saunders as one of the counties in which this bird has occurred.' Accepted locally (Wheatley 2007).

Comment Cranleigh is 11 miles from Horsham (see previous record)! S.A.L.E.C. is the Surrey Art Loan Exhibition Catalogue. Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not acceptable.

0). 1852 Clyde Forth and Clyde Canal, near Stockton, 9th October.

(W. Martin, Morris and Bree's Naturalist 3: 61; Morris, 1851-57; Yarrell, 1871-85; Witherby, 1920-24; Rintoul & Baxter, 1935; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953).

[Gurney, 1876; I. J. Andrews & K. A. Naylor, Scottish Birds 23: 66].

History W. Martin of Stockton-on-Tees (1853) in Morris and Bree's edition of The Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 61, dated 13th December, 1852, says: 'A specimen of this bird was shot on the 9th of October, 1852, on the Glasgow Canal by T. Jones, seaman, who brought it here; and it is now in the possession of Crawford Newby, Esq.'

Morris (1856 (5): 95) says: 'One in the county of Durham, near Stockton-on-Tees, on the 9th of October 1852.'

Gurney (1876: 278) in his Rambles of a Naturalist, says: 'On 'Additions to the Avifauna of Durham' he also quotes from The Naturalist as well, but adds that he couldn't find 'A Squacco Heron was got on the "Glasgow" canal in October, 1852, fide Mr. W. Martin (Morris' Naturalist, 1853, p. 61). Where the "Glasgow canal" may be I cannot say, as I unable to find it in the map. The bird had no plumes, and the owner showed his sense of the value of it by exchanging it for a case of two Bramblings.'

Gray (1871) makes no mention of this occurrence.

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1884-85 (4): 192, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, who says: 'In Scotland, an example was shot on the Glasgow Canal on the 9th October, 1852 (Naturalist, 1853, p. 61).' Later, Saunders (1899: 377, 2nd ed.) gives the locality as 'Forth and Clyde Canal [Scotland]' and Harting (1901: 444) says: 'Glasgow Canal, near Stockton [Scotland]', while, Rintoul and Baxter (1935: 247) say: '...one was got on the Forth and Clyde Canal on 9th October 1852, but the exact locality was not stated', then accept it without further detail (Baxter & Rintoul 1953).

Comment It was not known whether it was shot in the Clyde or Forth areas. Whether this bird was shot in Scotland or not is open to considerable doubt. The reference to Stockton is clearly an error, and whether the Forth and Clyde Canal was ever referred to as the Glasgow Canal is unclear. Although included by Gordon & Clugston (1996), it has been decided to omit this record from this list of accepted Scottish records (I. J. Andrews & K. A. Naylor, Scottish Birds 23: 66).

Somehow, this record has been included in many a list as Scottish, when Gurney was clearly adding it to his list of Durham birds. Stockton-on-Tees being in Co. Durham. Not acceptable.

0). 1855 Dorset River Frome, Wareham, 5th May.

(W. R. Thompson, British Birds 16: 184; Morrison, 1997).

[KAN].

Comment I believe this is a dupicate record of an earlier one. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1863 Devon Tamar Estuary, two, obtained, undated.

("J.B R.", Transactions of the Plymouth Institute 1802-3: 75; D'Urban & Mathew, 1892).

[KAN].

History D'Urban & Mathew (1892) say: 'One or two have been obtained on the Tamar ("J.B R.", Transactions of the Plymouth Institute 1862-3: 75).'

Comment Throwaway remark by J. Brooking Rowe. Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not acceptable.

0). 1864 Norfolk Near Great Yarmouth, adult male, killed, 7th July.

(J. Rocke, Zoologist 1865: 9419).

[Stevenson, 1870; Harting, 1872].

History J. Rocke of Shropshire (1865) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXIII. p. 9419, undated, says: 'On the 8th of July, 1864, during a short stay in London, I obtained a splendid specimen of the adult Squacco Heron in the flesh. It was killed near Yarmouth on the previous day by a gardener, and forwarded by him to Mr. Ward, of Vere Street. The weather being very hot at that time, I had the bird skinned at once, and upon dissection proved to be a male. The plumage was peculiarly rich and fine; in fact I never saw so good a specimen. It has been very beautifully set up by Mr. Henry Shaw, of Shrewsbury, and is now in my collection.'

Stevenson (1870 (2): 153) adds: 'In The Zoologist for 1865 is a notice by my friend Mr. Rocke, of Clungunford House, Shropshire, of a splendid adult male in his collection, which was purchased by him, in the flesh, of a London dealer, on the 8th of July, 1864. This, he was informed, had been killed the previous day by a gardener, near Yarmouth; my own enquiries, however, of Yarmouth gunners and collectors, and Mr. Rocke's subsequent investigations led us at length to the conclusion that, even if procured anywhere in England (it being quite possible that such a bird could be received from the continent in a perfectly fresh state) it was certainly not killed in Norfolk. This example, from its perfect plumage was forwarded to Mr. Gould, who made a drawing of it for his fine work on the Birds of Great Britain.

Comment Imported. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1866 Greater London Brent Reservoir, Middlesex, shot, undated.

(Harting, 1866; Self, 2014).

[London Natural History Society, 1964].

History Harting (1866: 164) says: 'A specimen of this bird was shot at Kingsbury (Brent) Reservoir in 1840, and a second example has since been obtained at the same place, but I am uncertain of the exact date.'

Comment The London Natural History Society (1964) did not include the Squacco Heron in their systematic list. However, they only dealt with records 20 miles from St Paul's, but, having said that, the record is too vague. Not acceptable.

0). 1867 Cornwall Land's End, examined, 7th May.

(E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1867: 830; Penhallurick, 1969).

[KAN].

History E. H. Rodd of Penzance (1867) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. II. p. 830, dated 7th May, 1867, says: 'We generally get specimens of this elegant heron every spring from the Land's End district, and I believe every example that has come under my notice in the last thirty years has occurred at this season of the year only. I have received them in April and May, but I never yet have seen one with the occipital and dorsal plumes fully developed. I have found, on turning up the feathers, on the neck and back, the new plumal feathers in active progress and indicating a development in a short time.

One which I examined today was in that state, perhaps more forward than usual, as one of the occipital plumes was considerably extended beyond the ordinary feathers. On examining the under plumage all over there was a profusion of these ornamental feathers about an inch long. We have arrived at the end of the first week in May, and it is curious that the vernal plumage should be so backward, and I am at a loss to know whether to account for it by the age of the bird or by the real period of its assuming the ornamental plumage being altogether late, or simply to old birds retaining the plumed feathers permanently, as I believe they have been killed earlier in the spring elsewhere with a fully developed plumage.'

Harting, Editor (1880) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall makes no mention of this record in any part of the book.

Penhallurick (1969) says 'A specimen from Land's End was examined by Rodd on 7th May 1867.'

Comment Rodd had a 'thing' about these plumes and I believe he examined this specimen to satisfy that curiosity and that it probably refers to one of the earlier records. It is not in his usual style of writing to The Zoologist and does not suggest it is a specimen of the year. Not acceptable.

0). 1873 Herefordshire River Wye, Hereford, five, one shot, summer.

(Bull, 1888; Gilbert & Walker, 1954; Walker & Smith, 1975).

[Not in Saunders, 1899; Not in Hartert et al., 1912, nor Harting, 1901].

History Bull (1888: 145-146) says: 'One specimen is said to have been shot on "The Lugg, at Sutton", but neither date nor authority is given for it. The following instance however, is beyond dispute. In the summer of 1873, at the Old Weir, five miles above Hereford, Mr. Thomas Jewett saw a small flock of five birds with snow-white plumage, flying over the river. He got his gun, and by a very long shot succeeded in winging one of them, which dropped in the river. It floated down the stream, and a chase after it began with great energy and enthusiasm. By wading boldly, the bird was at length caught, killed, and sent to Mr. Ward, of Wigmore Street, London. He recognised its rarity, and wrote to have another specimen shot. The four birds remained in the neighbourhood for eight or nine days longer, and although Mr. Jewett tried his utmost to get another shot at them, he was unable to do so. They usually passed their time in the neighbourhood trees, and fed very early and late, on the gravel and mud banks of the river. One bird was always on the watch, from a tree top, whilst the others fed; and on the approach of an intruder, a "scrawk" from the sentinel started them off immediately. The stuffed specimen is now in the possession of Mr. Jewett.'

Gilbert & Walker (1954: 35) say: 'Bull records a party of five of these birds as having spent some ten days on the Wye, five miles above Hereford in the summer of 1873. One of these was shot.' However, Saunders (1899: 377, 2nd ed.) does not mention Herefordshire as one of the counties it has occurred in.

Comment Probably misidentified. Not acceptable.

0) Pre 1888 Dorset Tincleton, shot, undated.

(Mansel-Pleydell, 1888).

[Morrison, 1997].

History Mansel-Pleydell (1888: 130, 2nd ed.) says: 'A fourth was shot at Tincleton by Mr. Bridle.' Morrison (1997) although mentioning it didn't include it in the listed records.

Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. No supporting details. Not acceptable.

0). 1891-92 Dorset Bere Regis, shot, winter.

(N. M. Richardson, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History Society and Antiquarian Field Club 27: 260).

[KAN].

History Nelson M. Richardson, Editor (1906) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History Society and Antiquarian Field Club, Vol. XXVII. p. 260, says: 'Rare birds in 1905. Squacco Heron. - ...Only four occurrences of this scarce visitant are chronicled in The Birds of Dorsetshire (1888), while a fifth example was shot at Bere Regis by Mr. G. Toser in the winter of 1891-2 (teste Rev. O. P. Cambridge, F.R.S.). Nearly all the specimens observed in Britain have been met with either in spring or summer, and have been in immature plumage (E.R.B.).'

Comment E. R. Banks of Corfe Castle. All records, apart from one in mid-February in Yorkshire and a January record from Dorset, are between mid-March to early October, so winter is extremely doubtful and suggests a misidentification. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1892 Devon Kingsbridge, obtained, undated.

(D'Urban & Mathew, 1892).

[A. H. J. Harrop, British Birds 104: 162-163].

History D'Urban & Mathew (1892) say: 'Mr. Marsh-Dunn had a specimen in his fine collection which he obtained from Bolitho of Plymouth, which was said to have been obtained at Kingsbridge.'

Comment The use of "said to have been" places no confidence in the record. Not acceptable.

0). 1901 Sussex Pett Level, female, obtained, 16th October; adult male, obtained, 25th October.

(R. Bowdler Sharp, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 12: 29; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 348; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].

History R. Bowdler Sharpe, Editor (1901) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XII. p. 29, at the 83rd Meeting of the Club held on 18th December 1901 at the Restaurant Frascati, London, says: 'Mr. W. F. [sic] Ticehurst exhibited a female Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides), lent for the purpose by Mr. G. Bristow, of St. Leonards. The specimen had been shot by a shepherd near Winchelsea, in Sussex, on the 16th of October, 1901. A pair of birds were seen, but the male was not procured until the 25th of October; it was in more perfect plumage, with the neck-feathers longer and devoid of dark longitudinal markings.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 348, under 'On the more important additions to our knowledge of British Birds since 1899', and accepted locally (Walpole-Bond (1938) Vol. II. p. 341).

Comment Hastings rarities. Not acceptable.

0). 1903 Sussex East Guldeford, adult female, obtained, 19th June.

(N. F. Ticehurst, Zoologist 1903: 421; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 348; Ticehurst, 1909; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].

History N. F. Ticehurst (1903) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VII. p. 421, says: 'June 19th. An adult female Squacco Heron (Ardea ralloides) shot near East Guldeford, in Romney Marsh.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 348, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

Ticehurst (1909: 311) says: 'I have been able to find three examples only that can be here included....The third specimen, which I had the pleasure of examining in the flesh, was shot by a marshman near East Guldeford, in Romney Marsh, on June 19th, 1903. It was purchased from the man by Mr. Chapman, of Rye, and sent by him to Mr. Bristow for mounting. In my diary I made the following remarks at the time: - "It is a fine adult female, with cinnamon plumes and long head hackles, white edged with black. The wings are pure white, slightly washed with buff, and the legs a pale yellowish-green". It is now with the rest of Mr. Chapman's birds in the collection of Mr. H. Stredwick, of St. Leonards.'

Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 341).

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1903 Sussex Near Winchelsea, adult, obtained, 22nd June.

(N. F. Ticehurst, Zoologist 1903: 421; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 348; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].

History N. F. Ticehurst (1903) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VII. p. 421, says: 'June 19th. A second adult Squacco Heron (Ardea ralloides) shot between Icklesham and Winchelsea. These two specimens are the third and fourth that have been procured in this locality within ten months.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 348, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899' and accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 341).

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1905 Sussex Near Rye, male, shot, 3rd June.

(J. B. Nichols, Zoologist 1905: 349; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 348; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].

History J. B. Nichols (1905) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IX. p. 349, says: 'On June 3rd, 1905, a fine male Squacco Heron (Ardea ralloides), in full plumage, was shot in a grass-field near Rye, Sussex....This was brought to Mr. Bristow, of St. Leonards-on-Sea, to be set up, and are now in my collection.'

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1906 Isles of Scilly No locality, undated.

(J. Clark & F. R. Rodd, Zoologist 1906: 302; Robinson, 2003).

[KAN].

History J. Clark & F. R. Rodd (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 302, under 'The Birds of Scilly', say: 'The Squacco Heron was first recorded in 1849, but has been obtained several times since on Tresco, St. Mary's and St. Martin's.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 348, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who quote from the above.

Penhallurick (1969: 61) quotes the same pre 1906 record, as does (Robinson 2003).

Comment Statements lacking in detail are unworthy to be considered a scientific record. Not acceptable.

0). 1907 Kent Romney Marsh, pair, 29th May.

(Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (2): 341-342) says: 'In the Reading Museum is a pair from Romney Marsh dated 29th May, 1907. It is true, of course, that this couple are Kentish specimens, but they are well worth annotating if for no other reason than that Dr. N. F. Ticehurst in his History of the Birds of Kent (pp. 311-312) published in 1909 (and so could he have heard of them), preserves silence on the subject.'

Comment Hastings rarities. Not acceptable.

0). 1909 Sussex Winchelsea, male, obtained, 27th June, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1962Z1.2).

(Watson, 2010).

[KAN]

History Watson (2010) in detailing the J. L. Auden collection in the Birmingham Museum lists a male specimen obtained at Winchelsea, Sussex, on 27th June 1909, adding that it was bought at Sir V. H. Crewe's sale.

Comment Although not in the paper by E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees (British Birds 55: 299-384) it is from that area around Hastings and the period when fraud was being committed that I find it unacceptable; also Crewe's specimens left a lot to be desired as he was not particular about their provenance.

0). 1912 Norfolk Burnt Fen, near Horning, adult male, shot, 5th July.

(H. W. Robinson, British Birds 6: 122; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1913: 173-174; Riviere, 1930; Seago, 1977; Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999).

[J. Vincent, British Birds 36: 97].

History H. W. Robinson (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 122, says: 'I learn on good authority that an adult male Squacco Heron (Ardeola r. ralloides) was taken near Horning, Norfolk, on July 5th, 1912.'

J. Vincent (1942) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVI. p. 97, in a footnote to the one he saw in 1942, says: 'I have only once before seen a Squacco Heron, when I had a close view of one which visited Hickling and was subsequently shot on July 5th, 1912, at Horning.'

Comment Duplicate record. See 1912 Hickling record. Not acceptable.

0). 1913 Sussex Pett, seen, late October; presumed same, Winchelsea, immature male, shot, 13th November.

(H. W. Ford-Lindsay, British Birds 7: 234-235; E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 2: 99; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].

History H. W. Ford-Lindsay (1914) in British Birds, Vol. VII. pp. 234-235, says: 'Towards the end of October, 1913, I had my attention drawn to a strange bird that had been seen on several occasions in the locality of Pett, Sussex. From the description of one observer who flushed it from the bed of a stream, I had no doubt that it was in all probability a Squacco Heron (Ardeola r. ralloides). On November 14th, I was shown an immature male of this species that had been shot at Winchelsea the previous day. As the spot where the bird was obtained is only a couple of miles from where it was last seen in the Pett district, no doubt it was the same bird.'

Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 342).

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1914 Kent Romney Marsh, male, shot, April, now at Maidstone Museum.

(Harrison, 1953; Borrer, 1960).

[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].

History Harrison (1953 (1): 101) says: 'In the Maidstone Museum in their general collection is a male that was shot on Romney Marsh in April 1914.' Borrer (1960) adds that it was preserved by Guy Mannering.

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). c. 1917 Suffolk No locality, male, received by a Ipswich taxidermist, undated.

(Payn, 1978; Piotrowski, 2003).

[Ticehurst, 1932].

History Ticehurst (1932: 312) says: 'A male in a poor state with feathers "slipping" was received by Hudson, birdstuffer of Ipswich, about 1917, which the Rev. J. Tuck thinks was a Suffolk bird, but there is no certainty of this.' While, (Payn 1978: 58, 2nd ed.) stated that Ticehurst added two more records, and that this was one of them. It was accepted locally (Piotrowski 2003).

Comment Ticehurst had no faith in it. Possibly imported. Not acceptable.

0). 1924 Sussex Rye, immature male, shot, 10th August.

(N. F. Ticehurst, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 4: 31; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].

History N. F. Ticehurst (1928) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. IV. p. 31, says: 'An immature male shot at Rye, August 10th, 1924 (G.B.).' It was accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (2): 342).

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1942 Sussex Pett Level, adult, 18th to 23rd April.

(N. F. Ticehurst, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 7: 144).

[des Forges & Harber, 1963].

History N. F. Ticehurst (1949) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. VII. p. 144, says: 'An adult, Pett Level, seen three times Apr. 18th to 23rd, 1942 (R.C. 105).'

Not accepted locally (des Forges & Harber 1963).

0). 1951 Sussex Manor Road, Brighton, 29th April.

(M. J. Dawson, British Birds 45: 293; des Forges & Harber, 1963; Shrubb, 1979).

[D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers, British Birds 99: 463].

History M. J. Dawson (1952) in British Birds, Vol. XLV. p. 293, says: 'On April 29th, 1951, I was attracted by a harsh call repeatedly coming from the trees surrounding a house in Manor Road, Brighton. It came from a bird which proved to be a Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides). It was seen many times from about 15 yards and upwards through x 6 binoculars, and remained for eight hours, from 13.00 till dusk, though it had gone the next morning. The plumage was mainly buff, darker on the back and lighter - nearly white - on the underparts; there was a very slightly darker line through the eye. The tail was very short. The beak was dark horn-colour, darker at the tip, and long for the size of the bird; the legs were yellowish buff.

A harsh "kwark" or "kwok" was uttered about every 10 seconds, in flight and at rest. In flight the wings appeared very angular and square tipped. When alighting the bird glided to a position above a tree, closed its wings and dropped steeply into the branches, sometimes into the middle of the tree. After making the above notes I consulted The Handbook and studied museum skins of all the herons on the British list. I then returned and saw the bird again and was left in no doubt as to its identity.

The weather at the time was very cold with sleet and snow showers; the wind was south-westerly.'

Accepted locally (des Forges & Harber 1963: 28; Shrubb 1979).

D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers (2006) in British Birds, Vol. XCIX. p. 463, in a review of certain rarities during the period 1950-57, found this record to be unacceptable.

AC Non-pass

Keith Naylor

Squacco Heron

Ardeola ralloides (Scopoli, 1769) (64, 2)

Green Heron

Western Cattle Egret