Little Crake

Rallidae

Nov 15

Written By Keith Naylor

Porzana parva (Scopoli, 1769) (59, 2)

Photo © By ΝΙΚΟΣ ΣΑΜΑΡΙΤΑΚΗΣ from CHANIA, GREECE - Porzana parva (50), CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17764549

STATUS

Palearctic. Monotypic.

OVERVIEW

Formerly known by Spotted Gallinule, Olivaceous Gallinule and Little Gallinule.

The record of 1791 wasn't discovered until 1890 when it was realised it was of this species.

Migration takes place early March to May and late August to November. Occasionally birds winter in Britain.

RECORDS

1). 1791 Sussex Catsfield, obtained, 29th March.

(W. Markwick, Transactions of the Linnean Society 4: 9; J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1890: 343-345; Borrer, 1891; Gurney, 1921; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

History William Markwick of Catsfield (1795) in the Transactions of the Linnean Society, Vol. IV. p. 9, in his 'Aves Sussexienses', read 5th May, 1795, says: 'Spotted Gallinule. This bird was once shot by the side of a mill-pond in this neighbourhood.'

J. E. Harting, Editor (1890) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIV. pp. 343-345, says: 'Perhaps the most important correction of Markwick's printed Catalogue supplied by his MS. is that which has reference to the "Spotted Gallinule, Gallinula porzana", (Cat. p. 9). "This bird", he says: "was once shot by the side of a mill-pond in this neighbourhood". The MS. supplies the date (pp. 100, 105), namely, the 29th March, 1791; but it also supplies the unlooked-for evidence that the bird in question was not the Spotted Crake, C. porzana, but the Little Crake, C. pusilla. Of this fact both the description and the water-colour drawing, made by Markwick from the freshly-killed specimen, leave no room for doubt.

The first example of this species, which, according to Yarrell (4th ed. Vol. III. p. 148), was made known in this country, was shot near Ashburton, in Devonshire, in 1809, and was figured and described in Montagu's Supplement to his Ornithological Dictionary, under the name of Little Gallinule.

As it now appears that Markwick obtained a specimen of this bird eighteen years previously, it will be of interest to note his description of it, and his remarks which follow (MS. p. 105): - "The Small Spotted Water-hen, Gallinula porzana.

Description. The bird from which I drew the figure was shot by the side of a mill-pond, and given to me on the 29th March, 1791. "Its length from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail was eight inches, but to the end of the legs when stretched out backwards ten and a half; its breadth from tip of the wing when extended twelve inches and a half. Its bill was rather more than three-quarters of an inch long, slender, of a pale green colour, deepest at the base and tip, and also tinged with scarlet at both those parts. The irides also were of a scarlet colour. From the bill all round the eyes on each side was a pale ash-coloured space. The top of the head, hinder part of the neck, back, scapulars, upper covert-feathers of the wings, rump, and tail, were of an olive tawny-brown colour, which was darkest on the head. With this colour were intermixed some dark brown or blackish spots, together with some white ones, both on the back and scapulars. The quill-feathers of the wings were of a dark brown; the chin and throat were white; the fore side of the neck, breast, and belly, of a light tawny or pale ochre colour; the thighs and vent, or under covert-feathers of the tail, were barred crossways with dusky and white bars. The legs were naked above the knees, and of a pale green colour, as were the toes, which were long, slender, three forwards and one backwards, and destitute of any fin or web. The claws were rather long and sharp.

According to Mr. Latham's opinion this was a late bird of last year, not come into full feather. As soon as I had made the foregoing drawing and description I sent the bird itself to the Rev. Dr. Goodenough, who wrote me word again that he had no doubt of its being the Spotted Gallinule of Pennant, and that he had seen Mr. Latham, who was of the same opinion, as I have stated above; but when I showed my figure to that gentleman last summer he seemed to have his doubts whether it belonged to that species or not. Indeed, it was so unlike a very fine specimen of the Gallinula porzana in his possession, that I cannot help entertaining the same doubts; though if it is not a young one of that species, I know not what it is".

Had the coloured drawing of this bird accompanied Markwick's paper when it was read before the Linnean Society, in May, 1795, it is possible that some ornithologist present might have been able to solve the difficulty as to the species, although, as Latham had misgivings on the subject, this is doubtful, and Montagu had not then become acquainted with it as a British bird.'

Gurney (1921: 229) in his Early Annals of Ornithology lists the first record for Britain as occurring in 1791 (Markwick).

Accepted locally (Borrer 1891; Walpole-Bond 1938).

2). 1807 Greater Manchester Ardwick Meadows, Manchester, Lancashire, caught alive, autumn, now at Manchester Museum.

(J. Blackwall, Loudon's Magazine of Natural History 1: 275; Yarrell, 1845; S. P. Saville, Zoologist 1864: 9119; Yarrell, 1871-85; Oakes, 1953).

History J. Blackwall (1829) in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. I. 275, says: 'Olivaceous Gallinule (Gallinule pusilla). Mr. James Hall took this rare bird alive, in a drain in Ardwick meadows, near Manchester, in the autumn of 1807.'

Yarrell (1845 (3): 103, 2nd ed.) says: 'In the volume of the Magazine of Natural History for the year 1829, page 275, it is mentioned that Mr. James Hall caught a specimen of the Olivaceous Gallinule G. pusilla, alive in a drain in Ardwick Meadows, near Manchester, in the autumn of 1807.'

S. P. Saville of King's Lynn (1864) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXII. p. 9119, dated 11th May 1864, says: 'The previously recorded instances of the occurrence of the Little Crake in Britain are as follows: - "A second, in the same year [1847], at Adwick [sic], near Manchester".'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 149, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

Oakes (1953: 351) adds: 'The specimen went to the Manchester Museum.'

Comment Recorded 16 years after the event.

3). 1809 Devon Near Ashburton, shot, undated.

(Montagu, 1813; Atkinson, 1820; Dr. Sims, Transactions of the Linnean Society 15: 584; Latham, 1821-28; Fleming, 1828; E. Moore, Transactions of the Plymouth Institution 1830: 332; Selby, 1833; E. Moore, Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History 1: 323; Yarrell, 1845; S. P. Saville, Zoologist 1864: 9119; Newman, 1866; Mansel-Pleydell, 1873; Yarrell, 1871-85; Moore, 1969).

History Montagu (1813) under 'Little Gallinule', says: 'We are indebted to Mr. Tucker (the author of a periodical work on birds, before mentioned) for this very interesting little bird, which appears not only to be new as British, but to be a nondescript species.

The weight was two ounces; length seven inches and three-quarters. The bill is five-eighths of an inch long, of a bright green colour; the upper part of the head dusky brown; the cheeks pale brown; over each eye cinereous; the chin and throat white, shaded into a cream-colour on the upper part of the neck before; the lower part of the neck, breast, sides, and greater part of the body beneath, plain fawn-colour; the lower belly, thighs, and vent olive-brown, spotted with white, and slightly barred with paler brown; the back, and sides of the neck, pale olivaceous-brown; back and scapulars black, deeply margined with the same colour as the last, the inner margins very pale, similar to the under part of the neck; the rump plain olive-brown; the tail of a similar colour; the legs bright green, bare for three-eighths of an inch above the knee, and an inch and a half long from the knee to the toes; the middle toe, including the claw, is of the same length; the claws horn-colour; the hind toe, including the claw, five-eighths of an inch long. The tail is much mutilated, but the remaining feathers are as described, and extend a trifle beyond the point of the wings.

We might have been induced to have considered this bird as an accidental lusus variety of the Spotted Waterhen, had it not been for its very inferior size and other peculiarities....The Little Gallinule was shot near Ashburton, in Devonshire, in the year 1809.'

Atkinson (1820: 170) says: 'A new species, shot near Ashburton, Devonshire, 1809 (Montagu).'

Dr. Sims (1823) in the Transactions of the Linnean Society, Vol. XIV. p. 584, in extracts from the minutes read on 4th November 1823, says: 'Colonel Montagu has given an account of a bird of this species having been killed in England in 1809, and it had not before been noticed as a British bird.'

Latham (1824 (9): 403) under 'Little Gallinule', says: 'A specimen of the above was shot near Ashburton, in Devonshire, in 1809, and communicated by Mr. Tucker: at first sight it might be taken for a young bird of the Spotted Gallinule, but we have the authority of Colonel Montagu, to introduce it here as a nondescript, and clearly new, as he has examined it with attention, and compared it with the Spotted Species.'

Fleming (1828: 99) says: 'This species was first recorded by Montagu, in his Supplement to the Orn. Dict., under the title, Little Gallinule. One specimen was killed at Ashburton, in Devonshire, in 1809.'

Edward Moore of Plymouth (1830) in the Transactions of the Plymouth Institution, Vol. I. p. 332, says: 'Only one specimen known, and that obtained by Dr. Tucker, near Ashburton, 1800.'

Selby (1833 (2): 185-186) says: 'Its first notice, as a British species, is contained in Montagu's Supplement to his Ornithological Dictionary, under the name of the Little Gallinule (Gallinula minuta), where a specimen he received from Mr. Tucker, and apparently a young bird, is accurately described: this bird, it appears, was shot near Ashburton, in Devonshire, in the year 1809.'

Edward Moore of Plymouth (1837) in Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. I. p. 321, dated May, 1837, says: 'Crex pusilla or Little Crake. The only specimen known to Montagu was in possession of Dr. Tucker of Ashburton.'

Yarrell (1845 (3): 101-102, 2nd ed.) says: 'The first example of this species made known in this country, was shot near Ashburton in Devonshire, in 1809, and Colonel Montagu received it from Mr. Tucker. This bird, figured and described in Montagu's Supplement to his Ornithological Dictionary, under the name Little Gallinule, appears to be a female, but the sex was not noted.'

Both Mansel-Pleydell (1873: 37) and Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 148, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds have this record as the first for England.

Comment Regarded as the first until 1829 when the Greater Manchester record predated it, and, relegated to third when the Sussex record became known in 1890.

4). 1812 Greater London River Thames, near Chelsea, Middlesex, adult male, shot, May.

(Montagu, 1813; Latham, 1821-28; Fleming, 1828; E. Moore, Transactions of the Plymouth Institution 1830: 332; Yarrell, 1845; S. P. Saville, Zoologist 1864: 9119; Yarrell, 1871-85; Swann, 1893; Glegg, 1935).

History Montagu (1813) under 'Appendix' then 'Olivaceous Gallinule', says: 'It is remarkable too that this hitherto concealed and solitary species should not come to light singly, for about the same time that Mr. Foljambe obtained this specimen, Mr. Plasted, of Chelsea, procured another that was shot on the banks of the Thames at that place, and which is now in his collection.'

Latham (1824 (9): 402) says: 'A second specimen was in the collection of Mr. Plasted, of Chelsea, but could not learn where he procured it.'

Fleming (1828: 99) says: 'G. foljambei. Olivaceous Gallinule. A second specimen occurred to Mr. Plasted at Chelsea, at the same time as the one saved to science by Mr. Foljambe [1812].'

Edward Moore of Plymouth (1830) in the Transactions of the Plymouth Institution, Vol. I. p. 332, says: 'Another was obtained by Mr. Plastead, on the Thames, 1812.'

Yarrell (1845 (3): 102, 2nd ed.) says: 'At the same time [1812] Mr. Plasted, of Chelsea, obtained another which was shot on the banks of the Thames, near that place. At the sale of Mr. Plasted's birds, this specimen passed into the possession of Mr. Leadbeater, and is now, I believe, in the collection of Mr. Lombe, who resides near Norwich. This bird, which I saw several times while it belonged to Mr. Leadbeater, agreed with the figure and description of Montagu's Olivaceous Gallinule, and was believed to be an old male.'

Admitted as the third British record by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 149, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, and accepted locally for Middlesex (Glegg 1935).

5). 1824 Somerset Avalon Marshes, two, shot, early October.

(R. Anstice, Bridgwater & Somersetshire Herald, 8th Oct., 1824; Dance, 2003; D. K. Ballance, Somerset Birds 2003: 162; Ballance, 2006).

History D. K. Ballance (2003) in Somerset Birds, p. 161, says: 'Two shot in 1824 in Peat Moor, north of Poldens (in a letter by R.A. in The Bridgwater & Somersetshire Herald, dated 8th October, 1824).'

Comment R.A. = R. Anstice who corresponded with George Montagu over the Black Stork and known as a reasonable naturalist.

7). 1826 Cambridgeshire Near Barnwell, female, caught, 16th March.

(Anon., Zoological Journal 3: 605; Yarrell, 1845; S. P. Saville, Zoologist 1864: 9119; Yarrell, 1871-85; Lack, 1934; Bircham, 1989).

History Anon. (1828) in the Zoological Journal, Vol. III. p. 605, at the Zoological Club of the Linnean Society meeting of 24th April 1827, says: 'Mr. Yarrell exhibited, at the request and from the collection of Dr. Thackeray, F.L.S. Provost of King's College, Cambridge, a specimen of a small Gallinule, which corresponded precisely with the description of the female of the Poule d'eau Poussin of M. Temminck's Manuel, the Gallinula pusilla, Bechst., and the Zapornia pusilla, Leach. This bird, also a female, was caught alive in March last at Barnwell, near Cambridge.'

Yarrell (1845 (3):102-103, 2nd ed.) says: 'In March 1826, a female of this species was caught at Barnwell near Cambridge, which is now in the collection of Dr. Thackeray, the Provost of King's College; and the figure of the bird in the front of the illustration here given, as also the description, were taken from this bird, which was most kindly lent me for my use in this work.'

S. P. Saville of King's Lynn (1864) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXII. p. 9119, dated 11th May 1864, says: 'The previously recorded instances of the occurrence of the Little Crake in Britain are as follows: - "and in March, 1826, a female specimen was caught at Barnwell, near Cambridge".'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 149, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

Accepted locally (Lack 1934; Bircham 1989).

8). c. 1826 Yorkshire Cantley, Doncaster, caught alive, undated.

(Allis, 1844; Morris, 1863-67; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Nelson, 1907; Chislett, 1952; Mather, 1986).

History Morris (1863-67 (6): 76-77, reissue) says: 'One many years ago was captured at Cantley, near Doncaster, the seat of John Walbanke Guilders, Esq., M.P.'

Clarke & Roebuck (1881: 64) say: 'Cantley, near Doncaster, one taken alive (Allis, 1844).'

Nelson (1907 (2): 538) says: 'Thomas Allis's Report, in 1844, runs thus: - "Crex pusilla - Little Crake. - H. Reid tells me that a specimen of this rare bird was taken alive at Cantley; it ran into a tuft of grass and was captured by a boy, and came into his possession about eighteen years ago. The only other instance that has come to my knowledge is the one shot on the banks of the Yore, and recorded in Yarrell's British Birds.'

Chislett (1952: 312) says: 'Mr. W. Greaves has turned up a record of a Little Crake exhibited to the Halifax Naturalists' Society on July 30th, 1859. It was described as having been shot on Askern Common on August 6th, 1826, by Robert Robson and was perhaps the Cantley bird.' It was accepted locally (Mather 1986).

Comment Some discrepancy in the two stories whether it was caught or shot, but presumably referring to the same record. Askern Common is to the North of Doncaster, whereas Cantley is to the East!

9). 1827 Norfolk Buckenham Ferry, shot, August.

(Stevenson, 1870; Dye, Fiszer & Allard, 2009).

History Stevenson (1870 (2): 396) says: 'In the late Mr. Lombe's MS. notes, supplied me by his daughter, Mrs. E. P. Clarke, of Wymondham, I find the record of a "Little Gallinule" shot at Buckenham Ferry, in August, 1827.'

Further, p. 399, he adds: 'With the exception of the Bradestone bird recorded by Hunt, which, was possibly a Baillon's Crake, I see no reason, on the authorities I have quoted, to doubt the authenticity of any of the above occurrences.'

This is the first authenticated record for Norfolk (Dye, Fiszer & Allard 2009).

10). 1828 Norfolk Neatishead, immature, killed, March.

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

History Stevenson (1870 (2): 396) says: 'In the late Mr. Lombe's MS. notes, supplied me by his daughter, Mrs. E. P. Clarke, of Wymondham, I find the record of "another Little Gallinule" immature at Neatishead, in March, 1828.'

11). 1829 Devon Devonport, caught, 13th May.

(E. Moore, Transactions of the Plymouth Institution 1830: 332; E. Moore, Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History 1: 323; Moore, 1969).

History Edward Moore of Plymouth (1830) in the Transactions of the Plymouth Institution, Vol. I. p. 332, says: 'One in the possession of Mr. Drew, which was discovered fluttering against a house in the town of Devonport, and was caught by some boys, 13th May, 1829.'

Edward Moore of Plymouth (1837) in Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. I. p. 321, dated May, 1837, says: 'Olivaceous Gallinule. One specimen was seen fluttering against a house in Devonport, May 13, 1829, was caught by some boys, and is now in Mr. Drew's collection.'

Accepted locally (Moore 1969: 111).

12). 1830 Suffolk Oulton Broad, shot, undated.

(Stevenson, 1870; Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932).

History Stevenson (1870 (2): 396-397) says: 'In the late Mr. Lombe's MS. notes, supplied me by his daughter, Mrs. E. P. Clarke, of Wymondham, I find a record of "a third Little Gallinule" in 1830, on Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft, in the adjoining county.' Accepted locally (Ticehurst 1932: 458).

Comment I seem to be missing the other two records for 1830. Perhaps Stevenson made a typo for 1833.

13). 1831 Devon No locality, obtained, August.

(E. Moore, Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History 1: 323).

History Edward Moore of Plymouth (1837) in Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. I. p. 321, dated May, 1837, says: 'Crex pusilla or Little Crake. Another was obtained by Drew, in August, 1831, which is now in his collection.'

14). 1833 Norfolk Near Great Yarmouth, two, shot, March.

(J. D. Hoy, Loudon's Magazine of Natural History 7: 53; Yarrell, 1845; Morris, 1863-67; Stevenson, 1870; A. H. Patterson, Zoologist 1900: 535; Patterson, 1905; Ticehurst, 1932; Allard, 1990).

History J. D. Hoy of Stoke Nayland (1834) in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, Vol. VII. p. 53, says: 'Little Gallinule (Gallinula minuta) shot near Yarmouth.'

Yarrell (1845 (3): 103, 2nd ed.) says: 'In the same work [Magazine of Natural History] but for the year 1834, page 53, the late Mr. Hoy has recorded that a Little Gallinule was shot near Yarmouth.'

Morris (1863-67 (6): 76, reissue) says: 'In 1834, one was shot near Yarmouth, Norfolk.'

Stevenson (1870 (2): 397-398) says: 'Again in the Magazine of Natural History for 1834 (p. 53) the late Mr. Hoy, in a notice of "some rare species of birds observed or killed in the county of Suffolk and adjoining borders of Essex, during the winter months of 1832 and 1833", briefly records the fact of "a Little Gallinule", having been shot near Yarmouth. Of this bird, however, and of no less than three others procured in the same year, I find the following important particulars in the MS. notes sent me by Mr. Joseph Clarke, of Saffron Walden. Little Gallinule - Two shot by Mr. Richers, near Yarmouth, March 1833, in the possession of Mr. Hoy, Stoke Nayland. One was stuffed by Harvey, of Yarmouth, and sold for fifty shillings. Captain Glasspole killed two on Horsey Broad, in 1833.'

Stevenson in two footnotes on the same page, adds: 'In Dr. Bree's description of the late Mr. Hoy's collection, at Stoke Nayland (Field 1867, Vol. XXX), there is no mention of specimens either of the Little or Baillon's Crake.' In the second footnote, he adds: 'A specimen of this crake, included in Mr. Stephen Miller's sale catalogue in 1853, was, I have little doubt, one of those already mentioned.'

A. H. Patterson of Great Yarmouth (1900) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IV. p. 535, says: 'Two were shot by Mr. Richers near Yarmouth, March, 1833....One was preserved by Harvey, of Yarmouth, and sold for fifty shillings (B. of N. Vol. II. p. 398). I have a pencil note of Harvey's on the margin of Messrs. Pagets' Sketch, remarking, "Very rare, but has been met with".'

Ticehurst (1932: 459) says: '...two shot by Richards near Yarmouth March 1833 (one in Hoy coll.; one in Boynton coll.).'

Comment Obviously Hoy didn't own it when he sent in the original notice, and its strange that it wasn't in his collection when Dr. Bree described it.

16). 1833 Norfolk Horsey, two, killed, undated.

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

History Stevenson (1870 (2): 398) says: 'Captain Glasspole killed two on Horsey Broad, in 1833.' Further, p. 399, he adds: 'With the exception of the Bradestone bird recorded by Hunt, which, was possibly a Baillon's Crake, I see no reason, on the authorities I have quoted, to doubt the authenticity of any of the above occurrences.'

18). 1835 Sussex River Adur, Beeding, near Shoreham-by-Sea, caught alive, October.

(Yarrell, 1845; Knox, 1849; Yarrell, 1871-85; Borrer, 1891; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

History Yarrell (1845 (3): 103, 2nd ed.) says: 'Mr. W. Borrer, jun., sent me notice that a Little Crake, Crex pusilla, was taken alive on the banks of the Adur, at Beeding chalk-pit, near Shoreham, in October 1835.' Knox (1849) 1st ed., p. 233, says: 'A Little Crake was caught alive a few years ago near Beeding chalk-pits (vide Yarrell). I have also seen a specimen in the possession of the proprietor of the Dolphin Inn, at Shoreham, which was shot by himself in that neighbourhood.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 149, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

Borrer (1891: 191-192) says: 'Two specimens have come into my possession. The first was taken alive near Beeding chalk-pit, on the banks of Adur, near Shoreham, in October 1855.'

Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 333) says: 'Our next two specimens, both from the neighbourhood of Shoreham (one actually - this was caught alive - from near Beeding chalk-pit), were originally obituarised by Knox in 1849 (O. R., 1st ed., p. 233). To the one he attaches no date whatsoever. But the other, the Beeding bird, he tells us was obtained "a few years ago", say 1845. And this I am sure is the one Borrer (pp. 191-192) records as having been taken alive in the selfsame spot during October, 1855 (probably a printer's error), and the more so because he only quotes Knox as regards the other example.'

Comment Knox's statement of the two records could in fact refer to just this one, given the details.

19). 1836 Yorkshire Near Scarborough, caught, undated.

(W. C. Williamson, Proceedings of the Zoological Society 1836: 77; Yarrell, 1845; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Yarrell, 1871-85; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History W. C. Williamson (1836) in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society, pt. IV, p. 77, says: 'The Olivaceous Gallinule have been killed near Scarborough.'

Yarrell (1845 (3): 103, 2nd ed.) says: 'In 1836 Mr. W. C. Williamson recorded, in the printed Proceedings of the Zoological Society [p. 77], that an Olivaceous Gallinule had been killed near Scarborough.'

Accepted locally (Clarke & Roebuck 1881: 64) and admitted by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 149, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

Nelson (1907 (2): 538) says: 'In the year 1836 one was captured near Scarborough, and was recorded by the late Prof. W. C. Williamson in the P. Z. S., 1836, IV. p. 77.'

20). 1839 Gower Afan River, caught, undated.

(Dillwyn, 1848; D. S. W. Nicholl, Zoologist 1889: 170; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).

History D. S. W. Nicholl of Cowbridge (1889) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIII. p. 170, says: 'Mr. Dillwyn has recorded one, taken by hand on the Afon River in 1839, which is (or was) preserved at Margam.'

21). 1847 Norfolk Heigham Sounds, adult male, shot, 30th March.

(J. H. Gurney & W. R. Fisher, Zoologist 1847: 1702; W. F. W. Bird, Zoologist 1847: 1777; Stevenson, 1870).

History J. H. Gurney & W. R. Fisher (1847) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. V. p. 1702, dated March, 1847, say: 'A very beautiful specimen of the Little Crake, in adult plumage, was also taken near Yarmouth at the end of the month.'

W. F. W. Bird of Gray's Inn (1847) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. V. p. 1777, dated May 1847, adds: 'A very fine adult male specimen of the Little Crake, was killed on the 30th of March last, on the rands, or wet marshes, adjoining the large sheet of water at Heigham, in Norfolk, and is now in my collection. I need hardly tell your readers that this bird is very rare in Britain. My specimen corresponds very nearly with Mr. Yarrell's description.'

Stevenson (1870 (2): 399) says: 'With the exception of the Bradestone bird recorded by Hunt, which, was possibly a Baillon's Crake, I see no reason, on the authorities I have quoted, to doubt the authenticity of any of the above occurrences.'

22). 1848 Sussex East Blatchington, picked up exhausted, early March.

(J. B. Ellman, Zoologist 1848: 2148; Yarrell, 1871-85; T. Parkin, Zoologist 1895: 309; Borrer, 1891; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

History James B. Ellman of Battle (1848) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. VI. p. 2148, dated 11th March, 1848, says: 'A specimen of this very rare bird was picked up in an exhausted state at the above place [Seaford] a few days ago.'

Accepted by Howard Saunders (1882-84) in Yarrell's British Birds, 4th ed. Vol. III. p. 149, and locaqlly by Borrer (1891: 192).

Thomas Parkin of Hastings (1895) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIX. p. 310, adds: 'Mr. Dresser, in his Birds of Europe, has recorded three examples of Sussex-killed specimens: one at Seaford in March, 1848.'

Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 333) says: 'In March, 1848, a specimen was secured near Seaford a few days prior to March 11th, as notified by Mr. J. B. Ellman in The Zoologist for that year (p. 2148). This doubtless is the Little Crake mentioned by Dennis under its old-time name of "Olivaceous Gallinule" in his diary of March 21st, 1848, as having been caught (presumably at East Blatchington - where he then lived - which adjoins Seaford) "...on Monday fortnight"..."running up a wall" (See N.O.S.O. p. 34).'

23). 1850 Cumbria Near Cockermouth Castle, shot, undated.

(Macpherson, 1892; Hutcheson, 1986).

History Macpherson (1892: 341-342) says: 'Mr. J. W. Harris informed me in 1885 that he obtained an example of the Little Crake which had been captured in a ditch near Cockermouth Castle in 1850. It appears from three letters, written by T. C. Heysham to Mr. Bell (lent by Mr. H. P. Senhouse), that this specimen came under the notice of the former gentleman.

In a letter of 24th March, 1852, he wrote: 'A short time ago Mr. Joseph Harris was so obliging as to send me a specimen of Little Crake, which had been captured near Cockermouth for inspection, and, which I returned on the following day.

As this is a rather rare British Bird, it has occurred to me that it would be advisable to have a drawing made of it, which in all probability may last longer than the skin, unless the Curator of your recently established Museum understands the business better than these officials generally do. In a letter of 15th April in the same year, Heysham repeats his request for a loan of the bird. That his wishes were attended to is rendered certain by a letter of 27th April, in which he wrote: "Your letter of the 24th reached me on Sunday morning, and the specimen of Crex pusilla was delivered to me at 9 last night; for both of which accept my best thanks. I will return the Crake with as little delay as possible, and, to accomplish this, my Draughtsman's pencil is already at work tracing its likeness".

What became of the sketch we do not know. The bird remained in the Cockermouth Museum until Mr. Harris received it back in exchange for a duplicate specimen. He was therefore able to show it to us in 1891, when it was in good preservation, despite the lapse of forty years.'

24). c. 1850 Devon Frogmore, near Ilfracombe, three, caught by a dog, winter.

(D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; Moore, 1969).

History D'Urban & Mathew (1892) say: 'About the year 1850, Mr. Murray W. Mathew was accustomed frequently to shoot Snipe on Frogmore, which was then a tract of swampy moorland situated about seven miles to the north of Barnstaple on the Ilfracombe road, but has since been almost enclosed. He then possessed a very well broken "dropper", a cross between a setter and pointer, and this dog was extremely fond of hunting and catching Water Rails, Jack Snipe, &c., and one winter caught alive three specimens of the Little Crake. Unfortunately, these birds were not properly preserved at the time, and perished; but years after we saw a portion of the skin of one of them, which proved a female Little Crake.'

Comment One would have thought that Mathew who corresponded regularly to the journals would have submitted these records.

27). 1852 Moray & Nairn River Isla, Thornton, near Keith, Banffshire, picked up dead, 12th March, now at Castle Museum, Norwich (NWHCM 1935.15.66).

(T. Edward, Zoologist 1860: 6968; Gray, 1871; J. H. Gurney, jun., Scottish Naturalist 1: 269; Yarrell, 1871-85; Smiles, 1889; Harvie-Brown & Buckley, 1896; Witherby, 1920-24; Witherby et al., 1940-52; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Thom, 1986; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007).

History Thomas Edward of Banff (1860) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XVIII. p. 6968, under 'List of the Birds of Banffshire', says: 'Only one of this British rarity has been procured here, as far as I know. This occurred in March, 1852, at a place called Thornton [Banffshire, NJ4851], on the banks of the Isla. It was found dead by a girl tending cattle.'

Gray (1871: 334) adds: 'I record the circumstance here on the authority of Mr. Thomas Edward of Banff, who has informed me that the bird was found dead in a plantation, on the banks of the Isla at Thornton, in the parish of Grange, Banffshire, on the 12th March 1852. This is probably the same Banffshire specimen which is alluded to by Mr. Yarrell in the last edition of his work on British Birds, published in 1856, though neither date nor precise locality is given.'

Further, p. 514, under 'Appendix' Gray adds: 'Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., informs me (August 1871) that his father has in his collection a Scottish specimen of this bird; but up to the moment of going to press no further particulars of its capture have reached me.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1871-72) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. I. p. 269, dated 23rd July, 1872, says: 'The Scottish Naturalist seems a fitting organ for correcting a mistake for which I am in a measure responsible in Gray's Birds of the West of Scotland. The Little Crake mentioned in the Appendix is the same as the one recorded in the body of the work, p. 334, being at present the only Scottish specimen. It is an adult male bird, but not in very good condition. It was picked up by a girl tending cattle.'

Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 150, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'The authority for the solitary occurrence of the Little Crake in Scotland is Mr. Thomas Edward, of Banff, who states (Zool., p. 6968) that a specimen was found dead at Thornton, on the banks of the Isla, in March, 1852.'

Smiles (1889: 213) says: 'Many rare birds were sent to him [Thomas Edward] for examination, notices of which he recorded in the local paper. Thus, he obtained the Little Crake (Crex pusilla). a bird that had not before been found in the neighbourhood, from a land-surveyor at Whitehills.'

Harvie-Brown & Buckley (1896 (2): 166) say: 'Edward says "Only one procured. It occurred at a place called Thornton, on the banks of the Isla". This bird was bought by Professor Newton, for Mr. J. H. Gurney, from Edward, and the sternum is in the Cambridge Museum (A.N. in litt., 25/2/92). Professor Newton has kindly placed at our disposal the original record of this rarity by Edward: - "The bird was handed to me by Mr. John Murray, Whitehills. It was found dead in a plantation on the banks of the Isla, at Thornton, in the parish of Grange, by a young person tending cattle there, on the 12th March 1852". Edward says it is the first that ever came under his observation.'

Admitted nationally (Witherby et al. 1940-52).

28). 1852 Norfolk Sutton, near Stalham, adult male, shot, 16th April.

(L. H. Irby, Zoologist 1852: 3477; Stevenson, 1870).

History L. H. Irby of Saham, Norfolk (1852) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. X. p. 3477, dated 24th April, 1852, says: 'An adult male of the Little Crake, in very fine plumage, was shot at Sutton, near Stalham, on the 16th April. The date of its capture corresponds very nearly with the time of the general arrival of the Spotted Crake.'

Stevenson (1870 (2): 398-399) says: 'A male, in the possession of Mr. W. H. Scott, of Aylsham, was shot by Mr. J. Dickens, at Dilham Fen, on the 26th [error for 16th] of April, 1852. This bird, which Mr. Scott very kindly sent me for examination, was just commencing the change from immature to adult plumage, the blue-grey tints appearing on the sides of the head. With the exception of the Bradestone bird recorded by Hunt, which, was possibly a Baillon's Crake, I see no reason, on the authorities I have quoted, to doubt the authenticity of any of the above occurrences.'

29). Pre 1855 Sussex Near Shoreham-by-Sea, shot, undated.

(Knox, 1855; Borrer, 1891).

History Knox (1855: 240, 3rd ed.) says: 'I have also seen a specimen in the possession of the proprietor of the Dolphin Inn at Shoreham, which was shot by himself in that neighbourhood. I am not aware that a third example of this scarce bird has occurred in Sussex.'

Borrer (1891: 192) says: 'A fourth example is mentioned by Mr. Knox as in the possession of the landlord of the Dolphin Hotel, Shoreham, who shot it in that neighbourhood (O. R., 240).'

Comment A. E. Knox's Ornithological Rambles first edition was published in 1849 but this record was not in his first two editions.

30). 1855 Norfolk Catfield Broad, shot, 8th May.

(Stevenson, 1870).

History Stevenson (1870 (2): 399) says: 'On the 8th of May, 1855, a somewhat similar specimen [1852 specimen], sex not noted, was shot at Catfield, and, like the last, in the centre of the "Broad" District. With the exception of the Bradestone bird recorded by Hunt, which, was possibly a Baillon's Crake, I see no reason, on the authorities I have quoted, to doubt the authenticity of any of the above occurrences.'

31). 1855 Devon Kingsbridge, picked up, 27th July.

(D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; Moore, 1969).

History D'Urban & Mathew (1892) say: 'A wounded bird was picked up by some boys in the Willow Plat on the western Backway at Kingsbridge, July 27th, 1855 (H.N., MS. Notes).'

32). 1859 Sussex Near Hastings, male, caught alive, killed, 15th April.

(R. Kent, Zoologist 1859: 6537; Yarrell, 1871-85; Borrer, 1891; T. Parkin, Zoologist 1895: 310; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

History Robert Kent of St. Leonards-on-Sea (1859) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XVII. p. 6537, under 'Occurrence of Little Crake at Hastings' dated 20th April 1859, says: 'A beautiful male specimen of the Little Crake was caught near this town on Friday, the 15th, and brought to me alive. It was discovered on the bank of a small stream near the sea. I have set up the bird, and it is now in my collection.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 140, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

Accepted locally (Borrer 1891: 192; Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 333).

33). 1860 Surrey Bramley, shot, undated.

(Bucknill, 1900; Parr, 1972; Wheatley, 2007).

History Bucknill (1900: 274-275) says: 'There is also a specimen in the Charterhouse collection, which was shot by a gunsmith named Jefferies, of Guildford, on a Mr. Sheryer's farm at Bramley in 1860. Morris, who states that this bird is "said to have occurred at Godalming", is probably referring back to the 'Letters of Rusticus', (B. B. 2nd ed., Vol. V. p. 50).

I have been unable to find any further notes on the occurrence of this species in this county, so that its claims to be considered a Surrey bird are somewhat slender, though the meagre account is no doubt correct.'

Wheatley (2007: 250) says: 'It was in the Charterhouse Museum in 2001, and was shot by Jeffrey, the Guildford gunmaker.'

34). 1862 Sussex Pevensey Levels, caught alive, March.

(J. Dutton, Zoologist 1863: 8330; John Dutton, Zoologist 1864: 9100; Yarrell, 1871-85; T. Parkin, Zoologist 1895: 309; Borrer, 1891; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

History John Dutton of Eastbourne (1863) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXI. p. 8330, undated, says: 'A specimen of the Little Crake was caught in the Pevensey Marshes about March last. It is in the possession of a mechanic here, who showed it to me in the flesh.'

John Dutton of Eastbourne (1864) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXII. p. 9100, adds: 'One was caught alive at Gravitt's Pond in March, 1862. It is in my house at present, and belongs to a Mr. Bates.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 149, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

Accepted locally (Borrer 1891: 192; Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 333).

35). 1862 Yorkshire Aldwarke Bridge, near York, caught alive on a canal boat, 6th May.

(Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History Clarke & Roebuck (1881: 64) say: 'Aldwarke Bridge, above York, one flew into a coal-boat; now in the possession of Mr. Johnson, of Masham (Jno. Harrison, MS.).'

Nelson (1907 (2): 538-539) says: 'The fourth example was caught alive on a canal boat on 6th May 1862, at Aldwarke Bridge, near York; it formed part of the collection of Mr. Johnson of Masham, being afterwards acquired by the late J. C. Garth, of Knaresborough, in whose collection I have had an opportunity of inspecting it. At the dispersal of Mr. Garth's effects in December 1904, the specimen under notice was purchased by Mr. Riley Fortune of Harrogate.'

36). 1864 Cambridgeshire Chesterton Fen, male, caught alive, 26th March.

(S. P. Saville, Zoologist 1864: 9118-19; W. W. Boulton, Zoologist 1864: 9285-89; Lack, 1934; Bircham, 1989).

History S. P. Saville of King's Lynn (1864) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXII. p. 9118-19, dated 11th May, 1864, says: 'It is with much pleasure I embrace this opportunity of recording the occurrence of the Little Crake in Cambridgeshire, a male of this species having been taken alive on the 26th of March, by a labouring man in Chesterton Fen, about two miles north-east of Cambridge: it is said to have been seen frequenting this place some time prior to its capture: the man who caught it states that he kept it alive for a few days, and that its actions were most graceful.

I will now describe its exact measurements, &c., which I took a few hours after its death. From tip of tail to tip of beak the extreme length was 8¼ inches, and from tip to tip of extended wings 12½ inches. Irides brick-red, with a slight tinge of orange-yellow. Mandibles cuneated. Beak of a beautiful soft dark apple-green, slightly yellowish near the tip; extreme tip greenish horn-colour. Claws lightish horn-colour; under portions of feet of a dirty slaty hue.

Owing to its having been kept in confinement for a day or two after its capture, the bird was in very poor condition. Heart particularly elongated and slender; testes large and prominent; stomach quite round and compressed, the internal cavity large and quite destitute of food, containing only some small particles of flint gravel, such as is found in fenny water. I have presented its sternum to the Oxford Museum: the bird itself is now in the possession of Mr. W. C. Horsfall.

The previously recorded instances of the occurrence of the Little Crake in Britain are as follows: - The first specimen occurred in Yorkshire, on the banks of the Yore, on the 6th of May, 1807; a second, in the same year, at Adwick [sic], near Manchester; the third, near Ashburton, Devon, in 1809; the fourth was killed in Norfolk in May, 1912; the fifth, near Chelsea, also in 1812; and in March, 1826, a female specimen was caught at Barnwell, near Cambridge.

I cannot refrain from mentioning the singularly interesting fact that the first example and the last in this county occurred in the same month and at or near the same place, the boundaries of Barnwell and Chesterton joining at the piece of fenny ground in which these captures occurred, and both specimens were caught, not shot. The nidification of this species commences at the end of May.

Meyer says the Little Crake has a very great peculiarity that being solely to itself, - that is, its curiosity. If a person carefully approaches the spot where a bird is known to be, it may be seen to come to the edge of the swamp and utter its piping call-note, as it were in astonishment at what it sees.'

W. W. Boulton (1864) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XXII. pp. 9285-89, describes in great detail the sternum of this individual.

Accepted locally (Lack 1934; Bircham 1989).

Comment No mention of red at the base of the bill, or body colouration. Yarrell (1845 (3): 105) states the whole length to be about seven inches. It is unsure whether each party is including the length of the bill or not. Spotted Crake measures about nine inches.

37). 1866 Dorset Christchurch, Hampshire, obtained, 22nd October, now at Chilcomb House, Winchester.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1869: 1511; A. P. Morres, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 21: 242-243; Kelsall & Munn, 1905; Clark, 2022).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Darlington (1869) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. I. p. 1510, under 'List of the Rarer Birds obtained by Mr. Hart in the vicinity of Christchurch, Hants'., says: 'Little Crake - 22nd October 1866, Christchurch. Not in Mr. Wise's list.' Further, on p. 1512, he summarises 'Mr. E. Hart or his father (the late Mr. W. Hart) had all the above named birds in the flesh.'

A. P. Morres (1884) in the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, Vol. XXI. pp. 242-243, under 'Little, or Olivaceous Crake', says: 'One of these birds was killed in the same place as that of the last-named species Baillon's Crake], between Christchurch and Winkton, in the year 1866, and is also in Hart's museum. He has also other notices of these Crakes, he tells me, but not on the Avon side of the district, but on that of the Stour. This and the latter species are both of much the same diminutive size, though this, perhaps, exceeds the other by about half-an-inch in measurement; but the chief difference in the plumage would seem to be, that, while in Baillon's variety the back and wings are spotted with white, in the "Little, or Olivaceous Crake", there is very little white in the back, and none on the wing - while the under parts of the latter bird are lighter in tint than the other.

It is said to be rarer than Baillon's, and also to be very susceptible of cold, only having occurred in our island from May to August; while Baillon's bird has been procured at all seasons of the year.

Meyer says, in his account of this bird, "The present species has a very great peculiarity, that belongs solely to itself, namely its curiosity; if a person who is acquainted with the habits of this bird very carefully approaches the spot where an individual is known to be, it may be seen to come to an edge of the swamp and utter its piping call-note, as it were, in astonishment at what it sees".'

Kelsall & Munn (1905: 271) say: 'Mr. Hart has specimens in his collection at Christchurch, obtained on October 22nd, 1866.'

38). 1867 Norfolk Bure Marshes, seen, 25th October.

(Stevenson, 1870; Patterson, 1905; Allard, 1990).

History Stevenson (1870 (2): 399) says: 'Mr. J. E. Harting also informs me that on the 25th of October, 1867, he flushed a Little Crake on a marsh adjoining the river Bure, about five miles from Yarmouth, but having just discharged both barrels at a snipe, was unable to secure it. The bird rose so close to him that he could mark the absence of white on the upper parts of the plumage, and from this and its small size felt pretty sure as to the species. It dropped down amongst some thick reeds, and eluded all attempts to make it rise again. With the exception of the Bradestone bird recorded by Hunt, which, was possibly a Baillon's Crake, I see no reason, on the authorities I have quoted, to doubt the authenticity of any of the above occurrences.'

39). 1869 Sussex Pevensey, female, caught alive, 14th April, now at Booth Museum, Brighton (BoMNH 204905).

(Borrer, 1891; Booth, 1901; James, 1996).

History Borrer (1891: 191-192) says: 'Two specimens have come into my possession. The second was obtained in the following remarkable manner: - "Two men, one only having a gun, were hunting for Moorhens, on the 14th of April 1869, in some reedy brick-pits near Eastbourne, with a spaniel. The man without the gun staying behind, the dog routed out a Little Crake, which flew towards him. He threw his "wide-awake" hat at it, whereon the bird followed it down and ran into it, and he took it alive. I soon after purchased it of Mr. Bates, the Naturalist, of Eastbourne It is recorded in Yarrell's B. B. (Vol. III. p. 149).'

Booth (1901: 216, 3rd ed.) says: 'This very rare bird was hunted out by a dog from the reeds in a brickpit near Eastbourne, Sussex, and flew towards a man who threw his wideawake hat at it, under which it ran and was taken alive, on 14th April, 1869, and sold to Mr. W. Borrer the next day.'

Accepted locally by Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 333) who adds: 'Since 1901 it has been in the Booth Museum, Brighton', and by James (1996) who adds: 'It is still at the Booth Museum, Brighton (BoMNH 204905).'

40). 1873 Essex Witham, shot, 8th August.

(Glegg, 1929; Essex Naturalist 23: 24; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984).

History Glegg (1929: 275), placing the record in square brackets, says: '...A bird catalogued as a Little Crake, taken at Witham on 8th August 1873, was sold at Stevens's on 19th January, 1910.' However, all later county writers have admitted the record stating that Glegg had found the specimen in 1929 (Essex Naturalist 23: 24), so, presumably his use of square brackets was in error.

41). 1876 Devon Braunton Burrows, adult male, shot, 4th February.

(G. F. Mathew, Zoologist 1876: 4844-45; D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; Moore, 1969).

History Gervase F. Mathew (1876) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. XI. pp. 4844-45, under 'Baillon's Crake at Braunton Burrows', undated, says: 'I shot a fine specimen of this pretty little crake by the side of one of the numerous pools on Braunton Burrows, on February 4th. When first observed, it was feeding out in the open; but as soon as it caught sight of me it scuttled off as fast it could to the shelter of the thick rushes which surrounded the pool; as at first, half run, half flew, I fired and winged it; and it was only searching each clump of rushes carefully with my hands that I succeeded in finding it, as it had crept into one of the thickest tufts, where it had crouched down and was completely hidden.

I have on former occasions caught glimpses of a small crake both on the burrows and marshes, but have never been able to secure one, as they were invariably close to shelter, and immediately on being seen ran off swiftly and hid themselves; and would never afterwards be flushed. I have no doubt it is not an uncommon species; but, as account of its retiring habits, seldom seen.'

D'Urban & Mathew (1892: 278) under 'Baillon's Crake', say: 'There is no properly authenticated occurrence of this Crake in Devon. All that have yet been recorded proved to belong to the next species. We have never handled a Devonshire specimen of Baillon's Crake. The one recorded by us as having been shot on the Braunton Burrows on February 4th, 1876, proved to be an adult male Little Crake. These minute Crakes are almost impossible to flush, and rather than take wing will run and conceal themselves in any convenient rat-hole, until the danger threatening them has passed.'

Further, pp. 279-280, under 'Little Crake', they add: 'Subsequently we ourselves almost trod on a Little Crake one day by the side of a rushy ditch on the Braunton Burrows, at the end of January; the bird, surprised by our sudden approach, rose on wing and flew down the ditch just above the water while we were waiting for it to get a sufficient distance away to shoot without destroying it as a specimen, but it disappointed us by dropping all at once and running into a hole, whence we were unable to procure it.

Some time afterwards, when Snipe-shooting near the same spot with Mr. G. F. Mathew, we saw him shoot the adult male Little Crake mentioned in our account of the preceding species, as it ran across a patch of grass from one clump of rushes to the other. This was a very perfect specimen, which is still in our collection.'

Accepted locally (Moore 1969).

42). 1876 Sussex Hastings, adult female, killed, c. 16th April.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1876: 5126; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1876: 5167; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

History J. H. Gurney, jun. (1876) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. XI. p. 5126, writing from Antwerp, says: 'When at Hastings last week I bought a Little Crake for my collection. It was brought in to be preserved on or about the 16th of April. It was very stale, and had the appearance of not being shot; probably the verdict was "found dead". One other Hastings Little Crake (recorded in The Zoologist some years since) was, if I remember right, caught by a cat.

The bird obtained this year is in the brown plumage, with much white on the throat, and the bars on the flanks indistinct. It is a very large specimen; this may be partly in the stuffing, but I think the Little Crake is a decidedly larger bird than Baillon's.'

J. H. Gurney, jun. (1876) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. XI. p. 5167, adds: 'In writing of the Little Crake in your last number (Zool., s.s. 5126) I omitted to state, not having The Zoologist by me, that it was obtained the same day but one of the same month as our other Hastings specimens, which was picked up - not by a cat, but by a boy - on the 17th of April, seventeen years ago (Zool. 6537). In spite of this singular coincidence, two birds could hardly differ more in plumage, the example of 1859 being a type of the blue phase of colour, while that of 1876 is, as already stated, in the brown phase.'

[The latter was no doubt the younger bird; the change in plumage in this species being analogous to that which is observable in the Common Moorhen. - Ed.]

Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 334).

Comment Adult female by description.

43). c. 1878 Cornwall St Dominick, near Callington, adult female, caught by a cat, c. 19th March.

(J. Gatcombe, Zoologist 1878: 214; J. Clark, Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall 15: 213; Penhallurick, 1969).

History Harting, Editor (1880: 136-137) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'Until quite recently no specimen of this rare Crake had been met with in Cornwall, repeated inquiries during the last forty years having failed to elicit any notice of its occurrence in the county.

In March 1878, however, Mr. Gatcombe of Plymouth wrote me word that he had just examined a specimen of this bird, which had been killed by a cat at St. Dominick, and shortly afterwards he published the following note of the occurrence in The Zoologist, 1878, p. 214. "On March 21st I had the pleasure of examining, in the shop of a birdstuffer at Stonehouse, a specimen of the Little Crake, Crex pusilla, which had been captured a few days previously by a cat at St. Dominick, Cornwall. The person to whom it belonged stated that it was brought into the house by his cat, and seeing the bird was a stranger - being well acquainted with the Corncrake and Water Rail - he took it away from the animal, and brought it to Stonehouse to have it preserved and learn its proper name.

This, however, the birdstuffer could not exactly tell him, never having seen a specimen of the kind before; but happening to call in just at the time, I was able to decide the question. "This example is fully as large, if not larger, than Crex bailloni and the few measurements I took of it are as follows: - Bill, from point to forehead, above ¾ of an inch; wing, from carpal joint to end of longest quill, 4 inches full; the first quill equal to the sixth; tarsus, 1⅜ inches; middle toe, with claw, 1⅝ inches. The extreme length of the bird could not well be taken, as the tail had been pulled out. Colour: - bill, greenish yellow; base of upper mandible, darker; legs, green; top of the head, dark olive brown; back of neck, lighter; centre of back, black, the edges and tips of many of the feathers being marked with stripes rather than spots of white; scapulars and wing coverts, plain olive brown; chin and throat, dull white; breast and sides, olivaceous buff, without a shade of slate grey; vent and under tail coverts, dusky brown, slightly barred and spotted with dull white.

Although at least three examples of Crex bailloni have been obtained in Cornwall, this is the first recorded instance of the capture of Crex pusilla in that county".'

J. Clark (1902) in the Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall, Vol. XV. p. 213, under 'The Birds of Cornwall', says: 'A single specimen recorded for the county, captured by a cat at St Dominic, in March 1878.'

44). 1880 Norfolk Near Hickling Broad, female, shot, 25th October.

(H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1882: 374; H. Stevenson, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 3: 410; T. E. Gunn, Zoologist 1885: 55; Riviere, 1930).

History Henry Stevenson (1879-84) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. III. p. 410, and The Zoologist (1882) 3rd series, Vol. V. p. 374, says: 'October. Mr. B. C. Silcock informs me that, in the second week of this month, he received a bird of this species which had been shot in the marshes adjoining Hickling Broad.'

T. E. Gunn of Norwich (1885) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. IX. p. 55, says: 'A bird of this species which I exhibited at a meeting of the Norwich Science Gossip Group on January 5th, 1881, was shot on the marshes near Hickling Broad on October 25th, 1880; it is the bird referred to by Mr. Stevenson (Zool., 1882, p. 374), and was forwarded to me by Mr. Randall Johnson, who afterwards presented it to Mr. B. C. Silcock, of Stalham.

It is a rare British species, though probably occurring more frequently than is generally supposed, owing to its minute size, stealthy habits, and power of secreting itself amongst the tall grass and sedges of our extensive marshes and broads.

On dissection I ascertained it to be a female. The gizzard was somewhat small and muscular; it contained the remains of minute insects, including the elytra of some small beetles and an entire minute fly, a few small seeds, particles of grit, and small stones. Total length from tip of bill to end of tail, 8 in.; bill, ¾ in.; wing from carpal joint to tip, 3⅞ in.; from tip to tip of fully extended wings, 11¾ in.; tail, two and three sixteenths inches; tibia, 1¾ in.; tarsus, one and three sixteenths inches; middle toe and claw, one and eleven sixteenths inches; weight 1¾ oz.'

Comment A female can be told from a male by sight, so, presumably an immature female.

45). 1885 Dorset Burton Meadows, Christchurch, Hampshire, caught, 18th May, now at Chilcomb House, Winchester.

(E. Hart, Field 24th Oct., 1885: 607; Kelsall & Munn, 1905; Clark, 2022).

History Edward Hart of Christchurch (1885) in The Field of 24th Oct., Vol. LXVI. p. 607, says: 'The following list of uncommon birds collected during the present year, will, I think, interest some of your readers: May 18, Little Crake, caught by a navvy in Barton Meadows, Christchurch.'

Kelsall & Munn (1905: 271) say: 'Mr. Hart has specimens in his collection at Christchurch, obtained on May 18th, 1885.'

46). 1886 Cumbria Brick Kiln Lane, near Ulverston, caught by a dog, 19th April, now at Tullie House Museum, Carlisle.

(Ulverston News 24th April, 1886; Macpherson, 1892; Saunders, 1892; Oakes, 1953; Hutcheson, 1986).

History Macpherson (1892: 342-343) says: 'In the spring of 1886, a specimen was obtained by Mr. Woodburn of Ulverston. Mr. Woodburn then possessed a black retriever bitch, which had a very soft mouth, and was an adept at capturing Moorhens and other water birds.

On the 19th of April 1886 Mr. Woodburn visited the clay-pits at Brick Kiln Lane, near Ulverston. These pits, long disused, cover some few acres, and are full of water, sedges, and rushes, studded with a few hawthorn bushes. The spot commands a pretty view of Conishead Priory, the towers of which appear above the tops of the trees. It is quite near the sea, and would be very likely to catch the eye of a bird migrating at some considerable height. The retriever which accompanied Woodburn ranged the marsh as on many previous occasions, but, to her master's surprise, she caught a Little Crake and brought it to him whole and injured. Not knowing what it was, he killed it, and carried it for identification to Kirkby, the birdstuffer, who identified it by reference to books, and spoke of its excessive rarity.

A notice of it appeared in the Ulverston News of April 24, 1886: "On Monday last [April 19] a good specimen of the Little Crake, was caught by a dog in one of the clay-pits at Brick Kiln Lane, near Ulverston". My attention was drawn to this example by the vigilance of Mr. W. Duckworth, who kindly introduced me to Mr. Woodburn and his mother. From them we learnt the foregoing particulars of the very beautiful Little Crake of which they are so justly proud, the bird being in bright spring plumage and excellently stuffed. They also showed us a specimen of Baillon's Crake, obtained at the same clay-pits in May 1886, about a month after the Little Crake had been secured.'

Accepted locally by Howard Saunders (1892: 201, 2nd ed.) in the revised edition of Mitchell's Birds of Lancashire.

Oakes (1953: 351) adds: 'It was later purchased by C. F. Archibald who presented it to Carlisle [Tullie House] Museum.'

47). 1892 Yorkshire Green Hammerton, caught, 17th October.

(B. Duncombe, Field 28th Jan., 1893: 102; Lilford, Field 28th Jan., 1893: 140; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History Beatrice Duncombe (1893) in The Field of 28th Jan., Vol. LXXXI. p. 102, says: 'A specimen of the Porzana parva was captured near Green Hammerton on Oct. 17, 1892. It proved to be an adult male, and was in excellent plumage. It lived for a week in a cage, and ate readily flies, spiders, and small worms. It would be interesting to know of any other specimens of this bird being seen or captured in this part of England?' [It is very desirable that the identification of this species should be confirmed, as confusion with Baillon's Crake is frequent. - Ed.]

Lord Lilford of Oundle (1893) in The Field of 28th Jan., Vol. LXXXI. p. 140, dated 21st January, says: 'With reference to your editorial note at the foot of Mrs. A. Duncombe's communication on this subject, in your issue of this day, I beg to inform you that the lady just named was kind enough, at the request of a friend, to send the bird in question for my inspection a short time ago. It is a very fine specimen of the Little Crake (Porzana parva, Scopoli).'

Accepted locally (Nelson 1907 (2): 539; Mather 1986).

48). 1892 Cornwall No locality, obtained, 25th October.

(Clark, 1906; Penhallurick, 1969).

History Clark (1906 (1): 342) in the Victoria County History of Cornwall, says: 'A casual visitor that has been obtained at least twice in the county: once by a cat at St. Dominick, in March, 1878, and once by G. Harrison, 25 October, 1892.'

Accepted locally (Penhallurick 1969).

Comment Did Clark not know of this record or did he leave it because it wasn't fully authenticated?

49). 1894 Sussex Worthing, killed, 22nd October.

(Walpole-Bond, 1938).

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 334) says: 'A Little Crake was killed...near Worthing in 1894 on October 22nd (H. Wells, in litt.).'

50). c. 1894 Ceredigion Ynyslas, picked up dead under wires, undated.

(H. E. Forrest, British Birds 21: 99; Ingram, Morrey Salmon & Condry, 1966; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).

History H. E. Forrest (1927) in British Birds, Vol. XXI. p. 99, says: 'In my Vertebrate Fauna of North Wales there are many references to birds in the collection of the late Dr. W. E. E. Kershaw of Aberdovey. In May, 1927, I re-examined the collection to see if there were any species therein which had been overlooked. I noticed a specimen of the Little Crake (Porzana parva). On enquiry, I ascertained from Mrs. Kershaw that the bird was picked up on the railway at Ynyslas, on the Cardiganshire shore of the Dovey Estuary, by Mr. Hilton Kershaw. It was quite fresh, and had probably met its death by flying against the telegraph wires. The date, so far as she could remember, was 1894. This is an addition to the Fauna of North Wales.'

Accepted nationally for Wales (Lovegrove, Williams & Williams 1994) and locally (Ingram, Morrey Salmon & Condry 1966).

51). 1898 Shropshire Petton Park, near Shrewsbury, shot, November.

(H. E. Forrest, Zoologist 1900: 280; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 129; Rutter, Gribble & Pemberyon, 1964; Smith et al., 2019).

History H. E. Forrest of Shrewsbury (1900) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IV. p. 280, says: 'A specimen of this rare bird (Porzana parva) was shot in November, 1898, by Mr. Tatton at Petton Park, seven miles north of Shrewsbury. It was lately recognised by my friend Mr. W. H. Hodges. Subsequently Mr. Tatton lent me the specimen, and I exhibited it at a meeting of the Caradoc Club. Mr. Howard Saunders has also seen it, and confirmed the identification. The occurrence is especially interesting since no authentic records are known, I believe, for any of the western counties north of Somerset.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 129, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

52). 1901 Bedfordshire Longholme, caught by a dog, 2nd May.

(Steele-Elliott, 1904; Trodd & Kramer, 1991).

History Steele-Elliott (1904 (1) : 128) in the Victoria County History of Bedfordshire, says: 'The only instance which has come under my notice was one caught by a dog at Longholm, close to the town of Bedford, on 2 May 1901.'

Accepted locally (Trodd & Kramer 1991).

53). 1909 Ayrshire Girvan Harbour, caught exhausted on a boat, 29th March.

(J. Aird, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1909: 185; Eds., British Birds 3: 132; E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul, Annals of Scottish Natural History 1910: 136; Witherby, 1920-24; Paton & Pike, 1929; McWilliam, 1936; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Thom, 1986).

History James Aird of Girvan (1909) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XVIII. p. 185, says: 'On the 29th of March a fisherman saw a bird moving about in his boat, which was lying in Girvan Harbour. On stepping into the boat he found that the bird could not fly, being in an exhausted condition, and he picked it up and brought it to me. I gave it water, slugs, chopped worms, and scraped beef, and left it for a few hours. On my return I found it had fed freely, principally on scraped beef, and was quite lively. On examining it carefully, with the aid of a friend interested in natural history, we came to the conclusion that it was a Little Crake (Porzana parva), an identification which was afterwards confirmed by Mr. Charles Kirk, taxidermist, Glasgow.'

In an Editorial (1909) in British Birds, Vol. III. p. 132, he says: 'On March 29th, 1909, an example of Porzana parva was caught in a fishing boat lying in Girvan Harbour, Ayrshire (James Aird, Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist., 1909, p. 185). We believe this species has only once before been taken in Scotland.'

Admitted by E. V. Baxter & L. J. Rintoul (1910) in the Annals of Scottish Natural History, Vol. XIX. p. 136', under the 'Report on Scottish Ornithology, 1909'.

Richmond Paton & Pike (1929) add: 'It is now in the possession of Gib Graham, chemist, of Girvan, where we had the opportunity of examining it.' McWilliam (1936) adds that it was exhibited to the Glasgow Natural History Society, and is preserved at Girvan.

54). 1910 Lincolnshire Spanby, near Threekingham, female, killed by a dog, undated, now at Lincoln Museum.

(R. K. Cornwallis & A. E. Smith, Transactions of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union 14: 65; Atkin & Townsend, 1970; Lorand & Atkin, 1989).

History R. K. Cornwallis & A. E. Smith (1956) in the Transactions of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union, Vol. XIV. p. 65, says: 'Major W. J. R. Cragg has kindly presented to the City & County Museum a female that was caught by his grand-father’s dog at Spanby near Threekingham in 1910. There are no previous authentic records but the species may now be admitted to the Lincolnshire list.'

Atkin & Townsend (1970) under 'Additions to the Lincolnshire List', say: 'A female caught by a dog at Spanby near Threekingham in 1910.' Lorand & Atkin (1989) state that it is now at Lincoln Museum.

55). 1911 Argyll Near Loch Scamadale, caught, 29th September.

(H. Schwann, Field 7th Oct., 1911: 825; Eds., Scottish Naturalist 32: 20; Witherby, 1920-24; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Thom, 1986).

History Humphrey Schwann of Bragleenbeg, Kilninver, Oban (1911) in The Field of 7th Oct., Vol. CXVIII. p. 825, says: 'It may be interesting to some of your readers to know that a Little Crake was seen on Sept. 29 and was shot. I was looking for snipe in a swamp at the head of Loch Scamadale, and unexpectedly flushed it. Noticing that it was an unusual bird, I followed it up, when my retriever found it in a clump of rushes and brought it to me unhurt. On examination I found its plumage, size, colour of bill and legs, corresponded to the male of the Little Crake (Crex parva). When I had finished my examination of it, I allowed it to fly away, and I think unharmed by the unusual treatment to which it had been subjected.'

[The forebearance of our correspondent, in identifying a rare bird without killing it, is worthy of praise, and his example may be commended to others. - Ed.]

In an Editorial (1912) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. XXXII. p. 20, it says: 'A Little Crake was seen near Loch Scamadale, Argyll, on 29th September 1911. The bird was caught and examined (The Field, 7th October 1911, p. 185).'

56). 1913 Sussex Eastbourne, caught, 3rd March, now at Eastbourne Museum.

(Walpole-Bond, 1938).

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 334) says: '1913, March 3rd. - A veritable Little Crake - at first mistaken for a small rodent - was captured in the Fisherman's Institute on the beach at Eastbourne, the museum of which borough it now helps to beautify ("Private Notes").'

57). 1940 Cumbria Shawkfoot Quarries, Dalston, seen, 3rd November.

(R. H. Brown, British Birds 37: 35; Hutcheson, 1986).

History R. H. Brown (1943) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVII. p. 35, says: 'On 3rd November 1940 a small crake was disturbed from some rough grass bordering a small pool tangled over with branches and brambles in Shawkfoot Quarries, Dalston. The crake took refuge amongst the branches only to be disturbed by a stoat whereupon it climbed to the top of the branches and sat there in full view of me, at about ten yards distance, for five minutes or longer. The following particulars regarding its plumage were noted as it sat in bright sunlight. A short green bill; upper plumage olive-brown, mantle with black stripes, throat and breast and belly bluish-slate in colour, under tail-coverts tipped with white, legs green.'

Comment Presumably seen without optics or he would have seen the red at the base of the bill.

58). 1946 Yorkshire Spurn, adult male, seen, 28th December.

(R. Chislett, Naturalist 72: 82; Chislett, 1952; Mather, 1986).

History Ralph Chislett (1947) in The Naturalist, Vol. LXXII. p. 82, under 'Annual Yorkshire Report for 1946', says: 'Little Crake. On December 28th at Spurn G. H. Ainsworth and J. H. Barrett had views at five yards range of a small rail-like bird with chestnut-brown wing-coverts and dark centres of feathers; flanks, throat, chest and sides of neck were uniform slate-grey, legs apparently grey, short green bill except near the base. The only note heard they describe as a sudden, Siskin-like "zel". The bird skulked in a rusty barbed-wire dump, with body horizontal and head out. The absence of white streaks on wing-coverts and of barring on the flanks point to this species and against the possibility of the bird being a Baillon's Crake.'

Accepted locally (Chislett 1952; Mather 1986).

Comment Identification is of an adult male.

59). 1949 Ceredigion Between New Quay and Aberaeron, seen, 1st January.

(W. K. Richmond, British Birds 42: 399; Ingram, Morrey Salmon & Condry, 1966; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994).

History W. Kenneth Richmond (1949) in British Birds, Vol. XLII. p. 399, says: 'On January 1st, 1949, I saw what I am certain was a Little Crake (Porzana parva) on the coast of Cardiganshire mid-way between New Quay and Aberayron. At the side of a swampy patch a small brown bird hopped into the air almost at my feet. Apparently it had been feeding in the flooded ditch. It flew a few yards in rather weakly fashion and got down among some blackthorn scrub where I lost it. At a first glimpse my impression was that it was an undersized Water-Rail (Rallus aquaticus), but it was too small for that and as it turned its head I saw the short bill with its red-spotted base. There were some smoky white markings (rather indistinct) on the mantle but none on the wing-coverts. On this last point I am absolutely certain as the bird rose vertically for two or three feet directly in front of me. It was quite silent. I should say that I have passed this precise spot many times in recent years without seeing or hearing anything unusual. Perhaps it is worth recording that New Year's Day was exceptionally stormy and that a full gale had been blowing overnight.'

Accepted nationally for Wales (Lovegrove, Williams & Williams 1994) and locally (Ingram, Morrey Salmon & Condry 1966).

1950-57 RECORDS

60). 1951 Gloucestershire New Grounds, Slimbridge, 22nd to 29th April, later found dead, now at Natural History Museum, London.

(H. H. Davies, Proceedings of the Bristol Naturalists' Society 28: 261-262; Eds., British Birds 46: 227; Swaine, 1982).

History H. H. Davies (1951) in the Proceedings of the Bristol Naturalists' Society, Vol. XXVIII. pp. 261-262, says: 'One New Grounds decoy pool, Apr. 22-29. The bird, usually to be seen feeding at the water's edge, was finally found dead in one of the pipes, and is now in the skin collection, British Museum (Nat. Hist.); first authentic record for the district (H.J.B., H.H.D., P.S. et al.).' It was accepted locally (Swaine 1982).

61). 1953 Hertfordshire Oughtonhead Common, Hitchin, adult male, 23rd January to 19th March.

(A. R. Jenkins, British Birds 46: 452-453; Sage, 1959; Gladwin & Sage, 1986).

History A. R. Jenkins (1953) in British Birds, Vol. XLVI. pp. 452-453, says: 'On January 22nd, 1953, while walking along the river at Oughton Head Common, near Hitchin, Hertfordshire, Mr. E. Sharpe noticed a small bird which was strange to him, running over the floating vegetation which bordered the river on one side. The next day, in company with Mr. J. A. McRitchie, he saw the bird again in almost the same spot, and as it flew away it revealed a dark brown back and wings, streaked black. It was noticeably much smaller than a Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus), which was present for comparison, and was about the size of a Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). On rising, it uttered a very faint single note, repeated two or three times, resembling that of a Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), but much softer. The writer was able to confirm these details early on the morning of February 1st.

During the next few weeks this extremely skulking bird was seen by various observers frequenting small ditches with little water and masses of cover, or sluggish streams with floating vegetation, and under these conditions it was quite impossible to watch the bird for any length of time. Nevertheless, as the weeks went by fresh details were collected and the bird was identified beyond doubt as an adult male Little Crake (Porzana parva); the slate grey breast and under-parts, the barred black and white under tail-coverts and the green legs were all seen, arid J.A.McR. was very lucky indeed to notice the very slightly barred flanks, and red at the base of the bill. The precise colour of the remaining part of the bill was not determined. In size, the bill was short compared with that of the Water Rail.

The bird was last seen on March 19th, after having been observed on no less than twenty-seven occasions. There is possibly one other occurrence of this species in Hertfordshire and the writer is grateful to Mr. B. Sage for drawing his attention to it. In the Trans. Herts. Nat. Hist. Soc., Vol. V. p. 79, it is stated on the authority of the Hon. W. Rothschild that a Little Crake was shot at Tring on January 5th, 1887.

Hartert and Jourdain, however (Birds of Buckinghamshire and Tring Reservoirs, p. 248), considered that this record was doubtful as the specimen could not then (1920) be traced.'

Accepted locally (Sage 1959; Gladwin & Sage 1986).

NOT PROVEN

0). 1812 Norfolk No locality, adult male, obtained, May.

(Montagu, 1813; Latham, 1821-28; Fleming, 1828; E. Moore, Transactions of the Plymouth Institution 1830: 332; Yarrell, 1845; S. P. Saville, Zoologist 1864: 9119; Harting, 1866; Stevenson, 1870; Yarrell, 1871-85).

[Dye, Fiszer & Allard, 2009].

History Montagu (1813) under 'Appendix' then 'Olivaceous Gallinule', says: 'We have to record, with pleasure, a new species of Waterhen, which was fortunately rescued from the spit, and consequently from oblivion, by the hand of Science.

Mr. Foljambe discovered it in a poulterer's shop, early in the month of May, 1812, together with some other valuable birds, which had recently been received from the fens in Norfolk.

The bird now occupies a place in the excellent museum of that gentleman, who has kindly permitted us to take an engraving of it from an admirable drawing executed by Mr. Sydenham Edwards, with which we were favoured, accompanied with an accurate description, originally taken from the bird when it was recently killed.

The weight was not noted; but the length is seven inches and a half; breadth ten and a half. The bill is nearly three-quarters of an inch long, of a greenish yellow colour, the base red; irides and orbits bright red, inclining to orange; cheeks and forehead dusky cinereous; sides of the neck and throat pale cinereous; breast, belly and thighs plain dark cinereous or slate-colour, like the Water Rail, without spots or markings of any kind; the back of the head deep olive-brown; hind neck lighter, being of a yellowish olive; the feathers of the back have a mixture of olive-brown and dusky black, the margins being mostly of the former colour, with paler edges; scapulars dusky black, with broad olive margins; coverts of the wings olive-brown; quills dusky, the outer webs edged with olive; rump and upper coverts of the tail very dark olive-brown, with a mixture of dusky black; the feathers of the tail are of a deep dusky brown, the shafts paler and the lateral ones margined with olive-yellow; vent and under coverts of the tail dusky cinereous, some of the feathers deeply margined with sullied white; sides behind the thighs olive, margined as the last; the legs, toes, and knees olive. The tail when examined by Mr. Foljambe had only ten feathers; but this must be considered as accidental, as we believe all the species of this genus have invariably twelve feathers in that part when perfect. It is rather rounded at the end, the exterior feathers being half an inch shorter than the middle ones. When this bird was first examined it was suspected to be the Sora Gallinule (Gallinula carolina).'

Latham (1824 (9): 402) says: 'We first met with it in the collection of Mr. Foljambe, who found it, among others, in a poulterer's shop, in the month of May, 1812.'

Fleming (1828: 99) says: 'G. Foljambei. Olivaceous Gallinule. This species was recorded by Montagu, in his Supplement, with the above trivial name, given in honour of Mr. Foljambe, who detected it in a poulterer's shop, to which it had been brought from Norfolk, in May 1812. Temminck, seven years after, named it, in honour of M. Baillon, G. baillonii, (Orn., II. 692).'

Edward Moore of Plymouth (1830) in the Transactions of the Plymouth Institution, Vol. I. p. 332, says: 'It was first described by Montagu, from a specimen in the collection of Mr. Foljambe.'

Yarrell (1845 (3): 102, 2nd ed.) says: 'The next specimen, recorded by Montagu is Mr. Foljambe's bird, obtained in the shop of a London poulterer, in May, 1812; this is also figured and described in the Appendix to his Supplement, and is considered to be an old male. This example was received from Norfolk.'

Newman (1866: 108-109) in Montagu's British Birds records a full description of this specimen. 'It is now in his excellent museum and he has kindly permitted us to take a engraving of it from an admirable drawing executed by Mr. Sydenham Edwards, with which we were favoured, accompanied with an accurate description, originally taken from the bird when it was recently killed.'

Stevenson (1870 (2): 396) adds: '...received from the fens of Norfolk.'

Admitted as the second British record by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 148-149, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

Comment It would be unsafe to attribute this record as obtained in any British county. Locally, as a first for Norfolk it was considered "a little sketchy to be seriously considered as the first authentic Norfolk record" (Dye, Fiszer & Allard 2009).

0). 1828 Norfolk Near Great Yarmouth, shot, May.

(J. D. Hoy, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 2: 404).

[Riviere, 1930].

History J. D. Hoy (1874-79) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. II. p. 404, in a letter to P. J. Selby dated 23rd June 1828, says: 'A specimen of the Gallinula minuta, of Montagu was shot near Yarmouth last May.'

Not acceped locally (Riviere 1930).

Comment Much confusion over Hoy's records of this species. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1829 Norfolk Scottow, shot, undated.

(Hunt, 1829; Stevenson, 1870).

[Dye, Fiszer & Allard, 2009].

History Stevenson (1870 (2): 397) says: 'Mr. Hunt, in his "List" of Norfolk Birds, published in Stacy's history of the county, in 1829, has also the following entries with reference to our smallest species of rails:- Little Gallinule - Captain Custance, of Catton, has a specimen of this recently discovered species [referring probably to Montagu] in his possession, shot by Mr. Girling in the neighbourhood of Scottow. Unfortunately the more ambitious work by the same author on "British Ornithology", of which portions were published in 1815 and 1822, was never completed, but amongst the plates, to which the letterpress is wanting, I find coloured representations of Rallus minutus and Rallus foljambii, which, in all probability, were drawn from either this specimen or the Bradestone specimen.

The first of these unquestionably represents an immature Little Crake, but the latter, from the distribution of the white spots over the back and wings, is far more characteristic of Baillon's Crake in adult plumage.'

Dye, Fiszer & Allard (2009) state the first authentic Norfolk record to be from Buckenham Ferry in August 1827.

Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not acceptable.

0). 1837 Lancashire & North Merseyside North Meols, undated.

(P. Rylands, Wood's Naturalist 1837: 355; Saunders, 1892).

[Oakes, 1953].

History P. Rylands (1838) in Wood's Naturalist, Vol. II. p. 355, under 'Catalogue of Birds found in Lancashire', says: 'Little Crake - North Meols, and near Manchester.'

Howard Saunders (1892: 201, 2nd ed.) in the revised edition of Mitchell's Birds of Lancashire, says: 'North Meols (Naturalist 1837, P. Rylands).' However, Oakes (1953) p. 351, states it has not been substantiated.

0). 1841 Leicestershire & Rutland Leicester, shot, January.

(M. Browne, Zoologist 1886: 237; Browne, 1889; Hickling, 1978).

[Fray et al., 2009].

History Montagu Browne (1886) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. X. p. 237, says: 'Harley states that one was shot near the town of Leicester in January, 1841, and was afterwards eaten.' Three years later, Browne (1889: 144) still admits it.

Fray et al. (2009) state '...this is perhaps one of the most tenuous species on the county list, given the rather scant evidence provided.'

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.

0). 1841 Greater London Littleton, Middlesex, egg collected, June.

(Meyer, 1848).

[Self, 2014].

History Meyer (1848 (5): 128) says: 'The egg figured 210 is that of the Olivaceous Crake, from a specimen in our collection, taken in June, 1841, at Littleton, in Middlesex.'

Comment Not known in the general literature of the day; and it would be useful to have seen the bird at least. Not accepted locally for the Greater London area (Self 2014).

0). 1850s Isles of Scilly No locality, killed, undated.

(J. Clark & F. R. Rodd, Zoologist 1906: 306; Penhallurick, 1969).

[Harting, 1880].

History J. Clark & F. R. Rodd (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 306, under 'The Birds of Scilly', say: 'The only record of the Lesser Crake is in Rodd's 1863 notes, where he mentions that Pechell had killed one on the islands which had been seen by him. As this bird is not referred to in the Abbey game-book, which goes back to 1856, and is not mentioned in the list for the year 1849 when Pechell first visited the islands, it was in all probability killed in the early fifties.'

Harting, Editor (1880: 301) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, under 'List of the Birds Observed on the Scilly Islands', publishes no record of a Little Crake.

Comment Rodd and Harting didn't accept this record by 1880; very little is known about it. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1858 Somerset Near Bridgwater, adult male, shot, undated.

(M. A. Mathew, Zoologist 1881: 309; M. A. Mathew, Zoologist 1888: 219; M. A. Mathew, Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society 39: 126; Somerset Ornithological Society, 1988; Ballance, 2006).

[KAN].

History Murray A. Mathew of Stonehall, Wolf's Castle, R.S.O., Pembrokeshire (1881) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. V. p. 309, says: 'Mr. H. Mathias, of Haverfordwest, has a small collection of Somersetshire birds which he purchased some few years ago at the sale of Mr. Spalding [sic], of Chilton Poldon, near Bridgwater, who was a collector of local antiquities and rare birds. Among these last were a...Little Crake, all obtained near Bridgwater.'

Murray A. Mathew (1888) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XII. p. 219, says: 'Mr. Straddling's [sic] collection contained an adult male, which was obtained near Bridgwater.'

M. A. Mathew (1893) in the Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society, Vol. XXXIX. p. 126, says: 'There was a specimen of the Little Crake that had been obtained near Bridgwater, in Mr. Stradling's collection.'

Ballance (2006: 148) says: 'Shot prior to 1858, presumably in the Avalon Marshes.'

Comment Could possibly refer to the 1824 Somerset record. Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not acceptable.

0). 1860 Lancashire & North Merseyside Drinkwater Park, obtained, undated.

(Saunders, 1892).

[Oakes, 1953].

History Howard Saunders (1892: 201, 2nd ed.) in the revised edition of Mitchell's Birds of Lancashire, says: 'Has been shot on the pond at Drinkwater Park, 1860 (John Plant, MS.).'

Oakes (1953: 351) states that it has not been substantiated.

0). 1863 Greater London Chalk Hill House, Middlesex, undated.

(Glegg, 1935).

[Glegg, 1935].

History Glegg (1935: 183) says: 'W. H. Smith records that one was obtained or seen at the bottom of Chalk Hill House since 1863, but this record is too indefinite to accept.'

0). 1864 Lancashire & North Merseyside Bradshaw Fold, killed, undated.

(Saunders, 1892).

[Oakes, 1953].

History Howard Saunders (1892: 201, 2nd ed.) in the revised edition of Mitchell's Birds of Lancashire, says: 'One killed at Bradshaw Fold, 1864 (B. Davenport MS.).'

Oakes (1953: 351) states that it has not been substantiated.

0). 1869 Lincolnshire Great Cotes, seen, 9th October.

(J. Cordeaux, Zoologist 1869: 1977; Lorand & Atkin, 1989).

[Smith & Cornwallis, 1955].

History J. Cordeaux of Great Cotes (1869) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IV. p. 1977, says: 'October 9. I am certain I saw this rarity in a patch of reeds near the "beck" this afternoon: I was so close to the bird that I could not have shot without blowing it to atoms. My dog chased it into the reeds, where I only just missed capturing it by hand.'

Smith & Cornwallis (1955: 76) say: 'None identified for certainty and this one seen by Cordeaux had no supporting evidence of identification.'

0). Pre 1871 Norfolk Great Yarmouth, obtained, undated.

(Watson, 2010).

[KAN].

History Watson (2010) in detailing the W. R. Lysaght collection in the Birmingham Museum lists this specimen from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, obtained prior to 1871, adding that it was sold on 23rd August 1871 as from the collection of Mr. Henry Doubleday of Epping, Essex, and this was verified by a note made by Mr. H. Stevenson, 6th December 1879: "This Bird was purchased at Mr. Henry Doubleday's Sale at Epping (Lot 49) by Mr. J. H. Gurney, who was told by Mr. Doubleday that he had it in the flesh from Yarmouth many years back". It was then sold on 8th July 1890 from the collection of J. H. Gurney, sen., of Keswick Hall, Norwich.

Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record as it could be any one of the previous records that had occurred near Great Yarmouth. Not acceptable.

0). 1875 Lancashire & North Merseyside Formby Point, shot, undated.

(Wrigley, 1892; Hardy, 1941).

[Oakes, 1953].

History Hardy (1941: 245) says: 'Only old records from...Formby, 1875 (Wrigley).'

Oakes (1953: 351) states that it has not been substantiated.

0). Pre 1876 Oxfordshire Cropredy, shot, undated.

(Banbury Guardian; Aplin, 1889).

[Davies, 1962].

History Aplin (1889: 138) says: 'Mr. C. M. Prior was informed that a specimen was shot at Cropredy (Banbury Guardian).' Davies (1962: 22) placing the record in square brackets, says: 'One was supposed to have been shot at Cropredy before 1876.'

). c. 1876 Gloucestershire Near Deerhurst, undated.

(Mellersh, 1902).

[Swaine, 1982].

History Mellersh (1902) says: 'One from Sev. near Deerhurst about 1876: J. T. White.' Not accepted locally by Swaine (1982) who adds: 'One is said to have been obtained near Deerhurst about 1876.'

Comment The White's have been found to be untrustworthy (A. G. Knox, British Birds 94: 66).

0). 1876 Norfolk Hickling, obtained, 3rd November, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1954Z1.334).

(Watson, 2010).

[KAN].

History Watson (2010) in detailing the W. R. Lysaght collection in the Birmingham Museum lists this specimen from Hickling, Norfolk, obtained on 3rd November 1876, adding that it was from the collection of Mr. B. C. Silcock.

Comment There appears to be confusion and/or coincidence with the 1880 Norfolk record of 25th October also obtained at Hickling and also in the collection of B. C. Silcock. Not acceptable.

0). 1879 Norfolk No locality, male, obtained, November, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1954Z1.332).

(Watson, 2010).

[KAN].

History Watson (2010) in detailing the W. R. Lysaght collection in the Birmingham Museum lists this male specimen from Norfolk (no locality given) as obtained in November 1879, but without further detail.

Comment Could possibly be any one of the previous specimens from Norfolk. No supporting details. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1880 Dorset Alderholt, near Fordingbridge, two, shot, undated.

(Mansel-Pleydell, 1888; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 207; Boys, 1973; Prendergast & Boys, 1983).

[KAN].

History Mansel-Pleydell (1888: 72, 2nd ed.) says: 'Two specimens of the Little Crake were shot in the neighbourhood of Alderholt Park (G. Churchill), and, so far as I am aware, this is the only instance known of its occurrence in this county.'

Admitted locally by F. L. Blathwayt (1934) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LV. p. 207, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset'.

Comment Two together (?) would be most unusual. Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not acceptable.

0). 1881 Cornwall Morvah, male, obtained, undated, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1924Z18.4149).

(Watson, 2010).

[KAN].

History Watson (2010) in detailing the R. W. Chase collection in the Birmingham Museum lists this specimen, but without any further details.

Comment No supporting details. Not known by (Clark, 1906 (VCH). Not acceptable.

0). c. 1884 Essex Paglesham, shot, October.

(Christy, 1890).

[Glegg, 1929].

History Christy (1890: 234) says: 'Mr. J. F. T. Wiseman of Paglesham has a specimen shot on a marsh upon one of his farms in that parish, by Mr. Lucas of Billericay, when Snipe-shooting in the month of October four or five years ago.'

Glegg (1929: 275) placing the record in square brackets, says: 'Mr. Christy includes this species on the strength of a specimen said to have been shot at Paglesham, and in the collection of Mr. J. F. T. Wiseman. The evidence of identification is incomplete. A bird catalogued as a Little Crake, taken at Witham on 8th August 1873, was sold at Stevens' on 19th January, 1910.'

0). Pre 1887 Cleveland/Co. Durham Cowpen Marsh, obtained, undated.

(Lofthouse, 1887).

[Bowey & Newsome, 2012].

History Bowey & Newsome (2012) under 'Unconfirmed and Unacceptable Records', state that Lofthouse (1887) in his The River Tees: its marshes and their fauna said one was obtained in "the Cowpen Marsh area" some time prior to 1887.

Subsequent authors of the Birds of Durham make no mention of it, but Stead (1964) stated there was a specimen in the Middlesborough Museum, but from where nobody knows.

0). 1887 Hertfordshire Tring, shot, 5th January.

(A. F. Crossman, Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society 5: 79; A. F. Crossman, Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society and Field Club 10: 98; A. F. Crossman, 1902; Sage, 1959).

[E. Hartert & F. C. R. Jourdain, Novitat. Zool., 27: 171-259; A. R. Jenkins, British Birds 46: 453].

History A. F. Crossman (1901) in the Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society and Field Club, Vol. X. p. 98, says: 'A bird of this species is said to have been obtained at one of the Tring Reservoirs on 5th January, 1887.'

A. F. Crossman (1902) in the Victoria County History of Hertfordshire, Vol. I. p. 212, says 'On the authority of the Hon. Walter Rothschild I include this species in the list. A specimen is said to have been obtained at one of the Tring Reservoirs on January 5th, 1887.'

Comment Could not be traced in 1920. "A specimen is said" implies no faith in the record. Not accepted locally.

0). Pre 1888 Avon Grosvenor Pond, shot, undated.

(Terry, 1888).

[KAN].

History C. Terry (1888) under 'Aves' in the Zoology chapter in the Handbook to Bath, p. 255, says: 'Crex pusilla. - Little Crake, shot at Grosvenor Pond.'

Comment Lacks a precise date and supporting details for a scientific record. Not acceptable.

0). c. 1889 Hampshire West Liss, near Petersfield, obtained, undated.

(Kelsall & Munn, 1905).

[Clark & Eyre, 1993].

History Kelsall & Munn (1905: 271) say: 'Mr. J. G. Millais informed Kelsall in 1889, he had a specimen obtained at West Liss, near Petersfield.' However, locally Clark & Eyre (1993) only accept one record and that was for 1959.

0). Pre 1891 Devon Hunsden, killed, undated.

(Pidsley, 1891).

[Moore, 1969].

History Pidsley (1891: 121) says: 'The Rev. C. J. Bulteel informs me that a third specimen of the Little Crake was killed at Hunsden by his father, the late Rev. Courtenay Bulteel.' Not mentioned in Moore (1969: 111) so presumed unacceptable.

Comment Third-hand report. Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not acceptable.

0). 1891 Cheshire & Wirral/Staffordshire Bosley Cloud, adult, picked up dead under wires, 3rd October.

(H. S. Claye, Field 17th Oct., 1891: 582).

[Not in Hedley Bell, 1962; Not in Harrison & Harrison, 2005].

History H. S. Claye of Macclesfield (1891) in The Field of 17th Oct., Vol. LXXVIII. p. 582, says: 'As I am informed that the Little Crake is seldom found in Cheshire, I thought it might be of interest to chronicle its appearance. On Oct. 3 I picked up a mature bird of this species beneath the telephone wires running under Bosley Cloud, a well-known landmark on the borders of Cheshire and Staffordshire. The bird was quite fresh, and had evidently been killed during the previous night. I should be glad to know whether this is the usual time of their migration. I may say that the bird was in such excellent plumage and condition, that I have sent it to be preserved.'

Comment Not accepted locally for Cheshire & Wirral (Hedley Bell 1962) or Staffordshire (Harrison & Harrison, 2005). Probably overlooked.

0). Pre 1894 Sussex Lancing, killed, undated.

(Walpole-Bond, 1938).

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

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 334) says: 'A Little Crake was killed...One at Lancing prior to 1894 (H. Wells, in litt.).'

Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.

0). 1895 Sussex Whatlington, caught by a dog, 30th June.

(T. Parkin, Zoologist 1895: 309-310; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

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

History Thomas Parkin of Hastings (1895) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIX. pp. 309-310, says: 'A Little Crake, Porzana parva (Scopoli), was caught near Battle by a dog on the 30th June last. The bird was brought to Messrs. Bristow, taxidermists, of St Leonards, for preservation, and was by them submitted to me for identification; it had, when killed, the red band at the base of the mandibles, one of the distinctive marks of difference between it and Baillon's Crake. Mr. Dresser, in his Birds of Europe, has recorded three examples of Sussex-killed specimens: one said to have been observed near Hastings, in April, 1859; one at Seaford, in March, 1848; and another near Pevensey in March, 1862.'

Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 334).

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1895 Dorset Haywood Bridge, Shillingstone, seen, undated.

(N. M. Richardson, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History Society and Antiquarian Field Club 17: 199).

[F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 55: 207].

History Nelson M. Richardson, Editor (1896) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History Society and Antiquarian Field Club, Vol. XVII. p. 199, says: 'A specimen of the Olivaceous Gallinule of Bewick, seen at Haywood Bridge, near Shillingstone (D.C.).'

F. L. Blathwayt (1934) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LV. p. 207, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset', says: 'The record of one "seen" near Shillingstone, 1895, must be considered doubtful.'

Comment D. Curme of Childe Okeford, near Blandford. No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.

0). 1904 Sussex Pevensey, adult male, 7th May, now at the Booth Museum, Brighton.

(E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 1: 304, 305; N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 3: 294-295; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

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

History E. N. Bloomfield (1911) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. I. pp. 304, 305, says: 'Dr. N. F. Ticehurst has sent me a long and very interesting list of rare birds which have occurred in our own and neighbouring districts, to which I have added a few others lately presented to the Museum by Mr. W. H. Mullens. In Sussex - Porzana parva, Scop., Little Crake, adult male, Pevensey, May 7th, 1904.'

N. F. Ticehurst (1910) in British Birds, Vol. III. pp. 294-295, says: 'The authorities in charge of the Booth Museum at Brighton have recently issued, under the. editorship of Mr. A. F . Griffith, a supplement to the third edition of the Catalogue of the collection. This consists of a description of a few of Booth's birds that were not included in that edition, together with a considerable list of additions made to the collection during the last fifteen years. Chief among these are the Borrer and Monk collections purchased in 1901 and 1905 respectively, and the collection of the late Bishop Wilberforce presented by his son in 1903. These three collections are all rich in local Sussex birds, and contain many of the rare and unique specimens recorded in Borrer's Birds of Sussex. Several of these specimens had already been mentioned in the third edition of the Catalogue, but others do not appear to have been elsewhere recorded, and so were not included in the serial paper of "Additions" published in Vols. I. and II. of our Magazine. The most important appear to be as follows: - Little Crake (Porzana parva). An adult male, caught by a dog at Pevensey, Sussex, on May 7th, 1904 (cf. Vol. II. p. 129).'

Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 334).

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1904 Sussex Near Rye, caught, June.

(H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 129; Ticehurst, 1909; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

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

History Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 129, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who say: 'One was caught near Rye in June, 1904 (N.F.T.).'

Ticehurst (1909) : 396) says: 'A specimen of the Little Crake (Porzana parva) has been obtained as near the Kent border as Rye, where one, which I have seen, was caught by a dog in June, 1904.'

Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 334).

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1904 Sussex Winchelsea, female, caught, 15th August, now at Spalding Museum, Lincolnshire.

(M. J. Rogers, Sussex Bird Report 1980: 70).

[M. J. Rogers, Sussex Bird Report 1980: 70].

History M. J. Rogers (1980) in the Sussex Bird Report, Vol. XXXIII. p. 70, says: 'This record, previously unpublished came to light through E. J. Redshaw, the Curator of Spalding Museum, Lincolnshire, who states that this specimen is labelled as coming from the Welstead Collection having been purchased by A. K. Maples of Spalding at Stevens' Salesrooms on 11th October, 1929 as Lot 224 and was originally bought by J. B. Nichols from George Bristow. It is a female, and was claimed to have been caught by a dog on 15th August, 1904, at Winchelsea. The specimen is now a mount in Spalding Museum.'

Comment George Bristow, taxidermist, was heavily involved in the "Hastings Rarities" fraud. Not acceptable.

0). 1909 Kent Sandhurst, male, obtained, 6th September, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1962Z10.564).

(Watson, 2010).

[KAN].

History Watson (2010) in detailing the J. L. Auden collection in the Birmingham Museum lists a male specimen obtained at Sandhurst, Kent, on 6th September 1909, adding that it was bought from Sir V. H. Crewe's sale.

Comment Crewe's specimens have been questioned before over their provenance and this record has come to light 100 years after the event leaving it open to doubt. Not acceptable.

0). 1910 Surrey Haslemere, seen, 17th September.

(Shaw, 1921).

[Parr, 1972; Wheatley, 2007].

History Parr (1972) states that W. A. Shaw in his 'A List of the Birds of the Haslemere District' (1921) in Science Paper No. 7, saw one on one of the ponds on a common (probably Haslemere) on 17th September 1910. But there is no supporting evidence.

0). 1913 Sussex St Leonards-on-Sea, two: female, caught, 19th July; male, shot, 25th July, both now at National Museums of Scotland (NMS.Z.1913.198.5).

(H. W. Ford-Lindsay, British Birds 7: 120; E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 2: 99; J. M. Collinson & R. Y. McGowan, British Birds 104: 543).

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

History H. W. Ford-Lindsay (1913) in British Birds, Vol. VII. p. 120, says: 'On July 19th, 1913, a specimen of the Little Crake (Porzana parva) was caught by a dog at Bopeep, St. Leonards, and was seen by me in the flesh on the 20th, when it proved to be a female. A second example, a male, was shot in the old brickfield, at St. Leonards, on July 25th. Probably these birds were a pair.' Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 335).

J. M. Collinson & R. Y. McGowan (2011) in British Birds, Vol. CIV. p. 543, in a Letter, under 'Hastings Rarities in the Royal Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh', state that the following species were sold to the museum during 1913 and 1914 by George Bristow, the taxidermist of St Leonard's, who was at the heart of the fraud known as the 'Hastings Rarities', just before Witherby challenged him in 1916 over the amount of rarities recorded in the area. A male Little Crake from Brickfields, St Leonards on 25th July 1913 and a female from the same site on 19th July 1913 (Acc. No. 1913.198.5).

Comment Hastings rarities. Not acceptable.

0). 1918 Sussex Near Rye, caught, 2nd June.

(W. H. Andrews, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 3: 3; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

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

History Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 335) says: '1918, June 2nd. - An undoubted parva succumbed to a dog near Rye (W. H. Andrews, H.E.S.N., III. p. 3).'

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1921 Sussex Pevensey Levels, male, obtained, 1st June.

(W. R. Butterfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 3: 215; Walpole-Bond, 1938; des Forges & Harber, 1963).

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

History W. Ruskin Butterfield (1922) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 215, says: 'A male was shot in Pevensey Marsh on June 1st (G. Bristow).'

Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 335). des Forges & Harber (1963) quoted the date erroneously as 1st June 1931.

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1932 Devon Near Woodbury Common, caught, 21st March.

(F. C. Butters, E. W. Hendy, H. G. Hurrell & J. H. Comyns, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1932: 218).

[Moore, 1969].

History F. C. Butters, E. W. Hendy, H. G. Hurrell & J. H. Comyns (1932) Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report Vol. 4. p. 218, says: 'Edge of Woodbury Common. One caught in a garden, thoroughly examined and released March 21. Full details of plumage given me. W.W.W.'

Moore (1969) states the following 20th century records are not all adequately authenticated: The first relates to a bird that was caught in a garden on the edge of Woodbury Common on 21st March 1932. It was described in detail by W. Walmesley White in the Devon Bird Report for that year.

0). 1939 Devon Otter Estuary, 14th January.

(Moore, 1969).

[Moore, 1969].

History Moore (1969) states the following 20th century records are not all adequately authenticated: One that W. Walmesley White saw and described in detail in 1932 in Devon and another that he also recorded on the Otter Estuary on 14th January 1939 (in litt.).'

0). 1952 Devon Lundy, adult male, 12th to 14th September.

(P. E. Davis, British Birds 46: 437; P. E. Davis, Lundy Field Society Report 1952: 16; Moore, 1969).

[I. Farrell, R. Hibbert & P. Reay, Devon Bird Report 2001: 171; D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers, British Birds 99: 463].

History P. E. Davis (1953) in British Birds, Vol. XLVI. p. 437, says: 'The following are among the rarer species recorded on the island during the year: Little Crake (Porzana parva). An adult male in the Millcombe gardens, September 12th to 14th. First record for the island.'

P. E. Davis (1952) in the Lundy Field Society Report, p. 16, says: 'The bird of September 12th to 14th was seen only by Dudley Iles, who had previous experience of the species on the Continent. On the first day, he saw the bird's head above the bank of the shallow ditch in the walled gardens of Millcombe, and noted the short green bill. A moment later the bird was chased from the ditch by a Water Rail, which pursued it for some yards. The impression was of a very small rail rather similar in general coloration to a Water Rail, but without barring on the underparts. A better view was had on the 14th, when the crake was feeding beneath the apple trees. The lack of white markings on the upperparts ruled out Baillon's Crake, and left no doubt that it was an adult male Little Crake.'

I. Farrell, R. Hibbert & P. Reay (2001: 171) in the Devon Bird Report, under 'Deletions of Previously Accepted Records' state that a BBRC decision based on an erroneous statement that Baillon's Crake was excluded by lack of white markings on upperparts, and no real statement of colour of underparts but for lack of white barring.'

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.

0). 1952 Lothian Duddingston Loch, Edinburgh, 30th November to 1st December.

(D. R. Anderson, Edinburgh Bird Bulletin 3: 19).

[E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 67: 101; Scottish Birds 1: 406, 474].

History D. R. Anderson (1953) in the Edinburgh Bird Bulletin, Vol. III. p. 19, under 'Duddingston Loch, 24 October - 31 December 1952', says: 'The most interesting event of the season was the arrival of what was undoubtedly a Little Crake. Such an unusual visitor, I think, calls for a little detail. Shortly after daybreak on 30th November I entered the hide to have a look along the ditch where Water Rails and Common and Jack Snipe can frequently be seen, when I saw a small dark coloured bird feeding among the grass tufts at the side of the ditch. It looked similar in size to a Jack Snipe but when it crossed to the other side, giving me a good view in the open, I realised it was something I had never seen before. Its description was as follows: - Very dark in colour, short bill with red splash at base, walked in a crouching manner with legs bent and body close to the ground, tail short and level with head when walking. It crossed and recrossed the ditch several times during the half I had under observation. At daybreak the following day it was at the same place but in a few minutes it disappeared into the reeds and has not been seen since.'

E. V. Baxter (1955) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXVII. p. 101, under 'Review of Ornithological Changes in Scotland in 1953', place this record in square-brackets.

0). 1953 Northumberland Gosforth Park, 28th April and 30th April to 4th May.

(G. W. Temperley, Transactions of the Northumberland, Durham & Newcastle-upon-Tyne Natural History Society 11: 20).

[G. W. Temperley, Transactions of the Northumberland, Durham & Newcastle-upon-Tyne Natural History Society 11: 20].

History G. W. Temperley (1953) in the Transactions of the Northumberland, Durham & Newcastle-upon-Tyne Natural History Society, Vol. XI. p. 20, recording the record in square brackets, says: 'On April 28th at Gosforth Park, a very small crake was flushed near the N.W. corner of the lake, where a streamlet flows through swampy ground. It showed a dark chocolate-brown back and wings and no white markings on the upper parts. (R.I.D.). In the late evenings from April 30th to May 4th, and occasionally as late as June, a crake, whose call exactly corresponded with the Handbook's description of the "ordinary note" of the Little Crake, was heard calling in the reeds at the lake edge. (M.G.R., E.K., B.L., D.M.R.C.).'

[These reports are hardly sufficiently detailed to establish the identity of this small crake. The Little Crake has never been recorded in Northumberland]

0). 1953 Lincolnshire Gibraltar Point, 16th August.

(A. E. Smith, Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory and Field Research Station Report 1953: 14).

[A. E. Smith, Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory and Field Research Station Report 1953: 14].

History A. E. Smith (1953) in the Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory and Field Research Station Report, p. 13, recording the record in square brackets, says: 'A bird thought to be of this species was twice flushed in the trapping hollow in the early morning of 16th August. It was described as about the size of a Song Thrush or slightly smaller. In flight it appeared like a tiny Moorhen, short-winged with rapid wing-beats and trailing legs almost vertically beneath the body. From behind the upper wing surfaces and contour feathers of the back appeared a uniform dark chocolate brown. The legs seemed dark yellowish-green. When flushed a second time the bird gave a profile view and it was seen that the underparts were light buff in colour. The bill was short. Shortly afterwards a call unknown to the observer was heard from the area to which the bird had flown. It was described as a rather musical, flute-like ka-eek several times repeated.'

0). 1953 Oxfordshire Wallingford, two, 15th September.

(B. Campbell & W. D. Campbell, Report of the Oxfordshire Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire and Berkshire 1953: 23; Radford, 1966).

[Brucker, Gosler & Heryet, 1992].

History Radford (1966) says: 'W. D. Campbell saw two birds at close quarters on Wallingford Sewage-farm on the evening of 15th September 1953. "They were like miniature Moorhens in colour, form and flight. Definite dark-brown striations and pure white under-tail coverts were noted".'

Not accepted locally (Brucker, Gosler & Heryet 1992) who make no mention of any Little Crakes.

0). 1954 Northumberland Gosforth Park, 28th March and early April.

(G. W. Temperley, Transactions of the Northumberland, Durham & Newcastle-upon-Tyne Natural History Society 11: 108).

[G. W. Temperley, Transactions of the Northumberland, Durham & Newcastle-upon-Tyne Natural History Society11: 108].

History G. W. Temperley (1954) in the Transactions of the Northumberland, Durham & Newcastle-upon-Tyne Natural History Society, Vol. XI. p. 108, recording the record in square brackets, says: 'From April to June last year (1953) a small crake was heard calling and on one occasion flushed near Gosforth Park Lake. It was not possible to establish its identity with certainty, but it was thought to have been a Little Crake. In 1954 on March 28th and again in early April, the same call was heard again at the same place, but no bird was seen (B.L. & E.K.).'

0). 1954 Buckinghamshire Marlow Gravel-pits, 3rd June.

(Lack & Ferguson, 1993).

[Lack & Ferguson, 1993].

History Lack & Ferguson (1993) under 'Species no longer retained on the county list', say: 'No details are recorded of this record. Confusion with Water Rail may perhaps have arisen as the repertoire of that species was not fully described in the Peterson field guide or in The Handbook.'

0). 1955 Lancashire & North Merseyside Marton Mere, Blackpool, female or immature, 31st May.

(Spencer, 1973).

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

History Spencer (1973: 24) says: 'There was one, a female/immature, at Marton Mere, 31st May 1955.'

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.

0). 1955 Essex Hatfield Forest, 17th June.

(G. A. Pyman, Essex Bird Report 1955: 14).

[G. A. Pyman, Essex Bird Report 1955: 14].

History G. A. Pyman (1955) in the Essex Bird Report, p. 14, recording the record in square brackets, says: 'Hatfield Forest: on June 17th D.I.M.W. listened for c.20 minutes to a crake calling in the marsh. Subsequently, having listened to a series of crake recordings, he expressed complete satisfaction that the bird was a Little Crake, as he had suspected at the time. Whilst the observer has field experience of a number of European and African crakes, he had not previously heard either Little or Baillon's, and in view of the similarity between the voices of these two species and the fact that the bird was not seen, the Editors of British Birds. to whom details were submitted by D.I.M.W., consider that the record, whilst almost certainly that of a Little Crake, should be placed in square brackets.'

0). 1956 Northumberland Fenwick Pond, adult female, 29th to 30th September.

(Galloway & Meek, 1978-83; Kerr, 2001).

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

History Galloway & Meek (1978-83) say: 'An adult female at Fenwick on 29-30 September 1956 is the only confirmed record.' Accepted locally (Kerr 2001).

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

Little Crake

Porzana parva (Scopoli, 1769) (59, 2)

Baillon’s Crake

Baillon's/Little Crake