The Zoologist/4th series, vol 5 (1901)/Issue 721/Ornithological Notes from Surrey, Bucknill

by John Alexander Strachey Bucknill

 

ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM SURREY.

By John A. Bucknill, M.A.

 

Since the publication, in the summer of 1900, of 'The Birds of Surrey,' I have, as I felt sure would be the case, had my attention drawn to a considerable quantity of interesting matter which had either escaped my notice or had not been previously communicated to me. Several fresh correspondents have also favoured me with their personal observations. These accumulated notes have assumed such proportions that I have decided to publish them in the form of a connected paper.

The Editor of this Journal has kindly informed me of a small book, published in 1856, entitled 'A New Flora of the Neighbourhood of Reigate, Surrey,' by James Alexander Brewer, F.L.S. This publication, although dealing almost entirely with botanical observations, contains as an appendix an interesting list of local birds compiled by two gentlemen, Messrs. William H. Tugwell and Charles Andrews. As, however, it condescends to no detail of any sort whatever, but is merely a bare catalogue of names, and as it does not include any species new to my already published list, I do not intend to set it out or remark upon it at any great length. It enumerates one hundred and fifteen species, amongst which are to be found the following names:—Merlin, Kite, Buzzard (Common), Hen-Harrier, Shorteared Owl, Great Grey Shrike, Grasshopper Warbler, Wood-Wren, White Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Wood-Lark, Cirl Bunting, Brambling, Mealy Redpole, Crossbill, Chough, Raven, Hoopoe, Quail, Bittern, Bean Goose, Hooper, Pintail Duck, and Wigeon.

These are the chief names of interest; perhaps the most useful is that of the Kite, which in Surrey has scarcely any record.

The White Wagtail has attached to its name an asterisk, but no indication is given as to the meaning of it. Although the correct Latin name, M. alba, is given as well, it is curious to note that M. raii (the Yellow Wagtail) is not included in the list, especially as it has been recorded from the Reigate neighbourhood with some frequency by other observers. This somewhat inclines me to wonder if the species is really intended to be included as such.

The Chough is a curious addition to the list. It has been obtained on only five occasions in the county as far as I am aware, and it is perhaps more than probable that all these specimens were mere "escapes."

The Bean Goose and the Hooper are interesting species from a local point of view. The former has been recorded specifically from Surrey but once, though noticed in general terms by "A Son of the Marshes" in his local works; the latter, together with the Pintail, may have occurred on some such water in the Reigate district as Gatton Lake, from which a good many of the rarer ducks have been occasionally recorded. I do not think that any of the other species enumerated need any particular comment. Taken as a whole, the list may be regarded as interesting and valuable, although it is not now possible to test its accuracy, and it is a matter of much regret that details, at any rate of the rarer species enumerated, were not given.

It is obviously incomplete, and compared with the one hundred and ninety-five species recorded by "Rusticus" in 1849 from the Godalming district, is of quite second-rate importance. Perhaps the most striking omissions are the Ring-Ouzel, Yellow Wagtail, Dartford Warbler, and Long-eared Owl.

Another publication, which was brought to my notice in the pages of this Journal, is a work by Alfred Smee, F.R.S, entitled 'My Garden.' This is a large work—it was published in 1872—and deals very fully with all forms of life in the author's pleasure-grounds at Carshalton.

In an interesting chapter on birds, Mr. Smee records ninety-six visitors to his grounds, some of which are quite valuable. Mr. Smee mentions one occurrence of the Hooper on his lake during severe weather in winter, and in this connection it is worthy of note that this species was recorded from the Wandle near Carshalton in the winter of 1860–1 by Mr. S. Gurney (vide Zool. 1861, p. 7386). Mr. Smee also records from his lake the Wild Duck, Teal, Wigeon, and Tufted Duck, besides the female Smew from Wallington, recorded by Mr. A.H. Smee in the 'Zoologist,' 1871, p. 2487, and the Sclavonian Grebe, recorded by the same gentleman in the 'Zoologist,' 1870, p. 2106.

Amongst other of the more interesting species, Mr. Smee notices the Water-Rail, the Jack Snipe, the Common and the Green Sandpiper, the Quail, Hooded Crow, Magpie, Wood-Lark, Grey Wagtail, Grasshopper- Warbler, and the overhead passage of Geese, Whimbrels, and Curlews.

He also says:—"A bird supposed to be a Crane (Grus cinerea) appeared in the park every evening for fifteen or sixteen days in Feb. 1871, but it was never absolutely authenticated" (p. 530).

This is a pity, as it would have added another name to the county list. Mr. Smee also speaks of the Rock Dove, though only in a quasi-feral state. On the whole, this publication may be regarded as distinctly useful.

A recent publication, entitled 'Farnham and its Surroundings,' by Gordon Home (London, 1900), contains a chapter upon the Birds and Reptiles of the neighbourhood, compiled by Mr. Bryan Hook; but, although it is a good list of birds which is given, it is unnecessary for me to dwell upon it, as Mr. Hook favoured me with his personal notes in the preparation of my book. I think all the rarer species mentioned by him in this list have been referred to in my text.

I have also, through the kindness of my deeply lamented friend, Mr. Philip Crowley, of Waddon, had the opportunity of making a very close examination of his magnificent collection of eggs, which is very rich in "clutches" of rare Surrey birds, mostly taken in the 'sixties near Farnham, when Mr. Crowley was then at Alton. In those days there must have been a wealth of bird-life on those western moors of quite an astonishing character, as Mr. Crowley's cabinets show.

I have been very carefully through the Epsom College Natural History Club Reports, and have also been favoured with a copy of the Proceedings and Lists of the Wellington College Natural Science Society. Both these journals contain extremely useful information.

The following are the chief notes of importance which I have received since publication.

Ring-Ouzel (T. torquatus).—One seen, Reigate Hill, in the autumn of 1899 (C. E. Salmon, in lit.).

Dartford Warbler (S. undata).—Has been noticed near Bagshot prior to 1900 by Mr. F.B.P. Long (in lit.). Mr. Crowley told me that his collectors in the Churt district in the 'sixties sent him some sixty or seventy clutches (including two with Cuckoo), all taken in that district. After 1869 a very large forest fire destroyed the tract of furze-covered heath where the bird had been so common. A large number of birds were shot by collectors. Mr. Crowley's collection contained a splendid series of nests and eggs—some forty clutches; the remainder of those he received having been exchanged or given away.

I find also that Mr. J.D. Salmon in his egg collection (now in the possession of the Linnean Society) had a clutch taken in June, 1860, near Frensham, which were sent to him by Mr. James Lewcock (MS. catalogue). It is hardly a matter of wonder that this species has become so rare in Surrey in view of the wholesale destruction with which it appears to have been pursued about this period, but it is evident that it was then extremely abundant in that neighbourhood.

Mr. J.H. Gurney informs me that he considers it extinct on both Walton and Reigate heaths (in lit.).

Chough (P. graculus).—I am informed by Mr. H.B.P. Long that a bird of this species escaped from captivity at Windlesham about the same time as the specimen which I have recorded as being killed near Effingham in 1894 was shot. As the escaped bird had lost one leg owing to an accident whilst in captivity, and also had a malformed beak, there is no doubt that the Effingham specimen (which presented both these peculiarities) must be now regarded as a mere "escape."

Raven (C. corax).—Mr. Crowley had observed this bird at Churt, and had an egg from there in 1862. This egg he considered undoubtedly belonging to this species. In the summer of 1896 one was observed at Stoke-d'Abernon by the Rev. T.N. Hart-Smith, of Epsom.

Lesser Redpoll (A. rufescens).—A nest and eggs were taken on May 20th, 1894, near Epsom (Epsom College Reports).

Twite or Mountain Linnet (A. flavirostris).—Mr. Felton has shown me some eggs taken by himself on June 24th, 1894, at Weybridge. Although Mr. Felton did not indubitably identify the bird, the eggs are certainly indistinguishable from the Twite's. They will, however, have to be adjudicated upon by the British Ornithologists' Union before any definite statement can be made as to their authenticity.

Crossbill (L. curvirostra).—A large number near Reigate in the winter 1899-1900 (C. E. Salmon, in lit.). Doubtless nests sometimes in the Bagshot district, where it has been seen late in April (F.B.P. Long, in lit.); and it also no doubt nests at Witley (H. Eastwood, in lit.).

Cirl Bunting (E. cirlus).—Has twice nested in a garden at West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer (L.M. Forster, in lit.).

Wood-Lark (A. arborea)—Mr. Crowley had four clutches from Churt, taken in 1860. I have also a note of three nests near Epsom in quite recent years (Epsom College Reports).

Great Spotted Woodpecker (D. major).—Mr. Crowley had two clutches from Churt, taken in 1860 and 1863. I have notes of its occurrence at Bagshot, Fetcham, and Mitcham; and of two nests last spring—in the Hurtwood and near Leith Hill respectively.

Cuckoo (C. canorus).—To the list of hosts which I gave as having been noticed in Surrey, I am now able to add the Blackcap (Churt, 1860, e coll. Crowley; and Lingfield, 38th June, 1895, part of lot 198 of Stevens's 10,204th sale); Greenfinch (Churt, circa 1860, two clutches, e coll. Crowley); Red-backed Shrike (Churt, June, 1863, ib.); Dartford Warbler (Churt, circa 1860, ib.); Sedge-Warbler (Carshalton, A. Smee in 'My Garden').

All Mr. Crowley's clutches mentioned above—and most of his Surrey eggs—were taken by one Alfred Smither, of Churt, whom Mr. Crowley employed as a collector, together with two other men named Piercey and Copper. Smither was a well-known character, who also supplied the London professionals with birds, nests, and eggs from the same district.

Long-eared OwL (A. otus).—Mr. J.D. Salmon had a clutch of three eggs taken on Godalming heath on May 12th, 1840 (MS. catalogue). Mr. Crowley, several clutches from Churt, taken in the 'sixties; and I omitted to state in writing my account of this species that Mr. Howard Saunders, in his 'Manual of British Birds' (1st ed. p. 284, 2nd ed. p. 294), mentions that he knew of no less than eight broods in a long fir-plantation in Surrey being destroyed by an ignorant landowner. Mr. H.B.P. Long tells me he has often seen it in the Bagshot Woods (in lit.).

Bittern (B. stellaris).—Mr. Crowley had a fine male killed on Jan. 17th, 1891, at Beddington corner. This was a great year for this species in Surrey.

Shoveler (S. clypeata).—Mr. R.W. Webb tells me it has been seen on his pond at Milford House. This corroborates Mr. S.A. Davies's account. Mr. Webb also informs me that, as he never allows a gun to be fired on his lake, the Duck and Teal congregate there in large numbers in winter, and occasionally the rarer Ducks pay it a visit (in lit.). It is only about eight acres in extent.

Teal (Q. crecca).—I have notes of a nest last year in the county. It is unnecessary to give the locality. Mr. Crowley had many clutches from the Churt district.

Wigeon (M. penelope).—Seen, though rarely, on Milford House pond (R.W. Webb, in lit.).

Pochard (F.ferina).—The most common of the rarer Ducks on Milford House pond (R.W. Webb, in lit.).

Tufted Duck (F. cristata).—Often occurs on Milford House pond (G. Webb, in lit.).

Golden-eye (C. glaucion).—More than once seen on Milford House pond (R.W. Webb, in lit.). Mr. Bryan Hook has one from Frensham pond ('Farnham and its Surroundings,' p. 115).

Black Grouse (T. tetrix).—It nested prior to and in the 'sixties on the moors round Frensham. Mr. Crowley had three local clutches, all still in his possession up to the time of his death. One of six eggs taken by his collector Piercey in May, 1862, at Churt; a second of six taken by the same man in the same month in the same place in the following year; and a third of nine taken at Hindhead by Smither, of Churt, in May of 1866. These are all splendid clutches, in perfect condition, and, as far as I am aware, are the only Surrey eggs in existence.

I have a note of a pair of birds shot some time ago on Frimley Ridges, which are preserved at Frimley Manor House (Rev. W. Basset, in lit.).

Mr. R.W. Webb, of Milford House, Godalming, about the year 1875, obtained ten eggs from the Duke of Northumberland, and reared them all under a hen. They were all turned out on Witley Common, in order to improve the local stock, and the experiment undoubtedly did some good, but not for very long. The young birds would not answer the call of their foster-mother. The species, in Mr. Webb's opinion, is practically extinct now (1900) in the Witley district (in lit).

Water-Rail (R. aquaticus). Mr. Crowley had two clutches taken by Smither at Frensham in 1866 and 1867.

Moor-hen (G. chloropus).—Mr. Crowley had a light buff specimen from near Croydon.

Thick-knee (ŒE. scolopax).—Observed near Caterham last spring by the Editor of this journal (in lit).

Oystercatcher (H. ostralegus).—Mr. Bryan Hook has one from Frensham pond ('Farnham and its Surroundings,' p. 116).

Grey Phalarope (P. fulicarius).—Mr. Crowley had one picked up dead at Waddon in 1890.

Woodcock (S. rusticola).—Mr. F.B.P. Long informs me that it breeds regularly in the Bagshot woods; a few nests are found annually, and the young have been seen as early as April 1st. He has an egg taken some years ago in Bagshot Park (in lit.). Mr. J.D. Salmon had eggs from Godalming taken there in 1849 (MS. catalogue). Although not generally a good season for cock, fifteen were seen and nine bagged in one day not far from Chipstead in the early part of December, 1900.

Snipe (G. cœlestis).—Mr. Long tells me that Chobham Common was a great place for Snipe forty or fifty years ago, and a good many are still sometimes shot there (in lit.). Mr. Crowley had scores of clutches from near Frensham between 1862 and 1882, mostly in the 'sixties. There was a nest this spring quite close to the Frensham Pond hotel.

Dunlin (T. alpina).—Mr. Bryan Hook has a specimen from Frensham pond ('Farnham and its Surroundings,' p. 115).

Curlew (N. arquata).—In this Journal (1900, p. 382), a nest of the Curlew is stated to have been taken in the spring of 1896 on Chobham Common with some eggs, two of which were still in existence. As this was the only definite occurrence of the breeding of this species in the county, I have made the very closest enquiry into the record. The result has been very satisfactory. It turns out that the nest was found in 1897, not in 1896, and contained three eggs. Two of these remained in the possession of the finder, a young man named Tice, until noticed by Mr. S.H. Le Marchant, of Chobham Place, Woking. I was able to obtain the fullest description of the birds from young Mr. Tice, and to examine the two eggs, which were, through Mr. Le Marchant's kindness, lent to me for further consideration. The documents relating to their discovery, together with the two eggs, were submitted to Professor Alfred Newton, of Cambridge, and eventually exhibited by Mr. Howard Saunders and Mr. E. Bidwell at the British Ornithologists' Union, by which body the record has been definitely accepted.

Puffin (F. arctica).—One caught in the autumn of 1900 near Reigate (C. Reeves, in lit.).

Great Crested Grebe (P. cristatus)—Nested or attempted to nest in at least three of their old haunts last year (H. Russell, in lit., P. Crowley; 'Field,' April 21st, 1900).

Red-necked Grebe (P. griseigena).—The adult male which was picked up on Farthing Down in 1890 ('Birds of Surrey,' p. 346) was in "full breeding plumage," which makes the record much more interesting (J.H. Gurney, in lit.).

Storm-Petrel (P. pelagica).—Mr. Gordon Colman, of Nork Park, Banstead, has a specimen which killed itself by flying against some glass there five or six years ago.

 

Since writing the above, I have received a large number of most valuable notes, which I hope to publish shortly in a further paper in the 'Zoologist.'