The Zoologist/4th series, vol 6 (1902)/Issue 732/Ornithological Notes from Surrey

by John Alexander Strachey Bucknill

 

ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM SURREY.

By John A. Bucknill, M.A.

 

At the conclusion of my last contribution upon this subject to the pages of 'The Zoologist' (1901, pp. 247-254), I mentioned that I had received a large number of further valuable notes which I shortly hoped to publish; but, as they turned out to be of a most voluminous character, entailing a great amount of labour in their perusal and examination, I have, until now, been unable to present them in a connected or satisfactory form. The notes comprised the observations and the results of a very exhaustive research upon the Birds of Surrey, compiled by two gentlemen (Messrs. J.M. Mitchell and F. Styan), undertaken and begun about the year 1878, and continued for some years after that date, with the view of a subsequent publication in book form. Owing, however, to various causes arising from the necessities of business, and the permanent residence in China of the latter of these two gentlemen, their labours were never completed, and they have now, with great kindness, placed the whole of their notes at my complete disposal. When I add that these records fill the pages of some dozen or more large note-books; that the authors were well acquainted with some of the older county naturalists (Mr. W. Stafford, of Godalming, and Mr. Mansell, of Farnham, in particular); and that, besides having available to themselves sources to which, for reasons unavoidable (such as death or removal of informants), I had no access, they had left no stone unturned to discover and verify the many occurrences of the rarer visitors to the county which they had had brought to their notice in their work—it will be recognized at once that their contribution to a correct account of the avifauna of Surrey is of considerable importance. Two things strike one at once in perusing and classifying these notes: firstly, the number of records which ten years blot out from even the careful investigator; and, secondly, how very curiously my records, unearthed a decade later, are corroborated by their earlier notes, often obtained from entirely independent and different sources of information.

In addition to these notes, I have had a number of interesting observations sent to me from both old and new correspondents, and have had the opportunity of examining a small but choice collection belonging to Mr. Barnard Hankey, of Fetcham Park, and these notes I have embodied in the present paper.

I might also add that, during 1901, I contributed a concise list of Surrey Birds to Dent's County Guide to Surrey, and a local list to Gordon Home's little work on 'Epsom.'

It may further be of interest to note that the protection afforded to birds in Surrey has been considerably increased by the repeal of the order of the Secretary of State for the Home Department, dated the 7th of March, 1896, and the substitution of another order dated the 27th of November, 1900. The alteration in this order is the inclusion of the following provision:—

"Section 4.—From the 1st of September to the 31st of January (both days inclusive), the killing or taking of any wild bird on Sunday is prohibited throughout the County of Surrey, except in the parishes of Little Bookham, Buckland, Burstow, Chessington, Chobham, Cobham, Elstead, Farnham, Puttenham, Reigate, Stoke-next-Guildford, Wallington, and Walton-on-Thames."

This for obvious reasons is an excellent addition to protection, which might, however, have been extended to the whole of the county without the exception of any areas; but, at the same time, some few species might with advantage be deprived of the benefits of this clause, such as the House-Sparrow.

Through the kindness of Mr. Reginald Haines, of Uppingham, I have had the opportunity of looking through a number of letters on ornithology, written by that veteran naturalist, Mr. Waring Kidd, of Godalming, in the sixties. They contain much "Selborne-like" philosophy, but, as was only to be expected, the most interesting letter is not forthcoming. In a letter dated December, 1868, he writes:—"I must leave the account I could give you of our winter visitors for another opportunity; they are almost as interesting to me as the others. Also of the occasional visitors we have, our most rare birds; they are not many, but I am sure Mr. Inchbald would like to hear of them—such as the Eagles, Ospreys, Bitterns, Little Bittern—one of the latter only (an exceedingly rare instance)—Hoopoes, Bohemian Chatterer, Roller, Nutcracker, Rose-coloured Ouzel, Oriole, &c." This promised letter is, unfortunately, not to be found—a sad pity. Details of a local Roller would indeed be a welcome addition to the Surrey avifauna. The other letters, though interesting, do not, with one exception, merit specific mention or quotation. The following are the collected notes:—

 

Mistle-Thrush (Turdus viscivorus).—Mr. Dalgliesh noticed on more than one occasion, in the present winter at Milford, a partial albino of this species. The head, tail, and part of the wings were white.

Ring-Ouzel (T. torquatus).—A party of six were observed near Shalford in October, 1878; a single specimen was observed near Gomshall in the spring of 1879, and another was shot at Chilworth in October, 1880 (F. Styan and J. Mitchell).

Black Redstart (Ruticilla titys).—A Mr. Simmons, of Haslemere, owned a specimen, shot about 1830 near that place (F. Styan and J. Mitchell). In a letter dated the 13th of April, 1868, written by Mr. Waring Kidd to Mr. Haines, he says:—"I wonder if you have ever met with the Black Redstart—a winter visitor, although an insectivorous feeder; it is very strange it should arrive here in cold weather. Several of them have been found at Brighton. I have possessed three of them—one obtained at Brighton, one here (Godalming), and one at Harting. All met with in the winter season. The one here, I shot some years ago—thirty or more—in a hop-garden, shaking its tail horizontally, as they all do. It was on the topmost pole, and it puzzled me exceedingly, and being some time in November, and late in the month—too late for the Common Redstart—yet I thought it might be one, and had soiled itself seeking for warmth in some chimney: so I discarded it, which I afterwards regretted very much. It was a female," &c. (Letter of Mr. Waring Kidd, per Mr. R. Haines.)

Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata).—Mr. J.M. Mitchell observed a pair in a secluded corner of Wandsworth Common for about five weeks in October and November, 1881. It is interesting to note that this locality was the one in which the presence of this bird in Surrey was first recognized, namely, in 1783. Mr. S.H. le Marchant, of Woking, observed one on Chobham Common in the autumn of 1900 (in lit.).

Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus streperus).—Mr. F. Styan found it nesting near Stoke Lock, on the River Wey.

Grasshopper-Warbler (Locustella nævia).—Mr. F. Styan had notes of its nesting in 1880 at Tooting and Redhill.

Bearded Reedling (Panurus biarmicus).—Mr. G. Dalgliesh, of Milford, informs me that on Aug. 16th, 1894, he observed a party of five at Milford, near Goldalming, upon an alder tree. He is confident of their identity (in lit.). If correct, this is a most interesting record; but, although the species has undoubtedly occurred in the locality mentioned many years ago, the absence of any absolute proof of the authenticity of their identification upon this present occasion renders the record not completely satisfactory.

Golden Oriole (Oriolus galbula).—Mr. F. Yearley preserved a specimen—a female—shot on Ditton Marsh on June 23rd, 1853 (F. Styan and J. Mitchell).

Rose-coloured Starling (Pastor roseus).—Mr. Yearley, Sen., preserved a specimen shot at Thames Ditton in May, 1845 (F. Styan and J. Mitchell).

Magpie (Pica rustica).—Mr. E.W. Courage, of Thursley (one of Messrs. Styan and Mitchell's numerous correspondents), informed them, in 1880, that the species in former years was quite abundant near Thursley. Mr. Styan, who at that date regarded it as already rare in the Guildford district, found it then nesting at Haslemere; and on May 21st, 1882, Mr. J.M. Mitchell found a nest at Woking. Mr. W.L. Distant (the Editor of this Journal) has courteously informed me that a pair with their young were observed in the spring of 1900 near Upper Warlingham (in lit.). Mr. Garland, of Sidlow, states that it is sometimes seen near that place, where it still breeds (C.E. Salmon, in lit.).

Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix).—Has been noticed on Chobham Common (S.H. le Marchant, in lit.). One was shot in December, 1901, at Sidlow (C.E. Salmon, in lit.).

Woodchat Shrike (Lanius pomeranus).—A female was shot at Winterdown, Esher, on May 7th, 1853, and preserved by Mr. Yearley (F. Styan and J. Mitchell).

Waxwing (Ampelis garrulus).—A specimen was seen at Windlesham in 1886. It is mentioned in a book called 'The Forest of Windsor,' by G.C. Hughes (S.H. le Marchant, in lit.).

Hawfinch (Coccothraustes vulgaris).—Mr. F. Styan had notes of its nest from the Hogsback, Sutton Place near Guildford, and Haslemere—all in about 1880. It nests annually near Lingfield, and in 1894 there were three nests in one orchard (F.H. Birley, in lit.). Mr. Dalgliesh has recent specimens from Guildford (in lit.). In 1899 nests were taken on Thornton Heath and Streatham Common (Ward Adeney, in lit.). Notwithstanding the extensive building operations taking place in Epsom, the species still frequents some quiet gardens there.

Goldfinch (Carduelis elegans).—Mr. F.H. Birley considers it to be increasing near Lingfield (in lit.).

Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla).—Large numbers occurred near Windlesham in 1892 (a good year for this species in Surrey, J.A.B.), and near Chobham in 1900 (S.H. le Marchant, in lit.). Mr. J.M. Mitchell, in the spring of 1900 and 1901, saw a pair near Elstead, which he was inclined to believe were nesting, but the nest was not discovered (in lit.).

Lesser Redpoll (Linota rufescens).—On July 19th, 1887, Mr. F.H. Birley observed a pair feeding their young at Lingfield (in lit.).

Twite (L. flavirostris).—Mr. F. Yearley preserved a specimen shot on Dec. 10th, 1868, at West Molesey (F. Styan and J. Mitchell).

Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra).—Mr. F. Styan had notes of its occurrence in some numbers about 1880 near Guildford and Haslemere. Mr. F.H. Birley informs me that there were a great many at Lingfield in the winter of 1898–9, and that some few stayed till May (in lit.). Mr. Dalgliesh has a male from Guildford, taken this winter (in lit.).

Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus).—Mr. F. Styan knew of a nest and two eggs, taken on July 20th, 1873, in Gatton Park, which were recorded in the 'Proceedings' of the Croydon Natural History Society, 1879, p. 35; and of another nest and eggs, taken at Woodcote, near Croydon, on July 15th, 1878. Mr. F.H. Birley found a nest with eggs in a garden near Reigate Heath in 1887, and another, also with eggs, in the same place in 1890 (in lit.).

Grey Wagtail (Motacilla melanope).—Mr. S.H. le Marchant informs me that he has often observed this species in winter near Chobham (in lit.). In July, 1901, a pair were constantly observed feeding one young bird near Farnham; they were most carefully identified (C.H.T. Whitehead, in lit.).

Yellow Wagtail (M.raii).—Mr. S.H. le Marchant has found it nesting at Chobham (in lit.).

Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus major).—Mr. F. Styan found a nest with eggs in a large alder on the Wey, near Stoke Lock, in 1879. Mr. S.H. le Marchant often observes the species near Chobham (in lit.), and Mr. Dalgliesh has a male, shot this winter at Guildford (in lit.).

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (D. minor).—Mr. F. Styan knew of a nest at Egham in 1881. It was observed at Deepdene, Dorking, in December of 1899 by Mr. Harold Russell (in lit.). It also nests regularly at Chobham Place, where it may often be observed (S.H. le Marchant, in lit.). It has also nested recently (1901) at Sidlow (C.E. Salmon, in lit.).

Kingfisher (Alcedo ispida).—Mr. J.M. Mitchell took a nest and five eggs at Balham in June, 1879. Mr. F.H. Birley informs me that it nests annually on the upper part of the little stream which eventually forms the water-jump on Lingfield racecourse (in lit.). Mr. Dalgliesh considers that it is on the increase near Milford (in lit.).

Hoopoe (Upupa epops).—Mr. F. Yearley preserved four, shot in the neighbourhood of Claremont between the years 1850–60, one of which was killed at Claygate in July of 1859 (F. Styan and J. Mitchell). Two of the other three may well be identical with two specimens which I mention in the 'Birds of Surrey' (p. 165) as having been obtained on Barnes Common in 1854, and at Esher in 1855. The third appears to be a new record (J.A. Bucknill). In Mr. G.C. Hughes's 'Forest of Windsor' it is stated that one was seen at Sunningdale Station, just inside the Surrey boundary, but no date is given (S.H. le Marchant, in lit.). In the 'Field.'

Long-eared Owl (Asio otus).—Mr. F. Styan had the following notes on this species not hitherto recorded by me:—

1. A nest at Witley in 1863, from which a nestling was taken and reared (fide Bryan Hook).

2. A nest with five eggs, taken on Reigate Hill on March 28th, 1874 (fide J.B. Crosfield).

3. A partly fledged bird, captured near Boxhill on June 5th, 1876 (ib.).

4. A nest with eggs near Churt in 1881 (fide Bryan Hook).

5. Found nesting about 1882 at Thursley, where it occasionally bred (fide R.W. Courage).

Mr. S.H. le Marchant informs me that he observed a pair at Chobham about 1897, which were probably nesting (in lit.). Mr. G. Dalgliesh has a male, taken this winter at Farley Heath, near Albury (in lit.).

Hen-Harrier (Circus cyaneus).—A female was shot at Wisley in December, 1869, and preserved by Mr. F. Yearley; an immature female was shot on Jan. 20th, 1880, by a Mr. H. Bucknall, near Banstead, and was preserved; Mr. R.W. Courage had a male in his collection, shot near Thursley, and stated (in 1880) that it had been also known to occur there in spring (F. Styan and J. Mitchell).

Montagu's Harrier (C. cineraceus).— Mr. Stafford, of Godalming, informed Mr. F. Styan that the specimen in his (now the Charterhouse) collection was found dead (as mentioned in my 'Birds of Surrey,' p. 179) by the side of its nest on Royal Common. The nest contained four eggs. As this occurrence was so long ago as 1840, and as the species has been killed or observed more than once in the same spot, the story may well be true.

Common Buzzard (Buteo vulgaris).—Mr. Stafford gave 1851 as the date when the pair in the Charterhouse collection, "killed whilst nesting at Witley," referred to in my 'Birds of Surrey' (p. 181), were taken. He also stated that the birds had nested there three years in succession, and that the young had been taken and successfully reared by the master of Witley Workhouse. An idea, however, grew up that the birds did damage to chickens, and they were therefore shot. Mr. R.W. Courage, in 1880, informed Mr. F. Styan that the species had been known to occur near Thursley (F. Styan and J. Mitchell). In November of 1901 a specimen was trapped by Mr. Cosmo Bonsor's keeper at Kingswood Warren. It passed into the possession of Mr. H. Skilton, of Epsom, and was preserved by Mr. Anstiss, of London.

Rough-legged Buzzard (B. lagopus).—Mr. J.M. Mitchell saw in the flesh a very fine male of this species, which had been shot near Croydon in the late winter of 1879 (F. Styan and J. Mitchell).

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaëtus albicilla).—In November of 1876 Mr. H.S. Styan, whilst fishing on Virginia Water, saw two birds of this species wheeling round and over the surface of the lake. Mr. Keene, the local fisherman, who was with Mr. Styan at the time, informed him that in the first place, about the end of October, three of these birds had appeared in Windsor Park. One had been caught in a trap baited with fish, and presented to H.R.H. Prince Christian. Orders had been given to the keepers not to shoot or destroy the other two, but, if possible, to capture them alive; the attempts made to do so were, however, unsuccessful, and they remained in the district for some time. They were sometimes seen to attack the wildfowl on the lake (F. Styan and J. Mitchell).

Red Kite (Milvus ictinus).—Mr. F. Styan saw a female in Mr. W. Stafford's collection in 1880, which Mr. Stafford then informed him had been killed near Godalming in March of 1870. Whether Stafford's story to Mr. Styan is correct or not, it is, of course, now impossible to say, but the specimen was not in his collection in 1884, and I am unable to trace the specimen in any way (J.A. Bucknill). Mr. F. Styan was also informed by a Mr. F. Roberts, of Haslemere, that a pair frequented Hindhead very many years before 1880—a not improbable though unsubstantiated story. I have myself heard a similar rumour from more than one source. I have also been informed by Mr. Luke Humphrey, of Headley, that about 1878 a specimen was caught at Boxhill, and preserved, and kept by the late Sir Richard Glasse, then at High Ashurst, Headley.

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus).—In the spring of 1880 a male was shot on Merrow Downs, and identified as a wild bird by Capt. Salvin. Mr. R.W. Courage had a specimen, killed at Thursley in spring, and stated, in 1880, that it had been known to occur there before that date (F. Styan and J. Mitchell).

Hobby (F. subbuteo).— Mr. F. Styan and Mr. J. Mitchell have the following interesting notes on this species, the more valuable because they record the first definite occurrence of the bird nesting in Surrey, although there was not much doubt that such had been the case:—

1. On June 17th, 1873, one was shot at Weybridge, and preserved by Mr. F. Yearley.

2. A pair nested at Normandy Farm, near Wanborough, in 1879. The male was shot, and the young in down taken with the nest; the hen escaped. The male and nestlings were preserved in a group, together with a hen Kestrel, by Bradden, of Guildford. In 1880 another pair nested in the same spot, and safely reared their young; but in the autumn a mature female, supposed to be the mother bird, was shot there, and cased with the previous lot, replacing the hen Kestrel. The group was eventually purchased by a Mr. Hancock, of Newcastle, to whose residence it was removed (fide Capt. Salvin).

3. Mr. R.W. Courage stated, in 1880, that it had been known to occur at Thursley in summer.

A male was shot on Aug. 12th, 1901, in Mr. Herbert Brooks's park at Epsom by his gamekeeper, and preserved by Mr. C. Lisney, of Ashtead. I have seen this specimen (J.A. Bucknill).

Merlin (F. æsalon).—One was shot in the winter of 1880–1 near Guildford, and preserved by Bradden. Mr. R.W. Courage had a specimen in his collection, shot at Thursley, and stated (in 1880) that he had known it occur there on other occasions (F. Styan and J. Mitchell).

 

(To be continued.)