The Zoologist/3rd series, vol 1 (1877)/Issue 8/Occasional Notes
OCCASIONAL NOTES.
Martens in Suffolk.—The following communication from Mr. J.H. Gurney, published in the 'Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society' (vol. ii. pp. 223–4)[1], may be of interest to your readers, as it shows that less than seventy years ago Marten-cats were found in considerable numbers in the county of Suffolk. The large number of Rats destroyed is also worthy of note; it is evident they received from the gamekeepers the attention they deserve, whereas now their natural enemies are assiduously destroyed, but the Rats, secure in the quiet of the covert, increase to an enormous extent, and many an empty nest is the result. Mr. Gurney says:—"I have a cutting from a newspaper of the year 1811, by which it appears that at the Suffolk Gamekeepers' Annual Meeting, held at Bury on December 9th of that year, a prize was given to one Sharnton as the most successful gamekeeper. He had the looking over (with two underkeepers) of 4000 acres, but in what parishes the manor lay is not stated; evidently, however, it was in Suffolk. Sharnton gave in an account of vermin destroyed by him and his assistants in twelve months, which I think may be worthy of a place in the records of our Naturalists' Society, as bearing on the existence of the Marten in Suffolk, sixty -five years ago. His account is as follows:—Foxes, 22; Martens (spelled 'Martins'), 43; Polecats, 31; Stoats, 416; Crows and Magpies, 120; Hawks of all kinds, 167; Field Rats, 310; Brown Owls, 13; Wild Cats, 7."—T. Southwell (Norwich).
Reported Occurence of the Wild Cat in the Isle of Wight.—A veritable Wild Cat, probably the last of the race, was shot some months since near St. Helen's, in which neighbourhood there are still extensive woods, chiefly on the Nunwell Estate. Though occasionally seen by the gamekeepers, it had managed to evade them for years. It came into Mr. Careless's possession the day it was killed. It proved to be a male, three feet in length and nine pounds fourteen ounces in weight. It stands high on the legs—namely, about fourteen inches—and is a very formidable looking animal, with powerful jaws. The distribution of colours is very similar to those of the Inverness specimen described in 'The Zoologist' (2nd ser. p. 4791), but this cat is darker, and seemingly more aged. How it could have escaped for so many years is wonderful.—Henry Hadfield (Ventnor, Isle of Wight).
[We are extremely sceptical in regard to the alleged existence of Wild Cats in the South of England at the present day, and, notwithstanding the colour and large size of many of the animals killed, we cannot help regarding them as of hearth-rug ancestry. We should like to know what our readers in the New Forest have to say on the subject.—Ed.]
Purple Gallinule in Somersetshire.—On visiting the British Museum, a few days since, I carefully looked at the different species of Porphyrio in the National Collection, the result being that I satisfied myself that my Irish example is not the small Porphyrio Martiniquii, but the South European P. veterum. I have read Mr. Smith's remarks on the specimen of this Porphyrio obtained in Somersetshire, and as he objects to regard it as a straggler to this country, he is bound to bear the onus probandi, and to bring forward something more than a mere surmise that it is only a bird that has escaped from confinement. Unless, as I have already remarked, there is something altogether exceptional in the bird which is met with at large, it is, in the absence of proof to the contrary, fairly entitled to be ranked as a voluntary straggler to this country. The facilities of importation which exist at the present time, which are rendering this country what Pericles claimed Athens to be, the emporium of the whole world, and that, so far as concerns living specimens of foreign animals as well as the ordinary spoils of merchandize, must not be stretched too far to account for every unusual bird found wild in our woods and fields. To do this is greatly to destroy the romance of British Ornithology. The attitude of the ornithologist in this country should be one of general expectation. From the situation of this island, it offers a natural resting-place to birds which may have lost their reckoning in their migrations both from the Old and the New World. To pronounce, then, of any new-comer to the British list that "it is only an escape" is to cast a damper upon this expectant feeling, and to abandon the peculiar fortune with which the position of this country has enriched its naturalists. It is for this reason, chiefly, that I decline to retire from my defence of the Somersetshire Purple Gallinule, and to ask Mr. Smith to furnish proofs that the specimen in question escaped from an aviary. Does he know of any one who, residing not far from the locality of its capture, happened about that time to lose so rare a bird? Even if he did, I might enquire for certain marks of confinement which all birds, however handsomely treated in the aviary, are almost sure to exhibit; dull, soiled, or abraded plumage; less brilliancy in the coloration of the softer parts, the skin of the bill and legs—and here we have a never-absent sign of a bird which has been for any length of time deprived of its freedom; and if none of these could be pointed out in the captured specimen, 1 should then, in spite of one having been known to have strayed from an aviary somewhere at hand, feel as much entitled to my assumption that this bird, which showed no traces of its captivity, must be another, and not the escaped one, as an objector would be justified in claiming it as the missing bird. I see that Mr. Dresser, after mentioning two examples of the Purple Gallinule which had been obtained in the North of England, adds that these were probably escapes, and his decision justly carries great weight; but Mr. Gray, who was fortunate enough to handle, in the flesh, one which had been shot in Argyleshire, could find on the bird no signs that it had ever been subjected to confinement. Bearing in mind that these birds are migratory, and that the mouth of the Rhone or the coast of Portugal is at no great distance from this country for a bird when fairly on wing, Porphyrio veterum might justly object to be refused a place among the list of our chance visitors, which includes many other birds even less likely than this to wander to our coasts.—Murray A. Mathew (Bishop's Lydeard, Taunton).
The Migration of Birds.—I have read the remarks of Mr. Cordeaux in 'The Zoologist' for May (p. 205), on the subject of migration, and am almost tempted to reply. I cannot afford the time, however, even if you would grant me the space. I will only observe that there are apparently three classes of thinkers. First, those who believe in "an intuitive instinct which almost seems like a sixth sense," of which number Mr. Cordeaux is one. Secondly, those who vote avine migration—and with it, I suppose, all migration—to be a mystery. Thirdly, persons, of whom I am one, not able to understand "the sixth sense," not finding any great mystery, but regarding avine migration as part of the general law of flux and reflux which is apparent in so many organisms, &c., in the orb in which we dwell, and which is one of the conditions of the Universe. I may remark, however, that I do not go the full length attributed to me by Mr. Cordeaux, for to deny any instinct to animals would no doubt be "absurd." I only say these few words for fear silence might be thought discourteous towards a gentleman who has worked at this subject for "more than twenty years," in fact, almost as long as I have.—George Dawson Rowley (Chichester House, Brighton).
Cuckoo's Egg in a Blackbird's Nest.—Whilst looking for Reed Warblers' nests on the Thames this summer I found a Cuckoo's egg in a Blackbird's nest, which was built in willows overhanging the river. A fewyards further on I found another egg in a Heed Warbler's nest, agreeing with the first in colour, &c., and evidently laid by the same bird. Although this is not the first instance that has been known of a Cuckoo placing its egg in a Blackbird's nest (see Yarrell's 'British Birds'), I think it is of sufficiently rare occurrence to be recorded. The notice of a Cuckoo's egg in a Swallow's nest in 'The Zoologist' for June (p. 260) is very interesting, and although it is the first time the egg has been found in the nest of this species, yet as in 'The Zoologist' for 1869 (p. 1866) a description was given of a young Cuckoo falling out of a Swallow's nest, it is to be presumed that the egg must have been previously laid there. If any of your readers know of an instance of a Cuckoo's egg being found in the nest of the Twite, Goldfinch, or Lesser Redpoll, I shall esteem it a favour if he will send me the particulars.—Edward Bidwell (7, Ormond Terrace, Richmond).
[In the account referred to ('Zoologist,' 1869, p. 1866), no evidence is adduced to prove that the young Cuckoo was ever in the Swallow's nest. The statement to that effect is purely inferential. It is just as probable that the bird may have been hatched in the neighbouring nest of a Water Wagtail, and on perching on a chimney top in one of its early flights may have overbalanced itself and tumbled down.—Ed.]
Cuckoo evicting Young Hedgesparrows.—A Hedgesparrow hatched in May four young ones in a thick bush of Arbor Vitæ by my drawing-room window. One afternoon I saw a Cuckoo fly down right into the middle of the bush, and a great scuffle ensued. I ran up and found the nest empty, and all four young birds on the ground. I replaced them in the nest, and thought I had frightened away my Hedgesparrows' enemy for good. However, three days after I looked at my nest on returning from London, and found the four young birds on the ground. They were stiff, and I thought dying, but I replaced them as before. Under their mother's warm feathers three of them recovered; one died. A day or two after I found on my return from London all the birds again on the ground quite dead. They had evidently been out of their nest some hours. I have not a doubt that on each of the last two occasions the Cuckoo was the culprit, but she (if it was a she) never laid an egg, and the only just verdict I can think of is "malice prepense."—J.H. Buxton (Nuusbury, Hoddesdon).
The Collared Duck, Fuligula collaris (Donovan).—When at Liverpool, in April, 1876, I was informed by Mr. T.J. Moore that he had recently met with three ducks of the above species in St. John's Market. This is a capital market for rarities. On a former visit I found a Nyroca, or White-eyed Pochard, there among a row of Tufted Ducks. In the present case there was no doubt of the Collared Ducks having been imported from America; but the species was met with in Leadenhall Market, London, so long ago as January, 1801, by Donovan (who seems to have been the first describer of it), and why it was excluded from the British list by Yarrell I do not know. The American Wigeon, which was also obtained in Leadenhall Market, was admitted on the ground that it was found here before it became the custom to import American wild fowl, and the same argument would apply even more strongly to the Collared Duck of Donovan. If English naturalists have not admitted it, however, the French have done so for them In Degland and Gerbe's 'Ornithologie Européenne,' it is included (No. 495), and readers are informed that it has been observed several times in Great Britain. Stories lose nothing in crossing the channel! Its habitat is thus given in Coues' 'Birds of the North- West' (p. 574):—"Hab. The whole of North America, breeding far north, wintering in the United States and beyond. South to Guatemala. Cuba. Jamaica."—J.H. Gurney, Jun. (Northrepps Cottage, Norwich).
Pochards Breeding in the Regent's Park.—For the last two months I have noticed a pair of Pochards on the ornamental water in the Regent's Park; and feeling certain that they had nested there, I went to look for them on June 28th, and found they had hatched out five young ones. The latter swim and dive like the old ones.—G. Atkins (21, Park Village East).
[We also have had an eye on these Pochards, and observed the young for the first time on Saturday, June 23rd. They were then swimming with their mother and seemed to be not more than a day or two old. The male parent did not appear, and it is therefore not quite Certain yet whether the young are pure-bred Pochards or hybrids.—Ed.]
Tawny Pipit in Sussex.—I am able to add another unrecorded Tawny Pipit from Sussex, which is also an immature bird, in the plumage described by Mr. Bond (p. 299). This example was shot at Ditchling Bostel, on the 29th September, 1876, as I was informed by Mr. Pratt, of Brighton, from whom I obtained it. There is a great superficial resemblance between the Tawny and Richard's Pipits. The Tawny might well pass for a small example of Anthus Richardi. Both have long tarsi, and pretty much the same coloured plumage. I was struck by the resemblance when examining Mr. Vingoe's Penzance specimen last summer, which, if I remember rightly, was also a bird of the year.—Murray A. Mathew (Bishop's Lydeard).
Unusual Site for a Kestrel's Nest.—A Kestrel laid this summer in a hen-roost in a long sheep-trough, and hatched four young ones. Whilst sitting (in May) a day's sheep-shearing was carried on, from 6 a.m. till 8 p. M., but did not disturb the bird, although quite close to her. The young ones are now seventeen days old. I can see them every day from a stage in the barn, and it is most amusing to me to observe their domestic arrangements. At first the young were treated with the brains of young Plovers, but now they get moles, mice, and young birds. The lady rules the roast, and when both the old birds come together with food, she manages to convince her mate that a mole is better than a young blackbird.—Frederick Stratton (St. Joan-a-Gore, Devizes).
Pied Flycatcher and other Birds in the Isle of Wight.—On the 30th April, when at Sea View, I was asked to identify a strange bird shot in the neighbourhood on the 28th. It proved to be a male Pied Flycatcher, in perfect plumage. This species is of rare occurrence here. Yarrell refers to a specimen shot in the island, and I believe one was killed near Freshwater a few years since. I was shown a Thick-kneed Plover, shot in the island on March 12th, 1876. Mr. Careless has had the following birds brought to him in the flesh, all killed in the island:—Crossbill (in January), Black-throated Diver (during the winter), Velvet Scoter, Great Black-backed Gull, Fulmar Petrel, Crested Lark, Short-eared Owl, Sheldrake, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (a rare visitant), also a Hooded Crow—seldom met with in the island.—Henry Hadfield (Ventnor, Isle of Wight).
[We should like to know something more about the Crested Lark. When, where, and by whom shot, and by whom identified? We have seen many a Sky Lark with a good crest fondly regarded by its owner as a veritable Crested Lark.—Ed.]
Singular Variety of the House Martin.—I have lately obtained from a birdstuffer at Worthing, in this county, a very beautiful variety of the House Martin, the whole of the quills of the wings and the bastard wings being of a pure white, while the rest of the plumage is of the usual colour. It is a bird of the year, and was shot near Worthing in the autumn of last year.—William Borrer (Cowfold, Sussex).
Spoonbills in Suffolk in June.—During the early part of June a flock of nine Spoonbills frequented the marshes adjoining the coast near Aldborough, and to the credit of the resident gunners,—who, I am glad to say, respect the Wild Fowl Protection Act,—they were allowed to remain unmolested. It is to be hoped that continued protection may beget sufficient confidence in these beautiful birds to induce them again to take up their quarters, as of old, in this country during the breeding season.—F. Kerry (Harwich).
Spoonbill near Ely.—A spoonbill has been seen in the neighbourhood of Ely for some days, but has now (July 9th) departed. I am glad to say it escaped the snare of the fowler.—H.M. Upcher (Feltwell).
Wings against Steam.—On July 13th there was a race from Dover to London between the continental mail express train and a carrier pigeon conveying a document of an urgent nature from the French police. The pigeon, which was bred by Messrs. Hartley and Sons, of Woolwich, and "homed" when a few weeks old to a building in Cannon-street, City, was of the best breed of homing pigeons, known as "Belgian voyageurs." The bird was tossed through the railway carriage window by a French official as the train moved from the Admiralty Pier, the wind being west and the atmosphere hazy, but with the sun shining. For upwards of a minute the carrier pigeon circled round to an altitude of about half a mile, and then sailed away towards London. By this time the train, which carried the European mails, and was timed not to stop between Dover and Cannonstreet, had got up to full speed, and was proceeding at the rate of sixty miles an hour towards London. The odds at starting seemed against the bird, and the railway officials predicted that the little messenger would be beaten in the race. The pigeon, however, as soon as it ascertained its bearings, took the nearest homeward route in a direction midway between Maidstone and Sittingbourne, the distance, "as the crow flies," between Dover and London being 70 miles, and by rail 76½ miles. When the Continental mail express came into Cannon-street Station, the bird had been home 20 minutes, having beaten Her Majesty's Royal Mail by a time allowance representing 18 miles.—From 'The Times,' July 14th.
Rare British Fishes off Babbicombe.—One of the rarest of British fishes—the Black-fish, Centrolophus pompilus—was taken this morning (June 15th) off Babbicombe, by Mr. Gaskin, of that place. It is curious that the seine inclosed at the same time another fish of great rarity, the Short Sun-fish, Orthagoriscus mola. Both were submitted to me for identification.—P.H. Gosse (Sandhurst, Torquay).
[The Black-fish is figured in Couch's 'Fishes of the British Islands' (vol. ii. p. 123, pi. xc), and all the specimens mentioned by that author seem to have been met with in Cornwall. He states, however, on the authority of Mr. Joshua Alder, that an example has been taken at Cullercoats. The Short Sun-fish will also be found figured in the same work (vol. iv. p. 877, pi. ccxlv.). This strange-looking fish is generally spoken of as rare, but on the south and west coasts can scarcely be considered so, for hardly a year passes without the capture of a few being reported. They are generally taken during the warmer months of the year.—Ed.]
- ↑ See: 'Martens, &c., in Suffolk, in 1811' in Trans. Norfolk and Norwich Nat. Soc. 1879 (Wikisource-ed.)