V 14 No.4 - The Scottish Ornithologists' Club

258 A. Hogg (Ed.)
S8 14 (4)
In contrast, the House Martin showed a
white belly, throat and vent, as well as a
distinctly notched tail. The bird was last
seen just after 10.00 a.m., having been
seen for a period of about one hour. It was
searched for later that day, but it was not
rediscovered.
Description: Plumage:- obvious broad rump-patch
extending slightly on to sides of the body. The patch
was square. symmetrical and extended roughly half
the distance between the trailing p edge of the wings
and the tail tip. Possibly contained some grey flecking
just as it merged into the darker plumage of the rear
flanks. Large pale throat patch. similar to that of Swift.
Pale feathering on the forehead merging into the dark
grey crown giving the appearance of pale face. Dark
area round and including eye. The upper surfaces of
the wings were dark and seemed to contain less brown
than Swift. In comparison they also appeared more
reflective or slightly paler. particularly so on the
primaries and secondaries. Lower surfaces of wings
similarly dark. Belly. hreast. lower-rump and tail very
dark brown or black. Back. mantle and scapulars
darkest of all. again lacking the chocolate tone of
Swift.
Structure: tail clearly blunter than Swift. the feathers
being proportionally shorter. Usually appeared square
except when in power flight. causing it to narrow
slightly in a streamlined fashion . or when turning.
when it splayed out more. Clearly not notched or
needle-like. Wings similar to Swift but stouter and
with slightly less tapering tips. Approximately same
length as bill to tail tip length. Body quite robust. and
head broad; very Swift-like. Length of body similar to
accompanying Swallow.
Bare parts: Eye dark. bill dark. legs not visible.
Habits: fed with Swift. often swooping lower. very
close to road. Actively chased Swift individuals.
allowing good comparison. Wing beats sballower and
faster. spreading wings and tail more broadly than
Swift when banking. Wings constantly held rigidly
outwards. No call heard from any of swifts present.
Discussion
The bird was identified as Little Swift
Apus affinis and this constitutes the first
Scottish record of the species. Great care
was taken with the identification, the
elimination of aberrant Swifts being a
pitfall which the observer was aware of. In
addition, close attention was paid to both
the symmetry of the rump, and the tail
structure. Although the fonner is not so
important, the latter feature displayed the
square shape, lacking even a notched
appearance, typical of the species.
Angus C. Wilson
Razorbills.
~ ,!~ .. t W
____ ,- -s
R. Tulloch
LIST OF OBSERVERS
G.M.Ad.lm. M.E.Ad.lm. R.G.Ad.lm. S.R.Adllm. C.A_. G.AddisoD. A.AitcbisoD. G.L.Altcblsoo. P.AlIcblsoo. E.AIdenoD.
H.AIIaa. R.AIIaa. C.AIIea. R.AIIiooo. G.ADdenoa. J.E.ADdenoa. R.ADdersoa. D.G.ADdrew. I.J.AadffWI. G.AppletoD.
W.B.Appleyanl. S.J.AspIaaII. P. W.AtJdaooa. R.P.AttriU. R.Auger. B.Avoris. C.O._b. T.R.BaIa. I.P.Balabrldge. G.Baker.
A.BaJcIridae. S.BaIcIrid&e. E.J.Balfour·MeIvIIJe. J.H.BsIIutyDe. A.BaaweU. A.M.Bsn:lay. J.Barday. A.W.BsrII.er. J.Barr.
J.&C.Barrdt. Mn.N.8uroD. P.IIany. A.S.BaIes. DJ.BoIes. G.&I.Botes. L.G.Buter. M.J.Bo)'DO. D.Beamlsh. K,Bedt. D.Bdford.
D.BdJ. M.V.BdJ. P.T.BeII. s._. J .G.BamIe. J.Beny. F.Beveridge. W.A.S.Bews. D.Bidde. M.Bias. A.BiIsIaDd. B.BiIsIaDd.
H.B.BIrd. P._. C.R.IIIakeIy. A.JIoood. H.Boad. R.I.Booker. C.J.Booth. C.M.Booth. E.J.Bootb. MrsJ.Bootb. P.N.Bootb.
M.J.IIorndaIIe. P.BoaId. H.Boyd. W.R.BrKkearldge. S.Bnodbury. A.J.B.BnunhaII. A.T.BramhaII. N.B .......... K.W.BffWIller.