ˈsea-lark
[lark n.1 Cf. mod.L. alauda marina, F. alouette de mer, G. seelerche, meerlerche.]
1. A local name for various small birds frequenting the sea-shore, as (a) the ringed plover, ægialitis hiaticula; (b) various sandpipers, as the dunlin, Tringa alpina, and the sanderling, Calidris arenaria; (c) the turnstone, Strepsilas interpres; (d) the sea-titling or rock-pipit, Anthus obscurus.
| 1602 Carew Cornwall i. 35 Amongst the first sort, we reckon the Dip-chicke..Coots, Sanderlings, Sea-larkes [etc.]. a 1672 Willughby Ornith. (1676) 230 Charadrius sive Hiaticula. The Sea-Lark. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1824) II. 376 With bills very short—the Lapwing,..the Turnstone, and the Sea-lark. 1893 Newton Dict. Birds 512 Sand-Lark and Sea-Lark are likewise names often given to some of the smaller members of the Limicolæ. |
† 2. The smooth blenny, Pholis lævis. Obs.
| 1694 Motteux Rabelais iv. iii, A Sea-Lark..is a Fish..with cartilaginous Wings..by the means of which, I have seen them fly about three Fathom above Water. 1740 R. Brookes Art Angling ii. xix. 124 The Sea-Lark or Bulcard. |