rotche Ornith.
(rɒtʃ)
Also rotch, roach, and rotchie.
[A later form of rotge, but the precise source is not clear.]
The little auk.
| α 1809 A. Edmondston Zetland Isl. II. 274 Alca Alle, Rotche, Greenland Rotche. 1843 Yarrell Brit. Birds III. 358 The Little Auk, or Common Rotche,..is only a winter visiter to the British Islands. 1894 Newton Dict. Birds 797 In Smith Sound the Rotche is said not to breed below lat. 68° or above 79°. |
| β 1820 W. Scoresby Acc. Arctic Reg. I. 536, I..have observed it in pursuit of the rotch. 1831 Rennie Montagu's Ornith. Dict. 438 The Rotch has sometimes been found dead very remote from the sea. 1841 Proc. Berw. Nat. Club I. 255 The Mergulus alce, rotch, a species that breeds in very high latitudes. |
| γ 1820 W. Scoresby Acc. Arctic Reg. I. 528 Alca Alle, the Little Auk, or Roach. 1823 ― Jrnl. 142 An immense quantity of roaches..flew past the ship towards the west. |