heath-cock
The male of the heath-bird or Black Grouse (Tetrao tetrix), the Blackcock; in N. America, the Canada grouse and other species.
| 1590 R. Payne Descr. Irel. (1841) 7 Great store of wild Swannes, Cranes..Heathcocks, Plouers. 1674 Ray Collect. Words, Birds 85 The common Heath cock, Black game or Grous. 1789 G. White Selborne vi. (1853) 26 That was the heath-cock or black-game. 1810 Scott Lady of L. i. xxxv, Until the heath-cock shrilly crew. 1893 [see heath-hen]. |