titlark
(ˈtɪtlɑːk)
[f. tit n.3 + lark n.1]
A bird of the genus Anthus or some allied genus, resembling a lark; a pipit; esp. in England, the meadow pipit, A. pratensis, also called tit-pipit; in U.S., A. ludovicianus (American titlark).
| 1668 Charleton Onomast. 81 Alauda Pratensis, the Tit-Lark. 1676 Grew Musæum, Anat. Stomach & Guts viii. 37 The House-Sparrow, Linnet, Titlark, and many more. 1773 G. White Selborne xxxix, Titlarks not only sing sweetly as they sit on trees, but also as they play and toy about on the wing. 1872 Coues N. Amer. Birds 90 Titlarks..are terrestrial and more or less gregarious birds, migratory and insectivorous. |
b. slang. (See quot.)
| 1799 in Spirit Pub. Jrnls. III. 352 Found the beaks and titlarks reading the papers. Ibid. 355 Glossary of fashionable or cant Phrases... Titlarks, spectators at Bow Street. |