dun-bird
[f. dun a. + bird n.]
The pochard or red-headed duck, Fuligula ferina. Also, locally (Essex), the Scaup Duck, Fuligula marila.
| 1766 Pennant Zool. (1776) II. 600, These birds..are much sought for in the London markets where they are known by the name of dun birds. 1802 G. Montagu Ornith. Dict. (1833) 142 Dunbird and Duncur. Names for the Pochard. 1813 P. Hawker Diary (1893) I. 86 The geese, dunbirds and wigeons were in myriads. 1831 T. Wright Hist. Essex I. 25 In a decoy at Goldhanger the fowls called dun birds are exceedingly numerous. 1896 Blackw. Mag. May 769. |