ˈheath-bird
A bird which lives on heaths; spec. the Black Grouse, of which the male is the heath-cock and the female the heath-hen.
| 1683–4 W. Penn Let. to Dk. Ormonde 9 Jan. in Academy (1896) 11 Jan. 36/3 Phesants, heath-birds, Pidgeons and Patredges, innumerably. 1810 Scott Lady of L. iii. xii, Like heath-bird, when the hawks pursue. 1842 Faber Styrian L. 151 A heath-bird that lies on the Cheviot moor. |