A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
(Scaitbird,) Skaitbird(e, n. [Cf. later Sc. dial. skatie-goo the Arctic skua, also known in later Sc. as Dirten Allen, Dirty Allan, from a former popular belief that it ate the excreta of other birds (cf. F. chasse merde). The first element may be connected with Skite v.] ? The skua (stercorarius parasiticus). —a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 37.
Dirtin Dumbar … Skaldit skaitbird [M. skaitbirde] and commoun skamelar 15.. King Berdok 27.
Quhen he come hame it wes ane howlat nest Full of skait birdis
