Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BURROUGH DUCK, BURROW-DUCK, n. comb. The sheldrake, Tadorna cornuta (Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn.).Ork. 1805 G. Barry Hist. of Ork. ii.:
The burrough ducks . . . frequent this island.Fif.¹ 1930:
The common sheldrake is called burrow-duck from its habit of nesting in rabbit-holes, which it sometimes enlarges.