Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CHURR MUFFIT, n. comb. Also chirmuffit (Slg. 1867 Zoologist (Ser. 2) II. 890), chir-maffit (Fif. 1882 J. Simson Inverkeithing 59). The whitethroat, Sylvia cinerea (Slg. 1885 C. Swainson Brit. Birds 23). Cf. Charlie Muftie and Muffit, idem.
[According to Swainson, the first element owes its origin to the harsh continuous note of the bird, and the second to its light-coloured head and neck feathers, which stand out more thickly than is usual in other birds.]
