Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†FLITTERCHACK, n. Also flittingchack. The ring-ouzel, Turdus torquatus (Ork. 1885 C. Swainson Brit. Birds 9).Ork. 1877 Sc. Naturalist (Jan.) 9:
The name Flittingchack has been given to it from a belief, current in some places, that when one is seen near a house, it betokens the speedy death of one of the occupants, or else that the family will soon “flit” to some other locality.
