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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

‡GOR-COCK, n.comb. The moor-cock or male of the red grouse, Lagopus scoticus (ne.Sc. 1903 G. Sim Fauna of “Dee” 162, Ags.¹⁸ 1955). Mostly poet. Also in n.Eng. dial. from early 17th c.Ayr. 1796 Burns My Lord a-hunting iii.:
Out o'er yon muir, out o'er yon moss, Whare gor-cocks thro' the heather pass.Sc. 1813 Scott Triermain iii. vi.:
'Mongst desert hills, where, leagues around, Dwelt but the gor-cock and the deer.Slk. 1813 Hogg Queen's Wake 77:
Afore we wan to the sandy ford, The gor-cockis nichering flew.Per. 1835 R. Nicoll Poems 149:
I hied me to the heather hills, Whar' gorcocks crawin' flee.Ags. 1873 D. M. Ogilvy Poems 123:
By us the red deer in the bracken slumbers, The gorcocks crow.Dmf. 1874 R. Reid Moorland Rhymes 238:
The hinmaist whaup has quat his eerie skirl, The flichtering gorcock tae his cover flown.Edb. 1887 Mod. Sc. Poets (Edwards) X. 384:
The gorcock trims his plumage fair. The mavis sings his song o' love.