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.
†GOYLIR, n. A species of sea bird, phs. the storm-petrel, Thalassidroma pelagica, or Leach's fork-tailed petrel, Oceanodroma leucorrhoa. Gael.w.Sc. 1703 M. Martin Descr. Western Islands 72:
The Bird Goylir, about the bigness of a Swallow, is observed never to Land but in the Month of January, at which time it is supposed to hatch, it dives with a violent swiftness; when any number of these Fowls are seen together, it's concluded to be an undoubted sign of an approaching storm.
