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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†HORRA GOOSE, n.comb. Also hora- (Ork. 1805 G. Barry Hist. Ork. 302); horie-; herra-güs (Sh. 1932 J. Saxby Trad. Lore 198). The brent goose, Branta bernicla (Ork. 1866 Edm. Gl.; Sh. 1899 Evans & Buckley Fauna Shet. 130, 1908 Jak. (1928)). Cf. Rood-goose.Ork. 1775 J. Fea Present State (1884) 113:
The Horie Goose, so called by the Inhabitants of these Islands, are here in the greatest numbers.Ork. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 XX. 263:
A large grey bird with a hoarse cry, called by the inhabitants Horra Goose.Ork. 1806 P. Neill Tour 196:
The horra-goose is one of the smallest of the wild-geese. It is sometimes called the rood-goose.

[Etym. uncertain. Some writers associate the name with the parish and loch of Harray in Orkney but there are phonological difficulties. There is also a place called Horrie on Deer Sound (see quots.). The first reference to the bird seems to be under the form harrow-goose in W. Harris State County Down (1744) 235.]

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