Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BLUE SPUR, n. Short for blue spur hawk, the sparrow hawk, Accipiter nisus.Lnk. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 VI. 933:
The following are some of the fowls: . . . ring-tailed and common brown hawk, blue spur, and small martin, jay-pyet.
[So called from the colour of its upper parts. See Spur, n.2]
