Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
STIRLIN, n. Also stirling, -leen, sturlin (Ayr. 1929 Paton and Pike Birds Ayr. 12). Sc. forms of Eng. starling. [′stɪrlɪn]
1. As in Eng., the bird, Sturnus vulgaris (Sc. 1808 Jam.; I.Sc. 1837 R. Dunn Ornithol. Guide 81; Bwk. 1889 G. Muirhead Birds Bwk. I. 192; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Gen.Sc. Comb. stirlin snaa, a period of stormy wintry weather in May when the starlings congregate (Ork. 1971); stirlin tip, an artificial angling fly made from a starling's feather (Lnk. 1971).Sc. 1726 Ramsay T.-T. Misc. (1876) I. 132:
I far prefer the Stirling's notes.I.Sc. 1806 P. Neill Tour 204:
In Orkney and Shetland common. It is sometimes called Stirling.Fif. 1830 A. Stewart Dunfermline (1889) 197:
That same stirlin' is not only able to speak far better than ony o' the birds you've spoken aboot.m.Sc. 1898 J. Buchan John Burnet iii. xviii.:
We can flee like a flock o' stirlins.Sh. 1964 New Shetlander No. 71. 32:
Da chitterin stirleens on da brig.Edb. 1965 J. K. Annand Sing it Aince 11:
Stirlins in the street.
†2. The ring-ousel, Turdus torquatus.Sc. 1819 Scots Mag. (Jan.) 18:
Your peasants in Scotland call the ring-ousel a starling, but that bird has not the faculty of imitating human speech, as the starling has.
3. A local nickname for a native or inhabitant of Kirkwall in Ork. (Ork. 1883 J. R. Tudor Ork. and Sh. 612, Ork. 1971).Ork. 1908 Old-Lore Misc. I. viii. 320:
Naither a stirlin', auk, mare or bluidy puddin'll vote for 'im.
