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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

EARN, n.² Also erin, ern(e), †eern, aern, yearn, yirn. The white-tailed or sea eagle, Haliaetus albicilla (I.Sc. 1866 Edm. Gl., erne; Sh. 1899 A. H. Evans and T. E. Buckley Fauna Sh. 113, erne, 1914 Angus Gl., ērin; Ork.² 1948, yirn); the golden eagle, Aquila chrysaëtus (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.). Known to Ork.⁵ 1920; Sh.¹⁰, Cai.⁹ 1949. For kliksie erne, see Cliksie. [ɛrn Sc., Sh. + ærn; jɪrn Ork.; jɛrn Ayr.]Sc. 1701–31 R. Wodrow Analecta (M.C. 1842) II. 87:
Ther is a rock beside a Loch, where the earns or eagles bigg.Peb. 1715 A. Pennecuik Descr. of Twd. 7:
Here does the Eagle nest, and haunt, but it is not the Chrysaetos, but that sort called the Pygargus Hinnularius turneri, or the Ern.Ork. 1775 J. Fea Present State (1884) 77–78:
There never are more than one pair [of eagles] of that kind called Erns, in the different parts of the Country where they brood.Ayr. 1790 Burns Elegy on Captain Henderson iii.:
Ye cliffs, the haunts of sailing yearns, Where Echo slumbers!Slg. 1795 Stat. Acc.¹ XV. 323–324:
The golden eagle used formerly to build in our rocks, though of late it has discontinued the practice . . . they are commonly known among the shepherds, by the name of the earn, a visit of which amongst the flock is dreaded as much as that of the fox.Slk. 1807 Hogg Mountain Bard 78:
The howling fox and raving earn.Sc. 1814 Scott Letters (1932) III. 458:
He is a great ornithologist and is particularly anxious to see an earn.Sh. 1898 Shet. News (30 April):
Da first at I saw lavin' right abüne dem [lambs] wis da aern.ne.Sc. 1903 G. Sim Fauna of “Dee” 126:
That the Sea Eagle was resident and bred within our confines is indisputable, for along our coast line many rocks still retain the name of “Erne Heugh” or “Erne Craig”.Knr. 1925 “H. Haliburton” Horace in Homespun 228:
Doun like a condor comes the erne An' snaps a deer!Abd. 2000 Sheena Blackhall The Singing Bird 30:
Faither:
The wings ootraxxin noo
Ower my unfaithered heid
Are shaddas o the craa that claims us aa-
The erne, the hawk, the spurgie,
Jenny wren sae smaa