Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

ALLAN-HAWK, n. A name given to several sea-birds.

1. The alan or scouti-alan, the Arctic Skua. See Alan.

2. The Great Northern Diver, Colymbus glacialis. (Prob. in the case of this bird, and of 3 and 4 foll., an accidental use of the name properly belonging to the Arctic Skua — the dark plumage leading to a casual identification.)Arg.¹ 1928:
Allan-hawk. Local name of the Great Northern Diver.Bte. 1820 J. Blain Hist. Bute (1880) 23: 
Of fowls or birds abiding or coming in their seasons . . . we have . . . allan hawk, with white breast and speckled back and neck.Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn. 2:
Allan-hawk, the great northern diver.

3. The Red-throated Diver, Colymbus septentrionalis.Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn. 2.

4. The Little Auk (Mergulus melanoleucus or alle).Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 12:
Allan-Hawks. A sea fowl with very small wings, common to be met with on the shores of Britain; its colour is black, all but on the breast, there it is white. . . . It is similar to the puffin in size, but it cannot fly.