Also kolk. [Identical with EFris. kolke, which however is the Black Diver.] A local name for the Eider-duck.

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c. 1549.  D. Monro, West. Iles (MS., = p. 47 ed. 1774). In yis Ile [Swilskeray] yair hantis ane fowl callit ye Colk, little les nor ane goose, quha cummis in vair to ye land to lay his eggis, and to cleck his birdis.

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1586.  Holinshed, Chron. (1807), I. 73. The Colke foule, which is little lesse than a goose.

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1703.  Martin, West. Isles (1716), 25.

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1808.  Forsyth, Beauties Scotl., V. 243. In the islands there is … a migratory bird, called by Martin colk, by others eider duck.

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  b.  See quot. (Perhaps an error.)

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1833.  Montagu, Ornith. Dict. (ed. Rennie), Colk, a name for the King Eyder.

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1864.  Atkinson, Prov. Names Birds.

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