Also 6–9 -craik, 8 -creak, -crek. [f. CORN sb.1 + CRAKE.]
1. A name (originally Scottish) of the bird also called Landrail, Crex pratensis, found in summer in the British Islands; it lives concealed among standing corn and the grass of the hayfields, whence its harsh grating voice may be heard.
a. 1455. Houlate, lxi. The Corne Crake, the pundar at hand.
1552. Lyndesay, Monarche, 6314. The Cornecraik in the croft I heir hir cry.
1772. Barrington, in Phil. Trans., LXII. 318. This bird is … very common … in Ireland, where they are called corn-creaks.
a. 1813. A. Wilson, Poet. Wks., Summer Evening. Hoarse screams the corn-craik from the dewy hay.
1829. [J. L. Knapp], Jrnl. Naturalist, 317. The noise … reminds us of the spring call of the rail or corncrake.
1884. St. James’s Gaz., 29 May, 6/2. The corn-craik in the misty fields.
2. ‘A hand-rattle with a ratchet wheel, used to frighten birds from sown seed or growing corn’ (Jamieson); also a nursery toy making a similar grating noise.
3. Comb., as corncrake-like adj.
1887. Pall Mall Gaz., 15 Feb., 6/1. Sir George Campbell, with his flail-like movement of arm and corncrake-like voice in full action.
