perverted form of STANIEL.
[1834. Mudie, Feathered Tribes (ed. 2), I. 93. ‘Stannel,’ or ‘stand-gall,’ as it is sometimes pronounced, is ‘stand-gale,’ and ‘wind-hover’ is ‘hoverer in the wind,’ both of which express that wonderful power of poising or anchoring itself over a particular spot, despite the wind, which the kestrel possesses in greater perfection than any other hawk.]
1865. Cornhill Mag., July, 41. With it may be compared another local name, ‘stand-gale,’ and also ‘crutch-tail,’ formerly applied to a kite, both equally descriptive of the birds.
