1. A bird that makes its appearance in summer, a summer migrant; locally applied spec. (see quots.). Also fig. (cf. SUMMER sb.1 4 e).
1597. Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., IV. iv. 91. O Westmerland, thou art a Summer Bird, Which euer in the haunch of Winter sings The lifting vp of day. Ibid. (1607), Timon, III. vi. 34. 2 [Att.] The Swallow followes not Summer more willing, then we your Lordship. Tim. Nor more willingly leaues Winter, such Summer Birds are men.
1784. Cowper, Task, VI. 921. He cannot skim the ground like summer birds Pursuing gilded flies.
1821. Shelley, Epipsych., 208. The singing of the summer-birds.
1885. Swainson, Prov. Names Birds, 103. Wryneck … Summer bird (Northumberland).
1895. Morris, Austral Engl., Summer-bird, the Old-Colonists’ name for the Wood-swallows [Artamus sordidus, Lath.]. In Tasmania it is applied to a species of Shrike, Graucalus melanops, Lath.
1913. Melbourne Argus, 27 Dec., 5. The bee martin or summer bird.
† 2. With allusion to the cuckoo as the ‘summer bird’: A cuckold. Also summer’s bird. Obs.
Cf. Shaks., Merry W. II. i. 127; L. L. L., V. ii. 911.
1560. Scholeh. Women (1572), B ij. Some other knaue Shall dub her husband a summer bird.
a. 1600[?]. Sack-full of Newes (1864), 171. The poore man was cruelly beaten, and made a Summers Bird.
