dial. [See quot. 1758.] A local name for the Sanderling: cf. CURWILLET; also, for the Ringed Plover: cf. DULWILLY.
1758. Borlase, Hist. Cornw., 247. Here we have coots, sanderlings, (which, from the noise they make when flying, we call Towillees), sea-larks, sea-pies.
1804. Bewick, Brit. Birds, II. 1. Sanderling, Towillee, or Curwillet.
1880. Rodd, Birds Cornw., 315/2. Towillees, and Turwillie, Ringed Plover.
