storm-cock

British  

noun

1. another name for mistle thrush

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Etymology

Origin of storm-cock

C18: so called because it was believed to give forewarning of bad weather

Example Sentences

Is called Hampshire and Sussex the storm-cock, because its song is supposed to forebode windy wet weather: it is the largest singing bird we have. p.

From The Natural History of Selborne, Vol. 1 by Morley, Henry

The air was fresh and keen, squirrels jumped about in the trees, and the storm-cock sang blithely.

From Fifty-Two Stories For Girls by Miles, Alfred H. (Alfred Henry)

The Welsh call him master of the coppice, and he welcomes a storm with such a vigorous and hearty song that in some countries he is known as storm-cock.

From Locusts and Wild Honey by Burroughs, John

He straddles his legs, hunches his knife behind him, and whistles like a storm-cock through a sleet-shower.

From Rewards and Fairies by Kipling, Rudyard

I wonder if any brave bird pipes to you as my storm-cock to me?

From The History of Sir Richard Calmady A Romance by Malet, Lucas