filliday n also fillady, phillida OED fillady, filliday 'some bird in Nfld' obs (1622-1674). A small song-bird; cp the imitative name TICKLACE.
   [1620] 1887 MASON 151 The Fowles are ... Butters, blacke Birds with redd breastes, Phillidas, Wrens, Swallowes, Jayes, with other small Birds. [1622] 1623 WHITBOURNE [N.H. letter] The Fowles and Birds of the Land are Partriges, Curlues, Fillidaies, Blackbirds, Bulfinches, Larks, Sparrowes, and such like. Ibid 7 As also Filladies, Nightingales and such like small birds that sing most pleasantly.

Go Back