birding vbl n Cp OED ~ vbl sb arch (1596-1852) for sense 1.
   1 Fowling, esp shooting sea-birds from the shore or small boats; GUNNING.
   M 71-37 The rodneys were left in the water a while longer as they were used till late in the fall for birding. 1974 MARIN 46 The forming of the rough ice around the island—slob ice—meant the beginning of birding. To hide the hunters, along the shore shelters, half-moon shaped, had to be built out of stones.
   2 Comb birding dart: Inuit hunting implement; cp DART n 1.
   [1772] 1792 CARTWRIGHT i, 273 We caught plenty of fish of different kinds—a few fish greatly resembling tench, (which I killed with an Esquimau birding-dart under the stern) a porpoise and a dolphin.
   birding frock: protective garment, usually white, formerly worn by hunter while shooting sea-birds (P 245--69).

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