Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Ortolan
Or′to-lan
,Noun.
[F., fr. It.
ortolano
ortolan, gardener, fr. L. hortulanus
gardener, fr. hortulus
, dim. of hortus
garden. So called because it frequents the hedges of gardens. See Yard
an inclosure, and cf. Hortulan
.] (Zool.)
(a)
A European singing bird (
Emberiza hortulana
), about the size of the lark, with black wings. It is esteemed delicious food when fattened. Called also bunting
. (b)
In England, the wheatear (
Saxicola oenanthe
). (c)
In America, the sora, or Carolina rail (
Porzana Carolina
). See Sora
. Webster 1828 Edition
Ortolan
OR'TOLAN
,Noun.
A bird of the genus Emberiza, about the size of the lark, with black wings. It is found in France and Italy, feeds on panic grass, and is delicious food.