SQUIRREL— STIRK 221 



SPANIEL (see Dog). 



SQUIRREL. — Con; Earag, earrag, eas, easag, easaic, easan ; 

 Feorag ; Ir, ire, ira-rua (Jr.) ; Toghmall. 



Scorel, scropel, scrug, squirrell, skarale, squerylle, swirrel 

 (North). 



This word is derived from "ska" or *'skia" (sgiath, a shield), 

 and " oura " (Gr.), a tail, to cover, as does his bushy tail ; hence 

 called "shadow-tail." 



Though this animal is supposed generally to feed on nuts, hips 

 and haws, and the like, they have been seen to eat off the heads 

 of young blackbirds; also in captivity to show a great fondness 

 for fish, particularly crabs, the claws of which were cracked, and 

 the meat eaten with great relish. 



Ge h-ainneamh an f heorag, gheibhear seol air a faotainn. 



Though scarce be the squirrel, there is a way got to find her. 



STAG (see also Deer). — Buc ; Gripes ; Haveer, haver, havering, 

 havier (castrated), heort (A. S.), hevior ; Wood-goat (more properly 

 roe), wudugat. 



This word is also applied, in the signification of "mounter," 

 to the male of any animal, etc., e.g., stag-gander, stag, a young 

 horse, etc., etc. 



So much has been already given under the word Deer, and 

 so much lore and history hangs round this animal that it would 

 be superfluous here to refer further even to their more prominent 

 features and characteristics, etc. It may be mentioned, however, 

 that from time immemorial stags were known almost every- 

 where, and that a wound from the horn is always fatal, according 

 to the lines, "If thou be hurt with hart (stag) it brings thee to 

 thy bier, but barber's (the old physician's) hand will boar hurt 

 heal, therefore thou need'st not fear." "Sinteag feidh," or a 

 stag's leap, bound, or stretch, is an old linear measure, equal to 

 thirty English feet. (See " Nether Lochaber " in Oban Times of 

 8th June 1880.) 



STALLION (see Horse).— 5'^«w^e/—Ech-ccullach (Ir.) ; Irish, 

 Stall.; stalan, stalon, stoat; Russa. Stallion so called because 

 kept in a stall and not made to work. 



STEER (see Cow). — Biorach, bioraiche ; Colbthach ; Damh, 

 damh og ; Gabhainn, gabhnach, gabhuinn, gamhainn, gamhuinn ; 

 Tarbh og. 



The etymology is said to favour the signification full-grown, 

 strong, from "stu," to be firm, also "sta," to stand. 



STIRK (see also Cow). — Da-bhliadhnach, do-bhliadhnach ; 

 Gabhainn, etc. (as in Steer). 



Gamhainn is said to be derived from "gam," winter — a "year- 



