- Charadrius hiaticula
- Dotterel Dot"ter*el, n. [From {Dote}, v. i.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A European bird of the Plover family
({Eudromias morinellus}, syn. {Charadrius morinellus}). It
is tame and easily taken, and is popularly believed to
imitate the movements of the fowler.
[1913 Webster]
In catching of dotterels we see how the foolish bird playeth the ape in gestures. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
Note: The ringed dotterel (or ring plover) is {Charadrius hiaticula}. [1913 Webster]
2. A silly fellow; a dupe; a gull. --Barrow. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
