ˈȯ(r)d. ə lən noun
( -s )
Etymology: French or Italian; French ortolan, from Italian ortolano ortolan, gardener, from Latin hortulanus gardener, from hortulus small garden (diminutive of hortus garden) + -anus -an — more at yard
1. : a European bunting ( Emberiza hortulana ) that is about six inches long, has a greenish gray head, brown and black wings and back, yellowish breast, and buff abdomen, and is commonly netted and fattened for a table delicacy
2.
a. Britain : wheatear
b. : sora
c. : bobolink