(Zool.) The European robin. "The tame ruddock and the coward kite."
2.
A piece of gold money; probably because the gold of coins was often reddened by copper alloy. Called also red ruddock, and golden ruddock. (Obs.) "Great pieces of gold... red ruddocks."
... left Tithon's bed, All ready to her silver coach to climb; And Phoebus 'gins to show his glorious head. Hark, how the cheerful birds do chant their lays And carol of love's praise. The merry lark her matins sings aloft; The thrush replies; the mavis descant plays; The ouzel shrills; the ruddock warbles soft; So goodly all agree, with sweet consent, To this day's merriment. Ah! my dear love, why do ye sleep thus long, When meeter were that ye should now awake, To await the coming of your joyous mate, And hearken to the birds' ... — The Home Book of Verse, Vol. 2 (of 4) • Various
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