ortolan UK /ˈɔː.təl.ən/US /ˈɔɹ.tə.læn/ noun3 •A small European migratory bunting (Emberiza hortulana), once eaten whole as a delicacy.[…]this taught him to consider Sophia as a most delicious morsel, indeed to regard her with the same desires which an ortolan inspires into the soul of an epicure. — 1749 •(US) Any of various similar birds, especially the bobolink, sora, or snow bunting. •The greater short-toed lark (Calandrella brachydactyla). formsortolans