What is "sea pigeon"

Guillemot \Guil"le*mot`\, n. [F.] (Zo["o]l.) One of several northern sea birds, allied to the auks. They have short legs, placed far back, and are expert divers and swimmers.

Note: The common guillemots, or murres, belong to the genus Uria (as U. troile); the black or foolish guillemot ( Cepphus grylle, formerly Uria grylle), is called also sea pigeon and eligny. See Murre.

n. The common guillemot.

Sea Pigeon (1970–2000) was an American-bred, British-trained racehorse who excelled in both National Hunt and flat racing. In a racing career which lasted from 1972 until 1981 he competed in eighty-five races, and won thirty-seven times. He was best known for his performances in hurdle races when he won the Champion Hurdle on two occasions. He was also one of the best flat stayers of his era winning major handicap races under weights of up to 140 pounds. As a gelding, he was ineligible to compete in the most prestigious flat staying races, such as the Ascot Gold Cup. On his retirement he was described as Britain's "best known horse after Arkle and Red Rum.