Kirinki was one of the many species of birds that were native to Númenor. These tiny birds were not known to be found anywhere within Aman and Middle-earth. The kirinki were said to be no bigger than wrens, with bright scarlet feathers, and piping voices so high that they could hardly even be heard by Men.[1][2]
Etymology
Kirinki is a Quenya word possibly meaning "little cutter". It is perhaps derived from KIR ("cut, cleave, pass swiftly through; shave; skim (surface), slip along, glide quickly"), -incë ("diminutive ending").[3][4]
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "A Description of the Island of Númenor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Three. The World, its Lands, and its Inhabitants: XIII. Of the Land and Beasts of Númenor"
- ↑ Paul Strack, "Q. Kirinki n.", Eldamo, accessed 4 September 2022
- ↑ Helge Fauskanger, "Quenya Corpus Wordlist" at Ardalambion (accessed 13 March 2011)