The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Dotterel \Dot"ter*el\, n. [From Dote, v. i.]
   1. (Zool.) A European bird of the Plover family (Eudromias
      morinellus, syn. Charadrius morinellus). It is tame and
      easily taken, and is popularly believed to imitate the
      movements of the fowler.
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            In catching of dotterels we see how the foolish bird
            playeth the ape in gestures.          --Bacon.
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   Note: The ringed dotterel (or ring plover) is Charadrius
         hiaticula.
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   2. A silly fellow; a dupe; a gull. --Barrow.
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