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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



1,399 words match “BIRD”

CANARY a. 4 definitions
Of or pertaining to the Canary Islands; as, canary wine; canary birds.
CANOROUS a.
Melodious; musical. "Birds that are most canorous." Sir T. Browne. A long, lound, and canorous peal of laughter. De Quincey.
CAP n.
The whole top of the head of a bird from the base of the bill to the nape of the neck.
CARACARA n.
A south American bird of several species and genera, resembling both the eagles and the vultures. The caracaras act as scavengers, and are also called carrion buzzards.
CARIAMA n.
A large, long-legged South American bird (Dicholophus cristatus) which preys upon snakes, etc. See Seriema.
CARINA n.
The keel of the breastbone of birds.
CARINATAE n.
A grand division of birds, including all existing flying birds; -- So called from the carina or keel on the breastbone.
CARINATE; CARINATED a.
f a ship; having a carina or keel; as, a carinate calyx or leaf; a carinate sternum (of a bird).
CAROL n.
or mirth; a lay. The costly feast, the carol, and the dance. Dryden It was the carol of a bird. Byron.
CARPAL a.
pus; a carpale. Carpal angle (Zoöl.), the angle at the last joint of the folded wing of a bird.
CARPINTERO n.
acorns become infested by insect larvæ, which, when grown, are extracted for food by the bird.
CARRION a.
s, belonging mostly to the family Silphidæ. -- Carrion buzzard (Zoöl.), a South American bird of several species and genera (as Ibycter, Milvago, and Polyborus), which act as scavengers. See Caracara. -- Carrion crow, the common European crow (Corvus corone) which feeds on carrion, insects, fruits, and seeds.…
CARUNCLE; CARUNCULA n.
A naked, flesh appendage, on the head of a bird, as the wattles of a turkey, etc.
CASSICAN n.
An American bird of the genus Cassicus, allied to the starlings and orioles, remarkable for its skillfully constructed and suspended nest; the crested oriole. The name is also sometimes given to the piping crow, an Australian bird.
CASSOWARY n.
A large bird, of the genus Casuarius, found in the east Indies. It is smaller and stouter than the ostrich. Its head is armed with a kind of helmet of horny substance, consisting of plates overlapping each other, and it has a group of long sharp spines on each wing which are used as defensive organs. It is a shy bird,…
CATCH v.
To take captive, as in a snare or net, or on a hook; as, to catch a bird or fish.
CATERPILLAR n.
, with pods resembling caterpillars. Caterpillar catcher, or Caterpillar eater (Zoöl.), a bird belonging to the family of Shrikes, which feeds on caterpillars. The name is also given to several other birds. -- Caterpillar hunter (Zoöl.), any species of beetles of the genus Callosoma and other allied genera of the fami…
CAUDAL a.
Of the nature of, or pertaining to, a tail; having a tail-like appendage. The male widow-bird, remarkable for his caudal plumes. Darwin. Caudal fin (Zoöl.), the terminal fin (or "tail") of a fish.
CERE n.
The soft naked sheath at the base of the beak of birds of prey, parrots, and some other birds. See Beak.
CEROMA n.
The cere of birds.
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