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A ruffing of a bird's feathers from cold.

A genus of birds, with a short, conical, pointed bill. It formerly included all the sparrows and finches, but is now restricted to certain European finches, like the chaffinch and brambling.

One of several species of Asiatic and East Indian birds of the genus Batrachostomus (family Podargidæ); -- so called from their very broad, flat bills.

The margin of the head, behind the bill of birds, often bearing rigid bristles.

Feeding on fruit, as birds and other animals. Pennant.

One of several species of sea birds, of the family procellariidæ, allied to the albatrosses and petrels. Among the well- known species are the arctic fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) (called also fulmar petrel, malduck, and mollemock), and the giant fulmar (Ossifraga gigantea).

The wishbone or merrythought of birds, formed by the united clavicles.

A large duck (Anas strepera), valued as a game bird, found in the northern parts of Europe and America; -- called also gray duck. [Written also gaddwell.]

One of the Gallinae or gallinaceous birds.

An order of birds, including the common domestic fowls, pheasants, grouse, quails, and allied forms; -- sometimes called Rasores.

One of several wading birds, having long, webless toes, and a frontal shield, belonging to the family Rallidae. They are remarkable for running rapidly over marshes and on floating plants. The purple gallinule of America is Ionornis Martinica, that of the Old World is Porphyrio porphyrio. The common European gallinule…

A pair of suspenders or braces. [Colloq.] Gallows bird, a person who deserves the gallows. [Colloq.] -- Gallows bitts (Naut.), one of two or more frames amidships on deck for supporting spare spars; -- called also gallows, gallows top, gallows frame, etc. -- Gallows frame. (a) The frame supporting the beam of an engin…

Any bird of the genuis Totanus. See Tattler.

's bag for carrying small game captured; also, the whole quantity of game taken. -- Game bird, any bird commonly shot for food, esp. grouse, partridges, quails, pheasants, wild turkeys, and the shore or wading birds, such as plovers, snipe, woodcock, curlew, and sandpipers. The term is sometimes arbitrarily restricted…

One of several species of sea birds of the genus Sula, allied to the pelicans.

Expressing a desire for food; as, young birds gape. Dryden.

An East Indian bird of the genus Cymbirhynchus, related to the broadbills.

The width of the mouth when opened, as of birds, fishes, etc. GAPES; THE GAPES The gapes.

The parasitic worm that causes the gapes in birds. See Illustration in Appendix.

Having a loud, harsh note; noisy; -- said of birds; as, the garrulous roller.