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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



1,399 words match “BIRD”

HANGNEST n.
A bird which builds such a nest; a hangbird.
HARRIER n.
species of hawks or buzzards of the genus Circus which fly low and harry small animals or birds, -- as the European marsh harrier (Circus ærunginosus), and the hen harrier (C. cyaneus). Harrier hawk(Micrastur.
HATCH v.
To produce young; -- said of eggs; to come forth from the egg; -- said of the young of birds, fishes, insects, etc.
HAUTEIN a.
High; -- said of the voice or flight of birds. [Obs.]
HAWK n. 2 definitions
One of numerous species and genera of rapacious birds of the family Falconidæ. They differ from the true falcons in lacking the prominent tooth and notch of the bill, and in having shorter and less pointed wings. Many are of large size and grade into the eagles. Some, as the goshawk, were formerly trained like falcons.…
HAWK MOTH n.
arge, handsome moths, which fly mostly at twilight and hover about flowers like a humming bird, sucking the honey by means of a long, slender proboscis. The larvæ are large, hairless caterpillars ornamented with green and other bright colors, and often with a caudal spine. See Sphinx, also Tobacco worm, and Tomato worm…
HAWKWEED n.
A plant of the genus Hieracium; -- so called from the ancient belief that birds of prey used its juice to strengthen their vision.
HEADDRESS n.
A covering or ornament for the head; a headtire. Among birds the males very often appear in a most beautiful headdress, whether it be a crest, a comb, a tuft of feathers, or a natural little plume. Addison.
HEAR v.
r their much speaking. Matt. vi. 7. Hear him. See Remark, under Hear, v. i. -- To hear a bird sing, to receive private communication. [Colloq.] Shak. -- To hear say, to hear one say; to learn by common report; to receive by rumor. [Colloq.]
HEAVEN v.
To place in happiness or bliss, as if in heaven; to beatify. [R.] We are happy as the bird whose nest Is heavened in the hush of purple hills. G. Massey.
HEED n.
cunning. Milton. Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand. 2 Sam. xx. 10. Birds give more heed and mark words more than beasts. Bacon.
HEMATOCRYA n.
The cold-blooded vertebrates, that is, all but the mammals and birds; -- the antithesis to Hematotherma.
HEMATOTHERMA n.
The warm-blooded vertebrates, comprising the mammals and birds; -- the antithesis to hematocrya.
HEMIPODE n.
Any bird of the genus Turnix. Various species inhabit Asia, Africa, and Australia.
HEN n.
The female of the domestic fowl; also, the female of grouse, pheasants, or any kind of birds; as, the heath hen; the gray hen.
HERODIONES n.
A division of wading birds, including the herons, storks, and allied forms. Called also Herodii. -- He*ro`di*o"nine, a.
HERON n.
Any wading bird of the genus Ardea and allied genera, of the family Ardeidæ. The herons have a long, sharp bill, and long legs and toes, with the claw of the middle toe toothed. The common European heron (Ardea cinerea) is remarkable for its directly ascending flight, and was formerly hunted with the larger falcons.…
HESPERORNIS n.
A genus of large, extinct, wingless birds from the Cretaceous deposits of Kansas, belonging to the Odontornithes. They had teeth, and were essentially carnivorous swimming ostriches. Several species are known. See Illust. in Append.
HETERODACTYLAE n.
A group of birds including the trogons.
HETEROMEROUS a.
aving the femoral artery developed as the principal artery of the leg; -- said of certain birds, as the cotingas and pipras.
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