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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



1,399 words match “BIRD”

HUMMING n.
ees; a low, murmuring sound; a hum. Hummingale, lively or strong ale. Dryden. -- Humming bird (Zoöl.), any bird of the family Trochilidæ, of which over one hundred genera are known, including about four hundred species. They are found only in America and are most abundant in the tropics. They are mostly of very small…
HURRICANE n.
hirl'd. Tennyson. Each guilty thought to me is A dreadful hurricane. Massinger. Hurricane bird (Zoöl.), the frigate bird. -- Hurricane deck. (Naut.) See under Deck.
HYPOCLEIDIUM n.
A median process on the furculum, or merrythought, of many birds, where it is connected with the sternum.
HYPOPTILUM n.
cessory plume arising from the posterior side of the stem of the contour feathers of many birds; -- called also aftershaft. See Illust. of Feather.
HYPOTARSUS n.
A process on the posterior side of the tarsometatarsus of many birds; the calcaneal process. -- Hy`po*tar"sal, a.
IBIS n.
Any bird of the genus Ibis and several allied genera, of the family Ibidæ, inhabiting both the Old World and the New. Numerous species are known. They are large, wading birds, having a long, curved beak, and feed largely on reptiles.
ICHTHYORNIS n.
An extinct genus of toothed birds found in the American Cretaceous formation. It is remarkable for having biconcave vertebræ, and sharp, conical teeth set in sockets. Its wings were well developed. It is the type of the order Odontotormæ.
IGNOBLE a.
e, elevated, or generous; base. 'T but a base, ignoble mind, That mounts no higher than a bird can soar. Shak. Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife. Gray.
IGUANODON n.
A genus of gigantic herbivorous dinosaurs having a birdlike pelvis and large hind legs with three-toed feet capable of supporting the entire body. Its teeth resemble those of the iguana, whence its name. Several species are known, mostly from the Wealden of England and Europe. See Illustration in Appendix.…
IMITATE v.
manner, or when an odorless insect imitates, in color, one having secretion offensive to birds.
IMP n.
t or repair it, -- as, an addition to a beehive; a feather inserted in a broken wing of a bird; a length of twisted hair in a fishing line. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
IMPENNES n.
An order of birds, including only the penguins, in which the wings are without quills, and not suited for flight.
INCAGE v.
To confine in, or as in, a cage; to coop up. [Written also encage.] "Incaged birds." Shak.
INCREASE v.
be fertile, fruitful, or prolific. Fishes are more numerous of increasing than beasts or birds, as appears by their numerous spawn. Sir M. Hale.
INCUMBENT a.
downwards so that the ends touch, or rest on, something else; as, the incumbent toe of a bird.
INDENTED a.
Notched along the margin with a different color, as the feathers of some birds. Indented line (Fort.), a line with alternate long and short faces, with salient and receding angles, each face giving a flanking fire along the front of the next.
INDICATOR n.
Any bird of the genus Indicator and allied genera. See Honey guide, under Honey.
INDIGO a.
Bot.), the fruit of the West Indian shrub Randia aculeata, used as a blue dye. -- Indigo bird (Zoöl.), a small North American finch (Cyanospiza cyanea). The male is indigo blue in color. Called also indigo bunting. -- Indigo blue. (a) The essential coloring material of commercial indigo, from which it is obtained as…
INGLUVIAL a.
Of or pertaining to the indulges or crop of birds.
INGLUVIES n.
The crop, or craw, of birds.
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