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A bright-colored South African grosbeak (Pyromelana orix), having the back red and the lower parts black.

The common European grosbeak (Coccothraustes vulgaris); -- called also cherry finch, and coble.

together the opposite edges of a garment, etc. -- Hook bill (Zoöl.), the strongly curved beak of a bird. -- Hook ladder, a ladder with hooks at the end by which it can be suspended, as from the top of a wall. -- Hook motion (Steam Engin.), a valve gear which is reversed by V hooks. -- Hook squid, any squid which ha…

A projection from the beak of a bird, as in the hornbill. (b) A tuft of feathers on the head of a bird, as in the horned owl. (c) A hornlike projection from the head or thorax of an insect, or the head of a reptile, or fish. (d) A sharp spine in front of the fins of a fish, as in the horned pout.

protuberance, which is usually large and hollow and is situated on the upper side of the beak. The size of the hornbill varies from that of a pigeon to that of a raven, or even larger. They feed chiefly upon fruit, but some species eat dead animals.

the New. Numerous species are known. They are large, wading birds, having a long, curved beak, and feed largely on reptiles.

North American woodpecker (Campephilus principalis), having a large, sharp, ivory-colored beak. Its general color is glossy black, with white secondaries, and a white dorsal stripe. The male has a large, scarlet crest. It is now rare, and found only in the Gulf States.

eathers of the neck form a hood, -- whence the name. The wings and tail are long, and the beak moderately short.

g, slender, hornlike ornament on its head, and two sharp spurs on each wing. Although its beak, feet, and legs resemble those of gallinaceous birds, it is related in anatomical characters to the ducks and geese (Anseres). Called also horned screamer. The name is sometimes applied also to the chaja. See Chaja, and Screa…

idæ. Most of them feed upon fishes which they capture by diving and seizing then with the beak; others feed only upon reptiles, insects, etc. About one hundred and fifty species are known. They are found in nearly all parts of the world, but are particularly abundant in the East Indies.

ation of lace. -- Lace piece (Shipbuilding), the main piece of timber which supports the beak or head projecting beyond the stem of a ship. -- Lace pillow, and Pillow lace. See under Pillow.

Having a broad beak. Sir T. Browne.

Crescent-shaped; as, a lunate leaf; a lunate beak; a lunated cross. Gray.

A special area in front of the beak of many bivalve shells. It sometimes has the shape of a double crescent, but is oftener heart- shaped. See Illust. of Bivalve.

er jaw; the inferior maxilla; -- also applied to either the upper or the lower jaw in the beak of birds.

A bird without beak or feet; -- generally assumed to represent a martin. As a mark of cadency it denotes the fourth son.

al species of long-tailed, passerine birds of the genus Momotus, having a strong serrated beak. In most of the species the two long middle tail feathers are racket-shaped at the tip, when mature. The bird itself is said by some writers to trim them into this shape. They feed on insects, reptiles, and fruit, and are fou…

The terminal horny plate on the beak of ducks, and other allied birds.

The nose; the snout; the mouth; the beak of a bird; a nib, as of a pen. [Also written nib.] Shak.

The bill or beak of a bird; the neb.