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Placed in apposition; mutually fitting, as the mandibles of a bird's beak.

Naked spaces between the feathered areas of birds. See Pteryliæ.

An order of birds, including the genus Apteryx.

A genus of New Zealand birds about the size of a hen, with only short rudiments of wings, armed with a claw and without a tail; the kiwi. It is allied to the gigantic extinct moas of the same country. Five species are known.

Of or pertaining to Arabia or its inhabitants. Arabian bird, the phenix. Shak.

A South American bird, of the genus Pleroglossius, allied to the toucans. There are several species.

Tree-inhabiting; -- said of certain birds.

A fossil bird, of the Jurassic period, remarkable for having a long tapering tail of many vertebræ with feathers along each side, and jaws armed with teeth, with other reptilian characteristics.

The adjutant bird.

Having horns, beak, talons, etc; -- said of beasts and birds of prey. Armed at all points (Blazoning), completely incased in armor, sometimes described as armed cap-à-pie. Cussans. -- Armed en flute. (Naut.) See under Flute. -- Armed magnet, a magnet provided with an armature. -- Armed neutrality. See under Neutrali…

A bone in the base of the lower jaw of many birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes.

A sauce (such as egg and bread crumbs) used for covering bits of meat, small birds, or fish, strung on skewers for frying.

Birdcatching; fowling. [Obs.] Blount.

n official diviner who foretold events by the singing, chattering, flight, and feeding of birds, or by signs or omens derived from celestial phenomena, certain appearances of quadrupeds, or unusual occurrences.

The art or practice of foretelling events by observing the actions of birds, etc.; divination.

A name given to various species of arctic sea birds of the family Alcidæ. The great auk, now extinct, is Alca (or Plautus) impennis. The razor-billed auk is A. torda. See Puffin, Guillemot, and Murre.

A circle of feathers surrounding the opening of the ear of birds.

ate; -- a sense derived from the Roman practice of taking the auspicium, or inspection of birds, before undertaking any important business. They auspicate all their proceedings. Burke.

A divining or taking of omens by observing birds; an omen as to an undertaking, drawn from birds; an augury; an omen or sign in general; an indication as to the future.

machines which appear to imitate spontaneously the motions of living beings, such as men, birds, etc.