crow shrike

2 definitions found

crow shrike - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Shrike \Shrike\, n. [Akin to Icel. skr[imac]kja a shrieker, the
     shrike, and E. shriek; cf. AS. scr[imac]c a thrush. See
     Shriek, v. i.] (Zool.)
     Any one of numerous species of oscinine birds of the family
     Laniidae, having a strong hooked bill, toothed at the tip.
     Most shrikes are insectivorous, but the common European gray
     shrike (Lanius excubitor), the great northern shrike
     (Lanius borealis), and several others, kill mice, small
     birds, etc., and often impale them on thorns, and are, on
     that account called also butcher birds. See under
     Butcher.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The ant shrikes, or bush shrikes, are clamatorial birds
           of the family Formicaridae. The cuckoo shrikes of the
           East Indies and Australia are Oscines of the family
           Campephagidae. The drongo shrikes of the same regions
           belong to the related family Dicruridae. See
           Drongo.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     Crow shrike. See under Crow.
  
     Shrike thrush.
     (a) Any one of several species of Asiatic timaline birds of
         the genera Thamnocataphus, Gampsorhynchus, and
         allies.
     (b) Any one of several species of shrikelike Australian
         singing birds of the genus Colluricincla.
  
     Shrike tit.
     (a) Any one of several Australian birds of the genus
         Falcunculus, having a strong toothed bill and sharp
         claws. They creep over the bark of trees, like titmice,
         in search of insects.
     (b) Any one of several species of small Asiatic birds
         belonging to Allotrius, Pteruthius, Cutia,
         Leioptila, and allied genera, related to the true tits.
         Called also hill tit.
  
     Swallow shrike. See under Swallow.
        [1913 Webster]

  Crow \Crow\, n. [AS. cr[=a]we a crow (in sense 1); akin to D.
     kraai, G. kr[aum]he; cf. Icel. kr[=a]ka crow. So named from
     its cry, from AS. cr[=a]wan to crow. See Crow, v. i. ]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. (Zool.) A bird, usually black, of the genus Corvus,
        having a strong conical beak, with projecting bristles. It
        has a harsh, croaking note. See Caw.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The common crow of Europe, or carrion crow, is Corvus corone
           . The common American crow is Corvus Americanus
           . See Carrion crow, and Illustr., under
           Carrion.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A bar of iron with a beak, crook, or claw; a bar of iron
        used as a lever; a crowbar.
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              Get me an iron crow, and bring it straight
              Unto my cell.                         --Shak.
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     3. The cry of the cock. See Crow, v. i., 1.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. The mesentery of a beast; -- so called by butchers.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Carrion crow. See under Carrion.
  
     Crow blackbird (Zool.), an American bird (Quiscalus  quiscula
        ); -- called also purple grackle.
  
     Crow pheasant (Zool.), an Indian cuckoo; the common coucal.
        It is believed by the natives to give omens. See Coucal.
        
  
     Crow shrike (Zool.), any bird of the genera Gymnorhina,
        Craticus, or Strepera, mostly from Australia.
  
     Red-legged crow. See Crough.
  
     As the crow flies, in a direct line.
  
     To pick a crow, To pluck a crow, to state and adjust a
        difference or grievance (with any one).
        [1913 Webster]