fool's coat

1 definition found

fool's coat - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Goldfinch \Gold"finch`\, n. [AS. goldfinc. See Gold, and
     Finch.] (Zool.)
     (a) A beautiful bright-colored European finch (Carduelis   elegans
         ). The name refers to the large patch of yellow
         on the wings. The front of the head and throat are bright
         red; the nape, with part of the wings and tail, black; --
         called also goldspink, goldie, fool's coat,
         drawbird, draw-water, thistle finch, and sweet   William
         .
     (b) The yellow-hammer.
     (c) A small American finch (Spinus tristis); the thistle
         bird.
         [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The name is also applied to other yellow finches, esp.
           to several additional American species of Spinus.
           [1913 Webster]