Word Study
wattlebird
CIDE DICTIONARY
wattlebird, n.
- Any one of several species of honey eaters belonging to
Anthochæra and allied genera of the familyMeliphagidæ . These birds usually have a large and conspicuous wattle of naked skin hanging down below each ear. They are natives of Australia and adjacent islands. [1913 Webster]" The best-known species (Anthochæra carunculata ) has the upper parts grayish brown, with a white stripe on each feather, and the wing and tail quills dark brown or blackish, tipped with withe. Its wattles, in life, are light blood-red. Called alsowattled crow ,wattled bee-eater ,wattled honey eater . Another species (Anthochæra inauris ) is streaked with black, gray, and white, and its long wattles are white, tipped with orange. The bush wattlebirds, belonging to the genusAnellobia , are closely related, but lack conspicuous wattles. The most common species (Anthochæra mellivora ) is dark brown, finely streaked with white. Called alsogoruck creeper ." [1913 Webster] - The Australian brush turkey. [1913 Webster]
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