Stake-driv·er n. Zool. The common American bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus); -- so called because one of its notes resembles the sound made in driving a stake into the mud. Called also meadow hen, and Indian hen.
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Bit·tern n. Zool. A wading bird of the genus Botaurus, allied to the herons, of various species.
Note: ☞ The common European bittern is Botaurus stellaris. It makes, during the brooding season, a noise called by Dryden bumping, and by Goldsmith booming. The American bittern is Botaurus lentiginosus, and is also called stake-driver and meadow hen. See Stake-driver.
Note: The name is applied to other related birds, as the least bittern (Ardetta exilis), and the sun bittern.
Botaurus lentiginosus
n : a kind of bittern [syn: American bittern, stake driver]