DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan
Shrike n. 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.
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.
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.
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Tit n.
1. A small horse.
2. A woman; -- used in contempt.
3. A morsel; a bit.
4. Zool. (a) Any one of numerous species of small singing birds belonging to the families Paridae and Leiotrichidae; a titmouse. (b) The European meadow pipit; a titlark.
Ground tit. Zool. See Wren tit, under Wren.
Hill tit Zool., any one of numerous species of Asiatic singing birds belonging to Siva, Milna, and allied genera.
Tit babbler Zool., any one of several species of small East Indian and Asiatic timaline birds of the genus Trichastoma.
Tit for tat.
Tit thrush Zool., any one of numerous species of Asiatic and East Indian birds belonging to Suthora and allied genera. In some respects they are intermediate between the thrushes and titmice.
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Hill n.
1. A natural elevation of land, or a mass of earth rising above the common level of the surrounding land; an eminence less than a mountain.
Every mountain and hill shall be made low. --Is. xl. 4.
2. The earth raised about the roots of a plant or cluster of plants. [U. S.] See Hill, v. t.
3. A single cluster or group of plants growing close together, and having the earth heaped up about them; as, a hill of corn or potatoes. [U. S.]
Hill ant Zool., a common ant (Formica rufa), of Europe and America, which makes mounds or ant-hills over its nests.
Hill myna Zool., one of several species of birds of India, of the genus Gracula, and allied to the starlings. They are easily taught to speak many words. [Written also hill mynah.] See Myna.
Hill partridge Zool., a partridge of the genus Aborophila, of which numerous species in habit Southern Asia and the East Indies.
Hill tit Zool., one of numerous species of small Asiatic singing birds of the family Leiotrichidæ. Many are beautifully colored.