Ruticilla

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Redstart \Red"start`\ (-st?rt`), n. [Red + start tail.] (Zool.)
        (a) A small, handsome European singing bird ({Phoenicurus
            phoenicurus}, formerly {Ruticilla phoenicurus}),
            allied to the nightingale; -- called also {redtail},
            {brantail}, {fireflirt}, {firetail}. The black
            redstart is {Phoenicurus ochruros} (formerly


            {Phoenicurus tithys}), and is now rare and protected
            by law in England. The name is also applied to several
            other species of {Ruticilla} and allied genera, native
            of India.
        (b) An American fly-catching warbler ({Setophaga
            ruticilla}). The male is black, with large patches of
            orange-red on the sides, wings, and tail. The female
            is olive, with yellow patches.
            [1913 Webster +PJC]