Spinetail

2 definitions found

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

  Spinetail \Spine"tail`\, n. (Zool.)
     (a) Any one or several species of swifts of the genus
         {Acanthylis}, or {Chaetura}, and allied genera, in which
         the shafts of the tail feathers terminate in rigid
         spines.
     (b) Any one of several species of South American and Central


         American clamatorial birds belonging to {Synallaxis} and
         allied genera of the family {Dendrocolaptidae}. They are
         allied to the ovenbirds.
     (c) The ruddy duck. [Local, U.S.]
         [1913 Webster]

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

  Ruddy \Rud"dy\, a. [Compar. {Ruddier}; superl. {Ruddiest}.] [AS.
     rudig. See {Rud}, n.]
     1. Of a red color; red, or reddish; as, a ruddy sky; a ruddy
        flame. --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              They were more ruddy in body than rubies. --Lam. iv.
                                                    7.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Of a lively flesh color, or the color of the human skin in
        high health; as, ruddy cheeks or lips. --Dryden.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     {Ruddy duck} (Zool.), an American duck ({Erismatura rubida})
        having a broad bill and a wedge-shaped tail composed of
        stiff, sharp feathers. The adult male is rich brownish red
        on the back, sides, and neck, black on the top of the
        head, nape, wings, and tail, and white on the cheeks. The
        female and young male are dull brown mixed with blackish
        on the back; grayish below. Called also {dunbird},
        {dundiver}, {ruddy diver}, {stifftail}, {spinetail},
        {hardhead}, {sleepy duck}, {fool duck}, {spoonbill}, etc.
        
  
     {Ruddy plover} (Zool.) the sanderling.
        [1913 Webster]