Water wagtail

Water wagtail
Wagtail Wag"tail`, n. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of many species of Old World singing birds belonging to {Motacilla} and several allied genera of the family {Motacillid[ae]}. They have the habit of constantly jerking their long tails up and down, whence the name. [1913 Webster]

{Field wagtail}, any one of several species of wagtails of the genus {Budytes} having the tail shorter, the legs longer, and the hind claw longer and straighter, than do the water wagtails. Most of the species are yellow beneath. Called also {yellow wagtail}.

{Garden wagtail}, the Indian black-breasted wagtail ({Nemoricola Indica}).

{Pied wagtail}, the common European water wagtail ({Motacilla lugubris}). It is variegated with black and white. The name is applied also to other allied species having similar colors. Called also {pied dishwasher}.

{Wagtail flycatcher}, a true flycatcher ({Sauloprocta motacilloides}) common in Southern Australia, where it is very tame, and frequents stock yards and gardens and often builds its nest about houses; -- called also {black fantail}.

{Water wagtail}. (a) Any one of several species of wagtails of the restricted genus {Motacilla}. They live chiefly on the shores of ponds and streams. (b) The American water thrush. See {Water thrush}.

{Wood wagtail}, an Asiatic wagtail; ({Calobates sulphurea}) having a slender bill and short legs. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Water wagtail — Wa ter wag tail See under {Wagtail}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • water wagtail — noun 1. : wagtail; especially : pied wagtail 2. : water thrush 1 * * * water wagtail noun A wagtail, esp the pied wagtail • • • Main …   Useful english dictionary

  • water wagtail — /ˈwɔtə wægteɪl/ (say wawtuh wagtayl) noun → pied wagtail …  

  • water-wagtail — …   Useful english dictionary

  • Wagtail — Wag tail , n. (Zo[ o]l.) Any one of many species of Old World singing birds belonging to {Motacilla} and several allied genera of the family {Motacillid[ae]}. They have the habit of constantly jerking their long tails up and down, whence the name …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Wagtail flycatcher — Wagtail Wag tail , n. (Zo[ o]l.) Any one of many species of Old World singing birds belonging to {Motacilla} and several allied genera of the family {Motacillid[ae]}. They have the habit of constantly jerking their long tails up and down, whence… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • water swallow — noun 1. : water wagtail 2. dialect England : sink 5 …   Useful english dictionary

  • Water thrush — Wa ter thrush (Zo[ o]l.) (a) A North American bird of the genus {Seiurus}, belonging to the Warbler family, especially the common species ({Seiurus Noveboracensis}). (b) The European water ousel. (b) The pied wagtail. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Field wagtail — Wagtail Wag tail , n. (Zo[ o]l.) Any one of many species of Old World singing birds belonging to {Motacilla} and several allied genera of the family {Motacillid[ae]}. They have the habit of constantly jerking their long tails up and down, whence… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Garden wagtail — Wagtail Wag tail , n. (Zo[ o]l.) Any one of many species of Old World singing birds belonging to {Motacilla} and several allied genera of the family {Motacillid[ae]}. They have the habit of constantly jerking their long tails up and down, whence… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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