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Webster 1913 Edition
Wagtail
Wag′tailˊ
,Noun.
(Zool.)
Any one of many species of Old World singing birds belonging to
Motacilla
and several allied genera of the family Motacillidae
. They have the habit of constantly jerking their long tails up and down, whence the name. 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.Webster 1828 Edition
Wagtail
WAGTAIL
,Noun.
Definition 2024
wagtail
wagtail
English
Noun
wagtail (plural wagtails)
- Any of various small passerine birds of the family Motacillidae, of the Old World, notable for their long tails.
Derived terms
- field wagtail
- garden wagtail
- pied wagtail
- wagtail flycatcher
- water wagtail
- willie wagtail / willy wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys
- wood wagtail
- yellow wagtail
Translations
various small passerine birds
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