Part 657

3. A birch twig or birch twigs, used for flogging.

The twigs of the common European birch (B. alba), being tough and slender, were formerly much used for rods in schools. They were also made into brooms.

The threatening twigs of birch. Shak.

4. A birch-bark canoe.

Birch of Jamaica, a species (Bursera gummifera) of turpentine tree. -- Birch partridge. (Zoöl.) See Ruffed grouse. -- Birch wine, wine made of the spring sap of the birch. -- Oil of birch. (a) An oil obtained from the bark of the common European birch (Betula alba), and used in the preparation of genuine (and sometimes of the imitation) Russia leather, to which it gives its peculiar odor. (b) An oil prepared from the black birch (B. lenta), said to be identical with the oil of wintergreen, for which it is largely sold.

Birch, a. Of or pertaining to the birch; birchen.

Birch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Birched (brcht); p. pr. & vb. n. Birching.] To whip with a birch rod or twig; to flog.

Birch"en (brch"'n), a. Of or relating to birch.

He passed where Newark's stately tower Looks out from Yarrow's birchen bower. Sir W. Scott.

Bird (brd), n. [OE. brid, bred, bird, young bird, bird, AS. bridd young bird. √92.] 1. Orig., a chicken; the young of a fowl; a young eaglet; a nestling; and hence, a feathered flying animal (see 2).

That ungentle gull, the cuckoo's bird. Shak.

The brydds [birds] of the aier have nestes. Tyndale (Matt. viii. 20).

2. (Zoöl.) A warm-blooded, feathered vertebrate provided with wings. See Aves.

3. Specifically, among sportsmen, a game bird.

4. Fig.: A girl; a maiden.

And by my word! the bonny bird In danger shall not tarry. Campbell.

Arabian bird, the phenix. -- Bird of Jove, the eagle. -- Bird of Juno, the peacock. -- Bird louse (Zoöl.), a wingless insect of the group Mallophaga, of which the genera and species are very numerous and mostly parasitic upon birds. -- Bird mite (Zoöl.), a small mite (genera Dermanyssus, Dermaleichus and allies) parasitic upon birds. The species are numerous. -- Bird of passage, a migratory bird. -- Bird spider (Zoöl.), a very large South American spider (Mygale avicularia). It is said sometimes to capture and kill small birds. -- Bird tick (Zoöl.), a dipterous insect parasitic upon birds (genus Ornithomyia, and allies), usually winged.

Bird (&?;), v. i. 1. To catch or shoot birds.

2. Hence: To seek for game or plunder; to thieve. [R.] B. Jonson.

Bird"bolt` (&?;), n. A short blunt arrow for killing birds without piercing them. Hence: Anything which smites without penetrating. Shak.

{ Bird" cage", or Bird"cage` } (&?;), n. A cage for confining birds.

Bird"call` (&?;), n. 1. A sound made in imitation of the note or cry of a bird for the purpose of decoying the bird or its mate.

2. An instrument of any kind, as a whistle, used in making the sound of a birdcall.

Bird"catch`er (&?;), n. One whose employment it is to catch birds; a fowler.

Bird"catch`ing, n. The art, act, or occupation or catching birds or wild fowls.

Bird" cher`ry (&?;). (Bot.) A shrub (Prunus Padus ) found in Northern and Central Europe. It bears small black cherries.

Bird"er (&?;), n. A birdcatcher.

Bird"-eyed` (&?;), a. Quick-sighted; catching a glance as one goes.