資料來源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Shrike \Shrike\, n. [Akin to Icel. skr[=i]kja a shrieker, the
shrike, and E. shriek; cf. AS. scr[=i]c a thrush. See
{Shriek}, v. i.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of oscinine birds of the family
{Laniid[ae]}, having a strong hooked bill, toothed at the
tip. Most shrikes are insectivorous, but the common European
gray shrike ({Lanius excubitor}), the great northern shrike
({L. borealis}), and several others, kill mice, small birds,
etc., and often impale them on thorns, and are, on that
account called also {butcher birds}. See under {Butcher}.
Note: The ant shrikes, or bush shrikes, are clamatorial birds
of the family {Formicarid[ae]}. The cuckoo shrikes of
the East Indies and Australia are Oscines of the family
{Campephagid[ae]}. The drongo shrikes of the same
regions belong to the related family {Dicrurid[ae]}.
See {Drongo}.
{Crow shrike}. See under {Crow}.
{Shrike thrush}.
(a) Any one of several species of Asiatic timaline birds of
the genera {Thamnocataphus}, {Gampsorhynchus}, and
allies.
(b) Any one of several species of shrikelike Australian
singing birds of the genus {Colluricincla}.
{Shrike tit}.
(a) Any one of several Australian birds of the genus
{Falcunculus}, having a strong toothed bill and sharp
claws. They creep over the bark of trees, like titmice,
in search of insects.
(b) Any one of several species of small Asiatic birds
belonging to {Allotrius}, {Pteruthius}, {Cutia},
{Leioptila}, and allied genera, related to the true tits.
Called also {hill tit}.
{Swallow shrike}. See under {Swallow}.
Butcher \Butch"er\, n. [OE. bochere, bochier, OF. bochier, F.
boucher, orig., slaughterer of buck goats, fr. OF. boc, F.
bouc, a buck goat; of German or Celtic origin. See {Buck} the
animal.]
1. One who slaughters animals, or dresses their flesh for
market; one whose occupation it is to kill animals for
food.
2. A slaughterer; one who kills in large numbers, or with
unusual cruelty; one who causes needless loss of life, as
in battle. ``Butcher of an innocent child.'' --Shak.
{Butcher bird} (Zo["o]l.), a species of shrike of the genus
{Lanius}.
Note: The {Lanius excubitor} is the common butcher bird of
Europe. In England, the bearded tit is sometimes called
the {lesser butcher bird}. The American species are
{L.borealis}, or {northern butcher bird}, and {L.
Ludovicianus} or {loggerhead shrike}. The name butcher
bird is derived from its habit of suspending its prey
impaled upon thorns, after killing it.
{Butcher's meat}, such flesh of animals slaughtered for food
as is sold for that purpose by butchers, as beef, mutton,
lamb, and pork.
資料來源 : WordNet®
Lanius excubitor
n : common European butcherbird [syn: {European shrike}]