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The Collaborative International Dictionary
marsh hawk

Marsh \Marsh\, n. [OE. mersch, AS. mersc, fr. mere lake. See Mere pool, and cf. Marish, Morass.] A tract of soft wet land, commonly covered partially or wholly with water; a fen; a swamp; a morass. [Written also marish.] Marsh asphodel (Bot.), a plant ( Nartheeium ossifragum) with linear equitant leaves, and a raceme of small white flowers; -- called also bog asphodel. Marsh cinquefoil (Bot.), a plant ( Potentilla palustris) having purple flowers, and found growing in marshy places; marsh five-finger. Marsh elder. (Bot.)

  1. The guelder-rose or cranberry tree ( Viburnum Opulus).

  2. In the United States, a composite shrub growing in salt marshes ( Iva frutescens). Marsh five-finger. (Bot.) See Marsh cinquefoil (above). Marsh gas. (Chem.) See under Gas. Marsh grass (Bot.), a genus ( Spartina) of coarse grasses growing in marshes; -- called also cord grass. The tall Spartina cynosuroides is not good for hay unless cut very young. The low Spartina juncea is a common component of salt hay. Marsh harrier (Zo["o]l.), a European hawk or harrier ( Circus [ae]ruginosus); -- called also marsh hawk, moor hawk, moor buzzard, puttock. Marsh hawk. (Zo["o]l.)

    1. A hawk or harrier ( Circus cyaneus), native of both America and Europe. The adults are bluish slate above, with a white rump. Called also hen harrier, and mouse hawk.

    2. The marsh harrier.

      Marsh hen (Zo["o]l.), a rail; esp., Rallus elegans of fresh-water marshes, and Rallus longirostris of salt-water marshes.

      Marsh mallow (Bot.), a plant of the genus Alth[ae]a ( Alth[ae]a officinalis) common in marshes near the seashore, and whose root is much used in medicine as a demulcent.

      Marsh marigold. (Bot.) See in the Vocabulary.

      Marsh pennywort (Bot.), any plant of the umbelliferous genus Hydrocotyle; low herbs with roundish leaves, growing in wet places; -- called also water pennywort.

      Marsh quail (Zo["o]l.), the meadow lark.

      Marsh rosemary (Bot.), a plant of the genus Statice ( Statice Limonium), common in salt marshes. Its root is powerfully astringent, and is sometimes used in medicine. Called also sea lavender.

      Marsh samphire (Bot.), a plant ( Salicornia herbacea) found along seacoasts. See Glasswort.

      Marsh St. John's-wort (Bot.), an American herb ( Elodes Virginica) with small opposite leaves and flesh-colored flowers.

      Marsh tea. (Bot.). Same as Labrador tea.

      Marsh trefoil. (Bot.) Same as Buckbean.

      Marsh wren (Zo["o]l.), any species of small American wrens of the genus Cistothorus, and allied genera. They chiefly inhabit salt marshes.

marsh hawk

Hen \Hen\, n. [AS. henn, hen, h[ae]n; akin to D. hen, OHG. henna, G. henne, Icel. h?na, Dan. h["o]na; the fem. corresponding to AS. hana cock, D. haan, OHG. hano, G. hahn, Icel. hani, Dan. & Sw. hane. Prob. akin to L. canere to sing, and orig. meaning, a singer. Cf. Chanticleer.] (Zo["o]l.) The female of the domestic fowl; also, the female of grouse, pheasants, or any kind of birds; as, the heath hen; the gray hen. Note: Used adjectively or in combination to indicate the female; as, hen canary, hen eagle, hen turkey, peahen. Hen clam. (Zo["o]l.)

  1. A clam of the Mactra, and allied genera; the sea clam or surf clam. See Surf clam.

  2. A California clam of the genus Pachydesma.

    Hen driver. See Hen harrier (below).

    Hen harrier (Zo["o]l.), a hawk ( Circus cyaneus), found in Europe and America; -- called also dove hawk, henharm, henharrow, hen driver, and usually, in America, marsh hawk. See Marsh hawk.

    Hen hawk (Zo["o]l.), one of several species of large hawks which capture hens; esp., the American red-tailed hawk ( Buteo borealis), the red-shouldered hawk ( Buteo lineatus), and the goshawk.

WordNet
marsh hawk

n. common harrier of North America and Europe; nests in marshes and open land [syn: northern harrier, hen harrier, Circus cyaneus]

Usage examples of "marsh hawk".

He remembered how he had used to speak the name of the Sparrowhawk, the marsh hawk, the grey eagle, calling them down from the sky to him in a rush of wings to grasp his arm with iron talons and glare at him, eye to wrathful, golden eye.

He remembered how he had used to speak the name of the Sparrowhawk, the marsh hawk, the grey eagle, calling them down from the sky to him in a rush of wings to grasp his arm with iron talons and glare at him, eye to wrathful, golden eye….

A marsh hawk caught Cyncaidh's eye, soaring low over the meadow beside the road, single-minded, oblivious to the army.

Harry made his way over to the painting, skirting a clawfooted table that had a stuffed marsh hawk perched on a stand atop it.

The marsh hawk, sailing low over the meadow, is already seeking the first slimy life that awakes.