What is "altrices"

Altrices \Al*tri"ces\, n. pl. [L., nourishes, pl. of altrix.] (Zo["o]l.) Nursers, -- a term applied to those birds whose young are hatched in a very immature and helpless condition, so as to require the care of their parents for some time; -- opposed to pr[ae]coces.

n. (context zoology English) nursers; those birds whose young are hatched in a very immature and helpless condition, so as to require the care of their parents for some time.