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The Collaborative International Dictionary
bee martin

Kingbird \King"bird\, n. (Zo["o]l.)

  1. A small American bird ( Tyrannus tyrannus, or Tyrannus Carolinensis), noted for its courage in attacking larger birds, even hawks and eagles, especially when they approach its nest in the breeding season. It is a typical tyrant flycatcher, taking various insects upon the wing. It is dark ash above, and blackish on the bead and tail. The quills and wing coverts are whitish at the edges. It is white beneath, with a white terminal band on the tail. The feathers on the head of the adults show a bright orange basal spot when erected. Called also bee bird, and bee martin. Several Southern and Western species of Tyrannus are also called king birds.

  2. The king tody. See under King.

bee martin

Martin \Mar"tin\, n. [F. martin, from the proper name Martin. Cf. Martlet.] (Zo["o]l.) One of several species of swallows, usually having the tail less deeply forked than the tail of the common swallows. Note: The American purple martin, or bee martin ( Progne subis or Progne purpurea), and the European house martin, or window martin ( Hirundo urbica or Chelidon urbica), are the best known species. Bank martin.

  1. The bank swallow. See under Bank.

  2. The fairy martin. See under Fairy. Bee martin.

    1. The purple martin.

    2. The kingbird.

      Sand martin, the bank swallow.