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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Buteo borealis

Hawk \Hawk\ (h[add]k), n. [OE. hauk (prob. fr. Icel.), havek, AS. hafoc, heafoc; akin to D. havik, OHG. habuh, G. habicht, Icel. haukr, Sw. h["o]k, Dan. h["o]g, prob. from the root of E. heave.] (Zo["o]l.) One of numerous species and genera of rapacious birds of the family Falconid[ae]. They differ from the true falcons in lacking the prominent tooth and notch of the bill, and in having shorter and less pointed wings. Many are of large size and grade into the eagles. Some, as the goshawk, were formerly trained like falcons. In a more general sense the word is not infrequently applied, also, to true falcons, as the sparrow hawk, pigeon hawk, duck hawk, and prairie hawk. Note: Among the common American species are the red-tailed hawk ( Buteo borealis); the red-shouldered ( Buteo lineatus); the broad-winged ( Buteo Pennsylvanicus); the rough-legged ( Archibuteo lagopus); the sharp-shinned ( Accipiter fuscus). See Fishhawk, Goshawk, Marsh hawk, under Marsh, Night hawk, under Night. Bee hawk (Zo["o]l.), the honey buzzard. Eagle hawk. See under Eagle. Hawk eagle (Zo["o]l.), an Asiatic bird of the genus Spiz[ae]tus, or Limn[ae]tus, intermediate between the hawks and eagles. There are several species. Hawk fly (Zo["o]l.), a voracious fly of the family Asilid[ae]. See Hornet fly, under Hornet. Hawk moth. (Zo["o]l.) See Hawk moth, in the Vocabulary. Hawk owl. (Zo["o]l.)

  1. A northern owl ( Surnia ulula) of Europe and America. It flies by day, and in some respects resembles the hawks.

  2. An owl of India ( Ninox scutellatus).

    Hawk's bill (Horology), the pawl for the rack, in the striking mechanism of a clock.

Buteo borealis

Red-tailed \Red"-tailed`\ (-t?ld`), a. Having a red tail.

Red-tailed hawk (Zo["o]l.), a large North American hawk ( Buteo borealis). When adult its tail is chestnut red. Called also hen hawck, and red-tailed buzzard.

Buteo borealis

Buzzard \Buz"zard\ (b[u^]z"z[~e]rd), n.[O.E. busard, bosard, F. busard, fr. buse, L. buteo, a kind of falcon or hawk.]

  1. (Zo["o]l.) A bird of prey of the Hawk family, belonging to the genus Buteo and related genera.

  2. (Zo["o]l.) In the United States, a term used for the turkey vulture ( Cathartes aura), and sometimes indiscriminately to any vulture.

    Note: The Buteo vulgaris is the common buzzard of Europe. The American species (of which the most common are Buteo borealis, Buteo Pennsylvanicus, and Buteo lineatus) are usually called hen hawks. -- The rough-legged buzzard, or bee hawk, of Europe ( Pernis apivorus) feeds on bees and their larv[ae], with other insects, and reptiles. -- The moor buzzard of Europe is Circus [ae]ruginosus. See Turkey buzzard, and Carrion buzzard.

    Bald buzzard, the fishhawk or osprey. See Fishhawk.

    2. A blockhead; a dunce.

    It is common, to a proverb, to call one who can not be taught, or who continues obstinately ignorant, a buzzard.
    --Goldsmith.

Buteo borealis

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.