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Circus aeruginosus

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.

Circus aeruginosus

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.

Circus aeruginosus

Harrier \Har"ri*er\, n. [From Harry.]

  1. One who harries.

  2. (Zo["o]l.) One of several species of hawks or buzzards of the genus Circus which fly low and harry small animals or birds, -- as the European marsh harrier ( Circus [ae]ruginosus), and the hen harrier ( Circus cyaneus).

    Harrier hawk (Zo["o]l.), one of several species of American hawks of the genus Micrastur.

Circus aeruginosus

Harpy \Har"py\ (h[aum]r"p[y^]), n.; pl. Harpies (-p[i^]z). [F. harpie, L. harpyia, Gr. "a`rpyia, from the root of "arpa`zein to snatch, to seize. Cf. Rapacious.]

  1. (Gr. Myth.) A fabulous winged monster, ravenous and filthy, having the face of a woman and the body of a vulture, with long claws, and the face pale with hunger. Some writers mention two, others three.

    Both table and provisions vanished quite. With sound of harpies' wings and talons heard.
    --Milton.

  2. One who is rapacious or ravenous; an extortioner.

    The harpies about all pocket the pool.
    --Goldsmith.

  3. (Zo["o]l.)

    1. The European moor buzzard or marsh harrier ( Circus [ae]ruginosus).

    2. A large and powerful, double-crested, short-winged American eagle ( Thrasa["e]tus harpyia). It ranges from Texas to Brazil. Harpy bat (Zo["o]l.)

      1. An East Indian fruit bat of the genus Harpyia (esp. Harpyia cephalotes), having prominent, tubular nostrils.

      2. A small, insectivorous Indian bat ( Harpiocephalus harpia).

        Harpy fly (Zo["o]l.), the house fly.