The Collaborative International Dictionary
Sappho \Sap"pho\, n. [See Sapphic.] (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of brilliant South American humming birds of the genus Sappho, having very bright-colored and deeply forked tails; -- called also firetail.
Redstart \Red"start`\ (-st?rt`), n. [Red + start tail.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small, handsome European singing bird ( Phoenicurus phoenicurus, formerly Ruticilla phoenicurus), allied to the nightingale; -- called also redtail, brantail, fireflirt, firetail. The black redstart is Phoenicurus ochruros (formerly Phoenicurus tithys), and is now rare and protected by law in England. The name is also applied to several other species of Ruticilla and allied genera, native of India.
An American fly-catching warbler ( Setophaga ruticilla). The male is black, with large patches of orange-red on the sides, wings, and tail. The female is olive, with yellow patches.
Wiktionary
n. 1 Any Australian finch of the genus ''Stagonopleura''. 2 (context UK dialect English) The European redstart.
Wikipedia
The term firetail is given to the four species of Australian finches belonging to the genus Stagonopleura. The red-browed finch has also been called red-browed firetail.
Category:Finches
Usage examples of "firetail".
In England the sober little sparrow, or modest robin, teaches the befitting garment, here the parrot and firetail flutter by on a sunbeam, and lead the fashion.
When the burns were sealed the ship was a dwindling firetail among the stars.
You jump then, inside that firetailed tenpin they ride you down in, but the straps keep you from making a fool of yourself.
It was an art in itself, firetails marinated in the liqueurs of Serela and stuffed with dauflin, grilled to perfection so that each bite melted…"