The Collaborative International Dictionary
Ichthyornis \Ich`thy*or"nis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'ichqy`s, -y`os, a fish + ? bird.] (Paleon.) An extinct genus of toothed birds found in the American Cretaceous formation. It is remarkable for having biconcave vertebr[ae], and sharp, conical teeth set in sockets. Its wings were well developed. It is the type of the order Odontotorm[ae].
Wikipedia
Ichthyornis (meaning "fish bird", after its fish-like vertebrae) was a genus of toothed seabird-like avialan from the late Cretaceous period of North America. Its fossil remains are known from the chalks of Alberta, Alabama, Kansas, New Mexico, Saskatchewan, and Texas, in strata that were laid down in the Western Interior Seaway during the Turonian through Campanian ages, about 95-83.5 million years ago. Ichthyornis is a common component of the Niobrara Formation fauna, and numerous specimens have been found.
Ichthyornis has been historically important in shedding light on bird evolution. It was the first known prehistoric bird relative preserved with teeth, and Charles Darwin noted its significance during the early years of the theory of evolution. Ichthyornis remains important today as it is one of the few Mesozoic era ornithurans known from more than a few specimens.
Usage examples of "ichthyornis".
He dashed past Kit Carson's world-famous hotel, past extraordinary gardens with deep streams where colored fish kept to the shadows, trying to avoid becoming a sushi lunch for some Ichthyornis or a Sordes fritcheus diving down from the ceiling.
An Ichthyornis had struck a brown fish and was devouring it while it struggled.