The Collaborative International Dictionary
Ousel \Ou"sel\ ([oo^]"z'l), n. [OE. osel, AS. [=o]sle; akin to G. amsel, OHG. amsala, and perh. to L. merula blackbird. Cf. Merle, Amsel.] (Zo["o]l.) One of several species of European thrushes, especially the blackbird ( Merula merula, or Turdus merula), and the mountain or ring ousel ( Turdus torquatus). [Written also ouzel.]
Rock ousel (Zo["o]l.), the ring ousel.
Water ousel (Zo["o]l.), the European dipper ( Cinclus aquaticus), and the American dipper ( Cinclus Mexicanus).
Blackbird \Black"bird\ (bl[a^]k"b[~e]rd), n. (Zo["o]l.) In England, a species of thrush ( Turdus merula), a singing bird with a fin note; the merle. In America the name is given to several birds, as the Quiscalus versicolor, or crow blackbird; the Agel[ae]us ph[oe]niceus, or red-winged blackbird; the cowbird; the rusty grackle, etc. See Redwing.