catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Swallow \Swal"low\, n. [OE. swalowe, AS. swalewe, swealwe; akin
     to D. zwaluw, OHG. swalawa, G. schwalbe, Icel. & Sw. svala,
     Dan. svale.]
     1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of passerine birds
        of the family Hirundinid[ae], especially one of those
        species in which the tail is deeply forked. They have
        long, pointed wings, and are noted for the swiftness and
        gracefulness of their flight.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The most common North American species are the barn
           swallow (see under Barn), the cliff, or eaves,
           swallow (see under Cliff), the white-bellied, or
           tree, swallow ({Tachycineta bicolor), and the bank
           swallow (see under Bank). The common European swallow
           ({Chelidon rustica), and the window swallow, or martin
           ({Chelidon urbica), are familiar species.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of swifts which
        resemble the true swallows in form and habits, as the
        common American chimney swallow, or swift.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Naut.) The aperture in a block through which the rope
        reeves. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Swallow plover (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
        fork-tailed ploverlike birds of the genus Glareola, as
        G. orientalis of India; a pratincole.
  
     Swallow shrike (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
        East Indian and Asiatic birds of the family
        Artamiid[ae], allied to the shrikes but similar to
        swallows in appearance and habits. The ashy swallow shrike
        ({Artamus fuscus) is common in India.
  
     Swallow warbler (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of
        East Indian and Australian singing birds of the genus
        Dic[ae]um. They are allied to the honeysuckers.
        [1913 Webster]

  Swallow \Swal"low\, n. [OE. swalowe, AS. swalewe, swealwe; akin
     to D. zwaluw, OHG. swalawa, G. schwalbe, Icel. & Sw. svala,
     Dan. svale.]
     1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of passerine birds
        of the family Hirundinid[ae], especially one of those
        species in which the tail is deeply forked. They have
        long, pointed wings, and are noted for the swiftness and
        gracefulness of their flight.
  
     Note: The most common North American species are the barn
           swallow (see under Barn), the cliff, or eaves,
           swallow (see under Cliff), the white-bellied, or
           tree, swallow ({Tachycineta bicolor), and the bank
           swallow (see under Bank). The common European swallow
           ({Chelidon rustica), and the window swallow, or martin
           ({Chelidon urbica), are familiar species.
  
     2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of swifts which
        resemble the true swallows in form and habits, as the
        common American chimney swallow, or swift.
  
     3. (Naut.) The aperture in a block through which the rope
        reeves. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
  
     Swallow plover (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
        fork-tailed ploverlike birds of the genus Glareola, as
        G. orientalis of India; a pratincole.
  
     Swallow shrike (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
        East Indian and Asiatic birds of the family
        Artamiid[ae], allied to the shrikes but similar to
        swallows in appearance and habits. The ashy swallow shrike
        ({Artamus fuscus) is common in India.
  
     Swallow warbler (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of
        East Indian and Australian singing birds of the genus
        Dic[ae]um. They are allied to the honeysuckers.