GALLINULES

Noun

gallinules

plural of gallinule

Source: Wiktionary


GALLINULE

Gal"li*nule, n. Etym: [L. gallinula chicken, dim. of gallina hen: cf. F. gallinule.] (Zoöl.)

Definition: One of several wading birds, having long, webless toes, and a frontal shield, belonging to the family Rallidae. They are remarkable for running rapidly over marshes and on floating plants. The purple gallinule of America is Ionornis Martinica, that of the Old World is Porphyrio porphyrio. The common European gallinule (Gallinula chloropus) is also called moor hen, water hen, water rail, moor coot, night bird, and erroneously dabchick. Closely related to it is the Florida gallinule (Gallinula galeata).

Note: The purple gallinule of Southern Europe and Asia was formerly believed to be able to detect and report adultery, and for that reason, chiefly, it was commonly domesticated by the ancients.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

21 September 2024

CONFORMITY

(noun) acting according to certain accepted standards; “their financial statements are in conformity with generally accepted accounting practices”


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

Plain brewed coffee contains almost no calories, while coffee with dairy products, sugar, and other flavorings is much higher in calories. An espresso has 20 calories. A nonfat latte has 72, while a flavored one has 134.

coffee icon