WAGTAILS
Noun
wagtails
plural of wagtail
Source: Wiktionary
WAGTAIL
Wag"tail`, n. (Zoöl.)
Definition: Any one of many species of Old World singing birds belonging to
Motacilla and several allied genera of the family Motacillidæ. They
have the habit of constantly jerking their long tails up and down,
whence the name. Field wagtail, any one of several species of
wagtails of the genus Budytes having the tail shorter, the legs
longer, and the hind claw longer and straighter, than do the water
wagtails. Most of the species are yellow beneath. Called also yellow
wagtail.
– Garden wagtail, the Indian black-breasted wagtail (Nemoricola
Indica).
– Pied wagtail, the common European water wagtail (Motacilla
lugubris). It is variegated with black and white. The name is applied
also to other allied species having similar colors. Called also pied
dishwasher.
– Wagtail flycatcher, a true flycatcher (Sauloprocta motacilloides)
common in Southern Australia, where it is very tame, and frequents
stock yards and gardens and often builds its nest about houses; --
called also black fantail.
– Water wagtail. (a) Any one of several species of wagtails of the
restricted genus Motacilla. They live chiefly on the shores of ponds
and streams. (b) The American water thrush. See Water thrush.
– Wood wagtail, an Asiatic wagtail; (Calobates sulphurea) having a
slender bill and short legs.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition