swallow shrike
    n 1: Australasian and Asiatic bird related to the shrikes and
         resembling a swallow [syn: wood swallow, swallow
         shrike]

Shrike \Shrike\, n. [Akin to Icel. skr[imac]kja a shrieker, the
   shrike, and E. shriek; cf. AS. scr[imac]c a thrush. See
   Shriek, v. i.] (Zool.)
   Any one of numerous species of oscinine birds of the family
   Laniidae, having a strong hooked bill, toothed at the tip.
   Most shrikes are insectivorous, but the common European gray
   shrike (Lanius excubitor), the great northern shrike
   (Lanius borealis), and several others, kill mice, small
   birds, etc., and often impale them on thorns, and are, on
   that account called also butcher birds. See under
   Butcher.
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: The ant shrikes, or bush shrikes, are clamatorial birds
         of the family Formicaridae. The cuckoo shrikes of the
         East Indies and Australia are Oscines of the family
         Campephagidae. The drongo shrikes of the same regions
         belong to the related family Dicruridae. See
         Drongo.
         [1913 Webster]

   Crow shrike. See under Crow.

   Shrike thrush.
   (a) Any one of several species of Asiatic timaline birds of
       the genera Thamnocataphus, Gampsorhynchus, and
       allies.
   (b) Any one of several species of shrikelike Australian
       singing birds of the genus Colluricincla.

   Shrike tit.
   (a) Any one of several Australian birds of the genus
       Falcunculus, having a strong toothed bill and sharp
       claws. They creep over the bark of trees, like titmice,
       in search of insects.
   (b) Any one of several species of small Asiatic birds
       belonging to Allotrius, Pteruthius, Cutia,
       Leioptila, and allied genera, related to the true tits.
       Called also hill tit.

   Swallow shrike. See under Swallow.
      [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. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of passerine birds of
      the family Hirundinidae, 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. (Zool.) 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 (Zool.), any one of several species of
      fork-tailed ploverlike birds of the genus Glareola, as
      Glareola orientalis of India; a pratincole.

   Swallow shrike (Zool.), any one of several species of East
      Indian and Asiatic birds of the family Artamiidae,
      allied to the shrikes but similar to swallows in
      appearance and habits. The ashy swallow shrike (Artamus
      fuscus) is common in India.

   Swallow warbler (Zool.), any one of numerous species of
      East Indian and Australian singing birds of the genus
      Dicaeum. They are allied to the honeysuckers.
      [1913 Webster]