hangbird
(ˈhæŋbɜːd)
[f. hang v. + bird n.]
A bird that builds a hanging nest; esp. an American oriole of the family Icteridæ.
| 1789 J. Morse Amer. Geogr. 59 Upwards of one hundred and thirty American Birds have been enumerated..[including the] Hangbird, Heron, Little white Heron. 1794 S. Williams Hist. Vermont 118 Hangbird, Oriolus icterus. 1824 Z. Thompson Gazetteer Vermont 18 The singing birds are the robin, thrush,..springbird, goldfinch and hangbird. 1831 J. Q. Adams Mem. (1867) VIII. 426 The oriole of Baltimore is the fiery hang-bird. 1856 Bryant Poems, Gladness of Nature ii, There are notes of joy from the hang-bird and wren. 1868 Whittier Among Hills l, The hang-bird overhead, His hair-swung cradle straining. |