Bird

(18), n. [A-S. bird, or brid, the young of any animal, brood. Cf. Eng. to breed and to brood.] Properly, a chicken; the young of a fowl; and hence (Modern), a feathered flying animal. (Nat. Hist.) A species of the class Aves, the second among the vertebrates, characterized by a double heart, as in quadrupeds, warm blood, oviparous generation, and the anterior pair of membranous organs or wings, intended for flying.

The class has two subdivisions. I. Flying birds: embracing, 1. ACCIPITRES, or Vulture Order; as the Eagle, Falcon, Hawk, Owl; 2. PASSERES, or Perchers, as the Swallow, Humming-bird, Robin, Crow; 3. SCANSORES, or Climbers, as the Woodpecker, Parrot, Toucan; 4. GALLINACEÆ, or Game Birds, as the Pheasant, Turkey, Hen; 5. GRALLATORES, or Waders, as the Heron, Crane. II. Running Birds, or Brevipennate; the Ostrich, Cassowary, Dodo, &c., in which the wings are imperfectly plumed, and some of the species have the aspect of overgrown, half-fledged chickens. Dana.