Spine"tail` (?), n. (Zoöl.)
(a) Any one or several species of swifts of the
genus Acanthylis, or Chætura, and allied genera,
in which the shafts of the tail feathers terminate in rigid
spines. (b) Any one of several species of
South American and Central American clamatorial birds belonging to
Synallaxis and allied genera of the family
Dendrocolaptidæ. They are allied to the ovenbirds.
(c) The ruddy duck. [Local, U.S.]
Spine"tail` (?), n. (Zoöl.)
(a) Any one or several species of swifts of the
genus Acanthylis, or Chætura, and allied genera,
in which the shafts of the tail feathers terminate in rigid
spines. (b) Any one of several species of
South American and Central American clamatorial birds belonging to
Synallaxis and allied genera of the family
Dendrocolaptidæ. They are allied to the ovenbirds.
(c) The ruddy duck. [Local, U.S.]