rifle bird

American  

Or riflebird

noun

1. any of several birds of paradise of Australia, having a long bill, dark plumage, and elaborate courtship displays.

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Etymology

Origin of rifle bird

First recorded in 1825–35

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rifle bird

Then there is that beautiful purply black kind of crow—the rifle bird they call it.

From First in the Field A Story of New South Wales by L. Rahey

Then Lane found a few of the beautiful metallic rifle bird, all glossy purply green.

From Fire Island Being the Adventures of Uncertain Naturalists in an Unknown Track by George Manville Fenn

“The rifle bird; a near relative, I believe, to the birds of paradise.”

From King o' the Beach A Tropic Tale by J. B. Greene

He raised his gun to shoot the rifle bird, but lowered it again.

From King o' the Beach A Tropic Tale by J. B. Greene

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