boatbill

American  

[boht-bil] / ˈboʊtˌbɪl /

noun

1. a wading bird, Cochlearius cochlearius, of tropical America, related to the herons, having a broad bill resembling an inverted boat.

---

boatbill British  

/ ˈbəʊtˌbɪl /

noun

1. a nocturnal tropical American wading bird, Cochlearius cochlearius , similar to the night herons but with a broad flattened bill: family Ardeidae , order Ciconiiformes

---

Etymology

Origin of boatbill

First recorded in 1770–80; boat + bill ²

Example Sentences

The boatbill, says he, is merely a heron provided with a singular bill, which has but little analogy with that of the bal�niceps, and not a true resemblance.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 829, November 21, 1891 by Various

The boatbill, of which only one species is known, seems to be merely a night-heron with an exaggerated bill,—so much widened as to suggest its English name,—but has always been allowed generic rank.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 4 "Hero" to "Hindu Chronology" by Various

Of the genus Cancroma one specimen was procured, the cinereous boatbill, which was killed at the senot� at Chichen.

From Incidents of Travel in Yucatan, Vol. II. by Stephens, John L.

Verreaux believes that its nearest relative is the adjutant, whose ways it has, and that it represents in this group what the boatbill represents in the heron genus.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 829, November 21, 1891 by Various

Parker, in his notes upon the osteology of the bal�niceps, this bird recalls the boatbill, the heron, and the adjutant.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 829, November 21, 1891 by Various