birdtick (berdtik)

A name of some pupiparous dipterous insects which infest the plumage of birds, creeping quickly about among the feathers. A good example is Olfersia american a, which is found on many species of birds. bird-witted (berd'wited), a. Having only the wit of a bird; pa ing rapidly from one subject to another; flighty. If a child be bird - witted , that is, hath not the faculty of attention, the mat hem a ticks giveth a remedy thereunto. Bacon, Works, I. 161.