blackbird (blakberd)

1. The English name of a species of thrush, Merula merula, Turdus merula, or Merula vulgar is, common throughout Europe. It is larger than the common or IMG:content-2128.png:[graphic][merged small][merged small] 2. In America, a bird of the family Icteridæ (which see). These birds have no relation to the European blackbird, but are nearer the old-world starlings. There are very many species of the family, to several of which, as the bobolink, the oriole, and the meadow-lark, the term blackbird is not specifically applied. The leading species are the several crow-blackbirds, of the genera Quiscalus and Scolecophagus, and the marsh-blackbirds, Agelæus and Xanthocephalus. The common crow-blackbird is Q. purpure us; the common red-winged marsh blackbird, A. phœnice us; the yellow-headed blackbird, X. icterocephalus. See cut under Agelæinæ. 3. In the West Indies, the ani, Crotophaga ani, of the family Cuculidæ, or cuckoos; the savanna-blackbird. See cut under ani.-4. A cant term on the coast of Africa for a slave. blackboard (blak'bōrd), n. 1. A board painted black, used in schools, lecture-rooms, etc., for writing, drawing, or ciphering with chalk. Hence-2. Any prepared surface, as of plaster or slate, used for the same purpose.