The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Altrices \Al*tri"ces\, n. pl. [L., nourishes, pl. of altrix.] (Zool.) Nursers, -- a term applied to those birds whose young are hatched in a very immature and helpless condition, so as to require the care of their parents for some time; -- opposed to pr[ae]coces. [1913 Webster]