geococcyx californianus
NounWordNet 3.0
Noun (1)
- speedy largely terrestrial bird found from California and Mexico to TexasSynonyms: roadrunnerchaparral cockGeococcyx californianus
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Chaparral \Cha`par*ral"\, n. [Sp., fr. chaparro an evergeen oak.]
1.A thicket of low evergreen oaks. [1913 Webster]
2.An almost impenetrable thicket or succession of thickets of thorny shrubs and brambles. [1913 Webster]
Chaparral cock; fem. Chaparral hen (Zool.), a bird of the cuckoo family (Geococcyx Californianus), noted for running with great speed. It ranges from California to Mexico and eastward to Texas; -- called also road runner, ground cuckoo, churea, and snake killer. It is the state bird of New Mexico. [1913 Webster +PJC] chapati