Meadow hen

Stake-driver \Stake"-driv`er\ (-dr[imac]v`[~e]r), n. (Zool.)
   The common American bittern ({Botaurus lentiginosus}); -- so
   called because one of its notes resembles the sound made in
   driving a stake into the mud. Called also {meadow hen}, and
   {Indian hen}.
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Meadow \Mead"ow\, a.
   Of or pertaining to a meadow; of the nature of a meadow;
   produced, growing, or living in, a meadow. "Fat meadow
   ground." --Milton.
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   Note: For many names of plants compounded with meadow, see
         the particular word in the Vocabulary.
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   {Meadow beauty}. (Bot.) Same as {Deergrass}.

   {Meadow foxtail} (Bot.), a valuable pasture grass
      ({Alopecurus pratensis}) resembling timothy, but with
      softer spikes.

   {Meadow hay}, a coarse grass, or true sedge, growing in
      uncultivated swamp or river meadow; -- used as fodder or
      bedding for cattle, packing for ice, etc. [Local, U. S.]
      

   {Meadow hen}. (Zool.)
   (a) The American bittern. See {Stake-driver}.
   (b) The American coot ({Fulica}).
   (c) The clapper rail.

   {Meadow mouse} (Zool.), any mouse of the genus {Arvicola}, as
      the common American species {Arvicola riparia}; -- called
      also {field mouse}, and {field vole}.

   {Meadow mussel} (Zool.), an American ribbed mussel ({Modiola
      plicatula}), very abundant in salt marshes.

   {Meadow ore} (Min.), bog-iron ore, a kind of limonite.

   {Meadow parsnip}. (Bot.) See under {Parsnip}.

   {Meadow pink}. (Bot.) See under {Pink}.

   {Meadow pipit} (Zool.), a small singing bird of the genus
      {Anthus}, as {Anthus pratensis}, of Europe.

   {Meadow rue} (Bot.), a delicate early plant, of the genus
      {Thalictrum}, having compound leaves and numerous white
      flowers. There are many species.

   {Meadow saffron}. (Bot.) See under {Saffron}.

   {Meadow sage}. (Bot.) See under {Sage}.

   {Meadow saxifrage} (Bot.), an umbelliferous plant of Europe
      ({Silaus pratensis}), somewhat resembling fennel.

   {Meadow snipe} (Zool.), the common or jack snipe.
      [1913 Webster] meadowgrass
    

Bittern \Bit"tern\, n. [OE. bitoure, betore, bitter, fr. F.
   butor; of unknown origin.] (Zool.)
   A wading bird of the genus {Botaurus}, allied to the herons,
   of various species.
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   Note: The common European bittern is {Botaurus stellaris}. It
         makes, during the brooding season, a noise called by
         Dryden bumping, and by Goldsmith booming. The American
         bittern is {Botaurus lentiginosus}, and is also called
         {stake-driver} and {meadow hen}. See {Stake-driver}.
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   Note: The name is applied to other related birds, as the
         {least bittern} ({Ardetta exilis}), and the {sun
         bittern}.
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