shad frog

Shad \Shad\ (sh[a^]d), n. sing. & pl. [AS. sceadda a kind of
   fish, akin to Prov. G. schade; cf. Ir. & Gael. sgadan a
   herring, W. ysgadan herrings; all perhaps akin to E. skate a
   fish.] (Zool.)
   Any one of several species of food fishes of the Herring
   family. The American species ({Alosa sapidissima} formerly
   {Clupea sapidissima}), which is abundant on the Atlantic
   coast and ascends the larger rivers in spring to spawn, is an
   important market fish. The European allice shad, or alose
   ({Alosa alosa} formerly {Clupea alosa}), and the twaite shad
   ({Alosa finta} formerly {Clupea finta}), are less important
   species. [Written also {chad}.]
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: The name is loosely applied, also, to several other
         fishes, as the gizzard shad (see under {Gizzard}),
         called also {mud shad}, {white-eyed shad}, and {winter
         shad}.
         [1913 Webster]

   {Hardboaded shad}, or {Yellow-tailed shad}, the menhaden.

   {Hickory shad}, or {Tailor shad}, the {mattowacca}.

   {Long-boned shad}, one of several species of important food
      fishes of the Bermudas and the West Indies, of the genus
      {Gerres}.

   {Shad bush} (Bot.), a name given to the North American shrubs
      or small trees of the rosaceous genus {Amelanchier}
      ({Amelanchier Canadensis}, and {Amelanchier alnifolia}).
      Their white racemose blossoms open in April or May, when
      the shad appear, and the edible berries (pomes) ripen in
      June or July, whence they are called {Juneberries}. The
      plant is also called {service tree}, and {Juneberry}.

   {Shad frog}, an American spotted frog ({Rana halecina}); --
      so called because it usually appears at the time when the
      shad begin to run in the rivers.

   {Trout shad}, the squeteague.

   {White shad}, the common shad.
      [1913 Webster]