toad spittle

Toad \Toad\, n. [OE. tode, tade, AS. t[=a]die, t[=a]dige; of
   unknown origin. Cf. {Tadpole}.] (Zool.)
   Any one of numerous species of batrachians belonging to the
   genus {Bufo} and allied genera, especially those of the
   family {Bufonidae}. Toads are generally terrestrial in their
   habits except during the breeding season, when they seek the
   water. Most of the species burrow beneath the earth in the
   daytime and come forth to feed on insects at night. Most
   toads have a rough, warty skin in which are glands that
   secrete an acrid fluid.
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   Note: The common toad ({Bufo vulgaris}) and the natterjack
         are familiar European species. The common American toad
         ({Bufo lentiginosus}) is similar to the European toad,
         but is less warty and is more active, moving chiefly by
         leaping.
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   {Obstetrical toad}. (Zool.) See under {Obstetrical}.

   {Surinam toad}. (Zool.) See {Pita}.

   {Toad lizard} (Zool.), a horned toad.

   {Toad pipe} (Bot.), a hollow-stemmed plant ({Equisetum
      limosum}) growing in muddy places. --Dr. Prior.

   {Toad rush} (Bot.), a low-growing kind of rush ({Juncus
      bufonius}).

   {Toad snatcher} (Zool.), the reed bunting. [Prov. Eng.]

   {Toad spittle}. (Zool.) See {Cuckoo spit}, under {Cuckoo}.

   {Tree toad}. (Zool.) See under {Tree}.
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Cuckoo \Cuck"oo\ (k[oo^]k"[=oo]), n. [OE. coccou, cukkow, F.
   coucou, prob. of imitative origin; cf. L. cuculus, Gr. ????,
   Skr. k?ki?a, G. kuckuk, D. koekoek.] (Zool.)
   A bird belonging to {Cuculus}, {Coccyzus}, and several allied
   genera, of many species.
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   Note: The European cuckoo ({Cuculus canorus}) builds no nest
         of its own, but lays its eggs in the nests of other
         birds, to be hatched by them. The American
         yellow-billed cuckoo ({Coccyzus Americanus}) and the
         black-billed cuckoo ({Coccyzus erythrophthalmus}) build
         their own nests.
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   {Cuckoo clock}, a clock so constructed that at the time for
      striking it gives forth sounds resembling the cry of the
      cuckoo.

   {Cuckoo dove} (Zool.), a long-tailed pigeon of the genus
      {Macropygia}. Many species inhabit the East Indies.

   {Cuckoo fish} (Zool.), the European red gurnard ({Trigla
      cuculus}). The name probably alludes to the sound that it
      utters.

   {Cuckoo falcon} (Zool.), any falcon of the genus {Baza}. The
      genus inhabits Africa and the East Indies.

   {Cuckoo maid} (Zool.), the wryneck; -- called also {cuckoo
      mate}.

   {Cuckoo ray} (Zool.), a British ray ({Raia miraletus}).

   {Cuckoo spit}, or {Cuckoo spittle}.
   (a) A frothy secretion found upon plants, exuded by the
       larvae of certain insects, for concealment; -- called
       also {toad spittle} and {frog spit}.
   (b) (Zool.) A small hemipterous insect, the larva of which,
       living on grass and the leaves of plants, exudes this
       secretion. The insects belong to {Aphrophora},
       {Helochara}, and allied genera.

   {Ground cuckoo}, the chaparral cock.
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