Toad n.  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.
 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.
 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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 Cuck·oo n.  Zool. A bird belonging to Cuculus, Coccyzus, and several allied genera, of many species.
 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.
 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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