- Any species of limicoline birds of the genera Strepsilas
and Arenaria, allied to the plovers, especially the common American and
European species (Strepsilas interpres). They are so called from their
habit of turning up small stones in search of mollusks and other
aquatic animals. Called also brant bird, sand runner, sea quail, sea
lark, sparkback, and skirlcrake.
Definition
[ n.]