chaparral \cha`parral"\, n. sp., fr. chaparro an evergeen
   oak.
   1. a thicket of low evergreen oaks.
      1913 webster

   2. an almost impenetrable thicket or succession of thickets
      of thorny shrubs and brambles.
      1913 webster

   chaparral cock; fem. chaparral hen zool., a bird of the
      cuckoo family geococcyx californianus, noted for
      running with great speed. it ranges from california to
      mexico and eastward to texas; -- called also road
      runner, ground cuckoo, churea, and snake killer. it
      is the state bird of new mexico.
      1913 webster +pjc chapati
see also:
chaparral cock chaparral hen geococcyx californianus road runner ground cuckoo churea 
snake killer