[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

shriek \shriek\, n.
   a sharp, shrill outcry or scream; a shrill wild cry such as
   is caused by sudden or extreme terror, pain, or the like.
   1913 webster

         shrieks, clamors, murmurs, fill the frighted town.
                                                  --dryden.
   1913 webster

   shriek owl. zool.
   a the screech owl.
   b the swift; -- so called from its cry.
       1913 webster
see also:
shriek owl 

[2] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

swift \swift\, n.
   1. the current of a stream. r. --walton.
      1913 webster

   2. zool. any one of numerous species of small, long-winged,
      insectivorous birds of the family micropodidae. in form
      and habits the swifts resemble swallows, but they are
      destitute of complex vocal muscles and are not singing
      birds, but belong to a widely different group allied to
      the humming birds.
      1913 webster

   note: the common european swift cypselus apus syn.
         micropus apus nests in church steeples and under the
         tiles of roofs, and is noted for its rapid flight and
         shrill screams. it is called also black martin,
         black swift, hawk swallow, devil bird,
         swingdevil, screech martin, and shriek owl. the
         common american, or chimney, swift chaetura
         pelagica has sharp rigid tips to the tail feathers.
         it attaches its nest to the inner walls of chimneys,
         and is called also chimney swallow. the australian
         swift chaetura caudacuta also has sharp naked tips
         to the tail quills. the european alpine swift
         cypselus melba is whitish beneath, with a white
         band across the breast. the common indian swift is
         cypselus affinis. see also palm swift, under
         palm, and tree swift, under tree.
         1913 webster

   3. zool. any one of several species of lizards, as the pine
      lizard.
      1913 webster

   4. zool. the ghost moth. see under ghost.
      1913 webster

   5. cf. swivel. a reel, or turning instrument, for winding
      yarn, thread, etc.; -- used chiefly in the plural.
      1913 webster

   6. the main card cylinder of a flax-carding machine.
      1913 webster
see also:
micropodidae cypselus apus micropus apus black martin black swift hawk swallow 
devil bird swingdevil screech martin shriek owl chaetura pelagica 
chimney swallow chaetura caudacuta cypselus melba cypselus affinis palm swift 
palm tree swift tree ghost swivel 

Barn Owl >> B Words
Barn Owl, definition of term: Barn Owl
barn+owl_pag1.html