'bird lice' definitions:

Definition of 'bird lice'

From: GCIDE
  • Mallophaga \Mal*loph"a*ga\ (m[a^]l*l[o^]f"[.a]*g[.a]), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. mallo`s a lock of wool + fagei^n to eat.] (Zool.) An extensive group of insects which are parasitic on birds and mammals, and feed on the feathers and hair; -- called also bird lice. See Bird louse, under Bird. [1913 Webster]