prion

[prettygoodword]

prion (PRAI-on) - n., any of six petrels (genus Pachyptila, formerly Prion) with serrated edges on the bill.


Also called whalebirds. There is also a prion that's a kind of infectious protein, responsible for mad cow disease, but that's a different word (pronounced PREE-on). Prion-the-birds are found strictly in the southern ocean, and the name comes from Greek priōn, a saw, referring to the bill. I couldn't quickly find a good picture showing the bill, so here's a fairy prion (Pachyptila turtur) in flight:


Thanks, WikiMedia!

---L.

Comments

[thistleingrey]

Much prettier than those dangerous protein bits (but then, I was always more interested in macrobio than micro).

[prettygoodword]

Much.