Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus) ©WikiC

“I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.” (Daniel 7:9 KJV)

“Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.” (Daniel 7:22 KJV)

Avian and Attributes – Ancient

AN’CIENT, a.
1. Old; that happened or existed in former times, usually at a great distance of time; as, ancient authors, ancient days. Old, says Johnson, relates to the duration of the thing itself, as an old coat; and ancient to time in general, as an ancient dress. But this distinction is not always observed. We say, in old times, as well as ancient times; old customs, &c. In general, however, ancient is opposed to modern, and old to new, fresh or recent. When we speak of a thing that existed formerly, which as ceased to exist, we commonly use ancient, as ancient republics’ ancient heroes, and not old republics, old heroes. But when the thing which began or existed in former times, is still in existence, we use either ancient or old; as, ancient statues or paintings, or old statues or paintings; ancient authors, or old authors, meaning books. But in these examples ancient seems the most correct, or best authorized. Some persons apply ancient to men advanced in years still living; but this use is not common in modern practice, though found in scripture.
With the ancient is wisdom. Job.

“With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.” (Job 12:12 KJV)

AN’CIENT, n. Generally used in the plural, ancients. Those who lived in former ages, opposed to moderns.
1. In scripture, very old men. Also, governors, rulers, political and ecclesiastical.
The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people. Isa 3. Jer 19.
God is called the Ancient of days from his eternal existence. Dan 7.

Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus) by Ian

Ancient Murrelet

The Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus) is a bird in the auk family. The genus name Synthliboramphus is from Ancient Greek sunthlibo, “to compress”, and rhamphos, “bill”, and antiquus is Latin for ancient. The English term “murrelet” is a diminutive of “murre”, a word of uncertain origins, but which may imitate the call of the common guillemot. Ancient murrelets are called “ancient” because they have grey on the back like a shawl, as worn by the elderly.

This small auk species is black on the head, throat and rear neck, grey-backed, and has white underparts. The yellow bill is short and stubby. It has a small rounded black tail. The summer adults have white head streaks giving an aged look and leading to the English name. Other plumages are similar, but lack the crown streaks and black on the throat.

Ancient murrelets tend to bank from side to side in flight to a greater extent than other small auks. They fly with fast wing beats due to their short wings.

It breeds from the Yellow Sea (islands off China), through the Russian Pacific coast and the Aleutian Islands to the Haida Gwaii archipelago of British Columbia, where about half of the world population breeds.

Alcidae – Auks Family

There is also an Ancient Antwren (Herpsilochmus gentryi), that is a species of bird in the family Thamnophilidae. It is found in northern Peru and southeastern Ecuador. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss. [No photos available.]

More Avian and Attributes Articles

Birds whose first name start with “A”

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[Definitions from Webster’s Dictionary of American English (1828), unless noted. Bird info from Wikipedia plus.]