Desmognathous \Des*mog"na*thous\, a. [Gr. desmo`s bond + ? jaw.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having the maxillo-palatine bones united; -- applied to a
group of carinate birds ({Desmognath[ae]}), including various
wading and swimming birds, as the ducks and herons, and also
raptorial and other kinds.