sb. and a. [EAR sb.1] a. sb. A gastropod resembling, or having some part resembling, a white ear; e.g., one of the family Vanicoridæ, having a white-ribbed shell with a wide opening. b. adj. White-eared.
1815. Burrow, Elem. Conchol., 204. Helix Halitoidea, White-ear Snail; Venuss Ear.
1826. Stephens, in Shaws Gen. Zool., XIII. II. 57. White-Ear Owl.
1854. T. Adams, etc., Man. Nat. Hist., 133. White-Ears (Vanicoridæ).
So White-eared a., having white ears; (of a bird) having white feathers around the ears.
1783. Latham, Gen. Syn. Birds, II. I. 84. White-Eared Thr[ush].