Tambourine

a musical instrument belonging to the class known as percussion instruments. The tambourine is made by stretching a single sheet of parchment over one end of a broad hoop to which small bells or metal jingles are attached. Thus the instrument resembles one end of a drum. It is played by shaking, by drawing the finger across the parchment, or by striking it with the ends of the fingers, knuckles, elbow, or even knee. "Shaking a tambourine set round with tinkling bells and thumping it on its parchment head," says Hawthorne. The tambourine is supposed to be of oriental origin. It is a favorite instrument with the peasantry of Italy and of Spain. It is played usually as an accompaniment of dancing.