It could be called runoff, feeder stream or source.

An intermittent stream comes and goes, full or dry, dpending on the feeder rivers or lakes, the number of people tapping into the source for irrigation, dams,natural or man-made,rainfall and hot weather that can evaporate a low stream.

There must be leakage current in the down stream receptacles It is going to be a trial and error method of finding the leak. Remove the GFI and make a through connection to the downstream receptacles Now go to first receptacle and install the GFI. If it holds the fault is further down stream. Keep going down the line until you find the fault. When the GFI trips and won't reset it will be the up stream feeder. Check the feeder wire for cuts or scrapes in the insulation. Replace this feeder.

a bird feeder !!!!!!

A bull feeder is a feeder that is used for bulls to eat out of, like a trough or feed bunk.