The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Chaparral \Cha`par*ral"\, n. [Sp., fr. chaparro an evergeen
   oak.]
   1. A thicket of low evergreen oaks.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. An almost impenetrable thicket or succession of thickets
      of thorny shrubs and brambles.
      [1913 Webster]

   Chaparral cock; fem. Chaparral hen (Zool.), a bird of the
      cuckoo family (Geococcyx Californianus), noted for
      running with great speed. It ranges from California to
      Mexico and eastward to Texas; -- called also road
      runner, ground cuckoo, churea, and snake killer. It
      is the state bird of New Mexico.
      [1913 Webster +PJC] chapati

U.S. Gazetteer (1990):

Chaparral, NM (CDP, FIPS 14250)
  Location: 32.02593 N, 106.39946 W
  Population (1990): 2962 (1020 housing units)
  Area: 14.1 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
  Zip code(s): 88021