Austral English / A dictionary of Australasian words, phrases and usages with those aboriginal-Australian and Maori words which have become incorporated in the language, and the commoner scientific words that have had their origin in Australasia - Edward Ellis Morris

<hw>Riro-riro</hw>, n. a bird. Maori name for the Grey-Warbler of New Zealand, Gerygone flaviventris, Gray. See Gerygone.

1888. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand,' vol. i. p. 44:

[A full description.]

1889. Cassell's `Picturesque Australasia,' vol. iv. p. 163:

"A little wren managed to squeeze itself through, and it flew off to Kurangai-tuku, and cried, `Kurangai-tuku, the man is riro, riro, riro!'—that is, gone, gone, gone. And to this day the bird is known as the riro-riro."

<hw>River-Oak</hw>. See Oak.

<hw>Roa</hw>, n. another Maori name for the largest or Brown Kiwi (q.v.). In Maori the word roa means long or big.

<hw>Roaring Horsetails</hw>, n. a slang name for the Aurora Australis.

<hw>Robin</hw>, n. The name, in consequence of their external resemblance to the familiar English bird, is applied, in Australia, to species of the various genera as follows:—

Ashy-fronted Fly-Robin—
Heteromyias cinereifrons, Ramsay.