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

by Edward Ellis Morris

<hw>Stitch-bird</hw>, <i>n</i>. a bird of New Zealand. See quotation.

1885. Hugh Martin, `Transactions of New Zealand Institute,' vol. xviii. art. xxii. p. 112:

"<i>Pogonornis cincta</i> (Hihi, Matahiore, stitch-bird), North Island."

[From a list of New Zealand birds that ought to be protected.]

1888. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand,' vol. i. p. 101:

"<i>Pogonornis cincta</i>, Gray. [A full description.]"

1889. Prof. Parker, `Catalogue of New Zealand Exhibition,' p. 119:

"Stitch-bird (<i>Pogonornis cincta</i>), formerly abundant in the North Island, but now extinct on the main-land, and found only in some of the outlying islets. The rarest and one of the most beautiful of native Passerines."

<hw>Stock</hw>, <i>n</i>. The word has many meanings. In the one from which the Australian compounds are made, it denotes horses, cattle, or sheep, the farmer's stock in trade. Of course, this use is not peculiar to Australia, but it is unusually common there.

1802. G. Barrington, `History of New South Wales,' c. ix. p. 320: