"The spear is propelled by a wommerah or throwing-stick, having at one end a kangaroo's tooth, fixed so as to fit into a notch at the end of the spear. This instrument gives an amount of leverage far beyond what would be excited by unaided muscular strength."
1880. Fison and Howitt, `Kamilaroi and Kurnai,' p. 251:
"It is supposed that if the hair of a person is tied on the end of the throwing-stick. . . and roasted before the fire with some kangaroo fat, the person to whom it belonged will pine away and die."
1885. H. H. Hayter, `Carboona,' p. 24:
"Warrk Warrk, having a dart on his throwing-stick ready adjusted, hurled it."
<hw>Thrush</hw>, <i>n</i>. This common English bird-name is applied in Australia and New Zealand to four different genera of birds, viz.—
(1) <i>Collyriocincla</i>, the Shrike-Thrushes (q.v.); the name <i>Collyriocincla</i> is a compound of two Greek bird-names, <i>kolluriown</i> /corr. from kolluriowu in Morris/, `a bird, probably of the <i>thrush</i> kind, Arist. H. A. 9, 23, 2' (`L. & S.' /1869 p.864/), and <i>kigalos</i>, `a kind of <i>wag-tail</i> or <i>water-ousel</i>' (`L. & S.'). The next two genera are derived in a similar way from <i>gaer</i>, earth, and <i>'opos</i>, mountain.
(2) <i>Geocincla</i>, the Ground-Thrushes (q.v.).
(3) <i>Oreocincla</i>, the Mountain-Thrush (q.v.).
(4) <i>Pachycephala</i> (q.v.); called Thrushes, but more often Thickheads (q.v.).