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

Brush Wattle-bird—
<i>Anelobia mellivora</i>, Lath.

Little W.—
<i>A. lunulata</i>, Gould.

Red W.—
<i>Acanthochaera carunculata</i>, Lath.

Yellow W.—
<i>A. inauris</i>, Gould.

The earlier scientific names occur in the quotation, 1848. In New Zealand, the <i>Kokako</i> (q.v.) is also called a <i>Wattle-bird</i>, and the name used to be applied to the <i>Tui</i> (q.v.).

1820. W. C. Wentworth, `Description of New South Wales,' p. 152:

"The wattle-bird, which is about the size of a snipe, and considered a very great delicacy."

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia,' vol. iv.:

"<i>Anthochaera inauris</i>, Wattled Honey-eater; Wattled Bird of the Colonists of Van Diemen's Land" (pl. 54). "<i>A. Carunculata</i>, Wattled Bird of the Colonists; the <i>Merops Carunculatus</i> of older writers "(pl. 55). "<i>A. Mellivora</i>, Vig. and Horsf., Bush Wattle Bird" (pl. 56). "<i>A. Lunulata</i>, Gould, Little Wattle Bird, Colonists of Swan River" (pl. 57).

1857. W. Howitt, `Tallangetta,' vol. ii. p. 11: