<hw>Karmai</hw>, <i>n</i>. used by settlers in South Island of New Zealand for <i>Towhai</i> (q.v.), a New Zealand tree, <i>Weinmannia racemosa</i>, Forst. <i>N.O. Saxifrageae</i>. Kamahi is the Maori, and <i>Karmai</i>, or <i>Kamai</i>, the corruption.
1876. W. N. Blair, `Transactions of the New Zealand Institute,' vol. ix. p. 148:
"As will be seen by the tables of names, kamai is called black birch in the Catlin River District and Southland, which name is given on account of a supposed resemblance to the `birches,' or more correctly `beeches,' a number of which occur in that locality. I cannot understand how such an idea could have originated, for except in the case of the bark of one there is not the slightest resemblance between the birches and kamai. Whatever be the reason, the misapplication of names is complete, for the birches are still commonly called kamai in Southland."
<hw>Karoro</hw>, <i>n</i>. Maori name for a Black-backed Gull, <i>Larus dominicanus</i>.
1888. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand,' vol. ii. p. 47: [Description.]
<hw>Karri</hw> or <hw>Kari</hw>, <i>n</i>. aboriginal name (Western Australia) for <i>Eucalyptus diversicolor</i>. F. v. M.
1870. W. H. Knight, `Western Australia: Its History, Progress, Condition, etc.,' p. 38:
"The Karri (<i>eucalyptus colossea</i>) is another wood very similar in many respects to the tuart, and grows to an enormous size."
1875. T. Laslett, `Timber and Timber Trees,' p. 196:
"The kari-tree is found in Western Australia, and is said to be very abundant . . . of straight growth and can be obtained of extraordinary size and length. . . . The wood is red in colour, hard, heavy, strong, tough, and slightly wavy or curled in the grain."