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

1886. T. Heney, `Fortunate Days,' p. 47:

"The magpie swells from knoll or silent brake
His loud sweet tune."

1887. `Melbourne Punch,' March 31:

"The magpie maketh mute
His mellow fluent flute,
Nor chaunteth now his leuconotic hymn."

<hw>Magpie-Goose</hw>, <i>n</i>. a common name for the Australian Goose, <i>Anseranus melanoleuca</i>, Lath.; called also <i>Swan-goose</i>, and <i>Pied goose</i>. See <i>Goose</i>.

<hw>Magpie-Lark</hw>, <i>n</i>. an Australian black-and-white bird (<i>Grallina picata</i>, Lath.), resembling the Magpie in appearance, but smaller; called also <i>Pee-wee</i>, and <i>Mudlark</i>, from its building its nest of mud.

1888. Cassell's `Picturesque Australasia,' vol. ii. p. 235:

"The little magpie-lark. . . . His more elegant and graceful figure remains in modest silence by the hedgerow in the outskirts."

<hw>Magpie-Perch</hw>, <i>n</i>. a West Australian, Victorian, and Tasmanian fish, <i>Chilodactylus gibbosus</i>, Richards.; not a true Perch, but of family <i>Cirrhitidae</i>.

<hw>Magra</hw>, <i>n</i>. aboriginal name for the sling or pouch in which the gins carry their children on their backs.