<hw>Bee-eater</hw>, <i>n</i>. a bird-name. The European Bee-eater is <i>Merops apiaster</i>; the Australian species is <i>Merops ornatus</i>, Lath. The bird was called "<i>M. phrygius</i>, the Embroidered Merops," by Shaw.
1793. G. Shaw, `Zoology [and Botany] of New Holland,' p. 14:
"Specific character.—Black Merops varied with yellow. The bird figured in its natural size on the present plate is a species of Merops or Bee-eater; a tribe which appears to be peculiarly prevalent in the extensive regions of Australia, since more birds of this genus have been discovered than of any other, except the very numerous one of Psittacus."
[The birds, however, have been since this date further differentiated, and are now all classed in other genera, except the present species.]
1790. J. White, `Voyage to New South Wales,' p. 144:
"The wattled bee-eater, of which a plate is annexed, fell in our way during the course of the day. . . . Under the eye, on each side, is a kind of wattle of an orange colour. . . This bird seems to be peculiar to New Holland."
Ibid. p. 190:
"We this day shot a knob-fronted bee-eater (see plate annexed).
This is about the size of a black-bird." [Description follows.]
<hw>Beef-wood</hw>, <i>n</i>. the timber of various Australian trees, especially of the genus <i>Casuarina</i>, and some of the Banksias; often used as a synonym of <i>She-oak</i> (q.v.). The name is taken from the redness of the wood.
1826. J. Atkinson, `Agriculture and Grazing in New South Wales,' p. 31: