bell-bird

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n.


name given to several birds,fromtheir note, like the tinkling of a bell. In Australia,a Honey-eater, Myzantha melanophrys, Gould ('Birds ofAustralia,' vol. iv. pl. 80), the `Australian Bell-bird' (thesame bird as Myzantha flavirostris, V. and H.), chieflyfound in New South Wales; also Oreoica gutturalis, Gould(vol. ii. pl. 81), the `Bell-bird' of Western Australia; and Oreoica cristata, Lewin. In New Zealand, Anthornismelanura, Sparrm., chief Maori names, Korimako (q.v.) in North, and Makomako in South. Buller givesten Maori names. The settlers call it Moko (q.v.).There is also a Bell-bird in Brazil.

1774. J. Hawkesworth, `Voyages,' vol. ii. p. 390 [Journal ofJan. 17, 1770):

«In the morning we were awakened by the singing of the birds;the number was incredible, and they seemed to strain theirthroats in emulation of each other. This wild melody wasinfinitely superior to any that we had ever heard of the samekind; it seemed to be like small bells most exquisitely tuned,and perhaps the distance, and the water between, might be nosmall advantage to the sound. Upon enquiry we were informedthat the birds here always began to sing about two hours aftermidnight, and continuing their music till sunrise were, likeour nightingales, silent the rest of the day.»

[This celebrated descriptive passage by Dr. Hawkesworth isbased upon the following original from `Banks's Journal,' whichnow, after an interval of 122 years, has just been published inLondon, edited by Sir J. D. Hooker.]

1770. J. Banks, `Journal,' Jan. 17 (edition 1896):

«I was awakened by the singing of the birds ashore, from whencewe are distant not a quarter of a mile. Their numbers werecertainly very great. They seemed to strain their throats withemulation, and made, perhaps, the most melodious wild music Ihave ever heard, almost imitating small bells, but with themost tunable silver sound imaginable, to which, maybe, thedistance was no small addition. On inquiring of our people, Iwas told that they had observed them ever since we had beenhere, and that they began to sing about one or two in themorning, and continue till sunrise, after which they are silentall day, like our nightingales.»

1802. G. Barrington, `History of New South Wales,'c. viii. p. 84:

«The cry of the bell-bird seems to be unknown here.»

1827. Vigors and Horsfield, `Transactions of LinnaeanSociety,' vol. xv. p. 319:

«Mr. Caley thus observes on this bird: `Dell-bird or Bell-bird.So called by the colonists. It is an inhabitant of bushes,where its disagreeable noise (disagreeable at least to me) [butnot to the poets] may be continually heard; but nowhere more sothan on going up the harbour to Paramatta, when a little abovethe Flats.'»

1835. T. B. Wilson, `Voyage Round the World,' p. 259:

«During the night, the bell bird supplied, to us, the place ofthe wakeful nightingale . . . a pleasing surprise, as we hadhitherto supposed that the birds in New Holland were not formedfor song.»

1839. E. J. Wakefield, `Adventures in New Zealand,' p. 23:

«Every bough seemed to throng with feathered musicians: themelodious chimes of the bell-bird were specially distinct.»

1845. R. Howitt, `Australia,' p. 102:

«Look at the bell-bird's nest, admire the two spotted salmoncoloured eggs.»

Ibid. ('Verses written whilst we lived in tents'), p. 171:

«Through the Eucalyptus shade,

Pleased could watch the bell-bird's flutter,

Blending with soft voice of waters

The delicious tones they utter.»

1846. Lady Martin, `Bush journey, 1846, Our Maoris,' p. 93:

«We did hear the birds next morning as Captain Cook haddescribed – – first the bell-bird gave its clear, full note, andthen came such a jargoning as made one's heart glad.»

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia,' vol. ii. pl. 81:

« Oreoica gutturalis, Gould. Crested Oreoica. Bell-bird, Colonists of Swan River [WesternAustralia]. . . I find the following remarks in my note-book – – `Note, a very peculiar piping whistle, sounding like weet-weet-weet-weet-oo, the last syllable fully drawnout and very melodious. . . . In Western Australia, where thereal Bell-bird is never found, this species has had thatappellation given to it, – – a term which must appear ill-appliedto those who have heard the note of the true Bell-bird of thebrushes of New South Wales, whose tinkling sound so nearlyresembles that of a distant sheep-bell as occasionally todeceive the ears of a practised shepherd.»

1866. Lady Barker, `Station Life in New Zealand,' p. 93:

«Every now and then we stood, by common consent, silent andalmost breathless, to listen to the bell-bird, a dingy littlefellow, nearly as large as a thrush with the plumage of achaffinch, but with such a note! How can I make you hear itswild, sweet, plaintive tone, as a little girl of the party said`just as if it had a bell in its throat;' but indeed it wouldrequire a whole peal of silver bells to ring such an exquisitechime.»

1868. F. Napier Broome, `Canterbury Rhymes,' second edition, p. 108:

«Where the bell-bird sets solitudes ringing,

Many times I have heard and thrown down

My lyre in despair of all singing.»

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland,' vol. i. p. 21:

«Listen to the bell-bird. Ping, ping, sounds through the vasthushed temple of nature.»

1883. G. W. Rusden, `History of Australia,' vol. i. p. 81:

«The bell-bird, with metallic but mellow pipe, warns thewanderer that he is near water in some sequestered nook.»

1886. H. C. Kendall, `Poems,' p. 8:

«And softer than slumber and sweeter than singing,

The notes of the bell-bird are running and ringing.»

1888. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand,' vol. i. p. 85:

« Anthornis melanura. Chatham Island Bell-bird( A. Melanocephala), the Bell-bird – – so-called from thefanciful resemblance of one of its notes to the distant tollingof a bell.»

1889. Prof. Parker, `Catalogue of New Zealand Exhibition,' p. 119:

«Bell-bird, Korimako,or Makomako ( Anthornis melanura),is still common in many parts of the South Island – – e.g. in theneighbourhood of Dunedin; but has almost disappeared from theNorth Island. Its song is remarkably fine.»

1893. W. P. Reeves, `The Passing of the Forest,' `Review ofReviews,' Feb. 1893, p. 45:

«Gone are the forest birds, arboreal things,

Eaters of honey, honey-sweet in song;

The tui, and the bell-bird – – he who sings

That brief rich music one would fain prolong.'

1896. G. A. Keartland, `Horne Expedition in CentralAustralia,' Part II., Zoology, Aves, p. 74:

«In the north they [Oreoica] are frequently called`Bell-birds,' but bear no resemblance to Manorhinamelanophrys in plumage, shape, or note. The Oreoica issuch an accomplished ventriloquist that it is difficult tofind.»

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

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