cat-bird

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

n.


In America the name is given to Mimus carolinensis, a mocking thrush, which like theAustralian bird has a cry resembling the mewing of a cat. TheAustralian species are – – The Cat-bird – – Ailuraedus viridis, Lath.

Spotted C. – – Ailuraedus maculosus, Ramsay. Pomatostomus rubeculus, Gould.

Tooth-billed C. – – Scenopaeus dentirostris, Ramsay.

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia,' vol. iv. pl. 11:

«Its loud, harsh and extraordinary note is heard; a note whichdiffers so much from that of all other birds, that having beenonce heard it can never be mistaken. In comparing it to thenightly concert of the domestic cat, I conceive that I amconveying to my readers a more perfect idea of the note of thisspecies than could be given by pages of description. Thisconcert, like that of the animal whose name it bears, isperformed either by a pair or several individuals, and nothingmore is required than for the hearer to shut his eyes from theneighbouring foliage to fancy himself surrounded by Londongrimalkins of house-top celebrity.»

1888. D.Macdonald, `Gum Boughs,' p. 36:

«One of the most peculiar of birds' eggs found about the Murrayis that of the locally-termed `cat-bird,' the shell of which isveined thickly with dark thin threads as though covered with aspider's web.»

1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals.' p. 96:

«The cat-bird ( AEluraedus maculosus), which makes itsappearance towards evening, and has a voice strikingly like themewing of a cat.»

1893. `The Argus,' March 25:

«Another quaint caller of the bush is the cat-bird, and itseggs are of exactly the colour of old ivory.»

1896. G. A. Keartland, `Horne Expedition in Central Australia,'pt. ii. Zoology, p. 92:

«Their habit of mewing like a cat has gained for them the localcognomen of cat-birds.»

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