scientific name of a genusof very small Australian birds, anglicized as Ephthianure.For species see quotation, 1848. A fourth species has beendiscovered since Gould's day, E. crocea, Castln. andRamsay, which inhabits Northern Australia. The name was firstgiven by Gould, in the `Proceedings of the Zoological Societyof 1837,' p. 148, as a genus novum. The origin of theword is not certain, but as the tail is unusually small,it is suggested that the name is from the Greek 'oura, tail,and Homeric imperfect 3rd person sing. 'ephthien,wasted away, from phthiow (= phthinow).[The word occurs Iliad xviii. 446.]//phthio is ONLY in Homer!! Iliad AND Odyssey GJC//
1848. J. Gould,' Birds of Australia,' vol. iii. pl. 64:
« Ephthianura Albifrons, White-fronted Ephthianura,» pl. 65. « Aurifrons, Gould, Orange-fronted E.,» pl. 66.« Tricolor, Gould, Tricoloured E.'»
1890. `Victorian Statutes – – Game Act, Third Schedule':
«Close season. – – Ephthianuras. The whole year.»