ground-parrot

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

n.


1) The bird Psittacuspulchellus, Shaw. For the Ground Parrot of New Zealand,see Kakapo.

1793. G. Shaw, `Zoology [and Botany] of New Holland,' p. 10:

«Long-tailed green Parrot, spotted with black and yellow,. . .the Ground Parrot.»

1827. Vigors and Horsfield, `Transactions of Linnaean Society,'vol. xv. p. 278:

«The settlers call it ground-parrot. It feeds upon the ground.»

Ibid. p. 286:

«What is called the ground-parrot at Sydney inhabits the scrubin that neighbourhood.»

1859. H. Kingsley, `Geoffrey Hamlyn,' p. 298:

«The ground-parrot, green, with mottlings of gold and black,rose like a partridge from the heather, and flew low.»

2) Slang name for a small farmer. See Cockatoo,n. (2).

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