kestrel

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

n.


the common English name for afalcon. According to Gould the Australian species is identicalwith Cerchneis tinnunculus, a European species, butVigors and Horsfield differentiate it as Tinnunculuscenchroides.

1893. `The Argus,' March 25, p. 4, col. 5:

«The kestrel's nest we always found in the fluted gums thatoverhung the creek, the red eggs resting on the red mould ofthe decaying trunk being almost invisible.»

Kia ora, interj. Maori phrase used by English inthe North Island of New Zealand, and meaning «Health to you!» A private letter (1896) says – – «You will hear any day at aMelbourne bar the first man say Keora ta-u, while theother says Keora tatu, so replacing «Here's to you!» These expressions are corruptions of the Maori, Kia orataua, «Health to us too!» and Kia ora tatou,«Health to all of us!»

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