mallee-hen

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

n.


Same as mallee-bird (q.v.).

1890. `Victorian Statutes-Game Act, Third Schedule':

[Close Season.] «Mallee-hen, from 1st day of Augustto the 20th day of December next following in each year.»

1895. `The Australasian,' Oct.5, p. 652, col. 1:

«. . . the economy of the lowan or mallee-hen. . . . Itdoes not incubate its eggs after the manner of other birds, butdeposits them in a large mound of sand . . . Shy and timid.Inhabits dry and scrubs. In shape and size resembles a greyishmottled domestic turkey, but is smaller, more compact andstouter in the legs.»

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