pezoporus

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

n.


scientific name of a genus ofParrakeets peculiar to Australia, of which one species only isknown, P. formosus, the Ground Parrakeet, or SwampParrakeet. From Grk. pezoporos, «going on foot.» It differs from all the other psittaci in having a longhind toe like that of a lark, and is purely terrestrial in itshabits.

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia,' vol. i. pl. 46:

« Pezoporus Formosus, Ill., Ground-parrakeet;Swamp-parrakeet, Colonists of Van Diemen's Land;Ground-parrakeet, New South Wales and Western Australia.»