red-bill

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

n.


bird-name given to Estrelda temporalis, Lath. It is also appliedto the Oyster-catchers (q.v.); and sometimesto the Swamp-Hen (q.v.).

1802. G. Barrington, `History of New South Wales,' p. 345:

«Lieut. Flinders taking up his gun to fire at two red-bills. . . the natives, alarmed, ran to the woods.»

1827. Vigors and Horsfield, `Transactions of the LinnaeanSociety,' vol. xv. p. 259:

«`This bird,' says Mr. Caley, `which the settlers callRed-bill, is gregarious, and appears at times in very largeflocks. I have killed above forty at a shot.'»

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia,' vol. iii. pl. 82:

« Estrelda temporalis. Red-eyebrowed Finch.Red-Bill of the Colonists.»

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