an Australian genus of smallcreeping-birds, called also Tree-Runners (q.v.). Sittella is the Latin diminutive of sitta,which is from the Greek sittae, a woodpecker,whose habits the Tree-runners or Sittellae have.Gould's enumeration of the species is given in quotation.
1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia,' vol. iv.:
« Sittella chrysoptera, Orange-winged Sittella; S. leucocephala, Gould, White-headed S.; S. leucoptera,Gould, White-winged S.; S. pileata,Gould, Black-capped S.; S. tenuirostris, Gould,Slender-billed S.
1869. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia' (Supplement):
« Sittella Striata, Gould, Striated Sittella.»
1875. Gould and Sharpe, `Birds of New Guinea,' vol. iii.pl. 28:
« Sittella albata, Pied Sittella.»
1890 `Victorian Statutes-Game Act' (Third Schedule):
«Sittellas. [Close season.] From the first day of Augustto the 10th day of December next following in each year.»
1896. F. G. Aflalo, `Natural History of Australia,' p. 136:
«Four species of Sitilla [sic] which, except that theydo not lay their eggs in hollow trees, bear some resemblance toour nuthatch.»