wagtail

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

or Wagtail Fly-catcher


n.

an Australian bird, Rhipidura tricolor, the Black-and-white Fantail, with black-and-white plumagelike a pied wagtail. See also quotation, 1896. The name isapplied sometimes in Gippsland, and was first used in WesternAustralia as a name for the Black-and-white Fantail.See Fantail.

1885. R. M. Praed, `Head-Station,' p. 24:

«He pointed to a Willy-wagtail which was hopping cheerfullyfrom stone to stone.»

1896. A. J. North, `List of the Insectivorous Birds of NewSouth Wales,' pt i. p. 13:

«Salltoprocta motacilloides, Vig. and Horsf. `Black andWhite Fantail.' `Water Wagtail.'. . . From this bird's habitof constantly swaying its lengthened tail feathers from side toside it is locally known in many districts as the `WillyWagtail.'»

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