a name given to several birdsof New Zealand of the Rail family, and of the genus Ocydromus; some of them are called by the Maori nameof Weka (q.v.). The species are – – Black Woodhen – – Ocydromus fuscus, Du Bus.; Maori name, Weka-pango.
♣ Brown W. – – O. earli, Gray.
♣ Buff W. – – O. australis, Gray; called also Weka.
♣ North-Island W. – – O. brachypterus, Buller; called also Weka.
♣ South-Island W. – – Same as Buff W.; see above.
1845. E. J. Wakefield, `Adventures in New Zealand,' vol. ii.p. 95:
«Two young weka, or wood-hens, about as large as sparrows . . .were esteemed a valuable addition to our scanty supper.»
1889. Vincent Pyke, `Wild Will Enderby,' p. 82:
«We-ka! we-ka! we-ka! Three times the plaintive cryof the `wood hen `was heard. It was a preconcerted signal.»