The New Zealand species are--_Austral English

Black F.--

Rhipidura fuliginosa, Sparrm. (Tiwaiwaka).

Pied F.--

R. flabellifera, Gmel. (Piwakawaka).

In Tasmania, the R. diemenensis is called

the Cranky Fantail, because of its antics.

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Journal,' vol. ii. p. 80:

"We also observed the . . . fantailed fly-catcher

(Rhipidura)."

1888. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand,' vol. i. p. 69:

"The Red Fantail, ever flitting about with broadly expanded

tail, and performing all manner of fantastic evolutions,

in its diligent pursuit of gnats and flies, is one of the most

pleasing and attractive objects in the New Zealand forest. It

is very tame and familiar."

<hw>Farinaceous City</hw>, or <hw>Village</hw>, n. a

playful name for Adelaide. The allusion is to wheat being the

leading export of South Australia.

1873. A. Trollope, `Australia and New Zealand,'

vol. ii. p. 184:

"[Adelaide] has also been nicknamed the Farinaceous City.

A little gentle ridicule is no doubt intended to be conveyed

by the word."

<hw>Fat-cake</hw>, n. ridiculous name sometimes

applied to Eucalyptus leucoxylon, F. v. M., according to

Maiden (`Useful Native Plants,' p. 471).

<hw>Fat-hen</hw>, n. a kind of wild spinach.

In England the name is applied to various plants of thick

foliage.

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition,' p. 40:

"The fat-hen (Atriplex) . . ."

1872. C. H. Eden, `My Wife and I in Queensland,' p. 120:

"Another wild vegetable brew in the sandy beds of the rivers

and creeks, called `fat-hen.' It was exactly like spinach,

and not only most agreeable but also an excellent anti-scorbutic,

a useful property, for scurvy is not an unknown thing in the bush

by any means."

1881. A.C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland,' vol. i. p. 156:

"Boiled salt junk, with fat-hen (a kind of indigenous

spinach)."

1889. J. M. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 16:

"Chenopodium murale, Linn., Australian spinach.

Bentham considers this may have been introduced."

<hw>Felonry</hw>, n. See quotation.

1837. Jas. Mudie, `Felonry of New South Wales,' p. 6:

"The author has ventured to coin the word felonry,

as the appellative of an order or class of persons in New South

Wales--an order which happily exists in no other country in the

world. A legitimate member of the tribe of appellatives . . .

as peasantry, tenantry, yeomanry, gentry."

1858. T. McCombie, `History of Victoria,' c. xv. p. 24:

"The inundation of the Australian colonies with British

Felonry."

1888. Sir C. Gavan Duffy, `Contemporary Review,' vol. liii.

p.14 [`Century']:

"To shut out the felonry of Great Britain and Ireland."

<hw>Ferns</hw>. The following list of Australian ferns is

taken from `The Fern World of Australia,' by F. M. Bailey of

Brisbane (1881), omitting from his list all ferns of which the

vernacular and scientific names coincide with the names of

ferns elsewhere.

Bat's-wing Fern--

Pteris incisa, Thunb.

Black Tree F. of New Zealand--

Cyathea medullaris, Sw.

Blanket F.--

Grammitis rutaefolia, R. Br.

Braid F.--

Platyzoma microphyllum, R. Br.

Caraway F.--

Athyrium umbrosum, J. Sm.

Curly F.--

Cheilanthes tenuifolia, Sw.

Deer's-tongue F.--

Acrostichum conforme, Sw.

Ear F.--

Pteris falcata, R. Br.

Elk's-horn F.--

Platycerium alcicorne, Desv.

Fan F.--

Gleichenia flabellata, R. Br.

Golden Swamp F.--

Acrostichum aureum, Linn.

Grass-leaved F. (q.v.)--

Vittaria elongata, Sw.

*Hare's-foot F.--

F. Davallia pyxidata, Cav.

Jersey F.--

Grammitis leptophylla, Sw.

*Lady F.--

Aspidium aculeatum, Sw.

*Maiden-hair F.--

Adiantum, spp.

Meadow-rue Water F.--

Ceratoptoris thalictroides, Brong.

Parasol F.--

Gleichenia circinata, Sw.

Pickled-cabbage F.--

Lomaria capensis, Willd.

Potato F. (q.v.)--

Marattia fraxinea, Sm.

Prickly F. (q.v.)--

Alsophila australis, R. Br.

Prickly-tree Fern--

Alsophila leichhardtiana, F. v. M.

Ribbon F.--

Ophioglossum pendulum, Linn.

Shiny F.--

Polypodium aspidoides, Bail.

Snake's-tongue F.--

Lygodium, spp.

The following are not in Baileys List:

Parsley F.--

Cheilanthes tenuifolia, Sw. (Name Parsley applied to a

different Fern elsewhere.)

Sword F.--

Grammitis australis, R. Br.

Umbrella F., Tasmanian name for Fan F. (q.v.).

Other ferns not in this list appear elsewhere. See also

Ferntree.

____

* Elsewhere the name is applied to a different species.

----

<hw>Fern-bird</hw>, n. a New Zealand bird of

the genus Sphenoecus. Also called Grass-bird,

and New Zealand Pipit. There are three species--

The Fern-bird--

Sphenoecus punctatus, Gray.

Chatham Island F.-b.--

S. rufescens, Buller.

Fulvous F.-b.--

S. fulvus, Gray.

1885. `Transactions of the New Zealand Institute,'

vol. xviii. p. 125:

"The peculiar chirp of the fern bird is yet

to be heard among the tall fern."

1885. A. Hamilton, `Native Birds of Petane, Hawke's Bay':

"Fern-bird. The peculiar chirp of this lively little bird is

yet to be heard among the tall fern, though it is not so

plentiful as in days gone by."

1888. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand,' vol. i. p. 59:

"Fern Bird . . . This recluse little species is one of our

commonest birds, but is oftener heard than seen. It frequents

the dense fern of the open country and the beds of Raupo."

<hw>Fern-tree</hw>, n. Name applied to various

species of ferns which grow to a large size, the stem in the

fully grown plant reaching often a height of many feet before

the leaves are given off. Such Tree-ferns clothe the sides of

deep and shady gullies amongst the hills, and give rise to what

are known as Fern-tree gullies, which form a very

characteristic feature of the moister coastal Ranges of many

parts of Australia. The principal Fern-trees or

Tree-ferns, as they are indiscriminately called, of

Australia and Tasmania are--

Dicksonia antarctica, Lab.;

Alsophila australis, R. Br.;

Todea africana, Willd.;

Cyathea cunninghami, J. Hook.;

Alsophila excelsa, R. Br.;

the last named, however, not occurring in Tasmania or Victoria.

1836. Ross, `Hobart Town Almanack,' p. 164:

"We entered a beautiful fern-tree grove, that also concealed

the heavens from view, spreading like a plantation or cocoa-nut

tree orchard, but with far more elegance and effect."

1839. C. Darwin, `Voyage of Beagle' (ed. 1890), p. 177:

"Tree-ferns thrive luxuriantly in Van Diemen's Land (lat. 45

degrees), and I measured one trunk no less than six feet in

circumference. An arborescent fern was found by Forster in New

Zealand in 46 degrees, where orchideous plants are parasitical

on the trees. In the Auckland Islands, ferns, according to

Dr. Dieffenbach, have trunks so thick and high that they may be

almost called tree-ferns."

1857. F. R. Nixon (Bishop of Tasmania), `Cruise of the Beacon,'

p. 26:

"With these they [i.e. the Tasmanian Aborigines] mingled the

core or pith of the fern trees, Cibotium Bollardieri

and Alsophila Australis (of which the former is rather

astringent and dry for a European palate, and the latter,

though more tolerable, is yet scarcely equal to a Swedish

turnip.)"

1870. S. H. Wintle, `Fragments of Fern Fronds,' p. 39:

"Where the feet of the mountains are bathed by cool fountains,

The green, drooping fern trees are seen."

1878. William Sharp, `Australian Ballads,' `Canterbury Poets'

(Scott, 1888), pp. 180-81:

"The feathery fern-trees make a screen,

Where through the sun-glare cannot pass--

Fern, gum, and lofty sassafras."

"Under a feathery fern-tree bough

A huge iguana lies alow."

1884. R. L. A. Davies, `Poems and Literary Remains,' p. 83:

"There were mossy fern-trees near me,

With their graceful feathered fronds,

Which they slowly waved above me,

Like hoar magicians' wands."

1893. A.R. Wallace, `Australasia,' vol. i. p. 53:

"Here are graceful palms rising to 70 or even 100 feet; the

Indian fig with its tortuous branches clothed with a drapery

of curious parasites; while graceful tree ferns, 30 feet high,

flourish in the damp atmosphere of the sheltered dells."

<hw>Fern-tree Gully</hw>. See Fern-tree and Gully.

<hw>Fever-bark</hw>, n. another name for Bitter-bark

(q.v.).

<hw>Fibrous Grass</hw>, n. a Tasmanian grass

(see Grass), Stipa semiibarbata, R. Br.,

N.O. Gramineae.

1862. W. Archer, `Products of Tasmania,' p. 41:

"Fibrous grass (Stipa semibarbata, Br.). After the seed

has ripened the upper part of the stem breaks up into fibre,

which curls loosely and hangs down waving in the wind."

<hw>Fiddle-back</hw>, n. name given in

Australia to the beetle, Schizorrhina australasiae.

<hw>Fiddler</hw>, n. a New South Wales and Victorian

name for a species of Ray, Trygonorhina fasciata,

Mull. and Heule, family Rhinobatidae.

<hw>Fig-bird</hw>, n. a bird-name.

Sphecotheres maxillaris, Lath.; Yellow bellied,

S. flaviventris, Gould. S. maxillaris is also

called Mulberry-bird (q.v.).

<hw>Fig-eater</hw>, n. a bird, i.q. Grape-eater

(q.v.).

<hw>Fig-tree</hw>, n. The name is applied in

Australia to the following species:--

Blue Fig--

Elaeocarpus grandis, F. v. M., N.O. Tiliaceae.

Clustered F.--

Ficus glomerata, Willd., N.O. Urticaceae.

Moreton Bay F.--

P. macrophylla, Desf., N.O. Urticaciae //sic. check//.

Prickly F.--

Elaeocarpus holopetalus, F. v. M.,

N.O. Tiliaceae.

Purple F., or White F., or Rough-leaved F., or Flooded F.

[Clarence River]--

Ficus scabra, G. Forst., N.O. Urticaciae.

Ribbed F.--

F. pleurocarpa, F. v. M., N.O. Urticaciae.

Rusty F., or Narrow-leaved F. [or Port Jackson]--

F. rubiginosa, Desf., N.O. Urticaciae;

called also Native Banyan.

1862. H. C. Kendall, `Poems,' p.119:

"And I forget how lone we sit beneath this old fig-tree."

1870. F. S. Wilson, `Australian Songs,' p. 115:

"The fig-tree casts a pleasant shade

On the straggling ferns below."

1882. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 537:

"Moreton Bay fig. This noble-looking tree has a wood which

is sometimes used, though it is very difficult to season."

[It is a handsome evergreen with dark leaves, larger than

those of a horse-chestnut, much used as an ornament in street

and gardens, especially in Sydney and Adelaide. The fig is

not edible.]

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right, c. 44, p. 380:

"The . . . venerable church with its alleys of araucaria

and Moreton Bay fig-trees."

<hw>File-fish</hw>, n. name given in New

Zealand to the fish Monacanthus rudis, Richards, family

Sclerodermi; in New South Wales to species of the genus

Balistes. The first of the spines of the dorsal fin is

roughened in front like a file. Balistes maculatus is

the "Spotted File-fish" of Sydney. It is closely allied to the

genus Monacanthus, called Leather-jacket (q.v.),

which is much more numerously represented in Australasia.

<hw>Finch</hw>, n. a bird-name, first applied in

Australia, in 1848, by Gould, to the genus Poephila

(Grass-lover), and since extended to other genera of birds.

The species are--

Banded Finch--

Stictoptera bichenovii, Vig. and Hors.

Black-ringed F.--

S. annulosa, Gould.

Black-rumped F.--

Poephila atropygialis, Diggles.

Black-throated F.--

P. cincta, Gould.

Chestnut-breasted F.--

Munia castaneothorax, Gould.

Chestnut-eared F.--

Taeniopygia castanotis, Gould.

Crimson F.--

Neochmia phaeton, Homb. and Jacq.

Fire-tailed F.--

Zonaeginthus bellus, Lath.

Gouldian F.--

Poephila gouldiae, Gould.

Long-tailed F.--

P. acuticauda, Gould.

Masked F.--

P. personata, Gould.

Painted F.--

Emblema picta, Gould.

Plum-head F.--

Aidemosyne modesta, Gould.

Red-browed F.--

AEgintha temporalis, Lath.

Red-eared F.--

Zonaeginthus oculatus, Quoy and Gaim.

Red-tailed F.--

Bathilda ruficauda, Gould.

Scarlet-headed F.--

Poephila mirabilis, Homb. and Jacq.

Spotted-sided F.--

Staganopleura guttata, Shaw.

White-Breasted F.--

Munia pectoralis, Gould.

White-eared F.--

Poephila leucotis, Gould.

Yellow-rumped F.--

Munia flaviprymna, Gould.

<hw>Fire-stick</hw>, n. name given to the

lighted stick which the Australian natives frequently carry

about, when moving from camp to camp, so as to be able to light

a fire always without the necessity of producing it by

friction. The fire-stick may be carried in a smouldering

condition for long distances, and when traversing open grass

country, such as the porcupine-grass covered districts of the

interior, the stick is used for setting fire to the grass,

partly to destroy this and partly to drive out the game which

is hiding amongst it. The fire-stick (see quotations)

is also used as emblematic of the camp-fire in certain

ceremonies.

1847. J. D. Lang,' Cooksland,'p. 126, n.:

"When their fire-stick has been extinguished, as is sometimes

the case, for their jins or vestal virgins, who have charge of

the fire, are not always sufficiently vigilant."

1896. F. J. Gillen, `Horne Expedition in Central Australia,'

Anthropology, pt. iv. p. 170:

"Carrying fire-sticks, they place rings, woven of fur and

vegetable down, round the boy's neck and arms and sometimes

over and under the shoulders; the fire-sticks are then handed

to him, the lubras saying: Take care of the fire; keep to your

own camp.'"

<hw>Firetail</hw>, n. name applied in Victoria to the

bird AEgintha temporalis, Lath.; and in Tasmania to

Zonaeginthus (Estrelda) bellus, Lath. In New South

Wales, AE. temporalis is known as the Red-head.

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia,' vol. iii. pl. 78:

"Estrelda Bella, Fire-tailed finch. Fire-tail,

Colonists of Van Diemen's Land."

<hw>Fire-tree</hw>, n. a tree of New Zealand; another

name for Pohutukawa (q.v.). For Queensland

Fire-tree, see Tulip-tree.

<hw>Fireweed</hw>, n. a name given to several weeds,

such as Senecio lautus, Sol., N.O. Compositae; so

called because they spring up in great luxuriance where the

forest has been burned off.

<hw>Fish-hawk</hw>, n. English name applied to

Pandion leucocephalus, Gould; called also the Osprey.

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia,' vol. i. pl. 6:

"Pandion Leucocephalus, Gould, White-headed osprey.

Little fish hawk, Colonists of New South Wales. Fish-hawk,

Colonists of Swan River.''

<hw>Fist</hw>, v. to use the hands. The word is not

unknown in English in the sense of to grip. (Shakspeare, `Cor.'

IV. v. 124)

1846. C. P. Hodgson, `Reminiscences of Australia,' p. 366:

"`Fist it,' a colonial expression, which may convey to the

uninitiated the idea that knives, forks, plates, etc., are

unknown in the bush; such was formerly the case, but the

march of improvement has banished this peculiar simplicity."

<hw>Five-corners</hw>, n. name given to the fruit of an

Australian tree and to the tree itself, Syphelia triflora,

Andr., N.O. Epacrideae. There are many species of

Styphelia (q.v.), the fruit of several being edible.

1889. J. H. Maiden,' Useful Native Plants,' p. 61:

"Five-corners. These fruits have a sweetish pulp with a large

stone. They form part of the food of the aboriginals, and are

much appreciated by school boys. When from a robust plant they

are of the size of a large pea, and not at all bad eating."

1896. H. Lawson, `When the World was Wide,' p. 158:

"Still I see in my fancy the dark-green and blue

Of the box-covered hills where the five-corners grew."

<hw>Flame-tree</hw>, n. The name is given in India and

elsewhere to several trees with bright scarlet, or crimson,

flowers. In Australia, two different trees are called

Flame-trees--

(1) A tree of Eastern Australia, with profuse bright

coral-like flowers, Brachychiton acerifolium, F. v. M.,

N.O. Sterculiaceae.

(2) A tree of Western Australia, with brilliant

orange-coloured flowers, Nuytsia floribunda,

N.O. Loranthaceae; which is also called Tree

Mistletoe, and, locally, a Cabbage-tree.

1885. R. M. Praed, `Australian Life,' p. 96:

"There are flame-trees showing in spring vivid patches

of crimson."

<hw>Flannel Flower</hw>, n. an Australian

flower, Actinotus helianthi, Labill.,

N.O. Compositae. It ranges from Gippsland to Southern

Queensland, but is particularly abundant in New South Wales.

Sometimes called the Australian Edelweiss. For the

reason of the name see quotation.

1895. J. H. Maiden, `Flowering Plants of New South Wales,'

p. 9:

"We only know one truly local name for this plant, and that is

the `Flannel Flower'--a rather unpoetical designation, but a

really descriptive one, and one universally accepted. It is,

of course, in allusion to the involucre, which looks as if it

were snipped out of white flannel. It is also known to a few

by the name of Australian Edelweiss."

<hw>Flathead</hw>, n. name given to several Australian

marine fishes, Platycephalus fuscus, Cuv. and Val., and

other species of Platycephalus, family Cottidae.

The Red Flathead is P. bassensis, Cuv.and Val., and the

Rock F. is P. laevigatus, Cuv.and Val. See also

Tupong and Maori-chief.

1793. Governor Hunter, `Voyage,' p. 410 (Aboriginal

Vocabulary):

"Paddewah, a fish called a flathead."

1832. J. Bischoff, `Van Diemen's Land,' c. ii. p. 32:

"The market of Hobart Town is supplied with small rock cod,

flatheads, and a fish called the perch."

<hw>Flat Pea</hw>, n. a genus of Australian flowering

plants, Platylobium, N.O. Leguminosae.

1793. `Transactions of Linnaean Society,' vol. ii. p. 350:

"Its name I have deduced from platus, broad, and

lobos, a pod."

"P. formosum. Orange flat-pea . . . A figure of this

. . . will soon be given in the work I have undertaken

on the botany of New Holland."

[The figure referred to will be found at p. 17 of the `Specimen

of the Botany of New Holland.']

<hw>Flax, Native</hw>, n. The European flax is Linum

usitatissimum, N.O. Liniae. There is a species in

Australia, Linum marginale, Cunn., N.O. Linaceae,

called Native Flax. In New Zealand, the Phormium

is called Native Flax. See next word.

1889. J. M. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 626:

"`Native flax.' Although a smaller plant than the true flax,

this plant yields fibre of excellent quality. It is used by

the blacks for making fishing-nets and cordage."

<hw>Flax, New Zealand</hw>, n. Phormium tenax,

N.O. Liliaceae. A plant yielding a strong fibre.

Called also, in New Zealand, Native Flax, and Flax

Lily.

1807. J. Savage, `Some account of New Zealand,' p. 56:

"Small baskets made of the green native flax."

1845. E. J. Wakefield, `Adventures in New Zealand,' vol. i,

p. 63:

"The plant is called Phormium tenax by naturalists.

The general native name for the plant, we are told, is `korari,'

but each sort, and there are ten or twelve, has its distinctive

name. Any portion of the leaf, when gathered, becomes here

`kie kie,' or literally, `tying stuff.' The operation of

scraping is called `kayo,' the fibre when prepared, `muka.'"

[Mr. Tregear says that Wakefield's statements are mistaken.]

1851. Mrs. Wilson, `New Zealand,' p. 23:

"His robe of glossy flax which loosely flows."

1861. C. C. Bowen, `Poems,' p. 57:

"And flax and fern and tutu grew

In wild luxuriance round."

1870. T. H. Braiui, `New Homes,' c. viii. p. 375:

"The native flax (Phormium tenax) is found in all parts

of New Zealand; it grows to the height of about nine feet."

1872. A. Domett, `Ranolf,' v.3, p. 93:

"In flowing vest of silky flax, undyed."

1893. `Murray's Handbook to New Zealand,' p. 29:

"The so-called native flax (phormium tenax)."

<hw>Flax-blade</hw>, n. the leaf of the New Zealand

Flax (q.v.).

1872. A. Domett, `Ranolf,' i. 5, p. 11:

"With flax-blades binding to a tree

The Maid who strove her limbs to free."

<hw>Flax-bush</hw>, n. the bush of the New Zealand

Flax.

1854. W. Golder, `Pigeons' Parliament,' Intro. p. v:

"I had . . . to pass a night . . . under the shade

of a flax-bush."

1872. A. Domett, `Ranolf,' x. 4, p. 171:

"And the louder flax-bushes

With their crowding and crossing

Black stems, darkly studded

With blossoms red-blooded."

<hw>Flax-flower</hw>, n. the flower of the New

Zealand Flax (q.v.).

1872. A. Domett, `Ranolf,' xiv. 3, p. 221:

"little isles

Where still the clinging flax-flower smiles."

<hw>Flax-leaf</hw>, n. the blade of the New Zealand

Flax (q.v.).

1884. T. Bracken, `Lays of Maori' p. 69:

"Zephyrs stirred the flax-leaves into tune.

<hw>Flax-lily</hw>, n. (1) An Australian fibre plant,

Dianella laevis, var. aspera, R. Br.,

N.O. Liliaceae. (2) Phormium tenax. See

Flax, New Zealand.

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 621:

"Flax-lily. The fibre is strong, and of a silky texture.

The aboriginals formerly used it for making baskets, etc.

All the colonies except Western Australia."

<hw>Flindosa</hw>, and <hw>Flindosy</hw>, n. two trees

called Beech (q.v.).

<hw>Flintwood</hw>, n. another name for Blackbutt

(q.v.), Eucalyptus pillularis.

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 502:

"From the great hardness of the wood it is often known as

flintwood."

<hw>Flounder</hw>, n. The Flounders in Australia are--

In Sydney, Pseudorhombus russelli, Gray; in Melbourne,

Rhombosolea victoriae, Castln.; in New Zealand and

Tasmania, R. monopus, Gunth. Maori name, Patiki; family

Pleuronectidae. They are all excellent eating.

1876. P. Thomson, `Transactions of New Zealand Institute,'

vol. ix. art. lxvii., p. 487:

"Patiki (flounder). Flounders are in the market all the year."

<hw>Flower-pecker</hw>, n. bird-name used elsewhere,

but in Australia assigned to Dicaeum hirundinaceum, Lath.

<hw>Flowering Rush</hw>, n. name given to the rush or reed,

Xyris operculata, Lab., N.O. Xyrideae.

<hw>Flute-bird</hw>, n. another name for the bird

Gymnorrhina tibicen, Lath. Called also Magpie

(q.v.).

1862. H. C. Kendall, `Poems,' p. 53:

"The flute-bird's mellow tone."

<hw>Fly-catcher</hw>, n. bird-name used elsewhere.

The Australian species are--

Black-faced Flycatcher--

Monarcha melanopsis, Vieill.

Blue F.--

Myiagra concinna, Gould.

Broad-billed F.--

M. latirostris, Gould.

Brown F. [called also Jacky Winter (q.v.)]

Micraeca fascinans, Lath.

Leaden F.--

Myiagra rubecula, Lath.

Lemon-breasted F.--

Micraeca flavigaster, Gould.

Lesser Brown F.--

M. assimilis, Gould.

Little F.--

Seisura nana, Gould.

Pale F.--

Micraeca pallida.

Pearly F.--

Monarcha canescens, Salvad.

Pied Fly-catcher--

Arses kaupi, Gould.

Restless F.--

Seisura inquieta, Lath. [called also Razor-

grinder, q.v., and Dishwasher, q.v.]

Satin F.--

Myiagra nitida, Gould [called Satin-robin, q.v.,

in Tasmania]

Shining F.--

Piezorhynchus nitidus, Gould.

Spectacled F.--

P. gouldi, Gray.

White-bellied F.--

P. albiventris, Gould.

White-eared F.--

P. leucotis, Gould.

Yellow-breasted F.--

Machaerhynchus flaviventer, Gould.

1790. J. White, `Voyage to New South Wales,' p. 161:

"We this day caught a yellow-eared fly-catcher (see annexed

plate). This bird is a native of New Holland." [Description

follows.]

Fly-eater, n. the new vernacular name for the Australian

birds of the genus Gerygone (q.v.), and see Warbler.

The species are--

Black-throated Fly-eater--

Gerygone personata, Gould.

Brown F.--

G. fusca, Gould.

Buff-breasted F.--

G. laevigaster, Gould.

Green-backed F.--

G. chloronota, Gould.

Large-billed F.--

G. magnirostris, Gould.

Southern F.--

G. culicivora, Gould.

White-throated F.--

G. albogularis, Gould.

Yellow-breasted F.--

G. flavida, Ramsay.

1895. W. O. Legge, `Australasian Association for the

Advancement of Science `(Brisbane), p. 447:

"[The habits and habitats of the genus as] applied to

Gerygone suggested the term Fly-eater, as

distinguished from Fly-catcher, for this aberrant and

peculiarly Australasian form of small Fly-catchers, which not

only capture their food somewhat after the manner of

Fly-catchers, but also seek for it arboreally."

<hw>Flyer</hw>, n. a swift kangaroo.

1866. T. McCombie, `Australian Sketches,' second series,

p. 172:

"I may here state that the settlers designate the old kangaroos

as `old men' and `old women,' the full-grown animals are named

`flyers,' and are swifter than the British hare."

<hw>Flying-Fox</hw>, n. a gigantic Australian bat,

Pteropus poliocephalus, Temm. It has a fetid odour and

does great damage to fruits, and is especially abundant in New

South Wales, though often met with in Victoria. Described, not

named, in first extract.

1793. Governor Hunter, `Voyage,' p. 507:

"The head of this bat strongly resembles that of a fox, and

the wings of many of them extend three feet ten inches. . . .

[Description of one domesticated.] . . . They are very fat,

and are reckoned by the natives excellent food. . . . It was

supposed more than twenty thousand of them were seen within the

space of one mile."

1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales,' vol. i.

p. 315:

"One flying fox is an immense bat, of such a horrific

appearance, that no wonder one of Cook's honest tars should

take it for the devil when encountering it in the woods."

1830. R. Dawson, `Present State of Australia,' p. 310:

". . . a flying fox, which one of them held in his hand. It

was, in fact, a large kind of bat, with the nose resembling in

colour and shape that of a fox, and in scent it was exactly

similar to it. The wing was that of a common English bat, and

as long as that of a crow, to which it was about equal in the

length and circumference of its body."

1849. J. P. Townsend, `Rambles in New South Wales,' p. 97:

"Some of the aborigines feed on a large bat popularly called

`the flying fox.' . . We found the filthy creatures, hanging

by the heels in thousands, from the higher branches of the

trees."

1863. B. A. Heywood, `Vacation Tour at the Antipodes,' p. 102:

"The shrill twitter of the flying fox, or vampire bat, in the

bush around us."

1871. Gerard Krefft, `Mammals of Australia':

"The food on which the `Foxes' principally live when garden

fruit is not in season, consists of honey-bearing blossoms and

the small native figs abounding in the coast-range scrubs. . . .

These bats are found on the east coast only, but during very

dry seasons they occur as far west as the neighbourhood of

Melbourne."

1881. A.C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland,' vol. ii. p. 20:

"A little further on they came to a camp of flying foxes.

The huge trees on both sides of the river are actually black

with them. The great bats hang by their hooked wings to every

available branch and twig, squealing and quarrelling.

The smell is dreadful. The camp extends for a length of three

miles. There must be millions upon millions of them."

<hw>Flying-Mouse</hw>, n. See Opossum-mouse

and Flying-Phalanger.

<hw>Flying-Phalanger</hw>, n. included in the class

of Phalanger (q.v.). The "flying" Phalangers "have

developed large parachute-like expansions of skin from the

sides of the body, by means of which they are able to take long

flying leaps from bough to bough, and thus from tree to tree.

While the great majority of the members of the family are

purely vegetable feeders, . . . a few feed entirely or partly

on insects, while others have taken to a diet of flesh."

(R. Lydekker.)

They include the so-called Flying-Squirrel,

Flying-Mouse, etc. There are three genera--

Acrobates (q.v.), called the Flying-Mouse,

and Opossum-Mouse (q.v.).

Petauroides commonly called the Taguan, or

Taguan Flying-Squirrel.

Petaurus (q.v.), commonly called the Flying

Squirrel.