Austral English Part 272

1891. Rolf Boldrewood, `A Sydney-side Saxon,' p. 83:

"I took my meal in the hut, but we'd both the same kind of tucker."

Tui, n. Maori name for the New Zealand bird, Prosthemadera novae-zelandae, Gray; called the Parson-bird (q.v.), and earlier the Poe (q.v.).

Another name is the Koko, and the young bird is distinguished as Pi-tui, or Pikari. It is also called the Mocking bird.

1835. W. Yate, `Some Account of New Zealand,' p. 52:

"Tui. This remarkable bird, from the versatility of its talents for imitation, has by some been called `the Mocking-Bird.'"

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

p. 80:

"The little birds were chiefly the tui, or mocking-bird. It resembles a blackbird in size and plumage, with two graceful bunches of white feathers under the neck. It abounds in the woods, and is remarkably noisy and active ... it imitates almost every feathered inhabitant of the forest, and, when domesticated, every noise it hears."

1863. B. A. Heywood, `Vacation Tour at the Antipodes,' p. 170:

"I saw several birds named the Tooi; they are black, about the size of a starling, and are sometimes called Parson-birds, as they have two white feathers like clergymen's bands in front of them."

1867. F. Hochstetter, `New Zealand,' p. 166:

"One of the prettiest creatures is the tui, Parson-Bird of the colonists (Prosthemadera Novae-Zelandae), which roves about in the lofty, leafy crowns of the forest-trees."

1881. J. L. Campbell, `Poenamo,' p. 102:

"The tui, with his grand, rich note, made the wood musical."

1884. T. Bracken, `Lays of Maori,' p. 21:

"Woo the Bell-bird from his nest, to ring The Tui up to sing his morning hymns."

Ibid. p. 101:

"I hear the swell Of Nature's psalms through tree and bush, From tui, blackbird, finch and thrush."

1889. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand,' vol. i. facing p. 94.:

[A plate entitled] "Tui, or parson-bird."

Ibid. pp. 94-100:

[A full description.]

1893. D. Frobisher, `Sketches of Gossipton,' p. 61:

As the forest soft echoes brought back their sweet chorus, The tuis seemed silent from envy and spleen."

Tulip, Native, i.q. Waratah (q.v.); and see Telopea.

Tulip-tree, n. The name is given, in Australia, to Stenocarpus cunninghamii, R. Br., N.O. Proteaceae, on account of the brilliancy of its bright-red flowers; called also Queensland Fire-tree.

Tulip-wood, n. The name is given, in Australia, to Aphnanthe philipinensis, Planch., N.O. Urticaceae, and to the timber of Harpullia pendula, Planch., N.O. Sapindaceae. It is, further, a synonym for the Emu-Apple.

1845. J. O. Balfour, `Sketch of New South Wales,' p. 39:

"The tulip-wood, with its variegated flowers and delightful perfume, grows in abundance."

Tumata-kuru, n. Maori name for plant better known as Wild Irishman (q.v.), Discaria toumatou, Raoul. "A thorny plant, very difficult to handle." (Vincent Pyke.) Tumatagowry, or Matagory (q.v.), is the Southern corruption of contractors, labourers, and others.

1889. Vincent Pyke, `Wild Will Enderby,' p. 16:

"Upon the arid flats, patches of Tumatu-kuru, and of a purple-flowering broom, struggle to maintain a scraggy existence."

1889. T. Kirk, `Forest Flora of New Zealand,' p. 283:

"The tumatakuru merits a place in this work rather on account of its value in the past than of its present usefulness. In the early days of settlement in the South Island this afforded the only available timber in many mountain-valleys, and was frequently converted by hand sawyers for building purposes; being of great durability, it was found very serviceable, notwithstanding its small dimensions: the formation of roads has deprived it of value by facilitating the conveyance of ordinary building timber."

Tuna, n. See Eel.

Tupakihi, n. i.q. Tutu (q.v.).

Tupara, n. Maori corruption of "two-barrel."

Compare the aboriginal word Whilpra (q.v.).

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

p. 109:

"He had previously despatched a messenger to me, begging me to bring some tupara, or `two-barrel.'"

1881. J. L.Campbell, `Poenamo,' p. 137:

"They were labouring under the `tupera fever' [in 1840]. The percussion-gun had made its appearance, and the natives were not slow to see how much more effectual a weapon it was than the old flint `brown-bess.' And when they saw the tupera, double-barrelled gun, the rage at once set in to possess it."

Tupong, n. aboriginal name for a Southern Australian fish, Aphritis bassii, Castln., family Trachinidae. Mr. J. Bracebridge Wilson says it is called Marble-fish in the Geelong district.

It is also known as the Freshwater Flathead.

Tupuna, n. Maori word, meaning ancestor, progenitor, male or female. Often used in the Land Courts in the question: "Who are your tupuna?"

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

p. 113:

"I asked his permission to ascend Tonga Riro ... But he steadily refused, saying, `I would do anything else to show you my love and friendship, but you must not ascend my tepuna, or ancestor.'"

1855. Rev. R. Taylor, `Te Ika a Maui,' p. 202:

"Tupuna, to stand, to spring; an ancestor; hence Tu-pu, to grow."

1863. F. Maning (Pakeha Maori), `Old New Zealand,' p. 196: