Austral English Part 291

1888. D. Macdonald, `Gum Boughs,' p. 81:

"The wombat is very powerful, and can turn a boulder almost as large as itself out of the way when it bars the road."

1889. Cassell's `Picturesque Australasia,' vol. iv. p. 183:

"There are large numbers of wombats in the district, and these animals, burrowing after the fashion of rabbits, at times reach great depths, and throw up large mounds."

1894. `The Argus,' June 23, p. 11, col. 4:

"The wombat's grunt is strictly in harmony with his piggish appearance."

Wombat-hole, n. hole made by Wombat (q.v.).

1891. Mrs. Cross (Ada Cambridge), `The Three Miss Kings,'

p. 181:

"He took them but a little way from where they had camped, and disclosed in the hillside what looked like a good-sized wombat or rabbit-hole."

Wommera. See Woomera.

Wonga, n. aboriginal name for the bulrush, Typha angustifolia, Linn. It is the same as the Raupo (q.v.) of New Zealand, and is also known as Bulrush, Cat's Tail and Reed Mace, and in Europe as the `Asparagus of the Cossacks.'

For etymology, see next word.

Wonga-wonga, n. an Australian pigeon, Leucosarcia picata, Lath.; it has very white flesh.

The aboriginal word wonga is explained as coming from root signifying the idea of `quiver motion,' `sudden springing up'

and the word is thus applied as a name for the bulrush, the vine, and the pigeon. Some, however, think that the name of the pigeon is from the bird's note. In Gippsland, it was called by the natives Wauk-wauk-au, sc. `that which makes wauk-wauk.'

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

p. 321:

"We have a large pigeon named the Wanga-wanga, of the size and appearance of the ringdove, which is exquisite eating also."

1846. J. L. Stokes, `Discoveries in Australia,' vol. i. c. x.

p. 314:

"At Captain King's table I tasted the Wonga-wonga pigeon."

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia,' vol. v. pl. 63:

"Leucosarcia Picata, Wonga-wonga, Aborigines of New South Wales; White-fleshed and Wonga-wonga Pigeon, Colonists of New South Wales."

1852. G. C. Mundy, `Our Antipodes' (edition 1855), c. i.

p. 12:

"A delicate wing of the Wonga-wonga pigeon."

1860. G. Bennett, `Gatherings of a Naturalist,' p. 174:

"Nothing can surpass in delicacy the white flesh of the Wonga-wonga (Leucosarcia picata)."

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland,' vol. i. p. 213:

"Hark! there goes a Wonga-wonga, high up in the topmost branches of the great cedar."

1891. `Guide to Zoological Gardens, Melbourne':

"The Wonga-Wonga (Leucosarcia Picata) is also represented. This Pigeon, though less bright in plumage than the last-named, exceeds it in size; both are excellent eating."

Wonga-wonga Vine, n. a name for the hardy, evergreen climber, Tecoma australis, R. Br., N.O. Bignoniaceae. There are several varieties, all distinguished by handsome flowers in terminal panicles. They are much cultivated in gardens and for ornamental bower-trees.

Woodhen, n. a name given to several birds of New Zealand of the Rail family, and of the genus Ocydromus; some of them are called by the Maori name of 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 cry of the `wood hen `was heard. It was a preconcerted signal."

Wood-duck, n. a name given by the colonists of New South Wales and "Swan River" to the Maned Goose, Branta jubata, Latham.

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition,' p. 147:

"The wood-duck (Bernicla jubata) abounded on the larger water-holes."

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia,' vol. vii. pl. 3:

"Bernicla jubata, Maned Goose; Wood-Duck, Colonists of New South Wales and Swan River."

Wood Natives, or Wood Savages, obsolete names for the Australian aborigines.

1817. O'Hara, `History of New South Wales,' p. 161:

"... robbed by a number of the inland or wood natives ..."