Austral English Part 84

Flax-lily, 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."

Flindosa, and Flindosy, n. two trees called Beech (q.v.).

Flintwood, 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."

Flounder, 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."

Flower-pecker, n. bird-name used elsewhere, but in Australia assigned to Dicaeum hirundinaceum, Lath.

Flowering Rush, n. name given to the rush or reed, Xyris operculata, Lab., N.O. Xyrideae.

Flute-bird, 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."

Fly-catcher, 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: