But wait, there's more!
Having just returned from Central West Queensland (home of the
Pisswhopper) I have watched the bunfight over common names with
some amusement. At Barcaldine we found a bird list for a property
near Aramac which had us wondering far into the night. Can anyone
offer the REN for the following (locally) common names?
hopping johnny
coffee duck
buln buln
white headed water hen
black magpie
I've looked in 'Leach' (that dear little Australian Bird Book with
the green leather cover) but have been unable to find them.
The birdlist had other classics like Native Companion for Brolga and Robin
Redbreast (presumably Red-capped Robin in Central Queensland though used
for the Scarlet Robin in southern states), leatherhead, banana bird and
one simply called 'honeyeater'. We encountered Singing, White-plumed and
Spiny-cheeked around Barcaldine, so which one they authors of the list
were refering to I have no idea. But I hope to go there and atlas it some
day.
Alex Appleman
On Thu, 6 Aug 1998, Ian Clayton wrote:
> Hi All
>
> The best common name I have come across is
> for the Magpie Lark. I first heard it called a
> Piss Whopper by Alex Appleman after a trip
> into Sth West Qld and again while I was working
> at Lotus Bird Lodge a few weeks ago.
>
> Regards
>
> Ian Clayton
> Townsville
> North Qld.
>
> Phone 07 47 216 489
>
>
>
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