Whilst reading an article by D. Goodwin in Emu 66 (pp 237-51), I
encountered a new word. The article was entitled "Notes on Behaviour of
some Australian Birds", and, in reference to the White-browed Babbler, he
says: 'When probing in crevices of bark and elsewhere it did not appear to
"zirkeln"'.
Now' zirkeln' is a word that just has to be investigated, but even though I
checked English dictionaries, German dictionaries, bird dictionaries, and
more, no joy was to be had.
What on earth does "zirkeln" mean? No one seems to know! Not only is it
an unknown verb, it is used as something the bird didn't do! Some quite
good guesses were made as to what the bird didn't do while probing crevices
of bark. Spontaneously combusting. Playing an Abyssinian nose-flute.
Hiding from Mir. Tap-dancing. Bowling legspin to Sachin Tendulkar. All
good guesses, and, most probably, quite true. I doubt the wretched bird
did any of these things. Does anybody have the remotest idea what the bird
actually might have been doing? I, and many other perplexed potential
zirkelners, would just love to know.
Re: Geoff Price's email above, perhaps zirk eln is Dutch or Flemish. Have
we any such speakers out there?
Could be a mis-print?
Anatole in Lodnon - have you any suggestions ?
Penny Drake-Brockman, Examination Recitals Co-ordinator, Sydney
Conservatorium of Music.
Tel: 02 9351 1254.
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