Re: "Rosella"

[Jennifer Spry <>]

Hi all,

Sorry, but I have fianlly been tempted into this string by the quoting of the Oxford English Dictionary by Colin Scouler.

If one goes to the Oxford Australian National Dictionary one finds under the entries for "Rose Hill parrot" and "rosella" a string of earlier dates.

Under the entry for "Rose Hill parrot", "1810... I have now two Rose Hill parrots"; and, 1827 from the Linnean Society, London, "In Mr. Cayley's MSS are the following observations on the bird [Rose Hill parrot]. From 1836, J. Backhouse; "Some of the birds of V.D. Land abound ... The Rosella, Rosehill, or Nonpareil Parrot".

Under the entry, "rosella"; "formerly also roselle". And, "1829 Sydney Gazette 21 July, "... And roselles golden"

And to close "1860, Sydney Mail 22 September; "The Rosehill Parrot, erroniously called rosella, is nesting." (how does this date compare to these days for Sydney?)

And for the true trivia buffs the OAND also lists a "rosella" as; "a sheep which is losing its wool, and is therefore easy to shear" and; "A military staff officer".

To move into more modern times, "Leach; An Australian Bird Book, 1918 edition", lists the Rosella as; "Rosella, Rosehill Parakeet, and Nonpareil Parrot".

regards

Jen
 
 

Colin scouler wrote:

 The first recorded use in this context was in 1857.

As to the name of the parrot,  the OED is unequivocal in tracing the
derivation  from  "Rose Hiller", and ultimately from Rose Hill, NSW. The first
recorded use dates from 1838.