Over the years, there have been a number of enquiries to birding-aus
concerning the use of the term "Regent" in the names of black and yellow
birds such as the Regent Bowerbird, Regent Honeyeater and Regent Parrot.
Now it seems that Ian McAllan may have hit upon the answer, in an
article in the current issue of "Birds NSW", the newsletter of NSW Bird
Atlassers.
In this context "Regent" refers to the Prince Regent, later George IV
(1762-1830). As heir to the throne, he was appointed regent (acting
king) in 1811, when his father George III became mentally incapable (and
remained so until his death in 1820). When first appointed , the
Prince's powers as regent were limited, but those limitations lapsed in
1812.
In his article, Ian cites an unpublished manuscript written by a John
Skottowe. Skottowe related that in 1812 he obtained a specimen of the
Regent Bowerbird, and considered that he was the first to have done so.
On the very day he collected the specimen, the news reached him in New
South Wales that the restrictions on the Prince's regency powers had
been removed. So, Skottoe says,"...as a small tribute from the Esteem I
bear that exalted Character, [the PR] I have named it [the bird] as
above."
(In fact, as Ian points out, Skottowe was not the first to collect the
Regent Bowerbird. That was done in 1801 by John Lewin, who described it
in 1808).
Ian surmises, I think correctly, that once the name "Regent" had been
bestowed on one striking black and yellow bird, it became attached to
others, though unrelated - the Regent Honeyeater and the Regent Parrot.
Congratulations on solving the mystery by a fine bit of research, Ian.
Colin Scouler.
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