Not really wanting to revisit the obvious here ...... but today I went to
the National Museum and read items related to the metal breast plates that
were given to aboriginal people in early days. It made mention that they
often showed heraldic depictions of animals and that the tradition of many
such styles was to show a back view with the animal looking over its
shoulder. This gives a context to the Magpie image in the emblem.
Philip
-----Original Message-----
From: Philip Veerman
Sent: Saturday, 15 August 2015 5:14 PM
To: 'Ross Macfarlane (TPG)'; 'Doug Holly'; 'Birding Aus'
Subject: Piping Shrike is South Aus emblemic bird
Some people like to try too hard. Of course it is a white-backed magpie
(rear view), although the name used at the time was different but the name
clearly equates to Magpie (from other evidence). And the old name of Piping
Shrike is arguably no more correct or wrong a choice than Magpie. Except
that Magpie is an easy name, which works well for a well known bird. Yes it
appears to show a black patch across the rump and it is stylised. Almost
every time an animal is shown as an emblem (think of lion, eagle, whatever),
it uses a stylised depiction. This just fits the tradition........ I suggest
sending a picture and suggesting the emblem is a Magpie-lark is an
irrelevance.
Philip (incorporating some corrections to earlier messages)
-----Original Message-----
From: Birding-Aus On Behalf Of
Ross Macfarlane (TPG)
Sent: Saturday, 15 August 2015 2:33 PM
To: 'Doug Holly'; 'Birding Aus'
Subject: Piping Shrike is South Aus emblemic bird
Unconvinced; if your theory is right the white on the wing sure isn't
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/Flag_of_South_Aust
ralia.svg/2000px-Flag_of_South_Australia.svg.png
http://ibc.lynxeds.com/files/pictures/Australian_magpie.JPG
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4040/4336142504_92113e1edd_b.jpg
-----Original Message-----
From: Birding-Aus On Behalf Of
Doug Holly
Sent: Saturday, 15 August 2015 1:45 PM
To: Birding Aus
Subject: Piping Shrike is South Aus emblemic bird
If you look at the bird on the flag you can see it's a REAR VIEW of a
White-backed Magpie, Gymnorhina hypoleuca, and it's sitting on a perch and
the perch goes under its tail and it's looking over its left shoulder, it's
probably on the verge of taking off.
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