Austral English Part 20

Sapindaceae.

1853. J. Hector, `Handbook of New Zealand,' p. 125:

"White-birch of Nelson and Otago (from colour of bark), Black-heart Birch of Wellington, f.a.gus solandri, Hook, a lofty, beautiful ever-green tree, 100 feet high. Black-birch (Tawhai) of Auckland and Otago (from colour of bark), Red-birch of Wellington and Nelson (from colour of timber), f.a.gus fusca, N.O. Cupuliferae, a n.o.ble tree 60 to 90 feet high."

1889. T. Kirk, `Forest Flora of New Zealand,' p. 91:

"Like all small-leaved forest trees it [f.a.gus solandri, Hook. f.] is termed `birch' by the bushman... . It is not too much to say that the blundering use of common names in connection with the New Zealand beeches, when the timber has been employed in bridges and constructive works, has caused waste and loss to the value of many thousands of pounds."

Bird-catching Plant, n. a New Zealand shrub or tree, Pisonia brunoniana, Endl., N.O. Nyctagineae; Maori name, Parapara.

1883. R. H. Govett, `Transactions of the New Zealand Inst.i.tute,'

vol. xvi. Art. xxviii. p. 364::

"A Bird-killing Tree... . In a shrub growing in my father's garden at New Plymouth, two Silver-eyes (Zosterops) and an English Sparrow had been found with their wings so glued by the sticky seed-vessels that they were unable to move, and could only fly away after having been carefully washed."

1889. T. Kirk, `Forest Flora of New Zealand,' p. 293:

"It is sometimes termed the `birdcatching plant' by settlers and bushmen ... It will always be a plant of special interest, as small birds are often found captured by its viscid fruits, to which their feathers become attached as effectively as if they were glued."

Bird's-nest fungus, n. a small fungus of the genus Cyathus, four species of which occur in Queensland.

Bitter-Bark, n. an Australian tree, Petalostigma quadrilo culare, F. v. M., N.O. Euphorbiacea. Called also Crab-tree, Native Quince, Emu apple, and Quinine-tree. The bark contains a powerful bitter essence, which is used medicinally.

The name is also applied to Tabernaemontana orientalis, R. Br., N.O. Apocyneae, and to Alstonia constricta, F. v. M., N.O. Aporynacece, which is also called Feverbark.

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 204:

"Bitter Bark. This small tree has an intensely bitter bark, and a decoction of it is sometimes sold as `bitters."

Bitter-Leaf, n. a Tasmanian name for the Native Hop. See Hops and Hopbush.

Bittern, n. bird-name well known in England.

The Australian species are--

The Bittern--

Botaurus paeciloptilus, Wagl.

Black B.--

Butoroides flavicollis, Lath.

Green B.--

B. javanica, Horsfield.

Little B.--

Ardetta pusilla, Vieill.

Blackberry, Native, or Bramble, n.

called also Raspberry. Three species of the genus Rubus occur in Queensland--Rubus molucca.n.u.s, Linn., R. parvifolius, Linn., R.

rosifolius, Smith, N.O. Rosaceae See also Lawyer.

Blackbird, n. "A cant name for a captive negro, or Polynesian, on board a slave or pirate ship." (`O.E.D.') But no instance is given of its use for a negro.

1871. `Narrative of the Voyage of the Brig Carl' [pamphlet]

"They were going to take a cruise round the islands `black-bird' catching."

1872. `The Argus,' Dec. 21, Supplement, p. 2, col. 1 [Chief Justice's charge in the case of the `Carl Outrage']:

"They were not going pearl-fishing but blackbird-hunting. It is said you should have evidence as to what blackbird-hunting meant. I think it is a grievous mistake to pretend to ignorance of things pa.s.sing before our eyes everyday. We may know the meaning of slang words, though we do not use them. Is there not a wide distinction between blackbird-hunting and a legitimate labour-trade, if such a thing is to be carried on?

What did he allude to? To get labourers honestly if they could, but, if not, any way?"

1881. `Chequered Career,' p.188 (`O.E.D.')

"The white men on board know that if once the `blackbirds'

burst the hatches ... they would soon master the ship."

Black-birding, n. kidnapping natives of South Sea islands for service in Queensland plantations.

1871. `Narrative of the Voyage of the Brig Carl' [pamphlet]:

"All the three methods, however, of obtaining labour in the South Seas--that which was just and useful, that which was of suspicious character, and that which was nothing, more or less, than robbery and murder--were in use the same time, and all three went by the same general slang term of `blackbirding,' or `blackbird catching.'"

1872. Rev. H. S. f.a.gan, `The Dark Blue' (Magazine), June, p. 437:

"Well, you see how it is that C is not safe, even though he is a missionary bishop, after A has made the name of missionary an offence by his ingenious mode of `black-birding.'"

1892. Gilbert Parker, `Round the Compa.s.s in Australia,' p. 78:

"In the early days of sugar-planting there may have been black-birding, but it was confined to a very few, and it is done away with altogether now."

Black-birding, adj.

1883. `The Academy,' Sept. 8, p. 158 (`O.E.D.')

"[He] slays Bishop Patteson by way of reprisal for the atrocities of some black-birding crew."

Blackboy, n. a gra.s.s-tree. Name applied to all species of the genus Xanthorroea, but especially to X. preissii, Endl., N.O. Liliaceae. Compare Maori-head.

1846. J. L. Stokes, `Discovery in Australia,' ii. 4, 132:

"Black Boy ... gum on the spear, resin on the trunk."

Ibid. ii. 12, 280 [Note]