AN ABORIGINAL VOCABULARY of the FAUNA of GIPPSLAND by Ian Mansergh* and L

https://doi.org/10.24199/j.mmv.1981.42.06 30 September 1981

AN ABORIGINAL VOCABULARY OF THE FAUNA OF GIPPSLAND By Ian Mansergh* and L. A. HercusI

*Fisheries and Wildlife Division, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research. 123 Brown Street, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084. tDepartment of South Asian and Buddhist Studies, Australian National University. Abstract The words which four aboriginal tribes from Gippsland used for some species of mammals, birds,^ reptiles and amphibians are presented and discussed. Sources of information used were the records of early European explorers, settlers and persons interested in Aboriginal culture. Where possible, tentative phonetic renderings in practical orthography are provided. The use of such information to augment our knowledge of the original distribution of native fauna is discussed.

Introduction Sources In this paper we have compiled, from the The vocabulary has been compiled from records of 19th century European colonists, a published and unpublished data collected by vocabulary of names given to animals by the various Europeans during the latter half of the Aboriginals of Gippsland. These records repre- 19th century. The histories and the motives of sent, however sparsely, the first lists of fauna the European recorders (Table 1) are varied. for this area. Only names for birds, mammals, Edward M. Curr (1820-1879) was an author reptiles and amphibians are included, but most and squatter, whose work on Aboriginal of the literature consulted contains references culture (Curr, 1857) was, according to Pike to similar information for fish and vegetation. (1969), "only as reliable as the observations The words Hsted are those of four tribes made by his helpers". In Gippsland these were which were distinguishable by differences in Bulmer, Hagenauer and Howitt. John Bulmer language: the Krauatungalung, the Brabira- (1833-1913) and Friedrich A. Hagenauer and the Tatungalung lung, the Braiakaulung ( 1 829- 1 909) were respectively Church of (Tindaie, 1974). The approximate tribal boun- England and Moravian missionaries who had daries are shown on Fig. 1 (Howitt, 1904; Tin- had extensive experience on Aboriginal stations dale, 1940, 1974) but these became derelict in northwestern Victoria and Gippsland (Pike, when traditional Aboriginal society collapsed 1969, 1972; Walker, 1971; Christie, 1979). soon after European settlement. The Gippsland Bulmer had some knowledge of natural history Lakes Catchment (G.L.C.) is also shown (Fig. (Christie, 1979). Alfred W. Howitt (1930-1908), 1) as a vertebrate survey of this area is discussed who lived in Gippsland as poHce superinten- (Norris et ai, 1980). dent, magistrate and scholar, provided many Before the drastic reduction in population contributions to exploration, natural history caused by European settlement (Rowley, 1972; and anthropology. His interpretations of Christie, 1979) the Aboriginal population of Aboriginal culture have been criticized Gippsland has been estimated as between 1000 (Walker, 1971, p. 310) but not his skill as an and 1500 people (Fison and Howitt, 1880). In a observer. Barwick states that demographic study (1971) Robert H. Mathews (1841-1918) was a were 'rem- (!) the tribes of western Gippsland ". surveyor and anthropologist who .. prided (ii) that the Gippsland popula- nant' by 1852; himself on ascertaining his facts from the stable from 1863 to 1877 tion was apparently Aboriginals themselves" (Pike, 1974). Most of there was some immigration from the although his work was with tribes in New South Wales, and (iii) that a fair- Monaro area to Lake Tyers; Northern Territory and Central Australia proportion of the Gippsland people ly high (Greenway, 1963). a were still camping away from the stations and Mathew (1849-1929) was an anthro- substantial number of old people continued to John pologist interested in the Aboriginals of several wander until the late 1890s. Aboriginal stations of Australia. It is not known when either were started at Lake Tyers and at Ramahyuck areas of the last two observers visited Gippsland, in 1862 (Christie, 1979; Barwick, 1971).

107 Memoirs of the National Museum Victoria, No. 42, 1981. 108 IAN MANSERGH AND L. A. HERCUS

LEGEND G. L.C. boundary Tribal boundaries

(According loHowiil, 1904, Tindale, 1974 1

GIPPSLAND TRIBES ADJACENT TRIBES

1 Krauatungalung 6 Bunurong 2 Brabiralung 7 Wurundjeri 3 Braiakaulung 8 Jaitmathang Bass Strait 4 Tatungalung 9 Ngarigo 5 Bratauolung 10 Bidawal

I'ig. I. Tribal boundaries of Ihc Aboriginals of (iippslaiul, Vicloria.

William Thomas (1793-1867) was appointed (Tchure-wuk) correspond to Gippsland words a Guardian of Aborigines and contributed recorded by Howitt or Bulmer. To avoid repeti- much information to Smyth's Aborigines of tion these have not been included in the Victoria (Smyth, 1878). William Dawson vocabulary. The Intercolonial Exhibition Com- (7-1901) and J. Petitt (?-?) were the first Chief missioners (1867) have recorded words from Surveyor of Gippsland and assistant respec- Lake Tyer [sic]. However, as noted by Schmidt tively. Their list (Dawson and Petitt 1850s) also (1919) the language content demonstrates the includes Aboriginal place names, some of list is derived from Thaguwurra (Upper which have been adopted in Gippsland. Goulburn). Curr (undated) provides a list of words of the Krauatungalung tribe ('Lake Tyers'). These correspond to those provided to Curr (1887) by Explanation of Table and Layout of Bulmer and given in the vocabulary. Bulmer Vocabulary (undated, 1904) and Howitt (1895) also provide In Table 1 each source of information is words that appear in the vocabulary under their assigned a symbol by means of which the respective names but have been derived from recorder of every word given in the vocabulary other sources. Howitt (undated) gives Ab- can be identified. The originally stated area in- original names to twenty vertebrates but the habited by the tribe using each word and the tribe or area where they were collected is not name of the tribe are also given in Table 1 given. All words except that given for Quail (columns 3 and 4). ABORIGINAL FAUNAL VOCABULARY \()9

Table 1

Sources

Source Symbol Area Tribe (following Tindale 1974)

Anon (1847) (A) West Gippsland and Lakes area Braiakaulung and Tatungalung Curr(1887) (C) *Gippsland

In Curr (1887)

(i) Bulmer (Bu) Snowy River and *Gippsland Krauatungalung and others see below

(ii) Howitt (Ho) *Gippsland

(iii) Hagenauer (Ha) *Gippsland Dawson and

Petill (1850s) (D) Snowy River, Lakes Krauatungalung, Brabiralung, Mitchell River, Tatungalung, Braiakaulung McMillan's Blacks

Howitt (1880) (H) Lake Tyers district Krauatungalung (Hi) Nulert Nulit = Braiakaulung

(Hii) Mukthang = Brabiralung

Mathew (1899) (Ma) Gippsland 7 Mathews (1902) (M) Gippsland (central) Brabiralung ["Brabirrawulung"|

In Smyth (1878) Krauatungalung ["Karnathun") (1) Bulmer (Bs) Lake Tyers (Br) Swan Reach Brabiralung ["Bundah Wark Kani'T Tatungalung ["Tarrawarrackel"] (ii) Hagenauer (Hs) Lake WelHngton Braiakaulung (iii) Thomas (T) Sale and Bushy Park "Brabralong [sic] and neighbouring tribes" (iv) Howitt (Ht) Gippsland

three tribes the Braiakaulung, Talungalung and Brabiralung. * This area as defined 13y Curr (1887) encompasses

Discussion The first column in the vocabulary is ordered four main uncer- following Norris ei ai (1980) and gives the Interpretation is affected by extraordinary isolation of species name and modern vernacular name to tainties. Firstly, "the Howitt, which we think the 19th century English ver- this [Gippsland] tribe" (Fison and Aboriginals from nacular names in column 2 refer. The cor- 1880) was destroyed when were forced to responding Aboriginal words and the code for other areas, mainly the Monaro, missions in East Gippsland. the European who recorded them are listed in settle on the two recorders did not accurately column 3. The spelling of words in columns 2 Some European identify, or at least record, the informant's tribe and 3 is that of the original recorder. Phonetic were ethno- symbols have been omitted but were used to even though most recorders example, Hagenauer brought help compile the tentative rendering in practical graphers. For Pepper to Ramahyuck from north- orthography in column 4 (see appendix 1 for Nathaniel (Christie, 1979; Leslie and notes on pronunciation). These appear in italics western Victoria at Cowie, 1977), an event which may explain a if they were recorded by one of us (L.A.H.) area (see Hirundo neoxena), the Lake Tyers settlement in 1964. Ambiguous word from that by Dawson and Petitt (1850s) words in column 3 have not been given a being recorded unaware of Pepper's modern orthography. Words from other areas who may have been have appropriate footnotes. origins. no IAN MANSERGH AND L. A. HERCUS

Secondly, the recorders were probably not as 1980) occur in the survey area. The known aware of taxonomic subtleties as were the range of the latter is almost entirely in the tribal Aboriginals who would also have had different area of the Krauatungalung. 'Bri' and 'win- criteria for classification. The catch-all English nenerbree' are recorded for kangaroo rat in this word 'snake' in the vocabulary corresponds to language. Although unusual, the vocabulary many Aboriginal words, one or two of which evidences that this Aboriginal group appears to may be a generic equivalent of 'snake' (see Her- have used qualifying adjectives in animal cus, 1966), but most of which probably refer to names, see for example Petrogale penicillata one of at least seven species which occur in and Eudyptula minor. Further linguistic in- Gippsland (Norris et aL, 1980). vestigation may show that the Aboriginal name Thirdly, some Aboriginal names may have of P. longipes was 'winnenerbree' (pron, had totemic significance and consequently, any winina-bri). animal may have had different names used ac- Thylogale billardieri cording to circumstance. Every Gippsland Red-bellied Pademelon ". Aboriginal . . received the name of some This is a coastal species in Victoria. Five marsupial, bird, reptile or fish from his father primary references to this species concerning when he was about ten years old, or at initia- the survey area have been located (Anon, 1894; tion. A man would say, pointing to the creature Bury, 1966, 1967; Lewis, 1931, Le Souef, in question, that is your ihundung, do not hurt 1895). Although once plentiful around the it" (Howitt, 1904). And finally, in many in- Gippsland Lakes (Lewis, 1931; Bury, 1966, stances, the Europeans' inconsistency in the use 1967) a Tatungalung word for the species was of vernacular names of fauna has prevented an not recorded. This suggests that the lists com- unequivocal interpretation of their meaning. piled by the 19th century ethnographers were "Iguana" might mean either "Goanna" or what far from complete. The Krauatungalung tribe is often called the "Gippsland Iguana", the had a word for this species but there are no Eastern Water Dragon. other records for this area although it was The list of words reveal a small part of what reportedly abundant at Mallacoota (Le Souef, was a deep involvement of Aboriginals with 1895). their environment. The interest of the few early Conilurus albipes White-footed Rabbit-Rat Europeans has incidentally aided our knowledge of early Gippsland fauna by providing the Howitt (1880) recorded the Braiakaulung first available faunal lists. Thylogale billardieri, word for Rabbit Rat. However, he omitted a Conilurus albipes, A nseranas semipalmata, Krauatungalung word after including the English Grus rubicundus and Ardeotis australis are no common name in the species list of this longer found in the area and Petrogale tribe. Rabbit Rat has been applied to several penicillata is rare and restricted to remote parts species. However, only C. albipes is relevant to Gippsland of the Snowy River Gorge (Norris et aL, 1980). (Troughton, 1973). Little is known From the documented occurrence of species about this species and it was already uncom- mon in Port (Norris et ai, 1980) it appears that mammals Phillip (Victoria) in the 1800s (Gould, are the best represented Order in the 1976). Wakefield (1972) recorded its vocabulary. This may be due to the bias of the subfossil remains in a cave at the Pyramids (see original recorders. This group also has the map) and commented that although the species highest proportion of words recorded in 1964. was plentiful "probably until about 100 years A comprehensive description of the ver- ago" no live specimen had been recorded within 100 miles tebrate fauna of the survey area is provided by of that site. Subfossil bones of this Norris et aL (1980), but the following species species have been found on the Snowy River deserve further comment. (Norris et aL, 1980; FWD records). The National Musuem of Victoria (NMV) Polorous spp. Potoroos. has two specimens of C. albipes originally Both Potorous tridactytus and the recently registered as R 1103 and R 1104 (presently C described P, longipes (Seebeck and Johnson, 7586, C 7585 respectively). These were regis- ABORIGINAL FAUNAL VOCABULARY III tered as ''Hapalotis albipes—Cooptfs Creek, Grus rubicundus Brolga Aust. -Hewitt's Cooper's Ck. Colin." Cent. Flocks of this species were recorded around This information was derived from a list writ- the lakes in the 1850s (Leslie and Cowie, 1977), later than 1862 by John James, secretary ten no but only once has the species been recorded this the Museum (Darragh, pers. and accountant of century (Garnet, 1944). Seven of the ten comm.). original recorders noted words for this species the published and unpublished A search of from the Krauatungalung and Brabiralung concerning both Gippsland writings of Howitt tribes. Apparently suitable habitat existed in Australia has failed to locate a and Central every tribal area, but 36% of this has been other than those given reference to this species ehminated or greatly modified since settlement Creek, Central here from Gippsland, Cooper's (Corrick and Norman, 1980). Bulmer (undated) Australia, appears an anomalous locality in describes the Aboriginal legend that explains that define the range regard to all other records why the Brolga usually lays two eggs in contrast pers. comm.). of this species (Mahoney, to the Emu that can lay many more, However during the course of the expedition to Central Austraha Howitt did traverse areas that Morelia spilotes Diamond Python are within the perceived range and habitat of This species has been recorded at Mallacoota this species. From 1858 Howitt collected skins and Bemm River (Le Souef, 1896; Daley, 1917); for the Museum around the eastern periphery the latter locality corresponds to the southern of the survey area (Walker, 1971). In 1860-1 he limit of range attributed to the species by Cog- led a party into Central Gippsland for the Pros- ger (1979). If the interpretation of Wood pecting Board (see map in Walker, 1971) which (Snake) or Constrictor Snake and Carpet Snake explored in the Braiakaulung tribal area. as Morelia spilotes is accepted then this species Howitt recorded the name for Rabbit Rat in was known to the Krauatungalung and this language. This circumstantial evidence sug- Brabiralung tribes. gests that the NMV specimens were probably collected in Gippsland. Conclusion recording Aboriginal names for native Ardeotis australis Australian Bustard By animals, early European colonists have given us Wakefield (1942) wrote concerning a record the earliest fauna lists of the area. This of this species from Mossiface. "The Bustard vocabulary illustrated how such data, especially once used to visit the southern Monaro Plains when used in conjunction with other informa- and probably sometimes used to cross the tion can be used to augment our knowledge of border into the Bendoc district, but why a the distribution of these animals at about the bird should have been found so far from single time of settlement. habitat is beyond explanation". He its natural The problems and inadequacies in the use of was presumably unaware of earlier records of such data have been discussed for this region species being a food source for Aboriginals this but hopefully the benefits will encourage and early settlers of Gippsland (Leslie and workers in other areas to pursue similar in- 1977). Two observers have recorded the Cowie, vestigations where possible. word (one of which may apply to a different which tribes of the Gippsland Plains species) Acknowledgements used for the "Wild Turkey"; consequently the the specimen Wakefield reported might have been a Many people provided assistance to Emison, D. Evans, remnant of a Gippsland population, rather authors -A. Corrick, W. (all of the Fisheries and Wildlife than a bird from N.S.W,, as implied by him. I. Norman (Monash University) Hunting pressure and habitat modification Division) Eva Fesl Mahoney (University of Sydney). The probably led to its dying out in this area. The and J. semipal- valuable criticism and encouragement of Ken same is possibly true of Anseranas particularly and gratefully mata, the original occurrence of which is Norris (FWD) is discussed by Norris el ai (1980). acknowledged. 112 IAN MANSERGH AND L. A. HERCUS

Thanks are also due to the staff of the La Dept.) and mammal specimens and related Trobe Library (Victoria). The staff of the Na- data, J. Dixon and L. Huxley (Vertebrate tional Museum of Victoria provided generous Dept.). T. Darragh (NMV) gave useful access to their collections, particularly the criticisms of the manuscript. A. McShane pro- papers of Howitt and Bulmer (Anthropology vided drafting support.

FAUNAL VOCABULARY OF GIPPSLAND TRIBES

Mammals

Tentative phonetic (Presumed) Common names used Anglicised Aboriginal rendering in practical Scientific Name in original word used in original orthography

Tuchy^lossus aculeatus Porcupine Kowern (Bs) kowang {Bs,D,H,M,Ma) Kaern (H) Echidna Kauan (M) Kauon (Ma) Tarrangut (D) tarangat[?] Ornithorhynchus unatinus Platypus Barlijan (H) parlayan (Bs,D,H,M) Barlijan (Bs) Platypus Jimmialong (D) djamalung *

djamalang belongs to the adjoining languages to the east and north east. It was recorded in Ngarigu (Delegate area) by L.A.H. and is also attested by R. H. Mathews.

Malungany (H) malangang Mallunggang (M) Dasyurus nmculatus Tiger Cat (Bs,H) Bindhalang (Bs,H) bindjulang Tiger Cat (see D. viverrinus) D. viverrinus Native Cat (Bs,H,M,) Brumbri (deleted brambinj Eastern Quoll in original to) Yuri(H) Brumbin (Bs) Bindyallang (M) bindjulang (see D. maculatus) Phascogale lapoataja Tuan (H) Warnda (H) wernda Tuan Phascogale penicillata (see Petaurus ausfrails (Hi) and Acrobates pygmaeus) Bunyil Wathin (Hi) Peramclidac Bandicoot (Bs,H,Hi,M) Min nack (Bs) minak Bandicoots Menak (Bs,H,Hi) Mennuk and Bembung (M) bembang Vombaius ursinus Wambat (H,Hii) Naroit (H) Wombat narut Narut (H,Hii) Woombat (A) Narult (A) Wombat (Bs,S,M) Narroi (M) Naroot (Bs,S) Phascolarcstos cinereus Native Bear (Bs,H,M,Ma,) Culla (A) gooria Native Sloth (A) Kula (M,Ma) Native Slothbear (Hii) Goria (H) ABORIGINAL FAUNAL VOCABULARY

Tentative phonetic (Presumed) Common names used Anglicised Aboriginal rendering in practical Scientific Name in original word used in original orthography

Koala Gula (Hii) Gooleur, Goola (D) Kullah, Koola (Bs) Trichosurus caninus Black Possum (Bs,H) Brak (Bs,H) brak Bobuck Black Oppossum (A, Hi) Bruk (Hi) Place of 'plenty black Narburicgall (A) narburigal possum' (D,Hs) Nambruc (D) nam-brak

T. vulpecula Brushtail Opossum (H) Wadthun (H) walhaan Common Brushtail Opposum (A) Wadhon (A) Possum (D) Wadthan, Wadgin Opossum (Bs,Bu,C,Hi,Hii, Wadgan (D), Ho,Ha,Ht,M,Ma) Watthan (Hi) Wattham (M) Wadhan (Ma) Wajan, Wa-gin (Bs) Wachan, Wadhan (Bu) Waitun (C) Wattung, wirrwy (Ho) Wattun (Hi,Ht), Karramook (Ha) kuremuk*

has been attested * kuremuk belongs to south-western Victoria. It was recorded in Gurdidj (Lake Condah) by L.A.H. and by R. H. Mathews in Bungandidj (Mt Gambier) and Dauhurtwaru (Portland).

Koongora (C) kungara*

both by R. H. Mathews and * kungara belongs to the adjoining coastal languages. Thoorga and Bidawal. It is given for was recorded in Thoorga by L.A.H. ^_^

Psuedocheirus peregrinus Ringtail Possum (H) Blaang (Bs) blaang Ringtail Oppossum (Bs) Blang(H,Hi,M) blaang Ringtail Oppossum (M) Common Ringtail Ringtail (Hi) waarang Petaurus breviceps Flying Squirrel (Bs,H,M) Weran Sugar Glider Waran (M) Waran (Bs)

P. australis/ wernda Schoinobates volans Large Flying Squirrel (H,Bs) Warnda (Bs) (H) Yellow-bellied Glider Great Flying Squirrel (H) Wernda Warndaa (A) Greater Glider Squirrel (A) Thathak-gaw (H) (Bs,H,Hi) Tuan [with'?'(H)] loowan* Acrobates pygmaeus I??] Flying Mouse Toan (Bs) see Phasgocale Feathertail Glider Wrangun (Hi) Tapoatafa

but probably * for Phascogale tapoatafa. Wernda is given for this species This is a widespread word in Victoria languages confusion as also recorded as name of one of the large gliders.

Bri (H,M) bri Potorous spp. Kangaroo Rat (Bs,D,H,M) Potoroos Bree (Bs) Winnenerbree (D) winina-bri Dhera (A) djira Macropus giganteus Kangaroo (A,Br>Bs,Bu,C,D, Djira (Hii) Eastern Grey Kangaroo H,Hii,Ha.Ho,Hs,Ht,M,T) Jirra, Jirrah (Br,Bu,Bs) Jirra (Ht) Girra (C) 114 IAN MANSERGH AND L. A. HERCUS

Tentative phonetic (Presumed) Common names used Anglicised Aboriginal rendering in practical Scientific Name in original word used in original orthography

Jerra, Dirra, Deera, Jirrah (D) Jirah (H) Djeerah (Ho) Dyira (M) Tyirra (Hs) Jir-rah (S) Dhira (Ma) Tir-rer (T) Boulung-deera (Ht) Brangolo jirrah, Booyangan jirrah (Bs) Koorang (Ha) kurang*

This word belongs to Dauhurtwurru language of the Portland area of south-western Victoria.

Baoot (Ho) M. rufoghseus Red Wallaby (Bs,H,Hii) Kniara (H) kinara Red-necked Wallaby Kinarra (Bs) Ginnera (Hii) Wallabia bicolor Black Wallaby (Bs,H,Hii) Therogang, Black Wallaby Bk. Wallaby (Hi) Thakiran (H) tharagang Tharogang (Bs) Dakwun (Hi) thakwan Takwun (Hii) (see P. penicillatd) Thylogale billardierii Wallaby (D) Bowie (D) Red-bellied Paddymelon Wallaby (Bs) Bowey (Bs) bowi Pademelon Paddymelon (H) Baui (H,Hi) Small Scrub Wallaby (Hi) Petrogale pen idI/at a Rock wallaby (H,M) Dhagwan (M) thakwan Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby [?] Long-tailed wallaby (D) Waiat (H) wayat Kind of wallaby (Ht) Talla-bowie, tala-bowi, lala Tu-loo bowie (D) 'little' i.e. little wallaby Tullow-bowie (Ht) Pteropus poliocephalus Flying Fox (H,M) Blam-bang (H) blembang Grey-headed Fruit-Bat Ngaian (M) ngayan Conilurus albipes Rabbit Rat (H,Hi) not given (H) White-footed Rabbit-Rat Jaiung (Hi) Rattus fuscipes Common Rat (Bs,H) Biak (Bs) bayak Bush Rat Bush Rat (Hi) Baiuk (H,Hi) Hydromys chrysogaster Water Rat (Bs,H,M) Toorablang (Bs) Australian Water-Rat Turblang (H) toorblang Durblang (M) Canis familiaris Dog(A,Bs,D.H.IVl.) Ban (H,M) Bawn (A) baan Tame or Feral Dog Tame Dog (Bu,C,Ho,Ha) Baan (Bu,Bs,Ha) Natives dog (Hii) Barn (Hii, Ho), Bonno (D) Baain (C) Dingo Native Dog (Ma) Ngurain (Ma), Ngooran ngooran (Bu) Wild Dog (Bu,C,Mo) Merricun (Ho), mingaan Merrigang (Bu) Merigang (C) Equus caballus Horse (A) Condo condo (A) Horse Bos (aurus Cattle (A) Bullaella (A) bulela, budaka European Cattle Bullock (D) Bodagga (D) [from English "bullock"! ABORIGINAL FAUNAL VOCABULARY 115

Tentative phonetic (Presumed) Common names used Anglicised Aboriginal rendering in practical Scientific Name in original word used in original orthography

Pinnipedia Seal (Bs.H,Hii) Bithowi (Bs) Bilthaui (Bs) bilthowi Gurnun (Hii) Cetacea Whale (Bs,H, Hii) Ba waiy (H) baawayi Baawang (Bs) Gandu (Hii)

Birds

Aves Bird (Bs,Br,Hs,T) Tuin (Br,Bs) Ngalloong (Hs) ngulung Klart (T) (see Gyninorhina libicen) Tarlo-jaak (Br) miridjon Dromaius novaehollandiae Emu Mi-owero, Miowera mayoor Emu (Bu,Bs) (A,Bu,Bs,C,D,H,Ha,Ho, Myowr, Crewee (Ho) M,Ma,) miaor (A) Myour, Mioure (D) Maioor, Grewi (C) Maiaura (H,M) Maiyor (Ma) Myory (Ha) Eudyptula minor Penguin (Bs) Tarlo birndang (Bs) lala birndang Fairy Penguin Bralak (Bs) bralak Puffin us tenuirostris Muttonbird (Bs) Short-tailed Shearwater booran Pelicanus conspicillatus Pelican (A,Bu,Bs,C, Booran (D,Bs,Bu) Australian Pelican D.H,Hii,Ho,Ht,M,Ma) Boorang (Ha) Poorun, wodjil (Ho) Boorun (C) Bhurau, Kidill (Bs) Buran (H,Hii,M,Ma) Bhuran widill (A) Gwannung-bourn (Ht) Guanumburn, Gwanning-bourn (D) tharwan Anhinga melanogaster Darter or Serpent- Tharwan (Bs) Darter bird (Bs) (Bs) karni Phalacrocorax spp. Cormorant (Bs) Karney koorawira Cormorants Black diver with Koorowera (Bs) white breast (S) Karlo(Bs,H) Ardea novaehollandiae [?] Crane (Bs,H) (M) karlu White-faced Heron Grey Crane (M) Gatu Blue Crane (Hii) Karlu (Hii) Crane (Bs) Tirtgerawan (Bs) Egretta alba [?] White Great Egret bird (D) Gaw-woo (D) Nycticorax caledonicus [?] Night Swamp Rufous Night Heron Giwert giwert (M) djiwert-djiwert Threskiornis spp. Ibis (M) Ibises Waunig (H) wayinik Platalea spp. Spoonbill (H) Spoonbills Nath (Bs,H) naath Anseranas semipalmata [?] Geese (Bs,H) 116 IAN MANSERGH AND L. A. HERCUS

Tentative phonetic (I'rcsmiicd) C't)nunon names used Anglicised Aboriginal rendering in practical Scientific Name in original word used in original orthography

Magpie (ioose C y^rius alratus Swan (IJu,IJS,C,0), Kooindrook (C) lilack Swan II, Mo, M, Ma,) Kitai (Ma) Babbine (Bs) Ciidi (Bu,Bs) giduyl Clidai (H) Ciiddai (M) Giddi, babbiyung (Ho) Swan (moulting) (O) Guldi, Ciiddi (D) Cioonigt>ur, Cioomire (D) got)nigoor / udorna fadornoUlcs Mountain duck (IJs,H) Kar-quark (H) karangark Australian Slieltiuck Kara gnark (Bs) Anus supcrciiiosa Black Duck (liu.Hs,C, Wiranga (A) warang Pacific iilack iJuck ll,lla,llo,M) Wreng(Bu,M) Duck (A) Wrang (Bu,Bs,C,M,Ma, in H but deleted as in error) wirrung ((') wot)rang (Ha) Oowreng, Nurdurl (Ho) nardal Anus spp. Teal {II) nafath (H.Bs) (see Anus superciliosu) Ducks leal Duck (Hs) Wild Teal (A) Darauck (A) Duck (D) Boodjan (D) hudjun *

Recorded by I, .ATT as general term for bird in Southern Ngarigo (Delegate area).

Anus rhynchotis Spoolbill duck (D) Wy-yang (D) way an Auslralasian Shoveller Spt)onbill duck (Bs) Wyung (Bs) Spoonbilled duck (Hs) Wahyang (Hs) Mulucorhynchus nwnihrunaccus/ Widgeon (Bsji) Kurlgan (fl), kinxigan Aythvu uustrulis Koorlgan (Bs) Pink-eared Duck/I lardhcad Chcnonctlu jubutu Wood Duck (Bu,Bs,C Nembalagang (Bu) Mailed Duck HTIa.Ho,Ma) Jellangoong (Bu) Jeelungectic (Ho) Naidu (C) nardat (See Anus superciliosu) Ycllan nandik (Bs .H) djilanandik Woorangy (Ha) warang (see Anus superciliosu) Nark (Ho) naak Naak (Ma) iiizinru lofhitu Musk Duck (Bs,H) Tuk (H) tak Musk Duck Ban (Bs) ban Pundion huiulefus/ lish Hawk (Bs) Be win, biwin Uuliuectus k'ucoi^usft'r -? Hawk (Hii) Birn (Bs) Osprey/While-bcllied Biwing (Hii) Sea-eagle L'lunus notutus |?| Small Cirey Hawk (Bs) Troon wagga (Bs) Black-shouldered Kile Accipid'r novuchollandiuc While Hawk (lis) Boon boong (Bs) bunbung Grey Goshawk A(/uilu uudu.x liagle Hawk (Bu,Bs, Quarnamerong (Bu) karnamarung Wedge-tailed l-agle Hii, Hi, M, Ma) C^uarrnaniaroo (Hs) ABORIGINAL FAUNAL VOCABULARY 117

T.mutative phonetic (Presumed) Common names used Anglicised Aboriginal rcn dering in practical Scientific Name in original word used in original orthography

Eagle (Br,Bs,Hs,T) Gwannam-o-rook (Hi) Kurnugmuroon (C) Quornamero (Br) Quarnameroo (Bu,Bs) Gwannumurung (a) (Hl,Hii) Quarnamerung (Bs) Kaunamurung (Ma) Thuronack (Br) Poen-rung (T) titiyal Falco cenchroides [?] Little Yellow Hawk (D) Dite-yulk (D) Australian Kestrel Common hawk (M) Deddyel (M) Sparrow hawk (Bs) Tootooth gwan (Bs) Corturnix spp. Quail (Bs,H) Tirobigwanning (H) turabinganang Quail Ooro bi gnanang (Bs) Gallimda tenebrosa/ Water Hen (Bs,D,H) Neerloong (Bs) nirlang Porphyria porphyria "Place of plenty Nirlung(H) Dusky Moorhen or water hens" (Hs) Nailung (Hs) Purple Swamphen Nalbong (D) nalbang Grus rubicundus Native Companion Balwin (Bu) Brolga (Bu,Bs,C,H,Ha,Ho,M Karloo-turlkurawan (C) Ma) Kooragan (Bs,Bu) kurakan Kooracan (Ha) Gooreekun (Ho) Kuragau (H) Guragan (M) Kurakan (Ma) kurakan (see Grus Ardeotis australis Wild Turkey (A,C) Curackan (A) Australian Bustard rubicundus) Woorngil (C) woorngil Bungil bowrndang (Bs) Phivialis squatarola [?] Grey Plover (Bs) Grey Plover Tarlarang (Bs) Charadriidae [?] Red-bill Plover (Bs) biran biran Charadriidae/ Plover (Bs,M) Birran birran (M) Vanellus spp. Berin-berin (Bs) Klik (Bs) Gallinago hardwickii [?] Snipe (Bs) Latham's Snipe Scolopacidae Curlew (Bs) Bra (Bs) Sandpiper (Bs) Kewet-kewet (Bs) Larus novaehollandiae Seagull (A,Bs) Carouar (A) Blithbrung (Bs) blithbrang Silver Gull Tarook, taruk Laridae/5^^/-/7a spp. [?] Small White seagull Tarlo wyak (Bs) tala (little) Small Seagull (Bs) wayak Jubbuk (H) djabak Phaps spp. Bronzewing (Bs,H) Bronzewings Tappak (Bs) (H) wakwakan Leucosarcia melanoleuca Wonga (H) Waukwakan Waakquagan (Bs) Wonga Pigeon Wonga-wonga Pigeons (Bs) Wonga pigeon (M) Dhabbak (M) djabak (see Phaps spp.) (H) nganak Calyptorhynchus spp. Black Cockatoo Ngeuuk Nganak (Bs,M) Black Cockatoos (A,Bs,H,M,Ma) Nenack (A) Ngirnak (Ma) Keren (H) karan Callocephalon fimbriatum Gang Gang (H,Ht), Gang-gang Cockatoo Grey Cockatoo (Bs) Karan (Bs) Gner-ing (Ht) 118 IAN MANSERGH AND L. A. HERCUS

Tentative phonetic (Presumed) Common names used Anglicised Aboriginal rendering in practical Scientific Name in original word used in original orthography

Cacatua galerita White Cockatoo Brak (Bs) breyak Sulphur-crested (A,Bu,Bs,C,H,Ha,Ho, Brayak (Ho) Cockatoo M,Ma) Braak (Ha,Bu.Ma) Braek (C) Braile (A) Break (M) Bre-ck (M) Ngullukgoorung (Ho) Plafycercus elegans Blue Mountain Parrot Wattat (Bs) watadj Crimson Rosella (Bs,M) Wataty (M) Neophema spp. Grass Parrot (Bs) Toon (Bs) Psittacidae Parrots (A) Purhill (A) paril (?) Ninox novaeseelandiae Poke Mo (A,Br,Bs,D, Uu-loch (A) \^'Ook-wook Southern Boobook Hii,Hs,M,T) Wookook Wokuk (Br,Bs) Wook-gook, Wookoock (Hs) Woo-cook (D) Woor-quok (T) Wakkung (M) Barndagrin (Hii) Tyto spp. [?] Little Brown Owl (HT) Abin (Br) ngabin Ebing (a) (Ht) Apodiae [?] Swift (D) Cowwungan (D) kowangan Dacelo novaeguineae Laughing jackass Wookwook (Ha) (see Ninox novaeseelandiae) Laughing Kookaburra (A,Bu,Bs,C,Ha,Ht, Coarg (Ho) kowak M,Ma) Kuak(Ma) Large King fisher (Bs) Coack (A) Quak (Bs) Gwak (M) Kookokarrak (Bu) Burndigan (C) Kou-ark-mungee (Ht) Wokook (Bu) (see Ninox novaeseelandiae) Ceyx azurea [?] Small Kingfisher (Bs) Thoormuryung (Bs) thoormaryang Azure Kingfisher Halcyon sancta Kingfisher with Tanyankaragan (Bs) tanyangaragan Sacred Kingfisher white neck (Bs) Menura novaehoUandiae Lyrebird (Bs,H) Wurail (H) woorayil Superb Lyrebird Pheasant (M) Wuraial (M) Woorail (Bs) Hirundinidae spp. [?] Martin or Swift (Bs) Koorngan (Bs) koorngan Hirundo neoxena [?] Swallow (Bs,D) Kilugan (Bs) Welcome Swallow *Gheet-wile (D) gerhwile*

Not a Gippsland word: from N.W. Victoria (L.A.H.).

Petroica spp. Robin Redbreast (Bs,H) Tur-bring (H) tubring Bululwrang (Bs) Muscicapidae Flycatcher (D) Gweed-gun (D) guwid-gun Maluridae/ Wren (H) Ngarugal (H) ngarukal Acanthizidae [see also Corvus spp. Acanthizidae Small bird like Ya rang (Bs) yarang tomtit (Bs) ABORIGINAL FAUNAL VOCABULARY 119

Tentative phonetic (Presumed) Common names used Anglicised Aboriginal rendering in practical Scientific Name in original word used in original orthography

Manorina melanophrys Little Bellbird (D) Chu-lurn (D) Bell Miner Bellbird (Hii) Gwenet (Hii) Dicaeum hirundinaceum Mistletoe bird (Bs) Chirtgang (Bs) Mistletoebird

Emblema spp. [?] Small bird with patch Firetail Finches of red over tail (Bs) Bribatith (Bs) Ptilonorhynchus violaceus Satin-bird (Bs) Bungil warndowan (Bs) Satin Bowerbird Grallina cyanoleuca Pee-wee (M) Nanawan (M) nanawang (M) Australian Magpie-Lark Cracticidae Crow-shrike (Bs) Wooryung (Bs) woorang/ warang [see Strepera spp.

Gymnorhina tibicen Magpie (Bs) Clart (A) klard Australian Magpie Common magpie (M) Glart (M) White magpie (A) Klart (Bs) Crow (C) Klard (C) Wreong (A) warane Strepera spp. [?] Black magpie (A) Currawongs Corvus spp. Crow (Br,Bs,Bu,C,H, Wa-gara (Br) Ravens Hii,Ha,Ho,Hs,M,Ma,T) Woggara (Bu) wokara*

* for Thoorga on the south coast of NSW. This word is widespread in Australia it has been recorded by Mathews

Waageri (C) Wagara (Bu) Waygara (Bs) Wong (Ha) Narrokul (Ho) ngarukal Nar-ru-quon (T) Ngarroogall Ngarugal (H,Hii) Ngarukal (M) Ngaroogal, Gnar-o-kal (Bs) Gnuro-jal (Br) Ngarukol (Ma) Eumummurut (Ho) Egg (Br,Bs,D,H) Bonieyong, Boneyong (D) buyang Boyang (Bs) Boyang (Br) Booyang (Hs) Tha, Thuja (Br)

Reptiles

Toorung (C) thurung Serpentes Snake (A,Br,Bu,C, Ho,Ha,Hs,Ma,T) Thurrung (Br) Thoorung (Bu) Thurung (Ho) (see Notechis scutatus) Too-roo (T) 120 IAN MANSERGH AND L. A. HERCUS

Tentative phonetic (Presumed) Common names used Anglicised Aboriginal rendering in practical Scientific Name in original word used in original orthography

Dharenga (A) Thuroong (D) Toorroong (Hs) Galelung (Ho) Laue-beri (H) iowaberi Kalang (Br,Bu) (see Morelia spilotes) Koran (Ha) Coorootmill (Ha)*

A word from western Victoria, see gurnwil, gurnmill Hercus (1969).

Small Snake (Bs) Koon gwan (Bs) A yellow Snake (Ht) Nigga-the-rook (Ht) Ausiralaps sp. * [?] Leatherhead (Hii) Tatau-o-luk (Hii)

appears in list of three other snakes, subsequently with birds and frogs, may refer to Coracina novaehoUandiae or Philemon corniculalus.

Psuedechis porphyriacus Red belly black Snake Tunyaruk (H) toonyarak Red-bellied Black-Snake (H) Duinyerrak (M) Black Snake (Bs,H, Toonyarak (Bs) Hii,M) Notechis scutalus Tiger Snake (H,Hii) Thurung (H) thurung Tiger Snake Red Snake or Thurung (Bs) Brown (Bs) Jiiung (see Pseudonaja texlilis) Naiabun (Hii) Pseudonaja texdlis Brown Snake (H,Hii,M) Dhurung (M) thurung Common Brown-Snake Thurung (Hii) (see Notechis scutatus) Ngaz-abun (H) Morelia spilotes [?] Wood (Snake) or Loowa birri (Bs) Iowaberi Diamond Python constrictor snake (Bs) lauaberi (Hii) Pretty coloured Snake Laualbirr (M) (Hii) Carpet snake (M) Scincidae Lizard (A,H) Carar dong (A) kiratang Keratung (H) Small lizard (Bs,M) Keratung (Bs) Balmbung (M) Varanus variusYl] Iguana (Bs,H, Hii, Ma) Bathaluk (H) budalak Lace Monitor Badhalok (Ma) Bathalook (Bs) Bataluk (Hii) Tree Iguana (M) Buddhaluk (M) Dead Gohanna (D) Dirdide bodullock (D) derdigan (dead) budalak Goanna (A) Goon gwan (A) goongun [?] Dew Lizard (H) Gun gun (H) [?] Sleepy lizard (M) Gungwan (M) Sphemorphus spp. [?] I?] Water lizard (M) Tharawurt (M) Chelodina longicollis Tortoise (D) Nart (D) ngaath Long-necked Tortoise [?] Turtle (M,Hii) Ngeth (M) Ngat (Hii) ABORIGINAL FAUNAL VOCABULARY 121

Tentative phonetic Aboriginal rendering in practical (Presumed) Common names used Anglicised word used in original orthography Scientific Name in original

Amphibians

Jiddeluh(H) thatilak Salientia spp. Frog(Bs,H,Hii,M) Tedalek (Hii) Frogs Tirlalack (Bs) Dirdillak (M) Dhe dillock (A) Liloria aurea/L. ranifornUs Bell Frog (A) Bluk (H) biook Limnodynasfes spp. Bull Frog(H) (dumerili ?)

References Kur- FisoN, L., and Howitt, A. W., 1880. Kamilaro and (Anthropological nai. George Robertson, Melbourne. ANON., 1847. Journal of an expedition which started from Publications, Oosterhoui, 1967 facsimile print oi' 1880 Melbourne; 6th March 1847 in seach of a while woman edition.) supposed to be detained amongst aborigines of Gipps- Bird Observer 18/11. Garnet, D., 1944. Gippsland notes. land. La Trobe Library, M.S. H4224. Box Shire Advocate. 28 (Jan.);!. , 1894. Trafalgar. Narracan Australia with GoLiLD, J., 1976. Placental Mammals oJ July:' 3. McMillan, Popula- modern commentaries by Joan M. Dixon. Barwick, D. E., Changes in the Abongmal (Originally published as The Mam- J., and South Melbourne. tion of Victoria, 1863-1966. In Mulvaney, D. V.3.) Aboriginal man and environment in mals of Australia Golson, J. [Eds.], Australian Greenway, J., 1963. Bibliography of Australia. Australian National University Press, Aborigines and the Native Peoples of Torres Strait to Canberra: 288-315. 1959. Angus and Robertson, Sydney. [undated]. [Notes] In Papers of J. M. BULMER, J. M., Victorian Aboriginal Box Hercus, L. a., 1966. Notes on some Bulmer lodged at National Museum of Victoria, names for plants and animals. Victorian Nat. 83: 11, Folder 1, paper 4. Howitt], Lake Tyers, 189-192. , 1904. [Letter to A. W. Victoria: a late survey. , 1969. The languages of 1904. In Papers of A. W. Howitt lodged in March 11, of Aboriginal Parts I and II. Australian Institute National Museum of Victoria. Box 8 Folder 2. Metung in the early Studies, Canberra. Bury, F. C, 1966. Meandering around Howitt, A. W., 1880, Papers o\^ A. W. Howitt-Gipps- TheGapOY 31-35. iWs. Kurnai Tribe. La Trobe Library [Letter of Frank land. Notes on the ^ 1967. Nature observations M.S. 9356, Box 1053 4(a): 48, 72-79. Bury]. Clematis 6: 10-11. 1895. [Notes on Kurnai and Kingalu]. /// Paper 1979. Aborigines in Colonial Victoria: ^ CHRisrrE. M. F., National Museum of Vic- oi' A. W. Howitt, lodged al 1835-86. Sydney University Press. Sydney toria, Box 8, Folder 6, paper 8. 1979. Reptiles and amphibians oj Cogger H. G., south-east Australia. Sydney. 1904. The native tribes of Australia. 2nd Ed. A. H. and A. W. Reed, McMillan, London. Norman, F. L, 1980. Wetlands ot CORRICK, A. H. and Commissioners, 1867. of the Snowy Intercolonial, Exhibition Victoria- 1. Wetlands and waterbirds Dialects spoken by Aboriginal natives catchments. Proc. R. Soc. Vocabulary of River and Gippsland Lakes given-also of Australia. Me\bo\in\Q [Informant not Vict. 91: 1-15. . . , r, f edition in French]. (undated). [Questionnaire]. In Papers ot Curr. E. M., Cowie, H.C. (Eds) 1977. The Wind still Museum of Victoria, Leslie, J. W. and A. W. Howitt lodged at National Gipps- blows 2nd ed. Leslie and Cowic, printed by the Box 3, Folder 7, paper 3. land times. Sale. race: its origin, languages, , 1887. The Australian to Mallacoota Inlet. Victorian the routes Le Souef, D., 1895. Trip customs, place of landing in Australia, and 76-81. over that continent. 4v. Nat. 12: by which it spread itself Victorian Nat. - - trip to Mallacoota. con- ^ 1896. A Government Printer, Melbourne, [v. 3: 543-577 13: 18-22. iribe(s), vocabularies compiled by cerns "Gippsland" Victoria. Victorian Nat. Lewis, F., 1931. Rock Wallaby in author, Bulmer, Hagenauer and Howitt.] 48: 120. visit to Mallacoota Inlet. Vic- Daley, C, 1917. Notes on a study oj the J., 1899. Eaglehawk and Crow: 121-127. Mathew, torian Nat. 34: an inquiry into their Gippsland Australian aborigines including and Pettit, J. H. W., 1850s. Dawson, W. T. Australian languages. David Library, origin and a survey of vocabularies and place names. La Trobe Nutt, London. Typescript 9356 Env. 6a. 122 IAN MANSERGH AND L. A. HERCUS

Maihi-,ws, R. H., 1902. The aboriginal languages of Vic- Appendix 1 loria. ./. Roy. Soc. N.S.W. 36: 71-106. Notes on the tentative phonetic rendering aid in prac- NoKRis, K. C, Ahhrn, L. D., Bhuhhr, C. A., Mansrrgh, tical orthography (L.A.H.) I. M., ThMBY, 1. D,, and Wai.sh, N., 1980. Vertebrate fauna of the Gippsland Lakes Catchment, (in publica- Symbol Appro.ximate pronunciation tion). Vowels PiKi., D. (Ed.), 1969. Auslralian Dictionary Biography. of a as in 'father' Volume 3: I85I-J890, AC. Melbourne University aa as a very long form of the 'a' in father Press, Melbourne. — ow as in 'cow* (this is the dipthong[au] in , 1 972. A usfralian Dictionary of Biograph v. phonetic script) Volume 4: 1851-1890, D-J. Melbourne University u as in 'put* Press, Melbourne. oo as in 'goose* , 1 974. A ustralian Dictionary of Biography e as in 'bed' Volume 5: 1851-1890, K-Q. Melbourne University ayi Press, Melbourne. as y in 'by' (this is the dipthong [ai] in phonetic script) Rowi.HY, C. D., 1972. The Destruction of Aboriginal So- i as in 'bid' ciety. Penguin, Middlesex.

Schmidt, W., 1919. Die Glieclerung der Australischen Consonants Sprachen. Mcchitharisten, Vienna. ng as 'ng' in English 'sing* Seebeck, .1. H. and Johnston, P. Ci., 1980. Potorous dj as 'j' in jewel' tongipes (Marsupialia: Macropodidae); a new species th as in 'thorn' from t'astern Victoria. Aust. J. Zool. 28: 119-134. rl These are retrofiex consonants, Smythh, R. Brough, 1878. The Aborigines of Victoria: rd pronounced with the tip of the with notes relating to the habits of the natives in other rn tongue curled backwards. They are not parts of Australia and Tasmania. 2 yol. Clovernnient found in standard English, but rl, rd Printer, Melbourne. IFacsimilc edition published and rn are the closest equivalents, 1972). something approaching the consonant TiNDAih, N. B., 1940. Results of the Harvard-Adelaide 'rd' is the pronunciation of 'rt' in University anthropological expedition, 1938-1939. American English e.g. in 'Martin', Distribution of Australian Aboriginal tribes: a field nj palatal n, similar but not identical survey. Trans. R. Soc. S. Aust, 64: 140-231. with 'ny* in English 'canyon'. 1974. , Aboriginal tribes of Australia terrain, environmental controls, distribution, limits, and proper Voiced and unvoiced plosive consonants are not names. 2v. [Volume two being an accompanying folder distinguished from one another, thus there is no of maps] Australian National University, Canberra. distinction of any significance between d and t, b and Trougmton, E., 1973. Tuned animals of Australia. 9lh p, g and k. edition (rev. and abr.) Angus and Robertson. Sydney. However in some positions the plosive consonant Wakefield, N. A., 1942. Bird notes from Croajingalong. may sound more like a 'k', in others more like a *g'. Victorian Nat. 59: 70-72. This has been recognized in formulation in order to give a , 1972. Palaeoecology of fossil mammal pronunciation as close as possible to the assemblages from some Auslralian caves. Proc. R. original. Soc. Vict. 85: 1-26. The accent always falls on the first syllable of a word. Walker, M., 1971. Come wind, come weather. Melbourne (There are a few notes on phonetics of Gippsland University Press, Melbourne. vocabulary in Hercus (1969).)