Austral English Part 236

1875. Gould and Sharpe, `Birds of New Guinea,' vol. iii.

pl. 28:

"Sittella albata, Pied Sittella."

1890 `Victorian Statutes-Game Act' (Third Schedule):

"Sittellas. [Close season.] From the first day of August to the 10th day of December next following in each year."

1896. F. G. Aflalo, `Natural History of Australia,' p. 136:

"Four species of Sitilla [sic] which, except that they do not lay their eggs in hollow trees, bear some resemblance to our nuthatch."

Skate, n. The New Zealand fish called a Skate is Raja nasuta, a different species of the same genus as the European Skate.

Skipjack, or Skipjack-Pike, n.

This fish, Temnodon saltator, Cuv. and Val., is the same as the British and American fish of that name. It is called Tailor (q.v.) in Sydney. The name Skipjack used also to be given by the whalers to the Australian fish Trevally (q.v.).

1872. Hutton and Hector, `Fishes of New Zealand,' p. 111:

"It is quoted by Richardson that this fish [trevally], which he says is the Skipjack of the sealers, used to be a staple article of food with the natives."

Skipper, i.q. Hopping fish (q.v.).

Skirr, n. imitative.

1884. Marcus Clarke, `Memorial Volume,' p. 127:

"How many nights have I listened to the skirr of the wild cats."

Skirting, n. generally used in the plural.

In sheep-shearing, the inferior parts of the wool taken from the extremities.

1890. `The Argus,' Sept. 20, p. 13, col. 7:

"At the `skirting-table' we will stand for a little while, and watch while the fleece just brought in is opened out by the `roller,' and the inferior portions removed."

Skullbanker, or s...o...b..nker, n. a slang name in Australia for a loafer, a tramp.

1866. A. Michie, `Retrospects and Prospects of the Colony,'

p. 9:

"A skull-banker is a species of the genus loafer--half highwayman, half beggar. He is a haunter of stations, and lives on the squatters, amongst whom he makes a circuit, affecting to seek work and determining not to find it."

Slab, n. In English, the word slab, as applied to timber, means "an outside piece taken from a log in sawing it into boards, planks, etc." (`Webster.') In Australia, the word is very common, and denotes a piece of timber, two or three inches thick a coa.r.s.e plank, axe-hewn, not sawn. Used for the walls of rough houses.

1844. `Port Phillip Patriot,' July 25, p. 3 col. 5:

A substantial slab building with verandah."

1845. `Voyage to Port Phillip,' p. 52:

"His slab-built hut, with roof of bark."

1846. J. L. Stokes, `Discoveries in Australia,' vol. i.

c. ix. p. 266:

"The house in which this modern Robinson Crusoe dwelt was what is called a Slab Hut, formed of rough boards and thatched with gra.s.s."

1861. Mrs. Meredith, `Over the Straits,' c. iv. p. 130:

"A bare, rough, barn-like edifice built of slabs."

1869. J. Townend, `Reminiscences of Australia,' p. 155:

"We pa.s.sed through Studley Park, with here and there a slab house or tent."

1874. G. Walch, `Head over Heels,' p. 81:

"The moonlight ... poured on the hut, slabs an' roof."

1885. R. M. Praed, `Australian Life,' p. 8:

"The hut was built of logs and slabs."

[p. 73]: "The usual bush-hut of slabs and bark."

[p.144]:"The neighbours congregated in the rough hut of unplaned slabs."

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `The Miner's Right,' c. vi. p. 61:

"Slab huts of split heavy boards, Australian fas.h.i.+on, placed vertically."

Slab, v. tr. mining term: to keep up the sides of a shaft with timber slabs.

1871. J. J. Simpson, `Recitations,' p. 24:

"So dig away, drive away, slab and bail."

Sleepy Lizard, i.q. Blue-tongued Lizard (q.v.).

Slip-panel. Same as Slip-rail (q.v.).

See also Panel.

1893. `The Australasian,' Aug.12, p. 302, col. 1:

"Take him round by the water-hole and wait for me at the slip-panels."

Slip-rail, n. part of a fence so fitted that it can be removed so as to serve as a gate. Used also for the gateway thus formed. Generally in the plural. Same as Slip- panel.