magpie lark

or magpie-lark

noun

1. a black-and-white pied bird, Grallina cyanoleuca, inhabiting areas near water in Australia and southern New Guinea.

magpie lark

noun

1. a common black-and-white bird of Australia, Grallina cyanoleuca, that builds a mud nest Also calledpeewee

Word History and Origins

Origin of magpie lark¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Note one or two prominent markings, and the size of a bird; say, larger than a Starling, but smaller than a Magpie-Lark.

From Project Gutenberg

Its dainty, well-kept plumage renders the Magpie-Lark one of the most graceful of birds.

From Project Gutenberg