A feather in one’s cap
No Comments »16th December, 2006; Category: General
On my writing blog I have been writing about idioms we often use in everyday life. Some of these refer to or relate to birds in some way. Here is one of them.
“A feather in one’s cap.â€Â
Meanings:
A special achievement or acknowledgment of one’s work or efforts is said to be “a feather in one’s cap.â€Â
Origins:
A number of different cultures around the world celebrate victory over an enemy or the killing of an enemy by placing a feather somewhere on the head, as in the head-dress of the American Indians. Feathers still feature prominently in the ceremonial apparel of many cultures, from the highland chiefs in Papua New Guinea with their elaborate head-dresses made from the feathers of a Bird of Paradise through to the ostrich and heron feathers used in the cap of members of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in Great Britain.
Today, the common expression is used of anyone who has accomplished some special achievement.
Example:
- Winning the seven year old race on Sports Day is certainly a feather in your cap.
I and the Bird #38
The latest issue of the birding carnival I and the Bird, now in its 38th edition, has come to visit Australia.
Duncan, who lives in south eastern Victoria, has hosted this week’s edition. I’d encourage you to visit his blog and enjoy being taken on a birding journey around the world.
And of course I have made a contribution to this current edition.
Link:
- I and the Bird #38 – hosted by Duncan at Ben Cruachan Blog.
Bird Murder in the Garden
A few days ago I glanced at the bird bath just outside our sun room. An Australian Magpie was busily dismembering a baby bird in full view of the house. There wasn’t much of it left so I couldn’t tell what the magpie had captured for its lunch.
Many species have been breeding in recent weeks so I guess that they are easy pickings. I guess this is the natural state of things – survival and all that. Still – it was a rather grizzly sight. The bird in question then scurried under a nearby bush to “finish off” his lunch out of my view.
I didn’t take a photo – so you’ve been spared the gory details!
Related articles:
- Why do baby birds disappear? An article I wrote recently in response to a reader’s question.
- Babies, the birds and the bees – about birds breeding in our garden.
- Baby Magpie – magpies breeding in out garden.
Birding Aus newsgroup
I have been a contributor to the Australian birding newsgroup Birding-Aus for about nine years now. Over that time I have sent many hundreds of messages for other birders in Australia to read. Some of these have created further comments and feedback – even controversy at times – from other birders.
“Birding-Aus is an information centre for everyone with an interest in Australia’s wild birds, their conservation and behaviour.”
Quoted from the home page.
This is an excellent way of learning more about Australian birds, where they are being seen, news of rare sightings or unusual behaviour. It is also very good for planning places to visit on holidays where one will see certain birds.
From time to time there are even debates about various issues relating to birds and their conservation. Most posts to this newsgroup are archived. These archives are an excellent resource in finding out more about birds and good birding spots. Just follow the links to find the archives.
There is a links section listing links to many websites about birds here in Australia and overseas. Anyone can join the mailing list and receive all of the messages posted each day. Members can also send messages to the group.
Link:
- Birding-Aus home page.
Sacred Kingfisher
Bird Word: Crown
- Crown: the top of the head of a bird
This word refers to the top of the head of a bird, so no prizes for guessing that one. With some birds it is called the cap, in others it is called the crown. Similarly, as in the case of the cap, the word crown lends itself to descriptive names for some species.
Australian bird species that have the descriptive word ‘crown’ in their name include:
- Chestnut-Crowned Babbler
- Grey-Crowned Babbler
- Rufous-Crowned Emu-Wren
- Purple-Crowned Fairy-Wren
- Purple-Crowned Fruit-Dove (Superb Fruit-Dove)
- Rose-Crowned Fruit-Dove
- Tawny-Crowned Honeyeater
- Purple-Crowned Lorikeet