(no subject)

[nigeltde]

What I learned from wikipedia today: the Magpie Lark, which is a smaller, less scary version of a Magpie, is in fact not also called a Piping Shrike, and is not on South Australia's flag and coat of arms. That bird is a plain old Magpie, except that on the flag and COA it's not called a Magpie, it's called a Piping Shrike, which somehow synecdochically also doubles as a name for the emblem itself.

Yes, folks. The Piping Shrike is pretty much FICTITIOUS. My world is crumbling around my ears!

Comments

[lainy122.livejournal.com]

But....I...what? It's not real?! Wow. I've been lied to for my entire life. How completely demoralising.

[nigeltde]

I know! What else isn't true? Does the platypus really have a duck bill? Is John Howard really human?

[lainy122.livejournal.com]

Well, we all know that LAST one is not true! *g* But yes, it does shake ones perceptions a bit, doesn't it?

[corvus-coronis.livejournal.com]

I read somewhere that for the crumple-beaked snorkback bird on the coat of arms to be able to strike that pose in real life, it would have had to have it's back broken & it's wings pulled out of joint.

... I wonder who did it?

[nigeltde]

Gawd knows, I sure don't have the guts to mess with a magpie *g*