Kelkiewyn

Took up the book “Birds of South Africa” to look at the
picture of a sandgrouse dumbfounded by the endearing
name ‘Kelkiewyn’ by which is known in Afrikaans, then I
read the nasal term kelkie-wyn is an imitation of its call
while in flight, the little grouse is all grey, but its song is
beautiful [p.198]*

Also looked at the picture and description of an African
Emerald Cuckoo known in Afrikaans as ‘Mooimeisie’,
curious to find out how this name originated, I read
the sweet little bird has a loud and clear call ‘whiet
whei wheet’ sounding like a compliment for a girl
mooi mei-sie [p.216]*

Then a list of the most enchanting sing-song names
followed the description of a Mooimeisie:
Groenrugkwêkwêvoël, Witkoljanfrederik,
Beloogbosbontrokkie, Geelkeelsanger
aah, delightful, I love the rhythm of
repetitive sound


Voëls van Suider-Afrika [=Birds of South Africa]
Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan, Struik Nature, 2009

*p. 198 - Pterocles namaqua = sandpatrys =
kelkie-wyn [=literal translation ‘chalice of wine’]

*p. 216 – Chrysococcyx cupreus = woudkoekoek =
mooi mei-sie [literal translation ‘pretty girl’]