berghaan S. Afr.
(ˈbɛrxhɑːn)
[Afrikaans, f. berg2 + haan cock.]
A South African eagle, esp. the bateleur eagle, Terathopius ecaudatus.
| 1867 E. L. Layard Birds S. Afr. 11 Aquila Verreauxii..Dassie Vanger and Berghaan of Colonists... It is called ‘Dassie Vanger’ (coney-eater) and ‘Berghaan’ (mountain-cock) by the colonists, from feeding principally on the coney, or rock-rabbit (Hyrax capensis). 1889 H. A. Bryden Kloof & Karroo 273 Suddenly..comes..a great black mountain eagle. We know him at once for a berghaan. 1893 Newton Dict. Birds, Berghaan (Mountain-cock), the name given to some of the larger Eagles, and especially to the beautiful Helotarsus ecaudatus..by the Dutch colonists in South Africa. 1910 J. Buchan Prester John viii, A brace of white berghaan circled far up in the blue. |