white-eye, noun

Origin:
Australian English, AfrikaansShow more Either from Australian English, or translation of Afrikaans witogie, see witogie; see also quotation 1900.
Either of two species of small bird belonging to the genus Zosterops of the Zosteropidae, with white rings around the eyes and predominantly green plumage; witogie.
Note:
Also Australian English.
1867 E.L. Layard Birds of S. Afr. 116The ‘white-eye’ is common throughout the whole of the country.
1900 Stark & Sclater Birds of S. Afr. I. 298Zosteropidae. The ‘White-eyes,’ so-called from the conspicuous ring of white feathers which encircles the eyes of the majority of the species, are birds of small size and very uniform style of coloration.
1903 A.F. Trotter Old Cape Col. 216Little white eyes, greenish in colour, with white circles round each eye.
1936 E.L. Gill First Guide to S. Afr. Birds 41This is the white-eye of the Western Province, abundant from Cape Town to about Port Elizabeth, beyond which the white eyes have more yellow on the forehead and are known as the sub-species atmorii, characteristic of the Eastern Province.
1971 Personality 2 Apr. 25Birds had made themselves at home in the garden — brilliant sunbirds of several kinds, chattering white-eyes, finches, robins and thrushes.
1987 Fair Lady 18 Feb. 147A small yellow-green White Eye is perched in a tangle of twigs within arm’s reach.
Either of two species of small bird belonging to the genus Zosterops of the Zosteropidae, with white rings around the eyes and predominantly green plumage; witogie.
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white, nounn. & adjectiveadj.White French, noun phrasen. phr.
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