"Laughing Jackass" Etymology of "Canberra" (Australia's capital)

[Gerald Cohen]

    First, thanks for the responses on "Canberra." The bottom line
seems to be that scholars believe it comes from an aboriginal
language but are not sure which one  or what the individual parts of
"Canberra" mean.

    Here now is a 1913 San Francisco newspaper article which I found
on the subject. I have the article before me somehow forgot to jot
down the name of the newspaper.  Most likely it's the _San Francisco
Bulletin_; less likely: the _San Francisco Chronicle_; still less
likely: the _San Francisco Call_.  For sure it's one of the three,
and otherwise I have the exact reference:March 17, 1913, p. 1, col.
2; title: "'Laughing Jackass' Is Name of Australia's New Capital."

   Here's the article:

     "London, March 17. -- Australians are considerably agitated,
according to the Daily Chronicle's correspondent in Melbourne, by the
report that 'Canberra,' the name recently selected for the new ideal
capital city of the commonwealth, really means 'laughing jackass.'
Archibal[d?] Meston, a noted Queensland authority on aboriginal
names, makes the amusing assertion, after having studied the
derivation of the word.  Those who regard the author's verdict as
correct are blaming the government for not taking the preliminary
precaution of having ascertained the meaning of 'Canberra' before
coming to a decision.

    "The laughing jackass of Australia is not a jackass, but a large
bird, which is highly appreciated by farmers because it kills snakes.
The name 'laughing jackass' is given to the bird because of its
raucous cry, which it emits usually at sunup and sundown.  The cry so
resembles the laughter of a human being in uncontrolled glee that it
is almost impossible for those who hear it constantly to retain their
gravity."

Gerald Cohen