An improvised noise-making device used to drive sheep in the absence of a sheepdog.
Barcoo dogs were rattled to keep the herd on the winding path
Example sentencesExamples
A "Barcoo dog" is exceedingly useful for driving sheep or goats without a dog to work them.
I remember seeing a couple of musicians who, when they played for children, would scatter a few Barcoo Dogs for the children to rattle along with them.
A number of "bush" instruments are introduced, such as the lagerphone and the barcoo dog.
I'd sooner sing these doleful drones by barcoo dog and lager phone.