Bloomsbury Home
- Home
- NON-FICTION
- Politics, Current Affairs & Culture
- Birds: Myth, Lore and Legend
Birds: Myth, Lore and Legend
You must sign in to add this item to your wishlist. Please sign in or create an account
Description
The stories, myths and legends associated with more than 80 kinds of birds from around the world.
Why are owls regarded either as wise or as harbingers of doom? What gave rise to the fanciful belief that storks bring babies? Why is the eagle associated with victory or the hummingbird with paradise?
The answers are here in this engaging book. By re-telling the many legends, beliefs, proverbs and predictions associated with more than 80 birds from many nations, it brings into focus the close – and often ancient – links between humans and these remarkable feathered descendants of dinosaurs.
Discover, for instance:
- Why the cockerel features on many church spires
- The one sacred bird that symbolises life and peace in most cultures
- How to dispel bad luck if you see a certain black-and-white bird
- The South American 'devil bird' once thought to be a dragon
Birds: Myth, Lore and Legend draws on historical accounts and scientific literature to reveal how colourful tales or superstitions were shaped by human imagination based on each bird's behaviour or appearance. It offers a fresh and enchanting perspective on birds across the world.
Table of Contents
Birds and Us
Duck Anatidae
Bittern Ardeidae
Heron Ardeidae
Wise and Unwise Birds of Fable
Rook Corvidae
Cuckoo Cuculidae
Crane Gruidae
Swallow Hirundinidae
Wagtail Motacillidae
Osprey Pandionidae
Cockerel Phasianidae
Grouse Phasianidae
Quail Phasianidae
Turkey Phasianidae
Flamingo Phoencopteridae
Woodpecker Picidae
Weather Prophets
Snipe Scolopacidae
Starling Sturnidae
Gannet Sulidae
Thrush Turdidae
Hoopoe Upupidae
Sacred to the Gods
Eagle Accipitridae
Kingfisher Alcedinidae
Goose Anatidae
Eggs in Mythology and Religion
Swan Anatidae
Condor Cathartidae
Dove Columbidae
Jackdaw Corvidae
Peregrine Falcon Falconidae
Crossbill Fringillidae
Goldfinch Fringillidae
Diver Gaviidae
Nightingale Muscicapidae
Robin Muscicapidae
Pelican Pelicanidae
Peacock Phasianidae
Pheasant Phasianidae
Parrot Psittacidae, Psittaculidae
Myths of Many Nations
Kookaburra Alcedinidae
Anhinga Anhingidae
Kiwi Apterygidae
Wattlebird Callaeatidae
Whip-poor-will Caprimulgidae
Cassowary Casuariidae
Wearing Feathers
Jay Corvidae
Roadrunner Cuculidae
Emu Dromaiidae
Frigatebird Fregatidae
Honeyguide Indicatoridae
Lyrebird Menuridae
Mockingbird Mimidae
Monarch-flycatcher Monarchidae
Bird-of-paradise Paradisaeidae
Chickadee Paridae
Toucan Ramphastidae
Willie Wagtail Rhipiduridae
Ostrich Struthionidae
Mythical Birds and Demi-birds
Quetzal Trogonidae
For Good and Ill
Vulture Accipitridae, Cathartidae
Lark Alaudidae
Puffin Alcidae
Swift Apodidae
Nightjar Caprimulgiade
Plover Charadriidae
Poetic Images
Crow Corvidae
Magpie Corvidae
Raven Corvidae
Albatross Diomedeidae
Storm-Petrel Hydrobatiade
Gull Laridae
Oriole Oriolidae
Sparrow Passeridae
Cormorant Phalacrocoracidae
Wryneck Picidae
Curlew Scolopacidae
Owl Strigidae, Tytonidae
Wren Troglodytidae
Blackbird Turdidae
Quest for Flight
Acknowledgements
Bibliography
Product details
Published | Aug 25 2016 |
---|---|
Format | Ebook (Epub & Mobi) |
Edition | 1st |
Extent | 304 |
ISBN | 9781472922878 |
Imprint | Bloomsbury Natural History |
Illustrations | More than 200 illustrations |
Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
About the contributors
Reviews
-
This exquisite book explores how avian characteristics and behaviours have inspired their varied roles in literature, superstition and mythology, taking in examples from all over the world … A perfect blend of natural and cultural history, lavishly illustrated with photography and art – a splendid gift for bird lovers.
Juanita Coulson, The Lady
-
This is one of those books when everything is just right from the appealing text to the illustrations and the format to the layout. The result is a very tactile and readable book that should be on everyone's bookshelf. This is a book that I shall dip into for information many times and has been a revelation.
Ray Collier, The Highland News
-
If you're a fan of birds and mythology you won't want to miss this inspiring volume.
Soul & Spirit
-
There is much to commend. There is a pleasing interweaving of legend and learning... There are strong thematic threads too... Best of all, this is a visual feast, with stunning photographs and illustrations given space to delight.
BBC Wildlife
-
This book is a really good read for anyone remotely interested in birds. For enthusiasts there is much to learn about the cultural aspects of our feathered friends – and how they inspire us and shape our views of the world.
National Geographic Voices