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From the significance of the first cuckoo to rhymes about magpies, an astonishingly large and varied body of folklore has grown up around birds. They can be found in all parts of the world, such as the story of Yorimoto in Japan, who hid from his enemies in a tree and was protected by two doves, and the strange tale of Gertrude in Germany, who was turned into a woodpecker as punishment for her miserliness. What they all show is just how fascinated mankind has always been by birds. They are, after all, creatures that occupy a very particular and unusual place in our lives.
In Flights of Fancy, renowned ornithology writer Peter Tate collects his favorite stories, folktales, and proverbs about thirty species of birds, including:
• Cranes: “Don’t promise the crane the sky, but give the titmouse in your hand.” (Russian proverb)
• Magpies: “One for sorrow, two for joy . . .” (Traditional English rhyme)
• Owls: “The owl shrieked at thy birth, an evil sign.” (Shakespeare, Henry VI)
• Peacocks: “The peacock is ashamed of its large black feet.” (Medieval Persian tradition)
• Ravens: “When the raven tried to bring fire to the world, ash turned its feathers black.” (Cherokee legend)
• Swans: “Sewing a swan’s feather into your husband’s pillow will keep him faithful.” (British superstition)
The perfect gift for every bird-watcher, nature lover, or mythology enthusiast, Flights of Fancy celebrates the storied beliefs about these magnificent creatures.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
February 16, 2011 -
Formats
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Kindle Book
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9780307783974
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EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9780307783974
- File size: 5871 KB
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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September 15, 2008
Tate says that what he has tried to do is select the stories that have most intrigued him in the course of a lifetimes study, and he posits that he is fascinated by stories that recur in different traditions. He points out that many of the stories probably were told originally just for fun; some, no doubt, were old wives tales told to scare or instruct children. Tate tells stories about 30 species of birdsfrom blackbirds to wrynecksand each includes a line drawing and information on its song and diet. This attractive guide will intrigue bird-watchers and nature lovers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)
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