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Flights of Fancy: Birds in Myth and Legend
A beguiling collection of myths, legends and superstitions attached to birds.
Throughout history, birds have fascinated and intrigued mankind, so it isn’t surprising that a rich body of myth, legend and superstition has grown around them. Flights of Fancy explores the stories surrounding approximately thirty of the world’s best-known species, from the blackbird to the wryneck, drawing on traditions from every quarter of the globe. The vast majority of these stories seem to have their origin in people’s delight in inventing stories � whether the legend that the blackbird was originally white, or the suggestion that witches kept owls as their familiars.
As Peter Tate points out, what is so extraordinary is that the same story often crops up in many different parts of the the belief that eagles and snakes are sworn enemies can be found as far apart as Iraq and Mexico; the view that the raven is the harbinger of bad luck can be found throughout Europe from Denmark to Spain.
Flights of Fancy is a fascinating and entertaining read, the ideal book for anyone interested in birds or myths � or both.
Throughout history, birds have fascinated and intrigued mankind, so it isn’t surprising that a rich body of myth, legend and superstition has grown around them. Flights of Fancy explores the stories surrounding approximately thirty of the world’s best-known species, from the blackbird to the wryneck, drawing on traditions from every quarter of the globe. The vast majority of these stories seem to have their origin in people’s delight in inventing stories � whether the legend that the blackbird was originally white, or the suggestion that witches kept owls as their familiars.
As Peter Tate points out, what is so extraordinary is that the same story often crops up in many different parts of the the belief that eagles and snakes are sworn enemies can be found as far apart as Iraq and Mexico; the view that the raven is the harbinger of bad luck can be found throughout Europe from Denmark to Spain.
Flights of Fancy is a fascinating and entertaining read, the ideal book for anyone interested in birds or myths � or both.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
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289 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 24, 2019
Truth be told I read Peter Tate's Flights of Fancy: Birds in Myth, Legend and Superstition as a library book a couple of years ago (in 2014) and then did not remember to actually post a review (in retrospect, I guess it was not all that memorable and even enjoyable a reading experience for me, because unlike with books that I have always loved so much I have not been able to post a review I would personally find adequate, I simply forgot about Flights of Fancy: Birds in Myth, Legend and Superstition until I was clearing some of my "currently reading" shelf late last spring and realised it was still languishing there, finished, with even some lengthy reading progress notes, but sans review).
Now the general information presented in and by Flights of Fancy: Birds in Myth, Legend and Superstition, that is all most certainly and indeed interesting and readable enough (but I for one would have appreciated and had even assumed there would be more bird species featured and additional scientific and historical details provided). And while I can certainly understand and yes realise that Peter Tate has chosen to make his Flights of Fancy: Birds in Myth, Legend and Superstition a short and as such a concise and unadorned introduction (which he has actually also specifically has stated), I really do NOT AT ALL understand why, since he has included a detailed bibliography, he has then not acknowledged his sources within the text proper (as quotes, footnotes, endnotes and such).
Finally, but in my opinion importantly, a major caveat for sensitive readers, in so far that a rather goodly number of the superstitions, rituals and legends shown and described by the author in Flights of Fancy: Birds in Myth, Legend and Superstition are gruesome and profoundly inhumane indeed (often consisting of killing birds, wearing their feathers, sometimes even seemingly torturing the unfortunate creatures). And while this might, in fact, be tradition, Peter Tate does not, in my opinion, in any manner provide and offer enough of a criticism thereof. For tradition does not mean and should not mean that something is beyond condemnation, and the violence, the pain that many of the described and depicted birds have often seemingly had to endure due to so-called cultural practices should have most definitely been described as a negative, and as an unacceptable affront in Flights of Fancy: Birds in Myth, Legend and Superstition and indeed, the lack of author criticism of the rituals etc. that have caused birds to be tortured and killed simply due to human superstitions really does majorly bother me (and to such an extent that this has now upon reconsidering made me lower my ranking for Flights of Fancy: Birds in Myth, Legend and Superstition from my original two stars to but one star, since in my opinion, Peter Tate as a trained ornithologist really should know better and not simply accept birds being tortured and killed due to superstition, ritual and myth as being “cultural� or traditional, that there absolutely needs to be overt criticism and condemnation shown).
Now the general information presented in and by Flights of Fancy: Birds in Myth, Legend and Superstition, that is all most certainly and indeed interesting and readable enough (but I for one would have appreciated and had even assumed there would be more bird species featured and additional scientific and historical details provided). And while I can certainly understand and yes realise that Peter Tate has chosen to make his Flights of Fancy: Birds in Myth, Legend and Superstition a short and as such a concise and unadorned introduction (which he has actually also specifically has stated), I really do NOT AT ALL understand why, since he has included a detailed bibliography, he has then not acknowledged his sources within the text proper (as quotes, footnotes, endnotes and such).
Finally, but in my opinion importantly, a major caveat for sensitive readers, in so far that a rather goodly number of the superstitions, rituals and legends shown and described by the author in Flights of Fancy: Birds in Myth, Legend and Superstition are gruesome and profoundly inhumane indeed (often consisting of killing birds, wearing their feathers, sometimes even seemingly torturing the unfortunate creatures). And while this might, in fact, be tradition, Peter Tate does not, in my opinion, in any manner provide and offer enough of a criticism thereof. For tradition does not mean and should not mean that something is beyond condemnation, and the violence, the pain that many of the described and depicted birds have often seemingly had to endure due to so-called cultural practices should have most definitely been described as a negative, and as an unacceptable affront in Flights of Fancy: Birds in Myth, Legend and Superstition and indeed, the lack of author criticism of the rituals etc. that have caused birds to be tortured and killed simply due to human superstitions really does majorly bother me (and to such an extent that this has now upon reconsidering made me lower my ranking for Flights of Fancy: Birds in Myth, Legend and Superstition from my original two stars to but one star, since in my opinion, Peter Tate as a trained ornithologist really should know better and not simply accept birds being tortured and killed due to superstition, ritual and myth as being “cultural� or traditional, that there absolutely needs to be overt criticism and condemnation shown).
February 17, 2022
Could have given more details, illustrations are really good tho.
October 26, 2011
Rating: 3.75* of five
THIS IS NOT A BOOK ABOUT BIRDS. It's a book about myths. It's a beautiful little cadeau I got from a certain Turkish gentleman. It's proof that even major publishers *can* make a beautiful book when they want to.
NOT ABOUT BIRDS. IS THAT CLEAR?
So, the author is this British ornithologist (remember now!) who's long been fascinated by the lore that surrounds our feathered brethren. He's spent a long career collecting the tales, the rhymes, the myths that envious humans have made part of their relationship to revenant dinosaurs. We're horribly jealous that they can fly, so we make them bearers of the luck we long for or the curses we dread (why are magpies considered bad luck, anyway? They're gorgeous, that's why, and us ugly nekkid apes are eaten up with resentment).
I loved the author's learned yet witty voice, though I can see many peole being turned off by it. He's not at all afraid to use his vocabulary, which I see all too seldom in books. More often than not, when I see an author use Big Words, he or she seems almost apologetic or embarrassed to know more than the Common Person. Faugh! Pshaw! Be smart and proud of it! Mr. Tate accomplishes that feat. He doesn't seem to worry about being accused of snobbery at all, which is admirable.
This beautiful volume is perfect for leaving on the coffee table, for visual pleasure; and for the browsability of its text, which lends itself to host-fetching-the-canapes reading, with subsequent chat about the interesting things one's guest has just learned. I love it, and not just because my sweetie gave it to me.
THIS IS NOT A BOOK ABOUT BIRDS. It's a book about myths. It's a beautiful little cadeau I got from a certain Turkish gentleman. It's proof that even major publishers *can* make a beautiful book when they want to.
NOT ABOUT BIRDS. IS THAT CLEAR?
So, the author is this British ornithologist (remember now!) who's long been fascinated by the lore that surrounds our feathered brethren. He's spent a long career collecting the tales, the rhymes, the myths that envious humans have made part of their relationship to revenant dinosaurs. We're horribly jealous that they can fly, so we make them bearers of the luck we long for or the curses we dread (why are magpies considered bad luck, anyway? They're gorgeous, that's why, and us ugly nekkid apes are eaten up with resentment).
I loved the author's learned yet witty voice, though I can see many peole being turned off by it. He's not at all afraid to use his vocabulary, which I see all too seldom in books. More often than not, when I see an author use Big Words, he or she seems almost apologetic or embarrassed to know more than the Common Person. Faugh! Pshaw! Be smart and proud of it! Mr. Tate accomplishes that feat. He doesn't seem to worry about being accused of snobbery at all, which is admirable.
This beautiful volume is perfect for leaving on the coffee table, for visual pleasure; and for the browsability of its text, which lends itself to host-fetching-the-canapes reading, with subsequent chat about the interesting things one's guest has just learned. I love it, and not just because my sweetie gave it to me.
June 6, 2019
This is a slim volume focusing on the legends and myths of birds, along with many surprising superstitions. While there may not be many pages, it felt as though there was much more, thanks to the way it is all put together. Some of the old superstitions regarding birds are ones I had never heard of previously to reading this book, so it was a good addition to my collection.
To this day, some Middle Eastern women run out of their houses when they hear the Lapwing calling and hurl a bowlful of water into the air to help the bird ease the pain of its scalded head.
According to an ancient myth, the Lapwing was once a princess who accidentally burnt her head with a pot of hot milk. This explains the "bald" spot on the Lapwing's head. Then there's the tale about the Hoopoe, that wonderful bird with a crest like a fan. While flying with a Woodpecker on a very long journey, the Hoopoe kept his friend awake by constantly crying, "Hoop-hoop-hoop". The Woodpecker was so grateful for the assistance that he dug a big hole in a tree for the Hoopoe to use as a nest, which is why Hoopoes still use old Woodpecker holes to make their nests.
Then there is the Barnacle Goose. Legend says that these birds were hatched from barnacles in rotting wood. Even the Moors believed this, for they wrote that when a tree in Ireland fell into the sea, the pounding surf would create foam which became an egg. This was how the Barnacle Goose came to be, which is why they were once considered to be fish, not birds.
As I noted, this isn't a large book but there is more than enough to hold one's interest. You don't even need to be a bird lover to enjoy all the misinformation that has accumulated over time (Peacocks ally with Satan, Kingfisher feathers are magical).
Book Season = Spring (sable wings)
To this day, some Middle Eastern women run out of their houses when they hear the Lapwing calling and hurl a bowlful of water into the air to help the bird ease the pain of its scalded head.
According to an ancient myth, the Lapwing was once a princess who accidentally burnt her head with a pot of hot milk. This explains the "bald" spot on the Lapwing's head. Then there's the tale about the Hoopoe, that wonderful bird with a crest like a fan. While flying with a Woodpecker on a very long journey, the Hoopoe kept his friend awake by constantly crying, "Hoop-hoop-hoop". The Woodpecker was so grateful for the assistance that he dug a big hole in a tree for the Hoopoe to use as a nest, which is why Hoopoes still use old Woodpecker holes to make their nests.
Then there is the Barnacle Goose. Legend says that these birds were hatched from barnacles in rotting wood. Even the Moors believed this, for they wrote that when a tree in Ireland fell into the sea, the pounding surf would create foam which became an egg. This was how the Barnacle Goose came to be, which is why they were once considered to be fish, not birds.
As I noted, this isn't a large book but there is more than enough to hold one's interest. You don't even need to be a bird lover to enjoy all the misinformation that has accumulated over time (Peacocks ally with Satan, Kingfisher feathers are magical).
Book Season = Spring (sable wings)
March 25, 2011
Interesting, but I wished it would go into more depth of examples, include more birds, and be a lot less Eurocentric. There were several anecdotes I could think of off the top of my head that weren't included, including ones that didn't happen to come from Western Europe. What about the heavy mythological significance the crane holds in several East Asian cultures? How about the connection between the eagle and the Garuda of Hindu lore?
Also, the organization is a bit haphazard--just a simple alphabetical order? It's more like an extra-long Cracked.com list than a book, albeit without the snarky references. I rather wish this book had been more thoroughly researched and had tried to make some sort of conclusion with its stories. This may be just my inner academic coming out, though, and perhaps I'm being unfairly harsh. After all, there were many examples I found fascinating, so it isn't time wasted reading it. It's short--it'll be a quick read if you decide to try it.
Also, the organization is a bit haphazard--just a simple alphabetical order? It's more like an extra-long Cracked.com list than a book, albeit without the snarky references. I rather wish this book had been more thoroughly researched and had tried to make some sort of conclusion with its stories. This may be just my inner academic coming out, though, and perhaps I'm being unfairly harsh. After all, there were many examples I found fascinating, so it isn't time wasted reading it. It's short--it'll be a quick read if you decide to try it.
July 26, 2010
Amusing collection of bird lore severely hampered in its credibility by a nearly complete lack of citation. It is hard to believe the tiny 2-page bibliography is anywhere near comprehensive. There is also a distinct bias toward European and British folklore. If the book is to be believed, though, I have learned two things about Jesus: he was fond of transforming people he didn't like into birds, and he died surrounded by a flock of birds variously trying to assuage or enhance his suffering.
September 26, 2022
This was a book that I had picked up along with another book on wildlife folklore and looking back I am happy that I did so as the other book had no information on birds. Weirdly enough while that latter book explored species mostly discovered in North America with some indirect contacts to Old World species, Flights of Fancy explored avian species of the Old World.
Each entry provides the common name of the bird along with the scientific name. The chapter then starts off with a paragraph that provides some common information of the species before it takes a diver into the lore of the bird. Furthermore each entry has a black-and-white illustration of each bird so the reader can see which bird is being mentioned if they should be unfamiliar with it although it is a bit of a shame that they cannot be seen in the colors they would normally sport.
At the same time readers will be provided with more basic folklore such as bird stones and plumage with inserted boxes tucked into some of the entries thus providing the reader with even more information that they may not be aware of. And this paired with quotes that provide samples from quoted sources help to round out this book for readers.
I would most definitely recommend this book to those who are interested by folklore whether it is more modern or archaic, especially if they are also bird lovers.
Each entry provides the common name of the bird along with the scientific name. The chapter then starts off with a paragraph that provides some common information of the species before it takes a diver into the lore of the bird. Furthermore each entry has a black-and-white illustration of each bird so the reader can see which bird is being mentioned if they should be unfamiliar with it although it is a bit of a shame that they cannot be seen in the colors they would normally sport.
At the same time readers will be provided with more basic folklore such as bird stones and plumage with inserted boxes tucked into some of the entries thus providing the reader with even more information that they may not be aware of. And this paired with quotes that provide samples from quoted sources help to round out this book for readers.
I would most definitely recommend this book to those who are interested by folklore whether it is more modern or archaic, especially if they are also bird lovers.
September 8, 2019
3.5 stars
June 1, 2012
‘Flights of Fancy: Birds in Myth, Legend, and Superstition� by Peter Tate is a short book full of little stories about different birds. I am not usually a bird person, but I have many bird-brained loved ones, so I pick it up at a charity sale as a gift. Well, who can have a book lying around, even if it is intended to be a gift, and not pick it up and give it a curious look? Not me! Next thing I know, I am done the book. It is certainly a quick and interesting read. 30 birds are explored in just 160 pages, leaving me wanting more! I wish Mr. Tate had filled up another 160 pages of stories. This book is a very light read, and will likely send you to Wikipedia, to read more about the little tale and fables. Now my problem, which bird-brained loved one will I gift this too?
October 23, 2013
This was a cute little book, covering the various myths and folk tales that surround different bird species. It's probably one to just pick up and flick through at random to uncover a few interesting facts, rather than one to read straight through. I found particularly interesting the way that the same basic stories showed up repeatedly for different species, as well as how some species seemed to have the same stories associated with them across many cultures.
October 2, 2009
A difficult book to fully appreciate when borrowed for a short time, I read this one in installments, it tended to make me drowsy. It would make a nice gift for somebody who is into birds and/or folklore. It includes a decent index and would be a nice addition to the small stack of books offered on the bedside table of the guest room.
August 11, 2014
Not too bad if you don't mind reading about the legends and mythology of mostly European birds. The mythic material becomes repetitive rather too quickly, and a lot of the folklore makes people of the past look awfully silly.
December 5, 2016
Wide ranging but too superficial in its discussion of the myths and traditions the author references.
September 9, 2022
Flights of Fancy: Birds in Myth, Legend and Superstition byÌýPeter Tate describes thirty European species of birds and the folklores surrounding them.
The book's chapter on nightjars, a family of birds I'm researching, led me to it. This chapter, like most in the book offers a brief history of the species in European legend. It offers a fairly rudimentary description of these legends, and most of the chapter's content could be gleaned from the Wikipedia entry on the European Nightjar.
This is typical of the book, as many reviewers of it have noted. Some of the chapters offer rather basic descriptions of folklore surrounding European birds. And Flights of Fancy isn't ripe with references that lead readers back to historical sources.
And yet I found the book, as a whole, endearing and informative, if not a bit beguiling for the strangeness of European beliefs around birds. Barnacle Geese, for instance, were believed to have been born not from eggs but something like a mix of sea foam and barnacles.
An old remedy for headaches, meanwhile, required killing a swallow on a full moon, drying the swallow, then grinding it into a medicine -- a rather elaborate ritual when nibbling on willow bark would do.
Tate's chapter on Wrynecks, a bird unfamiliar to me, taught me that the genus's scientific name (Jynx) is the origin of the familiar word, jinx. This holds up. Both the OED and Merriam-Webster attribute the origin of the word jinx to folklore surrounding the genus.
I also learned of the rich Christian folklore surrounding the bird, of which I was entirely unaware. Two species -- the European Robin (not a thrush like the robins of the Americas, but a flycatcher) and swallows -- were held in particularly high esteem for having provided aid to Jesus during the Crucifixion. The red of Robin Redbreast was believed to be a drop of Jesus's blood that the bird carries on its chest. (A sort of , which Tate doesn't describe, has Merlins, a falcon, capturing robins and keeping them captive during cold winter nights. Their red breasts, apparently, would warm the falcons.)
Birds were also believed to have access to magical stones and herbs. People could access them by tricking the birds into retrieving one. This often involved an act of cruelty -- injuring or blinding a young bird -- so the parent would retrieve the stone or herb in question. Then, when the adult bird returns to the nest, it's fooled again -- a red blanket is put under the bird's tree, simulating a fire. The bird, in a rush to put out the fire, then would drop the stone or herb to the deceitful human.
Swallows, for instance, could retrieve stones that cure blindness. Tate writes,
Flights of Fancy is, definitely, Eurocentric, and many reviewers of the book note this. Most single volume field guides are provincial in nature, by necessity -- birds are too global and diverse a kingdom to be otherwise. The book's failing is less in its focus, though, but in its subtitle, which promises more than it offers. This is European birds in European myths, legends, and superstitions. Tate tends only to invoke beliefs from Asia and the western hemisphere when they're largely resonate with the European myths. This allows Tate to document the surprising coincidence of beliefs around global genera of birds, such as Cranes (Grus).
The book's chapter on nightjars, a family of birds I'm researching, led me to it. This chapter, like most in the book offers a brief history of the species in European legend. It offers a fairly rudimentary description of these legends, and most of the chapter's content could be gleaned from the Wikipedia entry on the European Nightjar.
This is typical of the book, as many reviewers of it have noted. Some of the chapters offer rather basic descriptions of folklore surrounding European birds. And Flights of Fancy isn't ripe with references that lead readers back to historical sources.
And yet I found the book, as a whole, endearing and informative, if not a bit beguiling for the strangeness of European beliefs around birds. Barnacle Geese, for instance, were believed to have been born not from eggs but something like a mix of sea foam and barnacles.
An old remedy for headaches, meanwhile, required killing a swallow on a full moon, drying the swallow, then grinding it into a medicine -- a rather elaborate ritual when nibbling on willow bark would do.
Tate's chapter on Wrynecks, a bird unfamiliar to me, taught me that the genus's scientific name (Jynx) is the origin of the familiar word, jinx. This holds up. Both the OED and Merriam-Webster attribute the origin of the word jinx to folklore surrounding the genus.
I also learned of the rich Christian folklore surrounding the bird, of which I was entirely unaware. Two species -- the European Robin (not a thrush like the robins of the Americas, but a flycatcher) and swallows -- were held in particularly high esteem for having provided aid to Jesus during the Crucifixion. The red of Robin Redbreast was believed to be a drop of Jesus's blood that the bird carries on its chest. (A sort of , which Tate doesn't describe, has Merlins, a falcon, capturing robins and keeping them captive during cold winter nights. Their red breasts, apparently, would warm the falcons.)
Birds were also believed to have access to magical stones and herbs. People could access them by tricking the birds into retrieving one. This often involved an act of cruelty -- injuring or blinding a young bird -- so the parent would retrieve the stone or herb in question. Then, when the adult bird returns to the nest, it's fooled again -- a red blanket is put under the bird's tree, simulating a fire. The bird, in a rush to put out the fire, then would drop the stone or herb to the deceitful human.
Swallows, for instance, could retrieve stones that cure blindness. Tate writes,
If you wanted to obtain the pebble for yourself, you first had to blind the nestlings of a pair of swallows, so that the females would fly off to get the magic stone and touch their nestlings' eyes with it in order to restore their sight. Then you had to place a red cloth beneath the nest, so that the swallow would drop the stone on to it, believing that she was dropping it into a fire. - Flights of Fancy, 2007, p. 140
Flights of Fancy is, definitely, Eurocentric, and many reviewers of the book note this. Most single volume field guides are provincial in nature, by necessity -- birds are too global and diverse a kingdom to be otherwise. The book's failing is less in its focus, though, but in its subtitle, which promises more than it offers. This is European birds in European myths, legends, and superstitions. Tate tends only to invoke beliefs from Asia and the western hemisphere when they're largely resonate with the European myths. This allows Tate to document the surprising coincidence of beliefs around global genera of birds, such as Cranes (Grus).
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October 18, 2021I bought this book when shopping in Seattle with my grandmother. It was such a lovely day. We went to an antique store, a little cafe, and then this fancy boutique that had all these fancy books and I bought this one. I never read it. It lived in my room for so long because it was so pretty. Finally, some time ago, I got rid of it. I don't really remember when. Now when I look at it on here, I think of my grandma and the way this book, unread, kind of captured that day for me. And the magic of it, the magic of potential, collecting beautiful things without cracking them open, just hoping or knowing.
March 22, 2020
Suitable for reading in small bits, this is a curiosity satisfier. What strange myths and stories have grown up around our friends the birds! The author has culled from cultures around the world and through lots of time to find these associations. Some of them are remarkably similar and others quite different, even opposite. Are owls good omens or bad? Depends on who you speak to. I had hoped for more storytelling and longer narratives, but this is not this book. Nevertheless, I’ll keep this one on my shelf for future reference.
May 14, 2017
This is a beautifully appealing little book, including the cover, print, pictures, size, and overall design.
Of course, the tales of birds are themselves fascinating. The only problem with this book is there are so many different legends and superstitions about birds that it's hard to remember them all. A second book with lesser known books would be fun too.
It's a book that would be delightful to own and revisit.
Of course, the tales of birds are themselves fascinating. The only problem with this book is there are so many different legends and superstitions about birds that it's hard to remember them all. A second book with lesser known books would be fun too.
It's a book that would be delightful to own and revisit.
June 18, 2023
The concept of the book was nice but they covered too many birds and too many mythological stories. Ideally the author should have focused on fewer birds n perhaps covered one story in detail to leave more impact. Now it's more like an encyclopedia.
Also the illustrations were nice in black and white but they were very generic of the bird. At least a few stories should have been illustrated.
So overall a great scope of improvement in the book.
Also the illustrations were nice in black and white but they were very generic of the bird. At least a few stories should have been illustrated.
So overall a great scope of improvement in the book.
July 6, 2021
Extensively researched, but by no means an exhaustive report on what every bird means in every part of the world! The focus seems to be on Great Britain, as I've never heard of a "stonechuck," and they may be a purely Scottish phenomenon. There seem to be a LOT of overlapping bird myths surrounding the life of Jesus!
July 17, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of this book. It has a beautiful dust jacket, cover and illustrations. I am fond of mythology and I was impressed that the author included several different religions and geographic areas. My only disappointment was that he did not include the Hummingbird.
May 23, 2022
This is a little book that collects different bird folklore from around the world. While it wasn't in depth, I still found some tidbits that could be writing inspiration. I wouldn't recommend it if you wanted an extensive history though.
March 1, 2024
Interesting little collection of superstitions and folklore related to different birds, mainly focused on European birds. It's interesting how many of the birds have a folklore connection to the crucifixion of Christ (for instance: the robin's red breast was stained by Christ's blood).
December 19, 2017
Owls are creepy but I still love them. The wrens, though. Eeesh.
July 26, 2020
Very interesting read about the myths and legend and superstitions of all the different birds.
June 16, 2021
Love anything associated with myths and legends.
April 6, 2022
presents lots of interesting information, but fairly shallow and lacking any kind of citation system that one could use to further their own research. also really eurocentric!
November 1, 2022
Tired: Learning that Jesus turned water into wine.
Wired: Learning that Jesus turned a baker's daughter who skimped on dough into an owl.
Wired: Learning that Jesus turned a baker's daughter who skimped on dough into an owl.
December 1, 2008
I loved this book...just happened on it at the Library on the new book table and it is such a perfect book for me. It has birds which I love and then myths that have to do with those birds...mostly from Roman and European perspective. I am so glad the birds on the cover made me pick it up. Short and easy to read and great for putting you to sleep!
March 13, 2009
My only problem with the book was how short it was. At this length there's really only time for a surface look at a few species, and it would've been nice to either have longer entries for the same birds or more entries altogether. (The author should also get credit for distinguishing between different Inuit tribes when talking about creation stories and such.)
May 21, 2009
I was a little disappointed to find that this book was less a telling of the myths and stories and more a cataloging. It was also fairly Brit/Euro centric with a lot of very repetitious listings of very similar superstitions from different European countries.
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