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Birds: Myth, Lore and Legend
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 new and 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
Why the cockerel features on many church spires
The one sacred bird that symbolizes life and peace in most cultures
How to dispel bad luck if you see this black-and-white bird
The South American "devil bird" once thought to be a dragon
Lore, Myth and Legend draws on historical accounts and scientific literature to reveal how colorful tales or superstitions were shaped by human imagination from each bird's behavior or appearance. It offers an enchanting and different perspective on birds across the world.
Why the cockerel features on many church spires
The one sacred bird that symbolizes life and peace in most cultures
How to dispel bad luck if you see this black-and-white bird
The South American "devil bird" once thought to be a dragon
Lore, Myth and Legend draws on historical accounts and scientific literature to reveal how colorful tales or superstitions were shaped by human imagination from each bird's behavior or appearance. It offers an enchanting and different perspective on birds across the world.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2016
8 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 3, 2019
for you, few excerpts,which I think speak for the unique beauty of this book- hope you will enjoy reading it!
“ The Maori tell a beautiful and bird fill story explaining how Kiwi, once able to fly like other birds, gave up his wings (and, incidentally, a spectacular colourful plumage). The trees of the forest were dying, being consumed from the ground up by insects, so the forest god Tane-mahuta called the birds together and asked who among them would be willing to tackle the menace and save the trees. The first three birds refused- Tui because he was afraid of the darkness deep inside the forest, Pukeko because he disliked the cold and damp of the forest earth, and the cuckoo Pipiwharauroa because he was too busy building his nest. But kiwi agreed- even though to tackle the problem he had to dwell on the cold darkness of the forest floor, grow thick strong legs, lose his wings and bright colours, and never again look upon the sunlight…”
“ From isolated villages to city center, human communities around the world share their settlements with raucous-voiced, black-plumaged crows. These clever, adaptable and tough birds know how to exploit an opportunity when they find one. They quickly learn how to live alongside us and prosper from the ways we change our environment to suit our needs[…]
In Japan, Carrion Crows (Corvus corone) famously use much larger tools to get at their food- they wait at busy road junctions for the red light, then place walnuts on the road for the cars to drive over. When the lights turn red again, the crows fly down to crushed nuts.[…]
They are also attentive to their chicks, a quality mentioned in the Aberdeen Bestiary (dating back to the 12th century)’ Let men learn from the crow’s example and its sense of duty, to love their children…In contrast, women of our human race wean their babies as soon as they can, even the ones they love…if the women are poor, they cast out their infants…the rich themselves also kill their children in the womb…”
“Flight, freedom and a range of cries imitative of almost any human emotion have made birds the subject of poetic simile and metaphor down the ages…For the ancient Egyptians, the mythical Bennu bird flew over the primordial waters to determine the nature of the world- ‘the one who came into being by himself’ as it was described in papyrii dating from 1000 BC
[..]the flying bird is a potent image of freedom and power…in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s ‘Birds of Passage’ the flight and cries of avian migrants are the very embodiment of lyrical expression
‘They are the throngs
Of the poet’s songs
Murmurs of pleasures, and pains, and wrongs,
The sound of winged words’
“ The Maori tell a beautiful and bird fill story explaining how Kiwi, once able to fly like other birds, gave up his wings (and, incidentally, a spectacular colourful plumage). The trees of the forest were dying, being consumed from the ground up by insects, so the forest god Tane-mahuta called the birds together and asked who among them would be willing to tackle the menace and save the trees. The first three birds refused- Tui because he was afraid of the darkness deep inside the forest, Pukeko because he disliked the cold and damp of the forest earth, and the cuckoo Pipiwharauroa because he was too busy building his nest. But kiwi agreed- even though to tackle the problem he had to dwell on the cold darkness of the forest floor, grow thick strong legs, lose his wings and bright colours, and never again look upon the sunlight…”
“ From isolated villages to city center, human communities around the world share their settlements with raucous-voiced, black-plumaged crows. These clever, adaptable and tough birds know how to exploit an opportunity when they find one. They quickly learn how to live alongside us and prosper from the ways we change our environment to suit our needs[…]
In Japan, Carrion Crows (Corvus corone) famously use much larger tools to get at their food- they wait at busy road junctions for the red light, then place walnuts on the road for the cars to drive over. When the lights turn red again, the crows fly down to crushed nuts.[…]
They are also attentive to their chicks, a quality mentioned in the Aberdeen Bestiary (dating back to the 12th century)’ Let men learn from the crow’s example and its sense of duty, to love their children…In contrast, women of our human race wean their babies as soon as they can, even the ones they love…if the women are poor, they cast out their infants…the rich themselves also kill their children in the womb…”
“Flight, freedom and a range of cries imitative of almost any human emotion have made birds the subject of poetic simile and metaphor down the ages…For the ancient Egyptians, the mythical Bennu bird flew over the primordial waters to determine the nature of the world- ‘the one who came into being by himself’ as it was described in papyrii dating from 1000 BC
[..]the flying bird is a potent image of freedom and power…in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s ‘Birds of Passage’ the flight and cries of avian migrants are the very embodiment of lyrical expression
‘They are the throngs
Of the poet’s songs
Murmurs of pleasures, and pains, and wrongs,
The sound of winged words’
August 22, 2017
Beautiful illustrations and photographs make the text come alive. A fun read for a bird novice.
January 28, 2020
Great descriptive book, with full page colour photos of each bird and their history in the Biblical sense or various nations myths/legends.
December 30, 2025
Just a lovely collection of tales, interspersed with some details about the birds and their habits, but presented in an informal, approachable way.
February 20, 2017
Phenomenally researched with fantastic images to boot!
June 21, 2017
This book was written for me. I've thought to myself (and maybe said out loud to someone) that I wished this book existed. It's great.
In it, Rachel Warren Chadd works through birds of the world and the lore various people have attached to them. For example, the turkey was said by American Indians to be bald because it scorched its head on the sun. Quail were told to sink ships when they landed on them to rest during their migration across the Mediterranean. Grouse calls were believed to be complaints, hence the common verb. The call of the bittern was a portent of doom. Geese once represented grace and the steeds of gods before humans domesticated them and made them the more common "silly goose" of today. And, among the dozens of Christian symbols, the parrot stands out as a symbol for the word of God, which, I suppose, comes to believers from the most unlikely places. The list of birds stained red or physically altered in an attempt to help Christ on the cross is long (Goldfinches of Europe, crossbills, and robins were all stained as they attempted to pry out thorns or nails. The crossbill permanently twisted its beak in the effort.).
This book was awesome, even without the many color illustrations and crystal photographs. It's a book to pick up and browse at your leisure. It's a centerpiece for your living room coffee table. It's beautiful to look at and a fascinating read.
In it, Rachel Warren Chadd works through birds of the world and the lore various people have attached to them. For example, the turkey was said by American Indians to be bald because it scorched its head on the sun. Quail were told to sink ships when they landed on them to rest during their migration across the Mediterranean. Grouse calls were believed to be complaints, hence the common verb. The call of the bittern was a portent of doom. Geese once represented grace and the steeds of gods before humans domesticated them and made them the more common "silly goose" of today. And, among the dozens of Christian symbols, the parrot stands out as a symbol for the word of God, which, I suppose, comes to believers from the most unlikely places. The list of birds stained red or physically altered in an attempt to help Christ on the cross is long (Goldfinches of Europe, crossbills, and robins were all stained as they attempted to pry out thorns or nails. The crossbill permanently twisted its beak in the effort.).
This book was awesome, even without the many color illustrations and crystal photographs. It's a book to pick up and browse at your leisure. It's a centerpiece for your living room coffee table. It's beautiful to look at and a fascinating read.
November 9, 2018
A gorgeous book that weaves both facts and traditions surrounding birds. The stunning photography coupled with ancient narratives and beliefs makes this book a uniquely inviting combination. I got a copy from the library, but it is now on my wish list for my personal library. If you love birds, this book will delight you. If you love traditional tales, this book will amuse you. If you love both, you will treasure this work!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews