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How to Tell the Birds From the Flowers (Classic Reprint): A Manual of Flornithology for Beginners
Excerpt from How to Tell the Birds From the A Manual of Flornithology for Beginners
The Quail T he Kale; 16. The Pecan The The Auk The The Cat-bird~ The Catnip The Ibis The The Butter ball'oo-m'the Buttercup 22. 23. The Pipe The Snipe 24: The Roc The The Lark The Larkspur 26 The Puffin qffinf. -47.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
The Quail T he Kale; 16. The Pecan The The Auk The The Cat-bird~ The Catnip The Ibis The The Butter ball'oo-m'the Buttercup 22. 23. The Pipe The Snipe 24: The Roc The The Lark The Larkspur 26 The Puffin qffinf. -47.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
38 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1917
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 3, 2023
If you like Edward Lear and Lewis Carroll nonsense, you’ll probably enjoy this little book that might take ten minutes to read. It is free on-line at Project Gutenberg.
Wood was an American physicist specializing in optics. His life spanned from mid nineteenth century to the mid twentieth. An academic like Carroll, he must have needed an outlet for a zany side. The book includes some of his ingenious drawings, also zany.
Example sans drawing—-
The Ape. The Grape.
The Apes, from whom we are descended,
Hang ape-x down from trees suspended,
And since we find them in the trees,
We term them arbor-ig-i-nes.
This quite explains the Mon-key-shines
Cut up by those who pluck from vines
The Grape, and then subject it’s juices,
To Bacchanalian abuses.
Wood was an American physicist specializing in optics. His life spanned from mid nineteenth century to the mid twentieth. An academic like Carroll, he must have needed an outlet for a zany side. The book includes some of his ingenious drawings, also zany.
Example sans drawing—-
The Ape. The Grape.
The Apes, from whom we are descended,
Hang ape-x down from trees suspended,
And since we find them in the trees,
We term them arbor-ig-i-nes.
This quite explains the Mon-key-shines
Cut up by those who pluck from vines
The Grape, and then subject it’s juices,
To Bacchanalian abuses.
September 1, 2020
If you thought the British had a monopoly on nonsense for children, think again. Robert Wood's charming book of "flornithology" is every bit as wonderful as Edward Lear's botanical alphabet or Hilaire Belloc's Bad Child's Book of Beasts (not to be missed). Tongue firmly in cheek, Wood distinguishes between the crow and the crocus, the tern and the turnip, the parrot and the carrot, and my personal favorite, the puffin and nuffin. Charming line drawings accompany the text.
Why didn't Wood write more? He did, but it was all optics and physics and way over my hairdo: he was a most distinguished scientist who just happened to turn out this little gem on the side.
Why didn't Wood write more? He did, but it was all optics and physics and way over my hairdo: he was a most distinguished scientist who just happened to turn out this little gem on the side.
October 22, 2019
A quirky little book, I dipped in and out of it over the last few days. This is the sort of book that would get you in trouble at school, to make the poems rhyme the words sometimes get manipulated to sound how the poet wants them. For example Peculiar becomes P-Q-Liar.
Favourite comparison was the PENguin and the SWORDfish. I had no idea how they could be compared and when I read the rhyme it gave me a good chuckle, very clever stuff.
I know nothing about this author, his humour is very surreal, am left wondering if he knew Salvador Dali, might have been too early for Dali though.
You can read this book for free here> https://archive.org/details/cu3192402...
Favourite comparison was the PENguin and the SWORDfish. I had no idea how they could be compared and when I read the rhyme it gave me a good chuckle, very clever stuff.
I know nothing about this author, his humour is very surreal, am left wondering if he knew Salvador Dali, might have been too early for Dali though.
You can read this book for free here> https://archive.org/details/cu3192402...
October 11, 2019
Inventive and lovely.
September 15, 2025
THE BIBLE. This was everything I needed and more. Educational, beautifully crafted, mood-lifting, full of references, witty remarks and, I dare not forget, amazing illustrations. Will print some if these out and look into getting a copy of my own. Perfection. I will never mistake quail and kale ever again
July 12, 2012
A charming little book full of witty wordplay, self-referential humor, and a few tongue-twisters. (In an added geeky twist (unsurprising coming from a theoretical physicist), even a footnote on Greek etymology is in rhyme.)
As his daughter writes in her 1958 introduction, "Here, dear Reader, is the true zest for living. No barbed satire, no insults, no attacks, no grounds for libel suits." Instead there is "simple, whimsical humor".
As his daughter writes in her 1958 introduction, "Here, dear Reader, is the true zest for living. No barbed satire, no insults, no attacks, no grounds for libel suits." Instead there is "simple, whimsical humor".
April 15, 2024
2.5 stars.
April 14, 2026
This book exists in at least two versions. This one was published in 1907 and is considerably shorter than the 1917 version which is at least twice as long. This book has several clever puns and drawings. The imagination of the artist is shown by manipulating the shapes of the flowers so that they resemble birds (poses that flowers are not apt to take naturally!)
I learned of this book via my brother Matt who is a scientist. He has two humorous books in his office for visitors to read if he happens to be out. The other book is Science Made Stupid, which I would recommend over this book. Both Science Made Stupid and How To Tell the Birds From the Flowers are available on the internet archive.
I learned of this book via my brother Matt who is a scientist. He has two humorous books in his office for visitors to read if he happens to be out. The other book is Science Made Stupid, which I would recommend over this book. Both Science Made Stupid and How To Tell the Birds From the Flowers are available on the internet archive.
March 20, 2025
Amazing book, you have to read,
It will make you wise indeed!
This is the best book I have ever read in my entire life from birth until now! I now know how to tell the difference between a Parrot and a Carrot, A sparra’ and asparagus, among other such common confusions so insightfully cleared up!
The best part is it's a standard ebook, so you can read it for free on any e-reader, and I would highly recommend you do if you want some fun facts for your next trivia night!
It will make you wise indeed!
This is the best book I have ever read in my entire life from birth until now! I now know how to tell the difference between a Parrot and a Carrot, A sparra’ and asparagus, among other such common confusions so insightfully cleared up!
The best part is it's a standard ebook, so you can read it for free on any e-reader, and I would highly recommend you do if you want some fun facts for your next trivia night!
January 11, 2024
I read this clever poetry book in Project Gutenberg's online library. It was first published in 1917. Each poem compares two living things which have similar sounding names and, believe it or not, appearances, e.g, The Crow and the Crocus. The poems are accompanied by comical drawings. I suppose the poems are corny, but I found them delightful.
February 12, 2021
No illustrations!
The actual book accompanies each poem with an excellent and very amusing woodcut, which the ebook version leaves out!
It's like the icing without the cake. What's the point?
The actual book accompanies each poem with an excellent and very amusing woodcut, which the ebook version leaves out!
It's like the icing without the cake. What's the point?
May 3, 2019
How to Tell the Birds from the Flowers: A Manual of Flornithology for Beginners
Absolutely delightful. I love it. Five stars.
Absolutely delightful. I love it. Five stars.
April 26, 2022
https://archive.org/details/howtotell...
just go and read it. It's worth it.
just go and read it. It's worth it.
August 9, 2022
Wundervoll humorvolle Zeichnungen und Gedichte! Für jede:n zu empfehlen!
January 26, 2023
A very charming vintage read; nonsensical and whimsical poems accompanied with simple line drawings depicting the sometimes random comparisons that go beyond birds and flowers.
April 25, 2023
This book is great! I love the silly rhymes and the even sillier illustrations. I will study up on my flornithology and never confuse a bird for a plant again!
April 30, 2023
This is a short and charming book! Poetry and pareidolia
May 6, 2023
A joy to read! Witty and cute.
April 20, 2024
Dear GR,
I have decided to take up Flornithology!
Signed
Carrot
I have decided to take up Flornithology!
Signed
Carrot
May 12, 2025
the puns are so bad they made me cry w laughter as a warning
October 13, 2025
Anyone who gives this book less than 5 stars for its unashamed silliness should be put in the stocks. (Stocks and storks should be Woods’ next comparison!)
January 31, 2026
Fun and whimsical take on the naming conventions of naturalists of his time. Satirical. Easy read.
Read
March 17, 2026Adorable. Perfect for melon-choly.
April 12, 2026
Delightful little poems about plants and animals. very clever and so happy I picked this up.
July 12, 2022
Cute and clever wordplay.
August 1, 2010
possibly my best purchase ever.
Read
August 26, 2010A charmingly bizarre little book. Knowing that it was written by a distinguished physicist adds to the enjoyment.
October 10, 2011
This book is spectacular! I'll probably give this to everyone who has quirky kids.
November 6, 2012
Delightful wordplay and drawings of birds and plants that look similar. Full book online here: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1593/1...
December 20, 2015
This is just delightful. Great to read out loud.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews