A Conspiracy of Ravens : A Compendium of Collective Nouns for Birds
âA murder of crowsâ, âa charm of goldfinchesâ, âan ostentation of peacocksâ: collective nouns for British birds have existed since at least the mid fifteenth century.
They are thought to originate in texts about hunting, but have since evolved into evocative, witty and literary expressions, each striving to capture the very essence of the animal they describe.
Some are portentous â âa conspiracy of ravensâ perfectly evokes this sinister bird â others convey sound, such as âa murmuration of starlingsâ or âa chattering of choughsâ.
Yet more reflect with a flourish the beauty of the bird itself: what could be more celebratory than âa crown of kingfishersâ, or âan exaltation of larksâ?
The best of these imaginative expressions are collected here, illustrated with charming woodcuts by Thomas Bewick, the renowned naturalist engraver of the eighteenth century.
Featuring songbirds, aquatic birds, birds of prey and garden favourites, this beautifully presented book will delight both bird-lovers and word-lovers in equal measure.
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A Conspiracy of Ravens : A Compendium of Collective Nouns for Birds
A Conspiracy of Ravens : A Compendium of Collective Nouns for Birds
âA murder of crowsâ, âa charm of goldfinchesâ, âan ostentation of peacocksâ: collective nouns for British birds have existed since at least the mid fifteenth century.
They are thought to originate in texts about hunting, but have since evolved into evocative, witty and literary expressions, each striving to capture the very essence of the animal they describe.
Some are portentous â âa conspiracy of ravensâ perfectly evokes this sinister bird â others convey sound, such as âa murmuration of starlingsâ or âa chattering of choughsâ.
Yet more reflect with a flourish the beauty of the bird itself: what could be more celebratory than âa crown of kingfishersâ, or âan exaltation of larksâ?
The best of these imaginative expressions are collected here, illustrated with charming woodcuts by Thomas Bewick, the renowned naturalist engraver of the eighteenth century.
Featuring songbirds, aquatic birds, birds of prey and garden favourites, this beautifully presented book will delight both bird-lovers and word-lovers in equal measure.
Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
âA murder of crowsâ, âa charm of goldfinchesâ, âan ostentation of peacocksâ: collective nouns for British birds have existed since at least the mid fifteenth century.
They are thought to originate in texts about hunting, but have since evolved into evocative, witty and literary expressions, each striving to capture the very essence of the animal they describe.
Some are portentous â âa conspiracy of ravensâ perfectly evokes this sinister bird â others convey sound, such as âa murmuration of starlingsâ or âa chattering of choughsâ.
Yet more reflect with a flourish the beauty of the bird itself: what could be more celebratory than âa crown of kingfishersâ, or âan exaltation of larksâ?
The best of these imaginative expressions are collected here, illustrated with charming woodcuts by Thomas Bewick, the renowned naturalist engraver of the eighteenth century.
Featuring songbirds, aquatic birds, birds of prey and garden favourites, this beautifully presented book will delight both bird-lovers and word-lovers in equal measure.
