Book description
Tracing the magico-religious beliefs surrounding birds as far back in
time as is possible, to the cultures in which these beliefs arose. This
edition is exclusive to newnaturalists. com
Edward A Armstrong is already known to readers of the New Naturalist as
the author of the remarkable study on the wren. His wide scholarship and
talents have fitted him outstandingly for this book, which could only
have been written by a man with his deep understanding, not only of
ornithology, but of social anthropology, psychology and comparative religion.
Mr Amstrong has selected a number of familiar birds - such as the swan,
the raven, the owl, the robin and the wren - and has traced
magico-religious beliefs concerning them as far back as possible to the
cultures in which these beliefs arose. With the scientist's eye and
methods of analysis he has examined the development of myth and ritual
with originality and ingenuity.
Many odd and interesting facts are cited, and explanations are given,
for example of the customs of breaking the wish-bone, and of fables
concerning weather-prophet birds and the generation of the Barnacle
Goose from shell-fish.
This book is the first treatment of a group of folklore beliefs as a
series of artefacts are treated by an archaeologist, classifying them in
order according to epochs. Archaeological data, as well as oral and
literary traditions, have been used to illustrate the origins and
significance of the current folklore.
The illustrations are of exceptional quality and consist of over 140
carefully chosen photographs and line drawings from worldwide sources.
