Flights of Fancy: Birds in Myth, Legend, and Superstition

The perfect bedside companion for every bird-watcher and nature lover, inside Flights of Fancyyou’ll find: Cranes“Don’t promise the crane in...more

The perfect bedside companion for every bird-watcher and nature lover, inside Flights of Fancyyou’ll find: Cranes“Don’t promise the crane in the sky, but give the titmouse in your hand.”Russian proverbMagpies“One for sorrow, two for joy…”Traditional English rhymeOwls“The owl shrieked at thy birth, an evil sign.”Shakespeare, Henry VI, Part IIIPeacocks“The peacock is ashamed of its large black feet.”Medieval Persian traditionRavens“When the raven tried to bring fire to the world, ash turned its feathers black.”Cherokee Indian legendSwans“Sewing a swan’s feather into your husband’s pillow will keep him faithful.”British superstition   less