From Library Journal
In this little volume, Wells (100 Flowers and How They Got Their Names) offers 100 two- to three-page essays that provide brief but satisfactory descriptions of an individual bird or bird group (e.g., sparrows, owls, and hawks). Tidbits and trivia, as well as literary, folkloric, biblical, mythical, or other references, help explain why a bird is named as it is. Wells discusses the origin of the scientific name, clarifying the meaning of the original Latin terminology, and often recounts who selected the name and why or for whom the bird was named. Each of the alphabetically arranged entries includes a black-and-white sketch. There is a satisfying mix of common birds (e.g., cardinal, crow, and goose) and more exotic species (e.g., cassowary, bird of paradise, and hoatzin). Especially well timed with the recent publication of new field guides by David Sibley and Kenn Kaufman, this volume will make a likable, but not imperative, addition to public and academic libraries with ornithological collections. (Index not seen.) Nancy Moeckel, Miami Univ. Libs., Oxford, OH
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Book Description
: How did cranes come to symbolize matrimonial happiness? Why were magpies the only creatures that would not go inside Noah's Ark? Birds and bird imagery are integral parts of our language and culture. With her remarkable ability to dig up curious and captivating facts, Diana Wells hatches a treat for active birders and armchair enthusiasts alike. Meet the intrepid adventurers and naturalists who risked their lives to describe and name new birds. Learn the mythical stories of the gods and goddess associated with bird names. Explore the avian emblems used by our greatest writers-from Coleridge's albatross in The Ancient Mariner to Poe's raven.
A sampling of the bird lore you'll find inside:
Benjamin Franklin didn't want the bald eagle on our National Seal because of its "bad moral character," (it steals from other birds); he lobbied for the turkey instead.
Chaffinches, whose Latin name means "unmarried," are called "bachelor birds" because they congregate in flocks of one gender.
Since mockingbirds mimic speech, some Native American tribes fed mockingbird hearts to their children, believing it helped them learn language.
A group of starlings is called a murmuration because they chatter so when they roost in the thousands.
Organized alphabetically, each of these bird tales is accompanied by a two-color line drawing. Dip into 100 BIRDS and you'll never look at a sparrow, an ostrich, or a wren in quite the same way.
