Author | |
---|---|
Country | United Kingdom |
Genre | Ornithology |
Publisher | Chatto & Windus |
Publication date | 1 September 2005 |
Pages | 484 |
ISBN | 0-7011-6907-9 |
Preceded by | Flora Britannica |
Followed by | Bugs Britannica |
Birds Britannica is a book by Mark Cocker and Richard Mabey, [1] about the birds of the United Kingdom, and a sister volume to Mabey's 1996 [2] Flora Britannica, [1] [2] about British plants. It was published in 2005 [2] by Chatto & Windus. [2]
According to the project's official website: [1]
It covers cultural links; social history; birds as food; ecology; the lore and language of birds; myths, art, literature and music; anecdotes, birdsong and rare facts; modern developments; migration, the seasons and our sense of place.
Over 1,000 members of the public provided details of their observations and experiences, [1] during the book's eight-year [1] research period. Mabey's contribution was limited by his depression, [2] leading to Cocker having a leading role, doing the bulk of the work [3] and this more prominent credit.
The Guardian described the book as "a glorious encyclopedia" [2] and Cocker as "British bird life's perfect encyclopedist". [2] The Times said "The entries for every species are a fascinating distillation of expert knowledge, personal account, reminiscence, literary reference and folk belief". [3]