Items related to A Conspiracy of Ravens – A Compendium of Collective...
Synopsis
`A murder of crows', `a charm of goldfinches', `an ostentation of peacocks': 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 - `a conspiracy of ravens' perfectly evokes this sinister bird - others convey sound, such as `a murmuration of starlings' or `a chattering of choughs'. Yet more reflect with a flourish the beauty of the bird itself: what could be more celebratory than `a crown of kingfishers', or `an exaltation of larks'? 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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Review
"Collective nouns are always pleasing--even when there is little evidence of their having been in close proximity to spoken language. . . . A few collective nouns for birds are still heard, . . . but your companion at the lakeside would be surprised to hear you cry, 'Behold, a posse of herons, ' or see you recoil at a 'dropping of pigeons.' These are included in this stocking-fillerish book, together with a 'soar of kites, ' a 'wake of buzzards, ' and a 'merl of blackbirds.'"--Times Literary Supplement
About the Author
Bill Oddie is a birdwatcher, broadcaster, television presenter, writer, musician and conservationist. Thomas Bewick (1753 - 1828) was an English engraver and natural history author.
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- PublisherThe Bodleian Library
- Publication date2014
- ISBN 10 1851244093
- ISBN 13 9781851244096
- BindingHardcover
- LanguageEnglish
- Number of pages128
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A Conspiracy of Ravens: A Compendium of Collective Nouns for Birds
Published by
Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, 2014
ISBN 10: 1851244093
ISBN 13: 9781851244096
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Seattle Goodwill, Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
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Condition: Good. Bewick, Thomas (illustrator). May have some shelf-wear due to normal use. Your purchase funds free job training and education in the greater Seattle area. Thank you for supporting Goodwills nonprofit mission! Seller Inventory # 0KVOTW00DBZN_ns
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A Conspiracy of Ravens: A Compendium of Collective Nouns for Birds
Published by
Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, 2014
ISBN 10: 1851244093
ISBN 13: 9781851244096
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Goodwill Books, Hillsboro, OR, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Acceptable. Bewick, Thomas (illustrator). Fairly worn, but readable and intact. If applicable: Dust jacket, disc or access code may not be included. Seller Inventory # 3IIT5G004DID_ns
Quantity: 1 available
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A Conspiracy of Ravens: A Compendium of Collective Nouns for Birds
Published by
Bodleian Library, University of, 2014
ISBN 10: 1851244093
ISBN 13: 9781851244096
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Harrisburg, PA, U.S.A.
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Hardcover. Condition: Acceptable. Bewick, Thomas (illustrator). HARDCOVER Acceptable - This is a significantly damaged book. It should be considered a reading copy only. Please order this book only if you are interested in the content and not the condition. May be ex-library. Standard-sized. Seller Inventory # M1851244093Z4
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A Conspiracy of Ravens â" A Compendium of Collective Nouns for Birds
Published by
Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, 2014
ISBN 10: 1851244093
ISBN 13: 9781851244096
Used
Paperback
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
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Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Bewick, Thomas (illustrator). The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR006486243
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A Conspiracy of Ravens: A Compendium of Collective Nouns for Birds
Published by
Bodleian Library, University of, 2014
ISBN 10: 1851244093
ISBN 13: 9781851244096
Used
Hardcover
Seller: HPB-Diamond, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
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hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Bewick, Thomas (illustrator). Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_434522909
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Conspiracy of Ravens : A Compendium of Collective Nouns for Birds
Published by
Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, 2014
ISBN 10: 1851244093
ISBN 13: 9781851244096
Used
Hardcover
Seller: GreatBookPrices, Columbia, MD, U.S.A.
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Condition: As New. Bewick, Thomas (illustrator). Unread book in perfect condition. Seller Inventory # 21150158
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Conspiracy of Ravens : A Compendium of Collective Nouns for Birds
Published by
Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, 2014
ISBN 10: 1851244093
ISBN 13: 9781851244096
New
Hardcover
Seller: GreatBookPrices, Columbia, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: New. Bewick, Thomas (illustrator). Seller Inventory # 21150158-n
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A Conspiracy of Ravens (Hardcover)
Published by
Bodleian Library, Oxford, 2014
ISBN 10: 1851244093
ISBN 13: 9781851244096
New
Hardcover
Seller: Grand Eagle Retail, Fairfield, OH, U.S.A.
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Hardcover. Condition: new. Bewick, Thomas (illustrator). Hardcover. A charm of goldfinches. An ostentation of peacocks. A murder of crows. The English language brims with witty words for flocks of birds! Thought to have originated from hunting manuals, the practice of inventing collective nouns for birds has since evolved into a sport all its own, with new words striving to perfectly capture the essence of each bird.A Conspiracy of Ravens presents readers with a compendium of collective bird nouns from the distant and not-so-distant past. Some of the nouns are portentous, like a tiding of magpies. Others, like a murmuration of starlings or a chattering of choughs, convey sound. Still more reflect with literary flourish the beauty of the bird: what could be more celebratory than a crown of kingfishers or an exaltation of larks? Featuring songbirds, aquatic birds, garden favorites, and birds of prey, this book collects more than one hundred of the best and most imaginative expressions and illustrates them with charming woodcuts by the eighteenth-century artist and naturalist Thomas Bewick.A beautiful and entertaining read, A Conspiracy of Ravens will delight bird-lovers and word-lovers in equal measure. Featuring songbirds, aquatic birds, birds of prey and garden favourites, this beautifully presented collection will delight both bird-lovers and word-lovers in equal measure. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781851244096
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A Conspiracy of Ravens
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HRD. Condition: New. Bewick, Thomas (illustrator). New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # GB-9781851244096
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A Conspiracy of Ravens Format: Hardcover
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University of Chicago press, 2014
ISBN 10: 1851244093
ISBN 13: 9781851244096
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Condition: New. Bewick, Thomas (illustrator). Brand New. Seller Inventory # 9781851244096
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