Birds Britannica
 | |
| 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 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.
Reviews
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]
See also
- Birds Britannia - a 2010 television series on the same subject.
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Birds Britannica by Mark Cocker & Richard Mabey". Random House. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Dee, Tim (2005-08-20). "Review: Birds Britannica by Mark Cocker and Richard Mabey". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
- 1 2 Marsden, Philip (2005-08-21). "Birds Britannica by Mark Cocker and Richard Mabey - Times Online". The Times. Retrieved 21 November 2010.