{"product_id":"a-conspiracy-of-ravens-a-compendium-of-collective-nouns-for-birds-by-thomas-bewick-9781851244096","title":"A Conspiracy of Ravens : A Compendium of Collective Nouns for Birds","description":"\u003cp\u003e‘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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThey 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSome 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’. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYet 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’? \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe best of these imaginative expressions are collected here, illustrated with charming woodcuts by Thomas Bewick, the renowned naturalist engraver of the eighteenth century. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFeaturing songbirds, aquatic birds, birds of prey and garden favourites, this beautifully presented book will delight both bird-lovers and word-lovers in equal measure.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Thomas Bewick","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56895059067253,"sku":"9781851244096","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0812\/4075\/2426\/files\/9781851244096.jpg?v=1773317667","url":"https:\/\/sherlockandpages.com\/products\/a-conspiracy-of-ravens-a-compendium-of-collective-nouns-for-birds-by-thomas-bewick-9781851244096","provider":"Sherlock \u0026 Pages","version":"1.0","type":"link"}