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A Murmuration of Starlings: The Collective Nouns of Animals and Birds
Steve Palin
€ 11.99
€ 10.77
FREE Delivery in Ireland
Description for A Murmuration of Starlings: The Collective Nouns of Animals and Birds
Hardcover. .
A flock of birds, even a skein of geese perhaps – but a cete of badgers, or a grist of bees?
The collective nouns of animals and birds have long inspired and intrigued us. Many have their roots in medieval times, in particular applied to those creatures hunted by man, and subject to the etiquette of their proper group names.
Author Steve Palin has beautifully illustrated and given the background to about fifty different animals and birds with interesting collective nouns – and listed 420 of them in his glossary.
This elegant little book will appeal to all those with a fascination for the English language, those who want the answers for quizzes and crossword puzzles, and those with an interest in animals and birds.
Product Details
Publisher
Merlin Unwin Books
Number of pages
112
Format
Hardback
Publication date
2013
Condition
New
Weight
309g
Number of Pages
112
Place of Publication
Shropshire, United Kingdom
ISBN
9781906122546
SKU
V9781906122546
Shipping Time
Usually ships in 4 to 8 working days
Ref
99-10
About Steve Palin
Steve Palin was born in Liverpool and has spent his working life in education as a teacher, headteacher and adviser. He has been publishing his artwork for nearly 35 years and has exhibited in the National Exhibition of Wildlife Art. His best-selling book, A Murmuration of Starlings, showcased the collective nouns of animals and birds in words and watercolours. He also wrote and illustrated The Anniversary Book which is a guide to the perfect anniversary gift. A trustee of the North Wales Wildlife Trust, he lives on Anglesey where he is developing a wildflower meadow to encourage wildlife. Steve Palin was born in Liverpool and has spent his working life in education as a teacher, headteacher and adviser. He has been publishing his artwork for nearly 35 years and has exhibited in the National Exhibition of Wildlife Art. His best-selling book, A Murmuration of Starlings, showcased the collective nouns of animals and birds in words and watercolours. He also wrote and illustrated The Anniversary Book which is a guide to the perfect anniversary gift. A trustee of the North Wales Wildlife Trust, he lives on Anglesey where he is developing a wildflower meadow to encourage wildlife.
Reviews for A Murmuration of Starlings: The Collective Nouns of Animals and Birds
For some reason, collective nouns never cease to fascinate. Mr Palin explains that the weird and wonderful terms have been around for more than 500 years… As we increasingly text instead of write and mangle the language in our rush to communicate, a book about collective nouns looks touchingly old fashioned...[but] collective nouns never cease to fascinate. The best thing about group names is that they offer more questions than answers...which is why Mr Palin offers a few explanations in his book.
Western Morning News
Not only does the author explain why, for example, we have a nye of pheasants, a loomery of guillemots and a fall of woodcock, he includes interesting information about the various creatures, snippets of folklore and beautiful full-page illustrations of each subject.
Evergreen Magazine (This England)
A readable and enjoyable book that I could just not put down – superb. I certainly did not know of a ‘richness; of pine martens or even a ‘kindle’ of kittens. The author wrote the text and drew the many colour illustrations for the book and they are a delightful combination.
Highland News
Palin’s blend of distinctive artwork and thorough research into a fascinating topic will appeal to a wide range of people.
Birdwatching magazine
Western Morning News
Not only does the author explain why, for example, we have a nye of pheasants, a loomery of guillemots and a fall of woodcock, he includes interesting information about the various creatures, snippets of folklore and beautiful full-page illustrations of each subject.
Evergreen Magazine (This England)
A readable and enjoyable book that I could just not put down – superb. I certainly did not know of a ‘richness; of pine martens or even a ‘kindle’ of kittens. The author wrote the text and drew the many colour illustrations for the book and they are a delightful combination.
Highland News
Palin’s blend of distinctive artwork and thorough research into a fascinating topic will appeal to a wide range of people.
Birdwatching magazine