Flights of Fancy

By: Peter Tate

Published by Random House, 2026-04-28

Perfect for bird-watchers, a thoughtfully curated collection of ancient myths, classic adages, and fascinating stories from around the world about thirty species of birds From the significance of the first cuckoo to rhymes about magpies, an astonishingly large and varied body of folklore has grown up around birds. They can be found in all parts of the world, such as the story of Yorimoto in Japan, who hid from his enemies in a tree and was protected by two doves, and the strange tale of Gertrude in Germany, who was turned into a woodpecker as punishment for her miserliness. What they all show is just how fascinated mankind has always been by birds. They are, after all, creatures that occupy a very particular and unusual place in our lives. In Flights of Fancy, renowned ornithology writer Peter Tate collects his favorite stories, folktales, and proverbs about thirty species of birds, including: • Cranes: “Don’t promise the crane the sky, but give the titmouse in your hand.” (Russian proverb) • Magpies: “One for sorrow, two for joy . . .” (Traditional English rhyme) • Owls: “The owl shrieked at thy birth, an evil sign.” (Shakespeare, Henry VI) • Peacocks: “The peacock is ashamed of its large black feet.” (Medieval Persian tradition) • Ravens: “When the raven tried to bring fire to the world, ash turned its feathers black.” (Cherokee legend) • Swans: “Sewing a swan’s feather into your husband’s pillow will keep him faithful.” (British superstition) The perfect gift for every bird-watcher, nature lover, or mythology enthusiast, Flights of Fancy celebrates the storied beliefs about these magnificent creatures.