When There Were Birds

''A marvellously original slice of social history'' Daily Mail (Book of the Week)

''The facts and folklore of birdlife , and man''s equivocal relationship with birds, are dissected in admirable detail in this handsome new book'' Sunday Times

Birds are a joy and solace in troubled times, as well as a reminder of past experiences and a symbol of hope for the future. For centuries, they were also seen as a source of food, feathers and even fuel, and being so numerous, many were persecuted as pests. When There Were Birds is a social history of Britain that charts the complex connections between people and birds, set against a background of changes in the landscape and evolving tastes, beliefs and behaviour. Birds were once key elements of the nation''s history, traditions and sports, and this gave rise to a rich legacy of literature, language and myths.

No other group of animals has had such a complex and lengthy relationshi