Sir Thomas Browne observes a murmuration of starlings

Comments

1. 

   kevin faulkner

   24-May-2015

   BrownE is a huge figure in British ornithology. He helped both Willoughby and Christopher Merrett with their enquiries by correspondence about birds, kept a bittern, owl, ostrich, eagle and cormorant at one time or another, and like Ted Ellis centuries later, went out to the Broads to witness starling murmuration as quoted here. He even coined the word ‘incubation’ and another word relating to ornithology which i forget at present ! Norfolk naturalist Ted Ellis also owned a copy of the 1905 Jarrold’s edition of Browne’s collected bird and fish writings. There’s probably still a few things left to discover about Browne’s ornithological observations to anyone well versed in the subject.

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   1. 

      Richard Carter

      24-May-2015

      Gaa!! Can’t believe I misspelt his name in the article title of all places! I shall remedy this howler forthwith, thanks. Browne features prominently in one of the chapters of my book.

      Thanks for the interesting comments. I’ve just finished reading a major biography of Browne, which I’ll be reviewing here soon.

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