Edward Lear's Nonsense Birds

Edward Lear loved birds. Of all the animals that sprang from his quirky imagination, birds held a special place, serving as the animal of choice for his zoomorphosis in self-portraiture. Not only did he draw more birds than any other animal, but he endowed them with particularly human characteristics. This book brings together a collection of Lears nonsense birds, such as The Obsequious Ornamental Ostrich, who wore Boots to keep his feet quite dry, as well as the twenty birds he hand-coloured such as The Runcible Bird and The Stripy Bird. Each of these is endowed with unique character while collectively they form a gloriously humorous flock. Beautifully presented, this is a perfect gift for children of all ages as well as for lovers of birds.