The Charm of Birds by Viscount Grey of Fallodon Edward Grey

by Edward Grey

The discovery and publication of The Cottage Book in 1999 brought the name of Sir Edward Grey—Viscount Grey of Fallodon—to the fore again after years of neglect. The longest-serving Foreign Secretary of the 20th century, he was also a naturalist and writer of the first order. First published in 1927, The Charm of Birds was an immediate popular success, but has been unavailable for many years. It deals mostly, but not exclusively, with birdsong, and is full of sensitive observation. Unlike most works of ornithology, it can be read for the pleasure of its prose alone. This handsome new edition contains all the woodcuts by Robert Gibbings that appeared in the original edition, with the addition of some of his other bird engravings.

Genres: Birds, Nature, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1927

About the author

Edward Grey, 1st Viscount Grey of Fallodon KG, PC, FZL, DL, better known as Sir Edward Grey, was a British Liberal statesman who served as Foreign Secretary from 1905 to 1916.

Reviews

[GoldGato · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sir Edward Grey was probably better known for his remark about the lamps in Europe going out as World War I began, but he was also a noted ornithologist, specializing in the birds of the British isles. This 1927 publication is itself a charmer, filled with reminiscences of the birds he had seen, particularly on his Fallodon estate. From January through December, he devoted a chapter to each month in order to highlight those birds, be they migrants or natives, who visited him each year.

There is the Robin, the rough lord as Wordsworth noted, who was sent in on winter's service. Lovely. There is the Corn Bunting, who now stays in my mind as the bird with the slovenly disposition. And, of course, the Nightingale...who Grey does not exult, instead stating that the bird's famous song is one to listen to, but not to live with. The frequent asides made by the Viscount, such as comparing a particular bird to manufacturing, made the reading of this book very enjoyable.

There are also the woodcuts by Robert Gibbings, simple but gorgeous. This really is a wonderful book to own, although I stupidly dropped my copy and damaged the spine, as though 1927 editions show up everyday. I certainly have an even greater appreciation of birds and their songs and habits.

Book Season = Spring (birds in full song)

[Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

wonderful piece of old school natural history - erudite, local, and full of cultured and learned diversions. written by Viscount Grey of Fallodon, Northumbrian minor aristo, chap who said, at the start of the First World War, "The lights are going out all over Europe....."