A Murmuration of Starlings: The Collective Nouns of Animals and Birds

by Steve Palin

A flock of birds, even a skein of geese perhaps -- but a cete of badgers, or a grist of bees?

The collective nouns of animals and birds have long inspired and intrigued us. Many have their roots in medieval times, in particular applied to those creatures hunted by man, and subject to the etiquette of their proper group names.

Author Steve Palin has beautifully illustrated and given the background to about fifty different animals and birds with interesting collective nouns -- and listed 420 of them in his glossary.

This elegant little book will appeal to all those with a fascination for the English language, those who want the answers for quizzes and crossword puzzles, and those with an interest in animals and birds.

Genres: Nonfiction

112 pages, Hardcover

First published September 12, 2013

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since a lad I have always been fascinated by the rich and oddly insane seam of collective noun in the English language. This book is a beautifully illustrated gathering together of 50 of the more wonderful and poetic with a simple explanation and history of the development. There is a glossary at the back listing 420 birds, insects and mammals with their normal term.

A number are known to me, an exultation of skylarks, a flight of butterflies, a parliament of owls, a charm of finches etc etc, others are remembered as I encounter them; a bevy of quail, a cloud of grasshoppers, a wisp of snipe; others are beautiful and totally unknown to me before opening the book, a descent of woodpecker, a hover of trout, a siege of heron and some are just odd.....a smuck of jellyfish, a mute of hounds, a quantity of smelts.

Do not get me wrong, I feel the pretentious pseudery of peppering my conversation with all of these would result in a swift axe to the head but some I intend to use as often as possible. Who could resist a kindle of kittens, a fall of woodcock, a labour of moles and my own, for obvious reasons if you look in my photographs, particular favourite an array of hedgehogs. This is the book to get the quiz brain pumping, the conversation rolling or, if belaboured too much, the face punched but I intend to delve and enjoy. It really is addictive to discover the many and varied ways creatures are grouped together and then that leads into the fun game of creating your own.

An ache of Head-teachers; A sin of priests; a moan of critics; a foul of footballers, a stumble of politicians....well you get my drift.
Maybe we could be a ream of Goodreaders.

[Judith van Wijk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learned some new collective nouns for groups of birds and other animals. I think the wisp of snipe might be my favorite. Nice illustrations too.

[Leonie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Fun little book about collective nouns. I learned a few new things and liked the accompanying illustrations. 

[Jan Duthie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love words then this is definitely the book for you. Learning some of the collective terms and their origins was very interesting . The author does say in advance that this is not an academic work but for amuse and it certainly does that. Lovely illustrations and interesting text.

[Cathy Parkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the illustrations!

The text is informative and interesting. A beautiful addition to any library.

[Stacy Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating little book full of beautiful illustrations.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this welcome addition to my collection of books on idiom. It's pretty & functional...terrific. Collections of words are useful & the charming illustrations are a real source of pleasure.