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The Music of Wild Birds: An Illustrated, Annotated, and Opinionated Guide to Fifty Birds and Their Songs
One hundred years ago, F. Schuyler Mathews, an erudite naturalist and birder, theorized that birds sing first for love of music, and second for love of the lady. To expand on his theory, he actually scored the songs of birds in the wild. His charming text and bird-by-bird annotations were compiled into a guide called Field Book of Wild Birds and Their Music. This extraordinary work has now been lavishly illustrated and adapted for a new audience.
Each bird is meticulously rendered by artist Judy Pelikan in full-color illustrations that feature not only the birds, but also their nests, eggs, and feathers. And every song is represented by its written musical score, which Mathews expertly explains in a way that both musicians and non-musicians can enjoy.
As Mathews points out, the music of wild birds is everywhere--in poems, children's nursery songs, as well as in the works of the great composers: the Black-billed Cuckoo's call appears near the close of Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony; the Nashville Warbler's song is found in the opening bars of Rossini's Carovale, and the Meadowlark's song is remarkably like the first two bars of Alfredo's song in La Traviata.
He reveals how a bird's character is reflected in its song: the Baltimore Oriole is a sharp-billed, sharp-witted character, and his remarks are as incisive and crisp as the toots of a steam whistle. And he reminds us of the words of our great poets--Wordsworth, Emerson, Sir Walter Scott--and their descriptions of the very same birds and their music.
This classic, useful, and completely original guide will put a song into the heart of novice and experienced birder alike.
Each bird is meticulously rendered by artist Judy Pelikan in full-color illustrations that feature not only the birds, but also their nests, eggs, and feathers. And every song is represented by its written musical score, which Mathews expertly explains in a way that both musicians and non-musicians can enjoy.
As Mathews points out, the music of wild birds is everywhere--in poems, children's nursery songs, as well as in the works of the great composers: the Black-billed Cuckoo's call appears near the close of Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony; the Nashville Warbler's song is found in the opening bars of Rossini's Carovale, and the Meadowlark's song is remarkably like the first two bars of Alfredo's song in La Traviata.
He reveals how a bird's character is reflected in its song: the Baltimore Oriole is a sharp-billed, sharp-witted character, and his remarks are as incisive and crisp as the toots of a steam whistle. And he reminds us of the words of our great poets--Wordsworth, Emerson, Sir Walter Scott--and their descriptions of the very same birds and their music.
This classic, useful, and completely original guide will put a song into the heart of novice and experienced birder alike.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published February 5, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 9, 2019
A sweet, beautifully illustrated book of birds and their songs.
July 29, 2016
F. Schuyler Mathews was a 19th-century composer who became so adept at actually listening to the songs our feathered brethren sang, that he wrote them down as musical compositions. In this book, there are fifty of his compositions along with gentle watercolours by Judy Pelikan, a breathtaking combination.
Did you know that the Nashville Warbler's song can be heard in Rossini's Carnovale? I've never seen or heard that bird, but I know the music, so I was pleasantly surprised. However, I do know the Blue Jay, the noisy diva of the backyard, and that bossy bird has a perfect octave. No wonder my little group flies when I start warbling.
I've actually read this book several times now, so I could try to emulate the birdsongs. I must say that I had a guilty favorite in the description and illustration of the Cowbird (the painting is a "Wanted" sign stating "THIS IS A BAD BIRD"). A gangster and a freeloader, I couldn't help but think how the Cowbird fits right into today's society.
Book Season = Year Round
Did you know that the Nashville Warbler's song can be heard in Rossini's Carnovale? I've never seen or heard that bird, but I know the music, so I was pleasantly surprised. However, I do know the Blue Jay, the noisy diva of the backyard, and that bossy bird has a perfect octave. No wonder my little group flies when I start warbling.
I've actually read this book several times now, so I could try to emulate the birdsongs. I must say that I had a guilty favorite in the description and illustration of the Cowbird (the painting is a "Wanted" sign stating "THIS IS A BAD BIRD"). A gangster and a freeloader, I couldn't help but think how the Cowbird fits right into today's society.
Book Season = Year Round
July 9, 2014
You don’t have to be a musician to appreciate this book, though being one would bring even more understanding and pleasure.
Based on a 1902 study of wild bird songs, Judy Pelikan has adapted the original book and added wonderful illustrations of fifty birds as their songs are thoroughly analyzed as musical compositions. The analysis is presented in several forms ranging from basic dots (Cuckoo: .. .. ... .. ... ..; Flicker: .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .)to full musical scoring. Often lyrics are added to help with identification, e.g., Bob White Bob White.
There are also comparisons of some bird songs with musical pieces by composers including Beethoven and Mozart.
The reader also learns not only how the birds look but where they can be found and when they are most likely to be singing.
Pelikan’s THE MUSIC OF WILD BIRDS is a unique addition to the library of anyone who likes birds, their songs, and/or music.
Based on a 1902 study of wild bird songs, Judy Pelikan has adapted the original book and added wonderful illustrations of fifty birds as their songs are thoroughly analyzed as musical compositions. The analysis is presented in several forms ranging from basic dots (Cuckoo: .. .. ... .. ... ..; Flicker: .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .)to full musical scoring. Often lyrics are added to help with identification, e.g., Bob White Bob White.
There are also comparisons of some bird songs with musical pieces by composers including Beethoven and Mozart.
The reader also learns not only how the birds look but where they can be found and when they are most likely to be singing.
Pelikan’s THE MUSIC OF WILD BIRDS is a unique addition to the library of anyone who likes birds, their songs, and/or music.
September 8, 2019
It is true . Birds do primarily sing for love of music . I've watching the same flock of barn swallows fly away in the autumn and then return to sing and nest in my breezeway all spring and summer . I think they hear me playing my piano and come to nest near the sound of it .
Sometime in the future Ms. Pelikan should add a cd of the listed birds singing to her book . The illustrations are superb . Her opinionated guide satisfies my opinion of a good book .
Sometime in the future Ms. Pelikan should add a cd of the listed birds singing to her book . The illustrations are superb . Her opinionated guide satisfies my opinion of a good book .
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews