Essays on early ornithology and kindred subjects

** "Essays on early ornithology and kindred subjects" by James Roxburgh McClymont is a series of writings that examines the historical interactions between explorers, early scientists, and the birdlife they encountered across the globe. These essays highlight specific instances, such as discussions about the mythical "rukh" from Marco Polo’s stories, and observations of penguins and seals during Vasco da Gama's journeys, giving a look into the etymology of bird names like "emu." Through examinations of early expeditions to Australia, New Zealand, and the Banda Islands, the book weaves together factual ornithological data with the often imaginative stories that shaped early understandings of birds in new lands. McClymont's work illuminates how early observers perceived avian species in locations unfamiliar to them. **