The Ornithology of Shakespeare Critically examined, explained and illustrated

"The Ornithology of Shakespeare" by James Edmund Harting is a scholarly study that investigates William Shakespeare's knowledge and depiction of birds in his plays and poetry. The book examines the many avian references in Shakespeare's work, looking at how the playwright describes different bird species and what this reveals about his understanding of ornithology. Harting's research draws upon Shakespeare's texts, emphasizing his connection to nature as a sportsman and naturalist. The author organizes his arguments by categorizing bird references into natural groups and builds on his previously written articles. The book shows how Shakespeare's experiences and observations influenced his writing and how his artistic expression mirrors the natural world, focusing on avians.