Birds

Birds

Birth (See CHILDBIRTH.)

Birdman of Alcatraz

(Robert Stroud, 1890–1963) from jailbird to famous ornithologist. [Am. Hist.: Worth, 28]

Birds, The

Hitchcock film in which birds turn on the human race and terrorize a town. [Am. Cinema: Halliwell, 51]

Blue Bird of Happiness

symbolizes the goal of the two children in Maeterlinck play. [Belg. Lit.: The Blue Bird in Haydn & Fuller, 94]

Cloud-cuckoo-land (Nephelococcygia)

city in which all power is to be vested in the birds. [Gk. Drama: Aristophanes Birds]

cranes of Ibycus

called on by the dying poet to bear witness against his murderers, they lead to the murderers’ conviction. [Gk. Myth.: NCE, 1307]

Gripp

talking raven, beloved pet of half-wit Barnaby Rudge. [Br. Lit.: Dickens Barnaby Rudge]

Halitherses

Ithacan seer; ornithologist. [Gk. Myth.: Kravitz, 46]

phoenix

fabulous Arabian bird; sings a dirge, burns itself to ashes, and rises to a new life. [Gk. Myth.: Brewer Dictionary, 699]

Polynesia

wise old parrot who teaches Dr. Dolittle the languages of birds and animals. [Children’s Lit.: Hugh Lofting Dr. Dolittle]

raven

bird of ill omen visits the despairing poet. [Am. Lit.: Poe The Raven]

Seagull, Jonathan Livingston

ambitious seagull is determined to improve its flying techniques and achieve greater speeds. [Am. Lit.: Richard Bach Jonathan Livingston Seagull]