For Christmas last year, my daughter sent me this book from Canada Amazing Bird Facts and Trivia".

Its written by a Dr Roger Lederer  and published by Chartwell Books  2011

It's a lovely book to dip into at random, and discover all sorts of wonderful things you may never have known about birds e.g.  in the 18th century, eagles flesh was used to treat gout while the beak of an osprey was used to ease toothache by picking at the gums with it until the gums bled.

Or you could discover that  in Old Norse the word for owl is ugla

Or that a flock of vultures is called a venue if its on the ground or a kettle if they are rising and falling in the air currents.

Or even that In Bangladesh, people collect eggs of the Watercock and put them in a half coconut shell. They tie this against their body and carry it with them until the eggs hatch three weeks later. The birds are prized for food and fighting.

Who knew??????????