1. Birds

Syne crownit scho the Egle king of fowlis, 

And as steill dertis scherpit scho his pennis, 

And bawd him be als just to awppis and owlis 

As unto pacokkis, papingais or crennis,

 And mak a law for wycht fowlis and for wrennis, 

And lat no fowll of ravyne do efferay,

Nor devoir birdis bot his awin prey.

[Then she (Dame Nature) crowned the Eagle king of birds, and as steel darts sharpened she his feathers, and bade him be as just to bullfinches and owls as to peacocks, parrots or cranes, and make one law for powerful birds and for wrens, and let no bird of prey cause alarm to or devour any birds except his own prey.]

This idealised medieval image of avian harmony and organisation is taken from The Thrissill and the Rois, written by William Dunbar to celebrate the marriage of James IV to Margaret Tudor, which took place on 8 August 1503. The eagle here represents King James, and Dame Nature is seen here as having a hand in bringing peace, justice and rightful order to Scotland. Using birds and their characteristics to describe people is still common, but the likenesses are usually less flattering than the royal eagle. See Corbie messenger, Gled and Gowk for example.

The quotations within these entries show birds, not only in their natural habitat, but also in literature, heraldry and folklore. Perhaps more than any other creature, they catch the imagination and take the mind soaring in flights of fancy. The next chapter is more down to earth, but not without its own poetry, recipes and an interesting cure for a cough.