Swans of the World

From the first pip of a cygnet to the "swan-song" of old age, "Swans of the World" covers the development and behavior of the world's majestic swans. Woven skillfully into the text is the fascinating cultural lore of the swan worldwide, showing how - in poetry, myth, and art - this ancient, rare, and most aristocratic waterfowl has never ceased to excite the human mind. Handsomely illustrated with over 100 drawings, photographs, charts, and swan distribution maps, this work is engaging enough to entice both the beginning bird enthusiast and seasoned naturalist - to say nothing of the lover of poetry and art that celebrates the wonders of the natural world. This beautiful work has been justifiably praised by the Trumpeter Swan Society for its "depth and grace."

The definitive natural and cultural history of the world's swan species. The author weaves the cultural lore of the swan, including poetry, myth and art of the world's ancient, rare and aristocratic waterfowl.

A bird both mythic and real, the swan has captured the imagination of people throughout history, throughout the world. Perhaps only A. Lindsay Price, a poet and artist as well as one of the world's leading swan lovers, could do justice to such a creature. Beginning with her own sighting of the nearly-extinct Trumpeter Swan's first migration in over a century, Price tells the story of each of the world's swan breeds. Eloquent and learned, she takes a variety of perspectives: historical, cultural, mythical, biological, and personal to present her readers the swans of the world. From myth to science to rubber waders in duck blinds, Price follows the life-cycle of the swan. She traces all the swan species along their migration routes and discusses the features which make each species unique. She recalls ancient giant swans that spread their wings over the globe long before any recorded history and of the struggle to save the Trumpeter Swan from extinction. Fully illustrated with swans of legend, art, nature and the imagination, Swans of the World is a treasury and a treasure as well.