num_pages: 216
description: In this small elegant volume Morris explores our paradoxical relationship with the owl symbol of both wisdom and evil. He examines its depiction in mythology literature and art and provides an overview of its fascinating biology. Beautiful photographs illustrate the allure of this mysterious creature.  Sierra Magazine Owl is sparely and eloquently written scholarly and highly readable . . . an entertaining and informative little gem. It will particularly appeal to the many devotees of these eternally iconic birds.  Emu-Austral OrnithologyThe owls are not what they seem. From ancient Babylon to Edward Lears The Owl and the Pussycat and the grandiloquent absent-minded Wol from Winnie the Pooh to David Lynchs Twin Peaks owls have woven themselves into the fabric of human culture from earliest times. Beautiful silent pitiless predators of the night possessing contradictory qualities of good and evil they are enigmatic creatures that dwell throughout the world yet barely make their presence known. In his fascinating new book bestselling author and broadcaster Desmond Morris explores the natural and cultural history of one of natures most popular creatures. Morris describes the evolution the many species and the wide spread of owls around the world  excluding Antarctica owls are found on every land mass and they range in size from 28 centimetres (the Least Pygmy Owl) to more than 70 centimetres tall (the Eurasian Eagle Owl). As a result of their wide distribution owls also occur in the folk-tales myths and legends of many native peoples and Morris explores all these as well as the many examples of owls in art film literature and popular culture. A new title by an acclaimed author and featuring many telling illustrations from nature and culture Owl will appeal to the many devotees of this emblematic bird. Despite the fact that many have never seen or even heard an owl he illustrates through this enticing read that the owls presence is still very real to us today.Desmond Morris is a well-known and critically acclaimed writer and broadcaster. His many books include The Naked Ape (1967) The Human Zoo (1969) and The Human Animal (1994) and he has contributed to numerous natural history and scientific publications.
language: English
title: Owl
publisher: Reaktion Books