Ravens and Crows, Magpies and Jays [a natural history]

Among the corvids, ravens have always appealed to the imagination. In many cultures they have a mythical status. The other members of the crow family also play a major role in popular belief. Crows, magpies and jays are ubiquitous.

The role they were assigned is explained from various angles: folk beliefs, magic, legends, fairy tales, myths, hunting and naming. At the same time, attention is paid to the intelligence of these birds and the new insights in this regard.

The author took his inspiration from old books. The published woodcuts date from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.

Johan Boussauw (1953) was trained as a graphic artist at the Hoger St-Lukasinstituut in Ghent, where he learned old printing techniques such as lithography, etching and woodcut. Previously published 'Birds in popular belief, magic and mythology' (2005) and 'The wonderful history of frogs, toads and salamanders' (2015).

"Boussauw has published a nice book at publisher bitbook.be about the role of ravens, crows, magpies and jays in popular belief." 

- Dirk Draulans in Knack - Animals

isbn: 9789082985672 - 182 pp.