Birds mentioned by Him
- Eagle
- Falcon
- Kestrel
- Sparrowhawk
- Buzzard
- Kite
- Osprey
- Vulture
- Parrot
- Ostrich
- Cormorant
- Pelican
- Loon
- Owl
- Cuckoo
- Woodcock
- Pheasant
- Partridge
- Snipe
- Quail
- Lapwing
- Wild Duck
- Dabchick
- Raven
- Crow
- Rook
- Chough
- Jackdaw
- Magpie
- Jay
- Starling
- Domestic Cock
- Goose
- Turkey-cock
- Swan
- Peacock
- Dove and Pigeon
- Turtle-dove
- Lark
- Blackbird
- Thrush
- Wren
- Wagtail
- Bunting
- Redbreast
- Finch
- Halcyon or Kingfisher
- Hedge-Sparrow
- House-Sparrow
- Swallow
- House-Martin
- Nightingale.
Of a few of them he makes only a single mention, but most of them are more frequently cited, in some cases, indeed, as often as forty or fifty times. Recognising in these creatures traits that remind him of the feelings and actions of mankind, he makes varied and effective use of them as symbols and illustrations with which to enrich his vivid picture of the great drama of human life. The naturalist, interested in noting the attitude of the greatest poet of all time towards living creatures, feels no surprise that Shakespeare’s knowledge of natural history is sometimes inaccurate, or that he should have taken on trust some of the fabulous legends in that subject, which were current in his day. The scientific study of Nature had not yet been seriously undertaken.
I propose to enumerate here the birds individually selected by Shakespeare for special comment, and to cite a few passages from his works in illustration of the various ways in which he makes use of each of them. It will be convenient to take them in groups.
The Eagle
We may begin with Birds of Prey, following the precedent set by Chaucer, who in his long list tells that “the fowles of ravine were hyest sette.” The EAGLE is cited some forty times. The two birds of this kind native to Britain, the Golden Eagle, and the White-tailed or Sea-eagle, now so restricted in number, were doubtless more abundant in his day. He may have occasionally seen examples of each of them on the wing, though his allusions hardly suggest any personal familiarity with the birds. Recognising the lofty rank of the eagle and its acknowledged dignity above the other birds of prey, he makes the birds themselves, in the arrangements for the obsequies of the Phoenix and Turtle, admit this supremacy.
From this session interdict
Every fowl of tyrant wing,
Save the eagle, feather’d King.[44]
The powerful vision which from time immemorial has been ascribed to the eagle[45] is often referred to by the poet, who makes one of his personages even claim that kings of men have eyes like the king of birds. As Richard II. stood on the battlements of Flint Castle the Duke of York pointing to him, exclaimed,