Bewick's British Birds

Charlotte Bronte's heroine was not alone in her enjoyment of Thomas Bewick's British Birds - since its first publication in 1797 it has become one of the best-loved classics of natural history. Bewick's masterful woodcuts are more than scientific records; each beady eye and jaunty pose betrays the artist's love of birds.**

This edition includes over 180 bird species, from garden favourites such as robins, blackbirds and finches, to predators such as the osprey and the majestic golden eagle. Each entry is illustrated with an engraving, and throughout the book are narrative vignettes typical of Bewick's playful, engaging style.

Brought up on a farm in Tyneside in the north of England, ** Thomas Bewick** was a keen observer of wildlife as a boy and became an artist with a deep-seated love of nature. He ran a workshop producing woodcuts and engravings and was a master of the illustrated book. Collections of Bewick's works can be found in the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

With Bewick on my knee, I was then happy... - ** Jane Eyre**