“I WOULD have been sorry not to mention any good story related to animals,” wrote the ancient encyclopedist Aelian. In this compendium, he tours lesser-known facts and fantasies about creatures – real or mythical – that could loosely be categorised as belonging to the animal kingdom.
Starfish are at war with oysters, owls are not fond of Crete. Partridges are wanton in their lust, and crows are faithful. With more obscure tales than you can shake a paw at, this is the book for anyone who has ever wondered about the weird world of wildlife.
Aelian’s On the Nature of Animals
