A Charm of Goldfinches and Other Wild Gatherings Quirky Collective Nouns of the Animal Kingdom

"Most groups of wildlife can be described as a flock, herd, or shoal—but where is the fun in ending there?" — from the Introduction

Whether you're an animal lover or a grammar geek, illustrator Matt Sewell has the perfect menagerie of beasts (and beast-related terms) for your reading pleasure. Along with fifty-five gorgeous color illustrations, Sewell presents the unexpected collective nouns used to describe groups of animals on land, in the air, and in the water. Discover the secret behind a "sleuth of bears," keep your eyes open for a "watch of nightingales," and learn something new about a "school of whales." Illustrated in inimitable watercolor, this book makes a great gift for nature and art lovers everywhere.

MATT SEWELL, who has been described as "the Banksy of the bird world," is an avid ornithologist and artist. He is the author of Owls, Our Garden Birds, Our Woodland Birds, Our Songbirds, and Penguins and Other Seabirds and has illustrated for the Guardian and Big Issue among many other publications. His art has been exhibited in London, Manchester, New York, Tokyo, and Paris.

Contents

Introduction 8

Land 11–59
Air 61–109
Water 111–125

Spotting and Jotting 126–143
Thank Yous 144