Some thoughts

Hi David,

First, thank you very much for the essay. Sejen birds is not a subject about which much is written, and it's good to see it being addressed.

Birds are important iconographic elements in just about every culture on the planet, and I've long suspected that this is because being able to fly is so obviously desirable for so many reasons, but is denied to humans (at least until well into the 20th century). There are animals that can run faster, jump higher, climb better, but humans can run, jump and climb. Birds can do something that we can't even do badly - that makes them magical.

The multiple bird theme is seen also in Yoruba crowns, and the animal-atop-animal theme is reminiscent of the chi wara. I wonder if there is any connection - probably not.

Again, thanks for introducing this subject.

Regards,

Steve Price