For as long as humans have inhabited the earth, we have lived alongside the multitude of other creatures with which we share our planet. However it is undoubtedly true that today most of us are not as close to the animals around us as our forebears were, and that many of the world's best loved large mammals and most beautiful birds are in danger of becoming extinct. The threats of the 21st century to the animal world make it even more pertinent to explore the many legends and folktales, myths and superstitions that reflect this past closeness, highlight our desire to explain nature's wonders and mysteries, and underline the necessity to preserve for future generations all creatures great and small.Gathered together in this fascinating book are the lore and legends of the animal world, alongside the realities of nature. Yet whatever their natural attributes, in folklore animals can do almost anything. They can be our friends and foes - and of course they can talk to each other. They can be evil witches and devils in disguise, they can bring good luck and bad. And in real life they can be our dearest companions, to the point of sheer worship.An amazing collection of fanciful superstitions, intriguing tales and amusing anecdotes, which any animal lover will truly relish.

In 1940, a group of sportsmen of the first rank, members of the Southern Amateur Field Trial Club of Albany, Georgia, undertook to design a field trial format that would provide a more comprehensive and rigorous test of the qualities of high class bird dogs. Dubbed the Odream trialO by William F. Brown at its inaugural offering, the trial, the Quail Championship, was contested in 1941, and 1942 in the quail-rich plantation country in the Albany, Georgia area. Interrupted by World War II, the trial remained as only a bright and shining memory until 1964 when it was resurrected as the Quail Championship Invitational in 1964 at Paducah, Kentucky. Limited to twelve invited contestants, the best of the previous yearOs major circuit competition, the trial seeks to identify a bird dog with strength, courage, intelligence, and character at the highest level, the Obest of the best.O True to its origin, the trial provides the most comprehensive and equitable test of the major circuit dogs of the field trial sport.