Famous literary black birds

 We are on the verge of another Halloween, when black birds of all types tend to get a bit more of the spotlight. Anything furtively spooky which hangs over people's lives has been likened to these Gothic beauties, whether it be an addiction, a prognosis, a genuine ghostly visitation, bad news or a bleak future. So I thought they could make an interesting list. (And since my gorgeous model let me come so close to him, from my outdoor bakery table, I didn't want to waste his trust or this photo.)  

These anecdotes are a mixture of truth and fiction. Please do keep in mind, as always, that they may contain spoilers. 

Sing a Song of Sixpence

This cryptic nursery rhyme has collected a variety of interpretations over the years. Perhaps the four and twenty blackbirds represent the frittering hours of the day, while the king and queen are the sun and moon. Or they might stand for 24 choirs of monasteries during Henry VIII's Dissolution, who wanted to curry his favour by baking pies. What if the whole thing was a coded recruiting message by Blackbeard; the blackbirds being his crew of pirates and the pie being his ship? One of the most straightforward theories is that the rhyme may refer to an actual Italian cookbook's recipe in which live birds were placed beneath pastry, to create a sensation. Whatever your choice, we probably all agree that pecking off the maid's nose while she's hanging up clothes seems to be a vicious gesture on the part of the rogue blackbird.

Grip

He was the cherished pet raven of Charles Dickens, who wrote him as a character in the story of Barnaby Rudge. Barnaby was a simple fellow and Grip was his wiser and more savvy sidekick. The original Grip sadly passed away in his prime, not to the regret of the Dickens kids who were tired of having their ankles pecked. But their grieving father hired a taxidermist to stuff Grip, then perched him above his desk as a sort of dark muse. It doesn't sound like a comforting idea to me, but hey, writing beneath the shadow of Grip's lifeless gaze must have worked, when you consider Dickens' astounding literary career.

Edgar Allan Poe's Raven

 This tragic American author's most famous poem tells the tale of a persistent raven's visitation to a man who subsequently descends into madness. The bird knocks his beak on the window to be admitted, then sits gloating as the frantic narrator tries to shoo it away, but it keeps croaking the same word, 'Nevermore!' The freaked-out narrator eventually decides the bird is an omen of evil. And it's easy to understand why generations of grief sufferers and substance addicts of all sorts have appropriated Poe's raven as their very own. Incidentally, Poe had visited Charles Dickens and met Grip, who was an inspiration for his own work of genius. 

Little Town on the Prairie

In the chapter entitled 'Blackbirds' these pests become yet another real life obstacle threatening the hopes and dreams of the Ingalls family. They are rapidly gobbling up the oats and corn crops which Pa depends on to raise money to send Mary to college. Ma gets back at a few of them by pulling off a real life 'Sing a Song of Sixpence.' Yep, she bakes them in a pie and declares there is no great loss without some small gain.

Harry Potter series

The creepy black bird of the wizarding world is the augurey, whose hoarse cry is said to foretell death. Understandably, this repels magical folk from seeking it. The formidable Delphi Diggory adopts it as her symbol to take over the world in honour of her birth father, Lord Voldemort. In an alternative universe she succeeds, referring to herself as 'The Augurey.' She flaunts a tattoo of the bird on the back of her neck which alerts schoolboy duo Scorpius Malfoy and Albus Potter to regard her as a serious threat in The Cursed Child. 

Paul Gaugin's 'Nevermore' painting

This celebrated work of art depicts a raven overlooking a grieving mother, and is claimed to be 'a bird of the devil who watches.' Incidentally, Gaugin clearly got his idea from Poe's poem, and we already know Poe was inspired by Dickens' pet. So the original real life Grip set off a chain reaction of creativity. What a guy!

The Tower of London ravens

Generations of these sooty croakers have witnessed their fair share of death and bloodshed at this gruesome venue. Superstition has it that the walls of the Tower will tumble down, followed soon after by the collapse of the nation itself, if ever there are no ravens on the grounds. To this day it's never been put to the test. Why tempt fate, when it's easy enough to clip the wings of a core group of seven ravens; half a dozen plus one for luck. The Tower seems to make a suitably grim and atmospheric backdrop for these birds who never realise the onus that's on them. Or do they? 

And last but absolutely not least... 

The Biblical ravens that fed Elijah

We can read all about it in 1Kings 17: 2-6. The depressed and destitute prophet is lying in the desert of Kirith, totally dependent on divine provision. These life-saving ravens are sent twice daily to nourish Elijah with bread and meat. I believe this is one of several instances when God has used something known to be dodgy for a great and unexpected purpose, just to prove that he's Lord of all creation. For let's face it, these other anecdotes indicate that ravens certainly aren't known for their comfort and compassion. They'd just as soon join the vultures waiting for Elijah to expire before swooping down to make a meal off him, rather than bringing meals to him. If you're a person of faith, the sight of one of these beautiful birds could be a great reminder that intervention on your behalf may come from strange places. 

I think they are wonderful birds, intelligent and oh so healthy looking. I invite you to take a moment to look up the collective noun for ravens, and tell me if you agree that the appellation does them a great unkindness? I count myself among those who choose to emphasise perseverance, intelligence and hope whenever I see them, rather than doom and gloom. Please tell me if any of these stand out to you, and suggest other blackbirds, ravens, crows or black birds of any kind I've missed.

And enjoy Halloween, if that is your thing.