The Myth of the Pent Cuckoo: a Study in Folklore

Description:

First edition. ‘The first purpose of this work includes a scientific enquiry into the meaning and value of the wide-spread story of the men who pent, or hedged in, the Cuckoo, which appears in the old “Tales of the Wise Men of Gotham” and is also familiar in several parts of the country at the present day. Its further purpose is to give an account of a series of sites bearing the traditional name of “Cuckoo Pens” along the southern part of the Chiltern Hills and in the neighbouring districts. […] Of all the tales which the folklore of our country had handed down, the Cuckoo myth is certainly one of the most curious and interesting. And the district of the Cuckoo Pens is full of associations which have an attractive charm to the tourist and holiday maker, as well as abundant interest to the historian and the antiquary.’ (Preface)

Condition

8vo, orig. cloth, spine and outer edge of rear board faded. Endpapers browned, previous owner's book-plate. Very good.