Naming the birds

The names of some birds have prosaic origins: the black cap named for its black crown, or the cuckoo which calls its own name. Others are more mysterious. In Mrs Moreau’s Warbler, Stephen Moss investigates the origin of bird names both familiar and unfamiliar. In doing so, he uncovers the relationship between birds and people, showing how human history and individual lives have shaped the way people see and relate to the bird world. Mrs Moreau’s Warbler by Stephen Moss, £16.99 www.guardianbookshop.com