William Turner 's Historia Avium (History of Birds), published at Cologne in 1544, was an early ornithological work from England. He noted the commonness of kites in English cities where they snatched food out of the hands of children. He included folk beliefs such as those of anglers. Anglers believed that the osprey emptied their fishponds and would kill them, mixing the flesh of the osprey into their fish bait. Turner 's work reflected the violent times in which he lived, and stands in contrast to later works such as Gilbert White 's The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne that were written in a tranquil era.
english ornothologist who wrote a history of british birds
William Turner