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Panel 7

A BIRD IN A BOOK

From the time when they flew about the borders of medieval manuscripts, birds have continued to enliven the texts and pictorial art of many books. In art, poetry and fiction, they are used as symbols of the human spirit.

The birds of early Australian children's stories mostly emerged from the 'lost in the bush' motif of pioneering days. Birds were nearly always represented as kindly figures, usefully far-sighted, wise, loquacious, cheerful playmates.

V. WoodthorpeG.D. PerrottetD.Wall

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