Book 1, Animal Speak : Chapter 2, Feathers Summary and Analysis

The fourth chapter is the final one covered by the first chapter of the summary. Here, the author introduces an ancient art - augury. Self-knowledge and accurate augury permits people to make accurate predictions based upon an awareness of the confluence of events. The first need to do this, the author explains, is perception of the local environment. One can only tell what is going on among the animals and people when one is sensitized to the atmosphere and to norms of behavior. The main method that the author recommends for improvement in this skill or ability is simply to pay attention to the surroundings. The author introduces a number of factors that can be used in making interpretations.

These chapters of the book are devoted to the birds. He explains how common...