The Earliest Extant Bird List of Hainan
An Annotated Translation of the Avian Section in Qiongtai zhi
by Roderich Ptak and Baozhu Hu
Hardback (Published)
(January 2015)
ISBN: 9783447103152
6.65 x 9.49 inches
Price: $68.00
In stock
Many Chinese local chronicles contain long lists of plants and animals pertaining to a particular region. The earliest extant lists for Hainan appear in the Qiongtai zhi, a work written in the Zhengde period (1506-1521) and preserved in the Tianyi ge collection. These lists are of importance for the natural history of Hainan, which has its own distinct characteristics. The present study is a contribution towards a better understanding of Hainan’s avian world. In essence it is a translation of the bird section in Qiongtai zhi, with detailed notes and long comments, mostly of a philological nature. The Qiongtai zhi lists over fifty bird names and in many cases also provides short descriptions and other information related to these animals. Several passages refer to earlier sources, some of which are now lost or only known through scattered citations. The translators discuss all these materials and, where necessary, include references to additional texts, especially to other Hainan gazetteers and works with data on the fauna of Guangdong. One major aim of the present book is to identify traditional bird names in the light of modern taxonomy. Furthermore, in the comment to each entry the translators also seek to throw light on the cultural dimensions associated with the avian fauna of Hainan. This concerns religious, literary, ecological and other aspects as, for example, the use of bird products in medicine and daily life.
Many Chinese local chronicles contain long lists of plants and animals pertaining to a particular region. The earliest extant lists for Hainan appear in the Qiongtai zhi, a work written in the Zhengde period (1506-1521) and preserved in the Tianyi ge collection. These lists are of importance for the natural history of Hainan, which has its own distinct characteristics. The present study is a contribution towards a better understanding of Hainan’s avian world. In essence it is a translation of the bird section in Qiongtai zhi, with detailed notes and long comments, mostly of a philological nature. The Qiongtai zhi lists over fifty bird names and in many cases also provides short descriptions and other information related to these animals. Several passages refer to earlier sources, some of which are now lost or only known through scattered citations. The translators discuss all these materials and, where necessary, include references to additional texts, especially to other Hainan gazetteers and works with data on the fauna of Guangdong. One major aim of the present book is to identify traditional bird names in the light of modern taxonomy. Furthermore, in the comment to each entry the translators also seek to throw light on the cultural dimensions associated with the avian fauna of Hainan. This concerns religious, literary, ecological and other aspects as, for example, the use of bird products in medicine and daily life.
- By (author) Baozhu Hu
- By (author) Roderich Ptak
Other Titles in this Series
The Portuguese in Sri Lanka and South India
Studies in the History of Diplomacy, Empire and Trade, 1500-1650
Volume 25
Birds and Beasts in Chinese Texts and Trade
Lectures Related to South China and the Overseas World
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Revisiting Hormuz
Portuguese Interactions in the Persian Gulf Region in the Early Modern Period
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Soqotra
Geschichte einer christlichen Insel im Indischen Ozean vom Altertum bis zur fruhen Neuzeit
Volume 17
Wilde Schönheiten
Ein Beitrag zur Motivgeschichte der Perlen in der chinesischen Literatur von den Anfängen bis zur Song-Zeit
Volume 31
On Feathers and Furs
The Animal Section in Duan Chengshi's Youyang zazu (ca. 853). An annotated translation
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