Country Life 9 December 2020

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BIRDS IN BOOKS: Madeleine Silver on the dodos, parrots and pelicans of our literary lives.

PROPER TOYS: Why wooden playthings are making a comeback.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Wildlife photographer Stephen Dalton shares his secrets.

HERBS: Mark Diacono on how to grow your own.

THE DANCING MARQUESS: A couldn't-make-it-up true tale.

MOURNE'S BEAUTY: Octavia Pollock on the Northern Irish landscape.

ARCHITECTURE: Carolside sits in the Scottish Borders, but connects to the USA.

FLOWER POWER: Hetty Lintell meets a dried florist.

MIGHTY MOTTOS: The British love of a pithy three-worder.

BRYAN'S GROUND: How snow helped a great garden restoration.

And much more besides.