“Without mysteries, life would be dull indeed. What would be left to strive for if everything were known?” — Charles de Lint
Can you identify this bird? Or will it remain a mystery?
Which Is Why I Enjoy Bird Watching
“My detective story begins brightly, with a fat lady found dead in her bath with nothing on but her pince-nez. Now why did she wear a pince-nez in her bath? If you can guess, you will be in a position to lay hands upon the murderer, but he’s a very cool and cunning fellow…” – wrote Dorothy Sayers as she plotted her first Lord Peter Wimsey mystery in the early 1920s.
Cover of Are Women Human?, which contains two of Sayers’ feminist essays. — Wikimedia
When the book, “Whose Body” came out in 1923, the naked victim was male, but the pince-nez clue was still there. Many Lord Peter Wimsey books followed. I think I’ve read them all.
Along with writing the Wimsey mysteries, which like Agatha Christie’s Poirot and Miss Marple books, continue to be popular today, Sayers was a poet, playwright and advertising writer.
One of the latter efforts included a toucan jingle for Guinness Beer: “If he can say as you can. Guinness is good for you. How grand to be a Toucan. Just think what Toucan do?”
This same kind of humor continues in the Wimsey mysteries, which is consistent with the character’s name-play on the word whimsy.
DVDs of some of the Lord Wimsey films I checked out of the library get the credit for this blog idea.
The joy of reading Dorothy Sayers’ mysteries for me is that it is all about figuring out whodunit before the killer is revealed.
It’s sort of the same with bird watching. You have to read all the clues – profile, coloring, beak size, and a jillion other field marks – if you want to make an identification before the bird flies away.
The Wondering-Wanderer’s blog pick of the day.
Bean’s Pat: She’s a Maineaic http://tinyurl.com/psgwdqx Einstein said what about anger?
Pat Bean's blog 
I do love a good mystery. I may check out the Wimsey mysteries. When it comes to bird watching, I love observing the ones I come across, but I don’t seek them out. An interesting mystery though, because I can only name about 5 birds on sight.
It’s a hooded warbler Trinity. I hope you enjoy the Wimsey mysteries if you check them out. They’re dated of course, but I seem to like the old ones best.
I do love a good mystery too – my top favorite when it comes to reading:) Happy Day!
I think these are stories I need to check out. I enjoy reading something with a little humour in it.
Have you ever read any Janet Evanovich. She gets me rolling on the floor with laughter. You need to start with the first one, however, to catch all the nuances Happy reading Colline.
I enjoy her books too. I am always on the lookout for new adventures as experienced by Stephanie Plum 🙂
I have always been intrigued by Sayers, especially the nonfiction, but I have to confess I have not gotten round to reading her yet. The bird resembles a UK Great Tit, but not in all its particulars as that bird has a white face and a black mask. But, then, I have never been very good with the identification unless I am seeing a bird on a daily basis. Good luck!
Thanks for commenting Latin. The bird is a hooded warbler.