Птицы в мифологии, фольклоре и искусстве

6. Of the features of birds most frequently found in chimaeras, none appears so often as wings, occurring in 41 of 65 discussed creatures. This is likely because wings are advantageous organs, providing the ability to evade terrestrial predators, attack from the air, and travel long distances over otherwise insurmountable natural obstacles such as mountains, seas, and impassable woods. Furthermore, wings also possess a spiritual significance, as a method to leave the ground and reach the heavens.

7. Bird-chimaeras, and chimaeras in general, are frequently not simply creatures of fancy, but possess some reasonable or symbolic meaning. Both 'good' creatures, such as Gryphon and angels, and 'bad' creatures, such as Typhon and Gorgon, are examined from this perspective.

8. In the selection of illustrations, preference was given to ancient drawings and the works of peoples without a documented written language.