Joseph Jacobs was a scholar and historian, mostly known as a collector and publisher of English Folklore. A master of many languages, Jacobs translated Hebrew, Italian and Spanish works, having become one of the most popular 19th-century adapters of children’s fairy tales.

“The Battle of the Birds” is a Scottish tale, entered in the “Popular Tales of the West Highlands” collection. The legend was recorded by Joseph Jacobs from a fisherman near Inverary, John Mackenzie. The story is about a king's son, who once retrieved the raven from death. The raven promised to reward him. Who is that raven and what destiny is waiting for him? Read the tale to know.

Folklorist Joseph Jacobs is credited with helping many folktales be saved from extinction, and he helped popularize many of the tales we still read today. Enjoy the reading!