Black and other colours

Every morning our resident blackbird awaits patiently the scrapings of the porridge pan. Then at intervals throughout the day he turns up for a few dry porridge oats.

This is what Aberdeen University's Bestiary, written and illuminated in England around the year 1200 AD, has to say about  the blackbird.

"Isidore says of the blackbird: 'The blackbird in ancient times was called medula, because it sang rhythmically.' Others say that it was called merula, because it flew on its own, mera volans, so to speak.

Although it is black wherever it is found, there is a white species in Achaia. The blackbird is small but black. It represents those tainted by the blackness of sin. 

The blackbird both moves and charms itself by the sweetness of its own voice. It represents those who are tempted by the suggestion of carnal pleasures."

The extra is a bit more colourful. It is some sort of agricultural device sitting in a graveyard of old farm machinery.