The A-Z of Australian Facts, Myths & Legends covers more than 700 anecdotes, myths and traditions that are part of Australia's diverse culture and colourful history. Featuring well-known historical facts and legends, such as the landing of the First Fleet, the death of Ned Kelly, what the Dreamtime represents, and the founding of Australia's capital cities to anecdotes about famous people and places, unforgettable events, and the amazing flora and fauna that roams this great southern land, The A-Z of Australian Facts, Myths & Legends is the ultimate reference about Australia's lively past and vibrant character.

This classic resource is organized as follows: Chapter I: Origins The Customs and Traditions of Aboriginals The Story of the Creation The Coming of Mankind The Peewee’s Story The Eagle-hawk and the Crow The Birth of the Butterflies The Confusion of Tongues The Discovery and the Loss of the Secret of Fire The Moon The Wonderful Lizard The Lazy Goannas and what happened to them How the Selfish Goannas lost their Wives What some Aboriginal Carvings mean Chapter II: Animal Myths The Selfish Owl Why Frogs jump into the Water This is the legend of the frogs. Kinie Ger, the Native Cat The Porcupine and the Mountain Devil The Green Frog How the Tortoise got his Shell The Mischievous Crow and the Good he did Whowie The Flood and its Results How Spencer’s Gulf came into Existence Chapter III: Religion The Belief in a Great Spirit The Land of Perfection The Voice of the Great Spirit Witchcraft Chapter IV: Social Marriage Customs The Spirit of Help among the Aboriginals Ngia Ngiampe Hunting Fishing Sport Chapter V: Personal Myths Kirkin and Wyju The Love-story of the Two Sisters Cheeroonear The Keen Keeng Mr and Mrs Newal and their Dog Thardid Jimbo Palpinkalare Perindi and Harrimiah Bulpallungga Nurunderi's Wives Chirr-bookie, the Blue Crane Buthera and the Bat Yara-ma-yha-who The Origin of the Pleiades

Who created the world? Where did volcanoes come from? Explore the rich mythologies and legends of the many cultures of the peoples of Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. Famous Myths and Legends is a beautifully photographed and illustrated 12-volume series designed to narrate the ancient mythologies and inherited stories from the many diverse cultures throughout the world.

"... Comprehensive collection of Australian lore, legends, traditions, ballads and popular sayings ... It is more than an anthology. It is the first attempt to systematically collect and annotate the whole field of Australian traditional folklore. Documentary source material has been supplied wherever it exists and this, together with oral and personal contributions, provides a rich source of reference material. The book is illustrated throughout and contains many rare contemporary prints and photographs. It is a mine of information and reference material for the student, writer or browsing reader. An assemblage of: legends, ballads, folk heroes, eccentrics, ghosts, country cures and remedies, bush cooking, toasts, bush jingles, sobriquets, mythical beasts and birds, familiar quotations, lost reefs and buried treasure, popular allusions, dreams, omens and prophecies, place names." -- Inside front cover.

This volume contains an illustrated collection of Australian Aborigine folklore, rewritten for a general audience. "Some Myths and Legends of the Australian Aborigines" is highly recommended for those with an interest in mythology and Australian Aboriginal culture, and it would make for a worthy addition to collections of allied literature. Contents include: "Why the Crow is Black", "How the Stars Were Made", "Rolla-Mano and the Evening Star.", "The Story of the Seven Sisters and the Faithful Lovers", "A Legend of the Sacred Bullroarer", "The Great Fight.", "The Flying Chip.", "Why Blackfellows Never Travel Alone - A Legend of the Wallaroo and Willy-Wagtail", etc. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly rare and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new introduction. First published in 1923.