Animal | Attributes |
ant | frugality and prevision |
ape | uncleanness |
ass | stupidity |
bantam cock | pluckiness, priggishness |
bat | blindness |
bear | ill-temper, uncouthness |
bee | industry |
beetle | blindness |
bull | strength, straight-forwardness |
bull-dog | pertinacity |
butterfly | sportiveness, living in pleasure |
cat | deceit |
calf | lumpishness, cowardice |
cicada | poetry |
cock | vigilance, overbearing insolence |
crow | longevity |
crocodile | hypocrisy |
cuckoo | cuckoldom |
dog | fidelity, dirty habits |
dove | innocence, harmlessness |
duck | deceit |
canard (french) | a hoax |
eagle | majesty, inspiration |
elephant | sagacity, ponderosity |
fly | feebleness, insignificance |
fox | cunning, artifice |
frog and toad | inspiration |
goat | lasciviousness |
goose | conceit, folly |
gull | gullibility |
grasshopper | old age |
hare | timidity |
hawk | rapacity, penetration |
hen | maternal care |
horse | speed, grace |
jackdaw | vain assumption, empty conceit |
jay | senseless chatter |
kitten | playfulness |
lamb | innocence, sacrifice |
lark | cheerfulness |
lion | noble courage |
lynx | suspicious vigilance |
magpie | garrulity |
mole | blindness, obstinacy |
monkey | tricks |
mule | obstinacy |
nightingale | forlornness |
ostrich | stupidity |
ox | patience, strength |
owl | wisdom |
parrot | mocking verbosity |
peacock | pride |
pigeon | cowardice (pigeon-livered) |
pig | obstinacy, dirtiness |
puppy | empty-headed conceit |
rabbit | fecundity |
raven | ill luck |
robin red-breast | confiding trust |
serpent | wisdom |
sheep | silliness, timidity |
stag | cuckoldom |
swallow | a sunshine friend |
swan | grace |
swine | filthiness, greed |
tiger | ferocity |
tortoise | chastity |
turkey-cock | official insolence |
turtle-dove | conjugal fidelity |
vulture | rapine |
wolf | cruelty, savage ferocity, and rapine |
worm | cringing |
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894