The first writer who disclaimed a belief in the existence of the Phoenix, was Sir Thomas Browne, in his “Vulgar Errors”, published in 1646. He was replied to a few years later by Alexander Ross, who says, in answer to the objection of the Phoenix so seldom making his appearance, “His instinct teaches him to keep out of the way of the tyrant of the creation, man, for if he were to be got at, some wealthy glutton would surely devour him, though there were no more in the world”.
''the age of fable'' (1855)