PISTHETAERUS. The Mede! But, by Heracles! how, if a Mede, has he flown
here without a camel?
EUELPIDES. Here's another bird with a crest.
PISTHETAERUS. Ah! that's curious. I say, Epops, you are not the only one
of your kind then?
EPOPS. This bird is the son of Philocles, who is the son of Epops;[205]
so that, you see, I am his grandfather; just as one might say,
Hipponicus,[206] the son of Callias, who is the son of Hipponicus.
PISTHETAERUS. Then this bird is Callias! Why, what a lot of his feathers
he has lost![207]
EPOPS. That's because he is honest; so the informers set upon him and the
women too pluck out his feathers.
PISTHETAERUS. By Posidon, do you see that many-coloured bird? What is his
name?
EPOPS. This one? 'Tis the glutton.
PISTHETAERUS. Is there another glutton besides Cleonymus? But why, if he
is Cleonymus, has he not thrown away his crest?[208] But what is the
meaning of all these crests? Have these birds come to contend for the
double stadium prize?[209]
EPOPS. They are like the Carians, who cling to the crests of their
mountains for greater safety.[210]
PISTHETAERUS. Oh, Posidon! do you see what swarms of birds are gathering
here?
EUELPIDES. By Phoebus! what a cloud! The entrance to the stage is no
longer visible, so closely do they fly together.
PISTHETAERUS. Here is the partridge.
EUELPIDES. Faith! there is the francolin.
PISTHETAERUS. There is the poachard.
EUELPIDES. Here is the kingfisher. And over yonder?
EPOPS. 'Tis the barber.
EUELPIDES. What? a bird a barber?
PISTHETAERUS. Why, Sporgilus is one.[211] Here comes the owl.