Hercules now returned with new adventures to Eurystheus; but the latter
would not give him credit for the task because Hercules had demanded a
reward for his labor. He sent the hero forth upon a sixth adventure,
commanding him to drive away the Stymphalides. These were monster birds
of prey, as large as cranes, with iron feathers, beaks and claws. They
lived on the banks of Lake Stymphalus in Arcadia, and had the power of
using their feathers as arrows and piercing with their beaks even bronze
coats of mail. Thus they brought destruction to both animals and men in
all the surrounding country.
After a short journey Hercules, accustomed to wandering, arrived at the
lake, which was thickly shaded by a wood. Into this wood a great flock
of the birds had flown for fear of being robbed by wolves. The hero
stood undecided when he saw the frightful crowd, not knowing how he
could become master over so many enemies. Then he felt a light touch on
his shoulder, and glancing behind him saw the tall figure of the goddess
Minerva, who gave into his hands two mighty brass rattles made by
Vulcan. Telling him to use these to drive away the Stymphalides, she
disappeared.
Hercules mounted a hill near the lake, and began frightening the birds
by the noise of the rattles. The Stymphalides could not endure the awful
noise and flew, terrified, out of the forest. Then Hercules seized his
bow and sent arrow after arrow in pursuit of them, shooting many as they
flew. Those who were not killed left the lake and never returned.