Note 851 — Chapter XXVI · SACRED FISH

The story of the trochilus, with which alone out of all birds and beasts our author states the crocodile lives in amity, because the little bird enters its mouth (when on land) and frees it from myriads of devouring leeches, is too well known for reference, were it not for the dispute (a) as to whether the bird—Pluvianus egyptius—performs any service except uttering a shrill cry on the approach of man and thus warning the crocodile, and (b) whether for leeches, we should not substitute gnats. Cf. W. Houghton, N. H. of the Ancients (London), pp. 238-244. The account of the connection between the bird and the beast given by Plutarch is far prettier and more spirited than that of Herodotus.