In the first place the epithet garrula suits the swallow well, who is a
great songster; but not the martin, which is rather a mute bird; and
when it sings is so inward as scarce to be heard. Besides, if tignum
in that place signifies a rafter rather than a beam, as it seems to me
to do, then I think it must be the swallow that is alluded to, and not
the martin; since the former does frequently build within the roof
against the rafters; while the latter always, as far as I have been
able to observe, builds without the roof against eaves and cornices.
As to the simile, too much stress must not be laid on it: yet the
epithet nigra speaks plainly in favour of the swallow, whose back
and wings are very black; while the rump of the martin is milk-
white, its back and wings blue, and all its under part white as snow.
Nor can the clumsy motions (comparatively clumsy) of the martin
well represent the sudden and artful evolutions and quick turns
which Juturna gave to her brother's chariot, so as to elude the eager
pursuit of the enraged Aeneas.
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