a. Myth. [f. L. Stymphali-us (f. Stymphalus or -um, a Gr. Στύμφαλος) + -AN.]. Of or belonging to Stymphalus, a district in Arcadia haunted by a species of odious birds of prey, the destruction of which was the sixth of the ‘labors’ of Hercules.
1653. H. Cogan, trans. Hist. Diod. Sic., IV. xiii. 129. He [sc. Hercules] chaced away the Birds which infested all the Countrey about the Stymphalian Fen.
1704. Swift, T. Tub, iii. 78. A sort of dangerous Fowl, who have a perverse Inclination, to plunder the best Branches of the Tree of Knowledge, like those Stymphalian Birds that eat up the Fruit.
1888. A. H. Smith, Catal. Engr. Gems Brit. Mus., 152. Herakles kneeling to right, and drawing bow at Stymphalian birds (two) flying before him.
So Stymphalid a. [L. Stymphalid-, -is, Gr. Στυμφαλιδ-, Στυμφαλίς fem. adj.] = STYMPHALIAN a.; also sb., a Stymphalian bird. † Stymphalist (see quot. 1595).
1560. B. Googe, trans. Palingenius’ Zodiac, III. (1561), F vj b. He hath expelde the Stymphalides by force of valeant bowe.
1584. Hudson, Du Bartas’ Judith, V. (1608), 74. Ye Stymphalids, who with your youth vptaks, You rauens that from vs our riches raks.
1595. ‘Dando & Rust,’ Maroccus Extat. (Percy Soc.), 16. This stymphalist is hee, that with five or sixe tenements, and the retinue thereunto belonging, infectes the aire with stench, and poisons that parish.
1620. Sylvester, Tobacco Battered, 775. Our Alcides … Hath, as with Arrowes, from His sacred Sides, All ready chac’t These stinking Stymphalides.
1831. Keightley, Mythol., II. iv. (1854), 316. His sixth task was to drive away the Stymphalid birds.
