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[316] μόρφνον and περκνόν are both “ἅπαξ εἰρημένα” in H. Aristotle, H. A. ix. 32, mentions an eagle called “πλάγγος” living in woods and marshes, “ἐπικαλεῖται δὲ νηττοφόνος καὶ μόρφνος: οὗ καὶ Ὅμηρος μέμνηται ἐν τῆι Πριάμου ἐξόδωι”. The etymology and meaning of “μόρφνος” are unknown; it recurs in Scut. Herc. 134 (see Thompson Gloss. s.v.). It is to be regarded as a subst., not an adj., as the accent, which Ar. approved, shews. Suidas applies the name to a vulture. περκνός describes the colour, dappled, spotted with dark; as ripening grapes “ὑποπερκάζουσιν,” Od. 7.126. The similar and similarly obscure expressions in 21.251-53 should be compared.

The Iliad, edited, with apparatus criticus, prolegomena, notes, and appendices. Walter Leaf. London. Macmillan. 1900.

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