This Account therefore of these Campaigns renewed every year on this Provocation between the _Cranes_ and the _Pygmies_, contains nothing but what a cautious Man may believe; and _Homer's Simile_ in likening the great shouts of the _Trojans_ to the Noise of the _Cranes_, and the Silence of the _Greeks_ to that of the _Pygmies_, is very admirable and delightful. For _Aristotle_[B] tells us, That the _Cranes_, to avoid the hardships of the Winter, take a Flight out of _Scythia_ to the _Lakes_ about the _Nile_, where the _Pygmies_ live, and where 'tis very likely the _Cranes_ may lay their Eggs and breed, before they return. But these rude _Pygmies_ making too bold with them, what could the _Cranes_ do less for preserving their Off-spring than fight them; or at least by their mighty Noise, make a shew as if they would. This is but what we may observe in all other Birds. And thus far I think our _Geranomachia_ or _Pygmæomachia_ looks like a true Story; and there is nothing in _Homer_ about it, but what is credible. He only expresses himself, as a _Poet_ should do; and if Readers will mistake his meaning, 'tis not his fault. [Footnote B: _Aristotle. Hist. Animal_. lib. 8. cap. 15. Edit. Scalig.] 'Tis not therefore the _Poet_ that is to be blamed, tho' they would father it all on him; but the fabulous _Historians_ in after Ages, who have so odly drest up this Story by their fantastical Inventions, that there is no knowing the truth, till one hath pull'd off those Masks and Visages, wherewith they have disguised it. For tho' I can believe _Homer_, that there is a fight between the _Cranes_ and _Pygmies_, yet I think I am no ways obliged to imagine, that when the _Pygmies_ go to these Campaigns to fight the _Cranes_, that they ride upon _Partridges_, as _Athenæas_ from _Basilis_ an _Indian Historian_ tells us; for, saith he,[A] [Greek: Basilis de en toi deuteroi ton Indikon, oi mikroi, phaesin, andres oi tais Geranois diapolemountes Perdixin ochaemati chrontai;]. For presently afterwards he tells us from _Menecles_, that the _Pygmies_ not only fight the _Cranes_, but the _Partridges_ too, [Greek: Meneklaes de en protae taes synagogaes oi pygmaioi, phaesi, tois perdixi, kai tais Geranois polemousi]. This I could more readily agree to, because _Onesicritus_, as I have quoted him already confirms it; and gives us the same reason for this as for fighting the _Cranes_, because they rob their Nests. But whether these _Partridges_ are as big as _Geese_, I leave as a _Quære_. [Footnote A: _Athenæi Deipnesoph_. lib. p. 9. m. 390.]