What passes for one of the most famous descriptions of the phoenix is contained in the well-known Greek drama of the Exodus (or rather _Exagogê_) written by the Jewish poet, Ezekielos. This writer probably flourished rather more than a century before the Christian era. It is commonly supposed that he lived in the capital of the Ptolemies, in Alexandria; but it has been suggested by Kuiper that his home was not in Egypt, but in Palestine, in Samaria. If that be so, it is a remarkable phenomenon. We should not wonder that a Jew in _Alexandria_ composed Greek dramas on biblical themes, with the twofold object of presenting the history of Israel in attractive form and of providing a substitute for the heathen plays which monopolized the ancient theatre. But that such dramas should be produced soon after the Maccabean age in _Palestine_ would imply an unexpected continuity of the influences of Greek manners in the homeland of the Jews. Ere we could accept the theory of a Palestinian origin for Ezekielos, we should need far stronger arguments than Kuiper adduces (_Revue des Études Juives_, vol. xlvi, p. 48, _seq._). The drama of the _Exodus_--which was apparently written to be performed--follows the biblical story with some closeness. We are now, however, interested in a single episode, preserved for us among the fragments of Ezekielos as quoted by Eusebius (_Prep. Evangel._, ix. 30). A beautiful picture of the twelve springs of Elim and of its seventy palms is followed by a description of the extraordinary bird that appeared there. I take the passage from Gifford’s _Eusebius_ (iii, p. 475). A character of the play, after the Greek manner, is reporting to Moses: Another living thing we saw, more strange And marvellous than man e’er saw before, The noblest eagle scarce was half as large; His outspread wings with varying colors shone; The breast was bright with purple, and the legs With crimson glowed, and on the shapely neck The golden plumage shone in graceful curves; The head was like a gentle nestling’s formed; Bright shone the yellow circlet of the eye On all around, and wondrous sweet the voice. The king he seemed of all the winged tribe, As soon was proved; for birds of every kind Hovered in fear behind his stately form; While like a bull, proud leader of the herd, Foremost he marched with swift and haughty step.