[63] The epithet τρήρωνες is used of doves in Il.5. 778; 23.853; Od.20. 243.From its connection with “τρεῖν” it implies the timidity that shows itself in rapid flight. In the Homeric account we hear only of the danger that the doves run in ‘passing by’ (“παρέρχεται”); nothing is said of the rocks closing upon them. Yet it is possible that in the words ἀφαιρεῖται λὶς πέτρη we have a mysterious hint of the danger that later legend develops. In the account given of the passing of the Argo, the story of the dove is introduced with entirely new features. As Noah sent out the dove to try if the trees were uncovered, so Euphemus sends one to see if the passage through the Symplegades was possible (Argon. 2. 561 foll.) “ὁ δ᾽ ἀίξαι πτερύγεσσιν”
“Εὔφημος προέηκε πελειάδα: τοὶ δ᾽ ἅμα πάντες”“ἤειραν κεφαλὰς ἐσορώμενοι: ἡ δὲ δἰ αὐτῶν [πετρῶν”]
“ἔπτατο: ταὶ δ᾽ ἄμυδις πάλιν ἀντίαι ἀλλήλῃσιν”
“ἄμφω ὁμοῦ ξυνιοῦσαι ἐπέκτυπον, . . ἄκρα δ᾽ ἔκοψαν”
“οὐραῖα πτερὰ ταί γε πελειάδος: ἡ δ᾽ ἀπόρουσεν”
“ἀσκηθής”.
