*82 Stymphalian birds. Stymphalian birds living by a swamp in Stymphalia in Arcadia laid waste to the region. They had metal beaks, claws and feathers that they could launch at their victims from above. Anyone caught in the rain of their shots would die. Heracles climbed a high tree with a rattle from Athena and scared the birds. They flew around, but their bombing raids were ineffective. Heracles easily shot down one bird after another until the rest of the flock flew away in fear to the sea.