Folio 25v - birds continued. De pennis deargentatis columbe; Of the wings of the dove. and Folio 25v - the dove continued. De columba et accipitre; Of the dove and the hawk.

COMMENTARY

Text

Birds, their names and songs. The dove. The writer wishes to paint a picture of the dove in all its beauty so that people who cannot understand its allegorical virtues will at least be able to perceive its physical attributes.

Comment

There is no illustration to the text about painting a picture of the dove with silvery wing feathers and golden tail feathers. Instead the text is heralded by an elaborate illuminated initial 'C', type 3. It is painted with delicate foliage designs. Up to this point, the account of the birds comes from the 'standard' Isidore Etymologies text. The type 3 initial indicates the start of text mainly deriving from the Aviarium of Hugo of Fouilloy, 'Concerning the silver-sheathed wings of the dove' (Clark, 1992, 117).

COMMENTARY

Text

The dove continued.

Illustration

The dove and hawk sit on a perch under a twin-domed edicule. They represent the clergy and the military, converted and sharing a monastic life together.

Comment

Editorial correction 2 lines above illustration. Below the illustration, on the last 5 lines of the page, the lettering changes. A broader quill was introduced, the letters are larger but less steady or uniform. Initial type 2, and folio mark of two 'match sticks', bottom right.