The Goal of the Wise

A faint sketch of a large bird of prey, possibly an eagle or vulture, is visible in the upper background across both columns.

In the left margin, two long-legged, long-necked birds, likely herons or cranes, stand amidst small red flowers. One bird looks forward while the other has its head turned back.

...and they linger in the waters and? can? the more? truly have certainty? regarding? them. However, some aquatic? birds seek? the water? only? on account of? frogs? and river? creatures? which they fish for there?, [yet] they are held to be of the nature of terrestrial? [birds] because they possess more internal consideration? [as] terrestrial [animals]; why nevertheless? they seem to be? more correctly called field birds than otherwise. But those [birds] whose lives are spent equally in time?—some born in water, some in the sea?, others they would place among the terrestrial—are those which seem to emerge from the water?, even if? they do not? forage?, but? only? withdraw? to the waters as a precaution for their own sake?, which? even if? they are not? held [to be] field [birds]. Nevertheless, as a genus, they are called aquatic, since they are much more capable of standing and taking refuge in the waters, as are the genera of cranes. And others [are] intermediate, which stay in the fields and go to the waters for the sake of bathing and drinking, and they flee to the waters when birds of prey pursue them. Because they are more conveniently [classified as] terrestrial. Such as the liuerzini likely refers to lapwings or similar plover-like birds, plovers, lapwings, and the like. Many among the terrestrial [birds] flee to the waters for fear of predators and? for that reason? they are not called aquatic?, but? since there is? a manner? of defense for birds, namely they are curved and divided. In short, however, birds are divided [into] birds of prey. [We must ask] what kind are birds of prey, [and] which are [truly] birds of prey. Others are not birds of prey.

In the right margin, there are four distinct vignettes of black birds, likely crows or ravens. The top vignette shows two birds interacting; the second shows a single bird perched; the third shows two birds, one looking down; and the fourth shows two birds standing together on grass.

Namely, Aristotle and other philosophers have considered divisions among birds, just as it is said affirmatively and subjectively. They seem? however? since? we see in histories? [that we should] err? concerning [their] predatory nature?. Therefore, first, what might be called [a predator]—the greater part seems? negatively? because? they are not birds? of [the class of] predators, however we speak of gulls and fish. Truly, those are called non-predators by whatever name, and [one] would not make? [them] a predator, not? because? he conceded that?, because we see? them as birds? not? predatory? because? they do not remain on [prey] at all, and however? what? they do not [do]—they do not live by plunder. But [they live] on grains and fruits and the like. There are some, however, [that eat] any animal, [such as] gulls, fish, and the like, for which they do not live by plunder alone [and] cannot be called birds of prey. Prerequisite: the more common genera of birds in which [there are those] of the wings, which are called "bone-breakers," and a certain mode of eagle [that is] ignoble. Since they never prey upon other birds or beasts but always eat the meat of carcasses, namely the dead or the remains, they should not [be called] birds of prey. It is necessary, however, to know that the same genera and the same species of birds are named by diverse terms among diverse [people], and often even [they are named differently]; yet, because of the variety of names, they are not to be called the same [distinct things].

At the bottom of the page, two large birds of prey (eagles or vultures) with dark brown and white plumage are depicted feeding on the carcass of a small animal on a rocky or sandy ground.