E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Psaphon’s Birds (Psaph’onis aves).
Puffers, flatterers. Psaphon, in order to attract the attention of the world, reared a multitude of birds, and having taught them to pronounce his name, let them fly.
1
“To what far region have his songs not flown,
Like Psaphon’s birds, speaking their master’s name.”
