Page "Siren" Paragraph 10

" They are mantic creatures like the Sphinx with whom they have much in common, knowing both the past and the future ," Harrison observed.

" Their song takes effect at midday, in a windless calm.

The end of that song is death.

" That the sailors ' flesh is rotting away, though, would suggest it has not been eaten.

It has been suggested that, with their feathers stolen, their divine nature kept them alive, but unable to feed for their visitors, who starved to death by refusing to leave.