AP ix 272 (Bianor) and the meaning of φθάνω

Extract

In verse 6 Professor Giangrande (JHS xcv [1975] 36–7) would read λαοτίταντον, saying that it means ‘expanded by the stones’. But τιταίνω does not mean ‘expand’ in volume; it ordinarily means ‘extend’, ‘stretch’ in length, and -τίταντον has no real claim to be regarded as suitable here. Besides, Giangrande's whole approach is based on the assumption that we have in this epigram exactly the same version of the story as is found in e.g. Pliny NH × 125, where the bird uniformly raises the level of the water by dropping stones into the vessel and can then drink at leisure. But some of the wording here suggests snatching haste; in particular ἔφθανє suggests that the bird ‘caught’ water splashed by the dropped stone(s) ‘before it got away’, i.e. before it fell back to the bottom of the vessel (cf. Gow—Page, The Garland of Philip ii 203 ad loc.).