σκώψ,ὁ, gen.σκωπός, nom. pl.σκῶπες, a small kind of
A. owl(γλαῦξbeing the generic name),the little horned owl, Strix scops, Od. 5.66 , Epich. 166 , Theoc. 1.136 , cf. Arist. HA 592b11 , 617b31 .
2. a dancein which the dancers mimicked an owl, Ael. NA 15.28 , Poll. 4.103 , Ath. 9.391a , 14.629f :—in the last place it is explained (as if = σκοπός ) ofshading the eyes with the handso as to see better; so also Hsch.
s.v. σκωπευμάτων : cf.ὑπόσκοπος.
3. a kind offish, Nic. Fr. 18 . (In
Ael. l.c., Ath. 9.391a , b,σκώπτω(as if= mimic) is expld. fr.σκώψ, the owl being captured by means of its tendency to mimic one who danced in front of it; other explanations in Sch. Theoc. 1.136 .)