In his section Augustine and Adeodatus discuss those things that can be "exhibited through themselves" (131) without signs, meaning things such as actions.
Augustine asks if there are things that can not be exhibited without a sign. Through a circuitous route, Augustine concludes that there are plenty of things that can be shown without signs. He uses the example of a bird-catcher--when a man comes upon a bird-catcher he desires to understand what the man is doing. Without telling him, the bird-catcher uses his tools to catch a bird thus explaining, without the use of words. The men then figures out who the bird-catcher is and what he is doing.
In this way, Augustine can move to a theological argument concluding this brief discussion: doesn't God show the sun and light without presumably telling us about them?
This jump may be a way to suggest a discussion is about to ensue on how God may reveal himself without signs?
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