482 



REPOET OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1889. 



intended to represent the god " Meke-Meke," the great spirit of the sea 

 (Fig. 8), The general outline of this figure rudely carved upon the 



Fig. 8. 

 Sculptured figures often reproduced on rocks at Orokgo: "Meke-Meke." 



rocks, bore a striking resemblance to the decoration on a piece of pot- 

 tery which I once dug up in Pern, while making excavations among the 

 graves of the Incas. The form is nearly identical, but, except in this 

 instance, no similarity was discovered between the relics of Easter Is- 

 land aud the coast of South America. 



ANCIENT CUSTOMS IN RELATION TO GATHERING THE SEA-BIRDS EGGS. 



From the most reliable information that could be obtained, the stone 

 houses at Orongo were built for the accommodation of the natives while 

 celebrating the festival of the "sea birds eggs," from a remote period 

 until the advent of the most important ceremonies. 



During the winter months, sea-birds in great numbers visit the Is- 

 land to lay their eggs and to bring forth (heir young. The nests are 

 made among the ledges and cliffs of the inaccessible rocks, but a favor- 

 ite spot for these birds has always been the tiuy islands Mutu EauKau 

 and Mutu Nui, lying a few hundred yards from the southwest point of 

 the island (Plate XXIV). Here the first eggs of the season are laid, aud 

 therefore Orongo was selected as a convenient point to watch for the 

 coming of the birds. According to the ancient custom, the fortunate 

 individual who obtained possession of the first e^g and returned with 

 it unbroken to the expectant crowd, became entitled to certain privi- 

 leges and rights during the following year. No especial authority was 



