SCULPTURES. 



259 



far from one hundred specimens. We recognise tiie eagle, hawk, heron, owl, 

 buzzard, toucan (.''), raven, swallow, parroquet, duck, grouse, and numerous other 

 land and water birds. There are several varieties of the same species ; for 

 instance, among the owls, we find the great owl, the horned owl, and the little 

 owl ; there are also several varieties of the rapacious birds. It is impossible to 

 present examples of ail these. The following specimens will, however, serve 

 amply to illustrate the strict fidelity to nature which the sculptures display, as also 

 the skill with which they are executed. 



Fig. 164 will readily be recognised as the tufted heron, the most indefatigable 

 and voracious of all the fisher varieties. The small body ; long wings, extending 

 to the extremity .of the short tail; long, thin neck ; sharp bill, and tufted head, are 

 unmistakeable features. He is represented in the attitude of striking a fish, which 

 is also faithfully executed. Nothing can surpass the truthfulness and delicacy of 

 the sculpture. The minutest features are shown ; the articulations of the legs of 

 the bird, as also the gills, fins, and scales of the fish, are represented. It is carved 

 from the red, speckled porphyry, already several times mentioned as constituting 

 the material of many of these sculptures. As a work of art it is incomparably 

 superior to any remains of the existmg tribes of Indians. The engraving, in point 

 of spirit, falls far short of the original. 



