SCULPTURES. 265 



The Parroquet. — Fig. 172. Among the most spirited and delicately executed 

 specimens of ancient art found in the mounds, is that of the parroquet here pre- 

 sented. The fragment shown in the cut was alone recovered. The engraving, 

 though very good, fails to do justice to the original. The parroquet is essentially a 

 southern bird ; and, though common along the Gulf, is of rare occurrence above the 

 Ohio river. It is sometimes seen in the Scioto valley, fifty miles above its mouth. 



Fig. 173. The bird here represented much resembles the tufted " cherry bird." 

 The head is somewhat disproportioned to the body, — a defect more common than 

 any other in the mound sculptures. It is carved from a brown, granulated por- 

 phyry, and is finished with great delicacy. The bowl is ingeniously enlarged, 

 below the opening, so as to admit a greater quantity of tobacco, or whatever 

 article was smoked, without interfering with the symmetry of the bird, which a 

 larger bore would have much impaired. 



Fig. 174. This specimen does not differ widely from that shown in the pre- 

 ceding figure, and was probably intended to represent the same bird. The too great 

 size of the head observed in the other is not so marked in this instance. The 

 material somewhat resembles, in color and substance, the red pipe-stone of the 

 Coleau des Prairies, but has less of the talcose appearance and feel. It receives a 

 very good finish, but is not susceptible of a high polish. The pearls which had been 

 inserted in the cavities representing the eyes, were in this instance found retaining 

 their places. They had lost their brilliancy in consequence of exposure to the fire, 

 but were yet easily recognisable. 



Fig. 175. The remarks made in respect to the relic last mentioned apply 

 to the specimen here represented. It is carved in the same material as Fig. 

 173, and is probably intended to represent a bird of the same variety. Nothing 

 can exceed the life-like expression of the original. 



Fig. 176. This specimen seems unfinished, and the features of the bird sought 

 to be represented are not well made out. It seems to have been rubbed or ground 

 into its present shape, and is yet unpolished. 



Fig. 177. This is one of the least tasteful specimens recovered from the 

 mounds, and, like the one last noticed, Seems to be in an unfinished state. The 

 lines indicated in the cut are sharply graved in the stone. It is not undertaken to 

 say what bird is designed to be repi'esented. 



Fig. 178. This carving is roughly executed, and represents a bird of some 

 variety not easily recognisable. The bill is broad and heavy, and the toes are 

 long and wide-spread. It is evidently intended to represent a bird in the act of 

 picking up some articles of food, which are indicated by small circles on the palm 

 of an extended hand. On account of the convexity of the base of the pipe, these 



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