TUKANO COLLECTION 109 
on account of the numerous waterfalls and rapids of the rivers, which are 
the only highways, that many of the inhabitants had never seen a white 
man before Mr. Schmidt’s arrival, and their mode of life and customs 
have probably changed but little since the beginning of the historic 
period in South America. 
The primitive condition of the Tukano Indians gives particular 
value to this collection of their household utensils, implements of war 
and the chase, clothing, ceremonial objects and ornaments, since these 
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SKETCH MAP OF NORTHWESTERN SOUTH AMERICA 
The region occupied by the Tukdno Indians is along the Caiary-Uaupes River 
near the cross (+) 
objects throw light on some pages, at least, of the history of the aborigines 
before the advent of white men. 
By far the most striking specimens in the collection are the pieces 
of feather-work, of which there are about three hundred, consisting of 
a great variety of head-dresses, waist-bands, ornaments for the legs 
and arms and plumes to be carried in the hand. ‘These ornaments 
are never worn except on ceremonial occasions, and then only by the 
men, the women wearing little clothing and but few ornaments. ‘The 
feathers used in making these objects are largely from the red and blue 
macaw, various members of the parrot family, and a species of the 
heron. In looking at this collection of feather-work one is astonished 
