174 



A STUDY OF CHIRIQU1AN ANTIQUITIES. 



and rim ; the tail and wings of a bird in relief about its periphery ; and the head, a 

 mere protuberance on the side opposite the tail. Then followed a further differentia- 

 tion, especially in the change from annular base to the bipedal condition (see fig. 247). 

 Lastly the painted protuberance on the breast disappeared and a realistic removable 

 head was made to fit snugly over the rim on top (see figs. 248, 249, 249 a). These 

 birds represented parrots. We have among the whistles the same parrot form 

 (PI. XL VII), but much smaller in size and with non-removable head. A closer study 



of figure a reveals the fact that the head, though 

 firmly united with the trunk, has the air of being 

 detachable. This impression is heightened by the 

 separation of the painted designs ; that on the head 

 and neck from that on the body. The genetic re- 

 lationship goes back a step further, as witness the 

 red spot on the pointed breast (compare with figs. 246 

 and 247). 



That these are what might be called phylogenetic 

 rather than fortuitous characters, is proved by their 

 repetition. In figure 6, one sees again the vestigial 

 head on the breast as well as the removable looking 

 head on the neck. Attention is also called to a 

 painted design on the back that resembles the letter 

 T. This same design also appears on other spec- 

 imens. The tones produced by this whistle are the 

 same as those of the preceding example. 



In figure c, the head has the appearance not only 

 of being removable but also of having been revolved 

 on its axis nearly 180, as if to emphasize this feature. 

 There is also the red spot on the breast and 

 the T on the back. Figure d is very similar to 

 the two preceding, except that the red spot has 

 disappeared from the breast, the latter at the same 

 time losing its pointed character. This instrument 

 produces the same tones as those represented in 

 figures 279, 298 and 301, being just an octave higher 

 than that illustrated in figure 280. 



The head still sits lightly on the body in figure e, a specimen from Jacu. Here 

 again we find the pointed breast, marked this time by a circle of black paint. 

 The wings are outstretched as if ready for, or in the act of, flight. Instead of 

 the T on the back, there is an attractive design in black representing some life 

 form, a motive found also on Nicaraguan pottery. A bird of a somewhat different 

 type is represented in figure /. The neck is shorter and the relatively longer 

 beak rests against the breast. All these bird-whistles can be made to stand firmly 

 on their feet without toppling over. 



A species of water-bird is probably intended in figures 282 and 283. In the 

 latter the beak is bent abruptly to one side and is in contact with the breast 



Fig, 281. Drum surmounted by half- 

 human figure combined with serpent 

 and bird forms. Alligator ware. '/ 



