holmes] BIRD-SHAPED VASES. 357 



square projecting; breast being a marked feature. The painted orna- 

 ment consists of broad zigzag, meandered bands idled in with fine oblique 

 stripes. 



One of the finest specimens is presented in Fig. .'559. The triangular 

 or three lobed form of body is still noticeable, two of the points forming 

 the breast, and the other, much prolonged, standing for the tail of the 

 bird. The meaning of the latter feature is made plain by the painted 

 figure. A conventional design, consisting of concentric, plain and 

 zigzag lines, occupies the back, and terminates behind in a row of pin- 

 nate marks, evidently a conventional drawing of the tail. The wings 

 are indicated at the sides by a design like that upon the back. The 

 breast is embellished with a series of oblong dots probably intended for 

 feathers. In this case the neck, which is high and narrow, has three 

 prominences near the top; one at the front represents the bill of the 



Fig. 358. — Vase of eccentric form : Cibola 



bird, and others at the sides are meant for eyes. A handle has con- 

 nected the head with the middle of the back. This is nearly all broken 

 away and the stumps have been perforated for the insertion of cords. 

 A serrate collar in black encircles the neck. The original of this vase 

 was obtained in the Pueblo country and belongs to Dr. Sheldon Jack- 

 sou. A specimen recently acquired by the National Museum is supe- 

 rior to this in its decorative treatment. The body has four lobes, one 

 for the breast, another for the tail, and one for each of the wings. 

 Each of these lobes is made the center about which the volutes of the 

 very elaborate scroll-work are turned. 



I shall give one more illustration, Fig. 360. This is taken from the 

 Keam collection and represents a bird. The vessel is quite distinct in 



