FEWKES] BIRD AND BUTTERFLY FIGURES COMPARED 687 
posterior of the body by two dentate appendages, and the body itself 
by a square. 
In plate CXL, c, we have a similar conventional bird symbol where 
two birds, instead of one, are represented. In both these instances it 
would appear that the diametric band, originally homologous to wings, 
had lost its former significance. 
It must also be pointed out that there is a close likeness between 
some of these so-called conventionalized figures of birds and those of 
moths or butterflies. If, for instance, they are compared with the fig- 
ures of the six designs of the upper surface of the vase shown in plate 
CXXXvV, b, we note especially this resemblance. While, therefore, it can 
hardly be said there is absolute proof that these highly convention- 
alized figures always represent birds, we may, I think, be sure that 
either the bird or the moth or butterfly is generally intended. 
There are several modifications of these highly conventionalized fig- 
ures of birds which may be mentioned, one of the most interesting of 
which is figured in plate Cxxx1x, f. In this representation the two 
posterior triangular extensions of the body are modified into graceful 
curves, and the tail-feathers are simply parallel lines. The figure in 
this instance is little more than a trifid appendage to a broad band 
across the inner surface of the food bowl. In addition to this highly 
conventionalized bird figure, however, there are two crosses which rep- 
resent stars. In this decoration all resemblance to a bird is lost, and 
it is only by following the reduction of parts that one is able to identify 
this geometric design with the more elaborate pictures of mythic birds. 
When questioned in regard to the meaning of this symbol, the best 
informed Hopi priests had no suggestion to offer. 
In all the figures of birds thus far considered, the head, with one or 
two exceptions, is represented or indicated by symbolic markings. 
In that which decorates the vessel shown in plate CxL, a, we find a 
new modification; the wings, instead of being attenuated into a dia- 
metric line or band, are in this case curved to form a loose spiral. 
Between them is the figure of a body and the three tail-feathers, while 
the triangular extensions which generally indicate the posterior of the 
body are simply two rounded knobs at the point of union of the wings 
and tail. There is no indication of a head. 
The modifications in the figure of the bird shown in the last mentioned 
pictograph, and the highly conventionalized forms which the wings and 
other parts assume, give me confidence to venture an interpretation of 
a strange figure shown in plate CxL1, a. This picture I regard as a 
representation of a bird, and I do so for the following resemblances to 
figures already studied. The head of the bird, as has been shown, is 
often replaced by a terraced rain-cloud symbol. Such a figure occurs in 
the pictograph under consideration, where it occupies the position of the 
head. On either side of what might be regarded as a body we find, at 
the anterior end, two curved appendages which so closely resemble 
