390 MOUNDVILLE REVISITED. 
Incidentally, it may be said that the “hump” shown on the tongue by the native 
artist, though somewhat exaggerated, is not imaginary, as may be proved upon 
examination of an eagle. It may be that this pipe, showing as it does the eagle 
lying upon its back, its legs and claws on the belly, represents the dead bird. By 
pulling out the tongue of a dead eagle one would be certain to notice the “hump ” ; 
hence the examination of a dead bird would have sufficed so far as correct render- 
ing on the pipe was concerned. 
On the other hand, the “hump” on the tongue is plainly shown on pottery 
from Moundville, where the eagle's head is erect and the bird is evidently repre- 
sented as alive. Several experts who have charge of eagles in captivity inform us 
that under certain circumstances the “hump” on the tongue is visible on the liv- 
ing bird. Possibly the aboriginal artist at Moundville was familiar with the charac- 
teristics of eagles through the possession there of captive birds—a custom observed 
among the Zuni of New Mexico at the present time. 
Кіс. 86.—Eagle’s head, from pipe, as it would appear оп a flat surface. (Full size.) 
Owing to slight disintegration of the stone at that part of the pipe where the 
head is, the details of the carving are somewhat indistinct, but by holding the pipe 
in a suitable light all the details of the head are still distinguishable. A wing is 
represented on each side. The legs, beginning at the tail, which extends outward, 
rise upward and forward, the feet and talons resting on the belly and embracing 
the orifice of the bowl. The opening for the stem is immediately above the tail. 
The limestone of which the pipe is made is undoubtedly the same as that of 
the stone vessel which we have just described—compact and hard within, snow- 
white originally. 
Three half-tone pictures of this pipe were sent by us to Mr. Joseph D. McGuire, 
who writes of the pipe as follows: 
“Тһе specimen is saz generzs but apparently belongs to the bi-conical type 
found commonly in the States of Tennessee, Arkansas, etc. The material is 
unusual from which to make a pipe, but the Indians on occasion used anything, 
whether suitable or not. 
