ANIMAL FIGUEES IN THE MAYA CODICES 339 



(PL 23, fig. 18), he is found perching on a curious frame- 

 like structure in which god B is sitting. 



There are several glyphs representing the Moan bird or 

 screech owl; the first type is easily identifiable, as the head of 

 the bird is clearly pictured (PL 23, figs. 11-14, 16). This 

 head is frequently associated with the number thirteen (Dres- 

 den 8b). It may occur in the line of glyphs (Dresden 16c), 

 and refer to the Moan pictured below, or it may occur in the 

 line of glyphs with no picture corresponding to it below 

 (Dresden 53b). PL 23, fig. 15, from Dresden 38c has been 

 placed with these drawings, although the identification is 

 not certain. It may refer, however, to the large Moan head 

 below, on which god B is sitting (PL 23, fig. 11). The second 

 type of glyph does not resemble in any way the Moan, but 

 they are clearly signs for it, as they are often found in con- 

 nection with the picture of the Moan, Dresden 7c (PL 23, figs. 

 6, 7, 21) and 10a. In both places fig. 7 is associated with 

 the number thirteen. Schellhas also places PL 23, fig. 17, 

 among the Moan signs. 



One of the eighteen Maya months is named Muan, and 

 some of the glyphs appearing for this month in the codices 

 certainly represent the Moan or screech owl. This is espe- 

 cially so with text figs. 3-6. Forstemann (1904a) considers 



Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6. 

 GLYPHS OF MONTH MUAN SHOWING MOAN-BIRU CHARACTERISTICS. 



that the month Muan and, consequently, the sign as well, 

 refer to the Pleiades. 



In connection with the screech owl referring to death, 

 it is interesting to note that among the Nahuas the owl is 

 considered of unlucky augury and is usually found in the 

 "House of Death" and ^'of Drought", as contrasted with 



