MAYA ANT 43 



each month. In the next ease on the left comes the General Collection of 

 all birds found within this area, arranged according to the current 

 American system of classification, beginning with the Grebes and 

 continuing around the hall to end with the Thrushes by the southwest 

 window. 



Besides the table case containing the eggs (often with the nest) of 

 species known to nest within fifty miles of the City, there are down the 

 middle of the room a series of groups of local breeding birds with their 

 nests. These, the forerunners of our ".Habitat Groups," were the first 

 of their kind made for the Museum. 



At the head of the stairs, on one side is a map of the country within 

 fifty miles; on the other, a case of accidental visitors — stragglers from 

 other parts of the country and from other countries which have been 

 taken within our limits. 



At the other end of the room, between the windows, are exhibits which 

 explain what is meant by a subspecies, and through what changes of 

 plumage a bird passes from the time of hatching: and a bust of John 

 Burroughs, by C. S. Pietro. 



Southwest Wing 

 ANTIQUITIES OF MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA 



Continuing west past the collection of local birds we enter the south- 

 west wing, devoted to the ancient civilizations of Mexico nad Central 

 Mava Art America. In the first hall the casts of large upright stones, 

 completely covered by sculpture, represent the art of the 

 Maya civilization in Guatemala and Honduras. Nearly all carry deciph- 

 erable dates in a strange system of counting time. 



At the left of the entrance on the south side of the hall is the extensive 

 Costa Rican exhibit of Mr. Minor C. Keith. This includes stone sculpture 

 and a great variety of pottery interesting in form and design. To this 

 collection also belong the gold and jade arranged in the cases in the 

 center of the hall. See page 46. 



On the south w r all is a copy of the painted sculptures of the Temple of 

 the Jaguars at Chichen Itza. Here are shown warriors in procession 

 who seem to be coming to worship a serpent god. Prayers are repre- 

 sented as coming from their lips. This sculpture, while Maya, shows 

 strong evidence of Mexican influence in certain of its details. 



In the table cases on this side of the hall are facsimile reproductions 

 of native books or codices, which were painted free-hand on strips of 



