Birds had important symbolical functions, and a number are figured in the Codices. In their identification I have had the advantage of the advice of Mr. Witmer Stone, who has pursued his ornithological studies in Yucatan itself. The following are recognizable:—
1. The red macaw, Ara macao, Maya, moo or ahlo; the type is shown in Fig. [29]. This was the symbol of Kin ich.
Fig. 29.—Bird Symbols from the Codices.
2. The horned or eared owl, a large raptorial bird of the genus Bubo, Maya, coz.[[96]] He is usually shown in full face to display his ears or horns, e. g., Cod. Tro., 18*. He appears as an associate of the gods of death and war, and symbolizes clouds, darkness, and inauspicious events. His horns frequently appear on the head-dress of Cuculcan to indicate the departing sun and night, like the akbal sign. (See Cod. Tro., pp. 19, 29*, 35*.) He is often associated with the number 13, and may represent in the calendar the 13–day period.
3. Two species of vulture, the king vulture, Vultus papa, and the turkey vulture, Cathartes aura, both abundant in Yucatan, Maya, kuch and ahchom. The former is the bird seated on the “tree of life,” tearing out the eyes of the victim, Cod. Dres., p. 3; Cod. Tro., pp. 15, 17, or the entrails, Cod. Tro., p. 15, 17. The naked head and neck of the vulture on a human body is seen Cod. Dres., pp. 8, 13, 19, 38; Cod. Cort., p. 10, etc. His head is his monogram, frequent in Cod. Peres., pp. 4, 7, 9, etc. (See Fig. [29], No. 2.) Its body is sometimes black, at others more or less white.
4. The quetzal bird, Trogon splendens, is distinctly shown in Cod. Dres., p. 16, above the middle figure.
5. The crested falcon, Spizætus tyrannus, the moan bird, in Maya muan or muyan. This has well-developed tufts of erectile feathers on the head and resembles in the drawings the horned owl. It is believed by Förstemann to be the symbol of the Pleiades; by Seler, to be associated with the clouds and rains. Both are probably correct.[[97]] (See Fig. [28].)
6. The pelican or cormorant is drawn with a human body and the “fish and oysters” sign in Cod. Cort., pp. 20, 21.
7. Blackbirds, of which two species live in Yucatan, are portrayed in Cod. Tro., p. 31.