Fig. 276—Decoration on the bottom of [plate CXLVI], f
There are many pictures of birds and feathers where the design has become so conventionalized that it is very difficult to recognize the intention of the decorator. [Plate cxlvii], f, shows one of these in which the feather motive is prominent and an approximation to a bird form evident. The wings are shown with a symmetric arrangement on the sides of the tail, while the latter member has the three feathers which form so constant a feature in many bird symbols. In b of the same plate there is shown a more elaborated bird figure, also highly modified, yet preserving many of the parts which have been identified in the design last described.
The beautiful design shown in [plate cxlvi], e, represents a large breath feather with triangular appendages on the sides, recalling the posterior end of the body of the bird figures above discussed.
The interior of the saucer illustrated in [plate clxvi], f, is decorated with feather symbols and four triangles. The remaining figures of this plate have already been considered.
BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY—— SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. CXLVIII
FOOD BOWLS WITH SYMBOLS OF FEATHERS FROM SIKYATKI