orns. In
the last cut the other two animals are buffaloes. In various ways the
particular kind of animal can nearly always be distinguished.<45>

Illustration of Grazing Elks. Fox in the distance.------

The preceding cut represents two elks grazing, and a fox in the
distance. The long embankments of earth at one side are considered by
Mr. Peet as in the nature of game drives. But we call attention to the
expressiveness with which these figures are delineated. What could be
more natural than the quietly grazing elks, with the suspicious prowling
fox in the distance. In the cut we also see two cross-shaped figures.
This was their method of representing birds, a projection on each
side of a central body denoting wings. These figures are often very
expressive.

Illustration of Eagle Mound.-----------------------

In this cut we have no difficulty in recognizing an eagle. It is
represented as soaring high in the air. On the bluffs above it is a wolf
effigy, and several conical and long mounds. In the cut preceding this
the eagle and the hawk are hovering over the feeding elks, while in
this cut a flock of hawks are watching some buffaloes feeding in the
distance. This group of effigies was found on the banks of the Kickapoo
River.

Illustration of Hawks and Buffaloes.------------

Our next cut represents a wild goose with a long neck and beak followed
by a duck with a short neck, flying towards the lake.

Illustrations of Goose and Duck.-----------

Water-loving animals, such as salamanders and turtles, are represented
in still another way, two projections on each side of a central figure.
The next following cut represents a turtle. The tail was not always
added. The salamander closely resembles the turtle, but notice the
difference in the body, and still different is the cut of the musk-rat
(see later). Fishes are figured as a straight embankment of earth
tapering to a point.

Illustration of Turtle.----------------

The same system that was observed in the location of signal mounds is
to be noticed in the arrangements of these groups of effigy mounds. They
are not alone. One group answers to another on a distant hill, or is in
plain view of another group in the valley below. Distant groups were
so related, each commanding a wide extent of country, and thus group
answers to group, and mound to mound, for miles away, making a complete
system throughout the region.

Illustration of Salaman