This set, made from materials found and growing around Clear Lake was used by hunters in balsa boats for killing waterfowl. The birds would have been secured by throwing stones with this type of sling or snared. The basket with the clay balls was commissioned by Stewart Culin. Almost all of these utility baskets are similar to this, fairly coarse and quickly woven. The basket is filled with shredded tule and the balls are laid out on this when stored in the canoe. While the balls are not fired in a kiln there is some plant matter mixed with the clay and they are sun baked. See also 08.491.8581.

Roughly modeled duck (center in photo) with tool marks still visble. Pointed beak and tail are represented by pinching; eyes by small indentations. Clay is reddish brown.

Roughly modeled duck, (upper left in photo) with a rounded bottom, bulbous body, upturned tail, and head turned to the proper right and slightly upward. At the rear, below the tip of the tail, are two roughly concentric, inverted U-like incised lines. The wings are modeled along the sides of the body. Eyes are small hole punctures, and the beak is modeled.