The Hidatsa scheme of designating achievements was obtained by Dr. Hoffman, at Fort Berthold, North Dakota, during 1881, and now follows:
Fig. 567.—Marks of exploits, Hidatsa.
A feather, to the tip of which is attached a tuft of down or several strands of horse hair, dyed red, denotes that the wearer has killed an enemy and that he was the first to touch or strike him with the coup stick. Fig. 567 a.
A feather bearing one red bar made with vermillion, signifies the wearer to have been the second person to strike the fallen enemy with the coup stick. Same Fig. b.
A feather bearing two red bars signifies that the wearer was the third person to strike the body. Same Fig. c.
Fig. 568.—Marks of exploits, Hidatsa.
A feather with three bars signifies that the wearer was the fourth to strike the fallen enemy. Fig. 568 a. Beyond this number honors are not counted.
A red feather denotes that the wearer was wounded in an encounter with an enemy. Fig. 568 b.