TRIBAL SIGNS.
ABSAROKA or CROW.
The hands held out each side, and striking the air in the manner of flying. (Long.)
Imitate the flapping of the bird's wings with the two hands, palms downward, brought close to the shoulder. (Burton.)
Imitate the flapping of a bird's wings with the two hands, palms to the front and brought close to the shoulder. (Creel.)
Place the flat hand as high as and in front or to the side of the right shoulder, move it up and down, the motion occurring at the wrist. For more thorough representation both hands are sometimes employed. (Arapaho II; Cheyenne V; Dakota V, VI, VIII; Ponka II; Kaiowa I; Pani I; Comanche III; Apache II; Wichita II.) "Bird's wing."
Both hands extended, with fingers joined (W), held near the shoulders, and flapped to represent the wings of a crow. (Dakota II, III.)
At the height of the shoulders and a foot outward from them, move the upright hands forward and backward twice or three times from the wrist, palms forward, fingers and thumbs extended and separated a little; then place the back or the palm of the upright opened right hand against the upper part of the forehead; or half close the fingers, placing the end of the thumb against the ends of the fore and middle fingers, and then place the back of the hand against the forehead. This sign is also made by the Arapahos. (Dakota IV.) "To imitate the flying of a bird, and also indicate the manner in which the Absaroka wear their hair."
