5. THE RAVEN AND WOODPECKER.
A still farther view of Indian manners and opinions is hid under this simple chant. Opinion among the forest race, makes the whole animated creation cognizant and intelligent of their customs.
A young married woman is supposed to go out from the lodge, and busy herself in breaking up dry limbs, and preparing wood, as if to lay in a store for a future and approaching emergency.
A raven, perched on a neighbouring tree, espies her, at her work, and begins to sing; assuming the expected infant to be a boy.
In dosh ke zhig o mun In dosh ke zhig o mun In dosh ke zhig o mun
My eyes! my eyes! my eyes! Alluding to the boy (and future man) killing animals as well as men, whose eyes will be left, as the singer anticipates, to be picked out by ravenous birds. So early are the first notions of war implanted.
A woodpecker, sitting near, and hearing this song, replies; assuming the sex of the infant to be a female.
Ne mos sa mug ga Ne mos sa mug ga Ne mos sa mug ga.
My worms! my worms! my worms! Alluding to the custom of the female’s breaking up dry and dozy wood, out of which, it could pick its favourite food, being the mösa or wood-worm.