Wilson,) in the manner of some, attempt to amuse the reader with a repetition of the unintelligible names given to this bird by the Indians, or the superstitious notions generally entertained of it by the same people. These seem as various as the tribes, or even families, with wljich 3'ou converse ; scarcely two of them will tell you the same story. It is easy, however, to observe, that this, like the owl and other nocturnal birds, is held by them in a kind of superstitious awe, as a bird with which they wish to have as little to do as possible. The superstition of the Indian''^ differs very little from that of an illiterate German, or Scots Highlander, or the less informed of any other nation. It suggests ten thousand fantastic notions to each, and these, instead of being recorded with all the punctilio of the most important truths, seem only fit to be forgotten. Whatever, among either of these people, is strange and not comJ)rehended, is usually attributed to supernatural agency ; and an unexpected sight, or uncommon incident, is often ominous of good, but more generally, of bad fortune to the parties. Night, to minds of this complexion, brings with it its kindred horrors, its apparitions, strange sounds, and awful sights ; and this solitary and inoffensive bird, being a frequent wanderer in these hours of ghosts and hobgoblins, is considered by the Indians as being, by habit and repute, little better than one of them. All these people, however, are not so credulous : I have conversed with Indians who treated these silly notions with contempt."