The Ethnological Bureau is the poet's corner of our government — the 

 romance of our dull facts and figures. Without its unsleeping eye forever 

 scanning the sky of unwritten literature for gems, how would some of us know 

 about the history of the human race as preserved by the Iroquois Indians? And 

 that birds had a wing, if not a hand, in the peopling of America at least? 



Of course America was 'all the world" to these Indians, and naturally 

 enough their priests and poets combined to give some adequate genesis for the 

 people. 



It is said that a story, once started on its rounds in civilized society, gathers 

 facts and things as it goes, until at last — and not before very long — its own 

 original parent "wouldn't recognize it." Not so the legends that have come to 

 us through savage tongues. Simple to start with, they maintain their original 

 type without a trace of addition. What students gather for us of folk-lore is 

 as correct as though the first text had been copyrighted by its author. Note 

 this simplicity in all l)ar])aric legends, the discourse coming straight to the facts 

 and leaving off when it is done. 



This one legend referred to of the origin of the human race makes so 

 good a preface to the closing rhyme of our text, that we arc tempted to give it 

 for that special purpose. According to this story of the Iroquois Indians, it is 

 to birds that woman owes her history. I'nconsciously to these natives of America, 

 they identified woman with birds and bird^' wings for all time. Unconsciously, 

 perhaps, to herself, woman has also identified her sex with birds and bird wings, 

 though in a different relation to that of the Iroquois. The legend will need 

 no further introduction to the girl or woman of America who may become 

 interested in "Birds of Song and Story.'" « 



There was once a time when all the earth was hidden under great waters. 

 No island or continent gave foothold. No tree, torn from its moorings, afforded 

 rest to tired foot or wing; for finny and winged people were all the inhabitants 

 in being. Birds soared unceasingly in the air, and fish disported their beautiful 

 armor-plate in the water. In the consciousness of bird and fish there was need 

 of higher intelligences than themselves. They watched and waited for some hint, 

 some glimpse, of other and superior beings. One day the birds, congregating 

 in the sky, discf)ursing on this very matter, beheld a lovely woman dropping out 

 of the far blue. Hurriedly they talked of possible means of saving her from 

 drowning, for they had a subtle sense that this falling object, with arms out- 

 stretched like wings, was the being they hoped for. One of their number, a 

 prophet, suggested tlu' means. As the loxely being dropped toward the great 

 sea the birds came together and lapi)cd wings over wings in a thick feathered 

 island. Upon the soft deck of this throbbing life-boat the beautiful being 

 descended and lav ])anting. Slowl\ and lo\ inglv her soft hand caressed the 

 wings of her benefactors. She lifted the \ariously tinted jiliimage of the breasts 

 on which she reclined, an<l kissed the down of them 



That was long, long ago! 



b.7 



