The Audubon Societies 51 



In Toronto we have a picture-word, again from the Indian tongue, meaning 

 'oak tree rising from the lake.' 



Wilkes Barre, Ypsilanti and Zaralla each refers to sympathizers with Ameri- 

 can independence at different times and in different ways, representing British, 

 Greek and Mexican men of deep conviction and great courage. 



Especially interesting to us are place names of Indian origin, for the reason 

 that so many of them are connected with objects in nature. The Indian, being 

 a hunter and a wanderer in a primeval wilderness, was of necessity a keen 

 observer, so far as the necessities of his simple existence were concerned. 

 Although not a student of nature, in the sense of learning for the sake of knowl- 

 edge, he acquired by daily experience much information about the habits and 

 appearance of many plants, animals, birds and other natural objects. 



Being fond of bright colors, as well as attentive to all strange or unusual 

 sounds, the Indian quite naturally was attracted by the brilliant plumage and 

 musical notes of birds, and named these familiar creatures according to his 

 mode of living, his superstitions, or his first impressions of their appearance 

 and actions. In the Milicete Indian word, 'Zezos,' we find an unexpectedly 

 beautiful interpretation of the Chickadee's 'pe-wee' song. To the childlike 

 mind of the Milicete, whose home is in the valley of the St. John River, the 

 leader of a flock of Chickadees sings 'Tezos,' that is, 'Jesus,' to its mates. 

 In this single word is contained a picture of the simple faith of the Indian, con- 

 verted to Christianity by some devoted French priest. 



The peculiar motions of the Nuthatch attracted the red man, who named 

 this familiar bird Tci'-di-wa'-ti-wemp'-tos, that is, 'bird that goes slowly down a 

 tree- trunk.' To the male and female Robin, as well as to their nest and eggs, 

 were given separate names, each signifying some noticeable characteristic. 



If you can pronounce the Indian word for Whip-poor-will, 'Hwip'-o-lis,' 

 you will have a close imitation of the notes of this nocturnal singer. 



A-bak'-wi-ses', or 'Bird-that-butts-its-head' is no other than the Down}- 

 Woodpecker, while Gas'-kum-un-is, the Kingfisher, is especially interesting, 

 since it refers to a sudden or unexpected dropping beyond one's depth when 

 wading in water, and, as used to describe the Kingfisher, means its manner of 

 plunging for prey. 



But to return to place names, let us study a few more words of Indian 

 derivation, which will be only an introduction to the pleasures in store for those 

 who take the matter up further. 



Chicago — Ojibwa Indian form she-kag owg = 'wild onion place.' 

 Chicacomico — Indian form = 'place where turkeys are plenty.' 

 Acabonack — Indian form = 'root place,' where the Indians found roots for medicinal 



uses. 

 Adirondacks — (Mohawk) Iroquois form = 'bark eaters.' 

 Ahiki — Indian form = 'sweet potato mother.' 



Ambajeejus — Indian form referring 'to two large, round rocks, one on top of the other.' 

 .'\micalola — Cherokee Indian form = 'tumbling' or 'rolling water.' 



