OF THE POLAR SEA. 121 
a slender and slippery tree, laid as a bridge 
across a rapid stream of stinking and muddy 
water. The night owl is regarded by the Crees. 
with the same dread that it has been viewed by 
other nations. One small species, which is 
known to them by its melancholy nocturnal hoot- 
ings, (for as it never appears in the day, few even 
of the hunters have ever seen it,) is particularly 
ominous. They call it the cheepai-peethees, or 
death bird, and never fail to whistle when they 
hear its note. If it does not reply to the whistle 
by its hootings, the speedy death of the i inquirer 
is augured. 
When a Cree dies, that pakt of his property, 
which he has not given away before his death, 
is burned with him, and his relations take care 
to place near the grave little heaps of fire-wood, 
food, pieces of tobacco, and such things as he is 
likely to need in his journey. Similar offerings 
are made when they revisit the grave, and as 
kettles, and other articles of value, are sometimes 
offered, they are frequently carried off by pas- 
sengers, yet the relations are not displeased, pro- 
vided sufficient respect has been shewn to the 
dead, by putting some other article, although of 
inferior value, in the place of that which has been 
taken away. 
The Crees are wont to celebrate the returns of 
