NO. 30 SMITHSONIAN EXPLORATIONS, IQI2 45 
Among the articles consecrated for use in the tribal rites are two 
that are regarded by the Osage Indians as the most sacred and signif- 
icant in their meaning. These are the “ burden strap of the woman,” 
and the “ sacred bird-hawk of the man.” 
The Osage tribe is composed of two great divisions, one of which 
occupies the north side of the tribal encampment, and the other 
the south side. The divisions are made up of sub-groups, each of 
which has its part of the general story contained in the tribal rites, 
and also its sacred article which is kept in ceremonially prepared 
cases, making a “ bundle.” 
Mr. La Flesche was so fortunate during his stay among the Osage 
Indians in 1912, as to obtain for the Institution seven specimens of 
the sacred burden straps, some of which are very old and made of 
buffalo hide, having been handed down as heirlooms. He also 
obtained three of the sacred “ bundles,” one of which is of peculiar 
interest. 
The transferring of this “ bundle” to Mr. La Flesche was accom- 
panied by a scene which gave evidence of the reverence with which 
these ancient and sacred objects are still regarded. Although, in 
this particular instance, the keeper of the “bundle” and his wife 
have abandoned the customs and religion of their forefathers and have 
accepted a new faith, yet the act of parting with this relic of the past 
awakened the memory of former beliefs in its power for good and ill. 
oe 
When about to give up the * bundle,” the wife of its keeper took 
it outdoors and, standing in the early sunlight, lifted the ancient 
object to the sun, and while holding it aloft uttered a prayer for its 
safety, at the same time making an appeal that no harm should befall 
her household for her act in surrendering forever a sacred charge. 
OBSERVATIONS ON BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS, IN NEWFOUND- 
LAND AND LABRADOR, BY MR. A. C. BENT 
Mr. A. C. Bent spent the months of June, July, and August, 1912, 
in Newfoundland and Labrador, for the purpose of gathering further 
information and material for the work on the life histories of North 
American birds, of which the Smithsonian has issued two volumes. 
During the first month he travelled alone or with a guide, in New- 
foundland. A week was occupied in visiting Dr. Leonard C. San- 
ford’s camp on the west coast of the Fox Island River, where he 
collected a series of crossbills which proved to be a new sub-species. 
