166 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [ BULL. 77 
consist of from 12 to 20 poles (the number varying with the size) 
about 16 feet long, and a covering. Three of these poles are tied 
together near the top and set up. The string, with which these poles 
are tied together, is so long that one end of it reaches to the ground, 
when the poles are set up. The other poles are now successively 
set up save one, the top of each leaning against the three, first set 
up, and forming with them a circle. The string is then wound 
round them all at the top several times and fastened. The cover is 
tied to the top of the remaining pole by which it is raised up, then 
is spread round them all and tied together on the opposite side, where 
is the entrance formed by leaving the cover untied about three feet 
from the ground. Over the entrance the skin of a bear or some other 
animal is suspended. The tents are always set up with their en- 
trances toward the east. At the top the smoke passes out among 
the poles a place being left for that purpose. The fire place, crane 
and hearth are similar to those in their fixed habitations. The fur- 
niture is placed back next the cover. Rush mats are then spread 
down forming a sort of floor. On these they sit, eat and sleep. The 
large tents are about 18 feet in diameter at the base. The tent covers 
are made of buffalo skins, scraped so thin as to transmit light, and 
sewed together. These when new are quite white, and a village of 
them presents a beautiful appearance. Some of them are painted 
according to Pawnee fancy. They carry their tent poles with them 
during their whole journey. From three to six of them, as the case 
may be, are tied together at the larger end, and made fast to the 
saddle, an equal number on each side, the other end drags on the 
ground.” (Dunbar, (2), pp. 602-603.) 
From these various records it will be understood the Pawnee made 
use of several forms of temporary and comparatively easily trans- 
ported and erected structures when away from their permanent vil- 
lages of earth-covered lodges. And what is true of the Pawnee 
would probably apply to other tribes of the upper Missouri Valley. 
The Pawnee, as did other tribes of the region, made long journeys 
away from their villages in quest of the buffalo, and an interesting 
account of their annual hunts, as conducted about the year 1835, has 
been preserved. Then it was told how “ The Pawnees make two hunts 
each year, the summer and winter hunt. To perform the winter hunt 
they leave their villages usually in the last week of October, and do 
not return to them again till about the first of April. They now pre- 
pare their cornfields for the ensuing season. The ground is dug up 
with the hoe, the corn is planted and well tended. When it has at- 
tained to a certain height they leave it, and go out to their summer 
hunt. This is done near the last of June. About the first of Sep- 
tember they return to their villages. Formerly the buffalo came 
