392 ON THE ETHNOGRAPHY AND PHILOLOGY OF THE 
after supreme command, many difficulties and differences arose from time to time, though 
they had never proceeded to extremes on these occasions, there being always a sufficient 
number of wise, cool heads to check or quell such disturbances. At one time, when both 
the chiefs with their followers were on a hunt together, and a large number of buffalo 
had been killed, the wives of the leaders quarrelled about some portion of one of the 
animals. From words they came to blows, and from blows to knives, and finally one of 
the women killed the other. The relatives on both sides then took part, and each faction 
headed by its chief joined in the affray, and a sharp contest ensued, in which several 
were killed on both sides. The result was that about one half left the other portion on 
the Missouri, and migrated to the Rocky Mountains, through which wild extensive region 
they still continue to rove. Why they are called Crows we cannot tell; the word Aub-sa’- 
ro-ke, the name they give themselves in their own language, does not mean a crow in 
particular, but anything that flies. Since leaving the Missouri, their language has changed 
to some extent, but still they can converse with ease with the Minnitarees. 
The country usually inhabited by the Crows, is in and near the Rocky Mountains, 
along the sources of Powder, Wind, and Big-horn Rivers, on the south side of the Yellow- 
stone, as far as Laramie Fork on the River Platte. ‘They are also often found on the 
west and north side of that river, as far as the source of the Mussel-shell, and as low down 
as the mouth of the Yellowstone. That portion of their country lying east of the moun- 
tains, is perhaps the best game country in the world. From the base of the mountains to 
the mouth of the Yellowstone, buffalo are always to be found in immense herds. Along 
that river, elk may be seen in droves of several hundreds at a time; also large herds of 
deer of both species, Cervus leucurus and C. macrotis. Antelope cover the prairies, and 
in the “ Bad Lands” near the mountains, the mountain sheep (Ovis montana), and the 
grizzly bear are found in the greatest abundance. Every creek and river teem with 
beaver, and almost every stream furnishes a great supply of fish and fowl in the proper 
season. 
The once almost fabulous country of the Rocky Mountains is now so well known as 
scarcely to need description here. ‘The scenery of the district now under consideration 
does not differ materially from other portions of the mountain region. The same high 
stony peaks and eternal snows are seen, interspersed with fertile valleys of rich land. 
Most of the rivers whose sources are in these mountains are clear, rapid streams, formed. 
from springs, which widen into lakes of different sizes, according to the nature of the 
obstruction the water meets with in its descent. In their course through the prairie 
country, these rivers usually assume a muddy character, from the alluvial nature of their 
banks. The valleys between the different ranges of mountains are clothed with thick grasses, 
many flowers, shrubs, and trees, presenting numerous beautiful landscapes. ‘The higher 
