1 8 Bulletin American Museum of Natural History. [Vol. XVII I, 



to his son, and was then called " One-Crow " (houniisi). Names 

 are not infrequently changed. 



The giving of presents is a very extensive practice among 

 the Arapaho, as among all the Plains Indians. Horses are 

 given to visitors from other tribes, especially by chiefs, in 

 order to show their position and rank. A horse given to a 

 stranger counts for more in public estimation than one given 

 to an Arapaho. When a party of Utes came on a visit in 

 1898, the Arapaho decorated their best horses, charged upon 

 the Utes, struck them lightly with switches (symbolically 

 counting coup upon them), and then gave them the horses 

 that they had ridden in the charge. Within the tribe, gifts 

 are also very frequent, especially on ceremonial occasions. 



When a woman, especially a young girl, wishes a present, 

 she cooks a puppy and takes it to her brother or some other 

 male relative or friend. If he wishes to distinguish himself 

 before those who are present, he gives her a horse or a tent. 

 Sometimes he gives her less. If he gives a tent, it is left 

 standing when the camp-circle breaks up ; then, in the sight 

 of all, the new owners take it down. This custom is prac- 

 tised when the whole tribe is encamped together (the especial 

 time for ceremonials). When no pup is available, the woman 

 makes a gift of other food. 



Young men sometimes fill a bucket made of bladder with 

 water, and go about the camp, giving drink to the oldest men 

 and women. 



Three semi-ceremonial practices bringing honor and re- 

 ward to the agent, and supposed to be for the good of the 

 child upon whom they are performed, are piercing the ears 

 (tceita"'hatiit), cutting the hair over the forehead (tawana'ax- 

 awa°t), and cutting the hair on one side (nakaga'aciit). Ear- 

 piercing counts for more than the other two. Children's ears 

 are pierced when they are small. It is done during the sun- 

 dance or some other dance. It makes the children grow up 

 well and become men and women. The more they cry during 

 the operation, the better it is thought to be, for the crying 

 signifies that hardship and pain have already been endured, 

 and that therefore they will grow up. A horse and other 



