THE RED-SHAFTED FLICKER

References:
Plate 5, Figure 1. A Potlatch Mask. Tsimsyan .
Plate 7, Figure 4. Painting. Haida.

See also, "Woodpecker."

This Potlatch Mask, used by certain clans of the Raven
Phratry in their ceremonial feasts, measures 2 feet in length,
and was suspended in the air during these celebrations. Col-
lected by the late Dr. F. C. Newcombe at Greenville, B. C., in
1912, it is now in the Provincial Museum, Victoria, B. C.

The beautiful representation of the bird in Plate 7, Figure
4, was painted in crayons by Chief Edensaw of Masset, Q. C. 1.35
it is reproduced from Swanton (1905, Plate 22, Figure 4).

There are several versions of the myth which records the
origin of the Haida use of this bird as a crest. In one of these
an old woman strikes a piece of wood with her wonderful" stick,
which changes it into copper, always highly valued among these
people. This is hammered out into a bow which the Old Woman
gives to her grandson. He proceeds to use it to kill many
flickers and demands of his grandmother that she should make
their feathers into a ceremonial cloak for his use. Then he
took a flicker for his crest.

Raven plays a part in the multiplication of these Red-
shafted flickers by a characteristic trick. Out as usual for
adventure, he found a flicker feather floating near the shore
and said to it: "Become a flicker." Instantly the feather
obeyed Raven's command and became a bird, flapping its wings.
Presently Raven came to a place where a Master Fisherman lived
with his wife. The fisherman asked at once if Raven would give
him the bird which he greatly admired. Raven obligingly did so
Saying he owned an island where there were large numbers of
flickers. The Master Fisherman and his wife at once gave Raven
generous hospitality. In return he promised to take his host
to this Island. The next day on arrival at the near-by island,
Raven told the fisherman to remain in the canoe while he landed
for, needless to say, there was not a flicker on the island!
Resourceful Raven retired into the forest, broke off some twigs
from one of the cedars, wounded his nose with one of the sharp
points and let the blood trickle down into his hand. Then he
dipped the other twigs into his blood and threw them into the
air saying: "Change to flickers." Instantly the twigs flew

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