The Nootkans considered him to be the survivor of four huge
birds which once dwelt in the land of the Howchuklisahts in the
Alberni district of Vancouver Island, three of which were killed
by the Great Spirit Helper, Quawteaht. As these mighty birds fed
on whales they interfered with the food supply of the Nootka
people, who enlisted the powerful aid of the Great Spirit in their
distress. So he entered a huge whale and gradually approached
the shore, spouting to attract attention. One of the birds in-
stantly swooped down upon him to seize him in his talons but
Quawteaht dashed down to the bottom of the sea dragging with him
the powerful bird who was quickly drowned. Another Tootooch and
another came to the attack, only to meet with a similar fate.

The last brother of the four wisely spread his wings and fled to
his distant home among the mountains. There he still lives, only
resorting to the sea when driven by pangs of hunger to seek his
favourite food.

Newcombe (1930) suggests that foundation for this combat
between the Thunderbird and the Whales originated in a feud be-
tween two Nootkan tribes bearing these names. Certainly the very
finest paintings and carvings of a Thunderbird gripping a Whale
in his talons are found among the Nootkan house-front paintings
and grave monuments. The whole tribe was tenacious in refusing
the use of this Crest to other tribes yet a striking house front
painting at Alert Bay, B. C., is shown on Plate Org ee URC Os.
There is reason to believe that the member of the Kwakiutl Tribe
who displays this crest had migrated from the Chislakee village
described by Captain Vancouver, which lay at the mouth of the
Nimpkish River; for this Tribe is known to have connections with
the Nootkans and it is quite possible the Chislakee Chief secured
permission to use it from that Tribe.

The Kwakiutl Tribe tell another tale of the first coming to
earth of this mythical Thunderbird, known to them as "Kwunusela."
There came a day, they say, when the Chief of Gigilkeem people
decided to build a house on the Nimpkish River: The house was
to be very large and the work was very hard, for it was the first
house those people had ever built. The Chief was very busy try-
ing to show his people how to raise a huge log with which he
wanted to support the roof of his great house. Again and yet
again they tried to raise this log; again and again they failed
in their effort. Then they heard suddenly the sound of mighty
wings flapping above them, and for a moment the sun itself was
obscured by a giant bird which appeared in the sky and alighted
near the place where they were building the Chief's house. The
great bird sat and watched then as once again they tried to raise
the log. "What are you doing?" said he, and the Chief explained
his desire to build the first house to be erected on the Nimpkish
River and the difficulties with which they met in doing so. "Ts

riers