146 THE BELLA COOLA INDIANS

the enclosure in the opposite corner to that from which they had
emerged.

Anumuntsknum. ‘Three or four masked figures appear to-
gether to portray these beings. Their function is to remind
Alguntém of those whom he should invite to his ceremonials
above.

Snug. As this dreaded monster appears, the uninitiated
cower convulsively and the kukusiut women drone. Several
masked figures accompany the Swug around the fire, blowing
eagle down over the creature, and Ano likwoisaix explains to
the uninitiated that this is to protect them from the monster.
The heralds as usual echo her remarks. After one circuit of
the fire, the Sug disappears into one of the enclosures behind
the fire.

Haohao. This supernatural, mythological denizen of the
mountains, is in the form of an enormous bird with long beak
and bony wings. The mask worn with the disguise is usually
about three feet in length, in the shape of a bird’s head with
long beak. A stick passes from its butt down the wearer's
back and is held in place by his belt, thus balancing the heavy,
projecting bill (see Plate 8). It is hinged so that the per-
former can make the mandibles snap together by pulling a
cord concealed under his blanket. A good actor, and such is
always chosen to represent this creature, bends forward and
downwards so that the snapping beak almost brushes the floor;
then he rises and pauses like a bird when listening and half
startled. Next he runs a few steps, in a mincing manner, thus
slowly circling the fire, and ultimately passes from sight into
the enclosure other than that from which he has emerged.
Several kukusiut accompany the actor, blowing eagle down
over him, the women drone and Ano°likwoisaix keeps up 4
string of comments. After a short pause a second haohao ap-
pears and circles the fire with its attendant kukusiut. The same
procedure is repeated for a third and fourth.

Alxwolitunum. This is the supernatural herald for Thun-
der, the leading kusiut among supernatural beings. He wears