University of Virginia Library

Ethnological Note 1
In telling the stories different tones of voice are used in keeping with the characters of the birds or animals who are speaking. Owl, who is a fearsome bird to the Mescalero, and who was a man-eating monster in the mythological days, is always represented as having a deep, gruff voice.

Ethnological Note 2
Coyote refers to Owl's ears as a hat. This device of speaking of one thing in terms of something else which it may remotely resemble, is a common one in these tales, and causes great merriment when it is used.

Ethnological Note 3
The ceremonial procedure and motions described here are an accurate account of elements found in many curing ceremonies.

Ethnological Note 4
The conspicuous part which food and feeding play in these tales is a faithful reflection of the seriousness of the food-quest for these roving, hunting and gathering Apache.

Ethnological Note 5
This passage is somewhat obscure. The meaning to be conveyed is that Owl is asking Coyote to make hats [or ears] for his people similar to those possessed by Coyote's people.

Ethnological Note 6
That is, he put one feather into each ear of both the Owl people.

Ethnological Note 7
That is, with feathers in their ears.