Page 178 - TheHopiIndians

170 MESA POLK OP HOPILAND

lages where they now live. These rights are jealously
guarded by the Hopi and are one of the sore spots in
their relations with the Navaho; they frequently ask
to have the Government define their eagle reservations
by survey to establish the boundaries free from moles
tation.
It may be well to say here that the eagle is a Hopi
sacred bird and one of the most important. Its
feathers, like those of the turkey, parrot, and other
birds, are of especial use in the religious ceremonies.
The downy plumes moving at the faintest breath are
thought to be efficacious in carrying to the nature
gods the prayers of their humble worshippers.
Among the sacred hunts that of the eagle was one
of the most ancient as well as important. Small cir
cular stone towers about four feet in height were
built and across the top were laid beams to which were
tied dead rabbits as a bait. Perhaps the mysterious
towers of the Mancos and of the north in Colorado
may be explained in this light. Within the tower the
hunter hid after a ceremonial head washing symbolic
of purification, and the deposit of a prayer-offering at
a shrine. The eagle, attracted by the rabbits, circled
around and at last launched himself upon his prey.
When he had fastened his talons in a rabbit the con
cealed hunter reached through the beams and grasped
the king of the air by the legs and made him captive,
taking him to the village where a cage was provided
for his reception. At each hunt one eagle was lib