English

house finch


Arapaho

1. hiitesiteebit ; 2. *bíhceyóóbe’éínii’éíhii


Translation of Arapaho

1. ‘it possesses fire’ ; 2. ‘pink headed bird’

 

House Finches in the Arapaho

The first name is not known today, but in a traditional narrative (“Foot-Stuck Child,” Dorsey and Kroeber #81) a bird of this name is described as having red on its head and reddish wings, as well as a sweet song. The house finch closely fits this description (though it is the body, not the wings, which are reddish), and certainly is a melodious singer.

The second name is not a standard, traditional name, but an elder provided this as the description of this bird.