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Thursday 18 January 1940
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Aboriginal Legend.
T)EAR "Non-Com."-The following le- j
gena has been handed down for many generations. It concerns three great warring tribes, namely "Wonbong" (The Eagle), "Wackarrow" (Crows), and Tuieder (Tom Tits).
The Eagles were armed with superior weapons and were unbeatable in combat. The Crows were more numerous al- though they had inferior weapons, and they were very cruel to the Tom Tits. The Crows decided that the only way to overcome the Eagles was to trap the king of the Eagles, who was married to a Pilthagoo (Galah or Cockatoo), by hustling his wife into a large cave where the Eagle would follow to rescue.
This move was quite successful and when the Eagle entered the cave the Crow tribe immediately blocked up the entrance, and there was only one outlet left. This was large enough for the Crows, but too small for the Eagle. The king of the Crow tribe addressed the king Eagle through the trap-door, de?, manding a guarantee from him that all wars between them should cease for ever or they would let him perish. The Eagle agreed, with the stipulation that the Crow tribe extend the same guaran- tee to the Tom Tit tribe. This was agreed to and the solemn promise was given by both.
The Eagle was then liberated and it is a strange fact that the Eagles and Crows remained staunch friends and to this day are to be seen feasting from the same carcass with confidence. The Crow tribe, held to be the greatest liars of all time, under no circumstances will attack the Tom Tit. Although the Tom Tit makes a great fuss and tries to at- tack the Crow the latter will only duck and dive away without attempting to retaliate.
A lesson in honourable compact!
This aboriginal legend was obtained first hand from the natives, as I do not require any Interpreter, being able to converse fluently with them in their own lingo. I have studied them for over 60
years.
R.L.M., Roebourne.