Myths of the Cherokee by James Mooney

times from Swimmer, John Ax, and Ta'gwadihi'. The first named always gave in the proper place a very good imitation of the huhu call, drawing out the sau-h slowly, giving the hu, hu, hu, hu, hu, hu in quick, smothered tones, and ending with three chirps and a long whistle. From this and one or two other stories of similar import it would seem that the woman is the ruling partner in the Cherokee domestic establishment. Matches were generally arranged by the mother, and were conditional upon the consent of the girl (see notes to number 84, "The Man who Married the Thunder's Sister"). The huhu of the Cherokee, so called from its cry, is the yellow-breasted chat (Icteria virens), also known as the yellow mocking bird on account of its wonderful mimic powers.