Myths of the Cherokee by James Mooney

Ax, with additional details from Chief Smith and others, to whom it was equally familiar. It is told as an actual happening in the early days, before the Indian had much acquaintance with the whites, and is thoroughly characteristic of the methods of medicine-men. The deception was based upon the Cherokee belief that the stars are living creatures with feathers (see number 9, "What the Stars are Like"). The Indian has always been noted for his love of feather decorations, and more than any from his native birds he prized the beautiful feathers of the peacock whenever it was possible to procure them from the whites. So far back as 1670 Lederer noted of a South Carolina tribe: "The Ushery delight much in feather ornament, of which they have great variety; but peacocks in most esteem, because rare in these parts" (Travels, p. 32, ed. 1891).