The Ari'kara traditions in this volume were collected during the year 1903, with funds provided by the Carnegie Institution. The work was part of a systematic and extended study of the mythology and ceremonies of the various tribes of the Ca'ddoan stock. All of the tales here presented were secured through James R. Murie, of the Skidi band of Pawnee. The slight differences in language between the Ari kara and Skidi were soon overcome by Mr. Murie, who, when a boy at school, had learned to speak Arikara ?uently.