SPOTTED EAGLE AND BLACK CROW

A heroic tale of two warriors. Both love Red Bird; afraid his brother will win her, Black Crow abandons him in the eagle's nest where he has gone for feathers. By the time Spotted Eagle makes his way home, Black Crow has married Red Bird, but his brother refuses to take revenge: ``If there's war with the Pawnee, every warrior will be needed.'' The Pawnees attack; the two are the last warriors to survive, but since Spotted Eagle refuses to let him share his horse to escape, Black Crow is killed—with honor. Later, Spotted Eagle and Red Bird marry. The importance of tradition and ``the wisdom of things of the spirit,'' represented by the noble Spotted Eagle, are carefully integrated into this dignified retelling. Durga Bernhard's decorative art incorporates Native American motifs in spacious, carefully structured compositions. Her startling use of color- -pinks and purples juxtaposed with greens and browns—has quite a handsome effect. More serious than many of the recent editions of Native American stories; a fine contribution. (Folklore/Picture book. 6-12)