The Crow Indians number about 1750. They now occupy a reservation in
southeastern Montana between Billings, Montana and Sheridan, Wyoming.
This is near the center of their historic habitat, for their two main
bands, the River Crow and Mountain Crow, roamed respectively from the
Yellowstone-Missouri confluence southwards, and from east-central
Montana southward into Wyoming.
In point of language, the Crow belong to the Siouan family, forming
together with the Hidatsa of North Dakota a distinct subdivision.
There is no doubt that some centuries ago they must have formed one
tribe with the Hidatsa, since the languages are very closely related.
In culture many differences have developed between the two tribes; e.
g., the Hidatsa were always semi-sedentary tillers of corn as well as
hunters in historic times, while the Crow remained pure nomads before
white influence. On the other hand, some important traits persisted in
both groups after their separation. The principal enemies of the Crow
were the Dakota; to a somewhat lesser extent the Blackfoot and Cheyenne.
The most important publications on the Crow are:
CURTIS, EDWARD S. The North American Indian, vol. IV, New York, 1909.
LOWIE, ROBERT H. Social Life of the Crow Indians (_Anthropological
Papers of the American Museum of Natural History_, vol.
IX, part 2.). New York, 1912.
Societies of the Crow, Hidatsa and Mandan Indians (_ibid._, XI,
part 3.). New York, 1913.
The Sun Dance of the Crow Indians (_ibid._, XVI, part 1.). New
York, 1915.
Notes on the Social Organization and Customs of the Mandan,
Hidatsa and Crow Indians (_ibid._, XXI, part 1.). New
York, 1917.
Myths and Traditions of the Crow Indians (_ibid._, XXV, part
1.). New York, 1918.
The Tobacco Society of the Crow Indians (_ibid._, XXI, part 2.).
New York, 1919.