Warfare, Hunting, and Fishing 381 



This is set up so as to enclose a square or triangular space, and a tame 

 rooster is put inside. The crowing of this bird attracts the attention 

 of the wild fowl who comes in to fight. Soon, in the excitement of 

 the combat, one is caught in a noose, and the harder it pulls, the more 

 securely it is held. At times the trap is baited with worms or grain. 

 The snare is carried in a basket-like case, which is often fitted with a 

 compartment for the decoy rooster. 1 



Another type of chicken snare consists of a single noose, which 

 rests on two elevated strips of bamboo. The other end of the cord is 

 attached to a bent limb, held down by means of a small trigger, which 

 slips under a cross strip. The game is led onto the trap by scattering 

 grain. The weight of the bird releases the trigger, the bent twig flies 

 up, and the noose is drawn tightly. 



Small birds are captured in considerable numbers by the boys 

 who, for this purpose, make use of three types of snares. The first 

 and most common is a simple slip noose made of human or horse 

 hair attached to a stick. Several of these are driven into the ground 

 close together, and grain is scattered between them. A second type of 

 noose trap is shown in Fig. . 12, No. I. A Bamboo pole a with 

 sharpened end has a spring b of the same material attached to its side. 

 A cord from this passes through a small hole in the top of a, and then 

 forms a slip noose. A small stick or trigger c is forced into the hole 

 until firm enough to keep the line held taut, and the noose is spread 

 on it. Bait is placed on the point of o in such a manner that the bird 

 has to alight on c to secure it. Its weight releases the trigger^ and the 

 noose is drawn tightly around its legs. Another trap of this nature 

 is illustrated by Fig. 12, No. 2. Here a branch is bent down and a 

 line is attached. The trigger stick a slips outside b, and the pressure 

 holds the free stick c in place against the crotch. Bait is so placed on d 

 that a bird coming to secure it must stand inside the slip noose which 

 is spread on c. The weight and movement of the victim releases the 

 trigger, draws the line taut, and closes the noose about its legs. 



In the lowland villages, blowguns (salbalana) are used to a limited 

 extent in hunting birds. Two long strips of palm wood are grooved 

 and fitted together. Over these the intestines of a carabao are drawn, 

 and the whole is wrapped tightly with cord and covered with beeswax. 

 The guns vary from 12 to 16 feet in length, and are often excellently 

 made, yet they are little better than toys, for the missels used are 

 only clay balls. Poison darts are unknown in this region, and the 



1 This type of snare is used by nearly all Philippine tribes, and it is also 

 widespread in Malaysia. 



