The Bird-Trappers of the River'ina. 49 



used in securing the birds, liecause a snap from the beak of 

 an angry Cockatoo is apt to cause a sev^ere wound. I did 

 not v^enture to help the trappers, but was glad to sec that 

 they handled the Galahs as gently as possible. 



Four times in the course of an hour the nets were sprung. 

 with varying results. Over eighty birds altogether were 

 captured; hundreds escaped the nets. When the early sun- 

 shine hours have passed, the galahs lea\e the feeding grounds. 

 Daylong the trappers enjoy leisure; their work is at night and 

 dawn. 1 ' 



Returning to the waggon, the men transferred their 

 captives from boxes to the big cages, where food and water 

 awaited them. Some of the birds, naturally, were sulky for a 

 time, but they soon became reconciled to the new conditions. 



While the transfer was in progress, one young bird 

 managed to win freedom. 



"Good luck to you, old chap!" said the trapper, as 

 the bird flew, screeching, over the tree-tops. " You deserve 

 to go." 



The trappers may r(>main on the plains for two or 

 three weeks, moving from one place to another. The birds 

 soon become wary, and it is of little use to attempt trapping 

 at one spot on two successive mornings. W'hen a sufficient 

 number of birds to form a " consignment '" has been captured, 

 a member of the party takes them to the town, his comrades 

 staying in camp. Every care is used; the C^ialahs are well 

 treated, and I was told itiat it was rare for any to die while 

 in the trapper's charge, or during the journey to Sydney. On 

 the voyage overseas, however, deaths probably occur. Large 

 numbers of Finches and other small lairds that are exported 

 from Australia, perish miserably ai sea. Cockatoos, however, 

 are more easily fed than the "' small fowles/' and are hardy 

 withal 



I wonder whether the German frau, who teaches her 

 [)el cocky to say, ■" (iretchen," ever feels curious as to its 

 I)lac(.' of nativity? Does she know that it was born in a dark 

 hot hollow in the trunk or limb of a gum-tree, growing on 

 the bank of the Riverina stream? I'erhajjs not. But if only 



