BIRDS AND NATIVE BOYS 



greater value to us alive than dead, I curbed my 

 destructive instincts and ranged myself on the side 

 of the birds. I now regard them as friends and 

 helpers, and if some of them take a little grain for 

 wages when hard pressed, after they have exterminated 

 the insects on the farm, well then, good luck to them, 

 for is not a good labourer worthy his hire ? Surely 

 we do not grudge a handful or two of grain for an 

 entire year's services in the destruction of insects, 

 seeds of weeds, and troublesome pasture-destroying 

 bulbs. 



BIRDS AND NATIVE BOYS 



Native children destroy immense numbers of birds. 

 It matters not to them what the species may 

 be. The native herd boys while away their time in 

 seeking for birds' nests, trapping birds, killing them 

 with throwing sticks, and catching them with bird-lime. 

 It is not pure destructiveness which animates the 

 native boy. It is food he is after. If the eggs are large 

 he takes and roasts them in the hot ashes of a fire. 

 The eggs of small birds are left until the nestlings are 

 feathered. They are then taken from the nest, spitted 

 and grilled. 



Native boys are very expert in setting bird traps 

 and snares. They kill large numbers of partridges, 

 quails, crakes, rails, bustards, and other ground birds 



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