174 



THE ANIMALS OF NEW ZEALAND 



The Maoris adopted several methods of catching pigeons. 

 Sometimes the fowler sat on a stage erected on a large tree, and 

 used a contrivance consisting of a rod about tive feet long, a 

 cross-stick, and a cord, in which the feet of the pigeon were 



Cliathaiu Island Pigeons. 



(l^ro. Zool. Soc.) 



caught. When the fniits of the forest were ripe, and the pigeons 

 began to fly about in large numbers, all the men of each hapu 

 with a reputation for strength, knowledge, and skill made 

 "tutu," as the contrivance was called. The fowlers then sought 

 trees with suitable tops, prepared their snares, and caught their 

 birds. It is stated that, on some occasions, when pigeons were 



