ABORIGINAL FISHERIES. 97 



though, when the Darling is in floo^, there is depth sufficient 

 for the river steamers to joass to and fro. The fish in their 

 migrations up and down the river must negotiate the rapids 

 and some astute Aboriginal of bygone times having probably 

 found a dinner in the shape of a weighty cod (they grow to 

 60 or 100 lb. weight) temporarily resting in a little pool 

 among the boulders, gradually evolved the idea that if better 

 pools were made more cod would be obtainable. The 

 " Pisheries," as they now exist, are of considerable extent, 

 and the ownership of different sections is clearly defined by 

 tribal understanding. The rocky bottom of the rapid has 

 been cleared of boulders which have been built up into 

 roughly-constructed walls, forming pools or yards of varying 

 dimensions and shapes, some being long and narrow, others 

 nearly square, and others again curved or of irregular shape. 

 Whatever the shape, the design is the same in each case, 

 namely, to hamper the movements of the fish and secure as 

 many as possible for use as food. 



The blacks, who now enjoy the benefits of the " Eisheries," 

 have no very reliable account to give of its construction. 

 When asked, " Who been first time make it ?" some of the 

 old men replied : " Baal ! I know ; you see that all a same 

 long time. Old fellow black been make him murry long 

 time ago." They stated that several different tribes had 

 the right of fishing, but they could only take fish from their 

 own yards. So long as there is a flow of water in the river, 

 fish in varying quantities may be obtained ; but it is imme- 

 diately on the fall of the river, after a heavy flood, that the 

 great harvest is obtained. When the water is high the fish 

 are dived for. When the river is about its normal height, 

 the blacks wade in and spear or net the fish. There are 

 generally a few old blacks camped on either side of the river 

 in small camps of bark-gunyahs or break-winds of bushes, 

 and they appear to watch their tribal interests, and repair 

 the walls when requisite. If fish are plentiful the other 

 members of the tribe gather at the " Eisheries " ; if scarce, 

 they go up or down the river, or hunt in the plains at a 

 distance. 



One feature of the " Fisheries " is the immense number of 

 aquatic birds of a predatory character which frequent it. 

 Cormorants, divers, grebes, &c., are always in great force, 

 besides spoonbills, cranes, crows, and others which appear to 

 Qnd a good feeding-ground, so that the destruction of young 



