Ml KDOCH.] 



HIR1) 1SOLAS. 



245 



hand, the balls in the left, and the strings are straightened out with a 

 quick pull. Letting go with the left hand the balls are whirled round 

 the head and let fly at the passing flock. Tin- 

 balls spread apart in flying through the air, 

 so as to cover considerable space, 

 like a charge of shot, and if they 

 are stopped by striking a duck, the 

 strings immediately wrap around 

 him and hamper his flight so that 

 he comes to the ground. The na 

 tives said that the balls flew with 

 sufficient force to stun a duck or 

 break his wing, but we never hap 

 pened to see any taken except in 

 the way just described. A duck 

 is occasionally left with sufficient 

 freedom of motion to escape with 

 the bolas hanging to him. The 

 weapon is effective up to 30 or 40 

 yards, but the natives often throw 

 it to a longer distance, frequently 

 missing their aim. It is univer 

 sally employed, especially by those 

 who have no guns, and a good 

 many ducks are captured with it. 



ducks are flying, the women and children hardly ever stir 

 out of the house without one or more of these. 



We brought home one specimen of this implement (kelaui- 

 tau tIn),No. 75969 [1793], Fig. 248, which is new and lias the 

 balls rather carelessly made. The balls, which are six in 

 number, are of walrus ivory, 1-0 to 1-8 inches long and 1 inch 

 in diameter (except one which is flattened, 2 inches long and 

 1*3 wide; they are usually all of the same shape). Through 

 the larger end is drilled a small hole, the ends of which are 

 joined by a shallow groove, running over the end, into which 

 the ends of the strings are. fastened by three half-hitches 

 each. There is one string of sinew braid to each set of two 

 balls, doubled in the middle, so that all six parts are equal and 

 about 28 inches long. They are fastened to the feather handle 

 as follows: Nine wing feathers of the eider duck are laid side, 

 by side, butt to point, and doubled in the, middle so that the 



FIG. 248.-I!ird * ... ., . . m . . . .. 



boias, ready quills and vanes stand up on all sides. The middle of each 

 for use string is laid across the bight of the feathers, so that the six 

 parts come out on all sides between the feathers. The latter are then 

 lashed tightly together with a bit of sinew braid, by passing the end 

 over the bend of the feathers and tying with the rest of the string round 

 the feathers. 



1 IQ. 247. Bird bolas, looped up 

 tor currying. 



In the spring, when the 



