BIRDS TRAINED TO PERFORM 153 



released. The call-bird is deposited in the center 

 compartment. 



The cage is then suspended from a branch in 

 a likely spot. The spring doors on top are opened 

 and the triggers set and baited. The triggers 

 consist merely of perches which will be dislodged 

 from a catch-notch by the weight of a bird alight- 

 ing upon them. Several wild birds, observing 

 what they believe is one of their number in 

 trouble, soon congregate about and upon the cage. 

 The call-bird shows signs of excitement, calling 

 and fluttering. The wild birds become equally ex- 

 cited. Their curiosity is aroused. The call-bird 

 begins to peck at the food in its compartment and 

 the outsiders are eager to follow suit. One ven- 

 tures through an open door, alighting full upon 

 the trigger. A "snap" follows, and the cage has 

 one more prisoner. 



These are only a few ways in which birds are 

 utilized as decoys to lure members of their own 

 tribe to captivity or destruction. Every nation 

 has its methods, as have all half -civilized or sav- 

 age peoples. 



