226 ICE-BOUND ON KOLGUEV 



Then the way to the net was closed by lifting the 

 pegs and moving the net inwards. The women and 

 children kept guard outside, while the men entered the 

 circular apex and began the killing. In the meantime a 

 kind of hurdle had been placed against this narrow entry 

 to keep back the crowd of birds. 



The killing was a long- business, thouoh the actual 

 details were done rapidly enough. Each goose was 

 picked up by the head and swung quickly round, by 

 which method the neck was broken very soon. Then 

 it was thrown out of the circle on to the ground outside. 



Meanwhile the Q-eese of the outer rino- were running- 

 round and round, every now and then rushing at the 

 net. Occasionally one managed to get out, and then 

 the excitement was great. Little Wanka had quite a 

 chase on his own account amono- screams of laughter 

 from all the Samoyeds, and after many tumbles and 

 sprawls brought back his bird triumphant. 



It was really a sickening performance, though one 

 realised of course its extreme importance to these poor 

 people in view of winter food. 



Now and then a white bird caught my attention, and 

 when the numbers were reduced I managed to secure it 

 — a brent, almost entirely white. Unfortunately its 

 primaries were moulted out. 



And so the grim game went on. Each time the inner 

 lot were despatched the door was opened and a fresh 

 batch admitted. At last there were not more than thirty 



