148 PAGAN TRIBES OF BORNEO chap. 



between the trigger and the cross-stick. The cord 

 is prolonged beyond the trigger in a slip noose 

 which lies open on the platform completely across 

 the gap, so that any small animal entering the gap, 

 and stepping upon the platform, necessarily places 

 its feet within the noose. A few leaves are laid 

 on the platform and cord to disguise them. When, 

 then, a pheasant or other creature of appropriate 

 size and weight steps on the platform, its weight 

 causes the cross-stick to slip down from the hold 

 of the trigger, and this, being released, is violently 

 jerked with the noose into the air by the elastic 

 reaction of the bent pole ; in a large proportion of 

 cases the noose catches the victim's feet and jerks 

 him into the air, where he dangles by the feet till 

 the arrival of the trapper, who visits his traps twice 

 a day. 



Another very curious and strikingly simple plan 

 is employed by the Sea Dayaks for catching the 

 Argus pheasant, whose beautiful wing feathers are 

 highly valued. The cock - birds congregate at 

 certain spots in the jungle, where they display their 

 feathers and fight together. These spots they 

 clear of all obstacles, pulling and pushing away 

 sticks and leaves with their heads and necks, as 

 well as scratching with their feet. The Dayaks, 

 taking advantage of this habit, thrust vertically 

 into the ground slips of bamboo, the edges of 

 which are hardened in the fire and rendered very 

 sharp. In the course of their efforts to remove 

 these obstructions, the birds not infrequently 

 inflict serious wounds about their necks, and 

 weakened by loss of blood, are found by the 

 Dayaks at no great distance from the fighting 

 ground. 



Traps of many other kinds are made for animals 

 both large and small, especially by the Sea Dayaks, 

 who use traps more frequently than the other 



