KURR ABAS' MODE OF SNARING SQUIRRELS, 211 



the fibre of certain barks, not unlike a butterfly-net in shape, but much 

 longer in the bag, and without a handle or hoop at the mouth. This net, 

 held open by twigs, is placed upon a thick branch, and is fastened to it by 

 a cord about six feet long, which passes through the meshes round the 

 mouth, in place of a rigid ring. Thus, when a squirrel or monkey runs 

 along the limb of the tree it enters the net, which at the least disturbance 

 falls from the branch, when the throttle-string effectually closes the mouth, 

 and the Kurrabas climb up and secure the prize. They show great skill in 

 anticipating the line the animal will take when driven, as they must set 

 the net in a distant tree and drive the prey towards it. They have another 

 plan with the flying- squirrel when they do not want to take it alive. This 

 beautiful creature is about three feet and three-quarters in length, of which 

 the tail is one-half. It is nocturnal in its habits, usually living in holes 

 in trees during the day, at a considerable height from the ground. The 

 Kurrabas strike the trees with their axes ; this starts the squirrel, and if 

 further alarmed it launches itself out towards the next tree, spreading the 

 membrane which extends from the fore to the hind feet along its sides, and 

 which enables it to take these flights. It does not flap this parachute or 

 wings, but merely sails in a downward direction. It can cover distances 

 of fifty yards or more, starting from the top of one tree and reaching the 

 trunk of the next close to the ground. It then runs up the trunk and 

 repeats the flight. It cannot change the direction of its flight after it has 

 once launched itself ; and the Kurrabas take advantage of this peculiarity 

 by posting one of their number behind the trunk of a tree to which they 

 force the squirrel to fly, and who, as it alights, generally manages to kill it 

 with his axe-handle. It is a very gentle and timorous creature. It is 

 called " flying-cat " by the Kurrabas ; and when sitting in the fork of 

 a tree, the parachute membrane being then closed and invisible, it is more 

 Mke a grey cat, both in size and colour, than one of the squirrel family. 

 When launched off for a flight it is about twenty inches in length (ex- 

 cluding its tail), and twenty-four in breadth, across its extended mem- 

 brane. 



I cannot state exactly to what era or race the Kurrabas may be sup- 

 posed to belong, but I imagine they are a purely aboriginal people. The 

 theory sometimes advanced that such wild people are the descendants of 

 persons who have been obliged to flee to the jungles in comparatively 

 recent troublous times, can hardly, I think, be substantiated in their case. 

 Probably in aU but the very earliest ages the jungles of India have had 

 inhabitants, and the Kurrabas may be as ancient as any. They have pecu- 

 liar but not unpleasing features. Their hair is frequently curly, somewh<it 



