278 THE POINT BARROW ESKIMO. 
tives dig shallow pits in the gravel, in which they post themselves with 
guns and bolas. A line of posts is set up along the bend of the beach 
from the tents almost to the outlet of Imékptniglu. 
When a light breeze is blowing from the northeast the ducks, no 
matter how far off shore they are when first seen, always head for the 
point of land on the other side of this outlet, probably with the mten- 
tion of following the line of lagoons and going out to sea farther down 
the coast, as they sometimes do. When, however, they reach this critical 
point they catch sight of the posts, and the natives who are watching 
them sharply set up a shrill yell. Frightened by this and by the line 
of posts, nine times out of ten, if the cry is given at the right moment, 
the ducks will falter, become confused, and, finally, collecting into a 
compact body will whirl along the line of posts, past the tents, flying 
close to the water, and turn out to sea at the first open space, which is 
just where the gunners are posted. This habit of yelling to frighten 
the ducks and bring them within gunshot has been observed on the 
Siberian cost in places where the ducks are in the habit of flying in 
and out from lagoons over low bars.! Should the wind blow hard from 
the east, however, or blow from any other quarter, the ducks do not 
fly in such abundance, nor do they pay much attention to the posts or 
the yelling, but often keep on their course down the lagoons, or head 
straight for the beach and eross wherever they strike it. The latter is 
generally the habit with the old squaws, who come rather late in the 
migrations, while the black brant (Branta nigricans) are more apt to go 
down the lagoons. <A few pintail ducks (Dafila acuta), are occasionally 
shot at this season, and are sometimes found in the two little village 
ponds (Taseraru). The shooting at Pernyii usually lasts till the mid- 
dle or end of September, during which month the natives also shoot a 
good many gulls (Larus barrovianus and Rhodostethia rosea) as they 
fly along the shore. 
IMPLEMENTS FOR FISHING. 
Hooks and lines.—The streams and lakes in the immediate neighbor- 
hood of Point Barrow contain no fish, and there is comparatively little 
fishing in the sea. When the water first closes in the autumn narrow 
tide cracks often form at the very edge of the beach. At these cracks 
the natives frequently catch considerable numbers of Polar cod (Baore- 
ogadus saida) and small sculpins (Cottus quadricornis and C. decas- 
trensis), with the hook and line. The tackle for this fishing consists of 
'Von der Lagune aus pflegten jeden Morgen und Abend grosse Entenschaaren iiber den Ort hin- 
sn. Dann wurden durch Pfeifen und Schreien die Thiereso geiingstigt, 
weg nach dem Meere zu flie 
dass sie ihren Flug abwiirts richteten und nun dureh die mit grosser Sicherheit geworfene Schleuder 
oder durch Flintenschiisse erreicht werden konnten. (East Cape), Krause Brothers, Geographische 
Blatter, Vol. 5, pt. 1, p. 32. 
“The birds were easily called from their course of flight, as we repeatedly observed. If a flock 
should be passing a hundred yards or more ta one side, the natives would utter a long, peculiar ery, 
and the flock would turn instantly to one side and sweep by in a circuit, thus affording the coveted 
opportunity for bringing down some of their number.” (Cape Wankarem), Nelson, Cruise of the 
Corwin. p. 100. » 
