ABORIGINAL TRIBES OF NEW SOUTH WALES AND VICTORIA. 247 



their place. This decoration is believed to appal the enemy 

 and make it impossible for him to escape. All the men 

 have their faces painted with pipeclay, so that they can 

 readily recognize each other during the encounter. They 

 also have leafy twigs fastened in front of their bodies and 

 faces, to prevent the enemy from observing them in the 

 darkness. On reaching the confines of the camp they halt 

 till daylight. 



They have timed the approach of the dawn so well that 

 they have not long to wait. The first bird which hails the 

 morning is the signal for the assailants to surround the 

 hostile camp, some men branching off in single file round 

 one side and some going round in the opposite direction, 

 until they meet on the other side .of the camp. While 

 marching round, they tramp heavily on the ground with 

 their feet. Let us assume that a magpie begins to sing. 

 All the men at once commence to imitate the call as they 

 start away. This will startle other large birds, whose 

 calls are also imitated. Little birds will chirp, dogs will 

 bark, and they are likewise mocked. This and the heavy 

 trampling of the men, gives the enemies the impression 

 that a numerous host is surrounding them, as they cannot 

 in their excitement distinguish between the calls of the 

 animals and those of the men. The assailants also shout 

 out the names of some of the principal stars which may 

 appear in the orient at the time. The planet Venus, if 

 then a morning star, is mentioned. 



The ringleader or headman of the Pirrimbir party now 

 calls out to the headman of the people in the camp, and 

 asks for the surrender of the man they wish to punish. He 

 uses the secret name only, so that the women and children 

 will not know who is doomed. The headman addressed 

 then also invokes some of the eastern stars, to wait a little, 

 while he shouts out the secret or Kuringal name of the 



