140 



REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



head of it. Round this is fastened some meat, the end of the cord 

 being secured to a tree. This device is thrown into the water. 

 When the caiman snaps at the prey the points of the sticks, on 

 straining the line, penetrate into its flesh. Having waited till the 



Fig. 32. — Alligator. 



captive is dead, it is drawn from the water, when the captors gratify 

 their dislike and spirit of revenge by crushing in its skull. 



Another method of capturing Alligators is practised by the 

 residents on the upper waters of the giant river Orinoco. A tree is 

 bent (generally a bamboo is selected, from its elasticity) till the top is 

 brought down to the butt, a bait is then placed on a sharp hook, the 

 line attached to it being fastened securely to the small end of the 

 bent tree, which is caused to relax its position by an ingenious piece 



