346 
Proceedings of the Royal Soeiety 
weight, but unable to sustain large animals, which, falling in are 
often killed by the spikes, or at least badly wounded. 
Buffaloes are caught by means of a skin rope attached to a pole 
which is stuck into the ground at the end of the rope there is a 
noose, which is arranged round a small hole dug in the ground ; the 
rest of the rope is hidden by twigs and leaves. The buffalo puts his 
foot into the hole, and in getting it out the noose is drawn tight, 
and the animal has to drag the heavy pole. He is thus easily 
tracked and speared. 
To trap guineafowl, a string is made of hair from a cow’s tail, a 
noose is placed among the small branches of a low plant in their 
run, into this they run their heads and are held fast. 
Another trap is made of a long basket with a narrow opening at 
one end. It is placed on the ground in one of the narrow paths 
running through the high grass; small animals find their way into 
it, but cannot get out again, as the twigs of which the basket is 
made are so arranged inside that they fly back from the sides and 
prevent the animal retreating. 
Birds are caught in the following ways : — 
1. A noose is attached to a bent bough, and so arranged as to 
spring back and snare any bird that touches it. 
2. One end of a flat stone is placed on the ground, and the other 
supported by a stick to which is tied a piece of string. The birds 
being attracted to food placed underneath the stone, pull the string, 
and the stone falls on them. 
3. A number of sticks are driven into the ground, and nooses 
fastened to them; dhurra is then scattered about, and as the birds 
scratch the ground they get their legs caught. 
String traps are arranged at the doors of the fowl huts to catch 
the wild cats when they try to steal the poultry. 
At night boys are very fond of catching rats by firelight ; they lie 
flat on the floor, very still, holding a round pan with dhurra in it, 
the rats come to eat, and as soon as near enough an inverted jar is 
quickly put over them. 
Fishing . — The Madis adopt various methods of fishing. 
Sometimes they dive into the water and while swimming under- 
neath stick the fish with an iron hook ; a line is fastened to this, 
the one end of which is wound round the fisher’s hand, with which 
