GAMES. 
113 
of the island. They handle their gun awkwardly, 
but take pretty sure aim when the object is sta- 
tionary: they seem, however, not to have the 
least notion of shooting flying. — Ti, is a game 
with their fingers, in which they count, and are 
remarkably dextrous in detecting an error. \He, 
who the greatest number of times can place his 
fingers instantaneously in a certain position, on 
the repetition of a word chosen out of a given 
number, at the option of the opponent, is the 
winner. The rapidity with which the words are 
spoken, and the dexterity with which the hands 
are placed in the required position^ are astonish- 
ing : practice from childhood is requisite to make 
a person perfect master of the game*. — Running, 
climbing, swimming, wrestling, flying kites, and 
tossing the poi, a ball about the size of a good 
cricket-ball, are most of the games of native 
origin : cricket, quoits, draughts, and a few others 
of English extraction, complete the number of 
their sports. They are fond of imitation, and, if 
instructed, would draw well. They will correctly 
delineate a ship upon paper, with a pencil, or with 
chalk or charcoal on the wall, or with their fingers 
upon the sands : some draw, with tolerable accu- 
racy, men, horses, cattle, sheep, houses, or any 
other object ; and from recollection, and to amuse 
themselves, they will frequently sketch a house, 
a church, or some other building or object, which 
may have taken their fancy in Port Jackson. 
* A very common game in Italy likewise, and other coun- 
tries. — Ed, 
