286 - 
native MODE OF 
out of the noose, he tucks its head in his belt, or lets 
it float on the water, whilst he proceeds to catch 
another, or as many more as he can before the birds 
take the alarm at the struggles of their companions, 
and fly away. A windy day is generally selected 
for this employment, when the water is ruffled by 
waves. On such occasions a skilful native will 
secure a great many birds. 
Netting birds remains to be described, and is the 
most destructive mode of taking them of any that is 
practised. Geese, ducks, teal, widgeons, shags, peli- 
cans, pigeons, and others are procured in this way. 
The method adopted is as follows : — a large square or 
oblong net, (kue-rad-ko) from thirty to sixty feet 
broad, and from twenty to forty deep, is formed by 
lacing together pieces of old fishing nets, or any 
others, made of light twine, that they may have. 
A strong cord is then passed through the meshes of 
one end, and tied at both extremes of the net. The 
natives then go down to a lagoon of moderate width, 
where two tall trees may be standing opposite to 
each other on different sides, or they select an 
opening of a similar kind among the trees on the 
bank of the river, through which the ducks, or other 
birds, are in the habit of passing when flying be- 
tween the river and the lagoons. An old man 
ascends each of the trees, and over the topmost 
branch of both lowers the end of a strong cord 
passing through the net. The other end is tied 
near the root of each tree, and serves for the native, 
