NETTING BIRDS. 
287 
who is stationed there, to raise or lower the net as 
it may be required. When set, the ropes are hauled 
tight, and the net dangles in the air between the 
two trees, hanging over the lagoon, or dry passage, 
as the case may be. All being ready, a native is 
left holding each end of the rope, and others are sta- 
tioned at convenient places near, with little round 
pieces of bark in their hands to throw at the birds, 
and drive them onwards as they approach the net. 
The women are then sent to put the birds up, 
and they come hying through the open space 
towards the net, not dreaming of the evil that awaits 
them ; as they approach nearer, the two natives at 
the trees utter a shrill whistle, resembling the note 
of the hawk, upon which the flock, which usually 
consists of ducks, lower their flight at once, and 
proceeding onwards, strike full against the net, 
which is instantly lowered by the men attending to 
it, and the birds are left struggling in the water, or 
on the ground, entangled in its meshes, whilst the 
natives are busy paddling in their canoes, or scam- 
pering towards the net on the ground, to wring 
their necks off, and get the instrument of destruction 
raised again, to be ready for the next flight that may 
come. Should the birds fly too high, or be in- 
clined to take any other direction, little pieces of 
bark are thrown above them, or across their path, 
by the natives stationed for that purpose. These 
circling through the air, make a whirring noise like 
the swoop of the eagle when darting on his prey, 
