382 
MEANS OF SUPPORT. 
a little arbor with a few large leaves of the fern-tree, in which 
he sits concealed with a small stick in his hand. The call of the 
tame bird soon attracts some of its wild companions, which, 
when they alight on the pole, are enticed still lower, until the 
fowler either seizes them with his hand, or knocks them down 
with his stick. 
The Jcakariki, or small green parrot, is taken by snares; it 
is a delicious bird, and very abundant. 
The titi, or mutton-bird, is a sea bird, which goes inland 
at night, just as the light wanes. It flies about in gfeat num¬ 
bers, and fills the air with its cries. To effect its capture, the 
natives select some spot on the edge of a lofty precipice, 
where they cut down all the trees which intercept the view, 
and there they build a little shed close to the verge. They 
then light a bright fire, behind which they sit, each armed with 
a long stick. The titi are attracted by the light, and fly close 
by in great numbers, so that they are easily knocked down as 
quick as possible ; and thus, in one night, several hundreds are 
often killed, which, like the pigeon, they preserve in their own 
fat for future use. 
These are the principal birds upon which the New Zea¬ 
landers lived; and, though there were many smaller varieties 
which were also eaten, some of which are now extinct, it 
is not necessary here to enumerate them. The water-fowl, the 
wild duck, wio, puJceJco, and several others—were more rarely 
captured, and can scarcely be said to have contributed much 
to their support. 
Fishing may be considered as of two kinds;—fresh water 
and salt. New Zealand is not rich in its fresh water fish, yet, 
such as they are, they are generally taken in large quantities, 
and are all very good eating. The principal ones are the tuna, 
(eel,) th epipiharau, (lamprey,) the fcokopu, and inanga. The 
eel is shorter and thicker than the English one, although some 
measure nearly six feet in length, being as thick as an ordinary 
man’s thigh, and extremely fat; still, the general size is much 
less. To take this fish, a weir is constructed in rivers; a 
strong fence is formed with poles, two of which arc wide 
apart at one end, and approach nearer at the other, where the 
