Catching with the Hand.--Ducks.--We hear of Hindoos who, taking
advantage of the many gourds floating on their waters, put one of them on
their heads, and wade in among wild ducks; they pull them down, one after
another, by their legs, under water; wring their necks, and tie them to
their girdle. But in Australia, a swimmer binds grass and rushes, or
weeds, round his head; and takes a long fishing-rod, with a slip noose
working over the pliant twig that forms the last joint of the rod. When
he comes near, he gently raises the end, and, putting the noose over the
head of the bird, draws it under water to him. He thus catches one after
another, and tucks the caught ones in his belt. A windy day is generally
chosen, because the water is ruffled. (Eyre.)
Condors and Vultures are caught by spreading a raw ox-hide, under which a
man creeps, with a piece of string in his hand, while one or two other
men are posted in ambush close by, to give assistance at the proper
moment. When the bird flies down upon the bait, his legs are seized by
the man underneath the skin, and are tied within it, as in a bag. All his
flapping is then useless; he cannot do mischief with his claws, and he is
easily overpowered.
Bolas.--The bolas consists of three balls, composed either of lead or
stone; two of them are heavy, but the third is rather lighter: they are
fastened to long elastic strings, made of twisted sinews, and the ends of
the strings are all tied together.
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