he bait, are also employed in the
capture of wild fowl.
FIG. 16. CHICKEN SNARE AND CARRYING CASE.
Birds of all sizes are secured by use of bows and arrows, blow guns, or
nets. Wooden decoys (Plate XVIII) are tied to the branches of trees in
which the hunters are concealed. The bows used are of _palma brava_, in
each end of which notches are cut to hold the rattan bow strings (Fig.
17). The arrow shafts are of light reeds and are fitted with one or two
bamboo points. These weapons are effective only for close range, and
even then the Bagobo are far from being expert marksmen. Boys use a reed
blow gun through which they shoot light darts tufted with cotton (Fig.
18). The missile is not poisoned and is of little use at a distance of
more than twenty feet.
FIG. 17. BOWS AND ARROWS.
FIG. 18. BLOW GUNS AND DARTS.
By far the most effective means of securing birds is to stretch a net
between trees or poles where the birds are accustomed to fly. Wooden
decoys are attached to the net in order to attract the game which, once
enmeshed, is easily caught.
Various devices are employed in the capture of fresh water fish,[16] but
the most common is a torpedo-shaped trap of bamboo (Fig. 19). Stone
conduits lead the water from streams into the open ends of these traps,
thus carrying in fish and shrimps. The funnel-shaped opening has the
sharpened ends set close together so that it is quite impossible for the
prisoners to escape, although the water readily passes between the
bamboo strips.
[16] Along the coast the methods of the Christianized natives are used
in salt water fishing.
FIG. 19. BAMBOO FISH TRAP.
A hook and line is employed, especially for eels; while in clear pools
fish are secured by means of a four-pointed spear which is thrust or
thrown (Fig. 20). Perhaps the most interesting device used is a lure,
known as _boro_ (Fig. 21). A live minnow is fastened at the end of the
rod near to a rattan noose. A cord running from the noose to the end of
the stick allows the fisherman to draw up the noose as he desires. The
struggles of the captive fish soon attract others, and when one enters
the loop the line is drawn taut, securely binding the intruder. Several
fish can be taken from a single pool by this method. A berry (_anamirta
coccithis L_.) is used in the capture of fish. It is crushed to a
powder, is wrapped with vines and leaves, and is thrown into pools. The
fish become stupified[sic] and float to the surfa
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