Read "The Customs and Traditions of the Aboriginal Natives of North Western Australia" by John G. Withnell online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
THE men do the hunting for such as turkey, or emu, kangaroo, &c. In the case of birds or wildfowl, they are experts in snaring. This is done by placing a light frame of sticks over the birds' nests, or if snaring small game over a water-hole. A net made for this purpose from the reeds that grow by the water's edge, with meshes varying in size up to three inches square according to the nature of the game, is fastened over the frame, leaving an opening for the bird to enter. The native hides some few yards away, and as soon as the bird enters, the native rushes up to the opening and secures it.
Another very successful method practised by the Shaw River natives is to find a small water-hole some distance from other water, which is easily done in our stretches of dry river bed, and place two semi- circles of boughs around the water, thus leaving an open space at each end for the kangaroo to enter and pass on to the water. After a few nights, the animals get accustomed to this, and make quite a pad through. The natives will then place two upright poles at one entrance with a cross bar above the height of a kangaroo's head, Upon this bar is fastened a bag net, about 8 ft. by 4 ft., which is tied down by reeds, ready for snaring. The kangaroo comes in by the other entrance, and when he has passed by, the natives (there are generally two of them) spring from their hiding place. The kangaroo makes up the pad to the other end he knew so well, only to be bagged in the net. The natives then kill him with their clubs. They catch three or more in this way in a night.