Page:Madras Journal of Literature and Science, series 1, volume 6 (1837).djvu/342

320 eaten, and if it has indigested food in its stomach, they reject it; for, if eaten, they say it would cause violent vomiting. At the spring time of the year they live principally upon the eggs and young of birds, chiefly of the parrot tribe, bat also of hawks, ducks, swans, pigeons, cockatoos, land turtle, &c. They are extremely expert at climbing trees, which they do by notching the bark with their hammers, in the same manner as is practiced in Port Jackson. Thus they procure opossums, which they trace to their holes by the marks of their claws upon the bark; there are two species, one the common ring-tail (uwarra), the other, comal: they are not often found in the same districts, the cernul living chiefly in lofty and thick woods, whilst the ring-tail is frequently found in swamps, and the low brush which surrounds them. The comal is of larger size and much lighter colour, with a brownish bushy tail; it is also fatter, the fur is longer, of a whitish colour, and is spun by the natives into a kind of worsted, called by them peteroe, of which the noodle buls are made; the fur of the ring-tailed opposum is not used. That of both species is easily detached from the skin. The comal is frequently hunted with dogs by moonlight, when it is either speared in its flight, or driven to its haunt in some hollow tree; the natives then make a hole, and extract it, but should it be too difficult or troublesome, they kindle a torch of grass-tree leaves and push it into the hole, when, in attempting to escape, the animal is easily taken.

During the summer and autumn months the natives derive a large proportion of their food from fish. They have no canoes, neither do they swim well. They have neither nets, nor hook and line, and the only weapon they use is the spear, with which they are very dexterous. In the mouths of streams they take large quantities by weirs made of bushes; hut the most common method is pursuing the fish into shoal water and spearing them, or as they lie basking on the surface. Fish being very plentiful, they often kill more than is sufficient for present use; in this case they roast them, and, separating the flesh in large flakes from the bones, pack it carefully up in soft bark, in which way it will keep good for several days. Immediately on killing a large fish, they make a small opening just below the gills, through which they extract the entrails; if there be any fat, it is carefully separated; the bowels, liver, &c. they cook and eat. Although sharks are numerous, the natives are not at all alarmed at them; sometimes they will spear them, but never eat any part of the body. Sting-rays and maiden-rays are also common, but not eaten; though sometimes killed for amusement. Crawfish ("challons") and prawns, are to be