Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 4.djvu/89

 BAORIES. (190) HIS is a very low race, and scarcely a caste among Hindoos, by whom the members are considered Chandalas, Mléchas, or outcasts. They are of the same rank as Khunjurs, Bayees, and others of similar habits; no doubt remnants of aboriginal tribes who have never been entirely converted, either by Hindoos (Aryans) or Mahomedans. As a rule they worship Devi, or Bhowani; but it is a propitiatory worship only, and includes demons, ghosts, and evil sprites, of whom Baories live in abject fear. They also worship snakes at particular periods, and leave food for them near their holes. By profession they are snarers of game, and are very expert at it. The figure in the Photograph has just set up his net for hares; and in fields or uncultivated places he would fasten one end of a long net to a bush while his wife would hold the other under cover, the middle being supported by sticks. He would then alone, or with companions, drive the game into the net, which, being but slightly supported, falls down upon and secures it. The sitting figure on the right hand holds a bundle of snares attached to wooden pegs, which are set to catch partridges or quail; they are very neatly made of catgut, or finely twisted hair for birds, and of a stronger character for deer. It is almost impossible for a bird or animal to escape them. The Baorie is a capital imitator of the calls of all kinds of birds, especially partridges and quail. He can imitate them calling their hens, or challenging to fight, and is master also of hen language in its turn. Having carefully spread his nooses in a secluded place, he gets into a bush, or sits behind a screen of leaves, and begins to crow or chuckle, which attracts the game, and he soon makes his bag; or, failing this accomplishment in his own person, he trains decoy partridges, which will follow him like dogs, and which are more certain of success than his own voice. It is curious to observe how one of these trained birds will lure on others to destruction, and apparently enter into the sport with his master. Quail are not susceptible of such training; they are kept in cages, which are placed near the nooses and covered with grass or leafy twigs; but quail are, if possible, more pugnacious than partridges, and the Baorie sells them to Mahomedan