Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 July 1885 — Catching Pigeons. [ARTICLE]

Catching Pigeons.

The ground being cleared, the chiefs stationed themselves at distances all round a large circular space, each concealed under a low shed or covering of brushwood, having by his side a net attached to a long bamboo* and in his hand a stick with a tame pigeon on a crook at the end of it. This pigeon, trained to fly roufid and round as directed by its. owner, with a string at its foot thirty feet long, attached to the end of his stick. Every man flew his pigeon, land then the whole circle looked like a place where pigeons were flocking round food or water. The scene soon attracted some wild pigeon, and as it approached the spot, whoever was jmxt to it raised his net find tried to entangle it. fie who got the greatest numLet of pigeons was the hero of the day and honored by his friend*

riljthyarioris kinds of food, with which he treated his less successful competitors. Some of the pigeons were baked, others were distributed about and tamed for further use. Taming and excercising them for the sporting season was a common pastime. —Samoa a Hundred. Years Ago, by George Turner.