Many methods of obtaining the various articles of food, are resorted to by the natives, some of these are very simple; some exceedingly ingenious; whilst others require great tact and skill; and not a few exercise to their fullest extent those qualities, which they possess so greatly, and prize so highly, such as quickness of sight, readiness of hand, caution in arranging plans, judgment in directing them, patience in waiting for the result, endurance in pursuing, and strength in holding fast.

Fish are procured in different ways.  They are caught with weirs or dams, as already described; and also with large seines made of string manufactured from the rush, and buoyed up with dry reeds, bound into bundles, and weighted by stones tied to the bottom.  This is used just in the same way as the European seine, being either shot from a canoe, or set by swimming or wading, according to the depth of the water.  Great numbers of fish of various kinds, and often of a large size, are caught in this way.  Fresh water turtles, varying in weight from three to twelve pounds, are also taken in the same way, and are excellent eating.

Another kind of net (ngail-le) used in fishing is made of slender twine, and has a large mesh.  It is long, but not more than from two to three feet deep.  A string is passed through the loops of the upper part, and is then stretched across a lagoon, or any other sheet of still water, the upper part being nearly level with the surface of the water, and the lower part dangling loose below, without weight.  In setting it each extremity is fastened to a pole or spear, stuck firmly in the mud to keep it in its place, whilst a third pole is occasionally put in the middle.  A few dry reeds are sometimes fastened at intervals to the line, running through the upper part to prevent the net from sinking too low.  When set, the native either remains by it to take the fish out as they are caught, or leaves it there all night.  The fish swimming about the lagoon, or sporting near the surface, strike against the net, and get their heads fast in the meshes.  The net swinging loose, yields to their pressure, and entangles them the more as they struggle to extricate themselves from it.  This is a most destructive mode of catching fish, and generally secures the finest and largest.

Fish are sometimes taken in another way.  A party of natives proceed to a lagoon, or lake of still water, each carrying in his hand a small net (ken-de-ran-ko) of a semi-oval shape, about twenty inches long, from seven to nine inches across, and from five to seven inches deep.  This net is kept in shape by a thin hoop of wood running round it in the upper part.  With this the native dives to the bottom, and searches among the weeds until he sees a fish; he then cautiously places the net under it, and, rising suddenly to the surface, holds his victim at arm’s length above his head; and then biting it to kill it, he throws it on the shore and dives down again for another.