THE KERERU

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 190, 25 May 1934, Page 8

THE KERERU

MAORI PIGEON TROUGH.

OLD METHOD OF SNARING.

(Special to the '" Guardian.") WELLINGTON, May, 23

I Reminiscent of the days when , the : Maori took pigeons for food and feathers, an interesting kereru, or pigeon trough was recently presented to the Dominion Museum, Wellington, by Mrs J. J. Clark, of Kilbirnie. This kereru is a plain uncarved log ove<seven feet long and 12 inches wide, hollowed in such a manner that the ends are closed. As a type of waka fcereru, this one differs from oblong examples already in! the museum's collection, and is on this account quite outstanding. The taking of birds by the Maori was largely J. Phillips, assistant director of the museum, yesterday. AH trapping and snaring operations were carried out by experts and called for a greater degree of specialisation' than many other tasks. The pigeon was one of the most important of all forest birds, and a favourite method of securing it for food was that styled "waituhi" which term referred to. the setting of snares over water to take the pigeons when thirsty, i The berries of the miro were ripe in May and June, and during these months pigeons fed largely on them, becoming thirsty when they had eaten their fill. So, during that season, the Maori fowler would set many snares around the edges of streams. His plan was to cover the surface of the stream with branches, leaving only certain clear spaces at which the birds might drink. . v Snares were set around these clear spaces so closely that a bird eduld not but put its head into a noose to reach clown to the water. After drinking the pigeon, like many other birds, raised its head slightly ruffled its neck feathers, and shook its head. These motions largely assisted the suarer for the back String of the snare caught the ruffled feathers. Sometimes a strong stick was placed across the clear opening and on this the snares were set. An interesting artifact of the Maori was seen in the waka kereru adopted from the idea, of compelling the birds to drink at certain given spaces ana put his head through a noose to ao so. This waka kereru was a hewn wooden trough up to 7ft long, 4 to Bm. deep, and about SinTwide. The trough was filled with water and placed in a conspicuous position either up on the trees or on a couple of posts set up by the fowler Many waka kereru were highly prized and some were carved on the outside. Charms were repeated by fowlers to provoke thirst in birds. "The first bird taken in the season is utilised as an offering to the gods Air Phillipps added. "As such, accordtag to Mr Elsdon Best, it might eithei be cast away, suspended on a tree or be ceremonially eaten by a female of the elder branch of a leading family. This hitter act would take some of the tapu off the forest' and so enable women to enter it and take part m the various operations. Snares are examined at least once a day, and more often when the birds are numerous. Trespass on snaring places by outsiders is looked upon as bad form. Should a man S wandering through the forest chance upon some,such place set with snares, leave it in a conspicuous place, ana walk on."