Figure 294.—Fowl trap (mallei moa):

a, the two forked stakes (la'au manga) which are as thick as the finger, are driven into the ground about 16 inches apart (1) and with the hooks above and facing backwards. The 18-inch rod (2) forms a crossbar (la'au fa'alava) which is fitted under the hooks and is about 6 inches from the ground. A short stake (3) called la'au taofi is driven into the ground about 10 inches in front of the middle of the crossbar. The spring sapling (4) called la'au fa'afiti is driven into the ground at the back at such a distance that when its end is bent down to the required tension, the cord (5) tied to it will be vertically above the middle of the crossbar. The braid is tied to the free end of the spring and a loop made on the other end. A thin piece of wood (6) called la'au milo, about 5 inches long, is used as a tie stick. It is either tied to the braid at the point which touches the crossbar when the spring is bent or it is applied to it in the manner shown. b, The tie stick (6) is held upright and a half hitch turn taken around with the braid (5). c, Holding the anterior crossing firmly against the tie stick to prevent the spring flying back, the upper end of the tie stick (6) is passed behind the crossbar (2), the braid having passed down from the spring in front of the cross bar. a, The tie stick (6) is pushed up so that the crossbar rests against the anterior crossing of the braid and prevents the spring flying up so long as the tie piece remains vertical. It is kept vertical by placing a stick (7) between the short stake (3) and the lower end of the tie stick (6). The third smaller stick (7) of the material assembled is fitted and is about 10 inches long as the stake (3) was placed that distance in front of the crossbar line. The stick acts as a strut and is hence called te'e. It is about 3 or 4 inches above the ground where it meets the tie stick and it acts as a trigger. The noose part of the braid (8) is opened out and crosses above the trigger stick. When the trigger is nicely adjusted, it keeps the lower end of the tie stick in the vertical line and the pull of the spring by keeping the crossing of braid on the tie stick pressed against the crossbar keeps the spring down.