While collecting at Quoin Hill, we used only guns in taking birds. At an
area 12 miles north of Kalabakan, we supplemented the guns with mist
nets in the primary forest. This method was excellent for taking rarely
seen species. For example the thrush _Zoothera interpres_ was never seen
in the field but was taken several times in mist nets.
Another method of collecting was the use of native snares. Such snares
were made of heavy nylon string tied to a sapling, held down by a nylon
string attached to a treadle. When a bird stepped on the treadle, it
tripped the snare and a loop closed about its feet, hoisting it aloft.
To divert large ground birds and mammals into the snare, natives placed
brush barriers along the top of a ridge for one or two miles. Animals
were diverted by these barriers until they came to an opening; if they
went through they usually tripped the trap. Pheasants and the large
ground cuckoo were taken in this manner.