The Australian boomerang

   The boomerang is a curved wooden throwing stick. It has been used for centuries for sport, hunting, and war by the Australian aborigines. The Hopi Indians of Arizona and primitive peoples in certain parts of India and Africa have also used boomerangs.
   The return boomerang is used mainly for sport, although it can also serve as a weapon for killing birds. It is nearly V-shaped, and its arms are slightly twisted in opposite directions. One side is flat, while the other is rounded, like the top of an airplane wing. The thrower hurls the boomerang forward, giving it a slight twist, which causes it to spin. An expert can make it sail through the air for more than 300 feet, rise 150 feet, and then circle several times before returning.
   The non-return boomerang, although not quite so fascinating, is a much deadlier weapon than the return type. It is also larger, heavier, and straighter. An aborigine can kill an enemy with it or bring down a large animal at 500 feet.