Here is a photo of a traditional bola:
http://www.flight-toys.com/bola/bola_argentina10.html

And here is another site with some photos. Note that #7 is used to throw into a flock of birds: http://www.primitiveweapons.com/products/bola.html

The only bola I used as a kid (no idea where it came from) was of leather thongs with three hard rubber balls. Fortunately... since I hit myself in the head with them rather frequently.

And I also don't remember who told me how to throw it, or even if it was correct, but I was told by someone to have two of the balls spinning in one direction, and the third one going in the opposite direction. Mine was only four feet or so, from ball to ball. Funny... I just remembered that I was yelled at for practicing on the dog, but not on my sisters.

Sue