Litchfield enquirer., 1857-04-09
From the Journal of an American Officer in the
 North Pacific Squadron,
 Chinese Cormorant Fishing.

Forl-show-fou upon the foaning breast of the 1 still rising tide, and shot ont upon the river above it, we saw long row raft of bamboo moored under the lee of the heavy pier to our right, on which were a Chinamall, q basket, aud five duck-l,ke birds, which we imagined at once to be the celebrated fishing corlnerants' of the East. We also imagined that th's might be our only opportunity for witnessing that singular mode of fishing, and consequent ly thought it worth while to rest upon our 1 oars for moment, i'll the hope that the Chl- naman would gratify our curiosity. We were not disappointed. Scarcely had we rounded to, when he reached ont his hand towards the birds the nearest of whom at once waddled up to him and stepped into his open palm, when he slnoothcd down his feathers with his right hand bent his mouth to his arched neck for a moment, and then put him upon the cCge of the raft. Then the blrd dipped his bill in the water once or twice, snapped his head from side to side about the same nul:b Der of times, shook his tail spaslncd- icay and ended Ly diving suddenly into the turbld waters that washed his feet.
 In the meantime the four remaining cormo- rants were huddled together on the far end of the raft drying their feathers, switching their tails, looking altogether quite cool and com fortable. After being down about fifteen sec onds, the absent explorer popped suddenly out ot the water with quite good sized fish i'll hs mouth, swam to his master, gave up the prize which seemed already half swallowed, and hoppcd upon his knee, where le shook himself, while the fish was being put into the basket Ills master then stroked him down again, (much to the apparent delight Of the succ, ssiul fshcrman,) whispered again Ill hs ear and after a few moments of respite, placed hin once more upon the edge of the raft.
 Again he dove, and agaln Ee brought up a fish in lis mouth. He then underwent sn lar process of caressing, and was once more placed at the waters edge. Now, however, fortune seemed to have lct him. He had no fish when he at length arose to the surface at- ter d protractcd dive, and seemed at loss what to do. He turned himself around sevc- raI times in the water keeping his sharp eyes fixed upon his master, as if asking permission to try it again.
 Suddenly the latter made a motion with his hand, aud dovn went the bird. When he came up he brought a third fish that was quite large, eight inches long, say, and which strug- ged violently, as though surprised at the nn- usual situation in which he found himself. He, tco, was put in the basket, the proud colnorant was once more carcssed, and then placed gen- tIy upon the center of the raft, instead of up on the edge, as formerly. This seemed to tell him that his services Were no longer required just then, aud that he had acquitted himself with great credit, for he moved off to the oth- CT end of the raft with the stately step of a conqucror while the next in turn advanced to I h;,l l., nod by either cage or string, and seemed to regu late their movements by noe or motion of the hand of their master.
 Cornorant No }, was not as sprightly a looking bird as his predecessor nevertheless he brought up fish after the fist dive, gave a Tt with his expanded ta and swam to- wards his master, to deliver up his prize. He was taken cut of the water, relieved of his fish, and placed gently upon the edge of the raft as the other had been. There he sat few moments perfectly motionless, but seeming suddenly to sec a fish, he dropped off like a piece of lead, and nothing more was seen of h;m for at least ten seconds. Then he came up to the surface with a spring that took him almost out of the water, but without fish. His actions expressed his disappointment all most as we'll words could have done: He did not sw m for his master as formerly, but scu,lcd around in d small circle, keeping his bright, unsteady eyes fixed upon Him as tocsa dog expecting bone, and running fearful risk of twisting his neck off.
 The master pointed down with his finger, and down dove the comorant. Still no sue cess. Once more and still no luck. Finally he was taken back upon the raft; slapped soundly on tue head, and started, waddlng, stumbling heels over head, towards the other end. The next in turn immediately advanced to take his place.
 We wondered at their beautiful training, motioned our boatmcn to give way once more, and stccred in towards the landing on the left bank. Seeing this man slap the unsuccessful comorant so unmerciully on his head, and the latter evidently so much crest-fallcn, recalled to my mind description ill regard to ducks and Chinamen-which 1 had heard upon our first arrival in China The demand for ducks among them as an article of food is so great, that artificial means of matching them have to be resorted to-. As ia Egypt, therefore, the oven is employed, and thus immense numbers arc daily produced These are raised in boats built expressly for the purpose, and their feeding costs trouble only, and that to only one man and his family. The boats arc built very flat, aud have low, raft-like wings extend ing out from each side these are fenced in with bamboo, so that the ducks may be SC" cured at night. The center apartment is oc- cupied by the owners of the establishment, who do there most of their eating, sleeping and drinking. I have never yet seen any country
 but China. where so many people pass So much
 or the,r time in their boats. Many of them
 duck owners, for iustancc-havc no house save
 their boats, hence the custom. These duck
 boats are allowed to drift up and COW the rivers, almost at the mercy of the tides, and