Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-07-24

gives the following interesting account Of
the Chinese method Of fishing by means Of
birds trained to that employment.
MS we passed under the massive blocks
Of grey granite upon the fDaming breast OF
the rising tide, and shot out into the ex-
panding river beyond, we saw II long low
raft Of bamboo moored under the lee Of the
heavy pier to our right, on which were
Chinese fisherman, IA basket, a paddle, and
five duck-like birds, which we at once i'm
agined to be some Of the celebrated fishing
cormorants' Of the Etst. We also imagined
that this might be our only opportunity for
witnessing their singular mode of fishing,
and consequently stopped in the hope that
the Chinaman would crafty our curiosity.
We were not disappointed.
Scarce had we rounded to when hs
reached out his hand towards the birds, the
nearest of whom at once waddled up to him
and stepped into his open palm lie now
snoothed his feathers with the right hand.
bent his mouth to his arched neck for q
moment, and then put him upon the edge
Of the raft There the bird dipped his bill
into the water once or twice, snapped his
head from side so side, shook his tail sew
eral flirts, and ended by diving suddenly in
to the turbid water that washed his feet.
I'm the meantime, the four remaining
cormorants were huddled together on the
far end of the raft, drying their feathers,
switching their tails, and looking altogeth-
er quite comfortable. After being down
from ten to fifteen seconds, the absent ex
plorer hoped suddenly out of the water
with good sized fish in his mouth, swan
to his master, gave up the halt-swallOwed
prize, and hoped upon his knee, where he
shook himself while the fish was being put
in the basket. His master then stroked
! him down as before-much to his apparent
whispered again in his ear, and
| placed him once more upon the edge OF the
| raft.
again he Owed, and again he came up
with fish. lie then underwent a similar
process of calessing, and was once more
placed on the waters edge. Now, however,
fortune seemed to have left him. lie had
no fish when he arose after protracted alb
! sence and seemed at loss what to do
| lie turned himself around IN the water sew
cra times, keeping his dark eyes fixed on
| his master s. as if asking permission to try
| again. Suddenly the latter made motion
with his hand, and down he went. When
he came up he brought quite large FISH
eight inches long, say-whch struggled
violently, as though surprised at the I'M
| usual situation in which he found himself.
| lie too was put in the basket, the proud
cormorant once more carcssed, and then
placed gently in the centre of tho raft in-
stead Of upon its edge as formerly
This seemed to tell him that liSu1
wees were no longer required, and
| had acquitted himself with con sfaHfhble
| credit for he moved off to the other end of
the raft with the stately step ola conqueror,
while the next in turn advanced to supply
] d La, 81.
movements by nod or motion Of the hand
/ from their master. COrmorant No , was
/ not as ,prightly looking bird as his PRE-
/ Ieccssor; nevertheless, he brought up a fish
| after the first dive, gave hirt with his ex-
! banded tail, and swan to his master to
/ give up the prize. lie was taken out a- be-
fore, relieved of his mouthiul, and subse-
/ qucntly placed gently on the edge of the
RAFT. There he sat IL few moments perfectly
mOtlOnlcss, but seeming suddenly to see
fish, dropped off like u piece OF lead, and
/ nothing more was seen OF him for at least
fifteen seconds. Then he came to the sur
face with II spring that took him almost out
Of the water, but having no fish. His act
ions now expressed his disappointment al.
most as plainly as words could have done.
lie did not swim towards his master as for
mcrly, but kept sculling about in a small
circle with his bright, unsteady glance fixed
ON him, at the imminent risk Of twisting off
! his neck.
The master pointed down with his finger,
and down went the unsuccessful fisherman.
Still no fish. Once more, and still no sue
cess, Finally, he was taken back upon the
RAFT, slapped soundly on the head and
thrown angrily down. lie Immediately
made tracks Tor the other end. tumbling
heels over head, and looking very much "a
shamed of himself. The next in turn now
waddled forward; but, having seen enough,
we continued on our way"