Smyrna times., 1857-09-16
Chinese Fishing.

|
The manner in which the Chinese employ
birds to catch fish with, on the river Min, is
thus described by Lieut.. Habersham:
GAS we passed under the massive blocks of
gray granite upon the ioamng breast Of the
rising tide, and shot out of the expanding river
beyond, we saw long low raft Of bamboo
moored under the lee Of the heavy pier to our
right on which were Chinese fisherman, a
basket, a paddle, and FIVE duck like birds, which
We at once imagined to be some of the celebra-
ted fishing cormorants' of the East. We also
| imagined that this might b.. only opporlu-
nifty tor witnessing this singular mode of fishing,
aud consequently stopped, in the hope that the
Chlnaman would gratify our curiosity. We
were not disappointed.
| "Scarce had we rounded to- when he
reached out his hands towards the birds, the
nearest of whom at once waddled up to him and
stepped into his open palm. He now smoolheG
his feathers with the right hand, bent his mouth
to his arched neck for moment, md then pat
him upon the edge Of the raft. There the bird
dipped his bill into the wate- once or twice,
snapped his head from side 60 side, shook his
tail several flirts, and ended by diving suddenly
into the turbid water that washed his feet
In the mean time, the four remaining cormo-
the raft, drying their feathers, switching their
tails, looking altogether quite cool and comfor-
table. After being down from ten to fifteen
seconds, the absent explorer hoped suddenly
out Of the water with quite good-szed 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 into the basket. His master
then strOked him down as betorc-much to his
apparent dehght-whlspcred again i'll his ear,
and placed him once more upon the edge of the
raft
"Again he dved, and again he came up
with fish He then underwent a similar pro-
cess of caressing, and was once more placed on
the waters edge Now, however, fortune
seemed to have left him. He had no FISH when
he arose after protraced absence, and seemed
at a loss what to do He turned himself round
in the water several times, keeping his dark
eyes fixed upon his masters as if asking per-
mission to try again. Suddenly the latter
made motion with his hand, and down he
went. When he came up he brought quite a
large fsh-eight inches long, say-which
struggled violently, as though surprised at the
unusual situation IN which he found himself
He, too, was put in the basket, the proud cor
morant once more caressed, and then placed
gently in the centre of the craft instead of
upon It's edge as formerly.
This seemed to tell him that his services
were no longer required, and that he had ac-
quilted himself with considerable credit; for
he moved off to the other end of the raft With
the stately tread of conqueror, while the next
in turn advanced to supply his place. They
seemed TO regulate their movements by nod
or motion of the hand from their master. Cor
morant No 2. was not as sprightly a looking
bird his predecessor; nevertheless, he
brought up-a fish after the first dive, gave
1rt with his expanded tail, and swan to his
master to give up the prize. He was taken out
as before, relieved of his mOuthfu and subse-
quently placed gently on the edge Of the raft.
There he sat a few moments perfectly motion
less, but seeming suddenly to see fish, drop
ped off like piece of lead, and nothing more
was seen Of him for al least fifteen seconds
Then he came to the surface with a spring that
took him almost out of the wafer but having
no fish. His actions now expressed his disap-
pointment almost as plainly as words could
have done. He did not swim toward his mas
ter as formerly, but kept skulling about in
small circle, with his bright unsteady glance
fixed on him, at the imminent risk of twisting
oil his neck.
"'The master pointed down with his finger,
and down went the unsuccessful fisherman
Still no fish. Once more and still no success. |
Finally, he was taken back upon the raft, slapp- |
ed soundly upon the head, and thrown angrly |
down. He Immediately made tracks for the
other end, tumbng heels over head, and look
ing very much ashamed of himself. The next
in turn now wadded forward but, having seen
enough, we continued on our way"