National Republican., 1884-11-05
coRMoRANrs Artsu1Na.


Engineer George Dean, who hns spent
number of years in China 81 was walk.
ing along the Min river ono day soon after
arriving in China, and | camo to a
bamboo float or raft moorcd to the
pier of bridge. ! noticed ma
tive squatting on the raft, and saw
what at first | thought were nun
Der Of ducks grouped at onc end Of 1t.
They were all faced toward the China
man, and no was gazing steadily at
them with his hands on his knees. 1 stop
ped to SEQ what was going on. Suddenly
the man extended his right hand, palm
upward. toward one OF tho birds, which
/ then saw were not ducks, for tho ono
tho Chinaman reached his hand to wad-
died as briskly as it could toward him, and
hoped on the open palm. The man
stroked its feathers fondly, rub
bed his cheek along its neck,
which he kissed now and then.
and talked to IL in Chinese, evidently in
endearing terms Tho bird seemed do
lighted II laid its head on the China
mans arm, rubbed its peculiar bill
against his facc, and returned all his
caresses. This lasted at least minute,
and then tho man moved with the bird
to the farther side of the iloat, and placed
1t on the edge. Then for the first time
IL came TO mo that this was Chinese
fisherman. working with eormorants.
when the cormorant was placed on tho
edge of tho raft 1t dipped its bill in the
water, snapped 1t together loudly, looked
up and down the side Of the float, turned
its head and fixed its glstening black
eyes an instant on its master. and then
slid beneath the surface without sound.
scarcely leaving ripple behind it. The
Chinaman seated himself again and
awaited tho reappoaranGo Of his bird
without any apparent concern or anxiety.
Tho other birds remained standing
ot tho end of tho raft, almost notion
less, and without removing their eyes
from their master Tho bird that had
dived into tho water remained beneath
the surface for probably quarter of n
minute, and then reLppeared, hopping
almost out of the water as it came up.
The lower half of fish protruded from
its mouth. Tho bird swan straight to tho
raft, climbed upon IL, and, jumping on its
masters knee. held its head up for him
to remove tho fish. The Chinaman pulled
the fish from the birds mouth with one
hand, while he stroked its neck and
plumage with tho other, and whis-
pered words of approval. The cormorant
its delight In various ways. Again
its master placed it on the
edge Of the raft, and once more it glided
noselessly in the water. Tho other birds
maintained their stolidity, apparently
unmindful of what was going OH around
them. The cormorant that was fishing
appeared in short time, and again bad
made successful dive. The same caress-
ing was gone through with. and the bird
was started in the water a third time. 1t
now seemed to be thoroughly warmed up
to its work, and won't at 1t with an avidity
that showed plainly the pleasure it took
in it. The thied time it was gone longer
than usual, and when it finally came up
had no fish. The change in its actions
was striking. 1t swan frantically about
in tho water, twisting and
turning and evincing the greatest distress,
but turn which way it might, it kept its
sharp eyes fixed on its master with an
appealing expression. 1t made no move
to approach the raft. and when the China
man raised his hand and pointed down.
ward with tho fore finger the bird dived
like q flash. In q few seconds up 1t came,
bearing in its mouth large fish. This
time itswarn boldly for the raft, deposited
its prey at its masters feet, and showed
plainly by the jos fulness Of its actions as
he stroked its arched neck that IL had
| redeemed itself.
when the Chinaman placed the third
| fish in his basket he took the cormorapt
and placed ID in tho eentnr of tho raft. 1t
seemed to understand that it had done its
work satisfactorily and was entitled to
rest, for it strutted proudly away and
took up its position at the other end OF
the raft. When this was done great
change came over the other birds. Each
ono Strengthened itself up to its full
height, arched its neck, shook out its
feathers, and seemed quivering with ex-
pectancy. The Chinaman squatted before
them as he had done before, eyed them
curiously for moment, and then held
out his hand to the largest of the group.
1t hoped upon the hand and instantly
its companions resumed their listless aud
Indifferent attitudes. The Chnaman
caressed this bird as he had done the first
but it did not reciprocate his atten-
tons. 1t seemed sullen and showed
no heart for its work. Its master
placed it on tho edge of the raft
and 1t pumped in the water at once
splashing it about, and disappeared. 1t
was gone not more than five seconds, and
came up without a fish. 1t swan about
as the other bird had done, but did moi
exhibit distress or disappointment. /,
kept its eyes on It's master. for nc
other purpose, apparently. than to TO
ceive his signal to dive again. When this
was given the bird sank below the surface
again. 1t remained below about as Ions
as before, and came mp again without q
fish. The Chiuamal now arose to hi
feet. He shouted something to the bird
and msde an emphatice signal. His anger
did not iisturb the cormorant in the least
1t was apparently an insorrigible servant
1t dived deliberately tho third time, anc
once more appeared without adding any
thing to its masters catch. Then tn,
Chinaman uttered several gutteral exclam
ations, and made signal by jerking hi
thumb back over his isshoulder. The cormo
rant swan tantalizingly slow into the raft
its master caught 1t by the neck an,
dragged it out Of the water. He cuffed |
several times on tho head, and threw !
violently down on the bamboos. though
the poor bird must certainly nave the lif
crushed out of it, but it arose coolly to IL
feet and limped sullenly off to where tn
first cormorant stood, strong in its mas
ters affection and approval. This br,
manifested unmistakable delight at tn
discontinue of its companion, but tn
others seemed to notice nothing but tn
movements of their master.
"The Chinaman next held out bot
hands and took two of the remaiuin
birds at once. These seemed to appre
ciato his caresses. They evidently fol
that they were TO be worked together
and that the competition would result i
greater or less reward. When they wor
placed on the top OF the raft they eye
each other jealously, and when the signs
was given both cut tho water and disap
; peared together. In ten seconds on
! came up. 1t had fish. 1t locke
hurriedly around on all sides, doub
} less to see if its rival had aI
] peared yet, and hastened for tn
raft. 1t was within two feet of it beior
the other bird appeared, and then thl
came to the surface Immediately In fro1