Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-11-08
FISHING IN CHINA.
How the Rcd and Line are Made Su.
perfluOus by the C0rmOrant.

From the New York Sun
1.-The first time ever saw q fishing cormor-
ant at work under the direction of its Chinese
master, thought it was one Of the most anus
ing and at the same time interesting sights
imaginable" said Engineer George Dean, who
has spent number of years In China 81 was
walking along the Min river one day soon after
arriving in China, and came to a bamboo float
or raft moored to the pier Of bridge. /
noticed native s9uatting on the raft and saw
what at first thought were number Of ducks
grouped at one end of it. They were all faced
toward the Chnaman, and he was gazing stead
lily at them with his hands on his knees l
stopped to see what was going on. Suddenly
the man extended his right hand, palm upward,
toward one OF the birds, which then saw were
not ducks, for the one the Chinaman reached
his hand to wadd;ed as brskly as it could to-
ward him. and hoped on the open palm. The
man stroked its feathers fondy. rubbed his
cheek along Its neck. which he kissed now and
then, and talked to it In Chinese. evidently in
endearing terms. The bird seemed delighted
1t laid its head on the Clnnaman's arm, rubbed
its peculiar bill against his face, and returned
all his caresses. This lasted at least minute,
and then the man moved with the bird to the
further side OF the float, and placed it on the
edge. Then for the first time it came to me that
this was Chinese fisherman, working with
cOrmorants
''When the cormorant was placed on the edge
OF the 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 glis-
tening black eyes an instant on its master. and
then slid beneath the surface without a sound,
scarcely leaving ripple behind it. The China
man seated himself again and awaited the re-
appearance of his bird without any apparent
concern or anxiety. The other birds remained
standing at the end of the raft almost notion
less, and without removing theireyes from their
master. The bird that had dived into the
water remained beneath the surface for proba-
bly, quarter of minute and then reappeared.
popping almost out of the water as 1t came up.
The lower half of fish prOtruded from its
mouth. The bird swan straight to the raft,
climbed upon it, and. jumping on its masters
knee, held its head up for him to remove the
fish. The Chinaman pulled the fish from the
birds mouth with one hand while he stroked
its neck and plumage with the other, and whis-
percd words Of approval. The cOrmorant
shook out its feathers and showed It's delight in
various ways. Again its master placed it on
the edge OF the raft. and once more il glided
noiseleSSy in the water. The other birds MAIN
tanned their stolidity, apparently unmindtul of
what was going on around them. The cormo-
rant that was fishing appeared In short time,
and again had made successful dive The
same caressing was gone through with. and the
bird was started in the water third time 1t
now seemed to be thoroughly warned UP to its
work, and went at it with an avidity that
showed plainly the pleasure it took in it. The
third time it was gone longer than usual, and
when it finally came I'D it had no fish. The
change In its actions was striking 1t swan
frantically about in the 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 express
sion. 1t made no move to approach the raft,
and when the Chinaman raised his hand and
pointed downward with the fore finger, the bird
dived again. and so quickly that it was gone like
flash. In a few seconds up it came, bearing
in its mouth a large fish. This time it swan
boldly for the raft, deposited its prey at its mas
ter's feet, and showed plainly by the joyfulness
Of. its actions he strOked its arched neck that
it had redeemed itself.
when the Chinaman placed the third fish in
his basket he took the cOrm0rant and placed il
in the centre of the RAFT. 1t seemed to under
stand that it had done its work satisfactorily and
was entitled to rest for 1t 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 one straight
ened itself up to its full height, arched its reck,
shook out Its feathers, and seemed quivering
with expectancy. The Chinaman squatted be-
fore them as he had done before, eyed them Gu
riOusly for moment. and then held out his
hand to the largest Of the group. 1t hoped
upon the hand, and instantly its companions re-
sumed their listieSs and indifferent attitudes.
The Chinaman caressed this bird as he had done
tions. 1t seemed sullen, and showed no heart
for its work. Its master placed it on the edge
OF the raft, and it pumped in the water at once,
splashing it about, and disappeared. 1t was
gone not more than five seconds. and came up
without fish. 1t swan about as the other bird
had DONE but it did not exhibit distress or dis
appointment. 1t kept its eyes on its master, for
no other purpose, apparently. than to receive
his signal to dive again. When this
was given the bird sank below the surface
ornsr h0r-
before, and came up again without fish. The
Chinaman now arose to his feet. He shouted
something to the bird, and made an emphatic
signal. His anger did not disturb the cormorant
in the least. 1t was apparently an incOrrigibe
servant 1t dived deliberately the third time,
and once more appeared without adding any
thing to its masters catch. Then the Chinaman
uttered several cultural EXPLANATIONS and
made signal by jerking his thumb back over
his shoulder. The cormorant swan tantaliZing
slow into the raft Its master caught it by the
neck and dragged it out of the water he
cuffed it several times on the head and threw it
violently down on the bamboos. thought the
poor bird must certainly have the life crushed
out of it, but it arose coolly to its feet and
limped sullenly off to where the first cormorant
stood, strong in its masters affection and ap-
prevail This bird manifested unmistakable
delight at the discontinue of Its companion,
but the others seemed to notice nothing but
the movements Of their master.
1.-The Chnaman next held out both hands
and took two Of the remaining birds at once
These seemed to appreciate his caresses. They
evidently felt that they were to be worked to-
gether, and that the competition would res ult
in greater or less reward. When they were
placed the top of the raft they eyed each other
jealousy. and when the signal was given, both
cut the water and disappeared together. In
ten seconds one came up. 1t had fish. 1t
looked hurriedly around on all sides, doubtless
to see if its rival had appeared yet and fastened
for the raft. 1t was within two feet of it before
the other bird appeared, and then that came to
the surface Immediately in front of the first and
also with fish In its mouth. Before it scored
any advantage its rival was even with it In the
race. They both reached the raft together, and
were treated alike by their master. On the
second trial they both came to the surface to-
gether, but one bird had no fish. When it saw
that its rival had been successful it became wild
1t threshed about in the water and seized the
fish in the other birds mouth and endeavored to
take it away. but a shout and signal from its
master caused it to rel!nguish its hold. Its rival
swan proudly to the raft with its prey, deposit
ted it at it's masters feet, and received his ca
resses, while the other bird swan frantically
about waiting to get signal from the China
man to try again. This he did not give until
the successful bird was ready to try again. This
time the unsuccessful bird was successful. and
the other was under the ban.
SIN this way the Chinaman continued fishing
with his birds for hours. and when he ceased for
the day he had a half-bushel basket heanpd with