Morning journal and courier., 1885-08-03

fish. It swan frantically about in the water, twisting and turning and evidencing the greatest distress, but, turn which way 1t might, it kept it's sharp eyes fixed on its master, with an appealing expression. It when the Chinaman raised his hand and pointed downward with the forefnger the bird dived again, and so quickly that it was gone like flash. In few seconds up it came, bearing in it's mouth a large fish. This time it swam boldly for the raft, depos- tied it's prey at it's masters feet, and showed plainly by the joyfulness of it's actions as he stroked it's afched neck that it had redeemed itself.
 "When the Chinaman placed the third fish in his basket he took the cormorant and placed it in the center of the raft It seemed to understand that it had done it's work sat- isfactorily and was entitled to rest, for it strutted proudly away and took up it's po- sitieu at the other end of the raft. When this was done great change came over the other birds. Each one strengthened itself up to it's full height, arched it's neck, shook out it's feathers and seemed quivering with ex- pectancy. The Chinaman squatted before them as he had done before, eyed them curi- ously for moment and then held out his hand to the largest of the group. It hopped upon the hand and instantly it's companions resumed their listlessness and indifferent attitudes. The Chinaman caressed this bird as he had done the first, but it did not re- ciprocate his attentions. It seemed sullen and showed no heart for its work. Its mas ter placed it on the edge of the raft and it pumped into the water at once, splashing it about and disappeared. It was gone not more than five seconds and came up without fish. It swan about as the other had done, but it did not exhibit distress or disappoint- ment. It kept it's eyes on it's master, for no other purpose, apparently, than to receive his signal to dive again. When this was fhoh h;,-l H. 1o1, &1o, 1t remained below about as long as before, and came up again without any fish. The Chinaman now rose to his feet. He shouted something to the bird, and made an empha- tic signal. His anger did not disturb the cormorant in the least. It was apparently m incorrigible servant. It dived deli berate- iy the third time, and once more appeared without adding anything to it's masters oatch. Then the Chinaman uttered several cultural exclamations, and made signal by jerking his thumb back over his shoulder The eormorant swan tantalizingly slow into the raft. It's master caught it by the neck, md dragged it out of the water. He cuffed it several times on the head, and threw it violently down on the bamboos. I thought the poor bird must certainly have the life crushed out of it, but it coolly to it's feet, md limped sullenly off to where the first cor norant stood, strong in it's masters affection md approval. This bird manifested unH1fs- .akable delight at the discontinue of it's companion, but the others seemed to notice nothing but the movements of their mas Ger.
 ''The Chinaman next held out both hands md took two of the remaining birds at once They seemed to appreciate the caresses. They evidently felt that they were to be worked together, and that the competition would re- suit in greater or less reward. When they were placed on top of the raft they eyed sach other jealously, and when the signal was given both cut the water and disappear d together. In ten seconds one came up. It had fish. It looked hurriedly around on all sides, doubtless to see if it's rival had ap- peared yet, and hastened for the raft It within two feet of it before the other bird appeared, and then that came to the sur face immediately in front of the first, and also with fish in it's mouth. Before it .cored any advantage it's rival was even in the race. They both reached the raft to- gether and were treated alike by their mas ter. On the second trial they both came to the surface together, but one bird had no fish. When it saw that it's rival had been successful it became wild. It threshed about the water and seized the fish in the other birds mouth and endeavored to take it away, but a shout and signal from it's master caused it to relinquish it's hold. Its rival swan proudly to the raft with it's prey, de- )osited it at it's masters feet and received caresses, while the other bird swan francit- cally about, waiting to get signal from the Chinaman to try again. This time the un- successful bird was successful, and the other was under the ban.
 ''In this way the Chinaman continued fish ing with his birds for hours, and when he ceased for the day he had half bushel bas- i1et heaped with fish from eight inches to foot in length They were a species of her ring. As long as was in China, and mak- ing as did many warm friends among the Chinese fishermen, was never able to ascer- tain how they trained their birds to fish, They seemed to make sacred secret of the modus operandi. The cormorant fishing never lost it's interest to me or grew monot- onous, and I never had day off from duty chat I did not spend a portion of it along some stream where the birds were heinz Worked'