The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1886-10-22
CORMORANT FISHING.

once observed seagul striking at a wild
cormorant, which could not take to wing and
escape his more swift fighted oppressor. III
self-defense it was forced to dive, and when
under the water its instinct would overcome
all other influences, and it would bring up a
fish. The gull would poise on wing and
watch for the temperance of the slave, and
fish no sooner appeared above the water,
when it was seized by the gull and taken
away from its rightful owner | am con-
WINGED that many species of swift winged fish
eaters utilize wild cormorants to secure their
food and thus establish species of bird
slavery.
Many fine food fishes are found in the Chi
nese markets In season shad are abundant
at a cost to the consumer of about four cents
per pound. They have what they call a
Mandarin fish" which has only spinal and
rib bones and its flesh is Of fine flavor. Other
representatives of the bass and perch fani-
lies, also cells, catfish, ETC., representing the
scaleless families, are abundant. Brook trout
found in the small streams in the mountail,
districts During a high overflow of the
Yang tse Kiang the water stood about two
feet under the house occupied, and the fish
swarmed at my kitchen door to feed from the
sweepings from the table. spent many
hours watching the movements of my new
companions in their natural state. One day,
while observing a peculiarly formed speci-
men, was delighted to see it rise silently to
the surface, and, with a well directed aim,
fire a water drop at least three feet high and
knock fly from a rose bush into the water
and capture it. 1t was the first and only
specimen of the "archer fish" | ever saw in a
wild state.
One day my cook called my attention to
two large specimens of spotted scale fish,
weighing perhaps five pounds each, feeding.
in the yard near my window. They were
following large school of new Matched young
fish, as supposed, to make meal of them
l soon observed that when any other fish ap-
preached these, the large ones would strike
at and chase them away.
In order to test their motive l fired an
arrow into the midst of the young brood,
scattering them. The parents flew rapidly
hither and yonder i'll apparent search for the
enemy, and, as no cause could be found for
the stampede, they proceeded to collect the
scattered brood of young and hustled them
off to place of safety. This was the first
and only instance of the parental instinct in
fish that | have ever seen. There was no
room, however, to doubt that these were TAX
ing parental care of their young brood.
The Chinese are fond of fish as pets. The
gold fish and other ornamental and variegated
varieties are cultivated with great skill Most
all the homes of the better-to.do Cinnamon
are provided with miniature fountain for
Dish pets
never saw any indications of whale fish
vic -,
waters. Porpoises, called "hog fish," and
devil fish abound there, but are not pursued
as business. Chinese markets are supplied
all the year round with fresh fish, and also
dried and salt cured of various kinds abound
Sharks fins are regarded by them as deli
,acy second only to edible birds nest, and this
constitutes an important article of import
The supply is brought chiefly from the islands
If the South Pacific and Indian oceans Tho
people of China, as well as foreigners sojourn-
ng in that country, do not wait for Friday
'or fish day." but draw largely for their daily
menu from the fish markets. Pious Buddhists,
who seek to lay up treasures in heaven in the
performance of what they call "works of
MERIT" what we sometimes call "works of
go into the markets and buy
ish or squirming cells and liberate them. BY
hus saving life, at such a sacrifice of money
md appetite, they secure immunity from
blame or sin in cheating their fellow men, or
n depressing the weak and ignorant of their
A man who will lie in a bust |
less transaction, or deliver over hungry fell |
ow to a cruel torture, if he should steal adm
Ter, or who will partake of the ill-gotten
rains of fraud and overreaching in trade,
will make atonement to his conscience by set
ing at liberty few almost brainless eels or
ish. But men who "strain at gnats" and get
swallow camels" with impunity are neither
III dead nor do all reside in China
w. G. BENTON.