The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-01-16

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head on the Chinaman'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 it dipped its bill in the
water, snapped it together loudly, looked
up and down the side of the float, turned
its head and fixed its glistening black eyes
an instant on its master, and then slid be-
meath the surface without sound, scarcely
leaving ripple behind it. The Chinaman
seated himself again and awaited the reap
pearance of his bird without any apparent
concern or anxiety The other birds re-
manned standing at the end of the raft,
almost motionless, and without removing
their eyes from their master. The bird
that had dived into the water remained
beneath the surface for probably a quarter
of minute, and then reappeared, popping
out of the water as it came up. The lower
u
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 with the other, and yhis-
pered words of approval. The cormorant
shook out its feathers and showed its de-
light in various ways. Again its master
placed it on the edge of the raft, and once
more it glided noiselessly in the water
The other birds maintained their stolidity,
apparently unmindful of what was going
on around them. The cormorant that was
fishing appeared in short time, and again
had made successful dive. The same
caressing was gone through WITH and the
bird started third time. 1t now seemed
to be thoroughly warmed 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 up it had no fish.
The change in its actions was striking 1t
swan frantically about in the water, twist
ing and turning and eyidencing 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
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 few seconds up it came,
bearing in its mouth large fish, This
time it swan boldly for the raft, deposited
its prey at its masters feet, aud showed
plainly by the joyfulness of its actions as he
stroked its arched neck that it had redeem
ed itself.
"When the Chinaman placed the third fish
in his basket he took the cormorant and
placed it in the centre of the 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 one straighten-
ed himself up to his full height, arched its
neck, shook out its feathers, and seemed
quivering with expectancy. The China
man 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 attitudes The Chinaman caressed
this bird as he had done the first, but it did
not reciprocate his attentions. 1t seemed
sullen and showed no heart for its work.
Its master placed it on the edge ofthe raft,
and it pumped into 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 had done, but did not exhibit
distress or disappointment. 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 again. Itremained
below about as long as 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 incorrigi-
BILE servant. 1t dived deliberately the third
time, and once more appeared without ad-
ding anything to its masters catch. Then
the Chinaman uttered several gutteral ex-
carnations, and made signal by jerking
his thumb back over his shoulder. The
cormorant swan tantalizingly slow into the
raft. Its master caught it by its neck and
dragged it out of the water. He cuffed it
several times ON the head, and threw it
down violently 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 ip its masters
affection and approval. The bird mani
tested unmistakable delight at the 1iscom-
future of its companion, but the others
seemed to notice nothing but the move
ments of their master.
'The Chinaman 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 together, and that the
competition would result in greater or less
reward. When they were placed on the
top of the raft, they eyed each other jeal-
ously, 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
vet, and hastened for the raft. It was
within two feet of it before the other bird
appeared. 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 up 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 together, but one bird
had no fish. When it saw that its oppo-
nent had been successful it became wild.
1t threshed about in the water and seized
the fish in the other birds mouth and en-
deavored to take it away, but shout and
signal from its master caused it to relin-
quisb its hold. Its rival swan proudly to
the raft with its prey, deposited it at its
masters feet and received his caresses,