Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-05-26
FIsH CIRCUS tricks.
Astonishing Performances by FInny Tribes
Taught by Children.

Taught by Children.
Some years ago an English gentle
man travelling in the Malay country was
invited to spend the evening with an
old friend. and while there was greatly
entertained by the young son and
daughter of the family, who were ar
dent naturalists, and possessed some
remarkably well-trained specimens.
I'VE have never seen real circus,
said the boy to the guest, "because we
were born in India, but we have read
about it, and Gladys and I thought we
would make our fish do Just what the
circusmen do. Some do, but some
WON'T" he added. s1
The visitor took q seat with the 9TH
ers, and being cautioned to keep very
quiet and not frighten the performers,
he was witness to the following Won
derful performance. -..
The little boy brought out q small
drum, a mimic bass drum, which he
fitted into a cross piece over one of the
tanks, allowing a string attached to the
drumsticlx to hang in the water. The
moment it was seen a fish darted at it
and gave it series of tugs, which re-
suited in an audible bang, bang, bang
on the little drum. A bell on top of the
drum was now rung in the same way.
That's to wake the performers up
and let the people know that the per-
Torrance is about to commence; they
always do 1t in the real circus, you
know" explained the young manager.
The little girl now dropped piece of
bait into the water and dragged it slow
ly around. From fifteen to twenty
fishes of all kinds Immediately started
after it, soon forming perfect process
sion around the tank. These were some
grand entree.
1.-THE first act" said the little girl,
with a mischievous glance at the audi
ence, twill be a mortal combat be-
tween two ancient knights"
Two fishes were selected that looked
| very much like some that are found in
America, but they are the famous pla-
kats from Siam-the fishes noted for
their fighting qualities, and upon which
the natives wager all their possessions,
even to their children.
The combatants were caught in a net
and had slipped over them a harness of
moss, through which a blunt miniature
spear was thrust and a mimic shield at
tached. The moment they were
| urOppcu 1uLO b1l0 SSbL1S bduh Gley TuSucu
at each other with the greatest fury.
Sometimes the spear would hit the
shield and sometimes the fish, but, if
the truth must be told, they more often
hit only water and darted by each other,
presenting a most comical spectacle.
Finally, when both seemed willing to
declared at an end.
| @&
torical interest.
"Once," said the young ringmaster,
ga big ship was lying in the harbor at
Calcutta on the queens birthday. She
was all decorated with flags and her
yards with lights. At night some ma
tives-bad natives, of course-stole
down and tried to sink her. They tore
down the flags and succeeded in putting
out the lights. We are going to show
tho ship and the bad natives putting out
the lights
So forthwith beautiful little model
of ship was placed upon the water of
the tank, and for lights some very large
and exceedingly lively flies We're fast.
ened upon the tip of the bowsprit and
ends of the yards. This was no sooner
accomplished than up from the bottom
dashed a CLEAN of colors and stripes
an oval fish with grotesque and beauti.
full fins and with great purple eye
spots. Its mouth was the most remark
able feature, being extended into q
tube. This was thrust above the sur
face, and from 1t the fish expelled ball
of water which hit the big bluebottle fly
that chung to the bowsprit, bringing il
down, whereupon it was eagerly COB.
bled up. Again the pointed mouth
came to the surface, and again light or
fly went out, and SO on until three
were extinguished, when the performer,
evidently satisfied, retired, ending the
scene. Later this fish, or another Just
like 1.-THE long-billed chaetodon-was
) called into play to shoot its watery can
non balls at a little mark suspended
over the tank, the bull's-eye Being big
fly that was invariably brought down.
The next performance was race.
Two very somber-looking fishes were
: brought on thesscene, each having lit
, tie band of sea moss fastened about
} him, upon which was mounted a tiny
= crab. Away went the fish, the crabs
holding on for dear life and evidently
: wandering what 1t all meant The
crabs were supposed to be the
bareback riders of the circus
but it must be confessed they chung tc
the backs Of their dashing steeds with
great tenacity. Finally one racehorse
5 rubbed off saddle and rider, which
) brought matters to close.
The next act was introduced by q
t jumping fish A big fly fastened to q
delicate twig was dangled over tank
: when up shot bright-hued fish, dash.
ing almost entirely out Of the water n
t its effort to secure the dainty, but II
\ missed it and fell back, to swim around
the tank slowly, still cycling the morsel
and then rush at it again, this time So
curing the prize. The Ash did not en-
: tirely leave its native element, but came
so near it that the tip of its tail only
i touched the water.
al, .