Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-09-22
HOW A cHIxAMAN FISHES.
Trains Cormorants and Makes Suckers Do il
for Him.

Speaking of the natural instinct and
extent to which the faculties of birds
may he developed said an old bird
1ne of the most interesting examples of
his is the way the cormorant is trained
by the Chinaman to catch fish. The cor
morant is very Intelligent bird and is
easily domesticated., They really lay
when captured and their eggs are
hatched out by. chickens. When a Chi
nese fisherman has half a dozen or more
of these birds he begins while they are
still young TO teach them to obey his
commands and to come to him when they
are called. He next allows them their
develop their natural inclination to dive
in search of fish. But as the birds inva-
riably holt the fish which they catch, a
metal ring Is fastened snugly around
their necks and this prevents them swal-
lowing.
The fishermen takes his birds out on a
raft to some favorable fishing ground
and puts them overheard. They begin
diving In turns for fish. AS soon as a
fish for them. have also taken the remora
the surface to swa,ow it. but is prevent
ed from doing SO by the ring around its
neck. The bird is then called to the float
by the fisherman. who robs it of its prey,
and then ioosens the ring and rewards
fisherman refastens the ring about the
neck of the cormorant and the whole op-
Grafton IS repeated again and again. un-
til the bird becomes tired of diving when
another cormorant is put overheard.
Some of these cormorants are so per-
IeGily trained that they will catch and
denver hsh without being restrained nv
the ring, and l have seen one bird bring
to the surface as MANY as twenty fish,
all of which weighed from quarter 10
one and Il half pounds.
THE. Chinese. who have successfully
trained the cormorant and the otter Ia
hsh for them. have also taken the remora
in hand. with the happiest results.
Most voyaSers in tropical seas are ac-
uua1ntpd with this necl1liar fich i.l a..
the sucker, The. distinguishing charac-
terlstic Of this fish is laziness. Unwilling
TO exert itself overmuch in the pursuit OF
1000; IT has developed an ARRANGEMENT
on the back of its head exactly like the
corrugated sole Of tennis shoe, and as
artiiicial in appearance as II made and
htted by the hand of man.
When the sucker finds itself in the
vicinity. OF any large floating body, such
as a ship; q shark. or piece of flotsam
abundance of food it attaches itself firm.
" thereto by means of this curious con.
trly5anee. which permits it to eat. breathe
and perform all necessary functions
while. being carried about without any
exertion on its part. 1t can attach and
detach itself instantaneously. and holds
SO firmly that a direct backward pull
cannot dislodge it without injury to tht
fish,
Several good-sized specimens of The
nsh having been caught. the Chinese
Hshefman nts small iron rings to theil
tails. to which he attaches long. slender
put very stout lines. Thus equipped. the
fisherman sets out. and when baskine
turtle Is seen two or three of the suckers
are put overheard. Should they turn and
stick to the bottom of the fishing raft
they are carefully detached BY being
pushed forward wit, the inevitable BAN.
200. and started on the search again. Al
last they attach themselves to the sup:nt
turtle Then the fisherman hauls in the
lines. against which gentle suasion the
harlcss cheon struggles in vain Once
on board the raft the useful remora i
detached: an! Is al once ready for use
again.-.Washingto Star.