676 



AVE S — CORMORANT. 



pools, they hoodwink them, that they may not be frightened by the way 

 When they are come to the rivers, they take off their hoods ; and having tied 

 a leather thong round the lower part of their necks, that they may not swal- 

 low down the fish they catch, they throw them into the river. They pre- 

 sently dive under water; and there, for a long time, with wonderful swift- 

 ness, pursue the fish ; and, when they have caught them, rise to the top of 

 the water, and, pressing the fish lightly with their bills, swallow them ; till 

 each bird has, after this manner, devoured five or six fishes. Then th^ir 



Keepers call them to the fist, to which they readily fly; and, one after 

 another, vomit up all their fish, a little bruised with the first nip given in 

 catching them. When they have done fishing, setting the birds on some 

 high place, they loose the string from their necks, leaving the passage to the 

 stomach free and open ; and, for their reward, they throw them part of their 

 prey ; to each one or two fishes, which they will catch most dexterously, as 

 they are falling in the air." 



At present, the cormorant is trained up in every part of China for the 

 same purpose. " It is very pleasant to behold with what sagacity they por- 

 tion out the lake or the canal where they are upon duty. When they have 



