THE DARTER. 197 



to rest awhile, but are never fed until their day's work 

 is done. 



All the time they are fishing, they have a string 

 tied around their necks, so as to prevent their swal- 

 lowing, otherwise they would eat so many fish, as to 

 be neither able, nor willing, to catch more. It is 

 therefore hunger only, and the hope of satisfying their 

 appetites, that induces these birds to labour for their 

 masters. At night, when the labour of the day is 

 finished, they are well fed, and are thus prepared to 

 go to their work again in the morning. 



Sir George Staunton says, that on some of the 

 large lakes in China, there are thousands of rafts, or 

 boats, built entirely for this kind of fishing, and that it 

 is astonishing to see the enormous size of the fish 

 which these birds will catch and carry to their mas- 

 ters. 



In England the same mode of fishing was anciently 

 in fashion, but instead of being the business of common 

 fishermen, it was one of the royal sports. Even so 

 late as the reign of king Charles the Second, this sport 

 was still in estimation, for it appears from history, 

 that among the officers of that king, there was one, 

 who had the title of Master of Cormorants. 



THE DARTER. 



[Thi$ is also called Snake-bird, from Hit resemblance of 

 his head and neck to a serpent.] 



How large is the Darter ? 



The Darter is three feet in length, and with the 

 18 



