THE CORMORANT — FRIGATE-BIRD. 



155 



t/niwtM, 



Common Cormorant. 



for this purpose in England, in the same manner as a nearly 

 related species is to the present day employed in China. Mr. 

 Fortune thus describes this original chase, 

 which he-witnessed on the Yellow Eiver : — 

 " There were two boats, each containing 

 one man, and about ten or twelve birds. 

 The latter stood perched on the sides of 

 the boats, and seemed to have just arrived 

 upon the scene of action. Their masters 

 now commanded them to leave the boats ; 

 and so excellent was their training, that 

 they instantly obeyed, scattered them- 

 selves over the canal, and began to look 

 for prey. They have a splendid sea- 

 green eye, and quick as lightning they 



see and dive upon the finny tribe, which, once caught in the sharp 

 notched bill, finds escape impossible. As soon as a cormorant rises 

 to the surface with his prey in his bill, his master calls him, when, 

 docile as a dog, he swims to the boat and surrenders the fish, 

 after which he again resumes his labours. And what is more 

 wonderful still, when one of them has got hold of a fish so large 

 as to be with difficulty dragged to the boat, the others come to 

 his assistance, and by their united strength overpower the 

 sprawling giant. Sometimes when a cormorant is lazy or play- 

 ful, and seems to forget his business, the Chinaman strikes the 

 water with a long bamboo near to the dreamer, and calls out 

 to him in an angry tone. Immediately the bird, like a school- 

 boy caught nodding over his lesson, gives up his play, and 

 returns to his duty. A small string is tied round the neck of 

 the birds, for fear they might be tempted to swallow the fish 

 themselves." 



The frigate-bird hovers over the 

 tropical waters. Its singularly easy 

 and graceful flight affords all the 

 charm of variety. Sometimes it is 

 seen balanced in mid air, its wings 

 spread, but apparently motionless, 

 its long forked tail expanding and 

 closing with a . quick alternate mo- 

 tion, and its head turned inquisitively downwards ; sometimea 



Frigate-Bird. 



