424 PELICAN. 



Louwa, Ogilb. China, pi. in p. 92. Id. pi. p. 699. 



Chinese Corvorant, Gen. Syn. Sup. ii. 364. 3. Nat. Misc. pi. 529. 



MUCH has been said heretofore concerning the bird used by the 

 Chinese for fishing ; and from what Linnaeus had been informed, 

 we were led to think that one of the sexes was white, but we owe to 

 Sir George Staunton, the entire developement of the true species, 

 not only by his own observation while in China, but by having 

 brought home various specimens for examination ; from whence it 

 appears, that the bird is strictly neither a Corvorant nor Shag, but 

 a distinct species, though approaching to both. 



The size is about that of the Shag. The bill yellow , irides blue; 

 general colour of the plumage brownish black; chin white; the 

 body whitish beneath, spotted with brown ; tail rounded, consisting 

 of twelve feathers; legs black. 



In the journey to Han-choo-fou, on the River Luen, Sir George 

 observed, on a large lake, close to this part of the canal, and to the 

 eastward of it, great numbers of small boats and rafts, built entirely 

 for this species of fishery ; on each boat or raft were ten or twelve birds, 

 which at a signal from the owner plunge into the water; and it is 

 astonishing to see the enormous size of the fish with which they 

 return grasped in their bills. They appeared to be so well trained, 

 that it did not require either ring or cord about their throats, to 

 prevent their swallowing any portion of their prey, except what the 

 master was pleased to return to them for encouragement and food.* 

 The boat used by these fishermen is of a remarkably light make, 

 and is often carried to the lake, together with the fishing birds, upon 

 poles by the men,t who are there to be supported by it. 



* Mr. Ellis observed one with a stiff collar round its throat to prevent its swallowing the 

 fish. — Ellis's Journ. 1817. p. 278. The name there given to it is Yu-ying, (Fish Vulture) 

 or Yu ye (Fish Bird). 



J See Embassy to China, ii. p. 3S9. — the Vignette. 



