THE CORMORANT. 289 



Bred tor the purpose of fishing. 



Its indefatigable nature, and its great power in 

 catching fish,, were probably the motives that 

 induced some nations to breed this bird up tame, 

 for the purpose of fishing ; and Willoughby as- 

 sures us, it was once used in England for that 

 purpose. The description of their manner of 

 fishing is thus delivered by Faber. " When 

 they carry them out of the rooms where they are 

 kept, to the fish-pools, they hood-wink 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 swallow down the fish they catch, they 

 throw them into the river. They presently dive 

 under water;- and there for a long time with 

 wonderful swiftness, pursue the fish : and when 

 they have caught them, instantly rise to the 

 top of the water, and pressing the fish lightly 

 with their bills, swallow them; till each bird hath 

 after this manner, devoured five or six fishes. 

 Then their keepers call them to the side, 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, 



VOL. TV .-'NO. 29- 2 O 



