How trained up in China. 



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, where 

 there are many lakes and canals. <e To this end," 

 says Comte de Buffon, " they are educated as 

 men rear up spaniels or hawks, and one man can 

 easily manage an hundred. The fisher carries 

 them out into the lake, perched on the gunnel 

 of his boat, where they continue tranquil, and 

 expecting his orders with patience. When ar- 

 rived at the proper place, at the first signal given, 

 each flies a different way to fulfil the task assigned 

 it. It is very pleasant on this occasion, to be- 

 hold with what sagacity they portion out the 

 Jake or the canal where they are upon duty. 

 They hunt about, they plunge, they rise an hun- 

 dred times to the surface, until they have at last 

 found their prey. They then seize it with their 

 beak by the middle, and carry it without fail to 

 their master. When the fish is too large, they 

 then give each other mutual assistance; one 

 seizes it by the head, the other by the tail, and 

 in this manner carry it to the boat together. 

 There the boatman stretches out one of his long 

 oars, on which they perch, and being delivered 

 of their burthen, they fly off to pursue their 

 sport. When they are wearied, he Jets them 

 rest for a while ; but they are never fed till their 

 work is over. In this manner they supply a very 



