NATURALISTS CABINET. 



Activity in fishing. 



appear to be so well trained, that it did not re- 

 quire either ring or cord about their throats to 

 prevent them from 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 remark- 

 ably lighi make, and is often carried to the lake, 

 together with the fishing-birds, by the men who 

 are there to be supported by it." See the an- 

 nexed engraving. 



The cormorant is the best fisher of all birds; 

 and though fat and heavy with the quantity it 

 devours, is nevertheless generally upon the wing. 

 The great activity with which it pursues, and 

 from a vast height drops down to dive after its 

 prey, offers one of the most amusing spectacles 

 to those who stand on the shore. This large 

 bird is seldom seen in the air, but where there 

 are fish below ; and then they must be near the 

 surface, before it will venture to souse upon 

 them. If they are at a depth beyond what the 

 impetus of its flight makes the cormorant capa- 

 ble of diving to, they certainly escape him; for 

 this bird cannot move so fast under water, as the 

 fish can swim. It seldom, however, makes an 

 unsuccessful dip ; and is often seen rising heavily, 

 with a fish larger than it can devour. Goldsmith 

 says, it " sometimes happens, that the cormorant 

 has caught the fish by the tail; and, conse- 

 quently, the fins prevent its being easily swaU 

 lowed in that position. In this case, the bird is 

 seen to toss its prey above its head, and very 



