DEAD SUKF-DUCKS. 
109 
patient Climaman digging land-crabs for his supper. 
As we were going off to the ship, the poor fisher- 
men, in great dog-skin boots, came in through the 
surf, in rude, log-built catamarans. Weary and 
dripping, they flung down on the sand great heaps 
of turbot and plaice, soles and skate. They had 
also brought with them dead surf-ducks in astonish- 
ing numbers. These, they said, were drowned in 
the gale and got foul of their nets. These ducks 
are not uncommon all along the Shan-tung coast. 
They are ungainly, surf-loving birds, seeking safety 
from the sportsman chiefly in diving, and are ver)' 
difficult to hit. On the flash of the gam they dive 
under the water, hardly ever waiting for the report. 
They fly in a straight line just above the surface, 
in a heavy and awkward manner. As articles of 
food they are abominable, their flesh being hard, 
dark, dry, and fishy. 
