FISIIIXG-COUMOKANTS. 
135 
in Clihia now; they were built by the men who raised 
tliose strange columns known as ^pagodas.’ The river 
at this bridge is two thousand feet Avide, and there is an 
island near its south bank over which the bridge passes. 
It is only on this island, and within certain limits on the 
left bank, that the houses of the foreign merchants arc 
allowed to be built.” 
We were passing under this bridge, and saw a novel 
sight. 
As we passed under the massive blocks of gray gra- 
nite upon the foaming breast of the rising tide and shot 
out into the expanding river beyond, wo saw a long low 
raft of bamboo moored under the lee of the heavy pier 
to our right, on 'which Avere a Chinese fisherman, a 
basket, a paddle, and five duck-like birds, Avhich Ave at 
once imagined to be some of the celebrated ‘fishing- 
cormorants’ of the East. Wo also imagined that this 
might be our only opportunity for Avitnessing their sin- 
gular mode of fishing, and consequently stopped in the 
hope that the Chinaman Avould gratify our curiosity. 
We Avere not disappointed. 
“ Scarcely had avo ‘rounded to,’ AAdicn he reached out 
his hand toward the birds, the nearest of Avhom at once 
Avaddled up to him and stepped into his open palm. lie 
now smoothed his feathers with the right hand, bent his 
mouth to his arched neck for a moment, and then put 
him upon the edge of the raft. Thci'e the bird dipped 
his bill in the water once or twice, snapped his head from 
side to side, shook his tail scA^eral flirts, and ended by 
dmng suddenly into the turbid Avater that Avashed his 
feet. 
