Nature. ANIMALS THAT FISH.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1577, 12 August 1882, Page 6

Nature. ANIMALS THAT FISH.

In India tamo otters aro not unfroquently used for catching fish, which they bring ashoro in their teeth, and for driving shoals of fish into the nets. Dr. William Hamilton gives an interesting account of a water-dog in Ireland which had become a most excellent fisher. "In riding from Portrush to the Giant's Causeway with some company, we had occasion to ford the river near the sea, and as the fishermen woip going to hriul the net, we stopped to see their success. As soon as the dog perceived the men to move, he instantly ran down tho river of his own accord, and took part in tho middle of it, on some shallows, where be could occasionally run or swim ; and in this position he placed him&elf with all the eagerness and attention so strongly observable in a pointer dog which sets his game. We were some time at a loss to apprehend his scheme, but the event soon satisfied us and amply justified tho prudence of the animal, for the fish, when they foel the net, always endeavour to make directly out to bea. Accordingly, one of the salmon, escaping from the net, rushed down the stream with great velocity toward the ford, where the dog ttood to receive him at an advantage. A very diverting chase now commenced, in which, from the shnllowness of the water, we could discern the whole track of the fish, with all its rapid turnings and windings. After a smart pursuit, the dog found himsolf left considerably behind in consequence of the water deepening, by which he had been reduced to the necessity of swimming 1 . But instead of following his desperate game any longer, he readily gave it over, and ran with all his speed directly down the river, till bo was sure of being 1 again to seaward of the salmon, where he took post as before in bis pointer's attitude. Here the fish a second time met him, and a fresh pursuit ensued, in which, after various attempts, the salmon ab last made its way out to I sea, notwithstanding all tho ingenious and vigorous exertions of its pursuer. Though the dog did not succeed at this time, yet I was informed that it was no unusual thing for him to run down his game ; and the fisherman assured me he was of very great advantage to them by turning the salmon toward the net. During tbe whole of the chase this sagacious animal seemed plainly to have two objects in view : one, to seize the game, if possible ; and the other to drive it teward the net when the former failed." Cuvier expresses his surprise that the iohtbyophagi have not trained the seal to assist them in fishing. The seal possesses a far higher degree, of intelligence than the rodents, and than most of tbe rumiliants. During the time that rumored invasions by tbe French eauied all parts of the. coast of Britain to bo fortified, a small party 'on one of the J little islands in 'the iFritn of Forth, near 'Edinburgh,, amused tfiemselvesjay taming 1 / a seal.'^ "'lt had all jSlie ,;affectiotf| and of^a a dog; itifa'wped^bput^them^ *a&di£4tudi^^pt~;X4^^^&^\thp > 'S9^wh t o Mfra^deian^^^ ;; W as

me Dait, ana put ms mettle to tbe test; a oorabat ensued in which both of the contending: heroes would show much strength and agility, but at length tbe goose invariably dragged him a prisoner. The legend of St. Cuthbert and tbe Solan geese does not inform us whether the feathered bipeds were employed to provide fish, although the inference would be that it formed a part of their avocations in the Fame Islands. The saint tamed them by his miraculous powers, and made them as obedient and docile a flock as abbot ever ruled. The geese went before him in regular platoons, following the word of command, and doing what he ordered. Dv Halde describes the Chinese method of fishing by means of the cormorant with great accuracy. In the morning, when the sun rises, one may see on tbe rivers a considerable number of boats, and several of these birds sitting on the sides ; the fishermen turn their boats about upon tho river, and at the signal which they give by btriking one of their oars on the water tbe cormorants fly iuto the water, plunge overhead, and, diving to the very bottom, seize the fish by the middle, then coming up again they carry it to the bark, where the fisherman receiving it takes the bird, and holding it legs uppermost makes it disgorge the small fibh which it had swallowed, by passing his hand along the neck, on which there is a ring at the lower part which hinders them from going directly into the crop. When the fishing is quite over, they take away the ring, and let them feed ; and when a particular fish is too largo for one, they assist each other, one taking the tail and another the head and biing it to their master. — Harper's Wccllfj.