bling, but for the
sudden descent of the falcon, and a blow from its claw, often stunning
the hare at the first attempt, and enabling the dogs to come up.

Sportsmen who have to make their living by the business frequently
descend to methods which are sometimes very ingenious, and more
remunerative than the gun, but can hardly be classified as sport. Thus,
a man in search of wild duck will mark down a flock settled on some
shallow sheet of water. He will then put a crate over his head and
shoulders, and gradually approach the flock as though the crate were
drifting on the surface. Once among them, he puts out a hand under
water, seizes hold of a duck's legs, and rapidly pulls the bird down.
The sudden disappearance of a colleague does not seem to trouble
its companions, and in a short time a very considerable bag has been
obtained. Tradition says that Confucius was fond of sport, but would
never let fly at birds sitting; which, considering that his weapon was a
bow-and-arrow, must be set down as a marvel of self-restraint.

Scores of Chinese poets have dwelt upon the joys of angling, and fishing
is widely carried on over the inland waters; but the rod, except as
a matter of pure sport, has given place to the businesslike net. The
account of the use of fishing cormorants was formerly regarded as a
traveller's tale. It is quite true, however, that small rafts carrying
several of these birds, with a fisherman gently sculling at the stern,
may be seen on the rivers of southern China. The cormorant seizes a
passing fish, and the fisherman takes the fish from its beak. The bird
is trained with a ring round its neck, which prevents it from swallowing
the prey; while for each capture it is rewarded with a small piece
of fish. Well-trained cormorants can be trusted to fish without the
restraint of the ring. Confucius, again, is said to have been fond
of fishing, but he would not use a net; and there was another sage of
antiquity who would not even use a hook, but fished with a straight
piece of iron, apparently thinking that the advantage would be an unfair
one as against the resources of the fish; and declaring openly that
he would only take such fish as wished to be caught. By such simple
narratives do the Chinese strive to convey great truths to childish
ears.

Many sports were once common in China which have long since passed out
of the national life, and exist only in the record of books. Among these
may be mentioned "bu