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.