Page:Ling-Nam; or, Interior views of southern China, including explorations in the hitherto untraversed island of Hainan (IA cu31924023225307).pdf/67

 Through the Delta. 63

shape made specially for the purpose. These odd-looking craft are pushed up and down the streams in search of good feeding-grounds. Their favourite resorts are the paddy fields. Tying up beside the slender embankment that encloses the rice field, the duck-herd opens the door of his great cage, and his flock, clattering and quacking, rushes into the muddy field. Abundance of insects, worms, shell-fish, and crabs reward their seareh. After harvest the ducks come in as gleaners, and do their work thoroughly. They are under good discipline, and quickly yespond to the calls of their keeper, following the boat as it moves along the stream. When evening comes a plank is put out and the ducks called home, With a palm leaf brush on the end of a pole the keeper herds them in. The beating which the last one is sure to get causes great commotion among the last dozen. The keeper shouts and thrashes the tardy ones with his brush, causing them to rush pell-mell, each anxious to escape being the last.

The whole extent of this district is so intersected by canals, as to render every point easily accessible by water, and the incessant lines of boats of all shapes and sizes add life and variety to the scene.

“ With crystal net of waterways The teeming land is spread ; And gliding through the liquid maze A varied fleet is sped.”

The northern half of the western side of the delta is devoted to the cultivation of the mulberry shrub and the production of silk. As we enter the silk district, the most prominent object before us is the picturesque group