Hai Collection, Middle Volume. Radical: Bird (niǎo). Kangxi stroke count: 23. Page 1501, Entry 01. Pronounced yu. According to the Analytical Dictionary of Characters (Shuowen), the yu is a bird that knows when it is about to rain. Those who understand astronomy wear hats decorated with yu feathers. Chen Cangqi states: The yu bird resembles a quail, is dark blue-black in color, has a long beak, and lives in marshes. Villagers say it is a transformed frog. According to the Strategies of the Warring States (Zhanguo Ce), Su Qin said: The sandpiper and the clam fought each other. There is also a type of kingfisher called yu. According to the Literary Expositor (Erya), in the section on birds, it is called the green yu. The commentary by Guo notes: It resembles a swallow, is deep blue with a reddish tint, and is native to Yulin. The sub-commentary states: Li Xun says the yu is also known as the kingfisher, and its feathers can be used for ornamentation. There is another type with red legs and yellow markings called yu. According to the Zuo Commentary (Zuozhuan), in the twenty-fourth year of Duke Xi, Zizang of Zheng liked to collect yu feathers to decorate his hat; this is that bird. Also, as stated in the Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun), it describes the appearance of rapid flight. In the Sea Rhapsody (Haifu) by Mu Hua, it says the yu bird is like a startled wild duck that has lost its companion. Also, as stated in the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), pronounced shu. According to the Expanded Dictionary (Guangya), the birds known as the ti-gu, yu-zi, and long-tuo are all types of sparrowhawks. The commentary by Cao Xian states: Yu is pronounced shu. The character for startled was originally printed as two components, one indicating respect and one bird. Editorial Note: This has been corrected. Textual research: In the Sea Rhapsody (Haifu) by Mu Hua, the text originally read as the yu bird like the startled duck that has lost its companion. Following the original text, the character has been corrected from the form suggesting respect to the form meaning startled.
