THE GREY MULLETS AND ATHERINES 189 



caught in great numbers in large round or square nets worked 

 on a capstan. They are taken in this fashion near the yacht 

 steps at Cowes, though in this case the net is worked by 

 hand. They also take a baited hook ravenously at times, and 

 are not merely carnivorous, but even take a fragment of 

 another atherine often more readily than either mussel or 

 ragworm, though the latter are usually reliable baits. They 

 have, moreover, the true predatory instinct, for, whereas they 

 sometimes pay no attention to a still bait, they may at once be 

 aroused to voracious activity by merely allowing the bait to 

 sink to some depth and then withdrawing it quickly to the 

 surface — in fact, imparting to it the movements of a feeble 

 creature anxious to escape. The angler soon learns that the 

 great secret of success with bass, pollack, mackerel, and some 

 other important fishes lies in making due allowance for such 

 sinister instincts. 



