Concerning Flies 197 



become soaked, almost as soon as they are 

 immersed in the water. 



I merely mention the fact, having my- 

 self tried the very simple experiment by 

 placing the flies in a tumbler of cold 

 spring water, which I placed in the bright 

 sunshine, or, still better, in the strong 

 white light of an incandescent Welsbach 

 burner. 



Let any unprejudiced observer note the 

 singular appearance presented by diving 

 birds when they are being fed, as I have so 

 often seen them, in the Brighton Aquarium ; 

 and he will observe that their feathers, as 

 they dive to the bottom of the tank, time 

 after time, are frequently quite luminous, 

 and sparkle like the dew on a grass lawn, 

 in a bright spring morning. Sometimes it 

 seems as if the whole side of the bird was 

 coated by a glittering substance, and this, 

 too, despite the bird's vigorous exertions; 

 and I think that sufficient notice has not 

 been taken of this, by wet-fly fishermen. 



I will, doubtless, make many an old 

 fisherman " cock his eye " when I say that, 

 when I am fishing any Scottish river while 

 it is low, and the water clear as crystal; 

 when, moreover, only the very lightest air 

 stirs the pools : I not unfrequently remove a 



