154 LURING SKYLARKS 



the scintillations therefrom are visible at a 

 long distance. This entirely abnormal appear- 

 ance proves irresistible to the larks, who soon 

 gather round and wheel about in great num- 

 bers above the object of their curiosity. 



It is then an easy matter for the sports- 

 man (?), concealed under cover of a stunted 

 bush or " hide " of some kind, to fire into the 

 " brown," and to keep on firing at intervals, 

 for the larks seem positively hypnotized and 

 are loath to quit the spot. 



Light intensified by darkness has always a 

 great fascination for animals. The beasts of 

 the forests, though fearing fire, nevertheless 

 are attracted by the light of camp fires. 



" The moth to the flame " is proverbial. 

 Insects of all kinds come to light, and by this 

 means many rare specimens find their way 

 into the entomologist's cabinet. And lastly, 

 fish, particularly salmon, fall a prey to man 

 from a sense of curiosity which impels them 

 to rise to the surface of the water when a 

 bright light is shed from above. 



If it were not for this subconscious impulse, 

 so commonly observed in nature, namely, an 

 irresistible desire to pry into something un- 

 known, I believe it would not be possible to 

 take salmon in fresh water with any kind of 

 bait or lure. 



