24 MARVELS OF FISH LIFE 
water around them, their ghost-like forms are almost 
lost in the expanse beyond. The cloud effect in the 
water is due to shimmering lights, which reached to the 
bottom of the pond, for while this photograph was 
being taken the sun was shining and a breeze was 
rippling the surface of the water. 
To show how completely a silver-bodied fish reflects 
colour, put a dace, roach or rudd in a basin, and hold 
near it strips of coloured paper. Not only will the body 
of the fish show these colours, but they will appear even 
more brilliant on it than on the strips of paper when 
under the water. 
Silvery fish are only inconspicuous so long as they 
swim on an absolutely level keel. If they turn ever so 
little on their sides, light from above is reflected, and 
a gleam is seen in the dark water. Watch the live bait 
of a pike angler; though the captive may be three or 
four feet below the surface, you will see flashes of light 
as the fish twists and turns in his endeavours to get free. 
I have heard anglers say that the pike is attracted 
by the bait because the pike sees it is in trouble, but 
I am sure the real explanation is to be found in these 
gleams of light which arouse the greed of the pike. 
The more lively the bait, the more the flashes of light, 
the more likelihood of a run from a pike; but a dull 
captive bait seldom excites attack, for, leisurely swim- 
ming round on a level keel, he is as inconspicuous as the 
free fish around him. 
Again, in these gleams of light, I think we have an 
