EDUCATED EELS

Te Aroha News, Volume XLI, Issue 6544, 15 November 1924, Page 1

EDUCATED EELS

In Argyllshire there is a cottage standing on the bank of a fairly large river. It is the custom of the occupants to carry out domestic operations on the edge of the stream. It is there that' fish, rabbits, and fowls are cleaned and garbage disposed of generally. The result is that eels attracted by the taint in the water have been in the habit of coming out from the middle of the river to feast on this refuse. So accustomed have the eels become to feed at this spot that they have learned to associate certain sounds with food. The clattering of pots and pans, even before anything has been thrown out, will bring them up out of the depths in considerable numbers. To call up the eels is a recognised item in the entertainment of visitors at the cottage.