The scattering of light from nematic liquid crystals under the application of a d. c. electric field is studied by means of an optical heterodyne technique. The light spectrum is examined as a function of temperature, angle of scattering, and applied electric field E for E || k0 and E ⊥ k0 where k0 is the wavevector of the incident light. The results are interpreted on the basis of a very simple model of scattering by hydrodynamical velocity fluctuations