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THE GUIDE TO NATURE 



BROODING REDSTART. 



An ordinary bicycle pump will answer 

 but is more likely to leak. 



Tbe best time for work among the 

 birds is during the nesting season, when 



with care and patience they may be easily 

 approached. Having found a nest of 

 which you wish to make studies, visit it 

 several days before placing your camera 

 near it, each day approaching a little 

 nearer, until the old birds get accustomed 

 to you. You may then easily introduce 

 a camera and accomplish your object. 



Such photographs are more interesting 

 when obtained in series. Picture the nest 

 and the eggs, the old bird brooding, the 

 young when hatched and in different 

 stages until they leave the nest. You 



ARROWHEAD, A FLOWER OF THE SWAMP 



A TIGER SWALLOWTAIL AT LUNCH. 



can thus illustrate the birds' "home life." 

 To obtain studies of the parent birds in 

 different attitudes as they pursue their 

 domestic duties, focus the camera on the 

 nest, insert a plate and make everything 

 ready as for an ordinary snap shot. 

 Cover the camera with small branches 

 attach the long tube to the shutter, re- 

 tire to a distance of thirty or forty feet, 

 conceal yourself as much as possible and 

 wait. Soon the old bird will return to 

 feed the young or to brood the eggs, and 

 the camera may then be as easily oper- 

 ated as by the ordinary bulb. In this 

 way many interesting results may be 

 secured. Studies of young birds are al- 

 ways interesting, as they show perfectly 

 the development of the feathers and 

 markings. To picture a number of 

 young birds when they are ready to 

 leave the nest, carefully place them so 

 that one shall have the back toward the 



