THE LA RUE HOLMES NATURE LOVERS LEAGUE. 



373 



Our trees are the protectors of our 

 water-sheds. While trees are perish- 

 ing' the population of the country is 

 increasing ; the needs for water multi- 

 plying. 



What can you do? — actually do, 

 even if it requires thought and effort 

 —to stop the use of air-guns; to stop 

 the horrors of the plume trade ; to save 

 the remnants of our natural protectors 

 while we have them? 



The Kenwood Chapter, Minneapolis, 



Minn. 

 Dear Secretary: 



We are so busy with our studies 

 this year that we have very little time 

 for nature-work, but do not think we 

 are losing our interest in the birds. 



Yes ; we had a couple of columns 

 in every issue of the evening paper, 

 for six or seven weeks, but do not 

 have it now. We were very glad of 

 the chance to help the cause, when it 

 was offered to us, and put considera- 

 ble time into the matter ; it is quite 

 a task to prepare a readable paper in 

 the interest of the birds, every day for 

 a number of weeks. 



I am glad to know that the League 

 is growing, and am sure we will do all 

 we can to aid the protective move- 

 ment. 



Sincerely yours, 

 Morris E. Moors, Secretary. 



Hunting with a Camera. 



PA' FRANK P. DANIELS OF THE KENWOOD 

 CHAPTER OF THE L. H. NATURE LEAGUE. 



One of the bird student's most valu- 

 able assistants is the camera. What 

 better way could there be of represent- 

 ing a nest, its site, the eggs, the birds 

 on the nest, or the growth of the 

 young, than by photographs from life? 



A photograph gives a far better idea 

 of the various situations, than any 

 words could do. Through it we have 

 a detailed picture of birds, nest-con- 

 struction, of eggs and their markings, 

 which latter cannot be described accur- 

 ately by words. A more perfect rec- 

 ord of a bird-family can be kept by the 

 use of a camera than in any other way. 



Most people seem to think that a 

 good bird photograph can be made only 



with an expensive outfit. Of course a 

 good lens is to be desired, but an ex- 

 pensive one is not a necessity; under 

 favorable conditions, an outfit costing 

 thirty dollars or even less, will give 

 satisfactory results; hence it will be 

 seen that cost is no greater obstacle 

 in hunting birds with a camera than 

 in hunting them with a gun. 



For general bird photography a long 

 focus camera, for use from a tripod, 

 is the most desirable, and any of the 

 several excellent makes, now on the 

 market, will meet all requirements. 



There is a greater charm in hunt- 

 ing birds with a camera than there 

 can be in hunting them with a gun. 

 We need but compare the rewards of 

 these two kinds of hunters to realize 

 the difference. For one, there is a bag 

 of mutilated flesh and feathers that, in 

 a few hours is gone forever; for the 

 other, a lasting trophy of his skill as 

 a photographer; a trophy that cost no 

 life and left nature undisturbed. 



Does The Bird Need An Umbrella? 



BY AEFRED KINSEY, 



OF THE SOUTH ORANGE CHAPTER OF THE 



E. H. NATURE LEAGUE. 



Sitting at the window and watching 

 the pelting rain, I saw the beauty in 

 the banks of heavy clouds', and in the 

 million drops that stimulated a million 

 fountains in the stream, and I wondered 

 what had become of the feathered 

 world, till, as the rain again leaped 

 against the pane, there came the "Here, 

 here, here, he-r-r-e I am" of the "Sweet 

 Singer," the song sparrow. Out in the 

 road, splashing through the water and 

 mud, was the cheerful songster ; more 

 than a fair weather friend indeed. 



But later, as wrapped in old clothes, 

 I waded out to see whether or not 

 the chickens had been washed away, 

 an unusual sound reached me. It was 

 the Catbird in most unearthly of cat- 

 cries giving vent to her rage at the 

 condition of affairs. So here then there 

 was a bird, who wished from the 

 crown of her head to her outermost 

 tail-feather, that the "wise" old owl 

 had thought to invent at least a better 

 rain-coat than oil; as well as the bird 

 who never thought of an umbrella. 



