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The results depend chiefly upon tlie person making the pic- 

 tures. Let a skillful operator use the two instruments and 

 the best pictures taken with the cheaper camera will be fully 

 equal to the best taken with an expensive one^ while the 

 poorest taken with the latter will be just as undesirable as 

 the poorest secured with the cheap outfit ; but the average of 

 those taken with a high grade lens will probably be con- 

 siderably better than those taken M'ith an ordinary one. 



Nearly every bird picture is made with tlie camera on a 

 tripod. For a light camera, I prefer a telescopic metal tri- 

 pod as they are very compact and rigid. 



One of the chief requisites of bird photographs, or of 

 any other subject, is that the principal objects and fore- 

 ground be absolutely sharp. Nests and nesting sites are 

 always photographed with a small stop or aperture to the 

 lens giving an exposure adapted to the quality and intensity 

 of the light. 



A small ball and socket joini that can be procured from 

 your supply dealer for about a dollar, will allow you to 

 point the camera downward at a sharp angle so as to con- 

 veniently photograph nests located on or near the ground. 

 Care and judgment must be used in removing or tying out 

 of the way any branches, leaves or grasses thit come be- 

 tween the camera and nest and appear out of focus on the 

 ground glass. 



The very best photographic results am be obtained on 

 bright cloudy days. Bright sun shining on a nest makes 

 too strong a contrast of light and shadow for pleasing^ 

 effects; such light should be screened, perferably with a 

 white cloth. Do not destroy any of the foliage that is 

 necessary to shelter the nest from sun, rain or observation; 

 objectionable leaves may be very easily tied with thread 

 so as to be out of the way. 



Photographing Young Birds 

 Beautiful pictures of very young birds in the nest may 



