i86 WITH THE U. S. NATURALISTS 



noon would be the best time to photograph, for the 

 light would filter through the trees near the nest 

 at about that time. 



One of his books told him that if the sun did not 

 shine directly into the nest, it was a good thing to 

 arrange a mirror so that the sun would be reflected 

 on the point to be photographed. But the only 

 mirror in the cabin was one which was nailed up 

 behind the door, by which Bull shaved himself 

 every morning, and Shan knew well that his uncle 

 would not allow that to be moved for something for 

 which he had as little regard as the boy 's attempts 

 at bird photography. 



So, right after lunch, Shan started for his blind, 

 planning to be there at least an hour ahead of 

 time, lest, should he disturb the bird in entering 

 his blind, she should be away for half-an-hour or 

 more and he might thus lose the light he wanted 

 for his photograph. He reached the blind quietly, 

 crept softly up and wormed his way in. The place 

 was already full of long-legged harvest spiders 

 but the boy disregarded them, and, full of hope and 

 expectancy, put his eye to the hole which gave 

 upon the nest. 



It was empty ! 



No, it was not altogether empty. There were 



