HOW TO KNOW THE BIRDS 59 



from Buffalo, New York, 4 species, 8 individuals. 

 In the northern part of the United States the num- 

 ber was smaller than in the southern part. The aver- 

 age number of species reported from the northern 

 sections ranged from 7 to 15. 



A number of bird notebooks are published in 

 which one may record his observations, for the 

 purpose of identification. Opposite is a sample leaf 

 from a book sold for fifteen cents by the National 

 Association of Audubon Societies, New York City. 



Bird photography. Another means of studying 

 birds which some people employ with much pleas- 

 ure is to photograph them. All kinds of outfits may 

 be used, from the ordinary focusing camera with an 

 ordinary lens up to the most expensive reflex camera 

 with the best kind of lens. As birds are small, the 

 camera must be placed near in order to get an image 

 of sufficient size, and hence the camera must be 

 provided with a long draw of bellows and a long- 

 focus lens. 



In order that the birds may come near enough to 

 the camera so that a satisfactory picture may be 

 secured, it is usually necessary to work the shutter 

 from a distance. One of the simplest methods is to 

 use a spool of linen thread. The thread is fastened 

 to the shutter and then this may be worked by pull- 

 ing the thread from any desired distance. Sometimes 

 birds will become so tame that one may stand by the 

 camera and take pictures, as when photographing 



