36 BIRDS 



be indulged in after pursuing and capturing young birds 

 that have left the nest, if you wish them to pose for you. 



Having selected the site for making the picture, 

 focus on the spot where you expect to perch the captured 

 young bird. Then gently and loosely hold the bird in 

 the whole hand, so its neck and head are not restrained, 

 place the hand over the selected spot and let the bird find 

 its own footing; it will usually grasp the perch as soon 

 as the feet touch it. Now quietly hovering the hand for a 

 few seconds, remove it slowly and press the bulb or 

 shutter release, with the other hand. Be sure that no 

 part of your body or your shadow is in the camera's 

 range. As to the immediate surroundings in the picture 

 your personal taste and judgment will dictate. 



Oftentimes bird pictures are ruined by bird motion, 

 and sometimes they are ruined by a shaking of the cam- 

 era or by under-exposures, but rarely by too much time. 

 My best endeavors to obtain the pictures of full-grown 

 young birds have often been thwarted by the parent 

 birds' giving warning of danger and causing an excite- 

 ment in the youngsters that human efforts could not 

 appease. 



A good contrast developer should be used on bird- 

 exposed plates. One containing pyro and metol meets the 

 requirement. 



I always use plates by preference, as they are more 

 reliable than films, giving a more accurate and smooth 

 surface, while films often buckle and make uneven and 

 out-of-focus surfaces. It is true the plates are heavier 

 and more easily destroyed than films, but this drawback 

 is more than counterbalanced by other good qualities. 

 I develop most of my plates by the tray method, but 

 unless one is qualified to do his own developing in this 

 way I should advise the use of the tank, following the in- 

 structions enclosed with the developing powders. Care- 

 ful fixing and washing should be carried out regardless 

 of the methods used in the developing of the plate or film. 



If you have a friend who wishes to accompany you 

 on a bird-picturing trip I should advise you to leave him 

 at home, unless he is thoroughly in sympathy with the 

 work, lest you tax his patience beyond the endurance 

 point and he spoil your entire trip by getting tired and 

 pleading to go home. It is better to go it alone. But to 



