308 BIRD-HUNTING 



found in this district, furnished with a broad flange 

 to prevent sinking in the soft mud ; and after I had 

 donned a new pair of waders nearly up to my chin, 

 I lowered myself from the stern of my canoe. 

 Getting in and out of a boat in waders is a ticklish 

 operation, and in these small canoes I had to be 

 particularly careful, especially in getting back again, 

 for the slightest disturbance of the equilibrium would 

 have resulted in a capsize. 



Even with the extra length on the tripod it was 

 only barely possible to work here, and to add to 

 my difficulties there was a raging wind blowing. 

 There generally is, I notice, when with great diffi- 

 culty I have been able to reach a good position for 

 a series of photographs of interesting or rare birds. 



However, when I had sent the two boats away to 

 a short distance I waited for some time, with but 

 small hopes of success. After wheeling about in 

 confusion the birds at last began to return to their 

 nests, and I could see them settling in all directions 

 except just in front of me ; and when they did 

 approach it was impossible to obtain a clear view 

 for the waving bushes and high reeds. The only 

 chance I had was at a Squacco Heron which 

 perched for some time on a tall sallow not far away, 

 but even then the difficulty in getting the camera 

 to bear on it in such deep water was considerable, 

 and the result was not very encouraging. 



