The Camera as an Aid in the Study of Birds 9 



A consideration of the actual tield difficulties, rather than tiie more 

 purely photographic problems to be encountered, is more within the 

 scope of the present paper. To this end a rather detailed ac- 

 count is given of just how each of the following groups of photo- 

 graphs was secured, hoping that others better equipped, with a 

 better knowledge of photography, and with more leisure, may be 

 encouraged to go and do likewise and present us with the results. 



One of the greatest of these field difficulties is that the camera 

 is rarely focused upon the bird to be taken, but is either snapped 

 at random or focused upon some spot to which the bird is expected 

 to return. The latter, in the great majority of cases, is the nest; at 

 other times a much-used perching-place or feeding-ground. Success 

 depends, therefore, ver}- largely upon the nature, disposition, and 

 habits, especially nesting habits, of the particular bird being dealt 

 with. Some birds are of a confiding, unsuspicious nature, and easily 

 reconciled to quiet intrusion ; while others are so timid and wary 

 that hours of time have to be expended, and all sorts of devices 

 resorted to, in order to get the coveted 'snap.' Of the risk of 

 life and limb necessary to reach rocky cliff and lofty tree-dwelling 

 species, the recital must come from such daring and fearless devo- 

 tees of this art as the Kearton brothers of England, and others 

 nearer home. 



The nest being the lure usually employed to bring the bird 

 within range of the camera, it will follow that the nesting season 

 is the time of year when most of this work must be done. Thus, 

 spring and early summer are the harvest time of the bird photog- 

 rapher, and as it happens that these, of all the seasons, are the 

 most delightful in which to be afield, the bird - lover, with glass, 

 camera, and note-book, can leave care behind and find content- 

 ment, rest, and peaceful profit in the glorious days of June, so 

 happily styled the rarest of all that come. 



Leaving general considerations, let us first study a series of 

 photographs that well illustrates what charming and dainty little 

 pictures can sometimes be secured with most trifling effort. Suc- 

 cess in this instance was easily attained because the little ' sitters ' 

 were not very unwilling and because the conditions under which 

 they lived were more than usually favorable. The subject of these 

 photographs, the little Black-capped Chickadee, or Titmouse, — Pants 

 atricapillus, the scientists call him, — is familiarly known to almost 

 every one who has given even casual attention to birds. Its gener- 

 ally common occurrence throughout the United States, cheery, 

 happy disposition, and lively notes as the little band, for they 

 usually travel in companies, goes roaming through woodland and 



