A BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE 



DEVOTED TO THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF BIRDS 



Official Organ of The Audubon Societies 



Vol. XI May— June, 1909 No. 3 



A Bird Photographer's Outfit 



By A. C. BENT 



With photographs by the author 



THERE can be no doubt that the modern sport of camera-hunting is rapidly 

 increasing in favor and gradually replacing the more destructive, though 

 no more exciting, sport of killing game with rifle or gun. A glance at 

 the pages of any up-to-date magazine, devoted to outdoor amusements, will 

 show that bird and animal photography has taken a prominent place among 

 the field sports of the day. Though my early training and my field experience 

 in the best shooting-grounds in the countr}- have made me an ardent sportsman, 

 I shall in future leave the killing of game to others, — to those who have not 

 tasted of the pleasures of bird photography. It is my cameras now that absorb 

 my attention; there are seven in the family at present — all different — and a 

 very interesting family they are. 



But no such formidable batter}- as this is necessary or even desirable, nor 

 is any very expensive outfit required to begin work as a bird photographer. 

 The cost of the modern high-speed lenses and of some of the modern types of 

 cameras is prohibitive to the average man, and many are discouraged on the 

 score of expense alone. Naturally, as one progresses and grows more ambitious 

 to achieve marvelous results, there is a constant temptation to spend money 

 on improved apparatus; but this is true of any sport or hobby, and the enthusi- 

 ast should always regard money spent on his hobby as an investment rather 

 than an expenditure. 



I began twelve years ago with an investment of S25 (or so) in a Cycle Poco 

 camera, with which I was able to do some very satisfactory work, and which 

 is still the most important camera in my outfit. Since then I have taken many 

 interesting trips, have learned the use of more improved apparatus, and have 

 studied the interesting problems of photographing the wildest birds in their 

 native haunts, — a rich field of fascinating possibihties. 



WTiile I do not claim to own an ideal outfit, experience has taught me some- 

 thing in regard to it which may be of use to beginners. A fairly complete outfit, 

 which should equip the bird photographer for nearly all classes of work, should 



