104 Bird -Lore 



tree apparatus, which some photographers prefer, consist of an L-shaped piece 

 of iron with a gimlet point at one end, which is screwed into the tree, the camera 

 being attached to the other end by a ball-and-socket bicycle clamp. This has 

 the advantage of being somewhat firmer, but it is not so good for use on small 

 Ijranches or bushes. 



When supplied with such a camera as this, the beginner would be fairly 

 well equipped for all-round work at bird photography, and he could start out 

 with reasonable assurance of success in all but special cases. The long bellows 

 would enable him to take fairly large pictures of distant birds by using the single 

 combinations of his lens, and the focal-plane shutter would equip him for 

 flight pictures. But, if the bird photographer can afford more than one camera, 

 it would be better to omit the focal-plane shutter in this case and take his flight 

 pictures with another camera. The aim in this little camera should be to com- 

 bine lightness, compactness and simphcity, for convenience in carrying and 

 working in difficult situations; all unnecessary complications and machinery 

 should be left off, as they are liable to get out of order or lead to disastrous errors. 

 The experienced or professional bird photographer would find this little camera 

 the most useful instrument in his outfit. Its small size and light weight make 

 it convenient and easy to carry on long, hard trips on foot; it can be strapped on 

 the frame of a bicycle between the rider's knees, or carried in a hunting-coat 

 pocket while climbing lofty trees. I have climbed the tallest and most difficult 

 trees with my little 'Poco' camera in my pocket, while my companion, who 

 was lugging a long-focus 'Premo' had to be contented with pictures from the 

 ground, not daring to make the climb with his bulky instrument. 



The bird photographer's outfit cannot he considered complete without a 

 reflecting hand camera, for quick snapshots at flying birds, and for use in the 

 many difficult situations where no other type of camera can be used. The ' Gra- 

 flex' is probably the finest and best-made camera of this class on the market, 

 but the high price at which it is sold puts it beyond the reach of the average 

 man's pocketbook, and its great weight makes it impracticable for field use 

 except under the most favorable circumstances. I consider the 'Reflex,' which 

 is more reasonable in price, the most practical camera of this class, and a nn)st 

 valuable instrument for bird photography. The focal-plane shutter, with adjust- 

 able slit, gives it a wide range of sjiecds uj) to one one-thousandth of a second, 

 adai)ting it for use on the swiftest-flying birds, as well as for slow snapshots 

 at stationary objects. By looking into the hood, the image can be clearly seen 

 reflected on the ground glass, full size and right side up, enabling the photographer 

 to find and focus sharply upon the moving object up to the instant of exjmsure, 

 thus insuring accurate results. The ease and rapidity with which the Reflex 

 camera can be operated enables the photograjjher to take advantage of fleeting 

 opportunities, which would be lost without it. I have seen a fine series of pictures 

 taken of some shy bird brooding or hovering for an in.stant over its young, alight- 

 ing temporarily on a nearby perch, mcning restlessly about at short range, or 



