A New Device for Securing Birds' Pictures 



BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN 



With photographs from nature by the author 



THE success of Mr. George A. Shiras, 

 of Pittsburg, in securing photographs 

 of deer by means of an automatic appara- 

 tus whereby the animal photographed virtually took 

 its own picture has suggested the employment of a 

 not dissimilar plan in procuring photographs of birds. 

 Though not familiar with Mr. Shiras' methods 

 and with no experience in his special field of work, 

 it nevertheless seems evident that with an animal 

 as strong as a deer no difficulty would be en- 

 countered in so arranging a string or trip -line that 

 the deer in striking it would readily spring a cam- 

 era shutter. In the case of small birds, however, no 

 success was had in making what might be called a 

 ' camera trap ' until electricity was employed ; then 

 with the assistance of Messrs. Rowley and Schneider, at the American 

 Museum of National History, a design was evolved, which, in practice, 

 seems to possess some merit. 



BLUEBIRD ON ELECTRIC PERCH 



It was soon fount! that if the circuit was completed and the picture 

 made the moment the bird alighted on what may be called the ' trigger ' 

 of the trap, the picture would represent a bird in motion with wings flap- 



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