74 Bird -Lore 



scious of what is taking place: thus we ehminate all timidity on the part of 

 our shy friends. Then only are we on the road to successful animal 

 photography. 



The best picture is not the most difficult one: but that one which 

 brings nature to us as it exists away from harm's reach, and is an 



'•1 I 



PHCEBE 



honest representation of the manner in which God's creatures live while 

 at home. 



The expression, "at home with the birds," sounds very nice, but 

 we should add, "while entertaining company," and we will conclude that 

 the bird acts as unnatural while in the presence of strangers as does 

 the human bemg. 



Attention may be called here to the intelligent, peaceful expressions 

 shown in our pictures of the domestic animals where there is no suggestion 

 of alarm. Is this not ample proof that, in order to obtain the best pho- 

 tographs of our wild animals, we must press the bulb while they are 

 unconcious of our presence ? 



It is seldom that we see a photograph of a bird standing on one leg with 

 his feathers all ruffled up, and yet how well do we know from our 

 observations with the field-glass, that this is one of the most common poses 

 for a bird to assume ! 



The picture of the Humming-birds shows them full-grown and very 

 nervous, being ready to take flight at any moment. This picture, although 

 interesting, could hardly be called natural, since the birds are intently 



