90 NEBRASKA ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION 



lens with great speed (f5.7) and shutters working automatically from 

 1-1000 of a second to three seconds. The camera should have a bellows 

 length of not less than eighteen inches, reversible and swing back, 

 sliding front, and rack and pinion for focusing. A good strong folding- 

 tripod is necessary. This should have an Eastman "adjustable tripod 

 top," which being made on the ball and socket principle enables the 

 oi)erator to tilt the camera up, down, and sidewise without moving the 

 tripod legs. I also carry a "bicj^cle attachment," which I use to attach 

 the camera to a branch when up in a tree. It is much better than 

 to strap the tripod to the branches, and may be used at all heights and 

 angles, as it has also a ball and socket movement. A rubber hose 

 about twenty-five feet long with a large bulb is necessary, so that the 

 shutter luay be released when some distance away from the camera. 

 For use in a bog or swanap, I have a "web-foot attachment" for my 

 tripod which I find to be a great help. I place blocks of wood, one 

 inch thick and three inches square, with hole in center to fit tightly, 

 on the end of the ti'ipod legs, which prevent the tripod from sinking 

 into the muddy bottom. 



The best tiiue to secure good photographs of birds is during the 

 breeding season, and the best places are where their nests are found. 

 If you want to photograph a parent bird upon the nest or feeding the 

 young, focus the camera upon the nest, connect the long hose, carry 

 the bulb end of the hose to the nearest cover, and after setting the 

 shutter and drawing the plate-holder slide retire to end of hose and 

 await your chance. Here is where the supply of patience must be 

 used. It may be necessary to wait quietly from fifteen to thirty 

 minutes, and sometimes longer; and right here I want to impress it 

 upon all, beginners esj)ecially, that the finest bird photographs are 

 secured by lying in wait for a parent bird to alight upon or near the 

 nest. One who awaits the opportimity and secures one good picture 

 accomplishes far more than do the many who expose dozens of plates 

 and fill albums with poor photographs. 



It is frequently advisable to screen the camera with a few green 

 boughs, being careful to leave nothing in front of the lens to obscure 

 the view. All movements when near the nest should be quietly ex- 

 ecuted in the shortest possible time, so as not to alarm the birds un- 

 necessarily. The photograph should be made during the lightest part 

 of the day whenever jjossible, and the exposure should be as short as 

 is consistent with the subject, lens, plate, and light. Imitations of bird 

 cries will usually cause the parents to approach the nest, and after 

 they find that the danger has apparently passed they frequently remain 

 and feed the young. A sound that will usually bring the birds may be 

 made by placing the back of the hand firmly against the opened lips 

 and sucking, at the same time raising the angle of the mouth, thus 

 producing a squeaking smack which sounds somewhat like the "hungry 

 call" of a young robin. 



