( 30G ) 



ON "WAIT AND SEE" PHOTOGRAPHY. 

 Part I^^ 



BY 



E. L. TURNER, H.M.B.O.U. 



On May 27tb, 1915. I found two rain-water pools close 

 together in a hollow between the sand-hills at the Sneuk 

 End of Holy Island. One pool was circular and sheh-ing, 

 similar in size and shape to a downland dcM-j^ond. The 

 upper pool was considerably larger, and irregular in 

 outline. Between them there stretched an oblong level 

 strip of silvery greensward. I put up a tent by each pool 

 and went to one or the other nearly every day between 

 May 26th and June 2nd. 



The smaller pool and a large slice of the greensward 

 were dominated by a sturdy Ringed Plov^er. His attitude 

 in Fig. 1 was characteristic of the bird. He spoilt niy 

 chances again and again. There is no doubt that birds 

 fight best in their own territory. This small but deter- 

 mined bird cleared the field of all intruders. Even the 

 Sheld-duck acknowledged his rights and gave way before 

 his spirited onslaughts. Undoubtedly, also, territorial 

 laws are recognised by birds, and right as often as might 

 governs their social relations. 



Two stones in the pool were favourite " dressing "' 

 places for Terns, Lapwings, Stock-Doves and other smaller 

 birds. Twice a day an Eider Duck alighted M-ith a 

 tremendous splash, sending the swirling water right over 

 the stones. Unfortunately she was shy of the tent, and 

 after a hasty drmk and a splash or tM-o she ah\-ays flew 

 away to continue her ablutions in the upper pool. When 

 I put up a tent there, she found some other quiet comer 

 in which to bathe unobserved. Hitherto I did not know- 

 that Eiders frequented fresh water. This duck was 

 nesting close by. 



A Common Tern was particularly fond of standmg on 

 one of the stones and talking to his own reflection. But, 

 unlike Narcissus, he did not fall in love with himself, as 



