Aneroid and Silk Rope 31 
jungle of palmetto and lentiscus. But the aneroid always told me 
when I was on the general level of the nest and eventually I got 
on a terrace which led, most unexpectedly, right into it. At the 
time I had no good picture of a Griffon’s nest. It was a splendid 
subject, a fine nest on a sloping shelf with steep rock rising 
behind and on one side. There were heavy clouds and some rain 
and a long time-exposure was wanted. With the aid of my silk 
rope I secured myself to the rock and backed out cautiously till 
I got sufficient distance, then pressing the camera with one hand 
against the cliff, I took the photograph. The camera was one 
with a fixed focus. Despite the difficulties I, or rather the camera, 
got an excellent picture, so excellent indeed that I had it enlarged 
to 10 in. by 12 in. and have it now hanging in my study. So much 
for ‘‘the uselessness of hand cameras.” In this case the aneroid 
was the prime means of my reaching the nest but without my 
silk rope the photograph could never have been taken, since to 
get it meant standing on the slippery rock at the extreme edge 
of a sheer cliff. 
In time-exposures of this nature it often becomes a serious 
difficulty where to dispose one’s watch so as to keep an eye on 
the second hand. My common habit has been to hang it on some 
branch or lay it on a ledge, both clumsy expedients. It is only 
this year that I have become the possessor of a wrist watch fitted 
with a third hand to indicate seconds on the dial. What anxious 
moments would not this simple contrivance have saved me in 
innumerable climbs in the past ! 
The importance of a good whistle when engaged on cliff work 
will be described later on and every sportsman knows how useful 
a whistle can be in many other circumstances. 
(2) Hunting Belt, Swivels and Knives. 
I am a great believer in a sheath-knife which is available for 
instant use in emergencies. It is for this reason we always carry 
