Photographing Nests and Young Birds 
The dead branch of a tree makes a natural and effective perch 
for the bird to stand on ; it should be carefully selected, with no 
twigs that would be much out of focus. Then focus your camera 
on some particular point ; mark this lightly with a penknife and 
take the photograph when the bird stands on the marked place. 
When several birds are to be photographed together, they must 
be arranged so that each one shows ina different position from 
his companions. You may say that this sounds easy, but is most 
difficult to accomplish ; here is the time for the much-needed pa- 
tience already mentioned. 
Young birds may be photographed while in the nest, but this 
is not often satisfactory, since only the heads show. Especially in 
the case of the smaller birds is it difficult to get all parts in focus. 
Moreover, the location of the nest is generally in the shade, so that 
to get good results a time exposure is desirable. But the birds 
invariably move ; so, on the whole, I think the best results are to 
be obtained without anything in the way of accessories. This has 
been my experience, though others who have been more fortunate 
in getting good effects with the young in the nests think that is 
the better method. 
When nests containing eggs are to be photographed it is 
better to choose a cloudy day, otherwise a screen should be used 
in order to soften the light, or the markings on the eggs will 
scarcely show in the picture, and the detail of the nest will often 
be lost in the strong light and shade. The screen may be made 
of cheesecloth or fine muslin, and a light, portable frame for it 
may be constructed of thin bamboo, arranged so as to fold and be 
carried with the tripod. 
If the nest is photographed in bright sunlight, a piece of white 
paper or cloth may be used with advantage as a reflector in order 
to soften the shadows. When photographing ground 
nests the ordinary tripod is troublesome and difficult 
to tilt to the necessary angle. After trying various 
schemes, I am now using a device which works satis- 
factorily, its disadvantage being its weight. Three- 
ply wood should be used in making this, and the 
metal parts may be taken from an ordinary tripod top. 
” The bar AB is cylindrical, 78 inch in diameter ; to 
this is clamped a ball-and-socket device, allowing the 
camera to tilt forward without moving the legs of 
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