32 NATURE AND THE CAMERA 



and focussing may be overcome by cutting a pair of 

 stilts and using a third stick as a brace. This is not 

 perhaps as easy as it sounds, but if the nest is a rare 

 one it is worth the effort. 



Occasionally we find a nest placed at the outer end 

 of a branch that is just out of reach of the camera 

 on its tripod. If the branch is not too thick it can 

 be pulled down until it is within easy photographing 

 distance, and secured by means of a cord. In doing 

 this do not change the angle of the nest. Forcing 

 up the end of the branch by means of a forked stick 

 placed at the thick end of the branch will correct 

 this defect. Do not move the eggs in a nest, but 

 leave them as they are arranged by the bird. We 

 often see pictures of nests completely spoiled through 

 this misplacement of the eggs. It must be remem- 

 bered that, though birds turn their eggs very fre- 

 quently, they never leave the small end pointing 

 upward, unless the bird, having been flushed sud- 

 denly, accidentally disturbs the eggs on leaving the 

 nest. 



Crows' and hawks' nests, and others that are placed 

 at a considerable height, can, as a rule, be photographed 

 only from an adjacent tree. It is not easy work, 

 requiring, as it does, that one should be a good 

 climber and not easily made dizzy. Do not attempt 

 to carry up your camera and other material. Attach 

 a good strong cord, and leave them on the ground in 



