40 NATURE AND THE CAMERA 



their feed of June-bugs and other such insects which 

 their parents bring to them, and returning home for 

 the day. 



The larger the bird the more satisfactory will be 

 the picture of the young in their nest, for the reason 

 that not only are they more clearly defined, but the 

 camera must of necessity be placed at a greater dis- 

 tance from the nest, thereby giving a greater depth 

 of focus, for of course the nearer the object, the less 

 is the depth of focus of the lens. On this account it 

 is better not to make the image larger than necessary, 

 but rather to rely on enlarging the plate. 



It is well to remember that when fledgelings are 

 within a day or so of leaving their nest any impru- 

 dent act on your part may precipitate their departure. 

 Therefore avoid shaking the nest or handling the 

 young. Sometimes if even their heads are gently 

 moved they will all scramble out, after which they 

 can seldom be induced to occupy their nest again. 



PART III 



PHOTOGRAPHING THE NEST WITH THE SITTING BIRD 



Outfit same as Part II, with addition of a telephoto lens and a long rubber 

 tube with large bulb or hand bicycle-pump for releasing shutter. 



Now we begin to realise the marked individuality of 

 birds and to learn how this individuality affects our 



