PHOTOGRAPHING NESTS AND EGGS 55 



and find her young who were posing before the 

 camera, but without success. (Needless to say, I 

 allowed them opportunities for feeding by removing 

 the camera occasionally.) Even though I concealed 

 the camera with leaves, and while I went forty feet 

 away and hid in the bushes, one or other of the old 

 birds would sit close by and watch every movement. 

 Several times I saw one of the birds go fairly near 

 the young (without carrying food), and my hopes 

 would be raised, for I thought the other bird had 

 gone in search of food, when suddenly from the 

 young chestnut-trees which sheltered me a voice 

 would call " Chewink, chewink, chewink," and I 

 knew that I was still being watched. Finally, be- 

 coming disgusted and fearing lest the young might 

 suffer for want of food, I packed up my things and 

 went away, marvelling at the remarkable patience of 

 that pair of chewinks. 



Birds differ so much in their natures that no rule 

 that will insure success can be laid down. With 

 some birds it is necessary to conceal yourself from 

 view and make the exposure from a considerable dis- 

 tance, but usually you may stand in plain view, pro- 

 vided you are not too near and do not make any quick 

 motions. Once the bird has become used to your 

 presence she will no longer object to your being 

 near; in fact, she will allow you to stand alongside of 

 her young while she feeds them. It is noticeable 



